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I feel curious

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 10:58:16 +1200

Every so often I come across a project that speaks to my interest in celebratining human interaction, story telling and technology. This one certainly does that. You too will see why I feel curious about how the world is feeling right now and how long it will be before you are curious too? Once you've watched the movie, go and play at http://www.wefeelfine.org/, it's fascinating. Thanks to Justine for sharing this video. It's funny, we must have been on the same wave length tonight. I saw Justin's tweet about this TED video, excitedly I wrote this post and then found he'd done the same. I think that perfectly sums up exactly how powerful an idea this is. Enjoy. (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

Website Monitoring

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:53:05 +1300

Hi everyone. I have been asked a lot recently about my website, especially who hosts it and about the fact that I have it monitored 24/7 for uptime and reliability. Basically late last year I had lots of issues with uptime of my blog, so moved to Host Gator. They have been amazing. The server is quick, but the support has been even better. Even while a hurricane battered their data and call centre the support tickets continued to be answered. Below is a link to their site if you're interested, trust me they are cool and about 10 of my friends host with them now, they consistently rate high on "Best ISP" lists, and I love that they have an environment policy and plan. As I said in an earlier post I really love how they present themselves giving a sense of size, combined with the promise of support from the owner ... You can even chose for your support ticket to go to CEO Brent Oxley if you're not satisfied with the help you're getting. Anyway setup was easy, registration and getting started took less than 20 minutes, just like it should be. It might seem weird that despite them being so good I would therefore want to monitor my site. Well to me it's about piece of mind, I mean I might even mess up. InternetSupervision.com monitor my site every hour automatically 24/7 and another 20+ services our companies run from FTP, SMTP, HTTP, DNS etc. It is so cool, despite these services being on various servers around the word, I know pretty well as soon as one goes down. Like last night, a local fault in a fibre cable had us hidden from the world for a few hours. When this happened I knew almost immediately, so could log a fault, and was advised as soon as service returned both times via email and SMS message. I believe even the smallest site should consider such a service. Offerings start from Free, but a few services with SMS notification will cost only a couple of dollars a month ... that's less than a cup of coffee to sleep soundly at night. Remember ... whether you like it or not, a downed website reflects on YOU. (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

It's about Eyeballs

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:25:51 +1300

An awesome presentation and Q and A with Gary Vay Ner Chuk. In this he talks very powerfully about "Working the Room", His Strategy, And about how the internet is about getting eyeballs. To use his term he is pretty Potty Mouth. But don't get put off by that, he is authentic, deep and extremely passionate. Awesome and thank you Gary. (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

My Elevator Pitch

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:32:10 +1200

Yesterday I let you know that I was going to take the "31 Days To A Better Blog" challenge and I am getting more and more excited. Day 1 The task for today was to write an "elevator pitch for my blog". This was something that had been on my mind for a while, as I felt I didn't have a strong focus around what I wrote. I genuinely think I could go "toe to toe" and hold my own in a discussion on most of the issues I write about, but I wasn't providing any depth of information. We have deep experience and knowledge in HR, IT, Marketing, Relationships, Leadership, Strategy etc but I didn't want to be an "expert blog" on any one topic as that would be boring for me. I wanted to be a generalist, and share experiences and hopefully inspire. I want to start conversations. So here is my pitch Tui's voice is a blog by Stephen Baugh, a successful entrepreneur who, with his family, runs two significant international companies based in the photographic and wedding industries. This blog covers an entrepreneur's journey through business and technology with tips, observations and strategy blended with a little self reflection and fun. This blog covers a breadth of issues with either a human or business perspective. He shares experiences as assistance and inspiration to others. Why "an entrepreneurs journey"? Great cultures like the New Zealand Maori have passed their traditions, their rules, their inspiration, their culture down through generations in the form of stories and song. I am not going to start singing anytime soon, but I think that is what I am about, in fact I think that's what our business, Queensberry, is about. We tell stories. Our family jokes that when I was brought home as a child it was to a boat yard, to a house built from car cases. Hardly what you could call luxury: we were emotionally wealthy but financially poor. Today we run two reasonably large companies that trade globally as if we were local in each market and live a very different life from the one living in a car case. I don't tell the story of my journey to brag, I don't tell it to say we are better than anyone else, or even that we know better. We are a fairly humble family so I tell these stories so that hopefully they will assist, and even better that they will inspire. We've seen it all As a family running a business together we've seen it all. We've had to deal with difficult family stresses where you wonder if you will get through, in fact we had to meet in restaurants because you can't fight in restaurants. Fortunately we are past that now. We have developed all our own IT infrastructure and now have one that works 24/7 and rivals the world's best. We manufacture, we employ, we've built a software company and we design albums that have been presented to to Kings and Queens. So this blog is simply my story, it isn't a corporate site, it's not polished and some days it will be a little hit and miss, but I do love telling stories and hope you will enjoy them too. Please join me If you care to subscribe to my RSS feed or ideally by email I will over then next few months share a couple of things I know you will enjoy. The first is I am going to finish my series "Business Lessons of a Fire Fighter". I am a Senior Fire Fighter (volunteer) in the New Zealand Fire Service and have had some amazing insights into business through my days on duty. Some past ones have included "Trust" and "Have Courage or Die" Secondly I am going to do a series called "Queensberry Rules". This series will share our business philosophy in a way that is powerfully simple. You wouldn't want to miss it. Finally ... Finally we live in a world that needs leaders, new leaders, strong leaders, people that care about business, the environment and education. I believe I am one of those leaders. The power and value of what I have in my head through years of experience is multiplied if shared. You are my friends and if you get one little piece of value from it, my time will be of value. Thanks again. Please let me know your thoughts. Is my pitch strong enough, is something missing, how could it be better? What stories do you want to hear? And of course thank you. 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What the F**K is Social Media: A cool answer

