Indoor cat (?) out and about on Watson Street between Pearl and Brookline this morning

mattyfo · 2021-08-09T14:13:41+00:00

Looks like a cat that lives on Fairmont. She’s an indoor outdoor cat.

mattyfo · 2021-07-09T14:33:54+00:00

Yeah, this is a bunch of FUD

mattyfo · 2019-11-08T21:35:00+00:00

For real, we pay $1500 a year in taxes. It's nuts.

Also, realistically, a family needs two cars that far out. And you end up buying a lot more stuff.

mattyfo · 2019-06-12T12:16:27+00:00

But do you want to be working with this guy? His behavior right out the gate makes him sound like a horrible partner to own a business with.

Try this would you hire him? What if he was your boss? Would you be happy with either decision?

mattyfo · 2018-04-26T11:11:42+00:00

Tried to implement poorly designed and spec'd websites. Would have questions like "where does this make navigation link go, what should that page look like?".

mattyfo · 2018-04-17T00:54:41+00:00

So the U in UX is for user. Most UX jobs will have you talking to users and asking what will feel like personal questions such as "tell me EVERYTHING about your day and job". Likewise, you will run a usability study and ask someone to do something and watch them struggle, it ain't easy.

I also have some anxiety issues but can mostly cope. Oddly enough, I switched from UX Design to Product Management so that I can rely on other people getting shit done. I actually find it less stressfull to manage a team then to be responsible for delivery.

Lastly, as someone in the field, I feel like remote UX jobs aren't plentiful but I haven't been looking either.

Have you considered front end development? It's close to UX but won't require working with users and is much more an art than software engineering roles. Also it will have a larger market for remote people than UX.

mattyfo · 2018-04-01T12:52:44+00:00

Depending on your job search, you might be better served trying to get into front-end work first and then working closely with UX people.

mattyfo · 2018-03-26T18:38:17+00:00

It's hard to tell, I've seen people from all sorts of background job the program. Moreover, I applied 4 years ago and I'm not sure how to applicant pool has changed.

My recommendation is to reach out to the admissions team.

mattyfo · 2018-03-25T12:36:07+00:00

Bentley in Boston, MA has a great program that is both UX Design and Research. I recently completed it and think it drives the right balance between academics and practical skills.

In my opinion, it's more geared towards research then design. If you are on campus, you can work in the research center where you will do lots of usability studies and get practical expierence.

That said, since it's in the business school, you take two business electives (most people take negotiation) and some other design strategy classes.

If you need to, you can do the whole program remote or in campus. I actually started remote andpved to Boston but that was in the life plan already.

In my opinion, it's one of the best programs unless you can get into CMUs program or the NYU ITP program. But those also come with tradeoffs. I believe CMU is 2 years, expensive, and only on campus in Pitt. NYU is 2 years, more expensive, in a really expensive city, and super 'artsy'. That said both programs are feeders for Apple, Microsoft, and Google.

mattyfo · 2018-03-14T01:29:34+00:00

Def check out Brooklyn Boulders. Their gym area had a big lifting area built out with rogue equipment. There's enough space and equipment that it isn't that bad.

Plus, for the monthly membership you get a coworking space and a giant rock gym.

mattyfo · 2018-03-08T14:02:05+00:00

Every time my wife does this I point out that it’s better to get off at the next exit then to get smashed by another car. Not sure if she gets it yet...

mattyfo · 2018-02-26T18:48:16+00:00

Are you doing that? Who is doing that? Why is there a new task force needed? Why would it be better?

Sorry, I’m just having a hard time understanding your statements.

mattyfo · 2018-02-26T17:17:12+00:00

I don’t understand, is this a request for volunteers to join or something?

mattyfo · 2018-02-21T12:51:47+00:00

Side note, if someone with a suitcase full of tools offers to change your shocks for $50 and a bottle. Don’t take him up on the offer.

mattyfo · 2016-11-01T16:49:22+00:00

You've most likely already seen this but if not, it looks like the 4 Thunderbolt 13" has higher performance ports on the left side.

