Courtesy of a nameless coworker: make sure your mug is the right way up before brewing.
Mar 08
Lessons Keurig Lesson Learned
Mar 05
Trivia Becherovka and I: Soon to be Reunited
Fernet - I still can't find any Becherovka around me
My faded and biased memory wouldn’t lie – Becherovka is a great experience. I had it back in 2008 while spending time in the Ukraine and, unsurprisingly, couldn’t find it on my return to the States. I could barely even find a mention of it on the internet back then, so far back in time was this before ovens were twittering.
How times have changed! Please join me in exploring the Becherovka Facebook Page, the Becherovka flash-based overwrought website, and the Becherovka blog reviews! Now available in the United States, it’s probably available near you (and me).
“Es gibt in Karlsbad viele Heil- und Mineralquellen. Zwölf davon werden von den Kurärzten verordnet, zwölf kann man auch im Stadtzentrum verkosten. Und die beste Quelle, die so genannte dreizehnte, das ist unser Becherovka.”
–Interview with Martina Lucovicova of the Bekerovka Museum 20071
Known as the Thirteenth Spring of Karlov Voly (the other twelve are water, just in case you were worried), Becherovka has a 200+ year history of curing illnesses and causing headaches. It is still produced in the same town it was first invented by Josef Becher, a local Karlov Voly merchant and alcohol enthusiast. The production process is very secretive, similar to our countries “new coke,” but involves a blend of herbs aged in an alcohol solution.
Mar 04
Transport Striking the Information Balance on Bicycle Route Signage
Needham Bikes Road Signage
Needham Bikes is an local organization working to improve bicycling access and safety in my hometown of Needham, Massachusetts. The sign to the right is part of their program to sign, and eventually build bicycle facilities on, major town bicycle transportation corridors. The first of three phases in the project, these signs have been placed on sections of existing ‘bike-friendly’ streets.
When evaluating signage, we can evaluate it based on a number of factors:
- What does this sign communicate to the road user?
Answer: There are bicyclists in this town and they attach a significance to this roadway. - Does it communicate its message effectively?
Answer: The sign and type is small, but clear in message (it’s a short message). - and, most importantly, does it communicate enough information?
This last point of evaluation is the most critical in a wayfinding project such as this, as the sign must communicate both where you are and whether you are still heading in the right direction. Unfortunately, this sign does not distinguish between different roads (and therefore different routes), and does not indicate direction. It’s equivalent to having all the road signs read simply ‘STREET’ – it lets you know you are in the right place for traveling, but doesn’t help you find your destination. This is not a problem restricted to Needham Bikes, as similar problems can be identified in the USA’s federal standards as well.