Attention

Conversion

Retention

So, before I go a little bit deeper into some topics, here’s what cooking right now:

1. I am working on the introduction of the new multi format projection screen. It’s a lot of work, as at the same time, I am making its product data sheet the new standard for all our range.

2. There’s too much info about projection screen to just dump on beamax.com The projection screen advice section just had an overhaul in terms of design. It used to be a whole list of links to advice pages, but now, navigation is a lot easier. But, there are 2 more sites in the works:
A. A dedicated site to inceiling projection screens
B. A dedicated site to fixed projector screens

These will both offer independent projection screen advice about these specific ranges.

3. The Beamax reseller log-in page has been updated. So now, if you want to sell Beamax projection screens, there’s a good place to sign up.

Ok, that was just some of the stuff that’s happening. But something exciting is starting this Friday too. A professional team is coming in to make more of the famous Beamax projection screen videos.

And, true to our industry, we can now ensure they are full HD.

Stay tuned,

Otto

But it’s often too time-consuming. Even with my bread making machine.

I remembered reading about working with a starter dough. The result: bread that’s ready quickly AND tastes great.

I did a quick google search and found this awesome resource

Now with bread, I know you have to follow the recipe carefully, when it comes to the ingredients. So I did that.

I didn’t follow the preparation instructions carefully though: I used my bread making machine to mix the dough for me.
And…I put it in the oven without leaving the dough some time to get to room temperature first.

Yes – I am impatient.

The result: awesome pizza bases, and great crunchy crusts on any bread I made.

The bread didn’t really rise. So when baking a loaf, it became more ciabatta-like.

But that’s just how I like my bread.

Try it out – you’ll love it.

Enjoy,

Otto

I too have had trouble with my knees, especially on the treadmill after finishing my regular lunch-break 25 minute work-out. I am hardly built like a marathon runner, so I thought it must be a weight thing.

After reading the book, I wanted to give Vibram’s Fivefingers a try. So I bought them. I got the classic model (just like the ones you see in the link to Amazon on the right hand side). I bought them on-line in Belgium for 80 euro, including shipping (that’s about 110 USD).

How I use them

I already walk barefeet when I am at home, so I don’t use them there. I go running on a track a few times a week and that’s where and when I use them. The track is in the woods and is especially prepared, so it’s rather soft. I didn’t try them on concrete or asphalt.
I do 2 laps, one 2 km lap (1.24 miles) of just running and then half that lap (it’s like a figure eight) with exercises (which includes jumping etc). Total time spent is about 35-40 minutes.

Here’s what it felt like

How the Five fingers impacted my running / muscle use

The recommendation in the instructions mentioned that running with the Fivefingers is different, which is true. I found out that I used different muscles when running with them. They started to ache pretty quickly. Most notably my Achilles heel and the muscles along my shins.

Funnily enough, I had no trouble with my knees, which I expected from the fear of more impact of running (no cushioning in the thin rubber soles). But as explained in McDougal’s book, there’s no benefit from cushioning when it comes to the impact of running on your knees.

I did change my running style and now run with my back more straight than before and with smaller steps. It just feels better that way. Plus, it seems to cost me less effort. It did not really slow me down, but I’ve not been tracking my times lately (I don’t wear a watch and some drunks smashed up the time tracking device..)

The positives

The Fivefingers add some real fun to running. The first time you slip them on to your feet, you feel like a ninja. And when you’re running in the woods, it really brings you more in touch with the surface you are running on.

If you’re looking to stand out, you can’t get better than the Fivefingers. Especially in a small village like mine ( just 5000 people in rural Belgium). Tim Ferriss mentioned this in his post about the Fivefingers too (read it here they’re attention getters. Expect some haters too, at least, that’s been my experience so far.

They’re easy to take with you, as you can see in this photo. And.. at 350 grams (that’s 0.77 lbs), they’re light too. Perfect if you want to travel light and not pack too much.

image of the fiver finger shoes stacked

The strap on the back of the Classic model, is a great way of keeping your cat busy. It dangles and keeps your cat busy, while all you do is walk around..

As for the most important aspect, how they impact my knees, it’s a positive too. My knees don’t hurt from running at all. Which is a big benefit. The sore muscles are something you get over, as you progress. But there’s nothing you can do against your knees hurting. So to be relieved from that is just great.

The negatives

It’s not all good news though, as there are some annoyances.

Let’s start of with wet or cold feet. The sole of the shoe is made of rubber, but between the toes, there’s fabric only. This let’s water come through really easily. So compared to regular running shoes, you’ll more easily get your feet wet. Even when the terrain isn’t soaked, but just moist, the fabric will suck it up after a while.

I have only run in relatively warm weather, as it’s Summer here (with the occasional rain shower), but I can imagine that in winter, it’s easy to get cold feet.

It’s also funny to see how the shoes curl up when they dry. I haven’t washed them (which the instructions say you can), as they’re not really dirty. I just let them dry and this is how they curl up from drying (with no negative effect on how they fit)..

photo of how the Five finger shoes curl up after drying

Because the toes can move freely, stuff can end up between them. I’ve had small pieces of rock end up between my toes. Very annoying and means you have to stop running. It’s the price you pay for the freedom of movement.

