Archive for November 2005

The Boostaroo Revolution from UpBeat Audio is a pocket-sized portable headphone amplifier and splitter that boosts sound. Before I plugged in to my iPod, I had the iPod volume at about 75%. With Revolution, the volume is at 30% leaving me with plenty of room to make it louder if needed. Also, due to the volume being lower, the Revolution extends the battery life of the audio device.

Revolution looks like a white rectangle box with nothing but a couple of holes for the jacks and two AAAA batteries (that’s not a typo — 4A batteries). The package also includes two patch cords: one is three and the other is six inches long. When the jack is plugged in, the LED power indicator light comes on so you know it’s in use. It’s designed for use with high-end (60 ohm+) headphones. Anything less than that can’t handle the Revolution’s power.

The technology provides the listener with a surround sound feel, like being in a quality concert hall. The device weighs six ounces and comes in white, black, silver, and black/silver.

To use it, simply plug your headphones into the top of the Revolution. Then take one of the Revolution jacks and plug it into the side of the Revolution with the other end plugged into the audio player. If another person wants to connect, then plug the headphones into the other open jack.

Users who have attempted to share audio find using a splitter sacrifices the sound and quality. Revolution doesn’t have this problem as each listener can hear as well as they would if they weren’t sharing. Travelers can stop straining to hear portable devices in an airplane, gym, or other noisy setting. The device also adds power to cheaper headphones, but remember the headphones need to be able to handle 60 ohm+.

Its battery door feels fragile — like it could break while I was putting the door back on. But it is unlikely it could be stronger as the purpose of this product is to be as small and lightweight as possible.

Its use is not limited to audio players. It works with DVD players, Windows Mobile devices, PalmOS devices, notebooks, laptops, and satellite radio. The batteries are supposed to last for approximately 24 hours of constant use. The device comes with a 12-month warranty on parts and services. Revolution retails for $79.95.

Get Clients Now! is an excellent and highly recommended book. Easy to read. Short. Clearly outlined steps. Flexible. Can’t beat that.

The book is ideal for small businesses or people who are the sole proprietor of their own business. It also makes a great tool for coaches.

Until recent years, I never thought seriously about starting my own business because I didn’t want to deal with the bookkeeping and the marketing. After all, no marketing equals no clients. I’m no sales person. But I love the work and believe it’s worth doing the “I’d rather not do” activities.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with business and self-help books because authors provide a wealth of suggestions and no clear path. This is where Hayden’s book stands out from the crowd. She breaks everything down from the six marketing strategies and setting up measurable goals to selecting ten doable activities.

The book also includes two worksheets that work with the program for easier reviewing and tracking progress. While you can follow the program alone, she recommends having support from someone other than family. It could be a coach or a colleague in the industry.

The organized and methodical program guides you through each step. Reading the how doesn’t take long and the program begins mid-way through the book. The latter half of the book describes the activities you can do while following the 28-day program. So you won’t get overwhelmed at the thought of “too many pages to read.”

I worked on it as soon as I started reading the book. Having this guide took a lot of pressure off of me as I know exactly what to do once I’d put my plan together. Not many business books have urged me to take action and this one succeeded. I know that after a month of following this process, I’ll see positive results.

While the book sounds simple, and it is — it takes work to make it happen. Instead of taking the long route and learning from trial-and-error, Hayden provides you with a direct route so you do the activities and don’t worry about overdoing it.

Some people may not like strict rules. The book isn’t like that. It’s okay to adjust the plan so you do six or seven activities instead of ten. It helps you figure out where you’re stuck in the marketing process and provides the tools for working past it. The book is over five years old and its contents are as relevant today as when it first came out. I can say with certainty that anyone who follows the plan will get great results.

Title: Get Clients Now! A 28-Day Marketing Program for Professionals and Consultants
Author: C.J. Hayden
Publisher: American Manangement Association
ISBN: 0814479928
Date: February 1999
Format: Paperback
Pages: 214
Cover Price: USD: $19.95 Amazon: $13.97

The Accessibility Channel is keeping busy for the first World Usability Day. The channel says, “it’s going to be a 24-hour, round-the-world webcast featuring dozens of accessibility experts, policy developers, and advocates for universal design.

“You will be able to see and hear these presenters on any Windows PC with a broadband connection, and communicate with them by text in a chat window. All presentations and the text dialog will be archived and put on a blog for continuing discussion.”

Wow. Text dialog. That’s not something I see often. Of course, it would be hypocritical if it covered accessibility and didn’t ensure everyone can access the information.

