Designers Vs. Writers

.: I'll be the first to tell you that I'm not a writer.. I don't do text, I do layouts... I can't spell that well, and I have no idea when "i" comes before "e"... However, I've read so many books and articles warning everyone to not let your graphic designer write your copy. Now sure, it isn't our jobs to write YOUR copy, point taken, but why single us out. Why not state, "Don't let ANYONE write your copy but yourself or a hired copywriter that you work closely with".

.: Oddly enough, most of the copywriters that I know ARE graphic designers. They write and design. It makes sense in some cases (such as cooperate identity and marketing) for the graphic designer to actually HAVE input on the copy. We are creative people.. Thatz what we do.. The smart designers have a BFA in Graphic Communications (or whatever your school calls it) with a minor or major in Journalism, Marketing and/or English. I personally don't write copy because my minor is in Computer Science (hense my ability to create webpages)...

.: So to my favorite online journal A List Apart who had in one of their articles this ditty

"In those dark days, the people writing the web copy weren’t actually writers: They were secretaries, product engineers, and—horrors!—designers; more often than not, the content was thrown together as an afterthought by someone who didn’t know a semicolon from a hole in the ground. - Reviving Anorexic Web Writing by Amber Simmons

I say, leave the designers out of it, include everyone.. If you're not a stake holder or hired as a copywriter, you DON'T have ANY business writing copy.. But Please, ask your designers if what you've given them actually will work. We do have some insight... How much copy do we see on a daily, weekly and yearly basis..

MY BABY!!!! NOOOOOOOOO

.: It's happening.. As I type, my baby, portalUWO, is getting taken apart. I logged in today, as I do everyday, and two of my favorite modules (and one of the oldest) had this message on them:

Random Links has moved! Go to the New Portal (in public beta) for the new version.

Click on the "Settings" button, then on "Modules", scroll down the "Management Information Office" section, and click the green button to add the new module to your page.

There are bugs, so beware!

.: I cried a little.. not really, but I was mildly shocked.. I went to check to see what module number random links was (the lower the number the older) but myAdmin, the web-ap that controls all the portal was a 404 message.. No admin rights for me anymore.. I about shouted.. WHAT?! I'm super-admin.. I programmed myself that way.. I never should not be able to access anything.. But there it stood.. 404.. laughing at me.. .telling me I couldn't even say goodbye to my baby... telling me that it was ripped away from me, and there wasn't anything I could do about.

.: I'll get over the blow soon enough.. I knew this day would come, so I wasn't completely unprepared for it. Still hits you when it does...

Update: I went in to check when Random Links was made.. It was in the first ten modules. Only five of the first ten still are around today.

1 News Channel
2 Advance Titan News
8 Time Offs
9 Switchview
10 Random Links (now gone....)

Best Video Ever!!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

.: I just finished the last book in the Harry Potter series... All I have to say is.. Weak... Ok, there were good moments.. but most of the time as I was reading it, I couldn't help thinking that the story was slow, or this was too long of a flashback, or this is just weak.. The ending was ok.. But I was expecting a little more.. To all those who tell me this was a great book, or the best in the Potter series (and plenty have) ok, you have you're own opinion, and I have mine.. I just spent 20 some odd hours reading it.. and I just wish I could have a few of those hours back..

Launched, Launched, Itz Launched

.: I finally launched my professional blog.. Hot stuff.. I'm excited.. Check it out.. Give me a job! haha... http://www.danieljbeck.com/

Zeeb

.: It was brought to my attention that Zeeb is not pronounced the way I had intended. It is pronounced with a soft e not a hard one.. :)

Cali vs Wisc

Posted from a Californian:CALIFORNIA:- I can wear sandals all year long- I go to the Beach - not "down to the shore"-Our chicks are WAYYYY hotter than yours. Well...Miami can hang.- I say "like" and "for sure" and "right on" and "dude" and "totally" and "peace out" and "chill" and "tight" and "bro" and I say them often- I know what real cheese & avocados taste like-Everyone smokes weed and its no big deal-We'll roll up 40 deep when something goes down.-I live next door to Mexicans, but we call them American's!-All the porn you watch is made here, cause we're better and thats how it is- I don't get snowdays off because theres only snow in Mammoth, Tahoe, Shasta, and Big Bear- I know 65 mph really means 100- When someone cuts me off, they get the horn and the finger and high speed chase cuz we dont fuck around on the road- The drinking age is 21 but everyone starts at 14 (legally 18 if you live close enough to the border)- My governor can kick your governors ass- I can go out at midnight-You judge people based on what area code they live in, and when asked where you're from, you give your area code- I might get looked at funny by locals when I'm on vacation in their state, but when they find out I'm from California I turn into a Greek GOD- We don't stop at stop signs... we do a "california roll"No cop no stop baby!- I can get fresh and REAL Mexican food 24 hours a day- All the TV shows you "other" states watch get filmed here- We're the Golden State. Not the Cheese State. Not the Garden State.....GOLDEN!!!- We have In-N-Out (Arizona and Vegas are lucky we share that with them)- I have the most representation in the House of Representatives, which means MY opinion means more than yours, which means I'm better than you [geez.... hahaha]- The best athletes come from hereSome dumb Hick, aka WISCO BOY, said:Ahem...

