January 2013 Updates to the Typeface Metadata Database

(See my original announcement of the database here)

The database now includes revised entries and additional entries bringing the total to just over 230 typefaces.

The database is located here: http://sdrv.ms/WlavyF 

Improvements include

• More Foundry and Release Year data
• Inclusion of typeface metadata from the recently-published The Anatomy of Type

Thoughts on Next steps

Storing the data as a simple list in Excel is showing the limitations of a simple data structure. The database doesn't clearly account for different releases of fonts. I'm considering moving it to another format – perhaps JSON to handle richer analysis.

Take Advantage of the Visio SubReddit

I created http://www.reddit.com/r/Visio/ to have a curated set of Visio links. Traffic isn't very heavy at all, and you might find it useful to check every now and then.

Also, for those of you who use an RSS feedreader (like Feeddler on your iPad or NextGen reader on Windows 8) can subscribe to the RSS feed directly and have the links show up in your reader. The link is the RSS feed is http://www.reddit.com/r/visio/.rss

Visio Tip - Controlling Shape Size with Shape Data (Screencast)

Learn how to make a Visio shape respond to its Shape Data. In this screencast I walk through Shape Data, Using the Shape Sheet, and Text fields to create a shape whose size will reflect it's Shape Data.

https://vimeo.com/56822447

Are you Looking for a good RSS Reader for Windows 8? A Mini-review of NextGen Reader

On my iPad I love using the Feeddler iOS app, and have been missing something that works as well on Windows 8 –  until now.

If you go through a lot of RSS feeds and want a slick experience on Windows 8, then try NextGen Reader.

Highlights

Works on Windows 8 and my Microsoft Surface

• Syncs with Google News (critical for me because I still use Feedller on my iPad)
• Looks great –  excellent modern UI implementation (see the screenshots below)
• Works well in non-touch scenarios and on touch-sensitive displays

SUGGESTIONS

The one thing it could be better at: scaling better for different resolutions. My situation is this: I use NextGen reader on my Acer Aspire S7 and my Microsoft Surface and both have touch displays. Using touch, clicking on things (the buttons in the on the top menu or specific feeds) can get a bit difficult as the resolutions grow (see the screenshots below). I wish there was a way for it to maintain a consistent resolution-independent layout.

SCREENSHOTS

Click on the thumbnail to see the full-size image.

1280x768

1920x1080

2560x1440

2012 Blog Summary

As 2012 reaches its conclusion and as I sit listening to Chuck Mangione's “Feels So Good” on Pandora, I thought it was time to reflect about the this blog's progress.

First, a very big thanks to everyone who reads and submits comments. I enjoy the lively discussion.

When I started this blog in late 2009, the blog had maybe 10 unique visitors per day. Take a look at the numbers below. You can see a massive growth over the last year with Unique Visitors going from 2K per month to just over 10K per month.

2012 has been a great year for the blog and I am looking forward to more in 2013.

Thanks again,
-Saveen