Author: Mrmaas

  • The Wax and the Wane of the Web

    The Wax and the Wane of the Web

    When you begin to believe you have all figured out, everyone does change, in my experience. Simply as you start to get the hang of injections, diapers, and ordinary sleep, it’s time for solid foods, potty training, and nighttime sleep. When those are determined, school and occasional naps are in order. The pattern continues to grow.

    The same holds true for those of us who are currently employed in design and development. Having worked on the web for about three years at this point, I’ve seen the typical wax and wane of concepts, strategies, and systems. Every day we as developers and designers re-enter a routine pattern, a brand-new concept or technology emerges to shake things up and completely alter our world.

    How we got below

    I built my first website in the mid-’90s. Design and development on the web back then was a free-for-all, with few established norms. For any layout aside from a single column, we used table elements, often with empty cells containing a single pixel spacer GIF to add empty space. We styled text with numerous font tags, nesting the tags every time we wanted to vary the font style. And we had only three or four typefaces to choose from: Arial, Courier, or Times New Roman. When Verdana and Georgia came out in 1996, we rejoiced because our options had nearly doubled. The only safe colors to choose from were the 216 “web safe” colors known to work across platforms. The few interactive elements (like contact forms, guest books, and counters) were mostly powered by CGI scripts (predominantly written in Perl at the time). Achieving any kind of unique look involved a pile of hacks all the way down. Interaction was often limited to specific pages in a site.

    The beginning of website standards

    At the turn of the century, a new cycle started. Crufty code littered with table layouts and font tags waned, and a push for web standards waxed. Newer technologies like CSS got more widespread adoption by browsers makers, developers, and designers. This shift toward standards didn’t happen accidentally or overnight. It took active engagement between the W3C and browser vendors and heavy evangelism from folks like the Web Standards Project to build standards. A List Apart and books like Designing with Web Standards by Jeffrey Zeldman played key roles in teaching developers and designers why standards are important, how to implement them, and how to se

  • Opportunities for AI in Accessibility

    Opportunities for AI in Accessibility

    I was completely moved by Joe Dolson’s current article on the crossroads of AI and convenience, both in terms of the suspicion he has regarding AI in general and how many people have been using it. Despite working for Microsoft as an affordability technology strategist and managing the AI for Accessibility grant program, I’m pretty skeptical of AI. As with any tool, AI can be used in quite productive, equitable, and visible ways, and it can also be used in dangerous, unique, and dangerous ones. Additionally, there are a lot of uses in the subpar center.

    I’d like you to consider this a “yes … and” piece to complement Joe’s post. Instead of refuting everything he’s saying, I’m pointing out some areas where AI may make real, positive impacts on people with disabilities. To be clear, I’m not saying that there aren’t true threats or pressing problems with AI that need to be addressed—there are, and we’ve needed to address them, like, yesterday—but I want to take a little time to talk about what’s possible in hope that we’ll get there one day.

    Other words

    Joe’s article spends a lot of time examining how computer vision models can create other words. He raises a lot of appropriate points regarding the state of the world right now. And while computer-vision concepts continue to improve in the quality and complexity of information in their information, their benefits aren’t wonderful. He argues to be accurate that the state of image research is currently very poor, especially for some graphic types, in large part due to the lack of context-based analysis that exists in the AI systems ( which is a result of having separate “foundation” models for text analysis and image analysis ). Today’s models aren’t trained to distinguish between images that are contextually relevant ( that should probably have descriptions ) and those that are purely decorative ( which might not need a description ) either. However, I still think there’s possible in this area.

    As Joe mentions, human-in-the-loop publishing of alt word should definitely be a factor. And if AI can intervene and provide a starting point for alt text, even if the swift reads,” What is this BS?” That’s not correct at all … Let me try to offer a starting point— I think that’s a win.

    If we can specifically teach a model to evaluate image usage in context, this could aid in more accurate identification of which images are likely to be elegant and which ones will probably require a desc.

  • I am a creative.

    I am a creative.

    I am a innovative. What I do is alchemy. It is a secret. I don’t perform it as much as I let it be done by me.

    I am a innovative. Certainly all creative people approve of this brand. Not everyone see themselves in this manner. Some innovative individuals incorporate technology into their work. That is their reality, and I respect it. Sometimes I even envy them, a minor. But my operation is different—my becoming is unique.

    Apologizing and qualifying in progress is a diversion. My brain uses that to destroy me. I put it off for the moment. I may regret and then define. After I’ve said what I should have. Which is challenging enough.

    Except when it is simple and flows like a beverage valley.

    Sometimes it does. Maybe what I need to make arrives right away. I’ve learned to avoid saying it right away because people think you don’t work hard enough when you know it’s the best idea when you’re on the go and you know it’s the best idea.

