I’ve had my hands on the Photoshop CS3 Beta for about 48 hours now and I have to say I’m impressed. First off, the app is VERY fast on my MacBook Pro. It’s worlds better than CS2 running Rosetta (obviously), and it’s amazing how much I adapted to the slower speed since making the Intel plunge.

The other thing I really like is the feature that will probably be having long-time Photochoppers bitching and moaning about until CS4 is the new interface. Because, Sally, it is different.

Most obvious thing… the tool palette is now one row by default. You can easily switch this back tho.

Docks are the biggest change though. All of the palettes are now held inside of Macromedia-esque docks. You can have as many of these docks as you want, but the real power of the interface is when you keep related palettes (Layers, History, etc.) in on dock. Then you can hide and show the docks easily when you need access to the items inside of them. By default, there are two docks visible in the CS3 interface, one open and one collapsed. The default-open dock holds the old defaultly-shown palettes like Layers, History, Navigator, etc. The other one is collapsed to a row of representative icons and contains Character, Brushes and a bunch of other stuff. In my short use of the beta, I’ve found this makes a MUCH cleaner use of my 17″ MacBook’s screen with less palette litter and easier access to the tools I need. And I can create a different dock layout for when I have the MacBook docked to my 30″ screen.

Like I said, some will hate it… but if you roll with the punches and actually use the new interface, I think most will find it just as much of an improvement as I did. I can’t wait for Illustrator and InDesign CS3 now.

As part of my current contract position, I’m creating a custom widget inside the Dojo framework. What this widget does is basically mimic an auto-complete list box (think <select multiple=”multiple”>), but allow for icons next to some of the items.

I have to say, Dojo makes widget creation as painless as it can probably be. With nifty stuff like auto-wireup for events and built in templating, it makes creating these things awfully easy.

In any case, kudos to the Dojo team and check it out if you’re a rich internet nerd like myself.

After 4.5 years on the job at InsureMe, I’m now unemployed. By choice. The official reason is I’m going freelance. I’m shooting for my big max… reaching my potential. Mainly I’m doing my own thing instead of following orders.

There were many reasons for my departure. Some good, some bad. I’m happy and sad about the fact that tomorrow I’ll get to sleep in a bit (as much as the dogs will let me) and then spend the day working under the sun (we’re re-doing our backyard).

I’ll miss some things. Other things I’m glad I’m leaving behind.

I do have to say that it was a wild ride. I think I was the 7th longest-serving employee at InsureMe when I left. Or maybe it was 6th. Either way, I was there a long time. The longest job I’ve ever had by about a year and a half.

These last few months were difficult for me. It’s never a fun time to have everything from your production level to your intentions constantly attacked by people who can’t take a healthy dose of constructive criticism.

For all those of you who’re sad I’m gone, I appreciate the sentiment and keep in touch… I’ll be around. And I’m even more willing to answer your questions or help you out… all ya gots ta do is ask.

For all those who’re glad I’m gone (and I know you exist)… well, I’ll be the bigger person. It’s not a role I come to naturally (being a vindictive a-hole by nature)… but it is one that I’ve learned to play.

Look for a lot more bloggin’ from this homeboy.

Acland Brierty has a great post on his blog about the difference between talent vs. skills & experience. He does a demonstration that I think hammers home why it’s so important to get talented people rather than the ones with the most skills, experience, or the fancy degrees.

My favorite quote:

Just yesterday I met a marketing lady for a large public company who ridiculed blogging as a marketing concept and pointed out that she had 10 years experience and had never heard of blogging… I pointed out that maybe she had just one year experience in marketing and had done it 10 times. My point was her degree and experience doesn’t necessarily mean she has a talent for marketing.

Classic.

Hugh over at gapingvoid has what he calls the Sex & Cash Theory. Basically, that we all have things we want to do creatively (sex) but we still gotta pay the bills in some way (cash). In reading the comments and thinking about it, I think it makes sense. I also think happiness comes when you can get the sex & cash as close to each other as possible. For example, while I may not have a true passion for wedding photography (cash), it gives me a way to make money through something I overall love… even if my real passion is for sports (sex).

This is part of his long-ass article on How to be creative.

Thanks to James for the hookup with the link.