You stay classy, Microsoft

Microsoft is using an ad online featuring a woman projectile vomiting from seeing something in her significant other’s browsing history to market Internet Explorer 8. They’re promoting the new private browsing feature, hosted by TV’s former Superman, Dean Cain. Yep, it’s real. I wish I was kidding: http://mashable.com/2009/07/01/ie-vomiting/ Another example of Microsoft’s horrendously awful marketing lately. Apple uses Justin Long and John Hodgman. Fun and clever. Microsoft uses bullshit laptop buyers in a Best Buy going for cheap instead of quality, and now, projectile vomiting. Ironically, it’s how I feel... Read full article →

 

Safari 4 supports HTML 5 features and CSS 3

No longer in Beta. http://www.apple.com/safari/what-is.html Nice to see advanced web design/development feature support. It’s nice to see a major computer company pushing innovation on the web. The browser wars wage on. Tweet

 

Internet Explorer 6 is a jalopy

Internet Explorer 6 is the most widely used browser from a Dark Age of stifled innovation, but as of April 09, 17.52% of surfers are still using it. How far down the Information Superhighway will these users need to be before they brake down and finally enjoy the free upgrade to 2006′s version 7 (or even better, IE8)? Not long, apparently. Microsoft has lost a lot of ground, and the future does not look bright for the browser once brought to you at gunpoint. The browser options are becoming more... Read full article →

 

Tweaking the design

I’m switching up to a warmer color scheme and playing around with getting the lists to look just right in IE7 and IE8. I’m not going to spend time optimizing for IE6, because I’m not sure there is enough value in going through all the hacks required. Well, I’ll get to tweaking my IE6.css file, but it’s not a high priority. I know IE6 still has a significant user base, but the likely reader of EvanWiener.com is the kind of web surfer that wouldn’t be caught dead using IE6, unless... Read full article →

 

“Just make it look pretty”

I hear this a lot when others describe what designers do, and I think it would be wise for the design community to actively change the perception of the value that we offer. The context of that description makes design a “nice to have” option for businesses to consider, but also presents design as something that’s not critical to the sales, quality, and functionality of their product. It’s interesting that we have to struggle to justify our existence to many business people who don’t value what we offer, or refute... Read full article →