    Sometimes I just work until the thought strikes me. Maybe it arrives right away, but I don’t remind people for three weeks. Sometimes I get so excited about an idea that just came along that I blurt it out and didn’t stop myself. like a child who discovered a medal in one of his Cracker Jacks. Maybe I get away with this. Maybe other people agree: yes, that is the best idea. Most times they don’t and I regret having given way to passion.

    Passion should only be saved for the meet, when it matters. not the informal gathering that two different gatherings precede that meeting. Anyone knows why we have all these sessions. We keep saying we’re going to get rid of them, but we just keep trying to find different ways to get them. They occasionally also excel. Sometimes they detract from the real function, though. The percentages between when conferences are important, and when they are a sad distraction, vary, depending on what you do and where you do it. And who you are and how you go about doing it. Suddenly I digress. I am a innovative. That is the design.

    Sometimes, despite many hours of diligent effort, someone is hardly useful. Maybe I have to take that and move on to the next task.

    Don’t question about approach. I am a artistic.

    I am a innovative. I don’t handle my goals. And I don’t handle my best tips.

    I can nail aside, surround myself with information or photos, and maybe that works. I the

  • User Research Is Storytelling

    User Research Is Storytelling

    Always since I was a child, I’ve been fascinated with videos. I loved the figures and the excitement—but most of all the reports. I wanted to be an actor. And I figured out that I would be able to embark on exciting activities in the same way that Indiana Jones did. Yet my friends and I had movie ideas to make and sun in. But they never went any farther. I did, however, end up working in user experience ( UX). Today, I realize that there’s an element of drama to UX— I hadn’t actually considered it before, but consumer research is story. And to get the most out of customer studies, you must tell a compelling story that involves stakeholders, including the product team and decision-makers, and piques their interest in learning more.

    Think of your favourite film. More than likely it follows a three-act construction that’s frequently seen in story: the layout, the fight, and the quality. The second act provides an overview of what is happening now, and it also serves as a primer for the characters and the difficulties and issues they face. Act two introduces the fight, where the activity is. Here, difficulties grow or get worse. And the third and final work is the solution. This is where the problems are resolved and the figures grow and change. This architecture, in my opinion, is also a fantastic way to think about consumer research, and it might be particularly useful for introducing user research to others.

    Use story as a framework when conducting study.

    It’s sad to say, but many have come to see studies as being dispensable. Research is frequently one of the first thin when costs or timelines are limited.

  • Weekend Favs January 11th

    Weekend Favs January 11th

    Writer John Jantsch’s Weekend Favs, January 11th, are available for more reading at Duct Tape Marketing.

    I regularly blog links to a few instruments or useful articles that I came across during the week. I don’t go into detail about the sees, but I encourage you to check them out if they sound exciting. The image in the article is a favourite of the week and was posted online.

    Read more about John Jantsch‘s The Key to Smarter, Focused Productivity at Duct Tape Marketing.

    Jay Papasan and The Duct Tape Marketing Radio

    In this instance of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interviewed Jay Papasan, a best creator, VP of corporate information at Keller Williams Realty International, and co-creator of The One Point. Jay has spent his career helping people and businesses achieve extraordinary results by improving objectives and mastering the art of focus. His experience spans practice formation, goal setting, and deliberate decision-making, all aimed at fostering quality and performance in a universe filled with interruptions.

    Jay shared powerful insight from his book and his own experience during our talk, highlighting how smaller adjustments in habits and mindset can have transformative effects. Jay broke down practical strategies to help you understand competing priorities, boost time management, and achieve lasting business growth, from adopting efficient morning habits to coordinating decisions with core values.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Focus on the One Thing That Matters Most.
      Instead of juggling several priorities, choose one task or goal to make everything else simple or unnecessary.
    • Embrace the 66-Day Challenge for Habit Formation
      It takes an average of 66 days to form lasting habits, according to research. Use this time to create successful habits that are in line with your objectives.
    • Start your day with Morning Routines that Improve Clarity
      Review your day’s objectives before picking up your phone. This straightforward shift gives you the power to prioritize what matters most over distractions.
    • Simplify to Accelerate Business Growth
      To increase team morale and efficiency, focus on fewer initiatives that are carried out at a higher level.
  • Why Two Weeks Notice Is Hurting Workplace Culture

    Why Two Weeks Notice Is Hurting Workplace Culture

    Why Two Weeks Notice Hurts Workplace Culture by John Jantsch Read more at Duct Tape Marketing.