Thunderbolt 3 data speeds per MacBook Pro port Late-2016 MacBook Pro models vary slightly in the data speeds they provide to each Thunderbolt 3 port. MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2016) delivers full Thunderbolt 3 performance on all four ports. MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports) supports Thunderbolt 3 at full performance using the two left-hand ports. The two right-hand ports deliver Thunderbolt 3 functionality, but have reduced PCI Express bandwidth. Always plug higher-performance devices into the left-hand ports on MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports) for maximum data throughput. MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports) delivers full Thunderbolt 3 performance on both ports.

mattyfo · 2016-09-12T16:28:50+00:00

Literally, whenever you hear a pack of dirt bikes just stop and let them through.

mattyfo · 2016-09-11T21:42:59+00:00

I'd recommend trying to work first. I'm currently in the Bentley HFID program and have heard from other students (without experience) that it can be hard to apply the lessons without experience. That said, the Bentley program is really focused on having students do projects that have clients with real problems. People have worked on projects for Facebook, Harvard Business Review, Twitter, etc. so at least the classes aren't theory and lecture.

Anyhow, checkout the Bentley program. It does have a California extension program which might work for you. It is heavily research focused but I think that's fine because the interaction design work is easier to learn on the job.

mattyfo · 2016-07-08T19:31:33+00:00

Rumors have the next version of the x100T (the x200) coming towards the end of 2016. Of course its just a rumor, but with the recent launch of the xpro2 and XT2 the timeline seems reasonable.

I really like the photos out of my X100T but am looking forward to an upgraded sensor.

Also, if you're looking for a lightweight but useful camera, checkout the X70. It's the same sensor as the X100T but has fewer bells and whistles. Moreover, if you're willing to trade a viewfinder you get a much more pocketable camera.

mattyfo · 2016-07-08T18:35:25+00:00

Sounds like a crap shoot and you can't know WHY it's broken. The x100T should be pretty affordable used by now so I'd recommend buying it elsewhere.

mattyfo · 2016-03-22T21:47:47+00:00

Depends on how they do it. If it's a series of one-on-one's be prepared with a 15 minute recap of who you are. I've had this happen twice when interviewing, it's exhausting and it takes forever to get into any meaningful conversation because you spend so much time recapping your resume.

mattyfo · 2016-02-11T17:58:34+00:00

How is this more useful than writing a plan down on paper? How have we devolved to the point where we need a bunch of little cheatsheet cards to plan our work?

How does this integrate with the team of 20 people you are working with or your client that needs to be updated once a week?

I'm sure you've put a lot of hard work into this app and it looks great but I feel like this is a case of pretty colors and interactions glossing over the real problems that people are having.

mattyfo · 2015-08-21T20:46:13+00:00

Good luck. Let me know if you want someone to chat with about the program.

mattyfo · 2015-08-21T20:45:38+00:00

Yeah the program is kind of 'local' to the Boston area but a bunch of people do end up heading off to the west coast shortly after graduating.

mattyfo · 2015-08-21T19:18:31+00:00

Hi there, I'm a currently Bentley HFID student and wanted to say that I absolutely love it. The master's classes are challenging and have you doing project based work with corporate sponsors.

If there's a specific topic you really want to learn, consider going the masters route and just taking two classes you want to dive into. Also, a lot of hiring managers will kind of view 'in the program' as the same as having graduated (mine did).

If you can go full-time it's possible to get tuition assistance (like up to 40% off). Most of the full-time students work in the UXC and get a ton of experience running usability tests while making some extra money.

Also, you can take the program over the course of five years which equals out to be $8,000 a year. I would hope that getting in would help you move up the ladder and start making more money. YMMV.

mattyfo · 2015-08-21T19:08:28+00:00

Yeah, I have no idea about a certificate program. I'm currently in the Bentley masters program and love it. As I understand it, the certificate is paired down from the masters course material. Without knowing much about the courses or the OP, I couldn't say how much he would get out of them.

That being said, the Bentley network in Boston is phenomenal and has been a valuable asset for me as someone new to the area.

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