Frog's Digital Design Blog » Fun

Did you know how slow you run?

Gary Hartley — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 11:49:11 +0000

Did you know how slow you run? Well if you’re anything like this guy, an average guy running in a suit, you’re pretty god damn slow. During this 50 yard sprint he topped out at 15.9mph which seems quite fast at first glance for a fat guy in a suite, then you overlay a selection of other runners with differing speeds and it’s pretty clear this guy would never make the bus.

I thought I was fast until I learnt my 5ft 4″ girlfriend could run the 100 metres over 2 seconds quicker at school. Maybe a am really slow, though I’ve been told you’re only as slow as your fastest competitor.

The (completely made up) iPad Review

Eric Steele — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:13:40 +0000

The embargo is over and I can finally announce that I have not had an iPad to play with or review for the past week (not like that Andy Ihnatko fellow). Yes, I signed an embargo to not say that I didn’t have an iPad before the release. I’m terrible about contracts (I have 8 time shares, 4 adopted children, 2 wives, and an endorsement deal from Rita’s Water Ice). Now that I can finally talk about the fact that I have nothing to talk about, I thought I’d share my (completely made up) review of Apple’s new iPad.

The Missing Piece

When Apple first announced the iPad, they promised to fill the lonely, pathetic void that laptops and cellphones leave in your life. Steve was quick to point out how much of an idiot you had to be to own a netbook, and wanted to make you feel better about yourself for making the stupid, moronic mistake of investing in a cheap, underpowered laptop. The solution to your complete incompetence was the iPad.

Now that I’ve had my hands on an iPad, I can confidently say that I live a much more fulfilling life. I read books again. I can grow a fuller mustache. I was able to kick my pesky skittles addiction. All of this, thanks to the iPad.

Apps, Apps, Apps!

While the nay sayers have been saying nay since the iPad was announced, calling it a big iPhone, I have been pretty confident in the potential of a beefed up device with a big screen. My god, was I so totally right! The apps that I previewed are absolutely mind blowing. While I’m still under embargo (and contractual obligation to mention how delicious a Rita’s Misto Shake is when you combine chocolate mint water ice with chocolate custard) from several app developers, I can say one thing: 3D is coming, and it’s going to be huge.

First Impressions

When I first opened the box, I was surprised at how brown it was. In all the pictures and videos you see circulating on the internets, it looks like the iPad’s back is made of aluminum and the bezel is black. It turns out that everything is brown. Very brown. It takes a little while to get used to, but after about 20 minutes, I can confidently say that brown is my new favorite color and Apple made a brilliant design choice.

Once I got comfortable with how brown the iPad was, my attention turned to the weight. The walk-through videos that Apple has posted on their site show people easily lifting the iPad with one hand. I have no idea how they can do this. Before I installed any apps, it easily weighed 30-40 pounds. After I got a few apps installed, it weighed upwards of 90 pounds. If you plan on taking this tablet on the road, you may want to invest in a gait belt or a wheeled suitcase.

After spending 10 minutes trying to find the power button, the iPad turned on almost magically. It turns out the applause from a studio audience on tv was loud enough to activate the Clapper which is embedded in the upper left of bezel, just like the ambient light sensor on the iPhone/iPod Touch. Technology sure has come a long way and I’m glad to be a part of it.

Final Thoughts

We have come to always look forward to the next big thing that will change the way we work, play, dance, and work. I can confidently say after the time that I’ve spent putting the iPad through it’s (again, completely made up) paces, the iPad is that next big thing. That is, of course, until Apple makes the device that fills that void between the iPad and the iPhone, which my sources tell me will be called the iPhad.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with best wishes from The Floating Frog

Gary Hartley — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 07:38:55 +0000

Designer vs Client | Make my website for free

Nick Boldison — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:27:37 +0000

Funny cos it’s true! You need sound. If you like it there’s a load more on Youtube. A bit of Friday fun

Tango posters – get a free limited edition poster!

Gary Hartley — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:24:58 +0000

Tango, the orange flavoured fizzy drink from Britvic PLC, recently launched a new advertising campaign which we featured. The campaign stirred a mixed reaction amongst our readers with some being offended by the dumbing-down tone and offensive language. Others however found them highly amusing and asked where they could get one from.

Popart UK are giving away a limited run of 4 different Tango posters.

