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| # | cover | title | author | isbn | isbn13 | asin | num pages | avg rating | num ratings | date pub | date pub (ed.) | rating | my rating | review | notes | recommender | comments | votes | read count | date started | date read |
date
 |
date purchased | owned | purchase location | added to swap | condition | format | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0132104814
| 9780132104814
| 4.50
| 2
| Apr 09, 2010
| Apr 09, 2010
| 
| In this visual book, Dan Cedarholm and Ethan Marcotte demonstrate 3 principles of “handcrafted CSS” through several specific examples. The examples fe...moreIn this visual book, Dan Cedarholm and Ethan Marcotte demonstrate 3 principles of “handcrafted CSS” through several specific examples. The examples feature border-radius, RGBA, modular floats, fluid grids, typography, and jQuery. The examples won’t age well, but the concepts certainly will. I liked the advice that one should be an “80 percenter”, focusing on the details that matter rather than obsessing over complex solutions. I read this book because it was listed in .net Magazine's The top 25 books for web designers and developers. Aspects of handcrafted CSS • bulletproof design: designing with flexibility and adaptability • progressive enrichment: rewarding advanced browsers while allowing others to degrade acceptably • reevaluation of past methods and best practices: finding easier, more efficient ways to solve problems Notes • Opacity affects the transparency of the element and anything contained in it. RGBA affects only the transparency of the element’s background or color. • Check your site's stats and design for the browsers your users use. • Find free fonts at Jos Buivenga's exljbris Font Foundry. target / context = result • target font size in px / font size of container in px = desired font size in ems • can also be used to calculate em or percentage based widths(less) | Notes are private!
| .net
| 1
| not set
| Feb 11, 2012
|
Feb 12, 2012
| ||||||||||||||||
| 0452284244
| 9780452284241
| 3.69
| 602,778
| 1945
| May 06, 2003
|
| This book and 1984 are Orwell's most famous books. Both are dystopian tales of the dangers of a totalitarian government. Similarities between...moreThis book and 1984 are Orwell's most famous books. Both are dystopian tales of the dangers of a totalitarian government. Similarities between the books: The government knows best. The intelligentsia seize power. The naive proletariat are oppressed and kept ignorant. The government bends or breaks its own rules for its benefit. The government uses propaganda to keep the proletariat in check. The government rewrites history to prove that it's correct and that life is better with the government than it was before the government's rise to power. Both books have pessimistic endings. An allegory of the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalin's Communist Party in Russia. Marxist democratic-socialism turns to totalitarianism when a ruling class rises. The book's animal characters represent individuals or organizations like Karl Marx, the proletariat, the bourgeoisie, the church, Trotsky, Stalin, Hitler, and the KGB. Events in the book represent specific events or historical themes such as the Russian Revolution of 1917, the Russian Civil War, Stalin's Great Purge, and various Russian battles. The book's most famous quote: "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others". The SparkNotes are very good: Animal Farm.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
| 2
| not set
| May 14, 2009
|
Feb 12, 2012
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0451524934
| 9780451524935
| 4.01
| 530,166
| 1949
| Jan 01, 1950
| 
| This book and Animal Farm are Orwell's most famous books. Both are dystopian tales of the dangers of a totalitarian government. Similarities ...moreThis book and Animal Farm are Orwell's most famous books. Both are dystopian tales of the dangers of a totalitarian government. Similarities between the books: The government knows best. The intelligentsia seize power. The naive proletariat are oppressed and kept ignorant. The government bends or breaks its own rules for its benefit. The government uses propaganda to keep the proletariat in check. The government rewrites history to prove that it's correct and that life is better with the government than it was before the government's rise to power. Both books have pessimistic endings. At the time the book was written, 1984 was the future. In this future, England has become part of the multinational Oceania. The Party rules over the proles (proletariet; working class) and keeps an all-seeing eye over Party members. They are constantly reminded of this surveillance by posters proclaiming that "Big Brother is watching". Not only does the Party watch people, but the Thought Police monitor facial expressions and other non-verbal communication to detect thoughtcrime; any thinking that isn't explicitly for the good of the Party. To survive, one must master doublethink: the ability to know and believe two contradictory things. Individual thoughts, actions, and sexuality are forbidden. The language, Newspeak, is composed of a limited vocabulary that limits thoughts and expressions. The book follows Winston Smith as he seeks out The Brotherhood, an underground society working to overthrow the Party's rule. The SparkNotes are very good: 1984.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
| 2
| not set
| May 14, 2009
|
Feb 12, 2012
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0060929871
| 9780060929879
| 3.86
| 330,553
| 1932
| Sep 01, 1998
| 
| This dystopian novel shows the value of freedom, art, science, and religion to society. I had high hopes for this book because of its reputation and l...moreThis dystopian novel shows the value of freedom, art, science, and religion to society. I had high hopes for this book because of its reputation and listing as #9 out of 100 on NPR’s Top 100 Science-Fiction, Fantasy Books, but it let me down. I simply didn’t care about any of the characters, and found it boring until chapter 16, which records an extensive philosophical debate. (view spoiler)[It’s set in a future where the world government engineers and clones humans, organizes them into castes from birth, provides perpetual youth, and gives rations of soma, a hallucinogen that removes stress and discomfort. The government promotes “self-indulgence up to the very limits imposed by hygiene and economics.” The civilization has given up art, science, and religion in exchange for happiness. The mindless entertainment of the populace reminded me of Fahrenheit 451 (my review). The totalitarian government and ignorant sheeple reminded me of 1984 (my review). I liked both those books significantly more than this one. My favorite part was the conversation between John the Savage and Mustapha Mond, Resident World Controller for Western Europe, in chapters 16 and 17. Their conversation gets to the heart of what this book is about. Mond tells how the civilization has done away with art, science, and religion. I’ll start excerpting where Mond is explaining why Shakespeare is prohibited. "Because it's old; that's the chief reason. We haven't any use for old things here."(hide spoiler)](less) | Notes are private!
| NPR
| 1
| not set
| Feb 06, 2012
|
Feb 12, 2012
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0321687299
| 9780321687296
| 3.92
| 112
| Jul 11, 2010
| Jul 19, 2010
| 
| An entertaining introduction to HTML5 with real-world examples. Bruce Lawson and Remy Sharp have a creatively funny writing style, and I laughed at ma...moreAn entertaining introduction to HTML5 with real-world examples. Bruce Lawson and Remy Sharp have a creatively funny writing style, and I laughed at many of their code samples. The book covers several topics: structure, text, forms, video and audio, canvas, data storage, offline, drag and drop, geolocation, and messages, workers, and sockets.
I liked the chapters on structure, text, forms, and video and audio. The remaining sections were good for me to read about, but I won’t likely be using them soon since I’m a web designer, not developer. I definitely didn’t get as much out of this book as I would have if I knew more JavaScript. I’m currently (re-)learning JavaScript through Lynda.com. SitePoint recommended this book. I enjoyed it much more than Sams Teach Yourself HTML5 in 10 Minutes. Notes • Use Modernizr for backwards compatibility with older browsers. • The Internet Archive will convert and host audio and video for free.(less) | Notes are private!
| SitePoint
| 1
| not set
| Feb 08, 2012
|
Feb 09, 2012
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0446696374
| 9780446696371
| 3.68
| 220
| Jan 01, 2005
| Jul 01, 2009
|
| This book is full of general but practical advice on planning, launching, and growing a business. The focus is more on growing a large business than o...moreThis book is full of general but practical advice on planning, launching, and growing a business. The focus is more on growing a large business than on becoming self-employed. In fact, Kiyosaki seems to view self-employed professionals as underachievers, as if those people fall short by not building large businesses. Kiyosaki speaks a lot from firsthand experience, but he also draws lessons from businesses and entrepreneurs.
