more complaints of trying to use an iPad

- No fixed buttons : from a design and manufacturing perspective, it makes total sense. However, not having fixed buttons for page down, back and maybe "enter" makes no sense to me.

- Although the product is generally well balanced, it may not be the best ergonomic design. It can be intuitive to hold, but not really the best when the centre of gravity is out side of the palm of your hand.

It should be fun to use out of the box. When that is exhausted, then make your way to the Apple store etc.

I bought it, I returned it in less than 72 hours. Impatient, maybe. It may really be that I had big expectations, but was really let down.

Making an instructional video

Youtube has millions of instructional videos. Some done by enthusiasts, novices, professionals, and of course, some videos have been produced by companies which provide the service for internal or commercial use.

Like any presentation, the rules of making an instructional video are simple :

1. Tailor your message, vocabulary and tone for your audience;
2. Tell the audience what you are going to say;
3. Tell the audience how, in which order the message or instructions will be told;
4. Say what you have to say;
5. Tell them what you have just told.

Although the above instructions may sound like a video based off broken record, there is nothing wrong with repetition. There no guarantee that the more often we do something, the better we will be at it, however there are better chances that one will not stumble, or forget how something is done or said.

An instructional usually involved a certain degree of editing, as opposed to teaching a group of individuals in real-time, I nonetheless recommend ( a personal note as I am planning a video while writing this blog entry) planning how the video will be made. For example :

• Will the video use text slides for summaries, part or product lists?
• Will the video be recorded with or without audio?
• How many people will be involved in the process? Does the camera need to be positioned in a fixed location ?
• How much more information do you want to provide the audience ?
  
• Should you note what could be improved ? Previous mishaps or mistakes which one may encounter ? Will such experiences discourage the audience ?
  
• Should the video be modelled on another video?
  
• How can the written instruction replicate, compliment or substitute parts of the video?
• Does a photographic image provide enough clarity for a task? Would line art ( or sketches of major features ) be better suited ?

Personally, I prefer reading instructions rather than watching a video. However, I know that hearing the human voice can be insightful. A transcription of unprepared speech can be painful to read, therefore voice-over instructions should be written and rehearsed.

( This blog entry will be later update with links to suggestions on how to prepare an instructional video... )

Ease in consuming - challenge to participate

By trying to gather my thoughts on something that has been discussed at length, or from what I remember seeing on my father's bookshelves, discussed on the radio, and this very action of writing a blog, society is making more and more of a shift from one where the individual's experience is solitary rather than communal. It may be wrong for me to start with such a statement, as it is a reflection of what I experience, however no act of expression can be objective and detached from the author's experience.

There is an invitation to whoever lays eyes on this entry to make a comment, share it and so on. Comments do nuance and inform thus asking the readers and author to be open to another perspective. The same argument could be made about consumer products, whether they be ball point pens, cheese or tablet PCs. Using forums, participating in surveys and making a personal blog entry, and god-forbid using Facebook, all provide some form of publicity, feedback and data that designers, or data analysts may be able to use in future products.
We as consumers sometimes embrace what is available, complain about the way we have mishandled a product, or try impress other with what we have.

The two paragraphs above do little to summarize the differences and similarities between consuming and participating (would this entry be done in a participatory manner, editing would that opening sentence). However, the alienation from production and consumption that is lived today was the luxury of the minority of the elite, that is those who may have chosen, or have been restricted, from engaging in productive and creative activities... That is too simplified a vision - I should follow up on the lives of the aristocracy of different societies and see what was their relationship to the activities of consumption, design and participation.

(forgive me) iHate iAppleProducts

Yeah. It works, but I want to change something.

Oh, it is locked. I cannot change it without getting into really advanced command line functions. (font size for different parts of the windows or commands - I do not want to reduce my screen resolution to make the text bigger.)

No designer can think of everything. For the very least, they should consider that their users are not stupid. Apple, unfortunately, wants its users to be stupid and be satisfied with the "functionality" that they determine being sufficient.

I hate Apple products. (maybe I hate myself for trying to use one) - Individuals become iDiots.

Messages for the upcoming days

I am aware that just about nobody reads this blog. None of my friends have the address, nor would I like them to. Often enough my grammar is so poor that it would further give them reason not to recommend me to anybody for employment.

