Traffic by RSS

If you get RSS feeds on a mobile device, then you’ll want to get your Traffic Conditions Data data by modifying the feed. The instructions on the site clearly explain how to fix it. I substituted my zip code for the 14607 and I changed the 4 to a 5 for the level of magnification … Read more

Misters or Messers?

Kranz On Copy made me think about titles and pronouns. I always pronounce “Messers” in my head as “mess-ers.” Thankfully, I never need to say this word out loud. I embarrass myself enough times mispronouncing things. Recently, I emailed an editor of a newsletter about the Ms., Mr., and Mrs. issue. Some situations call for … Read more

Moving to a New PC

Getting a new PC is exciting and a pain. It’s exciting because you get a faster processor, more storage and all the latest stuff even though it’s outdated as soon as it hits your desk. The pain comes with re-installing all of your programs, re-customizing your preferences for programs, applications, and Windows, and transferring data … Read more

Keyboard Skips Letters

A few days ago, I wrote about my new keyboard and mouse set. I’m happy with it except for one thing… it skips letters sometimes. No predictable fashion. I wrote to Microsoft Support about it and a tech replied within a few hours. The tech proposed it could be an issue with one of the … Read more

Volunteering with Kids

I have a degree in elementary education, but I am not comfortable working with kids because I sound different and worry about understanding them. Obviously, I love kids as I have three of my own (the youngest turns two at the end of this month,—sob). Anyway, my kids’ school PTA has a program in which … Read more

Business Process Methodologies

I’ve either been involved with or held a process-related role since 1994. It started in the government with TQM (Total Quality Management). Then before I left the government, I worked with ERWin and some process standard model—I’ve forgotten its official name. We had pages and pages of flows that were not easy to follow. In … Read more

Usability Lessons from the Hospital

Usability isn’t only for Web design. It’s also applicable in the real world as things aren’t always well-designed. Paying attention to real world design can help you think through usability for Web design. For instance, there is an elevator in New York where the numbers are in three columns. The numbers go across, but in … Read more

Email: When You Don't Get a Response

Ilise Benun, author of Designing Websites for Every Audience, has been talking about “What does the silence mean?” in her Quick Online Marketing Tips newsletter. This is an issue I have grappled with many times especially since I rely on email as a primary means of communication rather than the phone because of my hearing … Read more