Tired of the generic colours of your favourite computer or MP3 player? Colorware will change it for you.

An interesting niche business. This is the 21st century version of a car body customising business.

What similar niche can you identify in your industry?

One of the techniques I use when struggling with a problem is to force myself to look at it from different angles. This is done by: Asking the right questions to reveal hidden insights. Looking at what is in front of me from different angles. Turning things on their sides.

Here’s a fun and useful example of this approach:

Recently, I got it into my head that I’d be so …

iWoz – Computer geek to cult icon: getting to the core of Apple’s inventor. ISBN 0-7553-1407-7.

A personable insight into the inner thoughts of one of the greatest (and most ethical) minds in the history of the personal computer. Steve Wozniak was definitely the technical genius and all-round nice guy behind Apple, someone who cared more about good engineering and its positive impact on …

I just read this uplifting and thought-provoking article on ODE Magazine: Pulling themselves up by their keyboards by Lex Veldhoen.

I found the following bits particularly interesting and worthy of further meditation:

“…the World Bank had calculated … that every computer acquired by companies in developing countries creates more jobs and raises productivity…” — To all those companies who regularly upgrade their hardware, have you consider donating …

The Internet is a haven for self-expression. Anyone can put up whatever they want, as long as they have access to the technology of course. What we have now is a mass of information - some very useful, but mostly… um… poo.

And where there is lots of poo, there be services to help us good people filter the gemstones from the muck. One example is digg.com. …

This is a follow on post from A Technique for Producing Ideas.

Is the computer merely an execution tool? Is it a hindrance or a help in the idea generation process?

In my work, I use both a paper notepad and a laptop computer. Increasingly, more and more of my idea generation is done on my laptop. I estimate only 10-15% of my ideas now originate on paper. The …

An oldie but a goodie - written in 1965 by James Young. Read Kirby Ferguson’s summary: Book summary: A Technique for Producing Ideas

My paraphrasing:

Gather input
Let it stew
Walk away from it for a while
Listen for the “ding” that says the idea is ready
Serve it up, share it, make it real

The “collect words” advice is quite topical for me. I have always liked words (the latest addition being …

When you think design + computers, you may be forgiven for thinking only of Apple. Design is about thinking things through, and working in a disciplined, methodical manner with a clear and unabiguous focus in mind. The final stylistic outcome can vary dramatically.

A counterpoint to the Apple’s “look at me” style is IBM/Lenovo’s long-standing Thinkpad line of laptops.

Those who know me will know I have long been a …

My sister bought me the book (thanks Tein) and I visited the site: Stuff on my Cat.

Cute kitties aside, the story behind the phenomenon is interesting. Mario Garza started the site in July 2005 because he liked putting stuff on his cat and decided to share his photos online. It took off! Millions of visitors, with many of them submitting photos of their cats, and write-ups …

Feeling trapped by the everyday? Take a moment to look at different views of Earth from various orbiting satellites. Thanks to Jeff for this.