Design and beyond.

Quick & Simple & Black & White

2010-12-02T13:15:00.000-06:00

I'm having a lot of fun illustrating these.

Some photos compel me to illustrate

2010-12-01T12:57:00.000-06:00

And the fact that Maggie is very photogenic helps.

Lomo Collective of Austin

2010-11-24T14:39:00.000-06:00

These guys needed cards, too.

JenJo Cards

2010-11-24T14:36:00.000-06:00

My friend JenJo needed cards for her ventures.

Beneficial Results

2010-11-24T14:32:00.000-06:00

The client requested a logo that could be used without embedding an image into emails.

Eponymous Garden Website Redesign

2010-07-23T23:28:00.003-05:00

I just launched the redesign of www.EponymousGarden.com tonight.

The grand opening will be soon when the logo, store, and various other bits are finished and implemented. She still needs some polishing, but is totally functional.

Stay designerly, my friends.

Black Ribbon LIVE

2010-07-05T04:01:00.000-05:00

Another poster for my Black Ribbon homies. I can't wait to see this printed in full color. The final verson has an area for the band to write in the Venue, Date, Time, Cover, etc.

Design as a computing lifestyle

2010-06-06T18:24:00.012-05:00

Foreward

Having used computers for some time now, and understanding many aspects such as: interface, ease of use, resource needs, etc., I've developed a certain configuration of Windows that I would like to share. Since so much of computer use is centered around Internet browsing, a large portion of this post covers browser customization. I hope you enjoy this gathering of facts. Comments are very welcome.

OS

Windows 7

Why I like it » Excellent: OS Installer, Dock, Taskbar, System Tray, Start Menu, Computer and Disk Management System, RAID building and management, Resource Monitor, Display Management, Defragment, Easy Network Sharing, Automatically installs most drivers,

Antivirus

Avast 5 [link]

Why I like it » It is free for a year when you register and you can register again every year. You now register in-program, and the interface to do so is very smooth and non-offensive. Updates are automatic. Silent and Gaming Mode is bliss. Rightclick >Scan Folder/Drive. I've never been infected when using Avast.

AntiSpyware

Spybot [link]
Why I like it » It is free, The main benefit is browser immunization from known spyware servers. I always download updates, run a scan, and immunize the system when reinstalling the OS

Browsers

Chrome [link]
+ Adblock

FireFox [link]

Adblock Plus + Easylist
» It removes advertisements. Do you like advertisements?

autoHideStatusbar
» Just as the name says, it automagically hides the FireFox Statusbar, freeing up a bit more screen realestate. Favorite Feature: Enable/Disable button in bottom right corner of status bar

BarTab
» I am notorious for having 10 - 30 tabs open at any time and this add-on was the solution to a big problem. This extension prevents a newly opened tab from loading until it is the active tab. Favorite Feature: When restarting FireFox after having closed multiple tabs the last time FireFox was shutdown, FireFox loads amazingly quickly because BarTab prevents all but one tab from loading. I didn't know how much I needed this until the first time that happened!

Better Gmail 2
» It just makes Gmail Better.

Better GReader
» The same, but for Google Reader. Where this add-on really shines is the "minimal" skin. When using this skin, W hides the top infobar and P will preview the current feed item (basically it opens the link in the feed item's window. Very, very handy.)

Download Statusbar
» It replaces the Download window with a bar that appears when a new download begins. This interface design is far superior. Click to launch/open, rightclick to open containing folder. It disappears when recent downloads are cleared from the bar, giving back some of that precious real estate.

Extended Statusbar
» This is your Statusbar on crack. It shows current transmission speeds, current request time, how many images, hover link address, etc.

Faviconize Tab
» Much like how Windows 7 removed the title of the application from the taskbar, this does the same for the title of the web page but from FireFox's tab bar. I love favicionizing the tabs I have open all the time (Gmail, Reader Twitter, Facebook, etc.) Favorite Feature: When the tab is restored after FireFox is closed and reopened, the tab stays favicionized

Hide Caption Titlebar Plus (Smart)
» This is the update to Hide Caption which removes the Windows Titlebar from FireFox (much like how Chrome looks). This addon is all about reclaiming screen real estate.