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 08:49:48 +1200

I came across this slideshow on Mashables website today. It explorers the question of what is Social Media? Just look at the stats, this isn't going away, and more importantly it's so exciting and powerful you've got to get involved. Of course please excuse the reference to teen sex and you know I don't know how to use F**K in a sentence but enjoy the story anyway. View more documents from Marta Kagan. (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

Blogger Integrity

Sun, 02 Aug 2009 11:51:18 +1200

I'm new to blogging and although I have seen consistent and significant growth in unique visitors, I have been keen to find tips to grow my blog quickly. I've spent my spare time over the last few weeks researching and what I have found scares me. There are lots of ways to grow visitor numbers and one of the most heavily promoted is back-links. The benefit of back links is that search engines give greater ranking to sites that have lots of back links as these links are seen as votes (endorsements) from other sites. Of course this makes sense and like everyone I will be doing my best to develop back links of my own. My concern however is how some bloggers are going about this. What I have seen is the setting up of fake websites, commercial organizations doing the same and arrangements where a group of bloggers agree to swap "Digg nominations", "Technorati Favs", "Stumbleupon Recommendations" etc. I understand the desire to build web traffic quickly, but if you use this method, at what cost? My belief is this ... - If you make a recommendation without knowing what you are recommending you loose credibility and risk linking yourself to people who reflect badly on you. - Quick traffic volumes don't necessarily translate to longer term volumes. - This is not building a network of friends that can support and help you. - Most of these people don't even visit your website, do you really want a recommendation from someone that doesn't know you? - To other bloggers and your readers you risk looking like a fake! What time horizon are you working too? If you are in this for the long term, isn't it better to put the work in and build a network of reliable links and develop your reputation as someone to be respected and listened to? In the long term I am certain this will yield dividends, especially if you hope to have your readers take advantage of recommendations you make. Please don't get me wrong, I am not saying you're a bad person or dishonest ... I also have tried this myself before I thought through what I was doing and stopped. I am just asking you to think carefully before you give away your valuable recomendations, favs and links. Good luck and enjoy your time on line. UPDATE : Here is a great post that offers lots of options for blog promotion (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

Review your website the Stumbleupon way

Sun, 02 Aug 2009 11:49:13 +1200

Did you know many people have decided what they think of a web page before it's even finished loading? I'm convinced that when people review their own website they aren't very good at it for two reasons: 1, They're emotionally involved. It's their baby and no one wants to think they have an ugly baby. Even more so when they paid a lot of money for it. 2. They have no idea what web surfers want. Even worse, they don't really know much about their own web browsing behavior. That's because, like everyone else, we mainly tend to surf on auto-pilot. If this could be you, here's my challenge. (If you don't think you have a problem, go challenge a friend.) To get an idea of what a good website is, and to see how you “behave” as a web surfer I suggest you join Stumbleupon. You'll get a tool bar to install in your web browser which has a “stumble” button. When you click this button you will be sent to a random website. If you like it, give it a thumbs up, or a thumbs down if you don’t. You can refine your stumbles to things you're interested in. The amazing thing is web surfers give a website about 20 secs before they make that decision. Often they've left before the page has finished loading. I think you'll find that good image content and design will be a familiar theme in the sites you like. A side benefit is that Stumbleupon brings fun back to web surfing and can be highly addictive :-) NOW for the hard part of the challenge ... Apply what you learned about your own behavior, including your likes and dislikes, to a review of your own site. Be critical, be honest, and try to define what you want your site to be in the future. Finally I don't say any of this to manipulate Stumbleupon, but good design that interests a Stumbleupon visitor will appeal to all visitors, have a look at this post by Patick at piggybankpie.com and this post from socialmediatraders.com. There are some great ideas here for starters. (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