I’m a Robert Kiyosaki fan, so despite his low opinion of the self-employed, I found several points to remember as I grow my part-time web design company, OptimWise. With my company, I’m already following his advice to keep your day job but start a side business. I liked the point that the most successful businesses are those on a mission, pursuing a higher calling than profit. 3 skills for a successful business 1. Be able to sell. 2. Attract, build, and motivate a great team. 3. Teach others to sell, be team players, and succeed. The B-I Triangle (B is for Business Owner, I for Investor) 
Framework Mission: purpose and direction of business Team: people with necessary expertise and skills: owners, employees, outside advisors, business partners Leadership: business owner’s guidance Levels Product: goods or services the business sells Legal: business entity, intellectual property protection, agreements Systems: processes and procedures: billing, accounting, customer service, etc. Communications: interaction and relationships within the business, and between business and the world: reputation, PR, marketing, sales Cash Flow: capital to operate and execute • Product isn’t the most important; it’s just the top of the pyramid, supported by the foundation. • Be the expert in one level, and build a team of experts in the others. 3 types of money 1. Competitive money, from competing for jobs, raises, customers, market share, employees. 2. Cooperative money, from cooperating with a business team. 3. Spiritual money, from doing work for a higher calling; not necessarily because you want to do it, but because it must be done and you know you’re the one to do it. It can be because you love the work, or to become the best version of yourself, or because you’re on a mission in life to serve others. One type of money isn’t better than the others. Entrepreneurs • Entrepreneurs aren’t necessarily born; they can be trained. • Freedom and security are opposites. Entrepreneurs value freedom over security. Entrepreneurs thrive on risk; employees avoid it. • Entrepreneurship is “the pursuit of opportunity without regard to resources currently controlled.” • Most entrepreneurs own a job, not a business. If you can’t leave your business for a year, it’s probably a job. Additional advice • “Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly.” This sentiment has become popular with Web 2.0, agile development, and the lean startup movement. • Don’t fear mistakes. Experiment and learn from failure. • Be a smart spender rather than a saver. Spend money that makes you money. • Spend over 50% of your time working on the business’ future. This involves marketing, PR, R&D, strategic partnerships, new deals, and making financial projections. • Aim to be the most expensive. A higher price is perceived as more valuable. The higher the price, the more precise your marketing must be. • Successful businesses have a mission, to solve a problem or fill a need. They serve others. To be rich, serve more people. • Scale the business to become rich. Move from self-employed to big business. Take the “self” out of “self-employed.” Final tips • Be willing to ask for help. • Find a mentor. • Join an entrepreneur’s network. Find these through the SBA, or chambers of commerce. Consider the Entrepreneur’s Organization.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
| 1
| not set
| Jan 27, 2012
|
Jan 29, 2012
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0316010669
| 9780316010665
| 3.72
| 72,825
| Jan 11, 2005
| Apr 03, 2007
|
| Gladwell shares intriguing examples of the role of the unconscious in making decisions. He tells of the surprising accuracy of snap judgments, and how...moreGladwell shares intriguing examples of the role of the unconscious in making decisions. He tells of the surprising accuracy of snap judgments, and how people’s experiences greatly influence their decisions, despite their unawareness. Many of his stories are fascinating, but his slow, winding way of telling them is frustrating. I wanted to shout, “I get the point! Move on!” I didn’t like this book as much as Outliers (read my review), but I wasn’t as interested in this topic as the subject of Outliers (achieving success). I really liked the investigation into how ignorant people are of the factors that affect their decisions. One of my favorite sections was about how people perceive food to taste better or worse based on the food’s branding and packaging. Gladwell also shows that, counter-intuitively, too much information or too many choices inhibit judgements, because they become distracting. This idea is also explored in Nudge (read my review), which I highly recommend. I had heard of this book before, but finally decided to read it after Brendon Sinclair recommended it in the The Web Design Business Kit 2.0 from SitePoint. In the kit, Brendon explains that web designers need to design websites that make great first impressions and are simple enough to facilitate quick, unconscious decisions. I’ll try to keep these lessons in mind for my web design company, <a href=”http://optimwise.com">OptimWise</a>. Gladwell shows that snap judgments can be quite accurate because of thin slicing; the brain is able to get a “read” on a person or object based on a very short exposure to them. Of first impressions, he says that “sometimes we can know more about someone or something in the blink of an eye than after months of study.” We make judgments based on our experiences and situations, so prejudice and stereotypes can lead us astray. To minimize their effects, Gladwell suggests that we change our experiences. For example, by spending more time with the people against whom we’re prejudiced, we can retrain our brains to overcome the prejudice.(less) | Notes are private!
| Brendon
| 1
| not set
| Jan 28, 2012
|
Jan 29, 2012
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0596527330
| 9780596527334
| 3.88
| 252
| 2000
| Nov 14, 2006
|
| “Definitive Guide” is a fairly accurate title for this 3rd edition of Eric Meyer's CSS textbook; it’s a deep dive of sometimes eye-glazing detail. It’...more“Definitive Guide” is a fairly accurate title for this 3rd edition of Eric Meyer's CSS textbook; it’s a deep dive of sometimes eye-glazing detail. It’s quite technical in its explanations of the math and calculations that CSS performs. There are CSS snippets and screenshots of the results, but it’d be better if they were in color. The book was published in 2006 so it’s missing CSS3, but given the widespread use of CSS 2.1, the book is still relevant. My favorite topics were floating and positioning, generated content, pseudo-classes and pseudo-elements. Types of positioning • Relative: element’s box is offset by some distance. Element retains its shape, and space it would have occupied is preserved. • Absolute: element’s box is removed from flow and positioned with respect to its containing block (nearest block-level ancestor box). The space it would have occupied is closed, as though the element didn’t exist. The positioned element generates a block-level box. • Fixed: element’s box behaves as though set to absolute, but its containing block is the viewport. Display: none vs. visibility: hidden display: none renders the element invisible, and it doesn’t take up the space it would ordinarily. visibility: hidden renders the element invisible, but it takes up the space it would ordinarily.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
| 1
| not set
| Jan 15, 2012
|
Jan 17, 2012
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| B0058DTIC0
| unknown
| 4.11
| 262
| unknown
| unknown
|
| This book is an engaging exploration of why some companies become great while others don't, despite experiencing similar uncertainty, chaos, and “luck...moreThis book is an engaging exploration of why some companies become great while others don't, despite experiencing similar uncertainty, chaos, and “luck”. It shows that greatness depends on action and discipline, not circumstance or luck. Essentially, success depends more on what we do than what the world does to us. This finding is encouraging and empowering, since we often feel that we’re at the mercy of forces outside our control. I liked the point that one of the most important forms of luck is people luck, or "Who Luck"; having the right mentor, partner, friend, etc. Because the right people can be key to success, I've been trying to expand my network and maintain strong relationships. I read this for the Holland Chamber of Commerce Business Book Group. Jim Collins is known for his thorough research, and this is no exception. I liked this book more than Good to Great (see my review) because it’s more about individuals than companies, so I found it easier to apply the lessons to myself and my web design business, OptimWise. Core behaviors of 10Xers Fanatic discipline: they have relentless focus, independence of mind, and extreme consistency. Empirical creativity: they base decisions on empirical evidence, not conventional wisdom or authority figures. Productive paranoia: they’re hyper-vigilant of changes in their environment, and respond with preparation and productive action. Level 5 ambition: they balance personal humility and professional will. They’re ambitious for a cause greater than themselves. 20 mile march Hit specified performance markers consistently over the long term. This requires high performance in hard times, and holding back in good times. Fire bullets, then cannonballs Once you’ve met your industry’s innovation threshold, being innovative doesn’t matter much. Bullets are low-risk, low-cost tests to see what will work. Based on the resulting empirical evidence, concentrate your resources and fire a cannonball (a higher-risk, higher-cost action). Be creative, but validate your ideas. Then, keep 20 Mile Marching to make the most of the big success. Leading above the Death Line Prepare for bad events by building cash reserves and taking other precautions. Pay attention to risk and respond to changes. The sign of mediocrity isn’t unwillingness to change, but chronic inconsistency (always changing with every new trend; being controlled rather than taking control). “Not all time in life is equal. Life serves up some moments that count much more than other moments. We will all face moments when the quality of our performance matters much more than other moments.” SMaC Create a SMaC recipe: a Specific, Methodical, and Consistent success formula, and amend it only rarely. Think of the US Constitution and its amendments. Return on luck The authors define luck as a significant, unpredictable event. 10Xers didn’t have more good or bad luck, but they had a better return on luck (ROL). The question isn’t whether you’ll have luck (good or bad), but what you’ll do with it. The problem isn’t a lack of good luck; it’s failing to execute on it.(less) | Notes are private!
