I'll say it again...

Sustainability. Many companies could spend some time researching that word, and how it relates to their business or products. I think it will be more than just a trend of the future... Some people are just doing what they believe in, instead of waiting for the evidence. And thats a pretty strong statement. Eleven Questions - Here is a list of questions you should ask yourself, before begining a project.
1. Do we need it? Can we live without it?
2. Is the project designed to minimize waste?
3. Can it be smaller, lighter or made from fewer materials?
4. Is it designed to be durable or multi-functional?
5. Does it use renewable resources?
6. Is reuse practical and encouraged?
7. Are the product and packaging refillable, recyclable or repairable?
8. Is it made with post-consumer recycled or reclaimed materials and how much?
9. Are the materials available in a less toxic form? Can it be made with less toxic materials?
10. Is it available from a socially and environmentally responsible company?
11. Is it made locally?
About Sustainable Design, MASSIVE CHANGE, A very interesting video on (driving loyalty) building brand, marketing, and gaining marketshare. VIDEO: Eric Ryan Presents The Method Story, method Revolution (company music video), Donny Deutsch interview with Method founders, News segment with method founders, method = detox your home. ECO NEWS 01 | 02 | I wanna say that I remember reading that Benjamin franklin was big into recycling, how to reuse items or working towards zero waste. Does anyone have a link for this? One last question... Have you inspired someone today?

gadget widget ads.... next is blipverts?

Think you have a short attention span now? The future looks even more like a blipvert (submit yours here?). And just when I've figured out that multi-tasking may not be the best way to get things done. I truly believe that we need more time to think about things, the impact of those things, process them (hopefully learn from them), and continue moving forward. So user beware, there are more and more things out there to attract your attention, and the modus operandi is: "It has to be compelling enough for someone to want to grab it and place it onto their page." Widgets are the new ad kid on the block. And there are so many things you can do with them... SmartLinks - 02, Widget Ads, Google Gadget Ads, Google Gadgets, SnaggableAds (pointroll | clearspring).
Sure people can use these things wisely, and for good purposes, but the people driving these and its motivation come from ad firms and money. So continue to educate and prepare yourself, for our ever-changing, shorter attention-span future. FYI - new ad term: engagement clicks = measure the ways the consumer interacts with the ad. More info on widgets/gadgets. How to keep widgets from slowing down sites (javascript embedding)
Thanks to Kevin Crawford for the heads up - or shall I say - the hypnotic stare.
ps. Anyone know how to remove the skin of the Chumby, so it just shows the window?

Replicating prototyper

"Wealth without money..." I've been thinking about a device like this... A device that will let you create things that you need. All you need is the raw (or hopefully recycled) material. More info here. The RepRap project is working towards creating a universal constructor by using rapid prototyping, and then giving the results away free under the GNU General Public Licence to allow other investigators to work on the same idea. Nanotechnology should also be able to do this. But I dont know the timeline for either. I remember reading about a device that would take material and replicate things, wonder if I could find it...

FREE video editing software

It was only a matter of time... open source version of video editing software. Sure, most of us use FinalCutPro, AfterEffects, or Avid. But open source is the way to go. So go check it out. Sure there are some other great things out there too (or atleast soon): Movica, LiVES, Starling, Premiere Express, My question is, when is somebody gonna post an API? More here, and other apps here.

Adobe Flash Player 9 (HD)

From the desk of Kevin Crawford... Adobe has released the support of HD Video in their latest flash 9 player. After installing there is a gallery of video to look at. Its the next level of video. There is also a technical document provided here & here(PDF). Best Flash websites of 2007? Not sure if I agree, but most of them are kinda neat. I dont want a website to be a piece of art in a museum. It just wouldnt be a website. A website is supposed to provide information, give something back to the user, and potentially be a portal for users that love the product, service, or things that the website is. Youtube is great for its videos. Wikipedia - great for its info. Good websites shouldnt try to be something that they are not. But if they try, they better be pretty good a trying - or its a failure. Feel free to hit me up on more of my highly opinionated thoughts on this...

cold auto battery?

So my girlfriends car wouldnt start this morning, she came in and said that it was prolly the starter. She has a 2001 VW Golf - and her starter always makes a shreaking noise when starting. I guess this is just a feature with VWs?!? Anyway, I heard her try to start her car, and it did sound like it was turning over - so it didnt seem like a starter problem to me. I put some shoes on and went to the garage and got my jumper cables. I hooked up the cars and let them sit - charging for a few minutes while we planned on ideas for the towing of her car. After a few minutes - it started up just fine. We havent used it since Friday night - so the battery just may have been affected by the big temperature drop over the weekend? Kevin gave another good tip for this situation... turn the car lights on for 15-30seconds or more before starting the car. This should get the chemicals in the battery moving so its will be more active and ready for the charging. I gotta remember to put the other set of jumper cables in my car tonight - cuz this is the season...

Semantic Search?

So the CEO (Burke Allen) at my company (Novlologic.com) was talking about how cool Aritys search product is. Supposedly it is "Semantic" in the way it works - possibly the future of search - and that they are interested to work with Google, Yahoo!, Amazon, Microsoft - or someone like that. They are wondering what to do with the product. Im curious to know why they dont just put it out there for the public. Im sure it would get tons of attention. I thought the product is called "ramp up", but looking at their site it may be associated with one of their other products (@tlas, or EXPRESSway). 10 Semantic Apps to Watch |

SubMediaTV

Some of the best words that Ive heard from my friend at SubMedia.tv:

Yep, I think the election is a sham. I vote because it takes no effort. The ideal strategy is protecting yourself and your loved ones by creating community, buying local foods, organize a community garden, saving money, but also getting active in informing people of what's coming and what's here.

I never claim to have all the answers, but if you are not ready to do some direct action, the best you can do is help bring people together and have tight group of peeps who have your back, who are aware of what's happening and who are preparing for tough times.

But we can't be running scared. We need to own this shit or it's going to own us. Yes someone (us) need to stop this madness.
I will vote for Kucinich in the primary and Nader (if he runs) on the general.
Well said Frank! And... Ten Steps To Close Down an Open Society

Agave Nectar = Perfect Margarita?

Thanks to Sarah Peacock, Joy and I were introduced to what might be the best margarita Ive had. There are a couple of variations to the recipe, but I would consider these fraternal twins. The secret? Agave Nectar -(NO high fructose corn syrup related ingredients like Cointreau or TripleSec). Julio Bermejo of Tommy's Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco: 01, 02. Partida Agave Nectar Margarita: 01, 02. Agave as THE sugar substitute on Oprah: video. Do the research, and look for deals on agave: 01. FYI - we also played the new Cranium $30, which is my new favorite boardgame.