Summer Solstice Links

Jun 21, 2008

• Bicycle Friendly Communities
  I would consider making this list being a stong indicator that a city is a pretty good place to live. I recently was in Portland, OR, the first large city in the US to reach platinum status. When I was there the amount of bike commuters, bike lanes and “share the road” type signs was amazing. They are probably even happier about their investment in the bicycle infrastucture with gas prices the way they are now.
• New Hampshire Railroad Revitalization Association (NHRRA)
  To me a part of short term answer to skyrocketing fuel costs is to look at Europe. When I have been in Europe, whose gasoline costs have been much higher than ours for a long time, 2 things really stood out: small cars dominate the roads and the fact that the trains that seem to go everywhere. Bringing back rail will be more dificult in states with smaller populations like New Hampshire, but it also makes sense as everthing is further apart and therefore a longer drive. Right now the only rail in NH is the Amtrak Downeaster which briefly passes through towns a few towns out towards the coast. There has been some talk of a “Capitol Corridor” line which would connect Nashua and Manchester to Boston.
• 31 Places to go this summer
  The White Mountains of NH, where I spend a lot of time, are number 2 on this list. Ok so it’s not in order of rank, but it’s still cool to see it included on this excellent list.
• 5 Places not to go this summer
  A list of the interesting tourist spots that Americans can’t visit.

The Good Ol’ Days

Jun 14, 2008

I took this picture because as high as gas prices are now, I have a feeling we’re going to be looking back before long wishing for the good ol’ days of $3.99 gas. Hope I’m wrong.

Googley Design Principles

Jun 8, 2008

I came across these Google design principles the other day while working on a user experience document, and I thought it would be worth posting here. If more developers/designers used philosophies like this we would gain a lot more milliseconds (ahem, Yahoo!)

1. Focus on people—their lives, their work, their dreams.
2. Every millisecond counts.
3. Simplicity is powerful.
4. Engage beginners and attract experts.
5. Dare to innovate.
6. Design for the world.
7. Plan for today’s and tomorrow’s business.
8. Delight the eye without distracting the mind.
9. Be worthy of people’s trust.
10. Add a human touch.

Southernmost Chickens

May 7, 2008

It took me a while but I posted some pictures from a trip to Key West, FL back in March. After driving over all 42 bridges that stitch the Overseas Highway together, I arrived in Key West to the sounds of “cock-a-doodle-dooooo” seemingly ringing out of every corner. Apparently it is against the law in Key West to harm or seize chickens and so they just hang out and multiply a lot. This could be a good or bad thing depending on whose point of view it is.

Note to self for future trips to the Keys: don’t go during spring break. It was hard to tell what there was more of, tourists or chickens. With it being the fun, easy-going, remote island that it is, I think it could be an even better place to hang out during mellower times.

Key West photos

Hands Across The Merrimack Open

Apr 29, 2008

A photo I took tonight of the "Hands Across The Merrimack" bridge. The long planned pedestrian bridge in Manchester, NH is now open! Yay for ManchVegas!

Links: 4-20-08

Apr 20, 2008

• Bikely.com
  Don’t know how I’ve managed to miss this site until now, but I’ve been waiting for something like it for a while. Bikely allows people to share information about bike routes, partly by drawing on a Google Map. I am always trying to find safe new routes, especially in New Hampshire where most of the state is sadly devoid of any “Share The Road” signs. I also have friends who say they would bike to work, but there is no safe route. This should help myself and others.
• Currier Museum of Art reopens
  After being closed for almost 2 years for expansion, one of the highlights of Manchester,NH is back.
• Possible Dreamweaver alternative
  I’ve gave Aptana Studio free version a quick tryout and it seems to have a lot of useful features. It looks promising as it is very similar to Dreamweaver, only $399.00 cheaper.
• I fell in love with a female assassin
  This story about a photojournalist in Columbia seems like it could make a great book. “There comes a point in every new relationship when your girlfriend wants to share a secret. Usually it’s to do with sex – how many other partners she’s had (with a few conveniently erased) – that sort of thing. Often, the secret changes the basis of the relationship; honesty comes with consequences. But what happens if your new girlfriend has a much darker and more sinister secret than having slept around a bit?”