Goal-Directed Design

I'm a web developer by profession and I just read a book by Alan Cooper called, "The Inmates are Running the Asylum". Basically it is book giving a fairly detailed overview of Interaction Design for software, where it fits in the development life cycle, and its importance to the overall success of producing software. Everyone that is involved with the Software Development Life Cycle should read it.

So, this brings me to a comic strip that I thought was spot on funny:

http://www.bugbash.net/comic/37.html

Enjoy!

Flat Tax, Choice of Schools, Social Security, and Health Care

I just read a great article by Steve Forbes. Click the title of this article and you can read it too.

The core of it is we pay too many taxes!

He describes a typical day of paying taxes for almost every person. It goes something like this: you wake up and turn the light on (utility tax), brush your teeth (sales tax on brush and paste), use the water (more utility tax). Get dressed (sales tax by you indirectly by the manufacturer). Drive your car (fuel is taxed) on a road (city/state tax), possibly go through a toll. You get the idea.

I hate taxes and a flat tax if the most fair.

His article also includes his opinions on Education, Health Care, and Social Security. I agree with the points he makes.

300 Nearly Perfect say the FANS

So I read a review about 300 being "far from perfect", but the reviewer in the article points out that on IMDB, it got an 8.6. An 8.6 on IMDB is a superior rating and as I say in my title, "300 is Nearly Perfect say the FANS".

I have not seen this movie yet, but I am anxiously awaiting it. I am also glad the FANS like it and it makes me want to watch it more.

This is a couple of the reviewer's complaints: "it looks more like the inside of a computer game" and "with its macho militarism, seems out of step in a war-weary time". Uh yeah, the CGI is part of the draw to the movie and this guy is "war-weary"? Stop whining! The movie is entertainment and keep your perspective.

His last paragraph is: "All of which may be beside the point, I know: the kids just want to have fun. Many of them will. But what does that say about another Greek contribution -- Western civilization?" What??? Really? Does anyone believe this movie is supposed to be some history lesson? No, its "blood and thunder", just the kind of fun we want.

Here's a couple of cool links...

Interview with director Zack Snyder

Gallery of pics and their relation to the novel by Frank Miller

Go see the movie and tell me what you think!