As a result of Hurricane Katrina (this started before Rita and Wilma),
the writers of AbsoluteWrite.com banded together and decided to write a
book full of stories of strength. 100% of proceeds go to charity. I
never claimed to be a good storyteller, yet I lucked out as my story is
in the book. Wil Wheaton, Orson Scott Card (Ender’s Game), and many
other talented writers contributed. Read more about it on the Stories of Strength Web Site. The book is available as a download or a printed copy.

We have a day or holiday for everything now including usability. November 3 is World Usability Day, which is about to start as it’s Thursday in New Zealand. Its purpose is to promote the importance of making things easy to use. If my toaster oven breaks today and I buy another one, I won’t likely have too much trouble figuring it out without instructions. PalmOS devices have a low learning curve, at least, compared to Windows Mobile devices. I can’t say the same for a digital camera or a remote control as I’ve gone through many of them and each had a learning curve.

It’s appropriate that I happen to be reading Don’t Make Me Think! right now (well, not this very second as my fingers are typing, but you know what I mean). The book itself is an example of usability. It’s short — takes about two hours to read — and gets to the heart of the problems and how to fix them. I have a couple of other books on usability and I have yet to crack them.

In Why easy to use is not enough, the author writes, “How many old people have injured themselves trying to open child-proof safety containers with scissors? Can anyone get the wrapping off a CD?” I have industrial strength scissors and even using them, I cut myself trying to open items in hard plastic.

If I dread my children’s birthday parties, it’s not because of the work involved in getting the party together — but the work I have to do in opening all the toys that come with a minimum of 39 twisties and then hard plastic holders that have to be carefully cut to avoid cutting the object. People are complaining loud and clear about lost parts, so this is how the manufacturers took care of the problem… ensured it was impossible to remove parts from the box.

Instead of worrying about people returning items, Web teams have to worry about people not coming back. Sometimes we overlook the obvious or think it’s too obvious that we don’t bother doing something that would actually make the site more usable. Assumptions are dangerous when it comes to usability. Want a usable site? Then test it with real users — family and friends, if you have to.

Here’s a mixed bag entry as these aren’t long enough to warrant their own entries. Marko Mihelcic has a growing list of interviews and asked me to join the list. Thanks, Marko. It’s an honor to be among a pool of talented folks. Maybe he needed a black sheep.

When I read a great article that makes me think of a friend or colleague, I share it. Alas, I can’t share them all as some require free registration. I think the burden of registration outweighs the the opportunity to read the article. That’s the rant in the latest eNewsletter Journal. Also, there’s a new issue of meryl’s notes newsletter.

I’ve been meaning to post this list of book resources for weeks. Finally got off my duff and fixed it up. I would’ve liked to expand the summary, but then I’d never get it posted and these sites deserve visitors.

I love books. Wave a book sale in my face and I’m there. Sometimes I wish I had a book-related blog / resource like these folks have. Why not do it now? Because these are great places to go and no sense in getting the game this late. I have enough going on with meryl’s notes, Bionic Ear, CSS Collection, and InformIT. These don’t even include the couple of other places where I occasionally contribute. So rather than regretting not starting a book blog, I list them here.

Some of these sites have book discussions going. I LOVE talking books with others. Not just one book like in a book club, but many. Alas, no time to devote. Priorities, priorities, priorities. Contact me if you know of more quality resources.

Beatrice
http://www.beatrice.com/

Ron Hogan reports on literary news and musings.

Between the Lines
http://editorialdepartment.com/e-zine.html

Monthly email newsletter published by The Editorial Department, a book publishing company. Provides insight into craft of writing and the publishing scene.

BookFestish
http://bookfetish.org/

Book reviews, articles, book and author news, and links to many book-related resources, blogs, and review sites. Beautiful design.

Blog of a Bookslut
http://www.bookslut.com/blog/

Jessa Crispin is the blogger behind the risque name and her partner in literary crime, Michael Schaub, also contributes. The blog provides updates on the national literary scene. Reviews are super honest with rant and wit added into the mix.

Books for Understanding
http://aaupnet.org/booksforunderstanding.html

Resource to find books on current events. New bibliographies are compiled when a major news story breaks or public debate heats up.

Booksquare
http://www.booksquare.com/

All about “news and views of authors.”