| Holland
| 1
| not set
| Jan 14, 2012
|
Jan 15, 2012
| Kindle Edition
| |||||||||||||||
| 0307347974
| 9780307347978
| 3.87
| 321,456
| 1950
| Jan 03, 2006
|
| This story is a powerful warning about the dangers of both intellectual lethargy and censorship. In a dystopian future that’s eerily familiar, America...moreThis story is a powerful warning about the dangers of both intellectual lethargy and censorship. In a dystopian future that’s eerily familiar, Americans have replaced philosophical and critical thought with mindless entertainment, and the government burns books to keep the populace peacefully unenlightened. The novel made me more appreciative of books, and more disgusted with the current culture that’s obsessed with worthless, “fun” entertainment. (view spoiler)[As the plot unfolds, we learn that Americans have stopped reading, turning to radio and TV for entertainment. In the past, minorities of every race, religion, and political party began ripping offending pages out of books. To restore order, the government began burning books and suppressing the intellectuals and philosophers whose ideas were disturbing the peace. (hide spoiler)] One of the characters, Faber, explains that their oppressed, bookless culture lacks 3 things: quality of information, leisure to digest it, and the right to act on it. He regrets not speaking up when the book burnings begin. One of his major points, however, is that the books themselves aren’t magical; it’s the ideas they contain, any medium could carry the ideas. I’ve known about this book for years, but finally decided to read it after seeing it on NPR’s Top 100 Science-Fiction, Fantasy Books (book #7).(less) | Notes are private!
| NPR
| 1
| not set
| Jan 14, 2012
|
Jan 15, 2012
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 1857883233
| 9781857883237
| 3.76
| 72
| Mar 25, 2003
| Mar 01, 2003
|
| This book is a decent introduction to some of the most popular self-help books. It does a good job summarizing the main points of each book, explainin...moreThis book is a decent introduction to some of the most popular self-help books. It does a good job summarizing the main points of each book, explaining each book’s influence or claim to fame, and giving some biographical information about each book’s author. Since it’s really a reference book, I felt like I was being dipped into and out of the ideas, rather than immersed in them. For that, there’s no substitute for the books themselves.
The author uses a looser definition of self-help than I had anticipated. I expected modern self-help books like How to Win Friends and Influence People and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. In addition to these, the list also includes books like Rand’s Atlas Shrugged and Thoreau’s Walden. There are also several ancient philosophical and religious works such as The Bhagavad-Gita and The Bible. I didn’t like the list's inclusion of New Age, paranormal “spiritual” works, advocating pseudo-scientific nonsense about using your mind to influence the physical world, bring good luck, and heal yourself and others. Only a few of the books from my self-help shelf appear on this list. The list of all 50 books is available on Butler-Bowden’s site. Common themes in self-help books • Take control of your life, and take action! Don’t just float through life. • Set high goals. • Success depends on hard work, not luck. • Be optimistic; think positively. • Maintain a mindset of abundance, not poverty. • Achieve “flow”, the mental state in which work comes naturally and brings joy and fulfillment. Additional notes • Effectiveness is more important than efficiency. (The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People) • Be prosperity-conscious, not poverty-conscious. Appreciate the abundance of what you have, rather than focusing on what you lack. (Real Magic) • Benjamin Franklin embodied the essence of self-evaluation and self-improvement. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is an excellent guide to self-improvement.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
| 1
| not set
| Jan 04, 2012
|
Jan 08, 2012
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0980285836
| 9780980285833
| 5.00
| 1
| May 28, 2008
| Jun 04, 2008
|
| This SitePoint kit is packed with actionable advice and recommendations for web design and development businesses. The author draws on 10 years of fir...moreThis SitePoint kit is packed with actionable advice and recommendations for web design and development businesses. The author draws on 10 years of firsthand experience plus tips from other successful web professionals. It’s a well-organized, easy read with summaries and key points. There are plenty of anecdotes and case studies to illustrate the concepts. Overall, it’s both practical and incredibly motivational. I highly recommend it! One thing that stands out is how much time Sinclair devotes to hobnobbing with prospects and clients. As the executive director of his web development and marketing firm, he has other people to do the actual design and development work, giving him time to spend on socializing and marketing. Since I’m running OptimWise as a freelancer, I need time to build websites as well as find prospects and keep in touch with clients. However, I fully acknowledge the importance of working on your business as well as in it. My favorite topics were pitching, marketing, developing your unique advantage, sales and add-on sales, and client relations. A few topics weren’t relevant to me at this time, such as finding large clients, managing employees, finding an office, and expanding the business. A second binder contains sample documents including a business plan, promotional letters, thank you letters, proposals, and contracts/service agreements. These weren’t as helpful as I thought they’d be, probably because I’ve already looked at so many examples when creating my own. Major points It’s never about the price. It’s about the perceived value for money. Contact + care = profits. Communicate regularly with clients and provide superior service. Build a database of prospects and clients, including their birthdays, interests, etc., and use this to find reasons to contact them. Rewarded behavior gets repeated. Send thank-yous and gifts to clients, business partners, contractors, and referrers. View sales as creating long-term relationships, not making short-term transactions. Pre-qualify clients by asking lots of questions to understand their true needs. Most work will come via word-of-mouth, within a 50 mile radius from you. Presentation and perception Clients don’t care about your abilities. They only care about whether you’ll make them money. So, they judge you on dress, communication, and professionalism. The client’s perception of you is reality, regardless of facts. Present yourself as skilled and successful. Marketing Ask clients how they found you or your competitors, then use those marketing channels. Your marketing message: tell the prospect their problem (such as not making enough money), then offer the solution: a better website. Finally, ask them to contact you. Be professional but entertaining to stand out. Don’t provide free work unless there’s an obvious and achievable benefit, such as referrals, publicity, making a good portfolio piece, etc. Promotional options • write articles • hold seminars • ask for referrals, especially from local computer and Internet businesses • write reports and offer them free • speak at events • send newsletters • attend networking events • write press releases Pitches, proposals, and quotes Your business exists to help your clients prosper. For business clients, this means making them more money. Clients care more about convenience and value for money than price. Provide a proposal, not a quote. A proposal includes recommendations and quantifiable benefits (financial or otherwise) of the site. Ask the client what their budget is, in order to provide an accurate proposal. Overcoming budget objections: break the proposal down into pieces to show the value of each, and complete the project in phases. Don’t give anything for free! When a client says no, they often just mean, “not now.” How to pitch to prospects Put on a show, demonstrate expertise, and charge accordingly. 1. Demonstrate your expertise by mentioning your experience and results. 2. Tell stories and anecdotes. 3. Prove your credibility with testimonials or media appearances. 4. Leave price until the end, once you’ve quantified benefits. Pricing Don’t charge hourly or match your competition’s pricing; those don’t scale. Charge based on the value you deliver to the client. Charge clients up front a 50% deposit plus the cost of purchases made on behalf of the client. Sales Sales isn’t manipulating people to do something they don’t really want to do; it’s persuading people to do what they want to do. Tell prospects and clients what their problems are, then offer the solution. Show clients that you can make their business succeed and be better than their competition. Offer superior service, not price, as your unique selling proposition. Communicate regularly with prospects, clients, and even prospects who’ve rejected you. The more contact, the more sales. The longer you spend with prospects, the more likely they are to buy. Ask for the sale. Don’t just send a quote. Walk through the proposal, then ask, “Would you like us to work on this with you?” Repeat and add-on sales Offer add-on sales to existing clients. Educate them about new technology and trends and propose adding them to their sites. Recommend add-ons when nearing completion of the initial site, and also after launching the site. Don’t offer add-ons as options; offer them as custom solutions you recommended. Clients want solutions, not a range of choices. Don’t include maintenance in the initial proposal. Say that you’ll provide a proposal later, near the end of the initial design. Propose when about 75% complete. They’ll be more likely to agree because they’re financially and emotionally committed to the site. Client relations Service is more important than product or price. Show clients you care by keeping them informed. Satisfied clients won’t stay with you; only delighted ones will. Exceed their expectations, and make sure they know it by telling them what extras you’ve given them. Stay in the minds of prospects and clients by using phone calls, handwritten thank-yous, occasion cards, and gifts. When the client asks for something out of scope, say, “Good idea. I can do that for $x and it will delay the site y days. Would you like to proceed?” Actively seek out complaints to learn how to improve and satisfy clients. Don’t undervalue your skills by making your work sound easy. When possible, buy from your clients’ businesses to show your support. Legal In your agreement letter, state that payment of invoice represents agreement to terms.(less) | Notes are private!
