Site Updates and Mix-match UI

Excuse the mess. This site will be undergoing a redesign to match the current logo and branding over the new few weeks. I will also be spending time on filling in huge content gaps and weak areas of the story of this website as I have time. The blue hues do not match and in my haste, I used a word-press template rather than creating my own theme. There are some issues in different browsers due to the decoder theme. Another issue is that sometimes the site takes longer to resolve than it should, if it does resolve (hosting provider is having mysql issues of some sort).

EdUI2009

So I’ll be off to EdUI 2009 tomorrow, up earlier than usual and probably looking like a vampire trying to hide from the sun (microsoft used to have this cool add of a developer hiding from the sun for visual studio 2005 I was hoping to insert here, but the 400 plus differences and defy all challenges websites are gone). That should be fun. Though I’m kinda bummed that all the presentations I want to see are tomorrow morning at the same time.

• Usability Testing Without the Scary
• New Insights in Web Standards
• Beyond Blah Blah: Creating Great Content for the Web
• Visual Design Essentials for Non-Artists

I’ll probably have to hit up the creating great content for the web, since I generally keep up with web standards, ui testing, and have a communications major specializing in media graphics (though yes, i know the site is currently lacking, I am working on it, Rome and all that.).

Branding

Branding or a brand can be described as creating an image that sets yourself or goods or services apart from everyone else. Branding yourself or a product or service is just as an important part of the business process/model as it is to have to having a great resume on file, quality code, great client relationships, an amazing product or service to sell.

I have been doing a great deal of debating, contemplating, and researching in what direction do I want to take this lil side project, website, and my own life in general in. What kind of image do I want to display and answering various questions. To what end? Why do it? Is it fluid enough to keep up with the times? What is my target audience? How does this relate to “main street”? (I loathe that term with extreme prejudice as much as one can despise words). Branding is more than a logo, its an attitude, persona that people associate with a company, person, service, product. In example, google’s “do not be evil” philosophy. Also what image should be avoided?

Even though I have determined a rough vision statement, a road map, a temporary logo, and other details, I’m still working on the branding, narrowing down the target audience, and road that I wish to travel upon. So please excuse the current mess.

When being professional, discard religion and politics at the door

On a side note, I find it sad, that a decent amount of well known developers on twitter and even in blog posts who have branded themselves well, whether they know it or not, putting up political views. I myself have been guilty of this in the past and have resolved to keep anything related to amptools.net religion, race, and politics free. If you have a professional blog, twitter account, etc. Keep it professional. Its your name and sometimes you are directly insulting your end users and other people in the industry who might hold opposite views or beliefs.

Everyone has their own belief system even if you are an atheist or politician, or even a jedi . That belief system will influence your decisions in life and even on a daily basis. However, it does not mean you are above others who share different views. Nor is it wise to insult your user base. As such, it would be wiser and professional to show restraint of the tongue or in this case the next 140 characters you type. If you live in Charlottesville, I believe that means also removing those vile bumper stickers off your vehicle.

New Business Cards

The osc business card is based after the one Youssef Chaker did using a website called moo.com for business cards. The amptools one is using the newer temporary logo, i removed the gears and left in the accent/ angle bracket symbolizing the windows command line.

osc business card frontside, 150 DPI, png 8

osc business card backside, 150 DPI, png 8

amptools business card frontside, 150 DPI

amptools business card backside, 150 DPI, png 8