Ray Gillespie

Author: raymond_gillespie

  • The Delicate Balance Between Control and Usability

    There’s an insightful article on Smashing Magazine about how the balance of control should be shared between the client and designer, focusing on the design challenges that arise when clients are given too much control.

    In our experience, this is a common issue. Clients often come to me with websites built on complex content management systems (CMSs) that were intended to empower them to manage their own content and features. While the idea of a user-friendly CMS is good, the reality is that many clients don’t want to learn about shortcodes, columns, or even HTML and PHP snippets. They just want a simple way to update their site without the technical hassle.

    Although the problem stems from CMS complexity, I see it as a challenge to strike the right balance. Our approach is to plan carefully and offer clients as much control as possible without sacrificing usability. I begin by understanding exactly what content they’ll need to update, often breaking it down into individual elements. By focusing on these critical areas, we can simplify the system and leave other areas of the website untouched, reducing complexity.

    I also consider the type of content the client will upload, whether it’s videos, text, or images. By setting the correct resolution and aspect ratios upfront, you can automate cropping and resizing, so you don’t need to worry about using complicated editing software. Additionally, you can use clever PHP techniques to organise the admin area, dividing it into sections to make it more intuitive. This way, clients can manage their website content without feeling overwhelmed by too many options, giving them control while keeping the process simple.

  • Split Screen Multitasking Coming to iPads, Delayed

    One of the most requested features for Apple’s iPads is split-screen multitasking, which would allow users to split the iPad’s screen in landscape orientation, running two different apps simultaneously in each section of the screen. This feature has been long rumored but never officially acknowledged by Apple. However, a recent tweet from New York Times reporter Brian Chen seems to suggest that it is finally on its way.

    Split-screen multitasking is already a key selling point for Microsoft’s Surface tablets, so if Apple introduces it to the iPad, it will challenge Microsoft to find new ways to differentiate its products from the competition. Although nothing has been confirmed, it’s expected that split-screen multitasking will be part of iOS 8 for the iPad Air. It’s unlikely to be available on older iPad models, at least not right away. Brian Chen’s tweet also suggests that this feature won’t be ready for the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), which is scheduled for next week, so it remains unclear when it will be officially unveiled.

  • Next Big Thing: Project Naptha

    Have you ever wondered what happens when you combine Microsoft Research’s Stroke Width Transform algorithm with Google’s open-source Tesseract OCR engine? No? Well, neither had I until I recently stumbled upon something called Project Naptha. Still confused? That’s okay—take a look at it yourself first (and then come back to read on!) here: Project Naptha.

    Project Naptha is a Chrome plugin (and soon to be available for Firefox) that extracts text from images found on the web, allowing you to edit it directly. Have you ever come across a photo on a website where text has been stamped across it, perhaps the author’s name or initials in the corner? Well, now you can remove that text—or even edit it—without needing any complex software or tools beyond your web browser! This may not be a new concept (Adobe Photoshop users have been doing this for years), but what’s revolutionary here is how easily anyone can do it now, with no specialized knowledge.

    While one obvious (and potentially problematic) application could be removing text from copyrighted images, there are positive uses too. For instance, text in images—particularly common in e-commerce—often contains valuable information, such as product details, but extracting that text typically meant retyping it manually. Now, thanks to Project Naptha, it’s as simple as copying and pasting.

    Want to try it out for yourself? Visit Project Naptha and give it a go!

  • Another Move to the Modern UI Style

    When Windows 8 was first released, it faced widespread criticism, with many users rejecting its bold departure from traditional design. Despite the backlash, the impact of its flat, non-skeuomorphic interface continues to influence user interface (UI) design today—perhaps more so than any other operating system. Now, Spotify has joined the trend, rolling out a sleek new look for its Windows app that embraces this minimalist design approach, aligning its interface across all platforms.

    The most notable aspect of Spotify’s redesign is how quickly the older version now feels outdated. This is a similar experience to iOS: just look at the UI on an iPhone running iOS 6 and it’s striking how dated it appears, even though iOS 7 only launched in September. The new design exemplifies a shift towards darker themes and completely removes the skeuomorphic buttons that once aimed to mimic real-world objects. While skeuomorphism still has its place in some designs, we’ve reached a point where replicating physical buttons digitally seems unnecessary. The trend is now toward treating digital design as an independent entity, rather than an extension of physical-world aesthetics.