Java Console
» Because you probably need Java.

LogMeIn Remote Access Plugin
» Because I log in to remote computers a lot.

Note in Reader Button (custom using Link Button Maker)
» I love the ability to share an image to Google Reader using a bookmarklet, and I added that to the convenience of a toolbar button. This, among many other add-ons allows me to use only two total tool bars, including the tabs bar. How: Copy the link that the Note in Reader bookmarklet uses and use that when creating your custom link button

Omnibar
» Chrome-esque combined URL and Search Bar with an amazing auto suggest feature. Favorite Feature: When accessed, it shows a descending list of the most visited websites for quick access. It supplements as a bookmarks bar!

PermaTabs Mod
» I am finding myself using this less and less, but it is very helpful. It adds a rightclick > PermaTabs option that modifies a tab so that another page can not be loaded over it, so that the tab is permanently on one page. Helpful for Gmail and Reader.

Personas
» Because it looks pretty.

Tiny Menu
» The whole Menu Bar, in a button. Why not? Favorite Feature: the ability to move the Menu to the Navigation Bar and turn off the Menu Bar

Toolbar Buttons [link]
» All sorts of really handy dandy toolbar buttons

Media

Boxee [link]
» This is your new best friend. Boxee is the best media center interface I've used. It has a fluid and beautiful 10-foot interface, automagically populates cover art for TV shows, Movies, and Music. It has an app module, pulls in shared Facebook and Twitter media, Favorite Feature: Boxee iPhone Remote app: free

VLC [link]
» The only thing it doesn't play is cards. Sporting a mininal yet feature-rich interface, VLC will play nearly any media file you throw at it. You'll be happy to see little orange cones everywhere.

iTunes [link]
» Because it syncs with my iPhone and I haven't found a better audio app that: manages and organizes the audio files well, converts audio, had a very fast search, clean interface, easy home-sharing. Biggest con: resource hog

Picasa [link]
» The best photo and image management software I've found. Importing, editing, uploading, and sending are all well executed. Posting to Blogger and uploading to Picasa Web Albums is simple. Favorite Feature: Plugin adding picasa2flickr button [link] to send the selected photos to Flickr Uploadr. Photo names and tags are populated (note: you must have the Flickr Uploadr installed [link])

uTorrent Falcon [link]
» A simple, ultra-lightweight torrent client. Favorite Feature: the Falcon update offer a zero-config remote management option

InfraRecorder
» When you need to burn a CD or DVD, this lightweight, full-featured app does the trick

TweakPrograms

AirMouse [link]
» The server to an iPhone app that utilizes the iPhone as a wireless remote multi-touchpad with virtual keyboard. Favorite Feature of iPhone app: program-specific screens and a taskbar/applications-specific screen

Synergy [link]
» If you have multiple computers next to each other (like a desktop and a notebook), this server/client software lets you use one pair of input devices for multiple systems, across Windows/OS X/Linux. It is tricky to configure, but follow the directions and you'll be golden. Favorite Feature: it works in conjunction with AirMouse

KatMouse [link]
» This tiny program adds an OS X/Unix/Linux feature to Windows--it allows you to scroll on what ever window or area the mouse is hovering over. Super duper handy. It removes a lot of unnecessary clicking. I disable the middle-click feature that is on by default.

LogMeIn [link]
» When you need to access remote computers, this is the way to do it. Favorite Feature: iPhone App (it works amazingly well over 3G on a 3G)

CCleaner Slim [link]
» Everything you love about CCleaner, but stripped of the Yahoo toolbar installer when installing. CCleaner removes: temporary files, Internet cache, history, and cookies, empties the recycle bin, and more. Favorite Feature: Tools > Startup to manager programs that auto-start when the computer starts.

