Comments for Merge - Web Agency and Entrepreneurial Blog http://mergeweb.com/blog High-Performance Web Sites Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:56:27 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 Comment on 12 Best Blogging Practices by Spike Jones http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mergeweb-comments/~3/YqAY1Nkhrks/ Spike Jones Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:56:27 +0000 http://mergeweb.com/blog/?p=632#comment-546 Thanks for the shout out, Erin. I think it's really important that we have multiple bloggers here at Brains on Fire. You're right on point. Nice post! Thanks for the shout out, Erin. I think it’s really important that we have multiple bloggers here at Brains on Fire. You’re right on point. Nice post!

]]> http://mergeweb.com/blog/2009/06/15/12-best-blogging-practices/comment-page-1/#comment-546 Comment on Making Time to Think and My Precious White Board(s) by Adam Landrum http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mergeweb-comments/~3/thPMTJAq2-U/ Adam Landrum Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:50:28 +0000 http://mergeweb.com/blog/?p=679#comment-545 Promethean boards are actually my dream white boards. We could have one dedicated white board for the promethean board, but obviously it wouldn't work for all 20. At $5k a pop, it's a little bit of an investment, but a goal to acquire one in the next 18 months. Great suggestion! Promethean boards are actually my dream white boards. We could have one dedicated white board for the promethean board, but obviously it wouldn’t work for all 20. At $5k a pop, it’s a little bit of an investment, but a goal to acquire one in the next 18 months. Great suggestion!

]]> http://mergeweb.com/blog/2009/06/26/making-time-to-think-and-my-precious-white-boards/comment-page-1/#comment-545 Comment on Making Time to Think and My Precious White Board(s) by Vicki http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mergeweb-comments/~3/qtz-2OElPdc/ Vicki Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:47:26 +0000 http://mergeweb.com/blog/?p=679#comment-544 Why not use Promethean boards? :) Why not use Promethean boards? :)

]]> http://mergeweb.com/blog/2009/06/26/making-time-to-think-and-my-precious-white-boards/comment-page-1/#comment-544 Comment on Making Time to Think and My Precious White Board(s) by Rob Williams http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mergeweb-comments/~3/Wem2hftCPRQ/ Rob Williams Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:44:18 +0000 http://mergeweb.com/blog/?p=679#comment-535 White boards rock! Some of my favorite brainstorming and group-think is when we "whiteboard". When we're done, take a photo of it as a "backup", then transcribe what you need onto paper or computer. Question: if and when you take the content from a white board session, assuming the content isn't just words, how do you capture it electronically? Mindmap? Flowchart? Etc... White boards rock! Some of my favorite brainstorming and group-think is when we “whiteboard”. When we’re done, take a photo of it as a “backup”, then transcribe what you need onto paper or computer.

Question: if and when you take the content from a white board session, assuming the content isn’t just words, how do you capture it electronically? Mindmap? Flowchart? Etc…