So.. Um.. yeah... I read this, and thought I would reply...Hey... California listen up... you're not quite as hot as you say. - I too can wear sandals all year long... plus If it gets reeeeally cold, I can put on boots to stomp your toes and I won't even stick out.- You may be able to go to the "beach" instead of the "shore". whoopty doo. Wisconsin has more shoreline than your entire state. Actually, more shoreline than the east and west coasts together. What now cali boy?- You're chicks aren't way hotter than ours... they are almost equal... and thats only due to silicone, saline, botox, lasers and hair dye... We have the real ones and they can beat yours up. More natural models come from WI than CA. dont believe me? ask Maxim.- We're taught to say "Yes Sir" and "Yes Ma'am" and respect our elders because of it. We also say "Howdy" and "fixin" and "Yall" are pretty much recognized right away anywhere in the world :) We're famous. And not becuase of that fake ass "bro-ho" "so-cal" shit that yall think makes you "Famous", fuckers. I said howdy one time on the east coast, i got an ENTIRE cheerleading team wanting to take a picture of me in my jeans and boots. suck on that.- And cheese? "Happy cows, make happy cheese, happy cows come from California." Bullshit. We pretty much INVENTED cheese.- 40 deep? we have a word for that here in the north. "pussies"- We call them Americans when they're American. Not because we have no clue how to do manual labor and need them to keep our ostentatious lives rolling smoothly. unlike.. *cough *cough,.. some people i know about.- Ok, you make all the porn. I'll give that to ya. California is better at taking it in the ass than Wisco is. congrats on that.- Why would you brag about not getting snow days off?- We're smart enough to know 65mph means 65, but our speed limit is 70. The majority of our roads are 55 because we know how to slow down and enjoy.- - When someone cuts me off, they get run over by my big ass truck, then I give them the finger and tell them to go back to california.- The drinking age is 21, but if you aren't chasin the beer by 10 yrs old... you're behind.- Yeah, you elected a foreign descent, steroid abusing, party hopping, hollywood actor to office. just shut up and think about that.- You can go out at midnight? Thats nice, I haven't even come home by then.- Ok... you said,"You judge people based on what area code they live in, and when asked where you're from, you give your area code" and as hard as I try I have no idea what you're talking about... I think you're watching too much tv. We just say Wisconsin.- Yeah, you'll definitely get looked at funny when you come to visit but we have another name for you pretty boys, and its not greek, its french.- Of course you don't stop at stop signs... none of you can drive.- You can pick up Real mexican food 24 hours a day huh... well I can swing by home depot and pick up 24 Real mexicans anytime of day. Can you say catering?- All the tv shows get filmed there... and you pay 5000 dollars per day to rent a "real" ranch when you can freakin buy one in WI for that price... real smart.- You can keep your golden state. too bad all the gold got mined out back in the 1800s and now you have so much smog, you cant even find you own spray-on-tanned asses.- An In-N-What!? apparently. you Calis are real proud of your Fast Food Resturants. Whatever, we grill.- So you say the best Athletes come from Cali?...hmmmm...what sport/sports were you reffering to? Because if you take the top athletes from the top ten sports played in America...none of them come from Cali. So you know what Cali boy?! You so called jocks over there in..wait where was that you said you were from? O yeah! California!...any how..you guys obviously can't rip net..so shut up and sit pine!-WOW! Cali has the most representatives and you STILL have some of the worst living conditions per capita and lowest moral standards in the U.S.I could go on and on,.. bringing up so many pertinent facts,. but i dont think california is worth it.

Thanks Louie for sending this to me..

Zeeb Workin Pretty Good

.: I took Zeed out today for a little ride.. I went east today instead of north or west like I normally do.. I went out B40 up to Mountain View Rd.. and down into Soquel... 20 miles.. not bad.. easy ride minus the top of Mountain View with is a killer long pitch.. I still wish Zeeb had one more lower gear... oh well.. Click here to see the route.. Itz not the prettiest thing in the world, but it ain't ugly either.. I was listening to Bob Seger the whole time.. A short ride is nice cuz you don't have to worry about a cd running out of songs.. I finished the route in an hour.. so averaging 20 mph with a nice hill in the way.. I'm happy... hurray..

Zeeb

.: Zeeb, my road bike, and I are having issues.. We worked though most of them, but I thought I should chronicle the whole story for posterity, and humor, sake.

.: I purchased Zeeb after my roomies told it's original owner that I was riding it. Not that I'm angry with them about doing so, I'm more annoyed that she actually wanted money for a bike that she had abandoned two years ago at someone else's house. So whatever, I gave her (more then the bike was worth) and she left the picture.