FlickrWallpaper Rotator [link]
» Because Flickr has an unlimited amount of amazing photos for wallpapers.
Note: requires .NET 2.0 or later

PowerISO [link]
» Excellent for burning, ripping, and mounting disc images. Favorite Feature: integrates to explorer rightclick menu

WinRAR [link]
» Excellent Compression/Decompression software that integrates well to the explorer rightclick menu. Favorite Feature: rightclick > Extract to [ xxx ]

OS, Media and Backup

OS: SSD or 10k RPM Hard Drive (RAID 0 &/or SATA 6.0Gbps if possible)
» Move the Page File on different partition at middle or end of disk

Media Drive: RAID 0 Array (RAID 5 & SATA 6.0Gbps if possible)
» Vast, fast storage. Fault tolerant if RAID 5

Backup: External HD (eSATA/USB 3.0/FireWire800 if possible)
» Sync Software: Allway Sync [link]
-» This is the best, free Backup and Sync program I've found. It does everything you want it to do, trust me. Favorite Feature: Windows Task Scheduler integration

return of the beard

2010-06-03T10:25:00.000-05:00

Score Cards

2010-05-19T12:14:00.000-05:00

finished

2010-05-19T08:39:00.000-05:00

I love sending files to press...

Disc Golf Course Tee Box Signs

2010-05-18T15:48:00.000-05:00

These are for the Disc Golf Course that I designed and installed on a private ranch. They will be cut out of metal using a plasma torch CNC machine. I'm stoked.

Strange Souvenirs

2010-05-16T13:18:00.000-05:00

I've had this figurine since I was very, very young. It used to sit on my toilet and I believe it may be carved from ivory. It actually lived through our house fire when I was about 5 years old. Soot still remains in the crevices and I like the look. Ah, strange souvenirs...

High Res Crazy Hats! CRAAAZY!!

2010-04-24T12:50:00.000-05:00

(click for full juicyness)

So, this is the first time I've really illustrated a series of objects with a theme. I think I'm getting a pretty consistent look and each one is better than the last. The first few were the Cowboy hat, Hardhat, Pirate, Indian Headdress and Santa which are good, but later on the Cone, Viking, Irish, Tophat, and Pimp hats I think I really nailed the glossy shadowing. Some parts are auto-vectorized like the brim of the Wizard hat, and in others (the Witch hat and the Pimp Hat ) I just used certain parts of the auto-created vectors.

LVPC Business Card

2010-04-23T13:06:00.000-05:00

I've been mulling over this project for a while now and nothing has come to mind that really worked... and then this happened in a few hours.

I'm Hat CRAAAAZY!!!

2010-04-23T13:03:00.000-05:00

These are for a client. I really like the Viking Helm!

New Logos!

2010-04-21T17:36:00.000-05:00

Two By Two

2010-03-03T20:00:00.000-06:00

Photo365

2010-02-21T02:31:00.000-06:00

2/21/10

Not quite a 365 anymore, but... I'm still doing it!

Photo365 - Cute Turtle

2010-02-07T22:54:00.000-06:00

2/7/10

Yay!

Photo365

2010-02-04T18:45:00.000-06:00

2/4/10

It's cold and murky outside. I cheated today.

Photo365 - out my window

2010-02-03T08:41:00.003-06:00

2/3/10

I just couldn't narrow the selection for today down to one photo. I love days like these. Photosuccess.

The window screen offered an interesting aspect to the photos. Using the DSC-P8's macro setting, I focused on the screen for the first three of these shots and it is really interesting to see how the light "sticks," or bends, the darkness of tree branches around the screen wires. What a neat effect...

I also like how the photos look somewhat grayscale, or black and white, due to today's dreary weather.

Shot at -1.0ev, no post editing.

Rickinator

Photo365 - Starting again

2010-02-02T21:43:00.002-06:00

2/2/10

Awesome candle holder that sprouts metal branches and leaves at JenJo & Kev-O's. Sony DSC-P8 for the win.

Photo365 - Playing Catchup pt. 5

2010-02-02T12:52:00.000-06:00

This is a hole drilled through limestone in the bed of the Blanco River when people were still blasting the rock out for whatever reason. Notice the reflection of the water underneath!

Photo365 - Playing Catchup pt. 4

2010-02-02T12:49:00.001-06:00

Photo365 - Playing Catchup pt. 3

2010-02-02T12:48:00.001-06:00

Photo365 - Playing Catchup pt. 2

2010-02-02T12:47:00.001-06:00

Photo365 - Playing Catchup

2010-02-02T12:45:00.001-06:00

The rest of January...

