Tag Archives: Chris Pirillo

Six degrees of Robert Scoble

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I think I knew that Robert Scoble once worked with/for Dave Winer at Userland Software, but completely forgot writing this “thank you” to Chris Pirillo, waaaay back in 2002:

“We’re always quick to talk about poor service or support, so I’d like to be equally quick to report a wonderful experience. Based on your recommendation, I purchased a copy of Radio from Userland Software. Total impulse buy. I’d been playing with Blogger and when I saw that you liked Radio, I bought it.

Fact is, I really didn’t need the program and had a little problem getting going and wound up emailing the company for some help. Which I quickly got. In my first email to the company I mentioned that mine was a poorly thought out impulse buy and it would be great if I could “back up” on the purchase, never expecting the company to go along.

Today I got a very nice email from Robert Scoble, refunding my purchase. I immediately sent along my thanks and –in his reply– got an invite to Gnomedex 02! Just a nice way to end the day. You can’t go wrong dealing with the Lockergnome community.”

Small world.

Chris Pirillo: “Apple gets the consumer”

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“My brother Adam isn’t a geek – and he’s never written to me about any other device (from Apple or any other manufacturer). It’s not even out yet and I already hate the iPhone… largely because someone else didn’t make it four years ago. Seriously. Apple gets the consumer in ways that no other company ever will. It makes my new Smartphone seem so… ancient.”

Tips on linking

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  • Traditionally, links are underlined as well, but that approach is often unnecessary and falling out of favor to reduce visual clutter.
  • Links lack affordance, which means their visual properties don’t suggest how they are used and are understood only through experience.
  • Link text should indicate the result of clicking on the link.
  • Use different colors for visited and unvisited links.
  • Don’t use color for text that isn’t a link because users may assume that it is a link.
  • Always show either an underline (for any link text) or a button frame (for command link text only) on hover to reinforce visually that the text is a link.
  • Don’t underlined text that isn’t a link because users will assume that it is a link.
  • Use background colors that contrast with the link colors.
  • Use link text that is the most relevant part of the text and are large enough to be easy to click.
  • Don’t provide an infotip [in HTML, a title element] that is merely a restatement of the link text.
  • If a link requires further explanation, provide the explanation in either a separate text control or an infotip, but not both.
  • Place optional supplemental graphics that indicates the target of a link to the right of the text and use an infotip to explain its meaning.
  • Link to specific content rather than general content.
  • Use a link only if the linked material is relevant, helpful, and not redundant.
  • Link only on the first occurrence of the link text.
  • Don’t add “Click here” to the link text. It isn’t necessary because a link implies clicking. Also, “Click here” and “here” alone are poor link text because they convey no information about the link when read by a screen reader.
  • Start the link with an imperative verb and clearly describe the action that the link performs.
  • Don’t use ending punctuation except for question marks.

Don’t need no stinkin’ press release

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I only go to one technology conference a year: Gnomedex. It’s small, as such events go. Just 300 attendees and sort of a tough ticket. I’ve been going since Chris Pirillo started holding them in Des Moines back in the late 90’s. I’ve gushed about it here so I won’t bore you with why I love this conference. This year Chris is doing something unheard of: No press release.

This year’s conference has sold one-third of its available seats since opening registration a mere week ago. Despite having not yet unveiled speakers or sponsors, the conference is well on its way to being sold out for the second year in a row.

If you’re planning on attending, let me know.

Gnomedex 5

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My idea of a fun vacation is a few days at a technology show, so I’m looking forward to Gnomedex 5.0 coming up in late June in Seattle. I attended the first Gnomedex in Des Moines but missed the last couple. This year’s show looks like a good one. Adam Curry is the keynote speaker and other presenters include: Steve Gillmore, Robert Scoble, Marc Canter and a bunch more. Chris Pirillo is a sharp guy and I’m betting he puts on another great conference.