object(WP_Query)#72 (47) { ["query_vars"]=> array(55) { ["year"]=> int(2009) ["monthnum"]=> int(6) ["error"]=> string(0) "" ["m"]=> int(0) ["p"]=> int(0) ["post_parent"]=> string(0) "" ["subpost"]=> string(0) "" ["subpost_id"]=> string(0) "" ["attachment"]=> string(0) "" ["attachment_id"]=> int(0) ["name"]=> string(0) "" ["static"]=> string(0) "" ["pagename"]=> string(0) "" ["page_id"]=> int(0) ["second"]=> string(0) "" ["minute"]=> string(0) "" ["hour"]=> string(0) "" ["day"]=> int(0) ["w"]=> int(0) ["category_name"]=> string(0) "" ["tag"]=> string(0) "" ["cat"]=> string(0) "" ["tag_id"]=> string(0) "" ["author_name"]=> string(0) "" ["feed"]=> string(0) "" ["tb"]=> string(0) "" ["paged"]=> int(0) ["comments_popup"]=> string(0) "" ["meta_key"]=> string(0) "" ["meta_value"]=> string(0) "" ["preview"]=> string(0) "" ["s"]=> string(0) "" ["sentence"]=> string(0) "" ["fields"]=> string(0) "" ["category__in"]=> array(0) { } ["category__not_in"]=> array(0) { } ["category__and"]=> array(0) { } ["post__in"]=> array(0) { } ["post__not_in"]=> array(0) { } ["tag__in"]=> array(0) { } ["tag__not_in"]=> array(0) { } ["tag__and"]=> array(0) { } ["tag_slug__in"]=> array(0) { } ["tag_slug__and"]=> array(0) { } ["ignore_sticky_posts"]=> bool(false) ["suppress_filters"]=> bool(false) ["cache_results"]=> bool(false) ["update_post_term_cache"]=> bool(true) ["update_post_meta_cache"]=> bool(true) ["post_type"]=> string(0) "" ["posts_per_page"]=> int(15) ["nopaging"]=> bool(false) ["comments_per_page"]=> string(2) "50" ["no_found_rows"]=> bool(false) ["order"]=> string(4) "DESC" } ["tax_query"]=> object(WP_Tax_Query)#93 (2) { ["queries"]=> array(0) { } ["relation"]=> string(3) "AND" } ["meta_query"]=> object(WP_Meta_Query)#92 (2) { ["queries"]=> array(0) { } ["relation"]=> NULL } ["post_count"]=> int(15) ["current_post"]=> int(-1) ["in_the_loop"]=> bool(false) ["comment_count"]=> int(0) ["current_comment"]=> int(-1) ["found_posts"]=> string(2) "29" ["max_num_pages"]=> float(2) ["max_num_comment_pages"]=> int(0) ["is_single"]=> bool(false) ["is_preview"]=> bool(false) ["is_page"]=> bool(false) ["is_archive"]=> bool(true) ["is_date"]=> bool(true) ["is_year"]=> bool(false) ["is_month"]=> bool(true) ["is_day"]=> bool(false) ["is_time"]=> bool(false) ["is_author"]=> bool(false) ["is_category"]=> bool(false) ["is_tag"]=> bool(false) ["is_tax"]=> bool(false) ["is_search"]=> bool(false) ["is_feed"]=> bool(false) ["is_comment_feed"]=> bool(false) ["is_trackback"]=> bool(false) ["is_home"]=> bool(false) ["is_404"]=> bool(false) ["is_comments_popup"]=> bool(false) ["is_paged"]=> bool(false) ["is_admin"]=> bool(false) ["is_attachment"]=> bool(false) ["is_singular"]=> bool(false) ["is_robots"]=> bool(false) ["is_posts_page"]=> bool(false) ["is_post_type_archive"]=> bool(false) ["query_vars_hash"]=> string(32) "1da0c4c1a01a94383911556db34311f8" ["query_vars_changed"]=> bool(false) ["thumbnails_cached"]=> bool(false) ["query"]=> array(2) { ["year"]=> string(4) "2009" ["monthnum"]=> string(2) "06" } ["request"]=> string(252) " SELECT SQL_CALC_FOUND_ROWS wp_posts.* FROM wp_posts WHERE 1=1 AND YEAR(wp_posts.post_date)='2009' AND MONTH(wp_posts.post_date)='6' AND wp_posts.post_type = 'post' AND (wp_posts.post_status = 'publish') ORDER BY wp_posts.post_date DESC LIMIT 0, 15" ["posts"]=> &array(15) { [0]=> object(stdClass)#117 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(1929) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2009-06-30 10:26:37" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-30 00:26:37" ["post_content"]=> string(2021) "Hmmm, the reader thinks - where is this one going?At the end of 2008, our State of the Web survey found that somewhat less than a third of the designers and developers responding tested their sites in IE8 (though essentially 90% tested in IE7). Granted, IE 8 was still in late beta when we asked the question, but it did surprise me that so few had started testing their sites with what was clearly going to be a significant browsers in the coming months.Since then, IE 8 has of course been released to the public at large. And Microsoft is working hard to ensure as many folks as possible upgrade - something which we should all support, as the fewer people using IE 6 (or even 7) the better for all our lives.If you still haven't installed the latest version of IE, Microsoft has what I consider an excellent incentive. No, not money - food. And not for you, but for the "Feeding America" program.Wonder whether our friends at Microsoft Australia might consider a partnership with one of the excellent organizations which provides similar services here.And, if your concern is the challenges running several versions of IE simultaneously for testing, here are some resources addressing this And a note of warning from PEte LePage a from the IE team. " ["post_title"]=> string(43) "Good reasons to install Internet Explorer 8" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(43) "good-reasons-to-install-internet-explorer-8" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(144) "http://www.webdirections.org/the-state-of-the-web-2008/ http://www.ghacks.net/2008/08/30/use-multiple-internet-explorer-versions-simultaneously/" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2009-06-30 10:29:31" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-30 00:29:31" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(36) "http://www.webdirections.org/?p=1929" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "1" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [1]=> object(stdClass)#118 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(1927) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2009-06-29 12:25:37" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-29 