So, I haven't had an internet connection where I lived until now, and I've been quite busy with the new job and moving and all... The Photo365 project has been stunted and I'm playing catchup with these next few posts. Some of these were taken on the same day. Anyways, I have still been shooting, just not as regular as I would like to. Let's hope that changes...

Enjoy the next few catchup posts!

Photo365 - a chilling night

2010-01-09T01:45:00.000-06:00

1/9/10

17°F + Sprinklers = Impromptu photoshoot at 1:30am.

I saw this in passing as I was driving home and took the time to bust a U-ie and play in the frozen parking lot. There was so much more to shoot, but so many reasons to move on. I am just thankful that one of my many rushed photos was this awesome.

Over and out,
Ricktastic

Photo365

2010-01-08T00:09:00.000-06:00

1/8/10

Midnight update, whaaaat?! I was too excited not to...

Sour Apple Dish Soap, Shaken, not stirred.

Canon Elph SD1000 does delicious macros.

~Rickapalooza

Photo365

2010-01-07T11:50:00.000-06:00

1/7/10

Before noon, even.

So, as much as I love my Sony DSC-P8, it is cantankerous and frustrating. Its Zeiss lens is magical if you know how to get the genie out of the bottle, but it requires a bit of coaxing. I'm borrowing my cousin's Canon Powershot Elph SD1000 and decided I need to learn the camera. I spent this morning fiddling with the manual settings and really love the camera's responsiveness, though I'm not sure what I think about the feel of the photos yet.

My heart is a bit lop-sided.

Photo365 Update

2010-01-06T21:43:00.000-06:00

1/6/10

I can't take credit for the artwork, but soon it will be painted over by a coat of white nothingness and I thought the world should see the beauty of Caleta X. Adams' genius. I really like the colors she picked, and how conceptual they are. My one comment is that the blue and the pink should be swapped and then it would be perfect. She says the colors were an accident, so I think her subconscious was paying attention.

I pretty much slacked on this one. It is cold out. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

R-Steady

Photo365 Update

2010-01-06T20:44:00.000-06:00

1/4/10

1/5/10

I was particularly busy, though that should not be a reason to stop shooting. I'm going to start packing a respectable digicam as these iPhone shots are not doing it for me. I'll admit, these are kinda weak, but I am keeping up with my project! I may not post them on-the-daily, but I am shooting.

Stay trigger-happy,
Rick 'n Roll

Photo365, a new beginning

2010-01-03T21:47:00.000-06:00

Welcome to 2010

1/1

1/2

1/3

So, I am going to start a project much like my "Design a Day" endeavour that I did not keep up with. This year, I am going to start "A Photo a Day, 365 a Year" to keep active as a photographer, to force myself to keep the creative mojo movin', and to brighten each day by doing something positive and entertaining. I am kind of cheating on this first post, being as it is the 3rd already, but I actually did shoot on the first and second; however, those shots were on film (GASP!) and I can't really post those being as they require development, time, etc. So, I am filling the first two days with unpublished works. I did take the photo for today, today, so we're off to a good start.

My downstairs neighbor gave me a Canon AE-1 that I have been slowly using. Film is a precious thing to me. It is material, costly, and un-do-able, so I am really making the most of each and every exposure. I've never shot on an SLR before... having complete manual control over all aspects of taking a photo takes much more time and thought than adjusting the EV, Metering Mode, and the other simple settings of my DSC-P8 that I have mastered in the six-and-a-half, yes, 6 1/2 years, I've been using it. I've taken over 17,000 photos with it and I adore the results of the Carl Zeiss lens it when it works (its a bit on the fritz).

Today's photo was really fun. I shot through the viewfinder of the Canon AE-1 using my DSC-P8 to capture this image. +2.0 EV @ 100 ISO. No post-work, all in-camera.

Watchout, you're going to get 362 more of these... Doin' it on the daily...

Stay snappy!

Al's Beastly Computational Device

2009-11-20T12:42:00.000-06:00

I just completed building, setting up, and deploying my frist computer for a client. I really enjoyed the project and wanted to make it a bit more special, so I decided to make a PDF companion for the beast. Hooray for layout design and line art!

www.rickey-white.com/files/al.pdf

My New Business Cards

2009-10-26T14:08:00.000-05:00

Here is the idea for my new business card. I haven't finalized it yet, but I like where it is at. I may change the font of the contact info because I'm thinking it may be a bit too compact and small. Feedback is appreciated. Enjoy!

