Work Category Archive
There are 11 entries in this category.
Four Point Oh
Wednesday, August 15, 2007 1 comment (by Michael Thacker)
Movable Type turned 4.0 yesterday. If you're an MT user, you're gonna want it.
Morning Muni Backup
Friday, April 27, 2007 2 comments (latest by rick D)
I't been three weeks since the T-Third Street line opened and brought Muni service to a near halt. Despite claims from Muni things are getting better anyone who riders the system will tell a different story. Here's my photo diary of my commute this morning.
Two T-Line trains backed up together
An out-of-service train was maneuvering across the tracks in front of these trains, and blocking two more heading in the other direction to downtown.
After 5 minutes or so the driver opened the doors and let the passengers off on the street. This was at 9:08, making all the caltrain riders miss the 9:07 train.
Out of Service Train blocking rail traffic
This was the out-of-service train pulling out of Old Fourth & King Station so it could maneuver to turn in into the New Fourth & King Station.
The light changed while this was happening. Rather than the 4 traffic control officers controlling traffic to allow the train to finish so the following two in-service trains could arrive, they let it sit through two full light cycles. Signals are timed at this and most intersections to favor traffic over transit.
At the Fourth & King intersection, T-Third Street trains are only given one green light for two very lengthy cycles given to automotive traffic.
Muni passengers let off into traffic, playing frogger
Since we were let off the train along the median, getting to the sidewalk meant dodging traffic. In this photo you can see the two-car train to the left blocking the 4 other trains in service.
This is the most disturbing thing to me because trains running behind is one thing, compromising pedestrian safety is quite another.
Last year, transit ridership went up 3% nationwide. Here in San Francisco it went down 2% and I don't think we need to look very hard for the reason.
What I Do All Day
Tuesday, September 12, 2006 Post comment
I seem to end up in quite a bit of social settings (no, not just gay bars. There are dinner and house parties too) talking with people who work outside the technology field. After a bit of conversation I'll be asked what I do for a living and telling someone I do interaction design usually leaves them with a deer-in-headlights kind of expression as they are trying to puzzle out what that means.
I've got a much more interesting explanation now. This is the way Dan Saffer begins his description in his entry So You Want to Be an Interaction Designer 2006
"Interaction designers get paid to play with ideas"
OK, it doesn't really explain it much better, but it definitely sounds more interesting. Dan goes into more detail after that.
"You can brainstorm things that don’t exist and then build them. You can shape behavior, making the world more pleasant and meaningful. You get to sketch ideas in colored markers on whiteboards and post-it notes. You help people solve problems. And if you are good enough, you’ll work with companies whose technology and/or influence is so great, you can make a significant difference in the world."
The only thing missing in that description is that I color code my post-in notes as well. So if you've ever wondered what I do, this is pretty accurate.