| Torey
| 1
| not set
| Jan 2012
|
Jan 02, 2012
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 1881273156
| 9781881273158
| 4.10
| 23,486
| Oct 13, 1992
| Oct 13, 1992
|
| This book is unsurprisingly “touchy-feely”, but it contains insightful and practical lessons about love in marriage. Chapman says that people express ...moreThis book is unsurprisingly “touchy-feely”, but it contains insightful and practical lessons about love in marriage. Chapman says that people express love in five broad ways, or “love languages”, and he shows how to determine and speak your spouse’s love language. Chapman stresses the importance of communication and expectations in marriage. The book is mostly about love between spouses, but there’s a chapter near the end applying the lessons to parent-child relationships.
It sounds cheesy, but the main concept is that each person has a “love tank” that must be filled for a person to feel loved. Your goal in marriage is to keep your spouse’s love tank full by speaking their love language. I liked Chapman’s idea of a Love Tank Game in which spouses ask each other each evening after work, “On a scale of 0 to 10, how full is your love tank? What can I do to fill it?” My pastor recommended this book during premarital counseling. My wife had already read it, and recommended it as well. Chapman is a Christian and he references the Bible throughout the book, but the lessons apply to anyone regardless of religion. The 5 Love Languages Words of Affirmation: praising & complimenting Quality Time: undivided attention Receiving Gifts: spontaneous gifts Acts of Service: chores and errands Physical Touch: hugging, kissing, sex Clues to determine your love language What you ask your spouse for How you express love to your spouse What you love or hate about your spouse Take the quiz at http://www.5lovelanguages.com/assessment... While reading the book, I guessed that my primary love language is Words of Affirmation or Quality Time. According to the quiz, my languages rank as Quality Time, followed closely by Words of Affirmation, then Acts of Service, Physical Touch, and Receiving Gifts. I’m a minimalist, so gifts aren’t very important to me. A good point for me to hear was that even if you’re frugal and rarely buy yourself gifts, you’d do well to buy gifts for your spouse, if gifts are her love language. It’s not about you, it’s about your spouse. Additional notes Request, don’t demand that your spouse perform acts of service. Don't give advice unless you’re asked for it; just listen and sympathize.(less) | Notes are private!
| Rev.
| 1
| not set
| Dec 22, 2011
|
Dec 24, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0300122233
| 9780300122237
| 3.58
| 3,633
| Apr 08, 2008
| Apr 08, 2008
|
| This book opened my eyes to how humans make decisions, and how easily they can be influenced by their peers and by the way choices are presented to th...moreThis book opened my eyes to how humans make decisions, and how easily they can be influenced by their peers and by the way choices are presented to them. Through engaging research and entertaining anecdotes, it shows how to “architect” choices to nudge people towards certain decisions. The authors call this “libertarian paternalism”, because it uses incentives to motivate desired behavior rather than using command and control measures like laws and bans. I highly recommend this book for its practical insight into behavioral psychology and behavioral economics. In an ideal world, people would have the time, knowledge, and motivation to make the perfect choices. In reality, humans are irrational, emotional, ignorant, apathetic, or downright lazy, so simply providing as many choices as possible rarely works. Libertarian paternalism strikes a balance between freedom of choice and incentivizing behavior. I read this book because it was listed in .net Magazine’s The top 25 books for web designers and developers. I picked up a few ideas to use when creating websites for my web design business, OptimWise: use incentives to nudge users in certain directions, provide good default options, and gracefully handle user errors. The authors explain that humans have “automatic” and “reactive” systems; the automatic system is the subconscious, emotional “gut instinct”, while the reactive system is the intellectual conscious. Nudges help the reactive system overpower the automatic system. The authors use liberal paternalism to advocate specific policies for public and private institutions, dealing with topics in personal finance (saving, retirement, debt, mortgages), health care, education, and politics. They also address the ethical issues of choice architecture. I love personal finance, so I especially liked seeing how nudges can lead to better retirement saving and investing. The authors show how something as simple as automatic enrollment in retirement plans results in a significant increase in participation. I liked the RECAP (Record, Evaluate, and Compare Alternative Prices) concept, which says vendors and service providers should give consumers a statement of the costs associated with different hypothetical patterns of service usage to help them make informed choices about things like electricity and gas consumption. I liked the authors’ idea that people should be able to waive the right to sue for medical malpractice, in exchange for lower medical costs. I’m not sure how I feel about their proposal to privatize marriage; they say this would give religious organizations the freedom to set rules about homosexuality, divorce, etc., while allowing the government to honor civil unions with benefits. 6 principles of good choice architecture • iNcentives: motivate behavior with incentives • Understand mappings: show the outcomes that will result from the choices • Defaults: provide default options • Give feedback: show people the effect their choices are having • Expect error: make choices foolproof • Structure complex choices: present complex choices in easily understood ways Miscellaneous notes • The more you ask for, the more you get. • People hate losses twice as much as they like gains. • People like to do what they believe most people think is right. They also like to do what most people actually do.(less) | Notes are private!
| .net
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| Dec 19, 2011
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Dec 20, 2011
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 055358202X
| 9780553582024
| 4.01
| 45,961
| Oct 17, 2005
| Sep 26, 2006
|
| This is my least favorite of the Song of Ice and Fire books so far. Why? This book follows only half of the series' characters, and I don't like most ...moreThis is my least favorite of the Song of Ice and Fire books so far. Why? This book follows only half of the series' characters, and I don't like most of them, especially Tommen, Cersei, Robert Arryn, and Jaime. I didn't mind the stories of Brienne and Samwell as much, but I much prefer to read about Tyrion, John Snow, and even Daenerys. As its title indicates, the book contains several violent fights, so readers with bloodlust won't be disappointed. It's also full of the series' usual richly detailed descriptions of people, towns, traditions, religions, and foods, bringing the stories to life. I didn't enjoy it, but I'm considering this book a necessary bridge to A Dance with Dragons and the rest of the series.(less) | Notes are private!
