Technology

Article — 20 January 2016 — 1,074 words

Why hamburger menus can be good for you as part of a healthy balanced diet

There is an interesting debate in the design community right now about the hamburger menu. Given two extremes of opinion, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

Article — 8 October 2015 — 666 words

Waterstones’ decision to stop selling the Kindle says more about shops than e-readers

Digital — Technology

Waterstones say their sales of Kindles are pitiful. But why did they ever expect to sell lots of them in the first place?

Article — 24 September 2015 — 910 words

Web design should be boring

Digital — User experience — Web

The web is a less creative place than it was 20 years ago. Good.

Article — 1 June 2015 — 561 words

Moving on

Personal — Web

Work: University of St Andrews

Today I have started a new job. After over five years, I have left the University of St Andrews. I am now the web manager at SRUC in Edinburgh.

Article — 14 March 2015 — 762 words

Improve the user experience of Formula 1 live timing with this one small tweak

Digital — User experience — Web

The new Formula1.com has brought great new live timing functionality. But the user experience could be improved. Find out how you can improve it yourself in time for the Australian Grand Prix.

Article — 10 March 2015 — 1,935 words

Hands on with the Moto 360 Android smartwatch

Technology

I was surprised by the ways the Moto 360 disappointed me. But I am still glad I bought this smartwatch. Will others be so forgiving?

Article — 25 February 2015 — 1,606 words

When the disrupters are disrupted: What is the future for digital professionals?

Business — Digital — Web

Digital transformation results in the eventual destruction of digital teams. So what will that mean for those of us who work in digital?

Article — 19 February 2015 — 1,351 words

Is the Register right about Gov.uk and the Government Digital Service?

Digital — User experience — Web

Gov.uk is the darling of the digital profession. But now it has been described as the most hated website of all time. So what’s going on?

Article — 12 February 2015 — 620 words

Strategies for dealing with creative block

Business — Digital — User experience

It’s a puzzle that has haunted writers, artists and other creatives since the caveman first applied ink to a wall. Blockbox is one brilliant way to tackle difficult creative problems.

Article — 10 December 2014 — 394 words

PNG versus SVG

Technology — Web

For years the debate has raged on. Which image file format is better: PNG or SVG? The Commonwealth Games gave us the chance to find out.

Article — 13 November 2014 — 780 words

Am I alone in thinking email doesn’t need to be fixed?

User experience — Web

Inbox is Google’s latest attempt to rethink email. But why make the world’s most popular communication platform more complicated?

Article — 10 November 2014 — 809 words

The annual redesign

Personal — Web

Every year, at around this time of year, I get an urge to scratch that itch. I have to redesign my website. This year the visuals are jazzier. But the code behind the scenes is making me cringe.