02:25:37" ["post_content"]=> string(538) "A quick note to let you all know that nominations for the first annual web industry awards, the national version of the long standing WA Web Industry Awards close in 1 week.There'll be state by state awards, (with an event Tuesday 6th October in Sydney coinciding with Web Directions) with the final awards to be announced on November 6th in Perth.So, head over to the site, and get nominating! Like they say, 90% of success is just turning up." ["post_title"]=> string(62) "First Annual Web Industry Awards - nominations close in 1 week" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(60) "first-annual-web-industry-awards-nominations-close-in-1-week" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2009-06-29 12:25:37" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-29 02:25:37" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(36) "http://www.webdirections.org/?p=1927" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [2]=> object(stdClass)#119 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(1925) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "2" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2009-06-29 03:03:09" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-28 17:03:09" ["post_content"]=> string(1044) "Guess what: you've got just two weeks left to take advantage of early bird pricing for Web Directions South 2009.Getting those training approvals through really is hard. We know this because every year we hear a familiar chorus from people who need just a bit more time to get everything in place before they can sign up for the conference. So we're giving you an extra 10 days or so to get your registration in for what we know is going to be the event of the year for the Australian web industry.You can now register before midnight on Friday July 9 to get to Web Directions South 2009 for the terrific price of just $795. Remember too, you don't need to pay straight away - this can come at any time really. But you do need to get that registration in before the clock strikes 12 on the evening of July 12 if you are going to be part of this amazing couple of days in Sydney in October." ["post_title"]=> string(64) "Web Directions South 2009: Early bird pricing extended to July 9" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(63) "web-directions-south-2009-early-bird-pricing-extended-to-july-9" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2009-06-29 03:03:09" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-28 17:03:09" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(36) "http://www.webdirections.org/?p=1925" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "1" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [3]=> object(stdClass)#120 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(1923) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2009-06-28 08:07:27" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-27 22:07:27" ["post_content"]=> string(618) "The debate over whether, and to what extent web sites should look the same in every browser continues to rage. To the bemusement of many it must be said.If you fall into the "yes" camp - then please go and read Andy's latest presentation from @media. And if you are a "no" person, you'll find some useful ammunition for convincing your clients that the goal is impossible and self defeating." ["post_title"]=> string(21) "Andy Clarke at @media" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(20) "andy-clarke-at-media" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2009-06-28 08:07:27" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-27 22:07:27" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(36) "http://www.webdirections.org/?p=1923" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [4]=> object(stdClass)#121 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(1901) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2009-06-27 02:00:59" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-26 16:00:59" ["post_content"]=> string(934) "Maxine and I are really excited to let you know that from 2010, @media, one of the great web conferences in the world will be presented by Web Directions.@media will stay right at home, in London, and feature the same mix of the world's leading web designers, developers, and other web professionals. And we'll have @media's founder Patrick Griffiths's support to ensure we do things right.So, mark June 2010 down in your diary, and subscribe to our news feed, follow us on Twitter, or sign up to our email newsletter to stay in the loop and we'll see you in London town, June of next year." ["post_title"]=> string(25) "@media and Web Directions" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(24) "media-and-web-directions" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2009-06-26 18:34:34" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-26 08:34:34" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(36) "http://www.webdirections.org/?p=1901" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(2) "11" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [5]=> object(stdClass)#122 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(1921) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2009-06-26 20:16:14" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-26 10:16:14" ["post_content"]=> string(153) "A detailed look at the accessibility features of Firefox 3.5." ["post_title"]=> string(34) "Firefox 3.5 accessibility features" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(33) "firefox-35-accessibility-features" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(78) " http://www.marcozehe.de/2009/06/26/new-accessibility-features-in-firefox-3-5/" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2009-06-26 