| 1
| not set
| Dec 13, 2011
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Dec 18, 2011
| Mass Market Paperback
| ||||||||||||||||
| 0061914185
| 9780061914188
| 3.72
| 613
| 2010
| Mar 08, 2011
|
| I really liked this thought-provoking and relevant look at how social media is bringing small-town shop values back into business. Vaynerchuck shows t...moreI really liked this thought-provoking and relevant look at how social media is bringing small-town shop values back into business. Vaynerchuck shows that businesses need to build long-term, personal relationships with their customers by caring about them. Social media, because it magnifies word of mouth, is more effective at making emotional connections than broadcast marketing. Vaynerchuck uses stats, case studies, and firsthand experience to make his points and recommend actions. Although he mentions several specific platforms, the ideas transcend the tools. I was inspired by Vaynerchuck’s Crush It : Why Now Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion and I plan to use the concepts in this book to make OptimWise succeed in the Thank You Economy. How all businesses should use social media • Care. Respond to comments and invite people to share their thoughts. Outcare competitors that are bigger, cheaper, or more popular. • Show up first to connect with early adopters (first-mover advantage). • Be authentic. Be yourself and speak from the heart. • Connect with the individual, not the business. Behind every B2B is a C. • Build a community to turn buyers in to advocates. Join or create conversations around topics related to your product or service. Thank people when they provide feedback, positive or negative. • Focus on quality, not quantity of fans/followers. Consumers in the Thank You Economy • People do business with people they like. • 70% of people turn to family and friends for purchasing advice. • Make every customer feel special. • Dissatisfied customers are opportunities to fix problems and build relationships. Social Media in the Thank You Economy • Social media takes time; it’s a marathon. • Provide quality content followed by quality engagement. • Evoke emotion (positive or negative) so people are compelled to share. • Let consumers decide that they want to know you; don’t try to persuade them. • Pull people in; don’t push your message out. • Start and join conversations about your general interests first to build relationships. Later, talk specifically about your business.(less) | Notes are private!
| PageBreak
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| Nov 27, 2011
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Nov 28, 2011
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0071700781
| 9780071700788
| 3.81
| 47
| Sep 15, 2005
| Jul 19, 2010
|
| The best book I’ve read on asset allocation. It’s a practical guide to constructing a portfolio based on modern portfolio theory (MPT). Full of recent...moreThe best book I’ve read on asset allocation. It’s a practical guide to constructing a portfolio based on modern portfolio theory (MPT). Full of recent data (2010), studies, charts and graphs, it’s relatively easy to read, but better for intermediate investors, not beginners. Research shows that about 90% of portfolio performance depends on asset allocation. I liked the point that the goal of investing isn't to get rich; it's to not get poor. Ferri’s advice: don’t try to outguess the markets, but control what you can: costs, taxes, and risk. Buy, hold, and rebalance using low-cost mutual funds and ETFs. I’m a fan of Vanguard founder John Bogle and passive investing, so I agreed with most of this book, although I invest more aggressively than Ferri recommends. I picked up this book after hearing Richard Ferri interviewed on The Index Investing Show. Lessons Allocate across multiple asset classes to reduce risk. Invest broadly within each class to eliminate the specific risk of any single security. Keep costs as low as feasible, including taxes. Rebalance periodically (annually). Early savers (20s and 30s) 6 months living expenses in checking or money market Short-term bond or CD for large purchases such as home 60-80% stocks and REITs 20-40% bonds Why not to have 100% in stocks Most people can’t stomach the volatility. You need money to move into stocks in down markets. Early Savers Moderate Basic Portfolio 40% US stocks (total US stock market index fund/ETF) 20% international stocks (total international index fund/ETF) 10% real estate (REIT index fund/ETF) 30% bonds (total bond market index fund/ETF) Early Savers Moderate Multi-Class Portfolio US stocks 25% core (total US stock market index fund/ETF) 10% small value 5% microcap 10% real estate International stocks 5% Pacific 5% Europe - large 5% international small cap 5% emerging markets Bonds 20% investment grade bonds (total bond market index fund/ETF) 5% high-yield bonds 5% inflation-protected bonds/TIPS Asset location and taxes Tax-deferred or tax-free accounts corporate bonds and bond funds CDs, agency bonds, mortgages high-turnover mutual funds REITs commodities Taxable accounts low-turnover mutual funds, index funds broad market ETFs muni bonds Real estate A well-diversified portfolio with real estate alongside stocks and bonds has higher returns. The long-term risk and return on US real estate has been on par with US stocks since 1930. Use home ownership and commercial real estate investments as long-term investments. Hold a max of 10% in REITs. Miscellaneous asset allocation notes The more asset classes the better, up to about 12. This reduces risk and increases returns. Include assets with no or low correlation. Globally, small and value stocks have higher returns due to higher risk. Add a small cap value fund to a total US market fund. Foreign bonds aren’t worth owning due to high fees. Skip commodities. They have no real returns; they don’t earn more than inflation in the long term. Skip hedge funds. They have high costs, lack of diversification, and poor performance consistency. Investing in collectibles can be worthwhile if done right. The real after-tax, after inflation return on T-bills is 0. Use “your age in bonds” as a guideline for the percentage of bonds to hold. Adjust according to circumstances.(less) | Notes are private!
| The
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| Nov 18, 2011
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Nov 19, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0451528557
| 9780451528551
| 3.69
| 45,725
| 1888
| Oct 01, 2002
|
| Another imaginative sci-fi classic from H.G. Wells. (view spoiler)[A time traveler visits the year 802,701 AD to discover that humanity has conquered ...moreAnother imaginative sci-fi classic from H.G. Wells. (view spoiler)[A time traveler visits the year 802,701 AD to discover that humanity has conquered nature and achieved social and economic perfection. Pests and disease have been eradicated, and the planet is a peaceful garden. However, all is not well for humanity.
The human race has split into the capitalist haves (Eloi) and the laboring have nots (Morlocks). The Eloi are descendants of humans that have atrophied due to their lack of physical work. These surface dwellers only play, swim, and eat fruit; they don’t produce or trade goods. Their utter ignorance and laziness irritates me. The time traveler’s journey teaches him that hardship and freedom are the driving forces behind humanity’s intelligence and ingenuity. He concludes that “we are kept keen on the grindstone of pain and necessity.” I liked Wells’ description of how the trees, buildings, and Earth’s changing surface looked to the time traveler as time passed rapidly. I also liked the ancient museum showcasing humanity’s discoveries and inventions. Before returning home, the time traveler witnesses the cold desolation of Earth at its end in 30 million AD. (hide spoiler)] I enjoyed H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds, so I wasn’t surprised that I liked this one. I listened to the free Librivox audiobook.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
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| Nov 16, 2011
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Nov 18, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 1605293164
| 9781605293165
| 3.94
| 17
| Dec 21, 2010
| Dec 21, 2010
|
| I really liked the nutritional info in this practical guide for busy people. Despite the title, it’s not just about superficial six pack abs; it’s a h...moreI really liked the nutritional info in this practical guide for busy people. Despite the title, it’s not just about superficial six pack abs; it’s a holistic approach to diet and exercise. The author, editor-in-chief of Men’s Health, provides nutritional research and studies, recipes, a meal plan, and an exercise regimen. The book’s basic equation: more food + more muscle = less flab. I read this for its nutrition guidelines, not its exercise advice, but I picked up a few tips in the exercise chapters. The diet is practical and realistic; it explains the role of the right fats and carbs in a healthy diet. The Abs Diet is structured around 12 power foods (and close substitutes) represented by the acronym ABS DIET POWER. My diet already includes most of these foods, excluding protein powder; I'm not trying to increase muscle mass or lose fat. Below is a cheat sheet including these foods and other tips from the diet. I agreed with most of the book's nutritional guidelines, but I’m sticking to my 3 meals a day and no snacking, not adopting the book's 6 meals/snacks a day. Why focus on the abs? As Zinczenko says, a flat stomach is the hallmark of people in control of their bodies and health. The benefits of a flat belly: reduced risk of life-threatening disease, better sexual performance, protection from injury, a stronger back, reduced joint pain, and better sleeping. I’m a fan of Zinczenko's work in Men’s Health and the Eat This, Not That! books, so I wasn’t surprised that I liked this one too. The New Abs Diet Cheat Sheet Eat six meals (including snacks) spaced evenly throughout the day. Plan most meals around the ABS DIET POWER 12 food groups. Each meal should contain at least two of the following: • Almonds and other nuts • Beans and legumes • Spinach and other green vegetables • Dairy (fat-free or low-fat milk, yogurt, cheese) • Instant oatmeal (unsweetened, unflavored) • Eggs • Turkey and other lean meats (lean steak, chicken, fish) • Peanut butter (all-natural, sugar-free) • Olive oil [or canola, peanut, sesame; not vegetable oil or margarine] • Whole-grain breads and cereals • Extra-protein (whey) powder [or ricotta cheese] • Raspberries and other berries Emphasize protein, fiber, calcium, and healthy fats (mono- and polyunsaturated). Limit refined carbohydrates like baked goods, sugar, white bread, rice and pasta, saturated fats, trans fats, and high-fructose corn syrup. Drink mostly water. Limit yourself to two or three alcoholic beverages per week.. Cheat once a week by eating anything. Exercise for 20 minutes 3 days a week. Total-body strength workouts can be done at the gym or home. Add interval training programs. Two of the strength-training workouts should contain abs exercises. Nutrition Restricting carbs forces the body to burn fat, not sugar. High carb foods that flood the body with sugar calories, not just sugary foods, lead to diabetes. Don’t eliminate carbs, just aim for low- to moderate glycemic load. Choose foods with high fiber, especially whole grains. The body needs carbs and fats; low carb and low-fat diets aren’t healthy, and don’t work long-term. Fats are filling and add flavor. Shoot for 0.5 g of fat per pound of desired body weight. Protein fills you up, digests more slowly than carbs, spurs lean muscle growth, and elevates fat burn. Refried beans are often high in saturated fat. Look for fat-free versions. Broccoli florets have 3 times more beta-carotene than the stems. Take an Omega 3 supplement even if you eat fish. HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) is dangerous because it shuts off natural appetite control, and it’s in so many foods. Exercise Exercise to alter your basal metabolism. The calories burned during exercise aren’t important. Strength training is better than aerobics for long-term weight management. Aerobic exercise only burns calories during the workout; strength training causes the body to burn long after. Aerobic exercise burns calories, controls stress, improves cardiovascular fitness, lowers blood pressure, and improves cholesterol profile. Keep abs firm throughout the day to develop muscle memory. Flex your abs for 1 minute per hour when sitting. Walk tall. A short, fast, high-intensity workout is better than a longer, steady workout for weight loss. The New Abs Diet Workout Strength training: 3 times a week. Total-body workouts with 1 workout emphasizing legs. Additional cardio: optional, on non-strength training days. Do an interval workout 1 day a week and light cardio like walking on 2 of the 3 off days. Abs exercises: twice a week, before strength training or interval workouts.(less) | Notes are private!