The danger with your camera ... Beware of cyberstalking

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:58:51 +1200

When I say danger, I am not exaggerating. If you are online and geotag your photos you risk being robbed, raped or murdered if you aren't very careful. I do apologise, I don't like having depressing stuff on my blog, but you do need to be a little scared; you do need to consider how you work online. If you value your property and especially your life read on. So what is Geotagging Wikipedia describes Geotagging as: the process of adding geographical identification metadata to various media such as photographs, video, websites, or RSS feeds, and a form of geospatial metadata. These data usually consist of latitude and longitude coordinates, though they can also include altitude, bearing, accuracy data, and place names. That sounds pretty harmless, so what's the problem? The problem is that people innocently take photos of their home, where they hang out, their friends' places etc, and then upload them up to the web. If your camera saves geo-tag data, as my iPhone does, that information is uploaded with it. We are becoming very social beasts and share our lives on twitter, facebook etc, and unfortunately, that places location data in the hands of potential cyber-stalkers. Having an unlisted number is useless if you do things like this. There are two problems with this. One is that through facebook and twitter etc these people know your habits. And secondly, with geo-tagging, combined with Flickr and Google Street View etc, they know where you do it. Potentially where you live, where you walk the dog, where your kids go to school etc. Scary ... but what's a Cyber Stalker? Essentially Cyber Stalking is where one person becomes infatuated with another and starts obsessively following them online. I've had this happen a couple of times and it can be quite scary. Sometimes these people are covert and remain largely silent, other times they will make every attempt to make contact and be noticed. This can be emotionally very stressful, but it becomes physically dangerous when that obsession moves offline, and that is the point of this post. If you geo-tag your photos carelessly you make it so much easier for this to happen. Here are a couple of useful resources for assistance with Cyber Stalking: The National Center For Victims of Crime, and WiredSafety.org Here are five things you can do to protect yourself #1. Consider turning off Geotagging in your camera and mobile. Certainly if it asks, "Can I use location data?" don't do so at home or other places you consider 'private'. I wouldn't care too much about it when on holiday for example, and in fact it's quite a cool feature in iPhoto, but I wouldn't use it where my family regularly hang out. #2. Talk to the kids. Make them aware of the danger of this. In fact monitor all your children's online activity and set strict rules around interacting with strangers. #3. If you like this feature, then just don't upload to flickr etc without first stripping the meta data out of the photo. #4. Don't be scared online, but don't be blasé either. Be considered about how people are interacting with you and whether or not they might be a risk. Some of my best friendships are with people I have met over the internet, but you must be careful. #4. Spread the word. Please Please Please. Re-Tweet, Digg, and Stumble this post and let people know about the risks. The more people are aware, and the more we pressure places like Flickr to provide features that protect and/or educate us the safer we will all be. Am I being over zealous? I don't think so, but I'm curious what you think. Step 1 - Spread the word NOW ... Thanks :) Step 2 - Let me and others know what you think, and/or do to stay safe online. 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Twitter made me sick

