2007年6月19日星期二
31 Different Ways To Lace Shoes
Criss Cross LacingThis is probably the most common method of lacing normal shoes and boots. The laces simply criss-cross as they work their way up the shoe.
FEATURES:TraditionalSimple to laceComfortableCorrugates shoe
Over Under LacingA variation of Criss Cross Lacing that alternates between running over and then under. It's my own preferred method for most of my shoes & runners.
FEATURES:Ian's favourite!DecorativeFaster & easierLess wear & tear
Straight (European) LacingThis traditional method of Straight Lacing appears to be more common in Europe. The laces run straight across pairs of eyelets and diagonally underneath.
FEATURES:Shortens endsNeat on topMessy underneath
Straight (Fashion) LacingOften referred to as "Bar Lacing" or "Lydiard Lacing", this variation of Straight Lacing eliminates the underlying diagonals, which looks neater plus relieves pressure on the top ridge of the foot.
FEATURES:Neatest lookingSlightly difficultOnly for even pairs of eyelets (eg. 6, 8)
Straight (Lazy) LacingThis is a "lazy" variation of Straight (Fashion) Lacing where one end runs straight from bottom to top whilst the other end steps through the eyelets.
FEATURES:Neatest lookingEnd lengths shiftOnly for even pairs of eyelets (eg. 6, 8)
Bushwalk / Cycling LacingAn inside-out version of Straight (Fashion) Lacing, which distributes pressure evenly plus keeps the knots & ends to the side, away from either snagging undergrowth or from bicycle chains & cranks.
FEATURES:Evens out pressureReduces snaggingLooks messy
Sawtooth LacingThis variation of Straight Lacing has all of the angled underlying sections pulling the same way, which shifts the sides of the shoe out of alignment. Of dubious merit, perhaps only to correct an otherwise ill-fitting shoe.
FEATURES:Easier to tightenMis-aligns sidesModifies fit
Shoe Shop LacingCommonly used by shoe shop assistants because it's so fast to lace new shoes, this method is another "lazy" variation of traditional Straight Lacing.
FEATURES:Lazy way of lacingShortens endsEnd lengths shift
Display Shoe LacingShoe stores often use this reversed version of Criss Cross Lacing on their display shoes in order to end up with the lace ends neatly tucked away inside.
FEATURES:Neat display shoeEasier to loosenHarder to tighten
Ladder LacingThis distinctive lacing, which looks just like a ladder, is also useful for "shortening" long lace ends. U.S. paratroopers and ceremonial guard units wear jump boots with white ladder lacing.
FEATURES:Neat & distinctiveShortens moreHarder to tighten
Double Back LacingAlthough terribly awkward to tighten, this method looks interesting, holds very firmly, and can also be used if you're desperate to shorten long lace ends.
FEATURES:Shortens moreStays very tightTerribly awkward
Bow Tie LacingSo named because the outline resembles the shape of a bow-tie, this method makes the most efficient use of lace and thus is useful for "lengthening" short lace ends.
FEATURES:Lengthens endsComfort "zones"Loose fit
Double Helix LacingThis method was invented and patented by Monte Fisher for faster lacing of boots. See Monte's own beautifully animated web site: http://www.lukefisher.com/lacing
FEATURES:DecorativeFast & easyLess wear & tear
Double Cross LacingThis blend of Over Under Lacing and Hash Lacing creates overlapping "crosses", which can also be woven into the most intricate "macrame".
FEATURES:DecorativeHarder to tightenIf woven, very tricky to tighten
Hash LacingWhen used on modern boots and runners with a wide gap and many eyelets, the result resembles a diagonal series of hash "#" symbols.
FEATURES:DecorativeShortens endsHarder to tighten
Lattice LacingGreat for boots and runners with a wide gap, this very popular method forms a neat woven lattice in the middle of the lacing.
FEATURES:Very popular!Very decorativeShortens moreHarder to tighten
Zipper LacingThough awkward to tighten, this lacing holds very firmly, making it great for lacing skates tightly. It also looks interesting, a bit like a giant zipper.
FEATURES:DecorativeHolds very firmlyHarder to tighten
Riding Boot LacingOften referred to as "Bal-Lacing", this method is specifically for riding boots (motorbike or equestrian) in which the part that is tightened and loosened is at the middle of the boot (near the ankle). The laces zig-zag from both ends and fasten in the middle.
FEATURES:Unusual layoutNeat appearanceSpecific use only
One Handed LacingAs an alternative to the One Handed Shoelace Knot, this way of lacing eliminates the need to even tie a knot by leaving one end loose.
FEATURES:Handicapped useSurprisingly easyLoose fit
Segmented LacingThis variation divides the lacing into two or more "segments", each of which can be laced up as tightly or loosely as necessary to achieve a comfortable yet secure fit for "difficult" shoes or feet.