| Men's
| 1
| not set
| Nov 12, 2011
|
Nov 13, 2011
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0312662629
| 9780312662622
| 3.41
| 17
| Sep 28, 2010
| Dec 21, 2010
|
| This straightforward guide to basic personal finance covers money management, debt, investing, retirement, real estate, paying for education, and taxe...moreThis straightforward guide to basic personal finance covers money management, debt, investing, retirement, real estate, paying for education, and taxes. Each topic includes an explanation of key concepts and practical advice. I liked Adams’ emphasis on automating as much as possible for efficiency and avoiding emotional influence. I read this book because I’ve been a longtime fan of Adams’ Money Girl podcast. I wish there was more advice on asset allocation and building a portfolio. Adams simply recommends using target date funds, and gives a few general tips such as setting your stock allocation to 100 minus your age. Insurance Consider using an HDHP and HSA for health insurance. Get a term life insurance policy worth 10 times your income. Debt Make loan payments biweekly instead of monthly to accelerate repayment. Investing vs. paying off debt: invest when after-tax investing returns are higher than after-tax interest rate on debt. Investing Use target date funds, or model your portfolio after them. Percentage of stock in portfolio: roughly 100 minus your age. Time horizons 1 year: cash (savings, money market, checking) 2-10 years: cash, bonds, stocks (CDs, 529s, Coverdells, brokerage accounts) 10+ years: bonds, stocks, real estate, commodities (retirement accounts, 529s, Coverdells, brokerage accounts) Self-employed retirement plans • Keogh: complicated but flexible. High contribution limits. • SIMPLE IRA or 401(k): simple, low cost. Must have earned $5000 minimum in prior year. Low contribution limits. • SEP: simple, low cost. High contribution limits. No Roth option. • Individual, Solo, or Self-Employed 401(k): more complex and costly. High contribution limits. Traditional or Roth 401(k) options. Real estate & mortgages Don’t buy a house unless you can keep it for at least 5 years. Benefits of renting over buying: avoid property maintenance, repairs, insurance, property taxes. Benefits of buying over renting: lower long-term cost of ownership, appreciation, tax deductions. To know if you should pay points on a mortgage, take the difference between the monthly payments with and without points, and divide it into the points charged. That gives the break-even point in months. Paying for education Coverdells can be used for kindergarten through graduate school. 529s are better for college; no contribution limit, more flexible. Miscellaneous personal finance tips Microwaves use 30% less energy than ovens. Keep vehicles as long as possible. If married, filing jointly usually results in lower taxes than filing separately.(less) | Notes are private!
| Money
| 1
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| Nov 11, 2011
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Nov 13, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| B000RG1B7S
| unknown
| 3.65
| 23
| 1919
| unknown
|
| I didn't like these stories nearly as much as the ones in O. Henry's The Four Million. In O. Henry's style they have romance, twist endings, and humor...moreI didn't like these stories nearly as much as the ones in O. Henry's The Four Million. In O. Henry's style they have romance, twist endings, and humorous observations about human nature, but something made them less interesting than those in the other book. However, I liked a few stories: The Pendulum, A Harlem Tragedy, The Last Leaf, and The Tale of a Tainted Tenner. I listened to the free Librivox audiobook.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
| 1
| not set
| Nov 10, 2011
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Nov 10, 2011
| Kindle Edition
| |||||||||||||||
| 0451528182
| 9780451528186
| 3.56
| 11,463
| 1390
| Nov 01, 2001
|
| The legendary quest of Sir Gawain, one of the knights of King Arthur’s Round Table. I wasn’t impressed by the story, especially since this is one of t...moreThe legendary quest of Sir Gawain, one of the knights of King Arthur’s Round Table. I wasn’t impressed by the story, especially since this is one of the most popular Arthurian tales. I felt it lacked character and plot development, but that may simply be due to its aged style. You get a sampling of medieval life, from feasts to hunting parties to single combat. There’s a lot of symbolism, and several themes such as temptation, chivalry, and honor. I listened to the free Librivox audiobook of the translation by W.A. Neilson.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
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| Nov 09, 2011
|
Nov 10, 2011
| Mass Market Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 1434625818
| 9781434625816
| 4.12
| 94
| 1906
| Oct 11, 2007
|
| A collection of O. Henry’s short stories bearing his trademark irony, comic misunderstandings, and surprise endings. I liked the memorable characters,...moreA collection of O. Henry’s short stories bearing his trademark irony, comic misunderstandings, and surprise endings. I liked the memorable characters, the humorous slang, and O. Henry’s use of obscure vocabulary and analogies. Besides the popular The Gift of the Magi, I also liked the stories Between Rounds, The Cop and the Anthem, Lost on Dress Parade, Memoirs of a Yellow Dog, and A Service of Love. I listened to the free Librivox audiobook of The Four Million.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
| 1
| not set
| Nov 07, 2011
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Nov 08, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 1591843790
| 9781591843795
| 3.66
| 574
| Mar 01, 2011
| Mar 08, 2011
|
| Kawasaki shows how to apply the psychology of persuasion, influence, and marketing to business. In addition to his own experience and anecdotes, he bo...moreKawasaki shows how to apply the psychology of persuasion, influence, and marketing to business. In addition to his own experience and anecdotes, he borrows heavily from books, studies, and experts. I liked his guidelines for becoming more likable and trustworthy, which are invaluable in both personal and business life.