Nevertheless, here are some entries that I hope to make over the next couple days :

1. Using a Wacom Penabled Tablet PC with Windows 7 64-bit and getting pressure sensitivity working in Gimp and Inkscape
2. A review of shaving technology : it will be brief as I have already seen hundreds of sites and images related to the daily activity which embodies hygiene and manliness.
   
3. Bean cooking techniques : Canned beans are disgusting ( the last word being an adjective indicates a relative standpoint. ) Unfortunately, many people do not know how to prepare beans so they avoid buying them altogether. When not prepared properly, the results can be rather unpleasant. I hope to find a few guides to make the process of cooking beans successful.
   

Resume writing (dis)-service

Today, I received a response from an e-mail advertising an evaluation of my resume. Naive, open and willing I sent out my resume for a consultation. This is what I received as a response:

Hello Fool,

Thank you for submitting your resume for our resume analysis. My name is Resume Thief and I am a Senior Resume Strategist at ResumeTarget.ca.

I know you've been applying to jobs for Over 6 Months and you don't want the search to continue endlessly.

The average job search takes three months from the time you start, until the time you start working at your new desk. You want to shorten that time as much as possible. The best way to do that is by having a compelling resume that shows you're the perfect person for the job.

I have reviewed your resume and found some problems that could be preventing you from getting calls and interviews and reaching your career goals. I have provided my comments below in an effort to provide some insight into how your resume could be stronger.

These are not critiques of your experience or potential for success, rather my suggestions are intended to show you how you can become more effective at marketing your skills and experience to potential hiring managers.

Fool, right now your resume just isn't passing the 30 second test.  As a recruiter, it doesn't make me want to jump out of my seat and call you. However, it is clear that you have an impressive array of skills and experience; it's just not coming across clearly.

I believe your job search would benefit by having a professionally written resume. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me or call me toll-free at

Here are my suggestions for improvements:

Summary & Introduction:

Fool, you have not started your resume with a value statement. Value statements provide a detailed overview of your skills and experience using industry buzzwords. This section is the most important part of a resume because it gives a quick, yet comprehensive look at your strengths, increases the chances of your resume being noticed and hooks hiring managers. You need to highlight your strengths and market yourself more effectively through an opening value statement. Key information should be displayed in the top third of page one, using specific and concrete language suitable to the industry you are applying to.

Content:

Fool, your resume is very task-based, as opposed to results-based. You are telling us what you did, instead of the value of your accomplishments. Hiring managers want to see your accomplishments in a specific and measurable way. You need to be more aggressive in proving how you've made a difference. This resume doesn't allow you to stand out from other candidates with similar experience.

Fool, it seems you are having difficulty explaining your professional accomplishments. Employers are interested in your most recent work experience, the initiative you took, and the problems you solved in your past jobs. You attempt to list your responsibilities but your resume falls short. Instead, you need to describe your accomplishments and the value you brought to your previous employer. Show tangible proof that will convince the hiring manager that you are the best person for the job. Adding some statistics to your resume would definitely provide the potential employer with some sense of your measurable success.

Your resume is too long and is providing the reader with information that is no longer relevant. Talking about work experiences from over 10 years ago is going too far back and cluttering your resume. The world has changed dramatically in the last 10 years- technology-wise, business-wise, applications, services and even the way we communicate is so different. Hiring managers need to see what you're doing now.

Spelling & Grammar:

Fool, the language on your resume is bland and passive. Short, active, punchy sentences would help in making your resume stand-out. Sentences should be under twenty words. Some of your sentences drag on and would benefit from being restructured. No hiring manager wants to read over a sentence twice to try and understand the meaning. At the same time, you don't want the whole resume to sound choppy, so it would be good to vary your sentence length.

Format and Design:

This resume looks flat, general and simplistic. It doesn't grab my attention. Fool, you want your accomplishments to stand out. Remember, your resume is how you market yourself to hiring managers and potential employers. Your resume is the employers' first impression, so make sure you are presenting the best version of yourself and your career.

My Recommendation:

Fool, I highly recommend that you get your resume and cover letter professionally written.  If you want to be competitive in this job market, you need to make sure your resume is presented in a way that tells hiring managers you are THE BEST PERSON for the job.