    This design philosophy has spread across web design too, and in the past year, we’ve seen a dramatic move towards flat, “modern UI” aesthetics. Eventually, like all design trends, this will likely be replaced by something new, and what feels fresh today could soon look outdated. It’s hard to imagine how a design as striking as Spotify’s current look could ever feel old-fashioned, but, as with the original iPhone interface, only time will tell.

  • A Virtual Reality Social Network

    To many, the name Oculus Rift might evoke images of an ocean trench or a moon crater. But for tech enthusiasts and gamers, it represents a groundbreaking virtual reality (VR) headset poised to revolutionize gaming. That was the dominant narrative—until yesterday, when Facebook announced its $2 billion acquisition of Oculus VR. The news sent shockwaves through both the gaming and social media worlds, sparking equal parts excitement and apprehension. Now that the dust is settling, what might this surprising partnership bring?

    Virtual reality has reemerged as the next big thing, bolstered by Sony’s recent unveiling of Project Morpheus, which has garnered significant enthusiasm from gamers and developers alike. Unlike past VR hype cycles, this time the technology seems ready to deliver. But Facebook’s involvement introduces a game-changing dynamic. Why would a social media giant, whose gaming relevance has waned (particularly after the decline of Zynga), make such a significant investment in a gaming headset? The possibilities extend far beyond gaming, as Facebook’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg explained:

    “After games, we’re going to make Oculus a platform for many other experiences. Imagine enjoying a courtside seat at a game, studying in a classroom with students and teachers from around the world, or consulting with a doctor face-to-face—all by simply putting on goggles in your home.”

    In our increasingly interconnected world, the potential applications of VR are vast. From immersive entertainment and education to virtual meetings and telemedicine, Oculus could become a cornerstone of a new digital reality. Gaming might just be the starting point.

    Whatever the future holds, one thing is clear: Facebook’s acquisition has propelled Oculus Rift beyond the confines of gaming, turning it into a platform with far-reaching implications. The journey ahead promises to be nothing short of thrilling.

  • The Internet War Brewing in the US

    You may have heard of “net neutrality,” a concept that’s been around for years but hasn’t often made headlines in the UK. At its core, net neutrality is the principle that all internet data should be treated equally—meaning that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) cannot limit or prioritize access to specific websites or services. For example, under net neutrality, your ISP cannot restrict access to video streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video to favor their own or a partner’s service.

    At first glance, the absence of net neutrality might seem like a minor inconvenience, but the implications could go much deeper. Without protections, ISPs could not only throttle bandwidth for certain services but also enter into agreements that limit competition. For instance, political content from rivals could be suppressed, or startups might be priced out of the market by established companies willing to pay for faster or exclusive access. While these scenarios might feel distant now, the rapid pace of technological and societal change suggests they could become pressing issues sooner than we think.

    An interesting perspective compares the internet to utilities like water or electricity. As society grows increasingly dependent on the internet for essential services such as banking, paying bills, renewing car tax, or even accessing legal help, the internet is becoming less of a luxury and more of a necessity. However, this shift risks excluding those without reliable internet access, pushing them further to society’s margins as physical alternatives continue to disappear.

    This is where the debate over net neutrality shifts from theoretical concerns about competition and fairness to a question of basic rights. Proponents argue that the internet has become so fundamental to modern life that it cannot be left in the hands of a few powerful ISPs. This concern was recently spotlighted in the U.S., where Comcast, the largest ISP, allegedly throttled Netflix traffic until Netflix agreed to pay for faster access through direct integration with Comcast’s network. Many see this as a sign of net neutrality’s decline.

    Does this deal mark the end of net neutrality? It’s a complex question with no clear answers yet. What is certain is that the outcome of these debates will have global implications, including in the UK. While some believe the battle for net neutrality has been lost, others argue the fight is just beginning. Either way, crucial decisions about the future of the internet will need to be made soon.

  • Social Media Chips – Mashtags!

    In the office, we’re no strangers to chips—usually the silicon kind—or social media, but it’s not every day we see the two combined. At first glance, it seemed like an early April Fool’s joke, but with April still weeks away, it appears this is the real deal. According to The Grocer, global food manufacturer Birds Eye is set to launch a new range of frozen potato snacks called Mashtags—potato pieces shaped like social media symbols such as @, #, and *.