FEATURES:CustomisableMany usesLooks messy
Knotted Segment LacingA more attractive though less flexible variation of Segmented Lacing in which a knot makes the lower segment of shoelace permanently tighter or looser.
FEATURES:CustomisableMany usesHarder to get foot into shoe
Hidden Knot LacingBy hiding the knot underneath, the result is an uninterrupted series of straight "bars" that looks particularly distinctive on dress shoes or basketball shoes alike.
FEATURES:Very distinctiveTricky to tie knotSlight discomfort
Bi-Colour LacingBy popular request, here's a way of lacing to end up with two different colour laces alternating up the shoe, exactly like my bi-colour illustrations.
FEATURES:Very decorativeWork requiredSlight discomfort
Double LacingAnother way of ending up with two colours is to use two laces. These are interwoven up the shoe, ending up with four lace ends that can then be tied creatively.
FEATURES:Very decorativeCreative optionsNeeds new laces
Checkerboard LacingThis interwoven lacing forms an attractive 2-colour checkerboard pattern that looks fantastic on today's wide fronted runners.
FEATURES:Most popular!Very decorativeSlip-on or off(no knot required)Loose fit
Loop Back LacingEach side loops back on itself down the middle, rather like when two springs become intertwined. However, those loop-backs tend to shift off-centre.
FEATURES:DecorativeLaces wear moreCentreline shifts
Knotted LacingAdding an overhand knot at each crossover increases friction and keeps the lacing much firmer. Ideal for tightening ice skates, rollerblades, etc.
FEATURES:Keeps lacing tightAssists tighteningHarder to loosen
Twistie LacingLike a combination of Loop Back and Knotted Lacing, the laces are twisted together with a vertical overhand knot at each crossover before continuing to the other side.
FEATURES:DecorativeKeeps lacing tightHarder to loosen
Roman LacingAlternating X-I-X-I on top of the shoe, which looks a little like Roman numerals. It's most effective on dress shoes where the sides of the shoe meet in the middle.
FEATURES:DecorativeGreat on dress shoesHarder to tighten
Footbag LacingFootbag players use this lacing to open up the front of their shoes, making it easier to catch or otherwise control the footbag (or "Hacky Sack").
FEATURES:Great for Footbag FreestyleLess bindingDistorts shoes
Lock LacingOften referred to as "Lace Locks", this is not a lacing method as much as a technique for creating a super-tight finish. It's often recommended for lacing running shoes to help prevent heel slippage.
FEATURES:Tightens firmlyReduces slippageHarder to loosen
2007年6月5日星期二
Tag的关系和呈现
关系
Tag和Category
在层级的角度，Tag属于文章，文章属于Category；在组织的角度，Category是对文章的概括，而Tag是对文章的提炼；在认知的角度，Tag是以内容创建者(Creator)为中心，Category才是真正的以用户(User)为中心。
Tag和Creator
随着Tag越来越社会化，这些本来以Creator为中心的主观只言片语，开始变的有生命力，能够充分反映人思维的趋同性，也正是这个原因，Flickr的图片搜索才会如此精准。
Tag和User
定义Tag只是内容组织的手段，而不是方法，所以没必要让User看到。设计师应该做到的，是通过Tag精准匹配内容，再推送给User。
呈现
现在比较流行把Tag堆出来，貌似很Web2.0的样子。如果能控制Tag质量，这样也未尝不可，尤其是在个人blog上的应用。但很多网站的Tag是直接呈现给User，普遍问题：
1. 语义模糊，其实就是Category，显然不合适。
2. 概念重复或包含，会让User疑惑，并且造成内容分流。
3. 太专业，没有针对网站用户群。