The dangling strap, which I described earlier as a great cat toy, can be annoying when running. It can hit your leg, when it’s long and it just “flaps” around when running. You can ignore the last part, but it’s the sort of distraction I’m not really fond of. So I tied them up to prevent this from happening. You can see the images below.

Here’s the strap – full length:

The Vibram fivefinger classic model's strap - full length

Here’s the strap tied up and seen from the back:

finvefinger's strap tied up

When it comes to getting used to the shoes, I found the tension from the strap on my heel the most annoying. It hurts a lot, especially the first few times. On one foot, even after quite a few runs, I still feel it. The cord cuts into your foot, which is unpleasant. It’s like new shoes that are too tight and need to adjust to your feet. You become used to it, but don’t go on very long runs in the beginning without back-up shoes…

Here’s a picture of where it hurted most for me:

Conclusion

It’s been a positive experience, which I’ll continue by using the Fivefingers for running and outdoor workouts. I no longer have my knees hurting after runs, which is great. There are some annoyances, but those are mostly limited to the first few weeks.

I do want to give some other models a try to see if some of the issues I had with the classic model can be resolved by using a different shoe.

If you have any questions, do let me know.

Otto

Having said all that, every time I communicate, something comes out. My last e-mail to 485 contacts was about the office being closed on a specific day.

Still, I got responses:
- 2 3 requests for a price list
- 1 order
- 1 technical issue to solve
- 1 personal e-mail

Not bad for an e-mail that was only intended to inform – not to sell.

The lesson here is that people want to hear from you. And not just when you’re “selling”. Plus, it doesn’t have to be a lot of work if you have the tools in place to do it.

For e-mail that means:
- a list with contact details integrated into your e-mail program, if that’s how you’re communicating
- a program that’ll handle your e-mail (I use interspire’s e-mail marketer for that)

If that’s the case, a message doesn’t take a lot of time to write and send.

Just do it regularly – plan if at all possible and you’ll reap the results.

Otto

I’ve been looking at typography lately and how it impacts the look of a site. Smashing magazine did a great
project and the result was a range of free templates.

There was one that I really liked, as it was intended for businesses. You can easily
customise it and combine typography with powerful images. Get the right colorscheme
and images for your business and you could have a great looking site in a short amount of time.

Here’s a preview: http://media2.smashingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/images/type-layouts/binaryd-goldenrod/
and here’s the download: http://media2.smashingmagazine.com/images/type-layouts/binaryd-goldenrod.zip

Enjoy!

Otto

This gives the manufacturer a more direct control of which products would be available to the franchisees. This is a possibility for projection screen manufacturers as well. Because many screens are seen as commodities. Especially of those companies that have been selling to OEM customers or who don’t have a strong brand presence.

The good thing about projection screens is that they offer good margins, compared to the flat panel versions. This makes the product very interesting for specialised integrators. So by taking control of a distributor for example, a manufacturer can ensure his products reach the market place.

This takes a strategic vision though. One which realises that projection screens are and will always be a niche product. A vision that sees the market for projection screens get smaller, because flat panels are getting bigger. A vision that sees the value of a projection screen for a reseller.

Now, with the players we know in Europe, who has that vision. I know of one company. You tell me of the others

Otto

See the official story here

Well, you’re busy right? And spend your time mostly on what the day brings, correct?

It’s the exact same thing for me. Before I know it, the day is over. And, nothing structural has been accomplished. And that’s just wrong. Nowadays, you need to be constantly building.  To be able to do that, when you’re already busy is hard.

Unless…

You make it easy on yourself. And that’s exactly what I did. See the result here:

An example of what the 30 minute site looks like

Now, I have one thing to admit… The text and the graphics were made in advance. I still had to:

- Make the categories for the different products

- Make the drop caps (the red letter that starts the page)

- Insert the image and text

So what’s the secret?

Well, it’s using software you’re familiar with. In my case, the Smart FTP, Wordpress and Thesis. Which leads to step 2, using software that makes stuff easy and efficient for you.  And that’s what these 3 do for me.

In a next post, I’ll show you how.

Thanks,

Otto

I have been looking into desing and typography recently. And that’s because I was somehow bothered by how the text looked on our sites (like www.beamax.com). I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was.  When I set the max. width for the text, it all became clear. It needs some fine tuning, but it looks a lot better now.

On the blog too, you’ll see a nice drop cap (the red letter at the beginning of each post) and the teaser text of the old articles in red. That’s all thanks to the new version of my theme and with some coding help of www.thesishacker.com

It’s fun to learn some CSS in the process…

That’s all as far as styling and design is concerned. It’ll be a work in progress. More importantly, there’s some exciting news at Projecta. There’s a new MD – again. Da-lite issued a press release last week. But, they didn’t say why. I know and I’ll tell you in the next post.

Stay tuned,

Otto

Hmm, if that’s all you have to say.

Here’s the video, which is absolutely awful (due to compression I guess): http://www.sgpartners.it/ise_2009_special/default.asp?action=play&id=7

I wasn’t fond of Peter de Kroon’s boastful interview last year, but it was a lot better than this….

Otto