This Is Like Crack Only Better

Stumble, Baby.
Where have you been all of my life? How did I ever surf without you?

StumbleUpon is a great fun and if you haven't tried it then it's high time you did. It's a new approach to surfing based on your specific interests. Getting started is quick and easy. Visit The Stumble site, install their browser plugin and take a few minutes to register. You will be asked to check some options to help define your interests. And no, boobs is not one of the options (you big perv).

When you are done with the installation just restart your browser. A nice little stumble icon appears. Each time you click it a page (selected based on your interests and the recommendations of other surfers with similar interests) will appear.

You'll love it. It's like having a best friend that sends you the the coolest links, videos, and pictures on the web. You also have the option to 'thumbs up' or 'thumbs down' a page. Rate and recommend pages you really enjoy (push the good content) and tailor your browsing experience. You can also tag and share your finds with others. Feeling social? Set up your profile and find people with similar interests.

I'm not kidding. It's just like crack...only better.

Visit my stumble page located here.

Technorati Tag:[stumble]

My Blog Gets Its 15 minutes

Wow. My little blog nearly exploded from all of the traffic from my Flickr post. I mean, holy freakin cow.

I think my CEO is planning to do some sort of follow-up on his blog (http://www.geekceo.com) later this week.

We did finally conclude that:

1. Flickr does not alter your original photo
2. Flickr does enhance the other sizes and openly admits it (not to mention it's way more sinister than I thought).
3. Zoto 3.0 will be auto-enhancing photos when we launch in March but we will also have an option to to disable this feature.

I think best part of the hoopla was reading all of the comments. I was really blown away by the amount of response. So thanks for all of your comments. Even the anonymous ones (you silly weenies). I also realize, in hindsight, that calling someone a numnut in response to a negative reddit comment is, ahem, possibly a tad unprofessional. And as for that guy who asked me if I passed the turing test, ha-freakin-ha.

Oh, and the photo from my flickr post is not soup. It's my italian chicken chili. The recipe is here.

Ok. Time to go back to blogging about patterns and stuff.

Flickr's Dirty Little Secret

The secret is...you suck at taking photos.

And flickr knows it. That's why when you upload a photo to flickr it undergoes a cosmetic lift via a sharpening filter (and perhaps a saturation filter as well). See below.



This is a capture of the exact same photo. On the top is a thumbnail of my photo rendered on Zoto (3.0 beta) . It's blurry and the detail is lost. On the bottom is the same photo thumbnail rendered on Flickr. Notice how sharp the detail and color appear. Unlike Flickr, Zoto is rendering an 'accurate' thumbnail of my photo.

The result? On Flickr I am fabulous, wonderful taker of photos. On Zoto, I am just a loser who can't get a photo in focus.

Does this subtle cosmetic lift, on a subliminal level, factor into a user's decision making process when it comes to choosing a photo hosting service? The advantage to the mainstream user is obvious, but if I was a pro photographer, wouldn't I resent someone taking liberty with my photos? We've had a bit of a debate on this issue in our office (at Zoto). I'm for passing a filter on photos to make them look better. I think it improves the user's experience. On some level, even if they aren't aware of it, they are enjoying their photos more because of this little white lie. Some of our "purists" in the office disagree. In the end the best solution may be to make this an option in the upload settings that users can control for themselves. And user control is what it's all about, right?

New word: flickrality
Definition: The version of reality where you rock at taking photos.

Technorati tags: [flickr]

Patterny Goodness

So, having survived hectic holidays, a breakup, a move to a new house, and the Ice Storm of 2007, I think it's time for a bit of blogging.

Today's menu? Patterny goodness. To be served with a piping hot, fresh side of links (hyper, that is).

I find patterns very inspiring. Here are some of my favorite resources.

Pattern Books:

Vintage Fabric from the States
Put this one on my wish list, please.

You Work For Them - Patterns
Peruse their entire pattern section. Where else can you pick up book of camo patterns that's been secretly haunting your dreams? That camo book comes with it's own CD-Rom, by the way.

Celtic Design
All the celtic motifs and designs your little heart could ever want. Cd-Rom included.

Blogs:

Print Pattern
Self described "designer and trend forecaster with a passion for pattern in all its forms." A Yummy, yummy pattern blog.

Naked & Angry
Submit pattern designs to be scored and manufactured into "blow-your-mind" products. When you get done with that wander over to the blog. If you have a hole burning through your pocket stick around and buy some wallpaper.

Misc Resources:

Create perfect photoshop pixel patterns
I don't care what anyone says, tiled web patterns are HOT.

Free patterns
Nice little collection of free web patterns you can use on your own site.

Online electronic swatchbook
Facinating. Samples of fashionable fabric designs from the 1830's to the 1920's. You can zoom in very close. (Nice use of the zoomr app with flash)

Symmetry and Pattern
Sound smart the next time someone asks. Applies to more than just oriental carpets, too.

Articles:

Symbolism in Asian Motifs and Patterns
Ever wondered what the recurring patterns in Asian textiles and dishware mean?

Africa's Painted Patterns
A little insight into those bold geometric patterns.

Traditional Patterns In Korea
Finally, someone explains what's up with all of those dragon patterns.

Inspiration:

Dan Funderburgh
I'm losing my mind because these pattern designs are that cool.

Josef Frank - Textiles
These are amazing textiles. I'm personally in love with "Loops".

Funkis - Fabrics
Lots of fun and funky patterns.

Flickr photo - Thursday love
Love this little photo and all the great notes describing the origins and history of these fun patterns. Why don't more people do this? Start taking pictures of your patterns. It looks like fun. Do it. Do it now.

Flickr photoset - Patterns
Luv it.

Whew. That's more than enough patterny goodness for one day.