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diff --git a/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/06.25.07/Fri/gdocsredux.txt b/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/06.25.07/Fri/gdocsredux.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..585e839 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/06.25.07/Fri/gdocsredux.txt @@ -0,0 +1,44 @@ +Google's recently re-designed Google Docs & Spreadsheets failed to impress us the way other online office offerings have. But to learn more about the re-design and Google's thinking behind some of the design choices I recently spoke with Ken Norton, Product Manager at Google and Sam Schillace, Engineering Director and cofounder of Writely which Google acquired to create Google Docs & Spreadsheets. + +While many of the the quibbles in [our review][2] were small points, they were also shared by many users as evidenced in this [Google Groups post][1]. + +But rest assured users, Google is listening. + +In fact one of the primary critiques from many users was Google's decision to remove the handy "last edited by" function has been restored to its former function. + +Here's a transcript of my conversation with Ken Norton and Sam Schillace: + +**Wired News**: What brought about the re-design? + +**Ken Norton**: We started to realize the limitations of the old user interface -- it was great and helpful when you had eight documents, but suddenly you have a hundred documents and you're collaborating with fifty people and it started to become unwieldy. People started asking for better organizational tools -- the ability to filter documents based on who it was shared with, the ability to organize them into folders. + +And that prompted a discussion for us internally because while we felt folders were a familiar organizational metaphor, it was something people were used to, but there were many advantages to tags or labels. One of the biggest advantages of labels or tags was the ability to add multiple tags to each document as opposed to folders that kind of live in one place. + +So what we did is introduced folders as the UI metaphor, but kept the advantages of tags behind the scenes. So a document can live in multiple folders, which something you normally don't get with folders. + +**WN**: What about some of the other changes? + +**Ken Norton**: We also added the ability to organize documents by type, the ability to filter by who they're shared with and we took away some of the behavior of the document list that was confusing to some people... we gave the user a lot more control over how their documents are organized. And most of this was a result of user feedback. + +And this certainly isn't a point in the sand.... One of the advantages of web-based software is that we can be very responsive to the feedback that we're getting. + +**WN**: Why not have both folders and labels? + +We talked about it. I think the reason is to keep the UI simple. As people realize that folders have all the advantages of labels, their reason for wanting them goes away. It'll take a little while for people to understand what's going on, that it still works like labels. + +But the advantage for new users who may not be familiar with labels or expecting folders is pretty substantial in this case. Especially in the Google Apps arena with business users may be more familiar with folders to start with. + +**WN**: Why was the "last edited" functionality buried in the redesign? + +**Sam Schillace**: We just felt that it wasn't as valuable in terms of UI and there's some problems with the way it works that need to get fixed -- if people just view the document, that field gets updated, which is bug in the spec. + +But with that particular feature I think we just didn't think it was that useful and we thought it would be better if we took it so we did. And we were wrong. So we put it back. + +**WN**: What about the look and feel -- many users have complained that interface lacks the traditional Google minimalism... + +**Sam Schillace**: Any time you make a change people complain about it, but this is the result of a lot of UI usability research.... We felt that the UI design need to be stronger and a bit clearer. You can consider it an experiment, nothing is carved in stone, we just wanted it to be a better UI. + +Both Sam and Ken also said that they've welcomed user feedback (both positive and negative) so if you've got something to say, [let them know][1]. + +[1]: http://groups.google.com/group/Suggestions-and-Ideas-Writely/browse_thread/thread/c0d1654371f61ed8/5f7c6db33f088703 "So...how do you like our new Docs list?" +[2]: http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/06/a-dissapointing.html "A Disappointing Redesign For Google Docs And Spreadsheets" diff --git a/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/06.25.07/Fri/gmaps.jpg b/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/06.25.07/Fri/gmaps.