Lougheed

Social media makes me more social in real life

Pearl Jam's amazing video for "Evolution" video paints a dark picture of being "on the grid".  As much as I like the video and the song, I have a more "Star Trek" view of our future and being connected all the time.  As a matter of fact, I think being "on the grid" (social media) is making me more social in real life.   

It's easier than ever to get together in real life.  It used tobe a big hassle to organize events and larger group outings.  Most of the events I go to now outside of work are organized via Facebook.  It's just so easy to organize events via social media that I see more of my/our friends more often .  

It's easier to strike up a conversation than ever before.  I can usually get a pretty good sense of what my larger circle of friends are up to via their news feeds.   For me this means it's easier to pick up a conversation in real life even if we haven't spoken in months.

Since Facebook I now acknowledge more birthdays than I ever have before.  I personally really enjoy the opportunity to let someone know at least once a year that you thought of them and I'll freely admit I smile when I see birthday greetings on my wall.  

This doesn't apply just to relationships with my larger circle of friends.  My brother and share links via Facebook all the time and have even more to laugh about when we see each other in person.

Social media is making me more social, and being a social creature, that's good.
  

Coolaris and Obama

by the water

by the water
Originally uploaded by DLoTO

Camping memories..the smell of canvas...sunny days...afternoon naps in the shade...campfires. The last time I went camping was in Algonquin Park in 2002 so it's safe to say we're not campers, even though all those memories are happy ones.

Twitter scoops local news

This is how I heard about today's propane explosions in Toronto.  Not from CP24, not from CNN - but Twitter.  In an emergency, I would now probably check Twitter as a source of information.  That's pretty amazing.

kitchen reno time

island and ceiling treatment
Originally uploaded by Dave Lougheed

We'll soon be "breaking ground" on our kitchen reno, which is very exciting. We're working with Plant Architects, a local firm that won the work to overhaul Nathan Phillips square. They were recommended to me by a friend who had them redesign the workspace in his kitchen and was very happy with what they did.

Our concept involves tearing down a wall separating the kitchen from the dining room and adding the ceiling treatment you see pictured here. We'll also be adding an island in the centre of the kitchen, which will give us much more usable working space. We'll also replace the floor in both the kitchen and dining room, replace the countertops, add a backsplash, as well as new lighting.

I'll post more drawings and photos of the reno as we go along.

iPhone has landed

Today is a great day to love technology.  The iPhone has enjoyed a warm Canadian embrace since launching here this month.  Just about all of my friends either already have or are seriously considering getting one (if they can get out of their current mobile contracts).  Not since the iPod tidal wave has a new product had so many people buzzing.  Why is that?

In short, Apple got it right.  The instantly iconic physical design, the fidelity and subtlety of the touchscreen, the feeling that you could keep yourself entertained and connected for days and still love using the device - is unparalleled.

To me, Apple has somehow managed to create an interface that is both beautiful and functional and somehow even fun to use.  The fluidity and feel of the flicking, the fluid motion of rotating the device to switch from portrait to landscape mode, and, yes, even the typing isn't so bad if you're willing to stare intensely at the screen and tap using your very own style of hyper hunt-and-peck.

I'm also excited as a user interface developer to solve the challenge of optimizing online experiences for iPhone.  After 10 years of hype, mobile is here.      

Curve vs. iPhone

I've used both the Blackberry Curve and the iPhone for several months now, and here's my take:

The Curve is a more durable, more reliable, and ultimately a better device for professionals.  It is very light, has outstanding battery life, good UI design, and I never have to wonder if it will work.  The hardware, software, and blackberry network have evolved considerably over nearly 10 years and it shows.

The iPhone is more beautiful, utilizes more advanced technology, and simply does more than the Curve.  However, typing on the blackberry's tactile keyboard is simply easier and more precise.  I had an especially broken iPhone but even my new one hiccups fairly frequently when connecting to my home network.  I feel like I should use a case for my iPhone so I don't scratch it but who wants to hide that beautiful design in a case? 

Surfing on the iPhone is awesome.  Surfing on the Curve is just functional.  I own both devices at the moment but if I had to carry one device with me for business it would be the Curve.  On the weekend, I want the iPhone.

Niche social networks?

What for?  Create a Facebook/MySpace/Orkut profile and find a group who's interests match yours.  Every widget and tool and content source under the sun is available at your group's disposal on Facebook, so it can't be because the niche social network has better features or more content.   The only reason I can think of to join a smaller social network other than the one you're already part of is if you want to post anonymously, and we all know not much good seems to come from that.

Enough

I'm sick and tired of hearing about gun violence in Toronto.  Toronto is a great city full of great people who are sick of hearing about a tiny contingent who seem to think nothing of killing another human being over what often amounts to a whole lot of nothing.  Canada is a rich nation with opportunities for everyone - how could it be that people need to shoot each other in the street? 

FB is still life changing

Almost one year after my first post on Facebook, I'm still amazed at how FB has changed my life.  When I run into friends and former co-workers now, everyone already knows (sometimes in great detail) what I'm up to.  What job I'm at (my profile), what I've been doing on weekends (photos), who I socialize with (wall postings) and the weird fascination I have with mannaquins.  I'm still amazed that our previous constructs of privacy are falling away before our eyes - but again what I find more interesting is that it's not "big brother" doing it to us, the way the many futurists saw the 21st century.  We're doing it to ourselves.  Or at least I sure am.