Designers Who Blog

Netdiver pointed me to a Blog called Designers Who Blog whose title pretty much sums up it's focus - every day or two a profile goes up of a Designer's blog. I like the focussed approach they have taken. Rather than a ton of small posts there are a smaller number accompanied by a screenshot and a two to four paragraph synopsis of the site. This is definitely a case of quality over quantity. I wonder if, as blogging matures, we will see more varied approaches taken with regard to the tactics of posting. Which is better, many smaller posts or long, well thought out and researched ones which can be savoured rather than devoured. My guess is that both approaches have their merit and the differentiating factor will be execution.

Guerrilla Gardening

Guerrilla Gardening is apparantly a movement involving people sneaking out in the middle of the night and planting gardens. The website is mainly London focussed. Their interpretation of guerrilla is more in line with, say, Guerrilla Marketing rather than in the Che Guavara sense.

From the site: "Neglected in front of Charles Allen house was a low wall, filled with weeds, beer cans and a pool of vomit. In what is otherwise a fine street, this was a blight and an irresistable challenge....We filled it with cordyline and red cyclamen, only briefly pausing for questions from two passing police."

via Treehugger

Web Design Times

The Web Design Times is a web design centered blog / news site with an old-school print newspaper look and feel. I like the concept behind it and after reading a few of the articles they link to I also like their content choices.

The Power Law Curve, Homelessness and how it applies to other problems

Fascinating article in The New Yorker by Malcolm Gladwell on how the statistical theory of The Power Law Curve and how it applies to homelessness, pollution and crime amongst other things. Gladwell brings a broad perspective to his subject matter and manages to relate some quite complex theories to easily understandable situations. You can also read several years of his archived articles here.

On the Subject of Games

On the subject of games we recently got the Da Vinci Code Board Game which is a great little game for 2-4 players. I like the fact that it only takes around 10-15 minutes to play so it's ideal for those times when you feel like a game but don't want to commit to a marathon monopoly session. The game has pretty much nothing to do with the book ( which could be a good thing depending on your point of view ) but is based on cracking your opponents code. It's one of those games that at first seems easy to play yet as you get more experienced you see the complex strategies that can be employed.

If you don't want to get this game then try these very tricky Sudokus over at Minimum Sudoku.

Deflexion Laser Strategy Game

Deflexion is a cool strategy board game which utilises lasers to take out your opponents pieces. Unfortunately for you sci fi fans out there the laser doesn't actually destroy the pieces but it's a very good concept regardless.