Usually Impossible Chalk Stop Motion/Timelapse

2009-10-20T22:24:00.000-05:00

I just threw these together in After Effects! Whoop Whoop!

Blanco Riverside Bar Website - update

2009-10-15T16:02:00.000-05:00

Updated with a darker look and some flourishes.

Blanco Riverside Bar website - v2.0

2009-10-15T12:33:00.000-05:00

The client liked my first logo that has a more upperclass, clean and elegant look, so I mocked up a website that reflected that look. I have lots of photos to take saturday!

Note: The headder photo is not mine and will not be used in the final project. It is merely a placeholder. Source: http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/texas/images/blancoriverprojectlynnmcbride1a.jpg

Blanco Riverside Bar - Website Mockup

2009-10-12T15:46:00.000-05:00

After watching instructional videos on Adobe TV, I was inspired to try Dreamweaver again. Here is a REALLY rough photoshop mockup of the Blanco Riverside Bar's website. I need to take and/or find a lot of photos for the headder. Dreamweaver CS4 may change my mind about web design. Its all about seamless Adobe programs making a beautiful workflow. Stay tuned!

Black Ribbon 8.8.09

2009-10-07T11:38:00.001-05:00

Black Ribbon 6.20.09

2009-10-07T11:38:00.000-05:00

Putting up some old Black Ribbon event posters... I really liked this one.

Cameron Russell - Lomographer

2009-10-07T11:19:00.000-05:00

The final front & back of his business card.
flickr.com/camkage

Black Ribbon - 10.17.09

2009-10-06T16:58:00.000-05:00

Ah ha! Another Black Ribbon poster. Original file: 436mb. A layer-patchwork of textures. Enjoy!

Tokken Inc Logo - Halloween Version

2009-10-06T13:22:00.000-05:00

[post] A Halloween version of my Tokken Inc logo that I did for a zombie film. I'm probably going to do a zombie version too, but I had this idea and wanted to roll with it. Here is the original logo

2009-09-11T15:47:00.000-05:00

I thought of this little 5 minute design today while sketching commas.

Rastafarian Version?

2009-06-02T02:54:00.000-05:00

Cameron Russell
Lomographer
flickr.com/photos/camkage

Cameron's Business Card - side 1

2009-06-01T15:06:00.000-05:00

I can't decide.

for http://www.flickr.com/photos/camkage/

Black Ribbon - 06-06-09 Austin Street Live

2009-05-20T12:21:00.000-05:00

Desert Rose Full Bloom

2009-05-17T15:14:00.000-05:00

Desert Rose

2009-05-16T19:37:00.000-05:00

5.16.09 - Black Ribbon

2009-05-10T04:13:00.000-05:00

4.25.09 - Black Ribbon

2009-05-10T04:12:00.000-05:00

4.9.09 - Black Ribbon

2009-05-10T04:11:00.000-05:00

About time I get these up here...

2009-05-10T04:02:00.000-05:00

Get on this! - Lala.com

2009-04-22T09:05:00.000-05:00

Logo: SketchyQuestions

2009-04-22T01:51:00.000-05:00

That is a LOT of ink!

2009-02-24T16:01:00.000-06:00

That is a LOT of ink!

Black Ribbon CD Debut Show

2009-02-23T16:31:00.000-06:00

Black Ribbon - This is Goodbye

2009-02-17T06:54:00.000-06:00

Randomly Awesome

2009-01-17T16:35:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the tea-stained monster dialogues.

2009-01-04T08:56:00.000-06:00

I just started using Picasa to upload to my blog and damn-diggity if it didn't just make my life so much easier. Enjoy this new poster for Jesse's live show. Be there or be square.

The New Tubes

2009-01-04T08:46:00.000-06:00

New Poster!