BookThink
http://www.bookthink.com/

BookThink has newsletters covering book-related topics and insider information for booksellers, market report regarding in-demand books, a discussion forum, book-related links; book reviews, interviews with authors, and tutorials on book repair, grading, terminology, buying for resale, selling books, and more.

Complete Review
http://www.complete-review.com/

“A selectively comprehensive, objectively opinionated survey of books old and new, trying to meet all your book review, preview, and information needs.”

Confessions of an Idiosyncratic Mind
http://www.sarahweinman.com/

Sarah Weinman is the crime fiction editor for The Baltimore Sun. Get commentary on crime and mystery fiction.

Creativity Portal
http://www.creativity-portal.com/

Not only do you get writing prompts (and all you can eat, too!), but also imagination prompts. Enjoy articles, instructional Web resources, and a Mirecle33 Creativity Patch (yes, it’s spelled that way) on topics related to writing, creativity, and arts & crafts.

The Elegant Variation
http://www.marksarvas.blogs.com/elegvar

Literary blog.

ForeWord magazine
https://www.forewordmagazine.net/

Magazine that publishes book reviews from independent presses. If you’re an author or publisher, you can register to add books to its list of books being published within a timeframe. After registration, go to the My Books tab and add the titles. There is no charge for this listing. [ Link: Publicity Hound ]

Fresh Eyes
http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/me…

Blog by a Vermont bookseller.

GalleyCat
http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/

Blog about books and publishing.

Grammar Hell
http://www.grammarhell.com/

I love the name of the site and its sense of humor. You know you’re in for fun when the tagline is, “Help end brutal assaults on language. I wanna be this site.

Independent Publisher
http://www.independentpublisher.com/

Articles on publishing and promotion. Subscribe to the newsletter to stay up to date.

Litblog Co-op
http://lbc.typepad.com/blog/

Unites literary blogs to draw attention to the best fiction, authors and publishers who struggle to get noticed an overcrowded market.

Literary Saloon
http://www.complete-review.com/saloon/

“Literary weblog at the complete review. It offers opinionated commentary on literary matters, as well as news from and about the complete review, literary news, links, musings, and the occasional tirade.”

Maud Newton
http://maudnewton.com/blog/

“Occasional literary links, amusements, politics, and rants.”

Midwest Book Review
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/

The site has many book reviews, book resources, publisher resources, writers resources, and more. Writers and publishers can submit books for review and reviewers can submit reviews per the instructions.

Mothers Book Bag
http://mothersbookbag.com/

Mom’s read books, too! So we may not read as much or as fast as we’d like, but we do what we can so our brains don’t turn to mush. Covered books are in related to parenthood in some form and there are author interviews. A wonderful find.

OCLC Top 1000
http://www.oclc.org/research/top1000/…

OCLC Research has updated its list of the top 1000 titles owned by member libraries. The “purchase vote” of libraries around the globe.
selected the works that have been judged to be worth owning.

Old Hag
http://www.theoldhag.com/

Book reviews and literary blog.

ParaPublishing
http://parapub.com/getpage.cfm…

Dan Poynter is the go to person for everything you want to know about publishing. This site has lots of valuable resources including this huge list of fascinating facts and figures about the book industry, articles related to books, a free information kit for authors, and an excellent newsletter.

The Publishing Game
http://www.publishinggame.com/

Read articles on book marketing, self-publishing, and finding an agent so you can make your next move.

Reader2
http://reader2.com/

Find new books to read and keep list of books you read or recommend. You can search for new books to read in the categories of your interest, export your latest read books or recommended books to your site or blog, find users with similar taste and look what they read, and track your friends’ reading lists.

Readerville

http://www.readerville.com/

Book lovers talk about books. Also has forums for discussions.

Time: All-Time 100 Novels
http://www.time.com/time/2005/100books/…

Two Time critics pick 100 best English language novels from 1923 to the present.

What Should I Read Next?
http://www.whatshouldireadnext.com/

Enter a book, author, or both and get recommendations for what to read next.

Updated: February 8, 2006

Web sites want to reach as wide an audience as possible, right? Who doesn’t? Having an accessible site makes good business sense and avoids bad publicity. Imagine the cost that comes with bad public relations or getting sued.

I offer more reasons on why designing accessible sites is good for your business in addition to tips on designing such sites in the Web Design Reference Guide’s newly updated accessibility section.

One of the easiest ways to help your site be more accessible is to use the alt attribute. Sadly, many sites overlook it. People with disabilities aren’t the only ones who benefit from an accessible site. Such sites can expand their reach to include mobile devices and the silver surfers.