jamesteow

That's more than just a nitpick, especially since that's in the headline.

I tend to agree.

My background: I've been using Photoshop for about fifteen years nearly everyday.

Just to be more informed, I decided to download Mac version of GIMP.

What I like: - Feels much more nimble, lightweight

- Seems like it has most of core tools I need

What prevents me from using it: - The interface seems really unfinished. I think that's what I like about Pixelmator: it's polished and looks somewhat similar to Photoshop's layout

- The shortcuts are all different. I'm not even sure I can customize the shortcuts in some of the contexts as even some of the ones in Photoshop are sort of built in. That alone would be a huge deterrent as I rarely click on any interfaces.

- Layer effects and smart objects. I know they are in the Roadmap but without them, I can't re-use elements others or I have made from Photoshop and it does effect image creation.

- Masking is a little kludgy. When I imported my PSDs with shape masking, they all disappeared. Does it support vector masking?

- Doesn't seem to support importing vectors from Illustrator as it automatically outputs some of the elements as raster elements.

- Lack of layer folders.

The whole single-window mode? I think that wouldn't nearly entice me as it's not that much of a deterrent.

I got rejected from Kickstarter because they said they "didn't fund startups" (the idea was purely non-for-profit and was aimed as a social benefit).

And lo and behold... a startup?

People on HN/Reddit are pretty biased when it comes to CSS knowledge almost to the point where I really wonder if they've ever worked at a place outside of a startup or a tiny company. If you work at an creative digital agency, chances are the division of labour will mean you won't ever have to touch a line of code. It just makes more sense to divvy up the responsibilities. Plus, during client presentations, most of the designs are mocked up as flats instead of live code.

I'm currently using CS5, but it's largely because of some of the small addition features with smart objects, workflow, and layer styles that annoyed me with CS3. It's one of those things where you have to work with a program for a long time before you notice these small upgrades that really help the day-to-day. I think you're fine with CS3.

The idea that GIMP is more than useful is... debatable. I would say that every notable designer I know in NYC/SF uses Photoshop. Like it or not, it is the industry standard. And while I do sometimes have a love-hate relationship with the program (specifically because I want more stability instead of new features), GIMP is still far behind with regards to it's intuitiveness and penetration.

Now that I've migrated to a startup, I use Photoshop for quick initial concepts before coding scss. Photoshop is pretty solid for making elements or re-using templated elements made from other designers and photo-editing.

"I think there is a lot of space in Canada for this sort of thing."

Agreed, though a lot of the talented devs/designers end up moving to the U.S.

And nobody has to change the rules if people play the game.

I assume you don't use Googol.

Very cool idea, though I'd be down for one that's aimed at the prosumer crowd. I've been wanting to print out 8x10 or larger photos for the last while but have been way too lazy.

I don't think it's the same at all.

I think one of the advantages that Apple has over every other platform is that designers use Apple for work which builds brand loyalty to its products and platform. Thus, a good portion of the people who are creating will do so for the platform that they care about, especially one that prioritizes industrial and interactive design. And before, I would've just suggested it's just designers but over the past few years years, I've witnessed plenty of SF/NY developers who use Apple computers and iPhones for the same reasons.

The fact that it is a closed-system IS it's advantage: there is quality control across the board from the apps to the phone the user is viewing it on. And quite frankly, I prefer designing for the iPhone and iPad because of the consistency of sizing and proportions.

But there doesn't need to be a clear winner. It's great that there is a choice for people who just want complete freedom and those who just want stuff to work well in a very polished fashion.

I was looking for a screenshot on the blog post.

In any case, it'd also be cool to send this to a friend or list of friends so that they could help decide.

Agreed, though HN'ers are on the conservative end of design.

Actually, they are making changes. createthe has been transforming some high end brands towards HTML5.

Thing about fashion is that it's more about brand than usability. They get a lot of their sales from their boutiques, net-a-porter, or other 3rd parties.