Too Much Tango Will Make You Bite Stuff
Too Much Tango Made Me Think I Was a Ninja
Too Much Tango Causes Hair Loss and Casual Sexism
Too Much Tango Causes You to Spy on your Mum and Dad

Get a free limited edition Tango poster

Get a free limited edition Tango poster when you buy any poster or print. Offer limited to one poster per customer, while stocks last. Click here to get your free Tango poster

Google Earth spots 6 familiar faces

Gary Hartley — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:49:38 +0000

Google Earth has been used once again to uncover some pretty cool images, this time it’s familiar faces. Amongst these natural and man made familiarities include an iPod girl, the 16th U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, Oprah Winfey, Jesus Christ on sand dunes in Peru, a Haloween Pumpkin and the Short Circuit robot.

Google Earth spots 6 familiar faces

A native Canadian with a headdress? Or do these hills in Alberta look more the iPod girl with earphones?

A bearded man in a Polish field? But could it be the 16th U.S. President Abraham Lincoln without his hat?

Five alive? Nope, not this time. But the grounds of Versailles do look remarkably like the Short Circuit robot

Her face is often on American TV screens, but could Oprah Winfey also feature on a maze in Arizona?

Could this be Jesus Christ?

Spookey! Is it a coincidence or has this Massachusetts field been ploughed into a Halloween pumpkin?

Full Credit Dailymail.co.uk

Google Earth

Which one do you like the best? Personally the man made Short Circuit picture is the best. The Abraham Lincoln comparison is a little dubious to us.

How 20 popular websites looked when they launched

Gary Hartley — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:53:31 +0000

A look back at the humble beginnings of some of the internets biggest websites. This post was originally posted by the Telegraph and we feel it fits as a sturn reminder to all those companies and individuals who wait and wait and wait in launching their website while messing over the little details. We say – ‘Just launch it!’, as as we can see from the following screenshots you have to start somewhere.

1. Google.com – launched in 1996

2. Facebook.com – launched in 2004

3. Myspace.com – launched in 2003

4. Yahoo.com – launched in 1994

5. Youtube.com – launched in 2005

6. Wikipedia.org – launched in 2001

7. MSN.com – launched in 1995

8. Apple.com – launched in 1987 (screenshot from 1996)

9. Drudgereport.com – launched in 1997

10. Amazon.com – launched in 1995

11. Twitter.com – launched in 2006

12. Whitehouse.gov – launched in 1994

13. Craigslist.org – launched in 1995

14. Nytimes.com – launched in 1995

15. News.bbc.co.uk – launched in 1997

16. Dell.com – launched in 1996

17. Friendsreunited.com – launched in 2000

18. Telegraph.co.uk – launched in 1994

19. Blogger.com – launched in 1999

20. Flickr.com – launched in 2004

Had a website in development for over a year?

Direct your client to this page, prove to them it doesn’t have to be perfect from day one! Web design is NEVER perfect!

Goldie Lookin’ Chain Top Trumps – Wicked innit!

Gary Hartley — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:37:05 +0000

Goldie Lookin’ Chain, the legends behind the legendary “Guns don’t kill people rappers do” have created possibly the best/besteva/bestestever Trumps card game set.

Simply click on any thumbnail to see a full size, uncropped enlargement.

Even better, why not download the set and play Trumps with your nan, wickaaaard!

Best Trumps set eva innit!

Too much Tango made me think I was a Ninja but I’m not. I’m just Gary.

Gary Hartley — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 21:29:46 +0000

Tango, the orange flavoured fizzy drink from Britvic PLC, has launched a new advertising campaign that really caught my eye.

While passing a bus stop the poster on the side read “Too much Tango made me think I was a Ninja but I’m not. I’m just Gary.”. I laughed, cos I’m immature you see. British humor never fails to capture it’s audience through advertising. The trick, or so I’ve heard, is to make a statement, ask a question and most importantly communicate that through to your target audience.

Maybe the statement is true, all those E-numbers can make a child go doo-lally!

Too much Tango will make your hair turn ginger. Yes those ones too.

Too much Tango makes your guffs smell like oranges

Too much Tango causes facial mince, gorilla jugs and cabbaging of the knee

Too much Tango causes hair loss and casual sexism

Too much Tango made me shave my nan. Innit.

Too much Tango made me suck a bull’s udder

Too much Tango made a friend of mine not be able to get a lob-on

Too much Tango will make you bite stuff like horses and that

100 Abandoned Houses

Gary Hartley — Wed, 20 May 2009 07:35:17 +0000

Ten, of a series of 100, abandoned houses in Detroit, Michigan. Once a city of almost 2 million people, Detroit has since lost over half its population over the last 60 years. http://www.100abandonedhouses.com.