One common language for every one

http://thenounproject.com/

What else can I use do with soda can and muffin tins?

Ramen Info

This page is awesome:
http://www.seriouseats.com/2013/09/the-serious-eats-guide-to-ramen-styles.html

Vacuum Cleaner For Someone with Serious Allergy

Which one to get? 

Dyson DC59 Animal Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

Miele S8390 FreshAir Canister Vacuum

3 Things thats You Need to Empower Your New Macbook Air

1. Speck  Hard Shell Case for MacBook Air 

Available in clear and quite a few vivid colors.

It keeps your Macbook from scratches and surface damage without adding weight to it.

2. Seagate  Portable External Hard Drive for Mac

Really light and tiny harddrive that works perfectly with time machine to back up your mac.  For a $69 it adds 1TB of storage space to your computer when you plug it in with a USB drive.

(If 1 TB doesn't mean anything to you, imagine the storage of 64 basic iphones)

It is the size of a phone and is very sturdy and portable.

3. Apple "Magic" Mouse

The Apple Magic Mouse is the standard accessory for any mac (that you have to pay out of your own pocket). However pretty much any USB Mouse works. You can find an infinite amount of choices on Amazon (yes no one beat their price) including many Apple knock-offs.

New Baby! Gift Ideas for the Young and Geeky Couples.

A Few Great books.

For dads who love to get their hands on everything. If you need a users' manual and how to video for computer arts and car engines, why wouldn't you need one for these moving, wiggling, crying critters?

The Baby Owner's Manual: Operating Instructions, Trouble-Shooting Tips, and Advice on First-Year Maintenance

Show Dad How (Parenting Magazine): The Brand-New Dad's Guide to Baby's First Year

Night Sabre Night Light

Uncle Milton Star Wars Lightsaber Room Light

 Game Graphic Super Mario Wall Decals for Nurseries.

There are quite a few Super Mario Wall Decal out priced from as low as $4 to $50 for our next generation cool nerd.

Super mario is not your cup of tea? Here are some other variations:

• Donkey Kong Wall Stickers
• Tetris-like Falling Blocks Wall Decal
• Mixed Color PacMan Graphics Vinyl Home Wall Decor

One Column or Two?

One column? Two Column? or Jamming related information into center well?

Some statitsic that help inform decision.
http://usabilitynews.org/eye-movement-patterns-on-single-and-dual-column-web-pages/

http://www.usability.gov/articles/newsletter/pubs/032010news.html

http://uxdesign.smashingmagazine.com/2011/12/16/guide-heuristic-website-reviews/

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2013/03/01/logical-breakpoints-responsive-design/

http://books.google.com/books?id=2vfPxocmLh0C&pg=PA375&lpg=PA375&dq=user+experience+design+right+hand+column&source=bl&ots=04Qvckh7ZN&sig=2a5zF9njf2I65J1RoAJZCVDGFtU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=f8lsUbbxNLOM0QHw2YCICw&ved=0CGoQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=user%20experience%20design%20right%20hand%20column&f=false

http://www.learnstuff.com/learn-about-user-experience-and-eye-tracking/

http://uxdesign.smashingmagazine.com/2007/10/09/30-usability-issues-to-be-aware-of/

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/161041/5-ways-to-end-banner-blindness.html#axzz2Qaxysj9l

http://www.nngroup.com/articles/auto-forwarding/
http://www.nngroup.com/articles/banner-blindness-old-and-new-findings/

http://www.optimalusability.com/2012/07/hidden-in-plain-sight-the-banner-blindness-effect-on-homepage-banners/

http://wiredpen.com/2009/07/29/web-design-tip-avoid-banner-blindness/

http://www.infolinks.com/es/press/relevance-vs-banner-blindness-a-battle-worth-fighting-dave-zinman-on-imedia-connection

http://www.deyalexander.com.au/resources/uxd/advertising.html

http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/espns-dynamic-wallpaper-ad-looks-cure-banner-blindness-146272

http://maxpointinteractive.com/onpoint-blog/2013/04/04/hiding-ads-wont-cure-banner-blindness/