Some professional photographers say they use Flash because they want to protect their images from being stolen... despite the fact that you can screencap them?

"Facebook for restaurants" is like another social network.

I know what about.me is, and if he pitched it to me, I would think, "a one page website for restaurants."

Our team is a little bit of a collection of night owls. ;)

http://i.imgur.com/Y2H2C.png

HN'ers can be serious buzz kills. Yeah, you can argue that it's less usable but the brand and emotion is dramatically more upbeat and fun, which is what I think the company is going for. I would be more likely to pay attention to hall the pages with this re-design than the templated startup design that was created before. This new design is easily one that will be passed around Twitter and other social media. The fact that you were able to make gift cards seem fun and attractive is a testament to his talent. Kudos to you guys.

And while I wouldn't call Mike Kus a design legend (I'd reserve that for peeps like Jonathan Ive, Dieter Rams, the HFJ duo... basically those who have a profound effect on the industry, peoples lifestyle and/or the craft) he definitely is one of the best web designers out there.

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not.

Precisely. I was able to travel literally around the world while working remotely in apartments and cafes.

Well if you check Facebook at work and go to Grooveshark, they can track you. I think they might even be able to gather some info if you logged out of Facebook but I'm only partially sure of that.

Yeah that's tough.

One thing that might help is looking for a brand based in Miami. They might have a cool web design department.

This stat would mean a lot more to me if it weren't such a sausage party. I'm doing my part to post as much interesting content as I can.

Because Brooklyn is awesome.

Great parties, concert venues, cafes, restaurants, parks, bars, and lots and lots of super talented people ranging from musicians in Williamsburg to artists in Bushwick. NYC is more than just Manhattan. It's also easier to bike around.

It's like thinking that the Bay Area is just San Francisco and that there is no reason to live in the BA if you don't go to SF.

Once you live in Brooklyn, it's possible to go days without having to enter the city. Plenty of awesome neighbourhoods in the BK (Greenpoint, Park Slope, Williamsburg, Brooklyn Heights, Bushwick, South Slope, DUMBO). I saw a LOT of young professionals with families in DUMBO/Park Slope/Brooklyn Heights.

Certainly, if you're intent on living in the city, you'll pay a premium.

Ah okay. Whoosh, right over my head...

I think the idea is opening the discussion for privacy concerns?

I don't think you want to see your own but maybe someone famous. How many times have we read about someone saying something outrageous on Twitter and then deleting their Tweets after controversy?

'My biggest challenge in NYC has been the availability of dependable salaries for coders and designers from non-startups.'

I can't speak to programming/engineering jobs, but there's plenty of design jobs from non-startups. Almost every agency (including tiny ones) are based or have an office in NY. DUMBO has a ton of digital agencies. Motion graphics firms are centralized in Manhattan or in LA. Small ones can be found south of 14th or in Brooklyn. Easily the best city in the U.S. for design jobs.

Definitely look for work now. Seriously.

Look at Krop, Craigslist (believe it or not, there are some really good jobs on the Craigslist board, you just have to filter), HackerNews... which area are you in?

"Trying to use technicalities to skirt the law rarely works out with any meaningful success."

Sarcasm, correct?

Quit.

There's sometimes very little you can do to change someones perspective on this (especially if they are a boss), and instead of trying to push and lose (because I'm not at their level), I ended up doing work on my own or contracting for companies who have an appreciation for it.

The best work comes from doing what you love and working with people who understand it. When I look at my body of work, my favorite designs and executions come from working with open-minded creative leaders. They don't need you to tell them how to deal better. They just know and the arguments you have are based on bigger issues. The micromanaging bosses resulted in staid work that I wouldn't show or link to anyone.

The longer you wait, the more time you are not with an ideal boss. And unless the work you produce is actually amazing, then I don't see the point in sticking around.

With yesterday's news that Google acquired Dealmap, it may get worse.