RichTavee

Feedly Review – Get Your News On

RichTavee — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:12:16 +0000

I often use Google Reader to get the latest news, articles, and blog posts. In a world now where content is king and user experience is dominating I was starting to get bored of the reader’s UI quickly. After going through numerous themes, skins, add-ons and extensions (including Reader+) I was never really pleased with Google Reader. I realized the issue lies in Google Reader’s user interface. Google Reader was making it difficult to read my news (including the multiple Android versions) and was ultimately becoming an eyesore. That’s when I discovered Feedly.

Features

Sync news with Google Reader
Multiple views, simple and clean user interface
Social media integration (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Tumblr)
Cloud sync (available anywhere you can get your hands on the internet; favorite articles saved in the cloud)
Available on Android and iOS mobile platforms
Community-powered support

Buzz Around It

Twitter
- 16,361 followers
- Very receptive to their fan base
- Use much like an instant customer support service and defect logger
Facebook
- 12,827 likes
- Also stunningly receptive to their fan base on this platform
- Used mainly for the latest version updates and design feedback

My Hands On Feedly

When I first used Feedly I was immediately blown away by the minimal user interface. This is exactly what I’ve been looking for in a news reader. It has everything that I want and is scalable across most major platforms (desktop & mobile). What else could I really ask for? Here is me playing around with some of its features from a Google Reader sync desktop version perspective.

Home Page

Views

As you can see below Feedly has numerous views to choose from (which Google Reader is lacking). My personal favorites are Magazine, Mosaic and Cards. They show large featured pictures from each article that immediately grab my attention and pull me right in to read the articles.

Magazine View

Mosaic View

Cards View

Final Verdict

Go to Feedly.com and get it now. You will thank me later.

My New Infographic Site: The Weekly Viz

RichTavee — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:51:18 +0000

Since I clearly cannot resist infographics I’ve taken matters into my own hands. I’ve decided to make my own site dedicated to the latest and greatest infographics I could find on the internet and share them with information junkies like you every week. I know there are some daily infographic sites out there, but The Weekly Viz will feature only hand selected graphics that interest me. Since I’m always thinking of food, I guess it’s like comparing organic/farm-raised food with pesticide infected, non-organic food. There’s a visual for you. In other words, I will ensure that the quality of these infographics are above par and relevant to awesome and exciting topics. Check it out!!

I gotta have my fix: Infographics.

RichTavee — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 21:32:08 +0000

There are very few things in life that I’m addicted to – coffee, Dexter (of course), graphic design, infographics. I guess in a way I’m very lucky. My addictions could be significantly worse – drugs, gambling, alcohol…the list goes on. In one of my previous blog posts from July, Infographics: My Addiction, I hadn’t realized until now how many amazing resources are out there not only to find existing infographics but the abundance of tools and tutorials to start making your own infographics. The problem is there is a lot of junk too. I wrote that post with minimal exposure to these informative creatures without knowing the depth and breadth of these beasts. Five months later I realize I am actually addicted to these things. When I wake up, I want to grab my laptop or smartphone to see one. When I’m sleeping, I dream about physically being in an infographic (I know that sounds really weird…but whatever). When I’m fully awake, I feel this magnetic force grab my laptop and pull up an infographic. I need to read at least three infographics a day to get my fix.

I love information and would consider myself a knowledge junkie. I live to learn. Infographics allow me to learn substantially faster than I would with a typical textbook (not that I don’t read textbooks). Also, we all have lives to live, things to do, jobs to go to, bills to pay. Everyone is always “on-the-go” and we all tend to lean towards convenience and simplicity. Hell, why do you think the U.S. is on the top ten fattest countries…thanks McDonalds.

For me, there is no better way to learn through the use of infographics. I’ve scoured the internet and gathered a list of FREE useful resources for those of you interested in creating your own infographic. One day I will eventually make an infographic. Until then I will share information with you on how to do it.

Brand Reinvention: It’s what I do.

RichTavee — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 15:50:59 +0000

In nearly every industry it’s no secret that businesses are dynamic and are in constant need of change. Human nature tells us that we tend to be apprehensive of change or anything that throws us out of our normal routine. The reality, however, is innovation and change are significantly critical to the success of a business. New generations mean new consumers mean new tastes. Furthermore, these tastes are changing at a rapid pace. As a consumer, I always want to know, “What’s next?”, “What’s new?”, “How is that product/service beneficial or valuable to me?”. Thus, the challenge for businesses and individuals is not to keep up with consumers, but instead to exceed their expectations. Exceeded expectations will get noticed. If you’re merely keeping up with those expectations you will fall behind.

Focus on your brand

Suppose you’re a business owner or an individual in need of getting your “name” out there. To keep a competitive edge you must distinguish yourself from others. Focus on your brand. If you’re new in your industry work to establish your brand. Conversely, if you have an existing footprint in your industry then work to reinvent your brand.