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=22&ved=0CD8QFjABOBQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mmi-basel.ch%2Fdownload%2Fpictures%2F9c%2Fv6itohbskdvb6ne06cik9y0yf6umay%2Fnougaeva-_c._2012._unblinding_internet_users_to_online_ad_banners-_the_effects_of_task_orientation_and_context_congruence_on_memory_and_attitude..pdf&ei=-dFsUfihN6vr0QHs8YHQCw&usg=AFQjCNExTIeeRVADQHacWrlupvkHK3PH_Q&sig2=1buGa-v1RmhbL_xJI4DDPA

http://blog.sciencecreative.com/2011/01/06/advertising-in-2011-authentic-content-and-genuine-engagement/
 
http://www.marketingsherpa.com/article/fending-off-banner-blindness-make#

http://www.adexchanger.com/data-driven-thinking/the-banner-blindness-cure-how-fewer-ads-can-equal-more-revenue/

http://www.adexchanger.com/data-driven-thinking/the-banner-blindness-cure-how-fewer-ads-can-equal-more-revenue/

If advertisers and publishers want to see profits, we all need to put the user first. The ads we create have to consider what users want to see, as well as when and where they want to see it. Ads must be relevant enough to address user intent the moment they are viewed – that is, they have to fulfill the user’s current need or desire. But it’s difficult (if not impossible) to do this 10 times on a single page. At this point, it’s also unreasonable to expect results from a banner running in standard IAB placements. We’ve effectively killed the banner ad over the last decade – consumers don’t even notice them anymore. We have to rethink the ads themselves, as well as how they’re served, and develop new and engaging units that will appeal to banner-blind audiences.

Bathroom color.. what to choose>?

Japanese Style Garden

Inspiration for Japanese style Garden

60 Hours around Hong Kong

Before You Arrive, Download these apps.

Open Rice

Hong Kong Tramway App

Hong Kong Island Walk App

Hong Kong City Walk

Get An Octopus

Octopus is a transportation pass accepted all over Hong Kong. Use it for transportation and parking, at retail outlets, convenient stores and vending machines. You can get one in the airport information booth, 7-11, or anysubway station. Charge it up once you get it. I suggest putting $200 HKG in the card. You will be able to use it immediately for the Airport express from airport to Central station.
There is type of Octopus pass specially designed for tourists, as the remaining balance is refundable. If you ever need more $$ on it, charging station are available in the MTR (subway, tube) station.
Learn More

Grab a bite in the airport

If you are famished by this time, there are quite a few authentic eateries in the airport, and the quality is generally acceptable despite the slight wait. For some typical Hong Kong Style or Southern Chinese style food:

• Crystal Jade (Signature: xiao long bao - Soup filled dumpling; Lai Mien - noodles) 
• Tsui Wah Restaurant (Local HK Cafe food: King Prawn on Noodle, Hong Kong Style Milk Tea, Crispy bun with Condense Milk, Malaysian Brisket Curry)
• Maxim Food2 (anything here is typical HK peasant food)

 

A. Leave your luggage and explore Central, maybe even the peak

Since the last stop of the airport express is in Central, another option is to skip the meal in the airport and head to central directly. Leave your luggage with the train station's left luggage service. Treat yourself to a good meal at IFC Mall or more eatery at the Airport Express Central station. Here are some of my choices

• Afternoon Tea at the Four Seasons (3pm - 6pm)
• Tasty Congee and Wonton
• Wagamama Japanese
• Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao 
• Palace Cafe
• Lei Garden (Unfortunately their last order for lunch is 2pm) 
• or refuel at City's Super (grocery store with cooked food section)  

From this point on there are a few fun things to do: 

1. Shop and browse in IFC
2. take a walk at the SOHO area, Hollywood Road, and Gramham street along the Central-Mid-Level escalator (don't go beyond Cain Road, it is mainly residential)
   There are lots of small shops, vegetable market stands, bars, pubs, local eateries and food stand along the way.
3. take the minibus from IFC to the peak.
   *for minibuses, you need to know where you want to get off and scream out your stop to the bus driver, in this case, thank goodness, is terminal to terminal
4. explore the peak. 
5. (before 4pm) Take a walk at the "Hong Kong Trail" natural walk, it is a approximately 1 hour walk
6. Try one Tai Cheong egg custard tart, a typical HK snack
7. Dine at Cafe Deco, around 5pm-6pm ask for a window seat if they can entertain that, they have a beautiful night with with no extra cost. Take a picture of the stolen Art Deco light from the buffalo train station.