.: I first had to put on new tires. The old ones where dead and didn't hold air.. Ok.. No biggie.. Then I wanted new handle bar tap cuz the stuff that was on there was lame and just about the cheapest stuff you can get. Then I got some baskets for my pedals, I wanted all new pedals but was unwilling to shell out for them. When I was picking up the baskets, I also picked up two water bottle cages...

.: Then I went for my long ride.. and got to know my bike..

.: My front rim had been bent.. Where and why, I'm not sure.. But it was.. It had been working fine so I didn't worry about it.. Wrong.. Ended up not holding the tire and I had to limp home after riding out 9 miles.. no good..

.: So I got a new rim.. I took off the tire from the old rim and put it on the new.. Or so I tried.. I couldn't get the stupid thing on.. So after hurting my thumbs, I raised the white flag and walked back over to Sprockets (Which if you're in Santa Cruz, they are really nice people, always helpful).. They of course put the tire on in two minutes flat.. I felt dumb.. Oh well.. They offered to fill it up with air, but I declined... I wanted to do something myself...

.: I got back home and got out my pump.. A Planet Bike Comp Floor Pump with a dual valve for both styles of tire valves.. I put it on my tire and pumped.. but it didn't fill.. why didn't it fill? cuz the auto sensing dual valve thingie didn't work.. Now what.. Well I have, or thought I had, a shratter to presta valve converter... so I looked for it.. no joy... looked and looked.. still no joy.. At this point I said screw it... I had purchased a CO2 pump for emergency use.. and to me this was an emergency.. Damn it! I wanted to go on a ride... So I pulled it out.. Put it on the valve, and........ I didn't know how to use the stupid thing... I wanted to yell.. but I didn't.. I examined the mechanics of the pump and pushed and booooomm... my tire filled with air and my hand was freezing (CO2 gets cold when it discharges..)

.: So I have a full tire.. I go to put it on my bike.. Fits on the fork (something my brother had warned me about) I went to clamp the brake.. and ... .it doesn't fit.. what? A wider rim? oh screw that.. I was having nothing of it.. I press and pulled.. finally got it sucker on.. Tried spinning the wheel and nothing happened... The brake was all the way on.. humm.. wrench... a little examination of the brake and I got it working... ok.. time for a ride..

.: I filled up my water bottles and grabbed my iPod.. Jumped on my bike (with helmet of course mom).. and took off down the road.. After a bit of creaking (both of my bones and the new rim) I put in my ear buds and rode out..

.: I got to the half way mark (about 2 miles.. just a short ride to break everything in) and my iPod dies.. boo.. Ok, whatever.. I start back, taking a drink from my water bottle.. soap.. booo.. whatever, I have a second.. I get back to my subdivision and I start to hear a clicking noise.. What is this click? not my pedals, or tires.. the interval wasn't right.. Has to be my chain.. *sigh*

.: I get home and look at the chain.. itz a link that isn't working right.. but I said enough with the bike for today.. I went in and chilled.. Today I looked at the chain and found two links that seem to be sticking.. so I regreased everything.. and I'm hoping that it works tomorrow..

Running total on Zeeb

Bike $125
Degreaser & Lub $20
Tires $60
Handle Bar Tape $12
Water bottle holders $6
Pedal Baskets $20 (ripped me off.. went somewhere other then Sprockets)
New Rim $70
CO2 $10
Rim Tape $3

Total: $326... Oh well. I like Zeeb..

Officially A PK

.: After an uneventful 4th of July and picking my extended family up from the airport, I jumped a plane and flew up to Portland to see my mom and dad.. The flight up kinda sucked because there was a huge person next to me in a very small plane (Q-400 I think) But I got there in one piece..

.: Mom, dad and I went down to this niffty weekend market that is held under a bridge.. I bought a ring.. but spent most of the time just people watching and enjoying the sunny day.. I kept on wondering how many people would actually be at the market if you took out all the window shoppers and the artists stealing ideas... I doubt very many..


.: It was off to the coast/Tillamook via an awesome windy road.. We got to the "beach".. I use the term lightly cuz it isn't a suntanning beach that one thinks of.. it was an Oregon beach.. cold water.. lots of wind.. But it was pretty.. After we went to find a light house which was very cool too.. the shortest lighthouse on the coast.. standing a monstrous 32 ft....




.: The next day was bible class then church then coffee then DAD'S INSTALLATION... He is now officially the pastor of Redeemer Lutheran in Tillamook Or... A long time in coming.. but itz finally here.. I finally have my theme song... "The only one who could reach me, was the son of a preacher man"... hahahahhahha... sweet.. But it was rather sur-real seeing dad installed.. Congrats to him.. :)





.: The flights home where nothing to write home about.. I got lots of leg room.. but I got home at 12:30am... not a fan.. but I made it.. and it was a great weekend.. but itz time to work now... boo