Almost two weeks ago now, I downloaded the trial version of Coda, a single-window website development tool developed by Panic.
Immediately, my life changed.
I used to code up website with a simple text editor -- no syntax highlighting, no validation, no auto-formatting. And I kinda liked it. I used Cyberduck to FTP into each of my sites for updating files, then had the browser open to refresh and see the updates. I had figured out optimal window placement for drag-and-drop of the text files into Cyberduck, and as many keyboard shortcuts as Mac allowed. (I have to admit that's what I miss most about Windows machines -- I once went a month without a mouse)
But then I heard about Coda. I tried it. I fell in love. It's all-in-one nature made everything so seamless, and greatly reduced my need for the mouse. Its syntax engines recognize HTML, CSS, Java, and PHP protocols. You can elect to have the file automatically update when you save the remote version, with the integrated Transmit program. When you type a new tag, it closes it for you. It gives helpful error messages with page validation. It includes a source control system... It changes the litterbox and washes your dishes! Well, okay, maybe not those last two, but it may as well do so, since it will free up so much of your time you won't even mind doing those chores anymore.
In short, I love it. I think I may actually have to buy it.
13 February 2009
12 February 2009
Book Review: Do You Matter?
The book Do you matter? How great design will make people love your company by Brunner & Emery has been a great inspiration for and continued affirmation of my approach to design, both of products and websites.
Written by world class designers, including a former Director of Apple's Industrial Design Group (Brunner), the advice is riddled with authority. Pulling examples not only from well known successes such as the iPod but also failures and other industries, the authors illustrate their viewpoint that the customer's satisfaction is key to any venture's success. While this seems an obvious statement, too many companies seem to forget this while trying to meet their bottom line. However, if the customer is not happy, it soon won't matter what the bottom line is, as the business will have gone bust.
It is good to be reminded of this fact, as it is all too easy to become immersed in the details of a design. Especially as a sole proprieter, I must fulfill the roles of artist, engineer, marketer, and reviewer. It is important to take a step back and remember why I am designing this thing. Who is going to use this product? Who will be looking at this site? Is my creation communicating what I intend? Is it fulfilling the user's needs?
The brilliant thing about this book is that its message is not contained in only one key chapter. It is dispersed throughout the book, on every page, in every paragraph. The designer's mission is to create, to innovate, and to satisfy demands customers didn't even know they had. I can flip to any section, read a few lines, and walk away with my motivation for success renewed and recharged. In fact, I do refer back regularly when the drudgery part of the task at hand is dragging me down. This book reminds me why I do what I do.
I design, therefore I am.
Written by world class designers, including a former Director of Apple's Industrial Design Group (Brunner), the advice is riddled with authority. Pulling examples not only from well known successes such as the iPod but also failures and other industries, the authors illustrate their viewpoint that the customer's satisfaction is key to any venture's success. While this seems an obvious statement, too many companies seem to forget this while trying to meet their bottom line. However, if the customer is not happy, it soon won't matter what the bottom line is, as the business will have gone bust.
It is good to be reminded of this fact, as it is all too easy to become immersed in the details of a design. Especially as a sole proprieter, I must fulfill the roles of artist, engineer, marketer, and reviewer. It is important to take a step back and remember why I am designing this thing. Who is going to use this product? Who will be looking at this site? Is my creation communicating what I intend? Is it fulfilling the user's needs?
The brilliant thing about this book is that its message is not contained in only one key chapter. It is dispersed throughout the book, on every page, in every paragraph. The designer's mission is to create, to innovate, and to satisfy demands customers didn't even know they had. I can flip to any section, read a few lines, and walk away with my motivation for success renewed and recharged. In fact, I do refer back regularly when the drudgery part of the task at hand is dragging me down. This book reminds me why I do what I do.
I design, therefore I am.
12 January 2009
First foray into PHP/mySQL...
I just created my first webpage using PHP scripting and a mySQL database. I had been wanting to add these to my repertoire earlier, but hadn't had a project yet that required a database. I have a hard time learning new things if I don't have an immediate application for it. I suppose I learn tangible things best, rather than only in the abstract.
As I came across problems in the code, and thought "well, I want to do this, and it probably would go something like this..." a simple Google search would turn up some great example of the approximate idea I was trying to implement. By looking at other people's code, and finding similar bits among several examples, I was able to piece together my approach.
In all, I went from a scripting philistine to a full-fledged newbie in three nights... I look forward to putting my new skills to use again soon.
As I came across problems in the code, and thought "well, I want to do this, and it probably would go something like this..." a simple Google search would turn up some great example of the approximate idea I was trying to implement. By looking at other people's code, and finding similar bits among several examples, I was able to piece together my approach.
In all, I went from a scripting philistine to a full-fledged newbie in three nights... I look forward to putting my new skills to use again soon.
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