When you are done, take the same minibus or taxi back to Airport Express Terminal. Hop on a taxi to get back to your hotel. (You can use your octopus card again on minibus, but not taxi)

 

B.  Causeway Bay, Northpoint and WanChai

Eat a light meal in the airport. After dropping off your luggage in the hotel, take the MRT to WanChai area. In WanChai, you can check out the following places:

1. Computer Center above the MTR station (Exit A4), the place sells any phone, digital camera and computer gadget you can imagine. 
2. Vegetable and Meat Market in Wanchai. Walk from the MTR station (exit A3) through Tai Wo Street or Tai Yuen Street towards Hopewell Center, you will find one of the oldest vegetable and meat neighborhood street market existing. They also sell jade ornaments, and other nig-nags
3. Take the Tram (use the Tram App!) from Wan Chai to Causeway bay. Unlike any other public transportations, you pay when you get off. Go to the second floor and pick a window seat towards the front. The view is good up there. 
4. Get off near sogo department store. 
5. Go to Haysun Place Mall.  There's plenty to shop, including a huge art book store on the 9-11 floor. 
6. Grab at snack in Cafe Habitu on the (8th floor) or the authentic Honeymoon Dessert (11th floor). Get the Mango pancake. 
7. If you are ready for a chinese meal here, try the "Dining Room" or "Red Almond" Restaurant, or Ho Hung Kee for a light meal. The food court is also quite good.  
8. Or you can wall around some more. In the nearby Time Square, the top floors are all restaurants. I recommend the Lei Garden Restaurant, another international cuisine SML is also fun. 
9. If you enjoy the Tram trip take it all the way from causeway bay to North Point.
   
   

Other Activities

Lamma Island

A rather tourist friendly island fairly close to the city. You can take a ferry from Central Pier near IFC. 

Must see: Yung Shu Wan Main Street and Tin Hau Temple

Jumbo Floating Kingdom

Floating restaurant with a lot of history. Located in Aberdeen. There might ferry going from Lamma to Aberdeen.

Wendy Lp Font - Beautiful handwriting font

http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/adobe/wendy-lp/

Starbucks $1 Off Coupon, Yaye! I hope it works!

"Hallelujah" The best link to send when you are done with a tough project

http://www.hallelujah-chorus.com/download/mp3.html

3 Days in Hong Kong on the cheap

3 Days in Hong Kong
Hotel Recommendation (Under $150 USD)

Causeway Bay/Wan Chai/Happy Valley Area

• Emperor (Happy Valley) HotelNo.1 Wang Tak Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
• South Pacific Hotel
  23 Morrison Hill Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
• Best Western Hotel Causeway Bay
  38 Bowrington Road, Causeway Bay, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
• The VELA Hong Kong Causeway Bay Hotel
  84-86 Morrison Hill Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
• Gloucester Luk Kwok Hong Kong
  72 Gloucester Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
• The Wharney Guang Dong Hotel
  57-73 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
• Empire Hotel Hong Kong Wan Chai
  33 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
• Empire Hotel Causeway Bay
  8 Wing Hing Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
• V Wanchai2
  139 Thomson Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
• The Fleming
  41 Fleming Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong

From Nest to Yoky Matsuoka

From a email report sent by "Nest" -- the company that makes the most popular smart thermostat, I started reading about "Yoky Matsuoka" who currently serves as Nest's technology director. This master mind behind many neurological and robotic innovations is definitely my inspiration of the day. 

How to Use Canon Speedlite 430 ex flash

Turn the flash on. Wait for the flash charge to recycle and the red "Ready" light to come on.

Put the Speedlite on the "ETTL" setting to activate fully automatic flash.

To use it as wireless flash, switch the wireless setting to "Slave" and adjust your camera accordingly. Set the right channels and slave IDs before clicking the shutter to avoid any problems.

Infographic: Cost of Living by City (Tokyo Luanda Moscow Shanghai)

The Guardian posted this beautifully done infographic outlining the cost of living in these metropolitan cities.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2012/jun/12/city-cost-of-living-2012-tokyo#data

cost of living in the world's top cities

The Guardian's Travel Guide - A Lovely Interactive Advanture

City guides: insider tips to the best cities in the world 

The Guardian's definitive new interactive city guides help you plan the perfect trip, with information by local experts on hotels, restaurants, nightlife and activities in London, New York, Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Rome, Berlin, Istanbul, Edinburgh, Las Vegas, Tokyo, Mumbai, Hong Kong and Austin

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/city-guides

 

How to remove extra iphone backup files

To Remove your backfile from Itunes (PC version) :

1. Open up Itunes
2. Go to edit, click on "Preferences" or use short cut key Ctrl+,

3. That will open up the Prefernce Menu

4. Click on Devices

5. You will see a list of backup files. Highlight the ones that you would like to remove (usually older files) and click Delete Backup