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:40:34 +1200

Ok, I have just made myself feel sick on Twitter by un-following most of the 3000 people I was following because I simply found myself in a situation where I was overwhelmed by the tweet traffic generated by that number of people. As much as I carefully considered my reasoning for doing this, pushing that delete key on Twitter Karma, has certainly left my hands shaking. If you find that I am not following you now I am very sorry. If however we've been talking directly I'll re-follow you over the weekend once the the delete process has finished. I just couldn't keep up with the wild stream of updates, direct messages from spam robots and most importantly I kept missing the valuable messages and updates I wanted to see. Drastic action was required. Overwhelm has become a theme recently, but simplicity and presence are now my focus You will have noticed in my post about "Being an entrepreneur and how not to travel" that I basically burnt myself out on a recent trip, and while this is true, it would be more accurate to say that I have been doing this more and more over recent years. So much so that last year I had to take a couple of months off due to sickness caused by stress and exhaustion. Fortunately people have been pointing out that I am heading there again and as I don't want to go through that once more need to prioritise. Fine ... But why so ruthless with twitter? I joined Twitter for the conversation, to make contact with people with whom to socialise, and keep up to date with information. During that time I have been deeply honoured to have built a pretty big following, and for much of the time I automatically followed people back, I guess to be polite. That was great in the beginning, but as the list grew, it became harder and harder to keep track of the people I was actually interacting with, and by now I can't even see what people say unless they specifically reply to me because the stream of tweets moves to fast. What started to as fun, soon turned into something of a burden as it makes me feel disrespectful if I don't also get to see what these friends are saying, and of course I'm having only half the fun. It was never about talking at people, it needs to be about talking with people. How I used Twitter started to change the day I found myself in trouble as I started to think more consciously about twitter spam, follower ego and how much noise there was. I love the service and love how you can interact so easily with people but felt there had to be a better way. Simplicity and focus. I'm hardly the first person to do this for example Loic Le Meur, a high profile geek and founder of Seesmic, did the same and deleted 23,000 followers, and although Tsudohnimh proposed a great solution for dealing with a large number of Twitter followers, I didn't want another system. In a post on needing to have fun, if you want to be creative I introduced a book and time management system called Zen To Done. This is now becoming a way of life for me at work. You will see it even in the fact that my blog looks different, it's simpler, cleaner and by changing it's focus slightly, it lowers the expectation of me by allowing me to be myself. I'm sorry I am again sorry that I can't follow everyone, but I believe strongly in being present with the people I am with and therefore if you interact with me on my blog or twitter, I will with you. Say hello, let me know how life is treating you and what makes you get up in the morning and if you're interested I'll do the same. Alternatively if you prefer just to listen, that's cool too. Until we meet, have an awesome weekend and all the best. 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Google Wave : With links to 4 great articles.

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:48:52 +1200

All day I have been trying to find a moment to publish a quick post, giving a shout out to Google for another awesome product that's in the works. We already use analytics, webmaster tools, gmail etc and think this is probably one of the most exciting announcements since search. As a company this offers us exciting collaboration options to supplement what we already have, but it's even more exciting when you consider the integration with our wider community. Well done Google ... simply awesome. Mashable have 4 great articles on Google Wave http://mashable.com/2009/05/28/google-wave-guide/ the complete guide. If you don't want to watch the 1 hour 20 min video above, then read this instead. http://mashable.com/2009/05/28/twave/ a link to a twitter app for google wave http://mashable.com/2009/05/31/google-wave-test/ a first test ... cool. http://mashable.com/2009/05/28/google-wave/ Could Google Wave Redefine Email and Web Communication? Redefine possibly, replace, I don't think so. Thanks Mashable for the awesome resources as always. (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

Dorks, Geeks & Nerds

Sat, 23 May 2009 05:58:37 +1200

I received this tweet a couple of days ago in responce to a tweet I wrote about Geek Bait. I must say it made my heart race momentarilly ... Was I being a Dork, I like being a Geek but am I a Nerd? OMG Who am I? So lets start by saying I am a Geek ... no question about that, but I don't think I am a nerd. Since then it's been the topic of some office discussion ... I work in an office surrounded by software developers so there have been a few varying thoughts on the topic. Anyway, as any good Geek would do I went to Google ... Ok that's not true, I went to WolframAlpha but when their definition included under narrower definition "crackpot | fruitcake | nutter | screwball and wacko" I went to Google for a friendlier explanation. Google said ... Nerd swot: an insignificant student who is ridiculed as being affected or boringly studious. an intelligent but single-minded expert in a particular technical field or profession . wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn Nerd is a term often bearing a derogatory connotation or stereotype, that refers to a person who passionately pursues intellectual activities... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerd Geek The word geek is a slang term, noting individuals as "a peculiar or otherwise odd person", especially one who is perceived to be overly obsessed ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geek Geek is a common term for someone who is obsessed by their computer, and has achieved a high level of expertise in their chosen area. ... www.open2.net/sciencetechnologynature/computing/glossary.html A term similar to nerd, but slightly less pejorative in tone. teladesign.com/ma-thesis/glossary.html Dork jerk: a dull stupid fatuous person wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn A quirky, silly and/or stupid, socially inept person, or one who is out of touch with contemporary trends. Often confused with nerd and geek. en.wiktionary.org/wiki/dork Ok so now I am confused ... they all sound slightly the same, but I guess my take on it is: You can be a Geeky, Dorky Nerd ... Certainly I am quite capable of it, but that's not all I am. I guess you can be a Geek, without necessarily being a nerd. If you are a little sophisticated, and socially well adjusted you would still be a Geek if you are really into computers and technology but no longer a Nerd. You can be a Nerd if you are strongly academic focused, but you aren't a Geek unless you are also fascinated with IT. This is the area when I start to think of heavy set glasses and pocket protectors. Ever since "Revenge of the Nerds", being a Nerds not all bad. It's funny ... being considered Dorky isn't something I've been that bothered by because to me it feels a little eccentric, but I don't like the description above that says being Dorky also means being stupid. Oh well, here you go .... You decide ... let me know whose who :-) (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

