The Rena and balance

So, a couple of weeks ago, a container ship called the Rena plowed into a reef.
EVERYONE knew the reef was there, so it's quite cut and dry as to the negligence of the crew.

It's lost a few containers. It's spilled some oil.

And the hand-wringing, gnashing of teeth and outpouring of emotion has been ridiculous.

I've been highly irritated at the media coverage. They've been rolling out simple people who rage at our Government. They've been rolling out the token 'person who's worked on a beach that had an oil spill years earlier' story. They've been giving politicians the chance to whine and not be helpful at all.

It really has pissed me off.

My take on it is that it'll probably be gone by Christmas. The ecological 'disaster' will be found to be over-stated by a huge margin.

Happily last night Campbell Live managed to present a balanced angle. Marine scientists saying that it's not going to be all that bad.

I can breathe again.

S.

My Precious

RIP Steve Jobs. 1955-2011

Your vision changed my world. Always inspired. I will remember.

The Kiwi "She'll be right" Mentality

I've been selling Design services for nearly five years. I am fortunate to be surrounded by some incredibly talented designers, and some of their sensibilities have rubbed off.

One thing I have grown to despise is a trait that New Zealanders tend to have. The idea that something will work out with minimal effort. "She'll be right, mate".

I have seen it so many times in business.

Clever people who produce fantastic products, who provide fantastic services present themselves to their prospects in a half-assed way. They have either no design, or its design done by the Wife's niece who is a hairdresser but quite likes to draw.

I know of online businesses that have incredible systems and technology. But their website looks like crap. "It's all about the back-end and the data". Really?

I know that how something looks sets my expectation for what is offered. If it looks crappy, I'll expect it to be crappy.

Please please please. If you make something cool, DESIGN it. Present it in the best possible light.

- S

Apple's new Announcements

Disclaimer. I am an Apple Fanboy. No question. However I do believe strongly in the idea that you should buy the tech that is right for you. 

It just so happens that Apple technology is right for me.

This morning, we had another Apple Event. Really wanting to see Apple announce an iPhone 5. Nope. Didn't happen.

The iPhone 4S was announced. And to be honest, I actually like the look of it. As an iPhone 4 user, I can see that the under-the-hood improvements would work for me.

Siri looks interesting. I'm not sure how it'll work for people who open their mouths and Glenfield falls out though.

Combine the gains in hardware with the new iOS and iCloud and the price drops, we may have a winner. I will seriously look at getting one.

- S.

Star Wars Marathon. Done.

Well that was fun.

It's just fantastic rediscovering one of the best storylines ever written and put on film.

The BluRay versions are fantastic, and the remastered 'original' movies hold up well in the saga.

I do still wonder why R2D2 got stupid. You'd think as a droid, he'd notice that he can fly...

My most enduring memory of Star Wars is watching it with my son. He was captivated - and was totally absorbed by the battle between Luke and Darth Vadar. When Vader announced "I am your father", he looked at me, in shock. Eyes wide open, mouth agape.

It was awesome!

Ah. Thank you George.

S.