2008-11-30T01:04:00.000-06:00

day0016

2008-10-23T18:36:00.000-05:00

a'la The Son of Man, By Rene Magritte x Apple Inc.

day0015

2008-08-31T10:29:00.000-05:00

I like fishes!

day0014

2008-08-29T14:50:00.001-05:00

more phun@work

day0013

2008-08-28T10:53:00.000-05:00

Mmmm, a tasty carrot! Fun at work.

day0012

2008-08-26T13:09:00.000-05:00

doodles.

day0011 - breath taking & incomplete

2008-08-02T23:24:00.000-05:00

Some times you lay eyes on a person and your heart beats until it feels like your chest is going to rip open. A cold shiver starts at your knees and runs up your legs, through your torso, and shakes itself off at your fingertips. It feels like a swirling mass of sugary clouds is running around your head and you forget everything else in life in this one brief moment.

I stumbled across this photograph ( via lastnightsparty.com ) and was breath taken.

Inspiration is a valuable element to an artist.

I'm probably 20% complete, but decided to post anyways. Each surface will have 3-5 tint layers plus an ink outline. This is going to take quite a while, but I'm quite inspired by her.

day0010x2 - too cute

2008-08-01T22:45:00.000-05:00

day0010

2008-08-01T21:31:00.000-05:00

Stay designerly, my friends.

day0009 -- you've got to spend some time, love

2008-07-29T01:09:00.000-05:00

Death Cab for Cutie has inspired me. Good for them, good for me, and good for you! Enjoy, my viewers. Stay thirsty for design.

day0008 -- Splashy!

2008-07-27T09:40:00.000-05:00

Those of you who have been to my apartment (two of the three people that read this blog) know this guy is not new. Admittedly so, he is not; however I was walking to the kitchen this fine morn and stopped in appreciation of his cuteness.

He was very impromptu and an afterthought of a different project. Please do not mention that to him due to his sensitivity. He may cry and that is not excellent. His substrate will get all mushy.

I need to experiment more with less digital art.

day 0007 -- meh

2008-07-27T01:14:00.000-05:00

There was no post yesterday because I spent half the day troubleshooting my desktop's hard disk issue. (note to self: read the damn motherboard manual) I had to format and reinstall, but at least she is running like a race horse hopped up on some good speed.

After reinstalling, I realized how badly I need a font management program. I am trying out Suitcase and FontAgent Pro right now. I really like FontAgent Pro and will probably purchase it (only $99!!!) when my trial expires. Suitcase is less intuitive and hides your fonts deep in C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\Application Data\Extensis\Suitcase\Suitcase Font Database.suitcasevault\primary\PostScript which I really hate. Also, there is no option to change this directory. FontAgent places them in C:\FAP which pleases my data organization obessive compulsiveness. I forgot if FontAgent lets you change this directory, but its not so huge an issue. Anyways...

This is nowhere near complete, but I wanted to get something up today. It took a long time to render a version of the skull I was happy with, and now I need to add more depth and texture. The Zappers need a bit more work too. Looking at it now, I think the skull/gun proportions are way off.

If anyone has suggestions that could help the skull look more cartoony, I'd be much obliged.

day0005 #2 --Competitive Beer Pong

2008-07-25T00:12:00.001-05:00

My, my, aren't you the lucky duckings today? You get two posts! Take that to the bank and slamdunk it in a savings account with 7% annual interest.

Screw that! Lets get drunk and play beer pong.

The colors clash and vibrate like mad. I know it reduces readability, so I'm experimenting with other combinations.

day0005 --1,024 levels of sensitivity

2008-07-24T19:45:00.000-05:00

Today I've been working that creative muscle. I haven't really illustrated like this before (Wacom+Photoshop) and I think some freelance gigs are going to require this method. This is taken from a BBQ sauce label I have in production. I plan to replace the bandanna with a bib as that is more fitting. I may re-illustrate the spitting devil to give a more cartoony feel.

Go, go llama powers, ACTIVATE!!

day0004 -- still busy

2008-07-23T23:12:00.000-05:00

I pulled this from a project I'm working on currently.

Hopefully soon I can make my crossed NES Zappers with a mario skull that I wanted to post today.

day0003 -- super busy

2008-07-23T00:12:00.000-05:00

So, its technically not on the third day, as it is 12:14am, but I've been super busy. I came up with some ideas today you may see soon.

While waiting for my interview with Apple, this fell out of my head.

