I was reading Elegant Hack and I came across this interesting visualisation search engine which, compares the results of Google and Yahoo!
Talking search engines, here is one I use from time to time called the Librarians Index to the Internet, or some of the ones listed here.
The Nielsen Norman Group, have just added a Sydney usability leg to the upcoming Melbourne, Australia conference.
The Usability Week 2004 conference focuses on a variety of areas, including practical applications of usability, email newsletters and intranet via a series of tutorials and workshops.
A great collection of CSS tutorials and presentations by Russ Weakley.
Russ is an advocate to CSS design and layout and is a member of the local Sydney chapter, the Web Standards Group, a body devoted to the application and adoption of standards to web design and interfaces.
Researchers at the Harvard Medical School, have published a paper in the Journal of Neuroscience, that describes the regeneration of optic nerves.
Although the research describes the enhancing and reproduction of nerves, it is closer to finding a way to re-grow nerves which could lead to cures for a wide range of conditions including blindness and paralysis. The BBC also has an article on the research.
Here are the related articles and abstracts:
1. Lens Injury Stimulates Axon Regeneration in the Mature Rat Optic Nerve –
Steven Leon, Yuqin Yin, Jennifer Nguyen, Nina Irwin, and Larry I. Benowitz.
Reference: The Journal of Neuroscience, June 15, 2000, 20(12):4615-4626
2. Counteracting the Nogo Receptor Enhances Optic Nerve Regeneration If Retinal Ganglion Cells Are in an Active Growth State – Dietmar Fischer, Zhigang He and Larry I. Benowitz.
Reference: The Journal of Neuroscience, February 18, 2004, 24(7):1646-1651
Earl Mardle has written a blog post to a really cool tool called, Furl, that helps organise manage and tidy up your bookmarks.
Although currently in Beta there are some interesting discussions and blog posts on other implementations of the tool. I like it!
GooFresh, the Google date-based search engine. Oh yeah!
Goofresh is a way to search for sites added today, yesterday, within the last seven days, or last 30 days.
Antonio Criminisi and Andrew Blake from Microsoft’s research labs in Cambridge have found a way to extract 3D information from an image such as a photograph.
The method determines what is behind an object in a photograph and automatically fills in what’s not seen by the camera, or within the image, or painting. The result is virtual recreation that explores what a flat image looks like from different views and angles.
I came across an interesting scientific interview with Gary Marcus, in Edge.org titled, Language, Biology, and the Mind.
The interview looks at the interesting process of language acquisition, cognitive development, and growth of the human brain from birth.
From a variety of mentioned topics, the interview looks at the fusion between psychology and biology. It is an interesting read.
AIGA have launched their new Design Forum the other day, an area where you can read discussions about design and a place to say it online within a graphic design community.
Khoi Vinh from Subtraction has posted up a blog post on the Forum.
I was reading a few newsletters and I came across the December 2003 UI Design Newsletter from Human Factors International.
The newsletter includes some interesting findings by, Dr. Kath Straub, who gives the year-end list of key research findings in the field of usability.
The findings cover the areas of navigation design, credibility, interaction, content and use models.
As the final week of uni break approaches and the beginning of my last semester at uni commences, I’ve once again started revising notes and catching up on readings and a few things I missed reading last year.
One of the things I’m excited about this year is working closely on my final project, for my Multimedia Masters. Process and methodology an area I’m determined be thorough and do well.
So look forward to some first hand feedback here, on obstacles and successes we encountered in the forthcoming weeks.
One things for sure, we’ve got a really great team together. Following the success of our friends and team mates last semester, we’re all determined to do really well.
Thank goodness we’ve started early. :)
In the next few weeks, you’ll also start seeing some changes here within reloade. I had the opportunity to do a usability study of the site last year, so tweeks and updates are on their way.
There is a meet this coming Thursday for Sydney based IA’s. More information on the meet can be found at the Cocktail Hour IAWiki page. See you then. :)
As a topic starter, Eric forward a link to an interesting article, by Dave Bryant titled, The Uncanny Valley, which looks at Japanese roboticist Doctor Masahiro Mori’s research concept, that provide’s an insight into human psychological reaction to robotic design.
The concept can equally be applicable to interactions with nearly any nonhuman object. It is an interesting read.
Da hommies down at OK/Cancel are da bomb with the world exclusive HCI Rap and totally “sic” beats, “We Got It”.
Respecta for representing da HCI, Usability, and Interaction Design brethren.
Thanks to Astrid for da linkage.
– Peace! :)
Congratulations goes out to some of my friends from UTS, Phil, Ailin, Peter, Jess and Anna, who last night won an AIMIA award for Best Student Developed Content for their REELISE project.
One of my good friends currently in Singapore, Michael Lim, has uploaded a copy of his 2004 Showreel.
