Jul22
Another month has passed and I have gained much more knowledge of this web world. Photoshop and I were not getting along for a while. But, I believe we reached an understanding yesterday. I may never be the web design prodigy that I had hoped for, but I am perfectly capable of learning. I think this must be how my grandparents feel at the sight of computers in general. The computer I get. It’s these complicated applications that have been making me doubt my level of intelligence. Not for long. My motivation is up and that desire to learn is back in action!
The tasks and projects with which I am involved are great. The office environment is pleasant. I do feel I must briefly mention the entertaining differences between men and women. I have worked for so long with only women. It has been wonderful and full of conversation. Now I am embarking on this new journey which, ironically, is predominately male. Wonderful? Yes. Conversational? Only when necessary. It really amuses me. One is certainly not better than the other. It’s just a simple observation.
I really do have so much respect for these BlackOut men. What a talented group of people. What a magnificent opportunity. I feel truly honored and blessed to be a part of it.
Jun30
I recently looked at some documents here at the office and came across an interesting bit of information – we officially turned 7 as a company during the first week of June. Over those 7 years we have worked with over 100 clients on over 225 projects. Each of those projects was taken on with the hope that we were delivering a new level of customer service to those clients and working with them in a new and interesting way. At BlackOut our goal has been to work with technology and traditional marketing in an innovative manner. To do that we make a habit of trying new technologies and seeing how they tick. After all, if we aren’t working with technology every day, how can we be providing expertise to our clients?
We have made some great partnerships over the past 7 years and had an opportunity to try some really neat things with our clients’ brands. I am sure with the great staff that we have here and the support of our clients and partners we will have an opportunity to do a lot more in the future.
Thank you to everyone especially Phil who keeps everything looking sharp and Nate for keeping everything on track and everyone else around the office.
-Jack Reager
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our first seven years!
I recently looked at some documents here at the office and came across an interesting bit of information – we officially turned 7 as a company during the first week of June. Over those 7 years we have worked with over 100 clients on over 225 projects. Each of those projects was taken on with the hope that we were delivering a new level of customer service to those clients and working with them in a new and interesting way. At BlackOut our goal has been to work with technology and traditional marketing in an innovative manner. To do that we make a habit of trying new technologies and seeing how they tick. After all, if we aren’t working with technology every day, how can we be providing expertise to our clients?
We have made some great partnerships over the past 7 years and had an opportunity to try some really neat things with our clients’ brands. I am sure with the great staff that we have here and the support of our clients and partners we will have an opportunity to do a lot more in the future.
Thank you to everyone especially Phil who keeps everything looking sharp and Nate for keeping everything on track and everyone else around the office.
Jun16
A month into this new world is proving to be rather positive. Complete confidence? Not so much. But I have performed technological tasks with which I am gradually gaining understanding. Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and FileZilla are absolutely fascinating tools. I had no clue as to the many elements involved to build a website. Honestly, I do not possess much of a clue yet, but it will happen. Most of my technological accomplishments have occurred with a watchful eye over my shoulder and my hand over my mouth in anticipation as I click some finalizing button.
It is all so exciting to me. As I had mentioned in the previous blog post, I have taken so much for granted. That applies in reference to the many aspects of this world as well as to the daily usage of the internet. I guess I never thought much about the fact that someone put all those images and texts into a functional web page. Well, now I am achieving much more of an understanding.
The office setting is something to be noted as well because it brings much amusement to me. We all sit at our designated computers. The sounds of mouse clicks and typing are quite soothing considering that is the majority of the noise that occurs. But I love it! I have never been much of a talker. So the communication through email may just be my preferred mode. I believe that BlackOut would agree.
I am definitely enjoying this experience. The knowledge that I am gaining is wonderful and the opportunities are amazing. I look forward to anything that may come my way.
May19
Monday, May 10th was day one for me. The five-minute drive from West Side was the perfect distance as to not get myself too nervous for this new journey. A few deep breathes was all the time I had before entering this new world of technology and other unknowns. I was quickly welcomed and lead to my own computer area. That desk area was enough to provide personal joy for quite some time. I later joked with friends about bringing a box of personal belongings with which to decorate my area. I have not yet done that because the most I would want to display is a framed picture of my dog and that is just embarrassing.
