Articles
Quick MobileMe, iCal Maintenance Tip
When people find out I use MobileMe, their first question is always "How do you like it?" Well, actually, their first question is usually "You actually use MobileMe? Why?!" but it's always followed by asking how I like it. The answer is that I actually like it fairly well. It has its quirks and shortcomings, but as a simple solution that invisibly unifies my calendar, contacts, mail, and photo albums across my phone, laptop, and the web, it's pretty hard to beat. It is far from perfect or complete, but the highest compliment I can pay to MobileMe is that I seldom have to think about it at all. With MobileMe's impending demise at the...
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Why clients should be charged for phone calls
It seems that there are certain professions where billing clients for phone calls is acceptable and even expected. I have, on several occasions, received invoices from my lawyer and my accountant for advice given over the phone. Well, I graduated from college just like they did, and I feel my time is worth just as much. I'm aware of numerous large advertising firms that will bill for phone calls, but when you own a small business it's more difficult to get away with this. If I could get away with charging for calls, I would at least feel that my days weren't a complete waste of time. In a perfect world, here are some of the calls I would...
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A Varied Spectrum: Color Trends for 2011
In this over-stimulated world, is there any better mirror into the zeitgeist of the moment than the colors we see buzzing around us? Humans can perceive over 2.8 million hues, and though we are often unconscious of its influence, nothing creates a temperature and reflects our current cultural climate better than a color trend. Not only can color affect our choices and behavior, but our preferences clearly affect the colors we choose. In fact, it is hard to say whether we are being unconsciously pushed by an enthralling tide of Pantone turquoise or if we ourselves hold the influential paintbrush. The line between what we decide and what...
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How to Handle a Nonpaying Client
Have you ever found yourself wondering if you're a graphic designer or a debt collector? It seems the current recession is not only responsible for a lack of jobs but also for a lack of payments. The nonpaying client has become a serious epidemic in the small business world. If you don't know what I'm talking about then give me a call, because I would love to work out a client trade. The inspiration for this article not only came from my own clients lack of payment but also friends and alliances in the graphic design world who are shutting their doors due to nonpayment of large invoices. As of right now, my company has four clients who...
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Do You Really Need an App for That?
Every mobile app developer can relate to the experience of impromptu idea pitches. It seems like everybody you meet has an app idea, and they seem to consistently fall into one of several categories: About one fourth are simply bad ideas. Developers always try to be kind and gracious (or at least they should), but software design and development is expensive and time-consuming, and not every idea is worth the effort. Don't immediately dismiss bad ideas, though, because they can lead you down surprising paths to new, original ideas. The difference between bad brownies and great brownies is about 5 more minutes in the oven. About...
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