Best Kids Websites for 2008 - The Redhead Award

This year, several kids websites (aka 'destinations'/'communities') made some waves and real money.
As kids are getting more sophisticated, the site's content and experience has to improve and be innovative.
While others created lists based on grown-up 'experts' or excel sheets ($$$), I went to my expert for an one-on-one interview.

These are the best kids websites for 2008 - as selected by my very own redhead, Danielle:

---

www.moshimonsters.com

---

www.clubpenguin.com

---

www.webkinz.com

---

www.LEGO.com

---

www.tutpup.com

---

www.shidonni.com


.
.

---

As she has an opinion (or two...) about anything, let me know if you would like to read/see more lists by Danielle.

:-)

E.T.

SAP Noodlebots Won Project Research Award

It is great to see kids get involved with dealing with/solving real issues.
I just learned that the SAP Noodlebots (FLL Robotics team) won the project research award for its Climate Change project/presentation.

Kudos to Hila and Janaki for their coaching!




Check out additional info here.

E.T.

Mac Parental Controls

Few months pass since my son started to use a mac (MacMini for MiniMe) and now my daughter started to sneak to his (or mine) as well. As she uses computers for over 5 years now, she developed some 'skills' that allows her to access sites, bypassing Glubble and other solutions.
For example, she found how to use IE and FF to get the protective tools confused...

(I do not know if I am more proud or concern at this point...)

But as she started using the Mac, the situation is under control.
I started to use Apple Mac OS Parental Controls.

After a simple setup (see bellow), she has her own user and can use the system/Internet safely.









Now, I am looking for a solution to make sure there is no hot chocolate around my keyboard...
(And no, keep saying that does not help...)



Progress made in small steps...

E.T.

More Good News

As a follow up to the 'Just Good News' post, here is an aggregation of additional good news:

http://good-news.alltop.com/

We do need more of these.

E.T.

Powered by Amimon WHDI, Sony TV - Available in Israel

AMIMON offers huge advantages to home and business users with its unique video-modem solution that eliminates the hassle of running video cables to HD displays and projectors. WHDI™ technology enables wireless delivery of uncompressed HDTV throughout the home with video rates of up to 3Gbps (uncompressed 1080p!) in the 5Ghz unlicensed band, with the same quality as a wired connection and no latency.

I just had a chat with my friend Dr. Zvi Reznic – Co-Founder, Vice President R&D, and was happy to hear that the company is doing very well.


Few days ago, I saw that one of Aminon's partners, SONY, started to market few TV systems, which users Amimon chips. It is great to see Israeli technologies used in mass-production, especially is they available in Israel.

kudos guys!

E.T.

The Best Commute Ever

Great movie from my friend Mickey.



I cannot complain about my commute, but this is even better...

;-)

E.T.

Twitter, stage...

Morning, the kids are playing, had my coffee(s)...

Guess in which stage am I...


I also added the twitterfeed.com service to send updates about new blogs...

E.T.

Cloud Computing in Plain English

When I talk to people about Veodia, the "What is Cloud Computing?" question pops up once in a while.

The long 'text-based' answer, is, as always, at Wikipedia.

Some attempts to simply explain it by using video interviews of experts are available on YouTube. Such as:



rPath did a good job at it with a nice video.






E.T.

Bill Gates - The Interview

In his latest blog Dale Dougherty wrote about Bill Gates from another perspective than usual.

"...
This year, Gates made an important and potentially difficult transition at age 52, leaving Microsoft as CEO and devoting more of his time and energy to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It's a shift in focus, moving from defining strategy for Microsoft to a broader strategy for improving the lives of the world's poor. Bill Gates exemplifies what Tim O'Reilly is talking about when he says that those of us in the tech industry should increasingly "focus on stuff that matters."
..."

Interesting discussion about Microsoft, software, technology, vision and much more.

Take the time and enjoy.





E.T.

Danielle@Veodia

And this is why she really likes to come to the office...



Happy Holiday!

E.T.

2009 Logos

2008 is almost behind us and 2009 does not look so bright at this point.
While some are expressing their fears in a negative way and, some try to make us smile.
(see previous posts: Just Good News and 2009 Job Market).

This time, 2009 logos:











Thx to Naama for sharing...


E.T.

SAP Community Network - Redesign

I was pleased to see the latest redesign of the SAP Community Network.

It has been a long time since I worked on SDN, so it was time to update the 2003 design we created with a new design.



It was also cool to find one of the first Blogs ever posted on SDN, as we were in Beta...

"...

Network of Communities = Community of Networks

"It is not about who you are, but about whom you know (and who knows you…)". I believe one of the greatest ideas behind SAP Developer Network is that it helps you become knowledgeable – regardless of your starting point or location.

Some of us are "well connected" to inter-circles within SAP, others are deeply involved in the SAP-related community – SAP Developer Network provides the bridge and hub to connect these worlds to all of us. "Connect to SAP Developer Network" does not mean just typing the URL – we should all become connected as one big (hopefully happy) developer gang. Contribute from your experience – let us know what you know - and help us learn from you – as we would like to help you know more.

Collaborate – share your ideas - initiate collaboration – join collaboration activities and make yourself heard! We just got started and I would like to invite you all to this journey!

It may be bumpy at first - but with your help and feedback, we all will have a great, useful and enjoyable time together. As we get ready for the BETA phase – embrace our new community of networks and be part of building the network of communities.
E.T.
..."