ResumeTarget can offer you professional resume writing services for only $279.95. Most resume companies charge between $400.00 and $800.00 for a resume! ResumeTarget offers a lower price and more benefits. You will receive a personalized experience with a certified professional resume writer who will create an effective, compelling and original resume for you. PLUS, the writer will continue to work with you until you are 100% satisfied with the final product.

Our resume package is designed to yield maximum success in your job search.

What we offer

-        Professionally written resumes with all of the following features:

-        A strong value statement that is compelling to hiring managers

-        The right format for the industry you are applying to

-        Keyword rich language with accountabilities to back it up

-        A clean, easy to read resume up to industry standards

In addition, if you or your spouse is interested in using our professional resume service, we can accommodate both of you with a special deal which would include two premium resume packages at a discounted price.

The ResumeTarget Guarantee:

I am so confident in our ability to transform your resume into a compelling marketing document that will get you results that I will even guarantee if you don't get a single interview with your new resume after 60 days, we will re-write your resume again for FREE!

I would also be more than happy to serve as your personal Job Search Coach to help answer any questions you may have about maximizing your job search.

The Next Step:

Call us right now at

Within 2 hours of receiving your payment, our resume coordinator will match you up with a professional, certified resume writer experienced in writing for your field.

After you complete and submit your online questionnaire, the resume writer will begin working on your new resume and cover letter. After three business days, you will receive the first draft of your new resume and cover letter.

I always recommend that when you receive the first draft, take some time and really go over it. Make some notes about any possible changes or tweaks you would like to have made.

Once you are 100% satisfied with your resume, your resume writer will finalize the resume and provide it to you in Microsoft Word and PDF format. You will have access to these versions in our online storage folder for up to 6 months. Once your new resume and cover letter are finalized, that's where we can really get started with maximizing your job search!

Upgrade to our Advanced Package

If you decide to purchase our Advanced Professional Package for only $399.95, we will jump start your job search by distributing your resume to our database of over 12,000 recruiters in your city and industry. Plus, we will send you the list of companies that we sent your resume to! Imagine getting your new resume into the hands of potential hiring managers right away! Plus, figuring out exactly which companies specialize in your field!

That's not all. We will also develop a professional profile for you on LinkedIN.com. LinkedIN is the largest online social network for professionals. Think of it like Facebook, but for business professionals to see and be seen.

It's the number one way to get noticed when searching for a job and throughout your career. We'll get you started with a complete professional profile and a guide on how to use and maximize LinkedIN for your job search!

PLUS...

Once you sign up, you'll also receive 20 Thank You Letter Templates. Yes, 20! These templates will provide you with different scenarios to leave a lasting impression and be kept top of mind with hiring managers and recruiters.

On top of that, we'll send you our Comprehensive Interview Guide. This guide will explain the four different types of interview styles and how to deal with each one of them. We cover everything from interview attire, to questions that you should be asking the interviewer, to job offer negotiation techniques, to the top ten interview questions and how to answer them.

We look forward to hearing from you soon and helping you market yourself professionally and maximize your job search!

About Us:

We're not like traditional resume writing companies! ResumeTarget was developed by former recruiters with job search strategy in mind. Having a resume is one part of the equation and getting it into the hands of hiring managers is another. Our advanced package does just that!

As a former recruiter myself, Fool, I can provide you with the tools and understanding you need to help you succeed in your job search and career! Work with our best resume writers to ensure that your resume is marketing you effectively.

If you have any questions, I am here to make this process as simple and easy as possible for you. Reply back to me at or call me directly at

Remember: You only have ONE chance to impress the potential employer. So why not take the offer of getting your resume professionally written and save yourself the trouble and worry over why you're not getting interviews. A professionally written resume will save you time AND get you a job.  Fool, you can be a great candidate but with a weak resume, you won't get the kind of jobs you want.

Thank you once again for choosing ResumeTarget.com and trusting us with your career. I wish you all the best and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Satisfaction and DIY

I often feel I am wasting my time by trying to build or make something that I could simply buy. Whether it is a simple device like an airlock for my brewing or a secondary USB power port for my car FM transmitter so that I can charge my phone, I know very well that my hourly salary does not justify building such items for the time that is necessary to construct such items. That may not include the time to think, research and acquire the materials for the end product.

