http://www.doodlehaus.com The portfolio and blog of Mark Anderson, Web Standards Ninja Sun, 20 Apr 2008 23:02:45 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I've become painfully aware lately that I have stagnated. I also recognize that I only post here when stagnation sets in. What urge drives me to share my malaise with the entire internet? I'm sure no one cares. Last night I watched "Helvetica" a documentary about the classic typeface. It reminded ... http://www.doodlehaus.com/design/identity-crisis/ Hopefully Merlin can save me. I just got a new Vista box at work, so now is the perfect time to get a handle on projects, throw out the trash, clear the decks, etc, etc. My to-do lists have gotten woefully out-of-date. My agendas are old and crusty. My projects ... http://www.doodlehaus.com/business/gtd/i-need-to-get-back-on-the-gtd-wagon/ Alright, I've been stalled on Ruby on Rails for a few weeks. I just haven't been able devote time to learning it. I also realized that if I wanted to be any good, I need a better knowledge of the fundamental language underneath everything...Ruby. I'm currently grinding the through Learning ... http://www.doodlehaus.com/code/back-to-the-beginning/ I've been busy lately and have finally gotten back to Ruby on Rails. I'm just beginning to wrap my head around the Model View Controller paradigm and it seems like a smart way to approach things. Data models, separate templates for views, and a controller to act as the traffic cop ... http://www.doodlehaus.com/code/ruby-on-rails/back-on-the-rails/ Script.aculo.us is a repository for the fanciest of the fancy AJAX libraries for all you cutting-edge Web 2.0 kids. Just an FYI. http://www.doodlehaus.com/design/web-20/scriptaculous/ The voices touting the greatness of Ruby have become too loud to ignore. It's time to give it a go. So, what's a developer to do? Well, this developer did two things. First, I found out how to download and install Ruby on Rails. I chose to use Instant Rails since ... http://www.doodlehaus.com/code/getting-started-with-ruby-on-rails/ It's been a few months now since a friend of mine asked me "have you seen this Ruby on Rails stuff?" I remember my first reaction being "eh," I've got too much to worry about right now. However, RoR keeps bubbling back to the surface, and according to the "Getting ... http://www.doodlehaus.com/code/waist-deep-in-ruby-on-rails/ ...well, a little more serious. I just registered this blog with Technorati and intend to post more regularly. I've also been spending more time with WordPress and will be redesigning this site very soon. Stay tuned. http://www.doodlehaus.com/business/site-news/time-to-get-serious/ In "How to shoot a bullet through your startup - Signal vs. Noise (by 37signals)" 37signals warns against revisiting the excesses of the 90's internet boom. What makes the Web such a great platform for a business? It's virtual: no bricks and mortar necessary. It's immediate: you can register a domain name ... http://www.doodlehaus.com/business/how-to-shoot-a-bullet-through-your-startup-signal-vs-noise-by-37signals/ A List Apart: Articles: Calling All Designers: Learn to Write! reminds all designers that design is about more than just layout, pictures, color and hue. It's about communication to your audience. Remember to use your design to enhance the message you're sending to your audience, don't let your visual approach ... http://www.doodlehaus.com/design/a-list-apart-articles-calling-all-designers-learn-to-write/