有点类似Search的"热门关键词"应用，除了迎合User需求，还得做到与时俱进，能够客观反映社会现象。普通Creator自己创建Tag的质量一定不高，所以需要人肉再编辑，采用分级、加权等办法筛选和提炼，宁缺勿滥，否则对User的意义不大。
图片来自QQ书签首页
居然有很多中英文低级重复，档次太低。
图片来自雅虎书签首页
有很多概念上的重复和包含，质量也不高。
图片来自搜狐博客首页
"六一、高考、印花税"都是最近流行的词，总的来说还不错。
源文档 <http://blog.rexsong.com/?p=756>
更廉价的失败
原作者: Josh Kopelman | 译者: hermes 
(Blog) | 发表时间：今天 01:47:31
如果去问那些成功的企业家他们是如何获得商业灵感的，你可能会发现，他们其中大部分人最初始打算去做的事情和你所熟悉的公司业务非常不同。PayPal起步的时候是作为在掌上导航器中的理财服务出现的，而YouTube曾经是一个视频约会网站。真相是，一个企业的早期风险全部在于实验措施和重复操作。每一个商业计划书在完成时便是错误的。优秀的企业家认可这一点，并构建出能对早期市场信息快速反应的敏捷团队，以便确认真正的商业模式和最小化风险。
这些实验所带来的必然的副作用，便是大部分的初创公司会最终失败。即使神秘的“90%失败率”已经被证实为谎言，我仍然冒昧的猜测，对于以技术为基础的初创公司而言，失败率依然极其的高。这就是早期创业世界的自然法则，而且最好是让企业家参与其中，通过那些血的教训，换取更多的机会和风险。或者，如同Jeremy Liew的恰当说法：“公司总会消亡，创建者和员工却从中获得经验继续前行，并充满希望的创立更多的公司。我特别偏爱那些重获新生的团队的后一种行为。”
今天，受惠于那些网络范畴里有据可查的转变（越来越低的存储成本，开软软件，离岸开发），创建一个软件公司的成本比以前低得多。事实上，在我1999年合伙创办Infonautics的时候，我们花费了500万美元让第一种产品投向市场。在2003年TurnTide，我们花费了250万美元。而2005年在Jingle Networks的时候，我们仅仅花费了75万美元便推出了首个产品。实际上，在过去几年总共30几个首轮投资中，我们的初始投资（initial）平均规模为30万美元。
最近，我们已经注意到了许多创业失败的案例。Techcrunc甚至建立了一个“deadpool”（死亡池）——来怀念那些在第一次互联网热潮中受到诅咒的老公司。这使得一些人推测说，不断升高的创业失败率证明了目前的原始积累模式有缺陷。不过，我可不这么认为。
尽管失败案例看起来更多，（由于新创建的公司也更多），创业早期的失败率很可能仍然大致相同。唯一的变化是，你可能现在失败的更快，变得更不值钱。虽然我更愿意投资那些成功的公司，可是，如果这个公司将不可避免的失败，我宁愿她失败的更快。
我相信，种子期投资的目的是为了验证（或否定）企业家的假设，从而得到”去风险“的机会。种子期的公司要筹到足够的钱，以便能够反复实验——只要他们的假设仍然有效，以及他们确实在不断的显著进步和降低风险。比起以往的模式，今天这种允许企业家和投资者尝试失败的模式更具资本效率。很多公司以前会浪费风险资本上百万美元，同时，企业家也浪费了几年的生命，只是为了一个失败的假设。现在，周期会短的多。
在1991年Infonautics的时候，我们筹集资本来引导市场调查研究——我们花费了15万美元进行民意调查、对象人群以及附属研究，以验证市场的有效性。今天，公司实际上可以在更短的周期内推出那个量级的产品了。你愿意看到真实市场的反馈结果呢，还是仅仅愿意看到市场研究调查的结果？
下图（来自Benchmark的Peter Fenton发布于Venturebeat）阐明了Peter Fenton所描述的“网络公司更为残酷的优胜劣汰环境”：
传统的融资模式
在传统的融资模式下，通过达到某些确定的里程碑，一个公司的风险会下降，而在同时，其价值评估便会向上进行跳跃。在每个里程碑，追加投资是必须的，从而导致投资家在更高级别的金融投资，以及企业家更多的时间投资。
新的“更廉价的”融资模式
对于新的融资模式，创业者能够在更长的时间段内进行实验和再实验，但仅有极少量的资本投入。只有当一些投资风险通过加速吸收而被排除的时候，公司才能够筹集到更多的钱来重新定义商业模式并展开扩张。总之，创立公司和确认企业家和投资者是否该继续追求这个机会的时间与成本都大大的降低了。
意料之中的是，作为种子期投资者，我将会比中晚期投资者获得更多数量的失败投资。然而，我也期望能在失败的投资中投入更少。我会被证明是对的么？只有时间能说明一切。而现在，我更愿意支持那些能够更廉价失败（或成功）的公司。
2007年5月31日星期四
Flags of the World by Color Usage
Shahee Ilyas has lots of fun and interesting projects on his site. One I found particularly interesting was a breakdown of all the flag colors in the world and how much each color is used in each flag.
With his permission here they are:
Each sector the pie-chart is proportional to the area of the color on the respective flag
Click on an Image to Reveal the Country Flag
Congo, Democratic Republic of the 
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Micronesia, Federated States of
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
All Flag Colors Combined
Using a list of countries generated by The World Factbook database, flags of countries fetched from Wikipedia (as of 26th May 2007) are analyzed by a custom made python script to calculate the proportions of colors on each of them. That is then translated on to a piechart using another python script. The proportions of colors on all unique flags are used to finally generate a piechart of proportions of colors for all the flags combined. (note: colors making up less than 1% may not appear)
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