    Robert Glazer and the founder of Acceleration Partners, a global companion advertising firm, Robert Glazer, the author of the bestselling guide Rethinking Two Weeks Notice, were interviewed for this season of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast. Robert is an expert in working society, employee retention, and management. His work challenges outdated ]… ]

    Read more at Duct Tape Marketing at Solving the Marketing Leadership Gap for Small Business ( Marketing Leadership as a Service ).

    Small business marketing may feel like an infinite checklist: make information, run Google Ads, post on social media, and boost for SEO. The guidance is everywhere, but what if you’ve tried it all and still don’t see results?

    If this sounds familiar, you’re never alone. Some small business owners have trouble coming up with marketing techniques that can be measured. The problem isn’t usually a lack of effort—it’s usually a lack of leadership. Enter Marketing Leadership as a Service ( MLaaS )- a potent solution that bridges the gap between effort and impact by offering the strategic guidance small businesses need to succeed.

    As the leader of Duct Tape Marketing, I’ve spent over 30 years helping smaller companies change their marketing efforts into a growth-driving system. My goal has always been to create small business marketing actionable and to improve it.

    In this website, I explain the fundamental idea behind the marketing management gap and how addressing it can help you realize your business’s full potential. You’ll keep with concrete ways to build a marketing strategy that works, whether you’re a small business owner or a consultant looking to link your customers.

  • Stop Killing Ideas! Use “Yes, And” Instead of “No, Because”

    Stop Killing Ideas! Use “Yes, And” Instead of “No, Because”

    Prevent Killing Ideas! Use” Yes, And” Instead of” No, Because” written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

    Duncan Wardle, past mind of innovation and creativity at Disney, was interviewed for this season of The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast and discussed his methods for incorporating innovation and creativity into corporate culture. Duncan has spent years promoting creativity in some of the most well-known brands in the world.

    Why Two Weeks Notice Hurts Workplace Culture by John Jantsch Read more at Duct Tape Marketing.

    Robert Glazer’s The Duct Tape Marketing Audio

    In this instance of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interviewed Robert Glazer, chairman of Acceleration Partners, a global partner advertising firm, and author of the bestselling guide Rethinking Two Weeks Notice. Robert is an expert in working society, employee retention, and management. His function challenges obsolete business practices and proposes novel methods for creating thriving workplaces.

    During our chat, Robert shared powerful insights on why the standard &#8220, two days &#8217, notice&#8221, process is no longer successful and how companies can change it with the Open Transition Program. By fostering mental health, improving conversation, and rethinking job exit strategies, businesses can increase employee retention, protect workplace culture, and create long-term loyalty.

    Robert Glazer’s new perspective on personnel transitions offers practical strategies for improving employee engagement, workplace culture, and business reputation. By replacing antiquated methods like the two months &#8217, see with the Open Transition Program, businesses can create a friendly, faithful, and high-performing work environment.

    Important Restaurants:

    • Why Two Days ‘ Observe Is Outdated
      The traditional two days &#8217, see creates rushed shifts, strains associations, and affects workplace culture. During job moves, this outdated rule frequently causes unsatisfaction and unfounded feelings in both employers and employees.
    • The Open Transition Program: A Better Solution
      Robert described the strategic method known as the Open Transition Program.
  • How Strategic Planning Can Help You Crush Your Goals in 2025

    How Strategic Planning Can Help You Crush Your Goals in 2025

    Learn more at Duct Tape Marketing at How Strategic Planning Can Help You Love Your Targets in 2025 by John Jantsch.

    Strategic planning is one of those issues that’s easy to push off because, let’s face it, running a business keeps you occupied. But here’s the offer: if you don’t have a distinct plan, it’s much harder to reach your goals. You’ll simply get stumbling on your brakes rather than moving ahead. At Duct Tape Marketing, we’ve been ]… ]

    Prevent Killing Ideas! Use &#8220, Well, And &#8221, Instead of &#8220, No, Because&#8221, written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

    Duncan Wardle and The Duct Tape Marketing Radio

    Duncan Wardle, a previous head of innovation and creativity at Disney, was interviewed in this instance of the Duct Tape Marketing Radio. He discussed his methods for incorporating innovation and creativity into corporate culture. Duncan has spent decades fostering creativity in some of the country’s most memorable companies, including Disney Imagineering, Pixar, and Lucasfilm. His new strategy emphasizes breaking free from conventional thinking, fostering lively leadership, and framing challenges to produce breakthrough solutions.

    During our chat, Duncan highlighted the power of replacing the contemptuous” No, because” attitude with the creative” Yes, and” method. This straightforward change encourages creative thinking as well as changes personal thoughts into collective options that are more likely to achieve. Leaders can foster sustainable development and foster corporate creativity by instilling a culture of humorous leadership, integrating innovation into the DNA of teams, and addressing consumer pain points through new strategy reframing.