My employment does not give me the opportunity to be working at every hour of the day, so I can say that if I provide the labour, the work if free. In regards to what I should be doing with my time, that is looking for work, looking into school programs that may make my employment prospects more interesting, there is no doubt that I fail to organize my time properly.

Some people spend hours in front of the television, I spend hours in front of the cooking range or my cutting board. Mind you, I do listen to the radio or socialize with my flatmates. As for projects that are in the larger scheme of things, that is more alone time.


In the past week here are some things that I have done to save money, resources, or out of sheer curiosity :

Almond milk : a. soak almonds for 3 - 4 hours; b. remove skins; c. put almonds in blender with water and sweeten to taste ( you may want to remove the pulp or fibre from the almonds once it has settled to the bottom of the bottle or blender jar ) A great detailed recipe by Gena

Gasket (blender or coffee moka pot) - neither are easy to find in this town. Not enough Italians around or a new blender costs too little that one would consider replacing parts. Nevertheless, I found the silicone sleeve for a ebook reader for a dollar. I took the original white rubber gasket out of each device, traced them on the silicone ebook reader sleeve and used knife to cut the gasket starting from the outside. The original is rounder, but my replacement works much better than the old dry one. Shipping to Canada for many things is far too expensive, otherwise I would have considered something like found here

Wine and Beer : Homebrew is nothing new.
Beer - Although a 6 pack goes for about 11$ out here, I still prefer making my own beer. I followed the instructions on the kit which recommended using corn sugar(which fully ferments) to make up the bulk of the fermentation sugars, but I will try using a second kit so that I get that much more malt to give the beer more body. The only downside is the increased quantity of hops. I may try adding some raw barley as suggested on Fabulous Foam.

Wine - Not much to say here other than follow the instructions as much as possible.

For sterilization / sanitation, I used household bleach and boiling water. The heat will kill the bacteria and the bleach will wipe out the fungus. Metabisulphite is safer for your clothes, but does not evaporate off like bleach does. Nevertheless, be sure to rinse your equipment properly. If other solutions are available in your area you may want to look into your options.

As for the equipment, you can get away with the following :

Primary fermenter - a LDPE or HDPE (preferable) storage container with a lid (eg. rubbermaid 72L container - high enough handles to pick up). The low density  polyethylene may absorb more water and  be subject to scratching, but you can always allow your sanitation solution to soak in the container to remove any risk of harboured biological contaminants.

Carboy - again not easily available ( or stupidly expensive   ~60$  as opposed to 25$ back home) so I found a 23L water jug. It is made of HDPE and it has an opening through which I could fit an airlock.
Unfortunately, I could not find an airlock here ( no homebrew shoppe, just kits at the grocery store !) so I made one from cork board( normally used to insulate a hot pot or casserole from the table) a plastic wine glass, ball point pen tube and a clear plastic tube used to store super glue. I would have been happy to an S-shaped fermentation and a tapered cork like found at DeFalco's. It seems that American offerings at Ebay are also appealing. That would even had costed me less than getting those parts!


Knife handle : This is not a handle as such, but a way to address the issue of slipping. It is a full tang chopping knife. Although I only paid 2$ for the knife, I still would like it to retain its shape and feel. In fact the weight, or balance, seems perfect ( read knock-off ? ). Regardless, the rivets and through holes on the handle tang seem to be off a little. Although they may not perfectly aligned, it is not a fact of manufacturing, but of storage. Plastics expand when worked, or heated, but also dry over time.
After tapping the tang back into line with the plastic handle, I soaked the handle in salt water. This will cause: a) some absorption of water into the plastic; b) minor corrosion of the steel to solidify the handle and rivets into place.

Homemade Hummus : This is a little to say, but even my father of Mediterranean origin has been buying garbanzo sesame based prepared hummus rather than make his own. Simple ingredients : garbanzos or chick peas, tahini ( sesame paste ), lemon juice, water, salt and olive oil to taste. Here is a recipe.
Garlic is something that I am not too sure about. Some days I love it. Other days, I worry about how it affects my body odour.

The list here above will go on. If I can do something myself, why pay somebody to do it? In many cases, that somebody is much better at doing it whatever than myself, however it may not exactly be convenient.