According to Kawasaki, enchantment is the process of delighting people with a product, service, organization, or idea to achieve voluntary and long-lasting support that’s mutually beneficial. This requires changing people’s hearts, minds, and actions by getting them to internalize your values. When you enchant people, your goal is not to make money from them or get them to do what you want, but to fill them with great delight. You’re going for long-lasting change, not a onetime sale or transaction. Never one to provide theory without application, Kawasaki gives specific tips for effectively using presentations, email, blogs, and social media to enchant. I noted several points that I’ll use to make OptimWise, my web design business, more enchanting. I agreed with Kawasaki for most of the book, but disagreed about part of the chapter “How to Enchant Your Boss.” In it, Kawasaki says, “drop everything and do what your boss asks.” I found this advice odd, because he usually advocates being authentic, genuine, and true to yourself, not sinking to political maneuvering. Forms of reciprocity Do something with the explicit expectation of receiving something in return. Not enchanting. Do something as an investment in the future; “paying it forward”. May be enchanting. Do something for intrinsic reasons. Most likely to be enchanting. When someone thanks you, don’t say “you’re welcome”, but “I know you’d do the same for me". By this you're telling them that you think they're classy, and that they owe you a favor. How to write a positioning statement Short. 10 words max. Clear. Answer the question, “What do you do?” Focus on your function, not your title. Different. Use words most people don’t use. Use verbs to explain what you do, not adjectives. Humble. Illustrate the salient point Take facts and use them to communicate the effect of a decision. Don’t give data, give information to help people make good, fast decisions. For example, miles per gallon versus cost of fuel per year, or gigabytes of storage versus number of songs a device holds. How to overcome resistance Provide social proof. Show people that others are embracing your cause. Create the perception of ubiquity. Make people think everyone is using your product or service. Create the perception of scarcity (if social proof and ubiquity aren’t feasible). Make people think your product or service is scarce so they think it’s more valuable. Principles of push technology (presentations, email, Twitter, etc.) Respond quickly, within 24 hours whenever possible. Treat everyone equally; don’t focus only on important people. Provide value. Give credit. Limit self-promotion.(less) | Notes are private!
| Holland
| 1
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| Nov 06, 2011
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Nov 06, 2011
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0140447806
| 9780140447804
| 3.86
| 1,553
| 524
| May 01, 2000
|
| In this work from 524 AD, Lady Philosophy (philosophy personified) leads the imprisoned author, Boethius, through discussions about fortune, happiness...moreIn this work from 524 AD, Lady Philosophy (philosophy personified) leads the imprisoned author, Boethius, through discussions about fortune, happiness, justice, predestination, and free will. Through logical reasoning, they make deductions that build throughout their conversation. They often refer to the philosophies of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Lady Philosophy and Boethius believe in a monotheistic God similar to that of Christianity, although there’s no explicit mention of Christianity. There are a few main themes. One is that happiness doesn’t come from wealth, power, dignity, fame, or material pleasures; in fact, it comes from independence from material things, but ultimately from God, its true source. Another theme is that God knows and controls everything, but that this doesn’t impinge on man’s free will. I read this because The Tolkien Professor podcast recommended it for its treatment of the doctrine of predestination and free will, which I’ve never felt I’ve quite understood. This book made things a little clearer, but it remains a nebulous concept. I listened to the free LibriVox audibook based on the translation by H.R. James. God’s nature The world isn’t governed by random hazard, but God the creator rationally governs his work. All things proceed from God. Human nature Humans have a spark of true knowledge from God, but they can forget it. Humans are insatiably covetous. People are naturally good. Those who are too weak to be good are evil. All men seek good, but some fail to achieve it because of their perversion. Fortune and material possessions Humans are never content; they always have something they’re discontented about. The better a man’s fortune, the more sensitive he is to misfortune. All passes; neither good fortune nor material things last. The more possessions a man has, the more care they require; they end up owning him. A man with fewer possessions is free of the worry they involve. There’s no such thing as misfortune. All fortunes are either just (such as punishment for evil) or useful (such as the correction of bad behavior). Happiness Happiness doesn’t come from wealth, power, dignity, fame, or pleasures. It comes from independence, especially from material things. All men are pursuing happiness. Happiness doesn’t depend on fortune or material possessions. God is the source of highest good and happiness. Justice We misinterpret the good as suffering and the evil as being rewarded, but the good are always favored and evil always punished. Predestination and free will God guides all events in his providence. Humans can’t fully understand His plans. Free will exists despite God’s foreknowledge and providence, even though humans can’t understand the apparent paradox. God is eternal, and lives in an eternal present; there’s no past or future. Because He’s outside of time, the time-dependent concept of foreknowledge doesn’t actually make sense. A paraphrase of the discussion of free will from Book 5, Song 5: Compare two events: the sun rising, and a man walking. At the moment of their occurrence, they must be taking place; yet the sun’s rising, before it took place, was necessarily obliged to be, while the man’s walking wasn’t. The things which to God are present exist without doubt. But some come from the necessity of things, and others from the power of the agent. From the standpoint of the divine knowledge, all things take place of necessity; but considered of themselves, from a human standpoint, they’re free of necessity. So, if it’s in a man’s power to change his purpose, does that make providence void, since you could change something God foreknows? You can change your purpose, but providence is inescapable, just as it’s impossible to escape a present spectator. God’s ever-present comprehension and survey of all things comes not from his seeing future events, but from his very nature. So man’s will exists despite providence and foreknowledge, and humans are still responsible for their own actions.(less) | Notes are private!
| The
| 1
| not set
| Nov 2011
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Nov 06, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0975841963
| 9780975841969
| 3.79
| 221
| Jan 31, 2007
| Feb 07, 2007
|
| An excellent introduction to the artistic side of web design. Beaird teaches that a site’s design should reinforce the identity of the organization, a...moreAn excellent introduction to the artistic side of web design. Beaird teaches that a site’s design should reinforce the identity of the organization, and expertly shows how to use layout and composition, color, texture, typography, and imagery. He explains the concepts of design theory, then applies them to a website that he builds throughout the book. The book is full of colorful illustrations and screenshots from many websites. I read the first edition from 2007, so the specific CSS and graphics tips are slightly dated, but the theory is timeless. I really liked this book; it was nice to take a break from reading about HTML and CSS to learn about the art involved in web design. Below are the notes I took while reading. Layout & composition • Use a 9-square grid for layouts. This follows the rule of thirds, which approximates the Golden Ratio. Color • To choose a color scheme, think about the feelings you want to inspire in the target audience. • Use the Color Scheme Designer to choose colors. • Use warm colors for emphasis and cool colors for backgrounds and large elements. • Use a standout color for the navigation or header. • Use Jonathan Snook’s Colour Contrast Check to confirm that there’s enough contrast between colors. Color associations • Red: stimulates adrenaline and blood pressure, and increases metabolism. Exciting, dramatic, and rich. Color of passion and love. Darker shades such as burgundy and maroon are rich and indulgent. Earthy, brownish shades associated with fall and harvest. • Orange: active and energetic. Promotes happiness. Represents sunshine, enthusiasm, creativity. Informal, not corporate. Stimulates metabolism and appetite; great for food and cooking. • Yellow: active and visible. Associated with happiness and energy. • Green: associated with nature. Soothing color symbolizing growth, freshness, and hope. Easier on the eyes than yellow, orange, or red. • Blue: openness, intelligence, faith. Calms and reduces appetite. Sometimes symbol of bad luck and trouble. Associated with water, sky, and air. Conveys sense of stability and clarity of purpose. • Purple: royalty and power, wealth and extravagance. Connected with flowers, gemstones, and sunsets. • White: clean; the color of perfection, light, and beauty. • Black: often has negative connotations such as death and evil, but can also represent power, elegance, and strength. Texture • Make the layout feel less geometric/rectangular, and more smooth and organic. • Rounded corners provide a smoother, more organic feel. • Include familiar organic shapes. • Break up vertical lines. • Incorporate 3D space using light and shadow. Typography • Choose fonts that elicit the right emotions in the audience. • Typophile.com is a great place to learn and discuss typography. • Compare font settings with Typetester.org. • Use a sans serif font for body text. • Don’t use more than 4 fonts in a website. Avoid combining 2 different serif fonts or 2 different sans serif fonts. • Free and shareware font galleries: 1001fonts.com and DaFont.com. Imagery • Images should be at least 2 of the following: relevant, interesting, appealing. They don’t have to be all 3. • Free stock images: Stock.XCHNG and morgueFile.com. • Royalty-free images: iStockphoto.com and Dreamstime.com. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