20:16:14" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-26 10:16:14" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(36) "http://www.webdirections.org/?p=1921" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [6]=> object(stdClass)#123 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(1915) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2009-06-26 20:13:24" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-26 10:13:24" ["post_content"]=> string(2166) "The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that the Australian Federal Government's fabled GroceryWatch website has been scrapped. We wrote critically about the dire accessibility of the site when it first launched. In the meantime, consumer advocacy magazine Choice had taken over the project from the government.What happened? There are of course several sides to the story (see the herald story for details)This quote from the Australian National Retailers Association is however telling
We have always maintained that Choice's model was fundamentally flawed, as retailers could not provide the data Choice was demanding, Ms Osmond said in a prepared statement. "Few consumers would have benefited from historical prices for 7,500 items, including 50 types of mouthwashes and 25 types of bird treats, wormers, and vitamins.
I'd be astounded if retailers can't provide pricing details going back over generations, and really isn't it for consumers to decide what benefits them? But that's beside the point - the retailers really should never have been in the loop. Here's a suggestion. Choice, why not provide a mechanism for consumers to provide the pricing of goods they've bought themselves. Then, you aren't reliant on the retailers for the data, which seems to be the sticking point all round.We here at Web Directions are happy to offer our advice, as valuable or otherwise as it would be, for free.GroceryWatch is Dead. Long Live GroceryWatch!Note to major retailers - the day is fast approaching where it won't be the government or choice keeping tabs on you - it will be your consumers. Yes, they do it in their handfuls now. Are you ready for when they do it in their thousands?" ["post_title"]=> string(40) "First FuelWatch, now GroceryWatch Canned" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(39) "first-fuelwatch-now-grocerywatch-canned" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(89) " http://www.webdirections.org/blog/grocerychoice-accessibility-disaster-to-put-it-kindly/" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2009-06-26 20:13:24" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-26 10:13:24" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(36) "http://www.webdirections.org/?p=1915" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [7]=> object(stdClass)#124 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(1905) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2009-06-26 19:17:02" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-26 09:17:02" ["post_content"]=> string(2094) "Personally, like other old web curmudgeons (OK so Dave Shea isn't really old), I'm not a big fan of either sending or receiving HTML email. But, it's a reality of life, and more importantly if something supports HTML, it should to the extent possible support modern web development best practices. Something that Outlook, the email client used by many millions doesn't do (mind you, neither does Gmail, and other email clients and online apps, but that's for another day).So, our good friends at Campaign Monitor have decided to do something about it (and indeed, have been doing something about poor standards support in all manner of email clients for some time with their "email standards" project).A day or so ago, they started a twitter based campaign fixoutlook (OK, so restricting it to just twitter might have been less than ideal, but...). In a day or so, the campaign has generated over 20,000 responses - clearly folks care about this sort of thing!Sadly, the response from the Outlook team, while fast, has not been positive. The response to their response (see comments) has been as fast, and far from in agreement.Two lessons I draw from this. First, the web is the web is the web - you either support it or you don't - that seems to be the message coming from all angles. It's a lesson Microsoft's browser division certainly embraced with IE7 and 8, and perhaps needs to be better understood by others within that admittedly many headed organization. The second is that when folks care, it takes less than a day to rally thousands upon thousands to voice their concerns. Personally, as I said at the top - I'm Old Skool. Email == plain text for me. But that's not the point. The masses have spoken. What happens next? We'll have to see." ["post_title"]=> string(11) "Fix Outlook" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(11) "fix-outlook" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2009-06-26 19:17:02" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-26 09:17:02" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(36) "http://www.webdirections.org/?p=1905" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [8]=> object(stdClass)#125 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(1899) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2009-06-26 18:20:32" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-26 08:20:32" ["post_content"]=> string(587) "For all his myriad faults, he was a genius, and a strange broken symbol of our time.Via Kottke " ["post_title"]=> string(20) "Vale Michael Jackson" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(20) "vale-michael-jackson" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2009-06-26 18:20:32" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-26 08:20:32" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(36) "http://www.webdirections.org/?p=1899" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [9]=> object(stdClass)#126 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(1894) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2009-06-22 15:03:10" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-22 05:03:10" ["post_content"]=> string(1324) "Via Slattery's Watch, news of the just launched Australian Federal Government's "Government 2.0 Taskforce", which (a wordpress blog no less!). From the site:
