Happy New Year

Web services thrive, but failures outrage users | CNET News.com "Web sites that share blogs, bookmarks and photos exploded in popularity in 2005, but in recent weeks a number of major failures left users stranded and frustrated."

Leave it to CNET to emphasize the 'frustration', that aside we look forward to 2006 and all the possibilities it will hold for further progress in design and application development.

creativebits comments on New Intel identity

"Intel refreshed their identity. They took the loose circle element from the all familiar intel inside sticker and used it for the intel logo itself. On one hand this was a good move because the orbit was very well known and very much identified with intel. On the other hand the orbit is a highly overused design element in the technology and internet sector, especially in it's current slightly squashed form..."

The comments section has some good additional info and links.

SafariTest - Mac Screenshot Compatibility Test

For those of you developing on a Windows platform only and wishing to get a sense for how your projects look on Mac Safari, this will be a very helpful tool.

Unica Acquires MarketSoft

"Unica Corporation (Nasdaq:UNCA), a global provider of enterprise marketing management (EMM) solutions, announced the acquisition of MarketSoft Software Corporation, a privately held provider of lead management and event-detection solutions, effective as of December 20, 2005. Unica paid $7.25 million in cash, and assumed specified liabilities, in acquiring substantially all of the assets of MarketSoft, including all of MarketSoft's technology and customer contracts."

Both companies have been clients of J.Y. Design. Congrats to all involved.

The Best Web 2.0 Software of 2005

Interesting list from a blogger, also look in comments to see other suggestions.

It's An Animal Face Holiday Movie Season

del.icio.us: y.ah.oo!

"We're proud to announce that del.icio.us has joined the Yahoo! family."

arstechnica Exposes Aperture In Harsh Light

"At this stage Aperture is a big, expensive misfire and considering the hefty price tag, I can't think of a reason to recommend it..."

Ouch, but the candor is much appreciated, and the position well supported.

Adobe's Macromedia acquisition complete

It's official.

Adobe's Acquisition of Macromedia Expected to Close on December 3, 2005

"SAN JOSE, Calif. – December 1, 2005 – Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq: ADBE) and Macromedia, Inc. (Nasdaq: MACR) today announced they have either received or been notified they will receive all regulatory clearances necessary to complete Adobe's pending acquisition of Macromedia. The companies expect to close the transaction on December 3, 2005."

Let the product combining begin, so colored balls with letter for icons, or photocollage natural shapes on white rounded rectangle icons? Or something new?