Wired magazine has an interesting article about using Ambient Orbs to help people conserve energy:
Martinez realized he could use Orbs to signal changes in electrical rates, programming them to glow green when the grid was underused — and, thus, electricity cheaper — and red during peak hours when customers were paying more for power.
The result? Peak period use was reduced by 40%. It’s amazing how much easier it is for people to change their behavior if you make them aware of it.
We implemented some simple feedback loops in Google Reader in the form of the trends feature, which lets users track their data consumption and see which feeds they should unsubscribe from.
Ellen Ugelstad takes pictures of people and their shoes. Such a simple idea, such nice execution.
The MagicSpeed wheelchair is a brilliant invention:
MAGICWHEELS™ – 2-gear wheelchair drive work very similar to a 2 speed bicycle allowing you to shift into a lower gear before you climb hills or roll over any type of uneven or rough terrain.
It’s always nice to see design well applied to good causes.
An interesting WSJ article on retail in India:
Mr. Biyani doesn’t allow haggling, but having damaged as well as good quality produce in the same box gives customers a chance to choose and think they are getting a better deal.
Photographer Myoung Ho Lee takes pictures of trees separated from their background by a white backdrop. Neat idea.
On a separate note, I know I haven’t been posting lately. Things have been busy at work, but I’m going to try posting more often.
The Acropolis is full of thoughtful design details:
The columns of the Parthenon slope gently inward to correct the perspective when looking up at the temple that would otherwise make them appear to be crooked, leaning outward.
It’s almost too clever to be true.
Picture by Shelby Root
My friend Diede van Lamoen has finally started posting pictures at lamoen.com. Check out some great shots from his adventure travels around the world.
PS: Diede, please fix the RSS feed so it includes the pictures. C’mon, you were a CS major!
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This is a bit different from what I usually post, less geometric and more busy. Not sure how I feel about it, but I kind of like it. It’s a storefront in NYC, cropped, color corrected and sharpened (unedited).