]]> http://mergeweb.com/blog/2009/06/26/making-time-to-think-and-my-precious-white-boards/comment-page-1/#comment-535 Comment on The Stand-Up Desk Experiment by Molly http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mergeweb-comments/~3/nBZEpY-d2Eo/ Molly Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:41:11 +0000 http://mergeweb.com/blog/2008/05/14/the-stand-up-desk-experiment/#comment-534 Adam, I too got fed up with sitting on my butt all day (don't have the luxury of a half day of meetings to break up my monotony) in an uncomfortable chair. I tried my experiment by using modified cardboard boxes that I propped my monitor and keyboard on. My desk was still at normal height so I did spend some time sitting down since I did not have much of an elevated work surface other than when using my computer. This got to be an unsightly annoyance, and I ended up getting rid of the ugly boxes and going back to sitting (I now use an excercise ball which I love because you literally cannot slouch comfortably and have to use your muscles for balance). I am missing the energy I had when standing so I'm preparing some risers to elevate my entire desk using wood blocks (a bit of a challenge since it's L-shaped and does not have actual legs like yours). One thing I want to point out to anyone considering this, if you are not prepared for a solid two weeks of sore feet, you may want to stick with sitting. I found that no amount of special insoles, or padded mat eliminated my sore feet. BUT.. this did reside after that two week adjustment period and was totally worth it. I recommend just going into it prepared that your body will have to adjust after spending who knows how long sitting on your rear. The minor negative effects of standing vs. the serious negative effects of sitting for hours makes it a no brainer. It's a good idea to have an option to be able to sit when you need to as well. One thing I do want to point out is that you need to make sure the desk is properly aligned for your height. If you do not have your elbows bent at the proper degree, or if you are having to look down to see your screen, you may want to adjust. Your hands should be about 2-3 inches lower than your elbows when typing or writing, and your chin should be as close to 90 degrees from your spine as possible for proper posture and circulation. Too high or too low could cause problems. Good luck to anyone who's looking to try this option for improved health and productivity. I highly recommend it. Adam, I too got fed up with sitting on my butt all day (don’t have the luxury of a half day of meetings to break up my monotony) in an uncomfortable chair. I tried my experiment by using modified cardboard boxes that I propped my monitor and keyboard on. My desk was still at normal height so I did spend some time sitting down since I did not have much of an elevated work surface other than when using my computer. This got to be an unsightly annoyance, and I ended up getting rid of the ugly boxes and going back to sitting (I now use an excercise ball which I love because you literally cannot slouch comfortably and have to use your muscles for balance). I am missing the energy I had when standing so I’m preparing some risers to elevate my entire desk using wood blocks (a bit of a challenge since it’s L-shaped and does not have actual legs like yours). One thing I want to point out to anyone considering this, if you are not prepared for a solid two weeks of sore feet, you may want to stick with sitting. I found that no amount of special insoles, or padded mat eliminated my sore feet. BUT.. this did reside after that two week adjustment period and was totally worth it. I recommend just going into it prepared that your body will have to adjust after spending who knows how long sitting on your rear. The minor negative effects of standing vs. the serious negative effects of sitting for hours makes it a no brainer. It’s a good idea to have an option to be able to sit when you need to as well. One thing I do want to point out is that you need to make sure the desk is properly aligned for your height. If you do not have your elbows bent at the proper degree, or if you are having to look down to see your screen, you may want to adjust. Your hands should be about 2-3 inches lower than your elbows when typing or writing, and your chin should be as close to 90 degrees from your spine as possible for proper posture and circulation. Too high or too low could cause problems. Good luck to anyone who’s looking to try this option for improved health and productivity. I highly recommend it.

]]> http://mergeweb.com/blog/2008/05/14/the-stand-up-desk-experiment/comment-page-1/#comment-534 Comment on The Stand-Up Desk Experiment by Glenne http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mergeweb-comments/~3/tamxqxNBZU0/ Glenne Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:36:16 +0000 http://mergeweb.com/blog/2008/05/14/the-stand-up-desk-experiment/#comment-525 I have a bad back (herniated disc) and it's got worse from a LOT of sitting at the computer I did last winter. So a couple of months ago I decided to try standing up with the laptop on a high side board. It was too low but as an initial trial, it was great. I have NO back pain whilst I stand at the computer now but as soon as I sit, it comes back. My solution is this: I bought a cheap small dining table from Ikea (€39) to write etc. on. Next to that I have a set of Billy shelves 106 cm high (€29) and on top of that I place my laptop. It's a bit narrow as I discovered when I set it up, however, you can just get a larger piece of board to cover the top and presto, you have a stand up desk at very little cost. Underneath you have shelving for your stuff. I use a cordless telephone. I have a set of high draws next to it and when I HAVE to sit, I alternate between the adjustable chair and a piltes ball. My only issue at this point is sore feet after a while so I'm looking at using softer, spongier type shoes to see if this helps. Ideal height I would assume is like sitting typing - your arms must be at a 90 degree angle at elbow with wrists dropped down.I HIGHLY recommend standing up at the pc especially if you're a back pain sufferer. Glenne I have a bad back (herniated disc) and it’s got worse from a LOT of sitting at the computer I did last winter. So a couple of months ago I decided to try standing up with the laptop on a high side board. It was too low but as an initial trial, it was great. I have NO back pain whilst I stand at the computer now but as soon as I sit, it comes back. My solution is this: I bought a cheap small dining table from Ikea (€39) to write etc. on. Next to that I have a set of Billy shelves 106 cm high (€29) and on top of that I place my laptop. It’s a bit narrow as I discovered when I set it up, however, you can just get a larger piece of board to cover the top and presto, you have a stand up desk at very little cost. Underneath you have shelving for your stuff. I use a cordless telephone. I have a set of high draws next to it and when I HAVE to sit, I alternate between the adjustable chair and a piltes ball. My only issue at this point is sore feet after a while so I’m looking at using softer, spongier type shoes to see if this helps. Ideal height I would assume is like sitting typing – your arms must be at a 90 degree angle at elbow with wrists dropped down.I HIGHLY recommend standing up at the pc especially if you’re a back pain sufferer.
Glenne

