http://blogs.lib.berkeley.edu/newdirections.php?disp=comments en-US http://backend.userland.com/rss 60 Sun, 06 Apr 2008 16:46:03 +0000 Free Article Directory [Visitor] c47625@http://blogs.lib.berkeley.edu/ I agree the iPhone is completely revolutionary. http://blogs.lib.berkeley.edu/newdirections.php/2008/02/08/from_apple_to_wired_to_new_directions#c47625 Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:33:00 +0000 gford [Member] c41904@http://blogs.lib.berkeley.edu/ As the e-book industry fusses over what an ebook reader will look like, we're seeing the emergence of books on cell phones. Some of these, are short and written for cell phone displays. But Eoin Purcell talks more about books -- real books -- downloaded to his "mobile"...much to his surprise and pleasure. http://eoinpurcellsblog.com/2008/02/12/more-about-novels-on-cellphones/ http://blogs.lib.berkeley.edu/newdirections.php/2008/02/08/from_apple_to_wired_to_new_directions#c41904 Mon, 11 Feb 2008 19:13:38 +0000 Dean C. Rowan [Visitor] c41721@http://blogs.lib.berkeley.edu/ There is much more than user-centered design at work here. It's also about manufactured reputations, both Apple's and Google's. Those reputations are backed by approximately a megagazillion bucks, not a fraction of which has ever been available to libraries. According to that little datum, then, libraries aren't even ROKRs. <br /> <br /> I think there's also an argument to be made against the aesthetic effect of the iPhone. (Then there's the hideous audio quality of the iPod, but that's another story.) I am not pleased with the look and feel of this device, but my peculiar tastes are beside the point. The point is that, regardless of the iPhone's UI flash and mostly rectilinear profile, folks are willing to spend the time, money, and effort to learn to use it. The user as center only goes so far; the device is also a central focus--it has mass, it breaks down, it requires maintenance--yet we elide that circumstance when we praise its simplicity or intuitiveness.
I think there's also an argument to be made against the aesthetic effect of the iPhone. (Then there's the hideous audio quality of the iPod, but that's another story.) I am not pleased with the look and feel of this device, but my peculiar tastes are beside the point. The point is that, regardless of the iPhone's UI flash and mostly rectilinear profile, folks are willing to spend the time, money, and effort to learn to use it. The user as center only goes so far; the device is also a central focus--it has mass, it breaks down, it requires maintenance--yet we elide that circumstance when we praise its simplicity or intuitiveness.]]> http://blogs.lib.berkeley.edu/newdirections.php/2008/02/08/from_apple_to_wired_to_new_directions#c41721 Sun, 10 Feb 2008 19:22:28 +0000 jkupersm [Visitor] c41606@http://blogs.lib.berkeley.edu/ Karen, I think your comparison is right on target. Couldn't help also noticing the dramatic difference between the two product photos. The Motorola photo shows the device. The Apple photo shows the device cradled in a human hand, beautifully lit with warm tones. <br /> <br /> Prominent, professionally done "people photos" work well on other library homepages (UT Austin for instance)<br /> <br /> What a good idea for us.<br /> http://www.lib.utexas.edu/<br /> <br />
Prominent, professionally done "people photos" work well on other library homepages (UT Austin for instance)

What a good idea for us.
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/

]]> http://blogs.lib.berkeley.edu/newdirections.php/2008/02/08/from_apple_to_wired_to_new_directions#c41606 Sat, 09 Feb 2008 01:55:11 +0000 Robert B. [Visitor] c41486@http://blogs.lib.berkeley.edu/ Motorola designed the ROKR phone, not Apple. Apple's iTunes connection was all that Apple contributed. http://blogs.lib.berkeley.edu/newdirections.php/2008/02/08/from_apple_to_wired_to_new_directions#c41486