Nice memories for a cold winter day...
:-)


E.T.

Education.com Design Review...

I had the plasure to visit my friend Eliad at the Education.com office.
We had some good time and did a design review for their site (see previous note) and Veodia's future products...



E.T.

Design Research, Data, Truth and Techniques

Often, you are requested to present 'Data' to support your recommendations.
This is true from product marketing, product definition, design and many other aspects or our business.

The devil is in the details, or in the way you display the data...

Check out Dan Saffers presentation - "How to Lie with Design Research"





E.T.

Coupa Caf'e

Once in a while, I have the opportunity to visit Coupa Caf’e for a morning snack.
Their great tea, coffee or hot chocolate in my case, is famous around here.

Great atmosphere and WiFi connection (which did not work today...)
But the best part about this place is the attention to details and the fact that they care.

You do not see these levels of professionalism in the ‘other’ coffee places...



E.T.

How Popular Is Bush Now?

With only few weeks left in office, and some funny/sad/embarrassing public appearances, President Bush is making headlines again.
At least this time he contributes to the 'casual gaming' industry....


http://www.sockandawe.com/

What is interesting to check is the list of most active countries:


E.T.

Polaroid files for Chapter 11

Today, only few have the patient to wait for a photo to be printed.
My kids, as true digital-native humans, always wants to see 'how does the photo look like' within 2 seconds. We even had to buy a digital camera to my grandfather, as his answer to the kids was not accepted by them...

:-)

Many years ago, Polaroid had the answer.
Simple camera and 60-90 seconds of waiting and you had your printed photo in your hand.
It was one of the coolest things back then.

Technologies changes, people needs changes but some things stay the same.
Today, you could find many mini-mobile-printers that can convert your recently taken digital-photos to printed ones.


Today I've learned from CNN that Polaroid files for Chapter 11...



I guess these cameras and films will be worth a lot for collectors and fans...

If you really miss it, try poladroid.net.



E.T.

The Job Market 2009 (not so funny)

As a comment to recent post (just good news),
I received this video from one of my sarcastic friends.

The Map of Online Communities

I found this image as part of a post on a new report about social network by Netpop.


Flickr Photo by: thomcochrane

Additional information about the report here
Netpop | Connect Social Networkers 2008 Teaser

E.T.

Myst Online to be released fully open-source

Do you remember Myst?

I used to spent hours trying to solve the puzzles and wait for hours for the game to upload...
I think it was the first game that caused me to upgrade my computer...

Anyway, Cnet reported today that Cyan Worlds has decided to release all of Myst Online URU Live's assets to the public as open source.







This could be very interesting project to follow and to contribute to.

E.T.

iPhone gets virtual Windows desktop from Citrix

One additional step for iPhone on its long road to be 'business ready'.
As reported in The Register, virtual desktop provider Citrix has, again, announced it'll be developing a client for the iPhone, providing the option of a Windows desktop on an iPhone: albeit at a distance.

Although Windows is not designed to be viewed on such a small screen, it may be very useful to have remote access to your Windows machine when you really really need to.

Check the demo:





E.T.

The future of newspaper by Jon Stewart

The future of newspaper by Jon Stewart...

Google Tasks

I was trying out the new Google Tasks from the labs.
Simple and useful gadget.

In case you added it and cannot find it (like me...), look at the left navigation area:
I can understand why Contacts could be considered as a separated application that requires a left side navigation item/link and a full screen / desktop view, but I would expect the Tasks to be better integrate in the left side widget are, such as the Chat and Documents does.

Also, what with the Actions and the List menus?
It seems as the list actions and tasks settings should be unified and the 'Tasks' settings should have a separated access point.


Anyway, nice to have this at last.
Now I could keep a better track of all the things I will not do...
(It is like your Netflix queue, you never see any movie in place 5 or higher...)

E.T.

Powermat: wireless power

Imagine yourself in an airport. You found a great seat with wireless connectivity (or a 3G card), you are online...But then, your power died.

"I wish I would have wireless power" you think to your self...

Well, Powermat provides almost that.

"...Powermat technology brings safe, simple, and efficient wireless electricity to surfaces including walls, tables, floors and desktops. It is designed to replace the need to access multiple electrical sockets with the flexibility and freedom of wireless power for real-time powering and charging of electronic devices of almost any kind in almost any environment. Powermat technology revolutionizes the way energy is consumed in the every day course of interaction with our environment.

Powermat offers the only scalable solution to transform large work surfaces and wall areas into safe and efficient conductors of electricity and is easily integrated into building construction and furniture design..."

Check this short movie:


E.T.

WebGuild: Web Usability Video

A little out dated, but interesting nevertheless.

Here is the video of the Web Usability Event on June 25 featuring Tom Chi, Senior Director - User Experience, Yahoo!, Jeremy Ashley, Vice President, Applications User Experience, Oracle, and David Nelson, Sr. Experience Designer, Adobe Systems.



E.T.

Design Resources: Boxes and Arrows

Boxes and Arrows is devoted to the practice, innovation, and discussion of design; including graphic design, interaction design, information architecture and the design of business. Since 2001, it’s been a peer-written journal promoting contributors who want to provoke thinking, push limits, and teach a few things along the way.

They have great (practical) articles and examples for design processes, prototyping methodologies and much more.

For example:

• Prototyping with XHTML
  
  
  
  
• Why We Call Them Participants
• PDF Prototypes
• And much more.

Learn and enjoy.


E.T.