Cons

• It might limit creativity. When working in Photoshop you don’t really think about how you would translate the pixels into HTML and CSS. That’s why most of the time I would make something and really had to push myself to get the same effect on a working website. Forcing me to develop my HTML and CSS skills. Working directly with HTML and CSS it’s not likely you will think up of something which is hard to create. This narrows the vision and might limit creativity.
• It’s hard for clients to comment on the things that matter. Because the website looks so real (it’s already functioning with hovers, menu’s, etc.) clients tend to comment on trivial things such as a missing disclaimer page. It’s harder for them to look at it as a design and give critique on used colors, photo’s, fonts and the positioning of elements.

Pro’s

• I’ts more realistic. What you see is what you get. Clients can look at it on their mobile and tablet or on different browsers. They can experience the design like their users will in the future. Compared to the old ways (creating a rendered Photoshop JPEG) there is less going back and forth between you and the client about the translation of the design into HTML and CSS.
• It’s faster. Because you don’t have to recreate the Photoshop design in HTML and CSS anymore you can skip a step in the process. When a client signs off the design you only have to add a few extra pages or (in my case) you will need to make the design fit for a Content Management System. This can be a real time-saver.

• Animal Life – Shearwater
• Can’t be Friends – Craxxxsoft
• D.D. – The Weekend
• Devil’s Work – Miike Snow
• Fool – Contrakids
• Forget Me – Dozens
• Holiday – Capital Cities
• It’s My Part – Jonquil
• Laibac – Nite Moves
• Mom’s Away! – Miracles of Modern Science
• Pilot – Professor Penguin
• Unthinkable – James & Evander
• Shuffle a Dream – Little Dragon
• Garden – Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs
• Excuse Me – Le Maitre
• Everything Goes My Way – Metronome
• Lies – Absofacto

Senna
Although I’m not a big Formula One fan I enjoyed this amazing documentary about F1 driver Ayrton Senna. I knew a little bit about his history; <spoiler>he dies in a crash</spoiler>, but I knew nothing about the rivalry with Alan Prost. And even though you know Senna is going to crash, the moment it happens it still shocked me. The whole movie has been building up to this point and it has been done very well. Watch this! Even if you hate F1!

Overnight
I have watched this documentary about the writer and director, Troy Duffy, of Boondock Saints a couple times now. It’s fascinating to see how fame and success can get into someone’s head. Troy Duffy came from nowhere, made a critically acclaimed movie, thought he was invincible and horribly crashed his career into oblivion.

Hearts of Darkness
Shows the making of one of the best movie of the last century: Apocalyse Now. No Hollywood movie studio would put up the money to finance a film about Vietnam, so Francis Ford Copolla did it all by himself. This movie gives you an insight in how the movie was made, and especially how crazy it (and everyone) was. You get the feeling you are watching a bunch of people having a bad trip but in the end they were just making an historic movie.

1. Post what you know
   Showcase your knowledge. If you are an expert on a particular field (such as HTML5 or Drupal) display those skills in your blog. Give tutorials or useful links to resources. Just as you would list your skills in your CV you can do the same (but more elaborate) on your blog.
2. Post what you like
   Your CV includes a ‘Hobbies’ section in which you include generic things such as ‘music’ or ‘wachting movies’.  But on your blog you can expand on this. You can link to your favorite movies or music artists. Potential employers can get a feel about what kind of person you are, making it more likely to invite you for a job interview. Or not. Maybe your preferences are a total disconnect with the person screening you. But that’s even better, saving you the hassle for going to an interview for a job you will never get.