WolframAlpha first play video

Sun, 17 May 2009 02:01:29 +1200

I had my first play with WolframAlpha this morning. I was watching the launch on justin.tv and saw the search url people we using. By doing this I got around the opening soon window ... Hope that's ok. Anyway very cool. Sorry for the poor video really just recording my play. The big thing is knowing what you can do and how to approach searching. Was very fast until they started load testing and then things started timing out. Cool as a first experience though. (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

WolframAlpha a billion $$ company in the making?

Sat, 16 May 2009 10:44:07 +1200

As I watched an introductory video for the WolframAlpha launch, my memory raced back to when I first saw the internet in the early 90's and told my wife how it was going to "change the world". WolframAlpha isn't a search engine like Google, it's something completely different. In my opinion there is a place for both as they do things differently ... but if this gets hold this will change the world. It's offers a completely revolutionary way of looking at data and for the average person to explore relationships. As Danny and I discussed today, we can in our heads imagine how the search works at Google, but we have no idea how this works ... but it is DAMN AMAZING. Almost immediately I was Skyping, and twittering my friends telling them to watch the introduction movie. http://www.wolframalpha.com/screencast/introducingwolframalpha.html Go see it now ... I think we might just be seeing another billion dollar company in the making... In fact Danny and my prediction is it will take only a couple of years. Once you've done that, go over to Tinker and join the discussion I just started UPDATE: Oh sorry, I meant to say. Popular rumour is it will launch tomorrow. (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

What happens if your leave a laptop unattended

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 06:22:52 +1300

Earlier this week I was looking for space on my Laptop, and came across a very bloated Photobooth folder. When I reviewed the images contained I realized it's not safe to leave your laptop unattended. My daughters forever the techno geek actors left my laptop full of images and movies like these ... LOL they made me laugh out loud. Thanks Girls (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

Geek Bait

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 02:22:25 +1300

We employed a couple of fantastic developers a month or so ago. Part of our marketing strategy is to always try and pre qualify and de-market to those that won't be a fit.The guys came up with this advertisement which we ran ... as is ... and the response was 11 candidates, all great but two brilliant finds. Total cost about $120 for an advert on seek. If they couldn't solve the code, they couldn't apply ... nothing else pointed to us.What a great catch!I've Tittered about "Kebab Friday" before ... see if you can see the embedded humour :-) www.photojunction.com (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

TED

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 11:47:31 +1300

Ok what else can I say except, if you want to blow your mind go to www.ted.com. Ted is an annual conference of world class speakers sharing innovative ideas, telling stories and inspiring change. I mean everything is covered and many of the speakers from conferences over the last few years have put online for your enjoyment. Over the last few months I have listened and watched fascinated to speakers from Bill Clinton to Bono. I've been inspired by new ideas of social change in Africa, Seen Statistics brought to life in a fascinating graphical display. And learnt how my children will more than likely live to 150 if not older. Now isn't that going to be an interesting debate... Of course the earth can't sustain its current rate of population growth and have people living for ever ... So do we want children to refresh society or immortality? Ha ha Now I know my wife said she would love me for eternity ... But do you think she thought it really would be that long? :-) (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

WOW What an idea

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 03:13:10 +1200

In my blog description I say that I love the "simple solutions", I have to say this has to be one of the best I have seen in ages. By taking the abundant energy of children playing and using that to pump water from clean under ground water supplies Play Pumps have created a way to ease the problem of getting fresh water to villages of the world.These people are really inspiring. (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

Twitter

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:40:59 +1200

Someone asked me the other day what Twitter is ... I swear my jaw almost dropped. So from the Twitter FAQ ...What is it? Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing? Bloggers can use it as a mini-blogging tool. Ok I must admit when I heard of it myself, there was a bit of a yawn and disinterest stuck around for quite a while ... but for some reason a month ago I decided to go have a more serious look ... and I must say, it is strangely addictive. LOL not that I need any more distractions.Go have a play ... it's a bit of fun and much more entertaining than recruiting Zombies on Facebook.You'll find me at My Twitter PageIf you want to get an idea of the main things happening, or should I say being discussed, on Twitter have a look athttp://www.twitterverse.com/Want to find help with something?, like when I was looking for new software for my iPhonehttp://summize.com/And if you get lonely, and need new friendshttp://crazybob.org/twubble/Have fun, and let me know what you think (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);