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..58ddc8e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/06.25.07/Fri/gmaps.jpg diff --git a/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/06.25.07/Fri/gmaps.txt b/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/06.25.07/Fri/gmaps.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..83db3ab --- /dev/null +++ b/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/06.25.07/Fri/gmaps.txt @@ -0,0 +1,17 @@ +Google recently added an "[avoid highways][3]" option to Google Maps and now [Google Maps][2] expands on that idea to allow for drag and drop route building. After creating a route users can now grab any segment of the plotted route and drag-and-drop it to reroute their directions. + +Not only does this make plotting multi-stop trips and custom routes much easier, when coupled with the "traffic" maps it can help users find faster, less congested routes. + +Although the [Google Lat Long blog post][1] on the subject doesn't mention it, if these new features worked with the iPhone Google Maps on the iPhone could be a must have for those living in congested cities. And of course any other mobile device that can handle Google Maps. + +It might not sound like much given its dead simple interface, but the results are jaw-dropping -- and very useful. + +And these features work in nearly all areas and handle things like ferries, bridges, toll roads and other elements seamlessly. + +Naturally the printable driving instruction are updated along with the graphical elements and there's even an option to add destinations mid route by searching for the address and then dragging it into the route. + +Here's the video Google released demonstrating the new features: + +[1]: http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2007/06/its-click-drag-situation.html "It's a click & drag situation" +[2]: http://maps.google.com/ "Google Maps" +[3]: http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/05/google_maps_the.html "Google Maps The Road Less Traveled"
\ No newline at end of file diff --git a/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/06.25.07/Fri/iphone.txt b/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/06.25.07/Fri/iphone.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8a6eed0 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/06.25.07/Fri/iphone.txt @@ -0,0 +1,32 @@ +I've had the iPhone for about three hours now and it's definitely a mixed bag. On one hand it's a truly remarkable device -- easy to navigate and use -- but at the same time it has some serious shortcomings. + +I've made a number of calls and the sound quality has varied immensely -- ranging from something like a echo sealed in a bottle ten years ago and reopened in your ear to perfectly crisp sound. Thus far I haven't seen a pattern with regard to carrier or anything else. + +Signal strength mirrors my experience with my old phone on the the AT&T network, which ranges from okay to bad, but has never really been good. Welcome to paradise iPhone lovers. + +Perhaps the most intriguing part of the iPhone is the keyboard. As Apple has pointed out in its videos, the keyboard takes some getting used to, but the suggestion engine is remarkable. + +The real pain is entering all your passwords, which, for obvious reasons do not generate suggestions. But once you ham-fist your way through that, I find that just ignoring your mistakes and plowing through until the iPhone suggests the right word really is the fasteste way to type. + +Right now I can't type very fast with the virtual keyboard, but I can see where, once I've adapted to it, it will be just as good as a regular small QWERTY keyboard. + + + +I had no problems connecting to GMail, but *all* my e-mail streamed in to my inbox. None of my filters worked -- no messages skip the inbox on the iPhone and no label information shows up, which makes it difficult to sort your email. + +If I login to GMail, the same messages are already archived and labeled (though not marked as read, which makes me assume the GMail widget on the iPhone is grabbing unread messages regardless of their location). + +As for my regular IMAP account, forget about it. The iPhone managed to retrieve a list of mailboxes, but selecting any of them just gives me the spinning wheel. I gave up after twenty minutes. + + +Browsing the web is much better. Safari may not be anyone's top choice for a browser, but it works surprisingly well. As long as you don't hit a site that uses Flash or Java. + +The camera isn't bad either and even does reasonably well in low light situations, though the images are only two megapixels so I wouldn't expect to them to look all that great when enlarged. + +The other small widgets all work just as you'd expect, weather, stocks, maps and more are all easy to navigate and work quite quickly so long as you have a wireless connection. + +Turn off the wifi and revert to AT&T's Edge network and you'll find yourself seized with an uncontrollable desire to do [this][1]. + +Final verdict: There's no denying the wow factor, but overall the iPhone isn't worth the money. For $300 I'd give it the thumbs up, but at $600 you're better off with something else for half the price. + +[1]: http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2007/06/watch-an-iphone.html "An iPhone Smashed With A Hammer"