| 1
| not set
| Oct 30, 2011
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Oct 30, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 3.70
| 17,746
| -19
| 1982
|
| As a fan of Greco-Roman mythology, I thought I’d like this story. Maybe it was just the particular translation, but I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much a...moreAs a fan of Greco-Roman mythology, I thought I’d like this story. Maybe it was just the particular translation, but I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as The Iliad and The Odyssey. It takes place after the Trojan War, recounting the story of Aeneas, a Trojan who travels to Italy and becomes the ancestor of the Romans. Later, he leads the Trojans against the Latins. The story is full of violent, bloody fights, and you get a real sense of the chaos of ancient battles. It includes many themes common to Greco-Roman stories, including honor, heroism, and fate. The gods play major roles in the story, interfering in each others’ plans and in human affairs. The humans frequently appeal to their patron gods. During a single combat scene, Jove/Zeus hangs life and death in a scale to determine the fate of one of the combatants. I liked Aeneas’ visit to Hades, where he talks to the shades of dead heroes. I also liked the mythical tale of Rome’s founding, including the wolf suckling Rome’s twin founders, Romulus and Remus. I listened to the free Librivox audiobook of the translation by John Dryden.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
| 1
| not set
| Oct 26, 2011
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Oct 29, 2011
| Leather Bound
| |||||||||||||||||
| 144930172X
| 9781449301729
| 3.79
| 24
| Oct 26, 2005
| May 10, 2011
|
| This book is a decent introduction to many topics related to web design; too many topics, in my opinion. I expected the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, but...moreThis book is a decent introduction to many topics related to web design; too many topics, in my opinion. I expected the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, but a large part of the book teaches how to use Twitter, Facebook, Blogger, and other sites and services, which seemed beyond the scope of building a website. It also covers website promotion (including SEO, analytics, and community-building), monetization, and multimedia. The book is full of clear, understandable code snippets and screenshots. It presents HTML5 throughout, and encourages the use of new HTML5 structural elements in place of divs for more semantic markup, with caveats about browser compatibility. I was pleasantly surprised by how much space was given to JavaScript, and really liked the JavaScript 101 chapter. Free HTML editors •BlueGriffon •Amaya •HTML-Kit 292 •CoffeeCup Free HTML Editor Commercial HTML editors •Adobe Dreamweaver •Microsoft Expression Web Free graphics programs •GIMP •Paint.NET •Aviary.com (online editor) Free graphics & stock photography •Stock.XCHNG •Flickr Creative Commons Commercial graphics & stock photography •iStockphoto •Fotolia •Dreamstime JavaScript resources •DynamicDrive.com •Webmonkey.com JavaScript tutorials Button generators •ButtonGenerator.com •CSS-Tricks.com Button Maker Web design tips & advice •The button element is more powerful than the input element for buttons, because you can control the content on the button’s face. •Use the Web Developer extension to test browser window sizes. •Use CSSStickyFooter.com for code to create a footer that sticks to the bottom of the page. •Use relative positioning to keep layouts flexible, but use absolute as necessary for smaller regions. •For SEO, set page titles to the page description followed by the organization or site name. •Use the HTML5 Shim to add support for HTML5 elements to non-compliant browsers. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
| 1
| not set
| Oct 23, 2011
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Oct 25, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 055357342X
| 9780553573428
| 4.49
| 59,255
| Aug 10, 2000
| Mar 04, 2003
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| The further I get into George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, the more I like it. It helps that I’m becoming more familiar with the peopl...moreThe further I get into George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, the more I like it. It helps that I’m becoming more familiar with the people, places, and history. This book’s title is apt because it contains so much fighting, including hand-to-hand combat and full-scale battles. It’s more violent and bloody than the first two books. The pace quickens and the plot thickens in this book. Besides an increase in violence, there’s more magic and hints at deeper mysteries. There’s also more political manipulation; there are betrayals, alliances forged and destroyed, and several puppeteers pulling strings. You never know who’s really in control. Martin isn't afraid to injure or kill prominent characters, which keeps you guessing. Many chapters end with cliffhangers. This series is one of gritty realism; it’s not “clean”, romantic fantasy like Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings or Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia. Martin’s books feature gore, profanity, and sex. In this book, I liked reading about the training regimen and ethos of the Unsullied. Tyrion’s and Jon Snow’s stories were my favorites; Jaime’s and Catelyn’s were my least. I listened to the unabridged Books on Tape audiobook. Roy Dotrice masterfully uses a variety of voices to bring the story to life.(less) | Notes are private!
| 1
| not set
| Oct 20, 2011
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Oct 23, 2011
| Mass Market Paperback
| ||||||||||||||||
| 1591842239
| 9781591842231
| 3.94
| 336
| Oct 30, 2008
| Oct 30, 2008
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| Another of Guy Kawasaki’s excellent handbooks for startups. He dispels many myths and provides practical steps to starting and growing a business. The...moreAnother of Guy Kawasaki’s excellent handbooks for startups. He dispels many myths and provides practical steps to starting and growing a business. The chapters are short but thought-provoking, and will enhance your “entrepreneurial quotient” whether you sell products or services.
Kawasaki expands on the lessons of The Art of the Start, which I found very worthwhile (read my review). In addition to his ample firsthand experience, Kawasaki includes interviews with experts, research from recent studies, and wisdom from popular books. I liked the advice on starting, executing, innovating, marketing, and selling. I skimmed the chapters that aren’t yet applicable to me: fund raising, hiring and firing, and managing. Raising money “Venture capital is something to do at the end of your career, not the beginning. It should be your last job, not your first.” You need real-world experience, ideally in engineering or sales. Planning & executing A business plan should take less than 1 week to write and be less than 20 pages. Write deliberate, act emergent: write as if you know what you’re going to do, but execute flexibly to react to new information and opportunities. The primary goal of a startup: don’t run out of money. Bootstrapping Cash flow is more important than profitability. Ship when the product/service is good enough, then improve it. Focus on function over form. Innovating Build something that you want to use. Make meaning. Enable people to do old things better, do things they always wanted to do, and do things they never knew they wanted to do. Don’t worry, be crappy. Don’t wait for perfection; the first version can be crappy. Don’t stay crappy. Improve every version. Don’t be afraid to polarize. Create great products that make segments of people very happy, even if it makes other segments unhappy. The purpose of innovation is not cool products but happy people. To be successful, be the sole provider of something people really want. The most powerful ideas in business are the ones that set forth an agenda for reform and renewal - the ones that turn a company into a cause: strategy as advocacy. Reshape the sense of what’s possible for customers. Marketing The most important lesson of marketing/branding: do one thing well. The foundation of successful branding is to create an excellent product/service. Selling & evangelizing Sales fix everything. Sales means cash, and cash means you can fix your team, technology, and marketing. People don’t buy revolutions. They buy aspirins to fix the pain or vitamins to supplement their lives. Beguiling Give people value and they’ll want to return the favor. Every time someone thanks you, immediately ask for a testimonial or referral. Influencing Reciprocation. Take care of your customer, and they’ll take care of you. Scarcity. It’s easier to sell your product if people perceive it as popular and in short supply. Authority. The customer will believe in you if you’re knowledgeable. Liking. Customers will only buy from you if they like you. Consensus. Customers are more likely to buy when everyone around them is buying your product. Don’t point fingers, just fix the problem. Schmoozing It’s not what you know or who you know, but who knows you. Ask good questions and listen. Unveil your passions. Follow up. Give favors, return favors, and ask for favors. Make small talk to discover common interests and experiences. Sucking up Appeal to empathy. Take advantage of people’s desire to help an underdog. Provide present or future value. Thank for what you’ve already received. Give favors.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
| 1
| not set
| Oct 09, 2011
|
Oct 09, 2011
| Hardcover
|
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