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- December 13, 2006
Mint versus Google Analytics
December 13, 2006Read moreNOTE: This article covers the OLD version of Google Analytics at the time of this writing. The current version of Analytics, launched in 2007, is much different.
At the end of October, I moved to a new server and decided to stop using the web traffic logging provided by Mint. There were three reasons behind this decision:
- I was spending way too much time checking my stats.
Someone mentioned to me that the size of my WordPress database was surprisingly large. Let me guess…you’re running stats? went the comment.
I was reading in the old host’s acceptable use policy for databases that stat logging was specifically disallowed. Ooops.
So I dropped Mint and tried surviving on Google Analytics and the free version of Statcounter. That experiment has ended today, and I’ve decided to reinstall Mint. (more…)
- December 13, 2006
Juxtaviews Interview
December 13, 2006Read moreI was recently interviewed by Juxataviews, a website that collects the musings of the people that are making the web using a conversational question & answer format. If I had to pigeonhole the site, I’d say it’s like the “softer side of Techcrunch” in that they talk to the person behind the technology.
Here’s what they asked:
- Name, age, favorite artist, and when you sleep at night you dream about?
- First, congratulations on reaching your 1000 published post milestone. So, what is it about blogging that excites you and keep you motivated to publish quality content on a frequent basis?
- Describe what David Seah does for a living and what you write about on your blog.
- What makes being being organized and managing one’s time difficult?
- What’s the first step in getting organized and becoming more efficient at the work place?
- What brought you into the discipline of time management?
- Your time management solutions are very unique. For the most part it seems that you’re creating these designs and then publishing them on your blog for the public to digest and provide feedback. How has this publish/feedback process been for you and do you feel you are now evolving into a structure for your time management solutions that take into account the mass audience vs simply your own needs?
- Frequently you create well designed paper diagrams that provide organizational solutions. Personally I find paper ends up creating more clutter and disorganization (although some people disagree). Some users of your designs have gone and emulated your designs and concepts by creating web solutions vs your paper solutions. Now you’re working on the alpha of Emergent Time Tracker which is a web version of your Emergent Task Timer. Is the web going to become your medium of choice moving forward? What is the benefit of each (paper vs web)?
- I believe a few of your solutions could become corporate tools – services you charge for. Is there any plan to begin developing a suite of time management and tracking solutions?
- With my laptop, my computer, my blackberry, meetings, deadlines, travel, conference calls, radio, mp3 player, etc I feel like I’m going 100mph all day everyday. Technology is supposed to help us, but in fact it has made us (well, me maybe) busier, or maybe I should say opened the door to more distractions. Are these technologies benefiting us in the workplace or distracting us?
- Its amazing how important I find the 15 minute timer noise alarm on Emergent Time Tracker. It really makes you focus on getting your work done. I feel like Pavlov’s Dog ;) Beyond these well designed paper/websites solutions do we also need these types of visual and audio reminders to help us along on our tasks?
- You have some very loyal readers. In fact, the majority of the comments per post on your site are constructive, well thought, and overall good reads in of themselves. How do you retain these types of readers and motivate them to continue your post conversation by adding interesting comments on their own?
- What new designs/solutions are you currently working on and when can we expect the version 1.0 release of your Emergent Time Tracker web app?
- What websites must you visit ever day?
- Last great book you read? Any suggested reading for those looking to get organized?
- What part of your life (work/personal) are you least organized in?
You’ll find my rambling replies to these questions over on their site. Enjoy!
- December 11, 2006
The Hirsute Mouse
December 11, 2006Read moreI was swishing around my favorite mouse (the Logitech MX300, no longer made) and was thinking Wow, the action on this mouse is much smoother than I remember so I flipped it over, and saw that a FELT MADE OF CAT HAIR had formed where the old adhesive had held the original plastic runners. I am grossed-out yet oddly pleased at this organic development; as I said, the mouse is working pretty well. Just don’t look underneath it.
- December 10, 2006
Hiro Nakamura on Concentration
December 10, 2006Read moreI’ve been sucked into NBC’s show Heroes, which you can currently watch online from the very beginning if you’re willing to sit through 30 second commercials every 10 minutes. The general premise is that there are a bunch of ordinary people with everyday problems who discover they have incredible powers. Some use this knowledge to further their ambitions. Others see themselves as having a purpose, and believe they are destined to save the world.
WARNING! MILD SPOILER AHEAD!
There was one moment in Part 6 of Episode 11 in the very beginning, when one of the “heroes”, Hiro Nakamura, is trying to convince Isaac, an artist who can paint the future, to do his thing without shootin’ up with heroin.
ISAAC: I don’t think I can do this… HIRO: Yes you can! Concentrate!
Hiro scrunches up his face to demonstrate concentration, then nods encouragingly. Isaac concentrates…whoa! Results!
Concentration is Not a Ritual?
What I liked about that scene was that it was so different from my usual working routine. Getting started on a project, for me, tends to be a ritual of assembling multiple objectives and pressures into a sharp stick that jabs me into action. Sometimes it’s tough, or I’m distracted, or I’m wondering how things are going to end up. Once I get going, though, I’m always surprised at how easily the work flows. Getting to that point has been a continuing challenge.
“Just do it” has more of a serious, stop yer silly daydreaming edge to it, but Hiro’s demonstration of concentration is a variation of “just do it” has a humorous edge to it that I like. At the same time, it’s a good reminder that concentration is as simple as dedicating yourself to it. Duh.
- December 9, 2006
KK’s Personal Book Printing Recommendations
December 9, 2006Read moreKevin Kelley, who currates the “useful working gadgets” site Cool Tools, recently posted his experiences with personal publishing through print-on-demand services. Did you know you could print a black and white 150 page book for $7? Or that you could print a high-quality 100-page coffee table book for $40? Or how about a mini-portfolio that fits in the palm of your hand? Sounds awesome. Kevin’s post is wonderfully concise without being terse. Publish, baby, publish!