Megapixels of the mobile world
Over the past weeks we’ve all been forced to learn a bit more about phone signal bars than we ever cared. One point sticks out for me: signal bars are a mobile phone’s megapixels.
Yes, yes. A megapixel is a standard unit of measure, but to say a 10 MP camera is inherently better than one capable of 5 MP is a gross miscalculation. In reality a digital camera’s megapixel number plays only a small part in the quality of a photograph. Signal bars on the other hand are based on a non-standard calculation made by software engineers.
Since updating my iPhone 3GS to iOS 4.0.1 on Friday morning, the consistent five bars in my home office is now three. The signal hasn’t changed. I haven’t suddenly started dropping calls. But the phone’s environment feedback has changed dramatically and I’m not sure who to believe.
Refresh DC: Moving from freelance to agency
This past Thursday evening, I again had the pleasure of attending the montly Refresh DC meetup. We were treated to a panel of local studio owners: Martin Ringlein of nclud, Jeff Walpole of Phase2 Technology, Anthony Pappas of The Pappas Group, Jen Sterling of Hinge, and Brian Williams of Viget Labs. Despite the tropics, the standing room only crowd was treated to the insight of these design entrepreneurs.
Each shared their stories with the group, what led them to start their own business, and the importance of passion. My two favorite bits of wisdom came from Martin: have a personal board of directors and define success. The second seems so obvious, but so many times people go charging out of the gate without asking themselves “what do I need to be successful?” Ask the question and figure out the answer.
It’s impossible to not be impressed by the DC web design community. It’s a talented, passionate, intelligent, and supportive group of folks that I always look forward to chatting with and learning from.
Zappos pays new employees to quit
In "Good To Great," author Jim Collins discusses the importance of getting the right people on the bus. Zappos gets it!
Why Zappos Pays New Employees to Quit -- And You Should Too
My favorite TED Talk
The knighted Ken Robinson posits that our schools are killing creativity.
“My contention is that creativity, now, is as important in education as literacy. And we should treat it with the same status.”
His humorous and engaging style only strengthen his argument.
The man who said “no” to Wal-Mart
In Fast Company’s The Man Who Said “No” to Wal-Mart, Simplicity CEO Jim Wier tells how he saved the Snapper brand by understanding the things that meant the most to his customers.