Fun? at the mall

2008-07-21T19:13:00.001-05:00

will i ever learn...

a design a day keeps the duldrums away

2008-07-20T11:14:00.000-05:00

In an effort to kick start my brain, I'm starting a new project. Every day I will draw, composite, illustrate, vectorize, photograph, or design something and post it here. It could be something extravagant, beautiful, or mundane. It may be nothing more than a scan of a pen mark on my fore arm. Who knows. I am not confining myself to one medium or style.

Maybe I'll find a style. Who knows. This is an experiment, so grab your aprons and safety goggles. Here we go.

I haven't drawn the human form in over a year. I referenced no images or people and just went by what I remember. The proportion is probably way off, but I think it turned out OK. I was considering adding lyrics I wrote, but they did not fit the mood I believe the imagery conveys.

Stay tuned kids, there will be another coming tomorrow.

i would like to thank the people what make the hotdogs

2008-06-26T20:00:00.000-05:00

www.Rickey-White.com -- Where my middle name is Dash!

DUH! Water Power - why now?

2008-05-05T01:04:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the future - now why the hell did it take this long to get here?

I only wonder why in the HELL this has not been applied before. I learned about electrolysis in high school, and it must have been taught for SO LONG, why is it just now making news? I suppose the process has not been efficient enough to produce a significant amount of energy.

When the concept was being taught to me, i asked what the byproduct was of burning hydrogen - and the answer was water... and i thought to myself, "this is amazing! the byproduct is the fuel!" -- why it didn't click enough to do something with the concept, i'll never know.

petrol companies, beware...

Big and Dumb! starting the list

2008-04-11T21:37:00.000-05:00

Donnie and Marie Osman

The Oxyclean Guy

Febreeze

Kindergarten Cop

Kodak EasyShare

Animations in commercials that over-simplify something: i.e. Scrubbing Bubbles.

...

The New War

2008-04-11T18:48:00.000-05:00

this guy says it pretty well:
by Gary Morgenthaler
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/apr2008/tc20080410_206881.htm

"The 20-year death grip that Microsoft has held on the core of computing is finally weakening—pried loose with just two fingers. With one finger you press "Control" and with the other you press "right arrow." Instantly you switch from a Macintosh operating system (OS) to a Microsoft Windows OS. Then, with another two-finger press, you switch back again. So as you edit family pictures, you might use Mac's iPhoto. And when you want to access your corporate e-mail, you can switch back instantly to Microsoft Exchange.

"It all started with Mac OS X, the multi-core, multi-processor platform officially released in 2001. Based on "Mach," a university UNIX research prototype, Mac OS X represented a clean break with the computer industry's uniprocessor past. The modular new OS allowed Apple to condense its core task management function into a tiny computing kernel.

That kernel has proved easily adaptable across the entire Apple product line, from highly complex servers all the way down to the relatively simple iPod Touch. Such modularity allows Apple to add whatever functions are necessary for each product environment—all while maintaining cross-product compatibility.

By contrast, Microsoft has held on to an OS tethered to the 1980s, piling additions upon additions with each upgrade to Windows. With last year's arrival of Vista, Windows has swollen to 1 billion bytes (a gigabyte) or more of software code. The "Mach" kernel of the Mac OS X, however, requires less than 1 million bytes (a megabyte) of data in its smallest configuration, expanding modestly with the sophistication of the application.

This bloating has saddled Vista users with increased costs and poor performance on average computers. Bloating has also led Microsoft to fragment its OS product line: one OS for the server, desktop, and laptop; one for cell phones and Zune music players; and a separate OS for its Xbox gaming console. Finally, through sheer complexity, bloating makes every subsequent "enhancement" of Windows buggier than the last."

and this from Stephen H. Wildstrom
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_05/b4069000450184.htm

"One of the problems is that Vista changed the way many familiar things are done, often for no discernible reason.

Whenever a program stops working, which is distressingly often, Vista announces that it's searching for a solution to your problem, then informs you that it couldn't find one.

[...] the endlessly annoying windows that pop up and request permission to execute whatever function you have just told the computer to do. This feature, called User Account Control (UAC), should have been a godsend—it's designed to stop malicious software from installing things or making system changes without your permission. Instead, it's an out-of-control nag. For instance, Vista has a built-in anti-spyware program called Windows Defender that routinely checks for updates. But instead of just performing the check on schedule, Vista comes back and asks permission to give Defender access to the network. Many users get so fed up they disable UAC, which defeats the purpose."