    The brilliance of this idea lies in its simplicity. Essentially, Mashtags are just a reimagined version of Alphabites, but by tapping into the social media zeitgeist and packaging it in a playful, red bag, Birds Eye has struck marketing gold. It’s one of those ideas that feels so obvious in hindsight, and the buzz it’s already generating is a testament to its cleverness.

    With free publicity already rolling in, it’s clear this quirky product is poised to capture attention and possibly even become a hit. Keep an eye on your timeline—Mashtags might just become the next big snack trend!

  • New “Facebook-Type” Design Coming to Twitter

    Twitter has long been known for its minimalist design, exemplified by its iconic 140-character limit. However, that simplicity is gradually fading as the platform introduces new features and updates.

    Building on the success of its recent desktop redesign, Twitter appears to be rolling out a phased update to user profiles. Matt Petronzio, an editor at Mashable, recently noticed that his profile had been completely revamped. The new design takes cues from Facebook and Google+, featuring a more image-centric layout and a magazine-style timeline displaying content across multiple columns.

    As with any significant change in social media, reactions have been mixed. While some users appreciate the fresh, modern look, others in the Twitter community remain skeptical. This initial pushback is a familiar pattern—major updates to social platforms often spark resistance before users adjust and move on. The shift to a more magazine-like design could also be a strategic move to boost ad revenue, as the format allows for more prominent advertising opportunities.

    Interestingly, the update rollout comes with a unique quirk: if your profile has been upgraded, every profile you view will also display the new design. This gradual approach to implementation might help ease the transition while generating buzz among users curious to experience the new layout themselves.

    Whether the broader Twitter community will embrace this change remains to be seen, but as always, user feedback and adaptation will ultimately shape its success. Personally, I’m looking forward to seeing how this redesign evolves.

  • Buying Products via Twitter Could Soon be a Reality

    Social media giants have long struggled to get users to engage with activities outside their core social functions. Facebook, for instance, has faced challenges in convincing users to take ads seriously. When people log in, they’re generally not looking to book vacations or shop—they’re there to share and interact. While integrating ads into the news feed has seen some success, Facebook has had to continually tweak its approach to maintain engagement.

    Now, Twitter is exploring its own strategies to boost revenue and, hopefully, achieve profitability—a milestone that has eluded the platform for years. According to a report from re/code, Twitter is nearing a deal with the payments startup Stripe to enable credit and debit card transactions on the platform. While Twitter has remained tight-lipped about the details, this move suggests that the company is inching closer to integrating e-commerce directly into its service.

    One potential application could involve companies listing products directly on Twitter, allowing users to make purchases without leaving the platform. This would be a natural extension of the current practice of tweeting links to products. By offering direct purchases, companies could reach a much wider audience, trading some website traffic for the broader exposure—similar to the model behind Amazon Marketplace’s success.

    Whatever form this integration takes, it’s clear that Twitter is doubling down on diversifying its revenue streams. Following its IPO last year, the pressure to deliver profitability has only intensified, and e-commerce integration could represent a significant step toward achieving that goal.

  • How Google is Changing the Web – For the Better

    If you’ve had any search engine optimization (SEO) work done in recent years, you’ve likely noticed a shift in both strategy and terminology. Once the go-to buzzword in online marketing, “SEO” is increasingly being overshadowed by “content marketing.” Alongside this, the phrase “content is king” has become a ubiquitous mantra, underscoring the rising importance of quality website content.

    What’s behind this shift? The driving force is Google, particularly its recent updates—Penguin, Panda, and, to a lesser extent, Hummingbird. These updates have prompted a significant rethink of SEO strategies. For some marketers, they’ve been a wake-up call, while for others relying on outdated tactics, they’ve spelled disaster. Essentially, Google has become smarter at detecting manipulative SEO practices and is now heavily prioritizing content quality as a key factor in search rankings. This shift aligns with Google’s broader goal of improving user experience by promoting websites that offer valuable, engaging content.

    Why does Google care about user experience on other websites? The straightforward answer is money. By ensuring users find helpful content through its search engine, Google maintains its dominance in the search market. Happy users are more likely to continue using Google, and some will click on sponsored ads along the way—earning Google revenue with every click.

    There are two key takeaways from this evolution. First, diversify your marketing strategy so you’re not overly reliant on Google for traffic. Second, prioritise your visitors over technical tricks. No matter what changes Google implements, focusing on delivering a great experience for your audience is a winning strategy from the outset.