]]> http://mergeweb.com/blog/2008/05/14/the-stand-up-desk-experiment/comment-page-1/#comment-525 Comment on 12 Best Blogging Practices by Allen http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mergeweb-comments/~3/uaZHuCS0Dso/ Allen Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:58:50 +0000 http://mergeweb.com/blog/?p=632#comment-518 Ah..the infamous #11. One of the downfalls of my personal blogging. And unfortunately a downfall of our corporate blog at the moment... Good stuff guys as always. ~Allen Ah..the infamous #11. One of the downfalls of my personal blogging. And unfortunately a downfall of our corporate blog at the moment…

Good stuff guys as always.

~Allen

]]> http://mergeweb.com/blog/2009/06/15/12-best-blogging-practices/comment-page-1/#comment-518 Comment on 12 Best Blogging Practices by Patrick http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mergeweb-comments/~3/9mc3I1nynxE/ Patrick Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:51:30 +0000 http://mergeweb.com/blog/?p=632#comment-517 I actually have a couple but they can go together. On my MacBook Pro I used a program called, Ecto to write my blog posts offline. This allows me to have local copies of my blog posts, work in an environment that is more focused on blogging and has features that allow to easily see and work with both previous and future blog posts. The future posts are second part of this answer. Break up your ideas so they span a series. I have quite a few posts on my blog that are part of a series. This allows me to "chapter" my thoughts, breaks the overall idea in smaller chunks and encourages the reader to "stay tuned" for more. It also makes better use of my time to have at least the beginnings of the futures blogs in a series written ahead of time if nothing but the title. This keeps me from having to think, "Hmm... what am I going to write today" which can take quite a few minutes if you are not in blog posting mode or you haven't been "inspired" at that moment. I actually have a couple but they can go together. On my MacBook Pro I used a program called, Ecto to write my blog posts offline. This allows me to have local copies of my blog posts, work in an environment that is more focused on blogging and has features that allow to easily see and work with both previous and future blog posts.

The future posts are second part of this answer. Break up your ideas so they span a series. I have quite a few posts on my blog that are part of a series. This allows me to “chapter” my thoughts, breaks the overall idea in smaller chunks and encourages the reader to “stay tuned” for more. It also makes better use of my time to have at least the beginnings of the futures blogs in a series written ahead of time if nothing but the title. This keeps me from having to think, “Hmm… what am I going to write today” which can take quite a few minutes if you are not in blog posting mode or you haven’t been “inspired” at that moment.

]]> http://mergeweb.com/blog/2009/06/15/12-best-blogging-practices/comment-page-1/#comment-517 Comment on Launching a Web Site: Can’t see the forest for the trees. by 12 Best Blogging Practices http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mergeweb-comments/~3/bkgTJsXZD_w/ 12 Best Blogging Practices Tue, 16 Jun 2009 05:04:18 +0000 http://mergeweb.com/blog/?p=582#comment-515 [...] theme(s) of your blog post and see what images turn up. Here is a recent example from Merge’s Blog. If you are posting pictures that belong to someone else, make sure the copyright allows it and if [...] [...] theme(s) of your blog post and see what images turn up. Here is a recent example from Merge’s Blog. If you are posting pictures that belong to someone else, make sure the copyright allows it and if [...]

]]> http://mergeweb.com/blog/2009/05/06/launching-a-web-site-cant-see-the-forest-for-the-trees/comment-page-1/#comment-515 Comment on There Are No Rules by Donald Megan http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mergeweb-comments/~3/VX-oI8H26yU/ Donald Megan Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:21:04 +0000 http://mergeweb.com/blog/?p=608#comment-486 "Living by the rules is another way of hoping the future will be like the past." -Adam Phillips “Living by the rules is another way of hoping the future will be like the past.” -Adam Phillips

]]> http://mergeweb.com/blog/2009/05/29/there-are-no-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-486