Everyone, welcome Linux to the war. Its not fighting, though. Rather, its playing the innocent bystander with free candy (read: crack).

this is a rant.

2008-04-10T20:19:00.000-05:00

"Big and Dumb"

Goddamnit!

I am working on a dated HP desktop that has been sitting in my house, broken for about a year. I have never really studied the design much, I always thought of it as a pretty shyte computer in general... mostly, because it's an HP... and my impression it left me with was that it was: big and dumb.

But I took a second look today, and read a little more into it. It does look big and dumb, with its bulbous... plastic... uh... design face plate thing. But, it does look stylish! Stylish, yet still so large and puffy that it is comforting enough to make me think computers aren't scary machines that I don't understand. The monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers all reflect these same qualities which come together to form something I hate.

This things has always been slow. It looked slow. It played shitty games slowly. It had a lot of shitty pre-loaded crapware, which is nothing more than an advertising and marketing ploy mastermined by Micorosoft! It slowed it down to a shitbox crawl. Needless to say, the shitbox eventually crashed into a shitwall and there was a shit-splosion! It was blue and white and grand.

There is a percentage of the population that would preform the "Recovery Mode" returning it back to the way it was when they bought it, losing all of their data, and regaining all of the crapware. Another percentage would take the computer to a service shop, or call a friend. The consumers I think about when I see this bulbously grand HP package of computer and marketing programs are the ones who would rather just go buy another one, which is certainly better all around since it is a few years newer. Hell, they're disposable anyways, right?

No!

I formatted and installed XP and was amazed how much better it ran. It was still no gaming computer by any means, but surfing, loading photos from a camera, ripping and burning music, it was just fine. If it were less of a marketing package, and more like a personal computer (a la, Apple?) It would have kicked ass!

As I understand it, Microsoft owns half of Apple. Microsoft also dominates the market. Micorsoft's products are generally cheaper with a wider customer base, and Apple's are more expensive with a more focused market. Its a win-win for consumerism, yay!

Why is Microsoft so large, though? Yes, one could say they are mainly business oriented, but their operating systems hold the vast majority of the marketshare. This allows them a very excellent position when a Computer Assembler (Dell, HP, Compaq, EMachines, etc.) is producing their package and wants to integrate the two products. and add additional services. and trialware. and tons of other shit most people will never use and ignore.

Yet, there are those who are sucked into the big and dumb thing. Big. Easy. Simple. Short, BIG WORDS. Primary Colors! Ugh.

The default XP theme is blue and green. All previous versions were grey. They knew what they were doing. XP is an excellent OS... now, what they were thinking with vista is yet to be determined. Maybe its easier to integrate shitware? I donno...

But the whole big and dumb thing comes back to fast food companies, whom everyday produce a shit-ton of pure waste that is not recycled. The idea of a throw-away, disposable society. Glutens.
And then I thought, hey! This machine would run the newest Ubuntu pretty nicely! Probably compiz/beryl and all that too. Vista? ha!

I like this "green" movement. Hopefully we can save ourselves from ourselves.

Numbers are Beautiful

2008-03-22T11:22:00.000-05:00

the art of numbers is beautiful. this video is a like a 5 stage rocket going to the depth of your cerebral cortex. most amazing thing i've seen since donald duck's trip to number land on LSD. awesome visualized mathematics

This one's for you, Natalie.

fullomonkeys affiliation

2008-03-11T20:22:00.000-05:00

this is just a notice to say that i am officially affiliated with Head Full-O-Monkeys @ fullomonkeys.blogspot.com

really, this is a post because i haven't figured out how to make a link to that blog any other way...

2008 SXSW i/F Trade Show

2008-03-11T11:44:00.000-05:00

What the high school job faire should have been.

Lower level: open to the public – massive HP gaming setup with 20+ blackbirds, laser etching booth!, made many contacts with Seagate employee, laser etching people, etc.

Upper lever: iF show – marketing, media, products, new ideas, etc.