Author: Stilgherrian

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Test and compare your Internet speed

This is seriously fucking cool. Speedtest.net tells you the actual speed of your Internet link. So, for example, my 1500/256kb link with People Telecom (formerly Swiftel) currently delivers 1267/206kb. Not too shabby.

And even better, Crikey is now running the totally unscientific national broadband test — so send your results to boss@crikey.com.au. I’ll be very interesting to see what they discover… stay tuned!

[Update 20 minutes later: Actually, it’s not that cool. There’s a serious methodological flaw. The “compare your results” bit doesn’t take into account one important datum: the rated speed of your Internet link. For example, it shows the “New South Wales average” as 3680kb per second — but that’s over twice the rated speed of the link I have. Without scaling the results as “percentage of rated speed”, the comparisons are meaningless. Still, it’s a pretty site, and useful.]

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The aesthetic of Basecamp

I’m writing up my notes from today’s strategic planning session, and I was suddenly struck by the clarity of information design in Basecamp, our project communication tool. This really is one of the cleanest and most elegant user interfaces I’ve ever used.

Screenshot of Basecamp following a strategic planning session

Things of note about this screenshot:

  • The content dominates the page, not some loudly-screaming logo or “web page header”.
  • The hierarchy of the information is very clear. It’s immediately obvious which label is attached to which object, and what’s more important.
  • It’s simple, easy on the eye — so you can work on this all day.

Which all makes it a fine example of Web 2.0 design.

Plus for some reason I really, really love the way the photos of the whiteboard make a lovely abstract pattern.

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How will you mark the Winter Solstice?

Tomorrow, 21 June, is the Winter Solstice here in the southern hemisphere — traditionally a time for new beginnings. What will you be doing for the Solstice?

Last year I wrote a personal rant. But this year I’m spending the day with my office manager, my partner and a colleague who knows about creative business strategies, trying to figure out how best to re-shape what I’m doing.

We’ve booked a meeting room overlooking Sydney Harbour, so I’m expecting to be inspired — one way or another. At the very least I should get some decent photos.

[Update 21 June: Actually, the Solstice is 22 June here in Sydney this year. Details in the comments.]