Its work falls into two streams. The first relates to increasing the openness of government through making public sector information more widely available to promote transparency, innovation and value adding to government information.The second stream is concerned with encouraging online engagement with the aim of drawing in the information, knowledge, perspectives, resources and even, where possible, the active collaboration of anyone wishing to contribute to public life.Importantly, the Taskforce will not just provide advice. It will be able to fund initiatives and incentives which may achieve or demonstrate how to accomplish government 2.0 objectives.
We are hugely excited to see Web Directions speaker Seb Chan from the fantastic PowerHouse Museum as one of their advisors.I do think we really all ought to retire the 2.0 addition to just about anything, it is beginning to sound a tad noughties, but this will be an interesting development to follow." ["post_title"]=> string(36) "Australia's Government 2.0 taskforce" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(34) "australias-government-20-taskforce" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2009-06-22 15:04:41" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-22 05:04:41" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(36) "http://www.webdirections.org/?p=1894" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [10]=> object(stdClass)#127 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(1891) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "2" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2009-06-19 09:46:40" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-18 23:46:40" ["post_content"]=> string(1563) "On Wednesday July 1 at 6.00 there's three very good reasons to come along to the Sydney Usability Professionals Association's 2nd birthday party. Firstly, you'll get to see a great presentation by Chris Khalil - see below. Second, you'll be in with a chance to win an ipod shuffle, donated by Web Directions. And thirdly, the prizes don't stop there, you'll also be in the running to win a ticket to UX Australia in August.Chris is going to be speaking on "The Future of HCI: Intelligent User Interfaces as Agents of Change".
In this talk Christopher Khalil will discuss some trends in HCI and what they mean to us as User Experience Practioners. Is the end nigh for Interaction Design as we know it? Will we all end up being lawyers rather than designers?
If you work in usability, would be great to see you there - free for UPA members, $10 for everyone else.When: Wednesday 1st July 2009 6pm till 10pm Where: Level 3, Blacket Hotel, 70 King Street,Corner of King & George Streets, Sydney How much?: Free for UPA members, otherwise $10" ["post_title"]=> string(65) "Sydney UPA Chapter's 2nd Birthday Celebration - We're sponsoring!" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(60) "sydney-upa-chapters-2nd-birthday-celebration-were-sponsoring" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2009-06-19 09:46:40" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-18 23:46:40" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(36) "http://www.webdirections.org/?p=1891" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [11]=> object(stdClass)#128 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(1889) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "2" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2009-06-17 16:46:14" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-17 06:46:14" ["post_content"]=> string(1831) "I actually got a little teary just then when I posted this at the site (not something I normally do while cruising around my Wordpress admin): the day 1 closing keynote at Web Directions South 2009 will be my good friend, Cameron Adams, talking about his experiences as part of the Google Wave team. Cameron was one of the first people I ever met on the web. Back in the day when we still had to have that conversation "OMG! The man in blue is actually from Australia!", Cameron came to the first ever Web Essentials, and we haven't been able to get rid of him since.There are so many nerdy-cool things he has done, but here's my own personal top 5 Cameron Adams moments:All his presentations at Web Directions have been incredibly memorable, and he always packs out the room with people wanting to see what he's going to do next. So, John and I thought it was time to give him a real room to fill: we couldn't think of anyone we'd like more to do our day 1 closing keynote, and were thrilled when he accepted." ["post_title"]=> string(42) "WDS09 Day 1 closing keynote: Cameron Adams" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(41) "wds09-day-1-closing-keynote-cameron-adams" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(50) " http://south09.webdirections.org/program/keynotes" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2009-06-17 16:46:14" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-17 