Photo of the Xerox Alto computer by Maksym Kozlenko.
Most people have never heard of the Xerox Alto III. Although this lack of name recognition is sad, it is hardly surprising, since it is a product that never made it to market. Nevertheless, why it was never manufactured, despite its huge technical advantages over the competition, is a cautionary tale worth considering. Continue reading
First released in Germany in 1995, Settler of Catan[1] (or Die Siedler von Catan) is responsible for launching a board game renaissance in North America. It has sold over 18 million copies world-wide, sparked a number of expansions and spin-offs, and paved the way for a host of other so-called Eurogames. When a product is so successful, it is easy to assume that the design sprang fully formed from the mind of its creator. The truth is much more complicated. Continue reading
The video below is part of Steve Jobs’ 2008 introduction of the MacBook Air. Take a few minutes to watch it. Even if you have seen it before, watch it again. There is a lot to be learned from this presentation. Continue reading
The Laurentian University Bharti School of Engineering 2017 Senior Design Team (L-R): Matt Bennison, Colin Roos, Stephane Labine, Aidan Simpson.
In short, they are the most successful OEC/CEC quartet Laurentian has ever produced. I sat down with them to discuss these competitions, what they’ve learned over the years, and what suggestions they might have for future teams. Continue reading