    Important Restaurants:

    • Adopt the &#8220, Well, And &#8221, Mindset
      Replace” No, because” with” Yes, and” to foster collaborative brainstorming and build on ideas instead of shutting them down.
    • Rethink Issues for Better Solutions
      Instead of asking,” How can we make more money”? reassess questions to address customer pain points, as Disney did with the Magic Band innovation.
    • Liquidity Playfulness to Unlock Creativity
      Use lively management techniques, such as small energizers and humor, to switch teams into a creative and problem-solving mindset. <
  • Weekend Favs January 18th

    Weekend Favs January 18th

    Weeknight Favs written by John Jantsch on January 18th are available for viewing at Duct Tape Marketing.

    My weekly blog post schedule includes including links to a few resources or engaging content from the week. I don’t go into detail about the sees, but I encourage you to check them out if they sound exciting. The image in the article is a favorite of the week and was posted online.

    John Jantsch‘s book, How Strategic Planning Can Help You Love Your Objectives in 2025 is available for reading.

    Strategic planning is one of those issues that’s easy to push off because, let’s face it, running a business keeps you active. But here’s the offer: if you don’t have a distinct plan, it’s much harder to reach your goals. You’ll simply get stumbling around rather than moving forward.

    At Duct Tape Marketing, we’ve been tweaking our strategic planning method for years, and it’s been a game-changer. Since we started using this technique, we’ve grown our profit by around 20 % every year. &nbsp,

    If you’re ready to map out your best season however, let’s take a look at how we do it.

    What Is Strategic Planning, Actually?

    Strategic planning is just a fancy way to describe how you’re making a plan to accomplish your objectives and figuring out how to proceed. It’s about thinking big (one-year and three-year targets ) and then breaking it down into smaller, manageable chunks you can concentrate on every quarter.

    Many people skip strategic planning because they are too busy or don’t follow through on the strategy after making it. That’s why having a basic system makes all the difference.

    Our Go-To Framework for Strategic Planning

    At Duct Tape Marketing, we combine thinking, goal-setting, and action steps into a method that actually works. Here’s how:

    1. Getting Specific on What Is Important to You.

    Take a moment to reflect on your personal values before pursuing company goals. What drives you? What matters most? When you’re clear on this, it’s much easier to keep inspired and make choices that feel right to your values.

    Consider This:

    Grab a notebook ( or our handy spreadsheet ) and brainstorm what’s important to you. Is it work-life stability? Making an impact? Economic security? Once you have your list, rate your major 10. These are your methods for maintaining your plan’s focus and sanity.

    2. Lay the Foundation for Your Company

    Your company needs a solid foundation. This indicates k.

  • Why Your Focus Groups Are Failing and What to Do Instead

    Why Your Focus Groups Are Failing and What to Do Instead

    Learn more at Duct Tape Marketing in John Jantsch’s book Why Your Focus Groups Are Failing and What Should You Do Rather.

    Jacqueline Lieberman, the leader of Brand Crudo and the author of the Anti-Focus Group process, was interviewed in this show of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast. Founded in 2004, Jacqueline works with international brands like Google, Unilever, and Lexus to uncover the unmistakable truths and create modern brands.

    Learn more at Duct Tape Marketing in John Jantsch’s book Why Your Focus Groups Are Failing and What Should You Do Rather.

    Jacqueline Lieberman’s audio The Duct Tape Marketing

    In this instance of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interviewed Jacqueline Lieberman, chairman of Brand Crudo and creator of the Anti-Focus Group process. Jacqueline works with international brands like Google, Unilever, and Lexus to uncover the truth and create creative product strategies.

    Jacqueline explained why a new strategy is necessary for B2B marketing success and why classic focus groups frequently fail to give meaningful customer insights. She introduced the concept of the Anti-Focus Group, a special process that replaces barren meeting rooms with VIP dinners to access true customer feedback, psychological triggers, and deeper connections. This innovative technique delivers useful insights that generate powerful model messaging, marketing solutions, and business strategies.

    Jacqueline Lieberman’s Anti-Focus Group revolutionizes the way businesses approach consumer insights, brand strategy, and advertising technology. By moving beyond traditional concentrate groups and embracing close, VIP settings, businesses can access deeper psychological triggers, craft more powerful messaging, and enhance their B2B marketing efforts. If you’re ready to change your approach to client research and product development, the Anti-Focus Group method offers a new, efficient solution.

     

    Key Takeaways:

    • Traditional focus groups fail because of this
      Traditional focus groups often take place in uninspiring environments, like conference rooms or Zoom panels, where participants feel detached or distracted. The emotional triggers and raw truths that are necessary for effective brand strategy are lost in these settings.
    • The Power of Anti-Focus Groups
      Jacqueline’s An