06:46:14" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(36) "http://www.webdirections.org/?p=1889" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "2" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [12]=> object(stdClass)#129 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(1885) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2009-06-17 12:18:56" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-17 02:18:56" ["post_content"]=> string(454) "Peter-Paul Koch, curator of "Quirksmode", has contributed just about as much as anyone to our understanding of browsers, and their quirks, bugs, strengths and weaknesses.He's just published his "State of the Browsers - IE Edition", where he takes a look not at technology, but current market share, and the recent issues with the European Union anti trust ruling. " ["post_title"]=> string(62) "The incomparable PPK on the current state of Internet Explorer" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(62) "the-incomparable-ppk-on-the-current-state-of-internet-explorer" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2009-06-17 12:18:56" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-17 02:18:56" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(36) "http://www.webdirections.org/?p=1885" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [13]=> object(stdClass)#130 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(1886) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "2" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2009-06-17 09:51:13" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-16 23:51:13" ["post_content"]=> string(1106) "Web Directions will be sponsoring the next Canberra Web Standards Group Meeting, to be held on July 24, 2.30 to 4.30 at the NLA Theatre. Come along for the chance to win a ticket to Web Directions South 2009, and to hear a couple of excellent presentations.
  • Simon Pascal Klein - Beautiful Web Typography
  • Paul Hagon - Where am I? Building location aware websites
Full details about the presentations available at the site.When: Friday 24 July 2009, 2.30pm to 4.30pm Where: NLA Theatre, lower ground floor, National Library of Australia, Parkes Place, Parkes, ACT Map: http://www.nla.gov.au/library/locationmap.html Cost: Free (but please RSVP)" ["post_title"]=> string(44) "July 24 Web Standards Group Canberra meeting" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(44) "july-24-web-standards-group-canberra-meeting" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2009-06-17 09:51:13" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-16 23:51:13" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(36) "http://www.webdirections.org/?p=1886" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [14]=> object(stdClass)#131 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(1882) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2009-06-17 09:26:20" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-16 23:26:20" ["post_content"]=> string(859) "Usually when you see the adjective "killer" in a tech related story (except about robots I guess), you know you are in for a good dose of hype. Countless stories on Google-killers, iPhone killers and so on have seen to that.InfoWorld has a quite detailed story on HTML5, which while using the dreaded "kill" word in its title, is worth a read.BTW, this is precisely the sort of topic we'll be covering in our State of the Web Platform session at Web Directions South this year.HTML5 is coming. Browser sophistication is increasing dramatically almost by the month. The opportunities are enormous, and for this old timer at least, very exciting. " ["post_title"]=> string(18) "InfoWorld on HTML5" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(18) "infoworld-on-html5" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(83) " http://south09.webdirections.org/program/business#the-state-of-the-web-as-platform" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2009-06-17 09:26:20" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-16 23:26:20" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(36) "http://www.webdirections.org/?p=1882" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } } ["post"]=> object(stdClass)#117 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(1929) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2009-06-30 10:26:37" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2009-06-30 00:26:37" ["post_content"]=> string(2021) "Hmmm, the reader thinks - where is this one going?At the end of 2008, our State of the Web survey found that somewhat less than a third of the designers and developers responding tested their sites in IE8 (though essentially 90% tested in IE7). Granted, IE 8 was still in late beta when we asked the question, but it did surprise me that so few had started testing their sites with what was clearly going to be a significant browsers in the coming months.Since then, IE 8 has of course been released to the public at large. And Microsoft is working hard to ensure as many folks as possible upgrade - something which we should all support, as the fewer people using IE 6 (or even 7) the better for all our lives.If you still haven't installed the latest version of IE, Microsoft has what I consider an excellent incentive. No, not money - food. And not for you, but for the "Feeding America" program.Wonder whether our friends at Microsoft Australia might consider a partnership with one of the excellent organizations which provides similar services here.And, if your concern is the challenges running several versions of IE simultaneously for testing, here are some resources addressing this And a note of warning from PEte LePage a from the IE team. 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News from June 2009

