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I Heard You Like Design Iterations

Dec 1 2009 • Posted in NewsLeave a Comment


I’m happy to have finally launched my revamped website. A dynamic front page and portfolio section were sorely missing from the previous versions and this update remedied the issue. The development of this version took a bit longer than expected due to the design being in the oven too long. 75% into this project, I had the urge to redesign this new redesign. Luckily I came to my senses and decided to go with what I had and revisit it later. To budge the project from its rut, I set a hard due date for myself and stuck to it. Anyway, I hope you enjoy that design iteration video complete with the outdated Xzibit macro meme.

My Feedback to Apple Regarding AT&T

Jul 25 2009 • Posted in NewsLeave a Comment

Inspired by this YouTube video, I wrote up some feedback to send to Apple.

My note to Apple:
Howdy – here to report that while I love the iPhone, AT&T’s data coverage is poor, rendering the device useless in the most crucial moments. I was one of the many other nerds at Comic-con this weekend that had problems with their iPhone data connection. Please, please do not renew your contract with AT&T or at least open up the iPhone to the other carriers like Verizon. I came from Verizon to get the 3GS, so I’ll be stuck for a while longer, but I would like my fellow nerds to have a chance to experience the iPhone at its best on the wireless carrier they want.

Take care,
Vance

Preventing Spotlight from Showing Parallels Windows Apps

Apr 25 2009 • Posted in NewsLeave a Comment

I’ve been using Parallels to run Windows on my Mac for a while now to test out my websites under Internet Explorer 6 and 7 – super handy. A very annoying artifact of Parallels, however, is that Windows applications show up in Spotlight, which I use frequently to launch Mac apps.

Here’s a quick tip to get them out of there. Go to your System Preferences under the  (Apple) menu and click on Spotlight. Go to the Privacy tab and drag and drop in the Home/Documents/Parallels folder. Tada – no more Windows apps cluttering your Spotlight searches.

spotlight-privacy

Resolutions Update

Apr 10 2009 • Posted in NewsLeave a Comment

Alright…. So, I haven’t exactly held fast to my resolutions, but I do feel that they have helped to shape my daily behavior. I cook, read, and blog way more than I have in the past few years. Overall, I’m glad that I set some goals and targets. Next thing I need to tackle is making more of those vector graphics.

An App Store on Every Mac

Mar 21 2009 • Posted in NewsLeave a Comment

Apple TV

The iPhone’s App Store has proven to be such a monumental success that Apple should extend the idea to its other devices and computers such as the Mac and Apple TV.

The main draw for me regarding the App Store is that it is so easy to install apps. It only requires a few clicks to download and install the latest applications. App updates also show up in a centralized interface. Sure, installing an app on Mac OS is already easy, but it can be even easier by having a single click and install process. Having a single App Store service could help developers promote their apps due it’s tight integration with iTunes and also generate more revenue for Apple if they take the standard 30% cut that they usually take with iPhone apps.
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Voodoo Doll for iPhone

Mar 18 2009 • Posted in NewsLeave a Comment

ipss-voodoo-2
I’ve started a new iPhone app company with my friends, Tommy and Jennifer, called PersonaTap. We recently released our first app, Voodoo Doll. It’s a stress-relief app that was inspired by my big-sis, Karen. You can poke the doll with needles and even put in pictures of your enemies from the iPhone camera or photo library. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Voodoo Doll on the App Store

Hit the jump to see video of the app in action.
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Shuffle Reactions

Mar 17 2009 • Posted in NewsLeave a Comment

iPod Shuffle

I have absolutely no plans to purchase Apple’s latest shiny widget, the iPod Shuffle. It’s really not for me. I have plenty of perfectly capable and buttoned media players. The thing I really like about the Shuffle, though, is its headphone integrated controls. I’ve seen that the iPhone already sports similar controls, but the ones on the new Shuffle are more substantial. It has volume up and down buttons in addition to the single play/pause button. Hopefully this pair of stock headphones will crop up in all future Apple media devices, including the upcoming iPhone revision in June.

Save Money on Games by Staying Behind the Curve

Mar 8 2009 • Posted in NewsLeave a Comment

I’ve made it a personal goal of mine to hold off on purchasing the newest and shiniest game. I can save a lot of money on my gaming hobby if I just remain a little patient. Video games usually drop to 50% of their initial retail price within six months. Plus since I’m a proud new owner of an Xbox 360, I have a huge backlog of great cheap games. Buying old used games are a great way to save cash and keep playing during this economic slowdown.

Blogging on the iPod Touch

Feb 28 2009 • Posted in News1 Comment

I’m giving the ipod/iphone app for wordpress a whirl with this post. Funny that my first post in a while would be in a device that is notoriously bad to type on.

January Resolutions Progress

Feb 3 2009 • Posted in NewsLeave a Comment

Overall, I’m pretty satisfied with my progress on the new years resolutions. There’s definitely room for improvement, though.

  1. Blog once a week – Fail!
    Need to get back into the routine!
  2. Draw with Wacom tablet once a week – Fail!
    I did one doodle this week with Alex and Jenn, but that doesn’t quite count.
  3. Make a vector graphic once a week – Fail!
    Sure I make them at work from time to time, but I need to make more creative stuff at home.
  4. Take a picture once a week – Success!
    I took several pics. Just need to post them somewhere.
  5. Learn 1 recipe per month – Success!
    Baked Ziti! Inspired by an episode of Heroes, no less :)
  6. Read 1 book per month – Fail!
    Man, I need to get to Snowcrash…
  7. Exercise regularly – Success!
    I’m actually gaining some muscle mass. Yay!
  8. Be more thoughtful & considerate – Fail!
    Need more work in this dept…
  9. Budget – Success!
    I didn’t go over budget this month, woot!
  10. More sleep (7-8 hrs) – Success!
    I’m definitely sleeping more than I was in December. There just aren’t enough hours in the day. 7 hrs seems to be a happy compromise.