Often when analyzing a client's needs, I try to find ways to use the Web to impact all aspects of their business, whether it's old-school web content, rich media or social apps.

This article, Harnessing the Power of Social Applications, on MIT's Sloan Review site does a great job of describing how to use "groundswell" to benefit business and has several prime examples.

Ted.com

Inspired talks by the world's greatest thinkers and doers

Library of Congress

Browse some of the digital collections. Awesome.

Did you know many historical photos are part of the public domain and may be usable for commercial purposes? Just make sure to check usage rights first.

I'm excited about attending this year's SXSW conferrence; my first.

Hope to meet you there.

Glassbooth.org is an interesting political web site for several reasons. I found it extremely educational, rich with links to information. But more importantly, the way it first asks about what issues interest you most, then presents a short survey based on your weighted responses is a brilliant way to compare issues on what matters most to you.

This technique really simplifies what could easily be a longer form with less effective results and a poor user experience. Kudos to the folks that created this site. A fine example of how to use the Internet intelligently and effectively.

1. Not Understanding Client Needs

a. You have listened, but have you heard?
b. Have you asked the right questions?
c. Are you merely doing what the client asks, or are you truly addressing their needs?

2. Over Promising

a. Are the client’s requests reasonable?
b. Does your new business guy know your capabilities?
c. Is it worth it?

3. Bad Process

a. Poor planning
b. Poor project management
c. Wrong priorities
d. Poorly defined roles and responsibilities

4. Poor Execution

a. Poor talent
b. Bad direction
c. Insufficient quality control
d. Inexperience

5. Under Pricing

a. Ignorance
b. Competition
c. Fear

6. Not Controlling Change (Scope Creep)

a. Who says yes (no)?
b. What were the client’s expectations
c. Implications of saying yes
d. What is your protocol for a change or additional work order?

7. No Contingencies

a. What ifs
b. Unknowns
c. Good, better, best
d. Wiggle room
e. Plan B

8. Poor Communication

a. Paper, e-mail or phone call?
b. Does the right person know
c. Timing
d. Beg for forgiveness or ask for permission?
e. Not enough information given

9. Not Getting Approvals at Key Milestones

a. Defining key milestone
b. Someone has to sign off
c. Ramifications

10. Bad Client Relationship

a. Lack of trust
b. Dictator syndrome

Edward Tufte's site offers some great reading with great links to addtional resources about all kinds of interface design related topics.

http://www.edwardtufte.com/bboard/q-and-a?topic_id=1

Flash Website Awards people's choice.

Behold the beauty...

http://www.thefwa.com/pca2007/

How cool is this?

Here's something interesting I found, test numbers for different credit card companies you can use for payment gateway testing. I've only tested the VISA and it worked.

Visa 1111-1111-1111-1111
MasterCard 5555-5555-5555-4444
Amex 3782-8224-6310-005
Discover 6011-1111-1111-1117

If you use Excel for data manipulation, here's a handy-dandy free app that has saved me a lot of time: ASAP Utilities.

"ASAP Utilities is a powerful Excel add-in that fills the gaps in Excel and automates frequently used tasks. Since 1999 it has grown to become probably one of the world's most popular add-ins for MS Excel."