Memories and articles from back in the day

Good reasons to install Internet Explorer 8

Hmmm, the reader thinks — where is this one going?

At the end of 2008, our State of the Web survey found that somewhat less than a third of the designers and developers responding tested their sites in IE8 (though essentially 90% tested in IE7). Granted, IE 8 was still … Read more »

First Annual Web Industry Awards — nominations close in 1 week

A quick note to let you all know that nominations for the first annual web industry awards, the national version of the long standing WA Web Industry Awards close in 1 week.

There’ll be state by state awards, (with an event Tuesday 6th October in Sydney coinciding with Web Directions) … Read more »

Web Directions South 2009: Early bird pricing extended to July 9

Guess what: you’ve got just two weeks left to take advantage of early bird pricing for Web Directions South 2009.

Getting those training approvals through really is hard. We know this because every year we hear a familiar chorus from people who need just a bit more … Read more »

Andy Clarke at @media

The debate over whether, and to what extent web sites should look the same in every browser continues to rage. To the bemusement of many it must be said.

If you fall into the “yes” camp — then please go and read Andy’s latest presentation from @media. And … Read more »

@media and Web Directions

Maxine and I are really excited to let you know that from 2010, @media, one of the great web conferences in the world will be presented by Web Directions.

@media will stay right at home, in London, and feature the same mix of the world’s leading web designers, … Read more »

Firefox 3.5 accessibility features

A detailed look at the accessibility features of Firefox 3.5.

First FuelWatch, now GroceryWatch Canned

The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that the Australian Federal Government’s fabled GroceryWatch website has been scrapped. We wrote critically about the dire accessibility of the site when it first launched. In the meantime, consumer advocacy magazine Choice had taken over the project from the government.

What happened? … Read more »

Fix Outlook

Personally, like other old web curmudgeons (OK so Dave Shea isn’t really old), I’m not a big fan of either sending or receiving HTML email. But, it’s a reality of life, and more importantly if something supports HTML, it should to the extent possible support modern web development … Read more »

Vale Michael Jackson

For all his myriad faults, he was a genius, and a strange broken symbol of our time.

Via Kottke

Australia’s Government 2.0 taskforce

Via Slattery’s Watch, news of the just launched Australian Federal Government’s “Government 2.0 Taskforce”, which (a wordpress blog no less!). From the site:

Its work falls into two streams. The first relates to increasing the openness of government through making public sector information more widely available to … Read more »

Sydney UPA Chapter’s 2nd Birthday Celebration — We’re sponsoring!

On Wednesday July 1 at 6.00 there’s three very good reasons to come along to the Sydney Usability Professionals Association’s 2nd birthday party. Firstly, you’ll get to see a great … Read more »

WDS09 Day 1 closing keynote: Cameron Adams

I actually got a little teary just then when I posted this at the site (not something I normally do while cruising around my WordPress admin): the day 1 closing keynote at Web Directions South 2009 will be my good friend, Cameron Adams, talking … Read more »

The incomparable PPK on the current state of Internet Explorer

Peter-​​Paul Koch, curator of “Quirksmode”, has contributed just about as much as anyone to our understanding of browsers, and their quirks, bugs, strengths and weaknesses.

He’s just published his “State of the Browsers — IE Edition”, where he takes a look not at technology, but current market share, and … Read more »

July 24 Web Standards Group Canberra meeting

Web Directions will be sponsoring the next Canberra Web Standards Group Meeting, to be held on July 24, 2.30 to 4.30 at the NLA Theatre. Come along for the chance to win a ticket to Web Directions South 2009, and to hear a couple of excellent presentations.

  • Simon Pascal Klein — … Read more »

    InfoWorld on HTML5

    Usually when you see the adjective “killer” in a tech related story (except about robots I guess), you know you are in for a good dose of hype. Countless stories on Google-​​killers, iPhone killers and so on have seen to that.

    InfoWorld has a quite detailed story on HTML5, which … Read more »

    « Further reading

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