Of course you do!
Join us at ASAE Annual on Tuesday, Aug. 24 at 9 a.m. to learn cost-cutting ways to improve on your current operational technology. This session will provide real examples, real cost comparisons, and real take-aways that you can implement immediately. Jim Cooke, VP, teams up with Renato Sogueco, CIO of Society of American Florists, for “Weaving Great Technology into Operations on a Tight Budget.” Learn how to best use virtualization, open source software, server software solutions, web server solutions, broadband, and specific work-sharing apps to benefit the day-to-day of your office.
Weaving Great Technology into Operations on a Tight Budget
Tuesday, Aug. 24
9 -10:15 AM
Session Track: D3 Administration
Find more info on this Learning Lab.
Attending ASAE Annual or just listening in?
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August 18, 2010
Network Account Executive Brittany Sullivan questions the appropriateness of a business transaction a la Direct Message.
Twitter can be a wonderful business tool–it’s a great way to gain instant access to clients, prospects, industry hot topics, and more. I don’t consider myself a Twitter pro, but have mastered the finicky art of following folks, retweeting things I find interesting, and creating my own content here and there. But lately, I’ve been questioning the role that some of Twitter’s functions should play in business communication. The ability to instantly share information to a large group of followers and receive content that you choose to view is invaluable, but what about that Direct Messaging feature?
I’ve noticed that folks are using direct messages on Twitter for things that I typically reserve for email, or are sending me a direct message in response to an email.
I want to ask: “Why didn’t you just respond to my email?”
Perhaps I am long winded, or have not discovered the true value of the Direct Message feature, but I believe a direct message doesn’t quite have the scope or flexibility to substitute business-related email.
What are your thoughts? Are you using Twitter’s Direct Message feature for things you previously reserved for email?
Do you find it easier to put some communique in Twitter, reserving others for plain old e-mail? Where do you make the distinction?
–Brittany Sullivan, Account Executive, Network Media Partners, Inc.
Follow Britt: @BrittMSullivan
August 11, 2010
Identifying type by classification is essential to designers and non-designers alike
As a designer, it’s vital to be able to identify the different classes of type. It’s also important for the non-designer to have some knowledge of basic type classifications to aid in making decisions about what they would like to see in a particular project. Below is a basic run-down with a few tips to help you along the way.
Serif
Does it have those little extra lines (read: serifs) on the ends of the letter stems?
Is there a contrast between thick and thin strokes?
Answer: You are looking at serif type. The serifs help the eye carrying on from one letter to the next, which is especially helpful when reading long blocks of text. Serif type is commonly used in novels and magazines for its increased legibility. There are a few specific types of serifs – but to state it simply, they can be bracketed or un-bracketed (meaning there either is or is not a curved line connecting the stem of the letter to the serif).
Sans serif
Are the letters almost all equal weight?
Are there no serifs present?
Answer: Sans in french means ‘without’ so sans serif would mean ‘without serifs’. Perfect! Sans serifs are one of the most modern classifications of type and you’ll see examples of it anywhere from interstate signage to your computer keyboard. There are also a few more specific types of sans serifs such as humanist or grotesque which are categorized by the shapes of the letters and stroke weights.
Block serif
So your typeface looks like a serif, but it has heavier weight serifs – most likely equal (or close) to the weight of the letter itself. You are looking at a block (or slab) serif. This is a more common serif classification – and gives a modern twist on the traditional bracketed serif.
Script
Do the letters look like calligraphy or cursive writing?
Is there a contrast between thick and thin weights, as if someone were hand-writing the text?
Answer: Here you have a script. There are many varieties – from calligraphy to less traditional handwritten cursive typefaces. Usually scripts look better at larger sizes and aren’t used as frequently as text for an article.
–Jenni Sweitzer, Graphic Designer, Network Media Partners, Inc.
July 19, 2010