\ No newline at end of file diff --git a/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/06.25.07/Fri/izoho.jpg b/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/06.25.07/Fri/izoho.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c1ec5cd --- /dev/null +++ b/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/06.25.07/Fri/izoho.jpg diff --git a/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/06.25.07/Fri/izoho.txt b/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/06.25.07/Fri/izoho.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3bf7f36 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/06.25.07/Fri/izoho.txt @@ -0,0 +1,18 @@ +Zoho, maker of the popular online office suite, has [announced iZoho][1] a version of the site optimized for the iPhone. With the iPhone set to arrive this evening (Friday June 29th), iZoho is the first online office suite to have iPhone compatibility. + +Of course given the iPhone's full fledged browser, the ordinary Zoho suite will work, but as founder Raju Vegesna points out on the Zoho blog "there is lot of stuff you don’t need on your mobile phone." + +IZoho features a simplified interface featuring just the simple tools you’d normally use on a mobile phone. + +So far iZoho provides full read/write access to Zoho Writer and offers viewing access to Sheet and Show (spreadsheets and presentations respectively). + +Given that Zoho hasn't actually tested the suite on an iPhone yet it seems reasonable to expect there could be glitches but the company plans to work out the bugs and enable more editing support when they get their hands on an iPhone. + +Interestingly, Vegesna [tells Read/Write Web][2] that supporting the iPhone was simple compared to the work that would need to be done to offer support for Blackberry users. + +"iPhone was easy because we didn't do lots of changes", Raju says and goes on to add that, "that's not the case with Blackberry. We'd have to do a specific version for it, as it is not a full fledged browser." + +With so much press given to the iPhone's lack of appeal for enterprise customers lately, iZoho could dispel that myth and make a compelling case for the iPhone over a Blackberry. + +[1]: http://blogs.zoho.com/general/izoho-zoho-for-iphone/ "iZoho - Zoho for iPhone" +[2]: http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/office_apps_on_the_iphone.php "Office Apps on the iPhone: iPhone vs Blackberry"
\ No newline at end of file diff --git a/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/06.25.07/Fri/myspacebook.txt b/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/06.25.07/Fri/myspacebook.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f2e8671 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/published/Webmonkey/Monkey_Bites/2007/06.25.07/Fri/myspacebook.txt @@ -0,0 +1,16 @@ +MySpace may soon release a Facebook-style API to allow developers the ability create applications which integrate into the popular social network site. Facebook's much hailed [developer platform][4] has apparently convince MySpace of the need to do the same. + +Chris DeWolfe, one of MySpace's founders, [tells the Financial Times][2] that the Facebook platform is "interesting," but also touts MySpace's current approach. + +He goes on to argue MySpace's current technology gives its users many of the same benefits as the Facebook F8 platform, but concedes "we'll probably offer users the choice of both." + +As it stands, many developers are hesitant to build on the MySpace network because the site [frequently blocks services][3] without warning (or rhyme or reason for that matter). An open platform like Facebook's could renew developer faith in MySpace. + +At the same time, as Jason Kottke recently pointed out, there are some close similarities [between the Facebook platform and AOL's "rainman" platform][1], and we all know how well that one did. + +The crux of the problem, according the Kottke and others, is that all social networks use what amounts to a proprietary API and even if the API remains stable, developers must content with the differences between platforms -- making it difficult and expensive to develop apps that work across popular social networks. + +[1]: http://www.kottke.org/07/06/facebook-is-the-new-aol "Facebook is the new AOL" +[2]: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/f8b11252-25a7-11dc-b338-000b5df10621.html "MySpace to follow rival’s lead" +[3]: http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/04/myspace_is_bloc.html "MySpace Is Blocking Photobucket Videos" +[4]: http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/05/facebook_to_mov.html "Facebook To Move Beyond Social Networking"
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