The Basics: A Brand

In its simplest form a brand is an identity. Without a brand, you wouldn’t exist. It shows others who you are and what you’re about. Consumers perceive a brand based on numerous factors including, but not limited to, core values, mantra, mission, logo, expertise, marketing and press. Think of a brand as a fingerprint. Each intricate line represents what the company has to offer for their niche. The lines intimately meet with each other to form the core values and goals of an organization.

Brand Reinvention

An established brand is as shiny as a diamond, however, due to dynamic consumer tastes a brand will eventually lose its luster. The challenge is keeping the diamond glistening to prevent potential loss of consumer confidence. As a result, it is essential to proactively reevaluate your brand before it becomes obsolete. Here are some steps you can take to determine if your brand needs reinventing.

Next Steps

Discuss your strategic vision, mission, mantra, goals and objectives internally
Using established benchmarks, decide if you’re currently meeting or exceeding consumer expectations
If you’re merely meeting expectations, then you must revisit your brand. Here are some questions you can start to ask:

Does our vision align with our consumer base?
How are we marketing ourselves?
Are we an expert in our field/industry?
What is the perception consumers have of us?
Is our logo/website influential?
Are we targeting the right consumer demographic, town or region based on our product/service offered?

Analog Photoshop

RichTavee — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 21:37:51 +0000

Reblogged from :

By: Maya Rota Klein #PedroSalma

awesome.

Eating Healthy Pays Off [Infographic]

RichTavee — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 19:57:14 +0000

We all like fried foods, soda, muffins, cookies, brownies, etc. Who doesn’t? The problem is: most people don’t eat these things in moderation…like they should. We all know by now, overindulgence can cause serious health issues. In such a busy world we all tend to unintentionally sacrifice our health for convenience…I’m guilty of going to the drive-thru and getting fries and a burger because I don’t feel like cooking. But I realize there is no excuse for neglecting my health. Eating healthy really comes down to one word: Planning. Unfortunately there isn’t a magical pill that will instantly make and keep us healthy, so in order to maintain healthy eating habits you must plan. First, get a BJ’s/Sam’s Club/wholesale club membership.

This is what I do

On the weekend I buy foods, frozen & non-frozen, in bulk (meats, veggies, fruits, etc.)
On Sundays I cook the food to cover me for the week (including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and in between snacks. Typically I’ll eat 5 to 6 times a day each time including a protein, fat and good carbs.)
Put meals into containers, store in fridge and bring each day’s worth to work
Then repeat for each week

When I started planning my meals each week I noticed a huge improvement in my overall focus, motivation and energy. As a result, this will carry over into my job (since I work most of the week) and significantly improve my productivity. Plus…I can have some delicious dark chocolate and salmon (in moderation of course). I love the infographic here by MindFlash.com. It illustrates how eating healthy really pays off. I think all organizations should communicate and embrace healthy eating…because healthy employees equates to a viable business.

Where do I start

Like I mentioned earlier…PLAN, PLAN, PLAN. Create a spreadsheet or calendar outlining the meals for each week and hold yourself accountable for cooking each weekend. Stay organized and be persistent. It will change your life…it has changed mine.

Browser Wars [Infographic]

RichTavee — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 15:41:56 +0000

Over the past two decades browsers have been struggling to keep up with each other. From MidasWWW to Chrome, the infographic provided by ReviverSoft.com illustrates that Internet Explorer has most of the market share (dominating in North America, South America, Africa and Australia) but Firefox (dominating in Russia) and Chrome (dominating in Argentina and Chile) are strong competitors. The only one missing is the famous social browser Flock…check out the infographic below.

Beluga vs. Kik vs. GroupMe (Group Messaging Review)

RichTavee — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 20:32:21 +0000

Which group messaging tools do you use? Which one best suits your needs? See my full review here: http://bit.ly/oTxM7d

Curiosity Didn’t Kill The Cat

RichTavee — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 14:29:10 +0000

The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. – Albert Einstein

RichTavee’s Wisdom of the Day

RichTavee — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 05:45:00 +0000

I tend to get bored easily-as a result, I enjoy learning new things and purposely take myself out of my comfort zone. Often times while driving I intentionally get myself lost just to seek out something I’ve never seen before. Fortunately my outcome is usually something new, exciting and fascinating. If you’re daring enough and enjoy taking risks it’s more fun not knowing where you’ll end up (thanks to GoogleMaps for always getting me back home) just to be exposed to brand new landscapes, shops or places to eat. Everyday I strive to master each of my areas of interest by living adventurous or just plain old picking up a magazine article or book to read…but then it hit me today: my habit of intentionally seeking out new things makes me just want to learn more, dig deeper and explore even further…it’s so infectious. My experience has inspired the following quote:

Always desire to learn and you will learn to desire knowledge – RichTavee