Chris Mannix: Clippers’ inconsistency has both players, execs baffled
March 4th, 2010 — Sports News
There are times when you watch the Clippers play and think, Huh, maybe they have something here.
Bruce Jenkins: American tennis may need a miracle — but miracles happen
March 3rd, 2010 — Sports News
For a sport founded on upper-class convention, replete with 19th-century Londoners leaping across pristine lawns in long white pants, tennis has been molded by rogues, eccentrics and non-conformists. Its history would be as stodgy as four o'clock tea without its relentless plunges into the improbable. If you see a bleak immediate future for American tennis, I'd suggest a measure of patience. The next miracle cannot be too far away.
Michael Rosenberg: M.J. returns to NBA spotlight, but his motive is questionable
March 2nd, 2010 — Sports News
"I'd like to see some of those organization guys step out there and play." -- Michael Jordan, in his last season as a Chicago Bull.
Don Banks: Running back depth, Tebow’s numbers
March 1st, 2010 — Sports News
INDIANAPOLIS -- Musings, observations and the occasional insight as we wrap up our stay at the still-unfolding NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. ...
Phil Taylor: Record night proves to be snapshot of Ohno’s entire career
February 28th, 2010 — Sports News
VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- If this was the last night of his Olympic career, let the record show that Anton Apolo Ohno's finale was in keeping with his career -- with his life, really. It was a little bit messy, a little bit controversial, ultimately successful and above all, one hell of an entertaining ride.
Richard Deitsch: Daily Olympic Briefing, Feb. 27
February 27th, 2010 — Sports News
VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- The flame will soon extinguish on America's greatest Winter Games, but not without one full day remaining for potential bounty. By qualifying for today's gold medal final in the men's long track speedskating team pursuit and by earning a spot in Sunday's gold medal hockey game against Canada, Team USA will have a minimum 36 medals won in Vancouver, equaling the record for most medals won by a nation in a single Olympic Winter Games. Germany won 36 medals at the Salt Lake Games in 2002.
Ke$ha’s ass. I think.
February 26th, 2010 — Entertainment, Ke$ha, Photos, So Freaking Hot
I honestly haven't paid much attention to Ke$ha because up until now I thought she was just Lady GaGa after a shower. But here she is in London last night flashing what might be her ass. Don't quote me... ...read full story
Michael Farber: USA keeps rolling, advances to semifinals
February 25th, 2010 — Sports News
VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- The best American forward was finally the best Team USA forward.
How to Accept a Marriage Proposal
February 24th, 2010 — Entertainment, Photos, So Freaking Hot, awesome, engagement, hilary duff, mike comrie
Tips on Site Navigation for Mom
February 23rd, 2010 — Net News
My mom recently discovered the joys of Facebook games. Specifically, Farmville. It’s what she uses her Macbook (which has better specs than mine) for. Once in a rare while, however, she’ll decide she wants to do some web browsing. And that’s when she calls me.
Mom: I’m at this website… and I don’t know what to do next!
Me: What links can you click on?
Mom: Links? How do I search?
Me: Is there a search box? A search button?
Mom: Um, no… oh, wait… not here… or there…
Me: Try scrolling down? Look in the upper right area?
Mom: Okay. Oh! There it is! I found it! Thank you. Why are you so good with computers?
This scenario is more common than you think. Sometimes I feel like my mother is almost oblivious to most site navigation designs- like she just doesn’t see them.
If my mom falls at all into your target audience (and she loves online shopping), here are some tips for site navigation design that might make everyone’s lives easier (especially mine):
Make Buttons Look Like Buttons
They don’t have to be all 90’s-style over-beveled buttons, but they should look like buttons. Thin borders are good, “tab” styles are good, and if they change- even slightly in color- on mouseover, even better.
Be Clear
Mom loves buttons that say “Click Here!” Of course, they aren’t recommended. What you should do is be as clear as possible that if you click here, you will be brought here. The w3 explains this well, and basically you want to:
- Provide information when read out of context.
- Explain what the link offers.
- Don’t talk about mechanics.
- Don’t use verb phrases (e.g. “Tell me more”)
Make Search Prominent
When faced with a confusing-looking site, the first thing Mom does is look for the search box- so make it obvious. On the same subject, make your search results easy to understand as well. I wrote more about search about a year ago.
Don’t Hide Things
I love Google, but the way they hide their top navigation bar unless you mouseover it is not cool with Mom- she doesn’t browse like I do, with one hand on the mouse, moving the cursor around constantly. She sits back and says, “What now?” So, if Mom is your target audience, go easy on the hiding.
How do you simplify your site navigation style?