Before I unleash my predictions on 2012 I first want to reflect on the predictions I did for 2011:

1. The War between Google and Facebook is getting heated up
   With the launch of Google+, Google’s attempt for a Social Network, the war has reached it’s boiling point. Both parties don’t cooperate anymore. They are trying to dominate as much domains as possible going head on. This prediction has come true.
2. The Rise of Drupal and WordPress
   Last year I predicted that Drupal and WordPress would see a rise in a popularity when compared to Joomla. If you look at these stats this has become reality. Joomla is caught in a downwards spiral which has started to decline heavier in 2011. This, I also predicted correctly.
3. HTML5 & CSS3
   This prediction was a bit more complicated. What comes down to is that we (webdesigner) would be able to use more advanced HTML and CSS techniques because of the decline of outdated browsers (such as Internet Explorer 6). This has been the case. Microsoft is even counting down the usage of Internet Explorer 6. A good year for the webdesigner, but for me personally because all three my predictions have been spot on.

And now for the real show: My predictions for 2012:

 1. Apple Downhill

2012 is going to be the year in which the popularity of Apple will start a decline. I don’t expect that everyone will dump any product baring the Apple logo, but there will be a increase of people who will doubt the status of Apple. With the passing of Steve Jobs there is a big gaping hole within Apple. The leader is dead, there isn’t a dictator who has the guts to make decisions. This will result in sub-par products which are the result of compromises.

The iPhone 4S was disappointing, but the iPad 3 won’t be revolutionary. It is going to be a little bit better and faster but that’s about it. The televisions Apple is rumored to be developing won’t be more than a Frankenstein between existing products. If we reflect on the technological advancements of 2012 at the end of this year we will see that Apple has been trumped by Amazon. Because I predict Amazon, with Jeff Bezos as visonairy, will be the new Apple.

2. Webdesign is going back to basic

I already reflected on this here.

 3. Interactive Televisions

2012 is going to be another year in which the interactive television is going to be a hot topic. For years people are trying (and failing) to create a TV which utilizes all the advantages the Internet brings us. 2012 is another year where it won’t happen. Google has been trying to get some grip on the market with Google TV, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to breakthrough in 2012. Apple is also developing a Television (as mentioned above).

It’s not about the medium. It’s about the content. Because what’s the iPod without iTunes or imagine the iPhone without the Apps. It wouldn’t have been such a big hit. It’s going to be extremely difficult to cut a good deal with the Television broadcasters. That’s why I think that 2012 is the rise and fall of the Interactive Television.

What do you think about my predictions? Am I on the right track or is it all bullshit? Let me know in the comments!

My (one-man) band is called The Marshall McLuhans and the EP is called global village. More info on the official Marshall McLuhans website!

Let me know what you think!

Skyrim is unique because it gives you an huge immersive playing field and you can be (almost) anything you want. I know there are a lot of games who promise the same, but Skyrim delivers. I for one have chosen to be a Battle mage (NERD! I know….) who is bad to the bone. Sneaking around, stealing shit and murdering innocent town people. Kind of an obvious choice but there are also people playing as a pacifist enjoying the game without killing anyone. You can become a soldier, cook, alchemist, lumberjack, farmer, warrior, mage, thief, murderer etc. The possibilities are endless. This is one of the first games which really let’s you create your own story. You can follow the rigid and linear path of the main quests, but nobody says you have to.

When you are not into Fantasy, try to look past it and see the beauty this game really is.

P.S.: Want to know more about the game and what people are doing with it? Read the special Skyrim reddit version. People share their experience with each other and it gives a great insight in the way people experience this great game.

1. Community

By far the best TV serie currently available. They call it a sitcom but it is by far comparable to any sitcom I have ever seen. Every episode is a parody on a genre or mocking the traditional sitcom story lines. Despite all critical acclaim this show is struggling to keep it’s head above water. Here’s hoping we will see it back in 2012!

2. Breaking Bad

A chemical teacher diagnosed with cancer becomes a drug dealer. I’ve watched almost all episodes in one month. After the first three episodes (which are a bit slow and boring) I became addicted. There are some great twists and turns and it’s very dark. And when the ending titles flash on the screen it will keep you begging for more.

