Author: Robert

Robert Belknap has been writing online sporadically since 2001. See the colophon for more details.

Attack of the Killer Nested Tables

I took a major step backwards in my attempts to write better structured HTML at work today. I’ve resorted to using a few nested tables in a layout that I’m currently working on. The reasons are “ehh”: time allocated to the project (almost none), possible future replacement of the navigation with flash will be easier (I think), working from a mock up done by a print designer (print != web).

I can’t help but feeling like I’m moving back towards 1999/1998 with this layout. So much code to display so little content… This layout leaves a bad taste in my mouth. (It’s either that, or the salt bagel I just ate…)

-Hool

Contrary to popular belief, I don’t want to work in a "cave"

Something’s been bugging me about my workstation all day, and I finally put my finger on it. One of the strips of flourecent lighting that is usually off is on today, and its causing glare near the top of my monitor. It’s been bugging me on a subconcious level. I only figured it out after playing with the angle of my screen and seeing the glare move.

I prefer to have the lighting directly over my head turned off, which was fine when I was in a bull-pen with like-minded individuals, or in a cubicle on my own. I was finaly able to compromise with the folks I’m sharing working space with now. The flourecents in the bullpen are off, the fixtures that create ambient light by bouncing it off the wall are on. (The light sources themselves are hidden abouve acoustic tiling, and there is a about a 3 foot gap between the tiling and the wall, allowing light to bounce down.) I actually like this set up much better than just having everything off.

There is a good-natured, running joke around here that some people would prefer to work in a cave. The fact is, they are just trying to cut down on monitor glare from the flourecent lights. I think the ambient light solution (described above) in this building is great, and I wish it was used a lot more. Why can’t all the fixtures just bounce light off the ceiling?

Anyway, I went over to the wall and played with the switches for my immediate area. I was able to get rid of the glare on my screen, and I don’t think I’ve affected anyone else’s light levels too much. The people that are still here in my immediate area are fine with the changes I just made. I guess I’ll see if I have to do some negotiating about the lights when I come in tomorrow.

Another advantage to the current lighting: my lava lamp looks so much cooler now. 🙂

jnd.org

I’m not quite sure how I got to this site — one of the disadvantages with how I use tabbed browsing: I tend to open a bunch of links in new tabs while reading something, then move on to my next tab and open a bunch more links in new tabs, and reapeat as I move from left to right across my tab bar, but I digress…

Anyway, there are a bunch of interesting essays available. everything from education system reform to DVD UI Design to Toilet Paper (Bog Roll) selection algorithms

I’m definately bookmarking that site for when I have more time.

(BTW Gossip, I like the new formatting tools quick link behavior – I think)

[Edit: I just wanted to add a couple more essay links..]

Gratuitous Graphics and Human-Centered Website Design

Emotion & Design: Attractive Things Work Better

I’m doing some planning for a redesign of a few sections of my company’s web site. These two articles have given me a few things to think about, since one of my goals is to make it easier for visitors to find information they are looking for. The first article also gives a voice to some of the things that have been buging me about a recent site lauch we did, which definately puts design abovecontent.

Edited on Jan 22nd 2003, 01:47 by Hooloovoo

Set set your stingers to "stun"

[Quote] WASHINGTON (AP) — Scorpions don’t bother to waste venom killing a victim if they don’t have to. Instead they use a prevenom that causes extreme pain, resorting to the deadlier version only when necessary, researchers have discovered. [Quote]

I still wouldn’t want to piss off a scorpion. Even if it isn’t likely to kill me with the first sting, it’s still gonna hurt like hell. (Which I guess is the point.)

Full article found here

Some People…

So, I’m looking at some printouts at my desk, and decide I could do with a bit more light. I reach over to turn my desklamp on and nothing happens.

I examine the lamp more closely and realize that someone’s stolen the lightbulb, out of my lamp, which is sitting on my desk. What the hell?

I thought briefly about bitching to the company-bulk mailing list, but that never has the desired response. I would have just started a chain of smart-ass replies. 1/8 of the company would feel obliged to share thier remarkable wit, (“The lights are on but nobody’s home..” , “Who’s bright idea was that?” , “Huh heheh huhhuh – you said ‘bulb'”, and worse – ad infinitum.) 1/8 would send “please quit with the stupid replies” to the jokesters, but it would go to the whole company, (since they don’t know the difference between “Reply” and “Reply to all” in Outlook,) and 3/4 of the company (the remainder) would laugh, then get annoyed, and then update thier filters to block the rest of the thread – not neccisarly in that order.

Instead, I went down to see the nice folks in facilities. I told them what happened, and after sharing my exasperation with the annonymous bulb-filtcher, they gave me 2 new bulbs. Now I have a spare in case the first one burns out, (or someone steals it again.)

Now I’m tempted to send a message to company bulk that says:

[Quote]
To all those that might be interested: The next time the bulb in your desklamp burns out, feel free to contact facilities for a replacement. They have plenty on hand, so you shouldn’t feel the need to take the one out of the lamp on your neigbor’s desk.

This has been a public service announcement brought to you by the web team.
[Quote]

But again, I’d just succeed in annoying 3/4 of the company. So I’m bloogging it instead.

At least they didn’t take the bulb from my Lava-Lamp.

Edited on Jan 17th 2003, 01:25 by Hooloovoo