Embracing Change

I always find it funny when people whine and moan every time a major website gets a redesign. I saw it a lot in 2009 when Facebook was constantly changing its design. Then later on when #newtwitter came along. And most recently, YouTube's redesign.

When #newtwitter rolled out, everyone complained about how confusing and ugly it was. Contrastingly, I was happy that Twitter finally decided to step it up and implement a couple features that independently owned Twitter clients were all ready providing (embedded photo and video, lists, suggestions, etc.). I guess they just thought it was too much. Which I now totally understand. What always differentiated Twitter from other social networking sites was that it kept everything short and simple. But as the site grew more and more, it was clear that they needed to innovate. And that they did... despite everyone's protests.

With YouTube's recent homepage design, I heard complaints about how the subscription boxes turned into a feed, and how one no longer had the option to go back to the old design. To be frank, I was pretty surprised there was so much hate. I'd changed my YouTube settings to the redesign as soon as it was in beta. Months later I see tweets "OMG YOUTUBE IS SO STUPID NOW!!!!1!1!" Apparently YouTube made the switch to the new design permanent. It was bound to happen sooner or later. People are kidding themselves if they think they have the option to keep an old design 'til whenever they choose.

What I think others fail to see is that there is always reason for what web developers and designers do. They don't arbitrarily make changes to websites because they think it would be cool. They make plans, they examine what people do online and try their best to make tweaks that will make features easier for the user to access in the long run. Everyone is so used to their damned used to their sub boxes and 140 character text-only feeds that they freak out when something changes. Believe me when I say, the designers did not intend to piss you off. They want to make user experience simpler and more functional. Whenever a website or program is in beta I always opt for the newest version (unless I later find that it's too buggy to use). If a site offers me the option to go back to the old settings after a new version is released, I never go back to the old one. I know that in the long run, I'd only be screwing myself. I like to embrace change and feel that everyone else should, too.

Whenever a website or program you frequently use changes, there is reason for it. Stop and think about why someone may have made the changes before you go ramble on about how terrible you think it is because you don't know how to use it yet.

Of Netbooks and Tablets

Sometimes when I'm sitting at the computer at home, my bother wants to go online and do his usual Facebook browsing, crop harvesting, and funny video watching. Unfortunately for him, I'm sometimes busy editing a video, or working on something for school, or in the middle of a Skype call and can't really get off the computer until I finish whatever I'm doing. He gets annoyed, and grabs my netbook to browse instead. My netbook's starting to become old and slow, and I think it'll be time for an upgrade in the next few months.

Lucky for me, the tablet device market is gonna be booming this year. None of this "iPad is an original device" crap. Hush it, Jobs. It isn't revolutionary, and it sure as hell ain't magical. Also, I'm kind of tired of the Apple-centricity of today. I've heard so many people either talk about how cool the iPad is or how it's just a big iPod Touch. Not once have I heard anyone say that the Samsung Galaxy Tab looks like a big Droid, or the BlackBerry PlayBook is simply a blown up BlackBerry Storm.

ANYWAY. I've been thinking that once my netbook is obsolete, I might want to replace it with a tablet of sorts. One that supports Adobe Flash, has both back and front facing cameras, and whatever novelites are out there that I've yet to think about as necessities in gadgets these days. Because GOD FORBID I can't collect my rent or harvest my crops from CityVille on a tablet device.

What I'm trying to say is: I want a Motorola Xoom. It was probably the sexiest gadget to come out of CES this year.

Quick overview of the specs: Dual-core processor, Android 3.0 (Honeycomb), front and rear-facing cameras, camcorder, Adobe Flash Player, 10.1-inch widescreen HD display, supports Wi-Fi, 1280x800 screen res.

Let me just say that THE SCREEN SIZE AND RESOLUTION ARE BIGGER THAN MY NETBOOK. I want. I just hope it doesn't cost millions of dollars.


Slightly-related fun fact: A few nights ago, I had a dream in which I owned an iPad that could project video onto my wall. It was really cool. Developers and hardware manufacturers: GET ON THAT.

COMPUTER ELECTRONICALLY MONITORED AT ALL TIMES

That’s what it says on a laminated card that’s taped to the right side of my monitor right now. I’m at school, see. Just finished my project a few minutes ago, but I still have some time to kill before I head off to class.

I feel like I’m being watched by the Department of Homeland Security, like on Little Brother.

I wonder if they’ll kick me off.

As the sign says, these computers are FOR ACADEMIC USE ONLY!! If I do, fuck it. I’ll just head to class early, I suppose.

Since I’m being monitored and all, does this mean someone right now is reading every single word I type? In real time? That’s so cool.

It’s a shame no one’s kicking me off for not doing academic work on here.

This turned out to be a lot less exciting than I thought it was.

Maybe if I write something provocative in huge bold text.

GAY HORSE SEX

Anyway. I should head to class now. The clock on this computer seems to be a few minutes ahead, and I now have less time to kill than I thought I did.

Happy new year, eveyone. /6dayslate