3. Entourage

Ari Gold and Johnny Drama are probably the two best characters ever displayed on screen. 2011 was the year the final episode was aired but there are rumors they will be back with a movie. The episodes are short (about 30 minutes) so it’s easy to squeeze one in when you have a spare moment.

4. Parks and Recreation

What seems like an Office ripoff becomes much more after watching just a few episodes. You get a real connection with the characters and everything Andy Dwyer says is pure gold.

5. Homeland

I started watching this show after I already made a draft of this blog post six days ago. I’ve now seen all available episodes (11, the season is still running). It has the same addictive qualities as the first season of Prison Break and Lost. The best new show of 2011, check it out!

TV Shows that Jumped the shark
The Office has been in decline since Michael Scott (played by Steve Carrel) left. It’s funny but that’s about it, I really don’t like Bernard as head of the Office. Also Dexter is becoming really boring in it’s sixth season. Very predictable. I already knew ‘The big twist of the season’ (I won’t say what) at episode three. It’s revealed in episode ten! Draaaagiiiing iiiit ouuuuut much?

EDIT: Whoops
I totally forgot Game of Thrones! Probably the best TV show ever! Adapted after the immense popular books by George R.R. Martin. Lord of the Rings is for pussies, watch this!

My Top 10:

• Contact High – Architecture in Helsinki
• How Will I Copulate – Starslinger
• No Love – Hooray for Earth
• Noche Nada – The Givers
• Holidays – Miami Horror
• Houdini – Foster the People
  
• The Look – Metronomy
  
• All the Time – Lovett
• Big Brown Eyes (radio edit) – Benny Sings
• Dreamssssss – Jonny Dylan Hughes

• Baby Mama – Star Slinger
• I <3 U So – Cassius
• Funny Games – First Rate People
• Monuments – Hurt Valley
• Once and For All – Clock Opera
• 80844264@81 (Love Song) – Absofacto
• Death as a Fetish – Starfucker
• Float On – Cities Aviv
• Jejune Stars – Bright Eyes
• Fireball – Royal Bangs
• Lighthouse – NewVillager
• Over and Under – Sunvisor
• Battleships – I’m From Barcelona
• Climbing Walls – Strange Talk
• Parrot Jam – Chalices of the Past
• Pinned – When Saints Go Machine
• All Their Sisters – Bibio
• Wait in the Dark – Memory Tapes
• Shuffle – Bombay Bicycle Club
• Dreams to Wishes – Fabian
• Lindsfarne II – James Blake
• Midnight City – M83
• Beard – Burning Hotels
• Det Haster! – Casiokids
• Fall Creek Boys Choir – Bon Iver ft. James Blake
• falling forever and ever – Ricky Eat Acid
• Feather (Don’t Change on Me) – Absofacto
• Weekend – Class Actress
• Sparks – Echorev
• A Case of You – James Blake
• A Walk – Tycho
• Bulletproof (I Hurt You) – Contrakids
• Calm – VEKTROID
• Cosmic Gloss – Zorch
• Hands – Alpine
• Encore – Digitalism
• Pharaohs – SBTRKT
• Black, the Colour of my Heart – Monarchy
• Never Meant to Know – Tally Hall
• Spectre – Miracle Fortress

• Flash is dead: With Google not indexing Flash sites, Apple denying it’s existence on their products and HTML5 being the Google-friendly alternative, it is all going downhill for Flash.
• Hovers do not work on a tablet or mobile phone: The rise of the mobile devices is unstoppable. We need to tailor or sites to make them work perfectly on any devices. Meaning hovers will be a thing of the past because you can not hover on a smartphone or tablet. So no more fancy jQuery hover pop-up thingies.
• Tiny fonts are a thing of the past: 10 to 12px is very small. Read this great article why everything should be 16px.
• Websites need to be fast: Mobile visitors have lower bandwidth so you can not load a gazillion javascript files to make it all look pretty. Also Google will rank you higher when you speed up your site.