Why is it that Microsoft think they know what is good for ALL of their customers?

Take IE7. I can’t stand IE personally, but it’s on the machine that my mum and dad use. I only use IE when the occasional site falls apart dramatically in the Firefox browser (proving the site developer hasn’t even tested for Firefox, given the way the site breaks apart outside of IE). And then, if I can, I use the IE Tab extension/add-on in Firefox, rather than loading up IE7 on its own.

They were only introduced to computers in July 2006 when we gave them broadband and one of our old computers. The concept of computers is quite scary to them, given they’re both virtually in retirement. I recall demonstrating a webpage, talking about links — but forgetting to explain in detail — and dad wondered what a link was, or even how it was displayed, or what you did with it… all the basic things I’ve long forgotten to think about after 12 years of online experience!

So when IE7 came along, with Microsoft’s “we know what’s good for you” approach, the interface for web browsing was different — and there is no way to adjust it.

For instance, the menu bar no longer appears at the top of the screen. Usability thus drops — EVERY other program with a menu bar has it at the top of the window, so why does IE7 depart from standards? The address bar is now at the top and is not able to be moved.

And then there’s a line of cryptic icons for Favorites, tools etc — again, stuck in place at the bottom of the toolbars as a “command bar”. Sure, you can add text labels to some of the icons, but you cannot move this command bar anywhere. So, the links toolbar cannot be the bottom toolbar, just above the content window… Microsoft have decided that the very top address bar and the bottom Command bar are locked in place and cannot be changed.

Why not let users CHOOSE where those usability elements are placed, according to their preferences or their existing habits? It’s hard enough, especially for inexperienced users, that the interface is no longer quite the same (let alone a whole other post about changing to Tabbed browsing).

Why don’t Microsoft let their customers think for themselves? Instead of the old advertising tagline “where do you want to go today?” — perhaps Microsoft should have put “we’ll tell you where you’re going today, you don’t get a choice.”

This week, as a useful add-on to our website, we added the “Snap Preview Anywhere” service.

This adds a tiny icon next to each external link (see the websites in the right-hand navigation — notice the new small icon that looks like this: ?

As shown below, when you hover your mouse over this icon, it brings up a small window with a preview of that external web page. The preview isn’t always current, but if the website design is consistent, it’ll be pretty accurate even if not the most up-to-date snapshot of the page in question.

I find this useful when doing research — as I often do lots of searches at once and knowing what the page looks like in advance often highlights pages that I’ve already seen, but forgotten the address of — this way, I get a visual hint/clue before I click the link, which triggers my memory much more than the words do.

Of course, there are options on this little pop-up window to turn off this feature. We deliberately set our settings so that only the tiny icon pops up the preview window, and not the regular link — that may become annoying, as it is easy to trigger by accident, not just by choice.

Also, if Snap Preview Anywhere doesn’t have that external website already with a mini-screenshot in its database, then it will “queue” it up for later and let you know. That way, you’re not waiting or slowed down because a site isn’t yet part of the preview database.

If you want to know more about putting it on your own website, just hover over one of the live external link icons, and follow the link to the Snap website. It’s all free, so there’s no cost or credit cards involved — I’m not an affiliate for Snap and don’t earn income this way.

As you can see in the image above, you even get a small (20×100 pixel) image to help “brand” the pop-up with your own image, and you can choose from a handful of different colour options to suit your site’s design.

In terms of useful snapshot previews, I also have the very useful add-on for Firefox called GooglePreview. This inserts website previews in both Google and Yahoo! search results. With a broadband link, the extra “overhead” of having this turned on is not noticeable, and again, it’s a good trigger.

Firefox of course is the free, open source web browser that competes with Internet Explorer and is constantly expanding its installed user base. We love it enough to put a link to Firefox (with the handy Google toolbar) in the footer of every page on this website. And in the spirit of openness, as Google hands out revenue for anyone who downloads from that link, hey, if you click on it, then we earn a tiny credit in our AdSense account.

