I’ve been following news on the Droid since it was announced, hoping it would live up to the iPhone and I wouldn’t have to dump Verizon for AT&T.  I got an email regarding the phone’s new website, and I hate it.  Not the phone (jury’s still out) – but the site.

Here’s a screenshot of the site – which overall isn’t that bad – kind of clever actually.  Once you sit through or skip the “DROID>IPHONE” apple commercial spoof intro, this big ball loads and we’re meant to click on the concepts surrounding it.  When you click on one the big ball shows info about that item.  I like this concept.  I loathe the execution.

Yes, after some concentration, I can read that white text – but it ain’t easy.  There’s also an animation rolling around behind the letters – the red dots pulsing in and out.  Seriously?! Why should I have to squint to read about the phone’s features?  Shouldn’t they get top billing?

Additionally, the only thing that changes when you pick a new link from the wheel is that white text.  The DROID DOES logo and phone image don’t change.  Couldn’t you have put some hardware photos, or some OS screenshots in there?  I don’t want to read a two-sentence paragraph about the Droid’s GPS features.  I want to SEE the damn map.

One of the Droid’s biggest “I’m better than iPhone” claims is it’s 5 megapixel camera.  Here’s an unconventional idea – SHOW SOME SAMPLE PHOTOS.  Even if they’re fakes.  Nobody will know the difference and you’ve at least embedded the idea in your customer’s heads that the thing takes decent photos.

Seriously.  There’s a link that says “calendars” and no pictures of the calendar interface.  The God of the Internet is weeping.

Congrats, however, on making it all shiny and pretty.  That’s definitely more important than actually delivering any content.

Here’s something that should not exist, but does:

Sparky and I enjoy counting tacky Virginia Tech tchotchkes on local cars – it’s one of the love/hate things about SWVA that we’ll miss/not miss.  All those VT-adorned Silverados have now been outclassed (out unclassed?) by the Christiansburg shop owner flying this flag.

No.  Just no.

Investigation of Radford Officials is Possible – Roanoke.com

Also, Roc-TV has some great video interviews with students from after the open forums on their youtube channel.

______________________________

Original photo info:

Justin Cook | The Roanoke Times

March 26, 2009

President Penelope Kyle waits to answer a question during an open budget forum at Bondurant Auditorium in Preston Hall Radford University in Radford, Va.

What is up with this whole “art on the floor” thing?  I’m down with art leaning on top of a shelf or piece of furniture, but the floor?  The floor is for shoes, cat toys, and dirty clothes.

Seriously:

What is this about?  I’m seeing it everywhere.
 

Okay, to recap:

Ladies and gentlemen of the Internet, I have a very serious issue to discuss with you today.  I voted in yesterday’s election after waiting in line for 30 minutes (and driving 30 minutes to get to my old town-of-residence since apparently you have to tell the government if you move – tyranny!).  After casting my ballot, I handed over the high tech polling device given to me by the election official (a couple of No. 2 pencils rubber-banded together) and was shown the door.  I did not receive a sticker.

When I inquired about the availability of stickers, the election official told me the city didn’t have enough money to buy stickers for voters.  You guys, this is an outrage.  How am I supposed to silently point out my patriotism to others?  Without that check-mark-adorned sticker on my lapel, I’ll have to share my political participation verbally.  I don’t know about you, Internet, but that’s not my America.

I urge all of you to write your (new?) congressman or congresswoman and let them know you will not stand for being destickerized.  Don’t let them take your self-satisfaction away!  KNOW YOUR RIGHTS.

In the months leading up to January 1, 1999, we heard a lot of “party like it’s 1999″ jokes.  On January 2, 1999, all those jokes were officially voided.  Many of us had that one friend who attempted a “party like it’s 2000″ joke the next year and was forever ostracized.

My point:  DO YOU THINK YOU ARE CLEVER, INTERNET?

By the way - "Save people, not bankers"? Are bankers actually androids? Did THAT cause the market crash?

I could go on, but screenshots of other peoples’ headlines get old fast.

My rage is only increased by the fact that as I uploaded all of those pictures, I was treated to my memory’s best rendition of the chorus of “1999″ about 98 billion times.  THANKS, GUYS!

In these trying economic times, I hope Prince is making a few bucks off royalties.