Then began the emails of log-ins and passwords to set up for the various programs with which I would be involved. That was even exciting to me. The orientation of information was interesting and overwhelming all at once. But I was prepared for such things. Lunch at the Steamtown Mall was rather sad in viewing all the closed stores and emptiness, but that is for an entirely different blog. I finished the day with a new respect for all the inner workings of any small business. I am constantly guilty of taking many things for granted. The daily activities of this impressive web design company is the newest on my list.
The rest of the week was great. The staff is friendly and quite. A perfect atmosphere for me. I was given different tasks to complete like building analytic reports for the various companies that BlackOut assists. It was all new to me and I enjoyed each moment of learning. The week ended on a high note because I was able to attend a meeting to iron out details for the up-coming art auction for First Friday Scranton. What wonderful events BlackOut is involved with. I look forward to being a part of this company which is active in bettering my native Scranton.
For now, I want to end by saying that being the new kid on the block is proving to be a very special and humbling experience. I have held my current full-time position for the past three years and I now know what needs to be done at any given moment. I hope to eventually gain that kind of confidence at BlackOut.
Adriana is interning with BlackOut over the summer and, from time to time, she’ll be sharing her thoughts on her experiences here to provide a different perspective on the work we do.
Nov17
At BlackOut we try to keep current on new web developments and there have been quite a few lately. One that I wanted to toss out there is Kapitall.
Although there is no shortage of investing tools out there I think between the mission of Kapitall and the revolutionary interface it is a project the deserves a mention. The goal of the project, in part, is to educate beginners on the world of investing and specifically on how to research an investment. It does a great job of sorting your portfolio data and pulling up information about a stock or mutual fund effortlessly. Right now the project is in a “beta” so you can really just monkey around with the interface and be dazzled by the workspace. My be is much link Mint we will be reading about an acquisition sooner rather than later.
Definitely a project worth watching.
Apr01
Time for a new Google hoax. This year they embrace their take on AI, sort of. http://www.google.com/intl/en/landing/cadie/index.html
On January 12th 2009, the STT run (Standard Turing Test) confirmed behavior indistinguishable from that of a reasonable human being with above-average intelligence and 3.8 GPA (we’re still struggling to understand that missing .2; we suspect it points to fundamental flaws in the GPA system rather than CADIE.
If you haven’t had the opportunity to find these April Fool’s projects previously you might want to check out Wikipedia. I still think the world is ready for Google Gulp.
Feb19
You might notice the lack of the standard set of agency awards that accompany most websites on our own BlackOut Design site. In all honesty we get more excited about happy clients than we do recognition. That is of course unless we have the opportunity to win an award or contest that REALLY matters. Like the Oakley fanatic contest our very own Phil Barket recently won, along with 49 other ugh fans, which will have him gallivanting across the country on Oakley’s dime to the Oakley community’s (yes there really is one) mecca. Congratulations Phil, we hope you come back. Just remember if we get this excited about sunglasses we must really be work-a-holics.
Feb17
There has been a bit of controversy over how the 50-60million subscriber monster Facebook is treating their terms of service (TOS). There is some more detail here but as they point out on Mashable the gist is the following:
“The Consumerist has noticed a seemingly slight but very important (and disturbing) change in Facebook’s terms of service, regarding user-generated content.
In short, all of the content you’ve ever uploaded on Facebook can be used, modified or even sublicensed by Facebook in every possible way – even if you quit the service.”
I teach a class or two per semester at a local university on various technology/web topics in which I find myself in the same spot semester after semester. I assume my students are leary enough of technology, since they are in the 17 – 21 year old demographic, to not assume they are using their Facebook or Myspace accounts with anonymity. Semester after semester I see their eyes widen when I tell them how the magical internet actually circulates their latest Facebook status and that gallery of images from the party that their first employer really didn’t need to see all the details of without their permission. I like to think this little TOS blip might further impress upon them that indeed their digital soapbox is very public.