Two more internet services/features that make life on-line easier!

We arrived in Sydney today for a 2-day marketing conference/mastermind session, at the Novotel Brighton Beach. Lovely views of Botany Bay and the Sydney CBD skyline.

My plan was to do some work whilst I was here, both before and after session times each day. There’s plenty of work underway at the moment, and I’d mentioned to a client that I’d be working one partciular project during the trip.

I didn’t count on the sloooooow internet access speed.

This is like going back to the age of the dinosaur. At the moment, I’m downloading a 10Mb file, and it’s going to take about one HOUR to download. At an average speed of 3.0kb/sec, that’s about 1/60th the speed of broadband at our home office.

First off tonight, my brand new Asus notebook computer wouldn’t connect to the wireless service. After 1 hour of frustration (perfect full strength signal, but no response from the Azure.com.au network, I had to call tech support (and have them paged, and wait 30 minutes for a return call). It turns out the wireless technology in my Intel “Centrino duo” powered notebook is too new for Azure’s ageing hotel wireless equipment.

I then had to get a free “wireless bridge” from the hotel reception (free to use) and have that connected to my regular LAN/network port. I also had to figure out, without tech support’s advice, how to turn off my own wireless and enable the LAN port.

Finally, after nearly 2 hours I was online, but at dinosaur pace.

(NOTE: Day 2 and 3 of the trip have been faster — up to 35kb/sec — or about 1/5th the speed at home. That’s beyond modem speeds, but the low end of broadband: acceptable, but not outstanding).

The big lesson? Be very careful when planning your trip to make sure you internet access is both compatible and convenient. Despite having a computer only about 1-month old, this was a downside. Also, Azure’s network is both old and slow: my only choice. At dial-up speeds, it feels like being in a remote Pacific island resort, not overlooking Botany Bay and the Sydney CBD!

Next time I’m in Sydney I’ll be looking for a hotel with a better internet solution, especially as it’s a 4-day business trip!

Well, I’m now up to 97% of that 10Mb download completed, time to logoff and get some sleep! I’d planned to be able to that about an hour or two earlier than now!

We have a new printing product available — lightweight magnets.

Two Sizes:

1. Business/Credit card (86×54mm) — from $167 for 500 ($237 for 1000), incl GST and delivery
2. Calendar size (almost DL — 170×80mm) — from $327 for 500 ($447 for 1000), incl GST and delivery

The magnetic cards are printed with long-lasting high gloss UV inks in full colour. Similar in weight to a standard business card.

• Lighter weight means less cost to post / saves on your postage expenses
• Thin enough to be slipped into a business card folder, not just kept aside — don’t miss out on being in with key contacts!
• Flexible, lightweight feel — stands out from other magnets
• Around the same weight as a business card — approx 310gsm
• Impact of full colour to make your message distinctive
• The business card that can also be stuck on a metal surface — versatile and multi-purpose!
• Artwork can of course be in ‘portrait’ or ‘landscape’ format
• Different when compared to regular magnets, helps you stand out
• Full colour, photos/text/images/logos — any artwork design to suit your purpose

Contact us for full pricing for higher quantities than shown above.

SAVE! As magnets are still fairly “heavy” as a product, if you wish to collect from our office or arrange your own delivery, we’ll reduce the price accordingly. For the 86×54s, deduct $17 for 500 or $27 for 1000; for the 170×80s, deduct $44 for 500 or $50 for 1000. If you’re based in metro Melbourne, we can deliver via courier, and if so, we’ll reduce the cost accordingly. Please ask when you place your order.

COMING SOON! Samples and a handy downloadable print-planner/order form.

Artwork is additional and not included in the above cost. Delivery is to one Australian address. Pre-payment required for all new clients (existing clients according to current terms). Samples available soon! Turnaround approx 7 days, plus artwork approval and delivery.