Have Questions? Ask Away!
Thursday, January 17th, 2008
A few months ago, I decided to start winding down my presence and involvement on the internets. Simply because I knew we had a baby on the way (due within a week!) and free time was sparse already. The traffic coming into my inbox has slowed down quite a bit, but I still receive quite a few emails from readers or others that have stumbled upon my blog via search engines. Most have something to ask regarding an article, others are curious about my professional background, and the odd person writes simply to give me a pat on the back. I noticed that Glenn Wolsey had started doing QA posts recently (he’s been doing QA videos for some time now), and I thought this was a great idea. So, here I am stealing it! What I would like to do though, is write a post or two in response to the questions I’ve received. Instead of addressing them in separate posts, although some might warrant their own.
The floor is yours, ask away!
I’d like to keep the topic completely open this time around. You can ask me something gaming related, on the topic of web design and development, or something personal. Really, whatever you’d like to know (within reason, of course), I’ll do my best to answer as many questions as I can.
“So-and-so asked my question!”
If the question you were planning to ask has already been thrown out, or you’d really like to hear my response to a given question, post a comment anyway and second the person who asked it. For example, Duder asks “Are you ever going to redesign your damn blog?” and you’d also like to know the answer to that question. Reply with “I second Duder“. Got it? Do it to it!
21 people have had something to contribute so far.
I second Duder!
Actually, i was going to ask you what your work is now… i couldn’t remember how involved you were in the internet stuff…
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hi, i’m ikram, 17 from malaysia. I’ve started doing freelance web design since like a year and a half ago (though was busy with my studies and national exams)
just from your experience, can a mockup design be in a portfolio ?
and also, i’m thinking about buying xbox360 , but i’ve read like hundreds of complaints that the 360s went dead.. what are the chances ?
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What songs have you attempted to sing in Rock Band
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2 parter, did you have any luck with the thing where they invalidate your xbox live account and then award your new account the points? I ask because my 360 red ringed on me… yesterday.
Secondly, I’m just getting into Web Development, got my first job with a php/mysql shop a little over a year ago, and I wonder if there was any advice you could give me looking back? Also, any books you’d recommend I pick up?
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Hi Matt,
First off I think it is very cool to do a q&a and generous as well.
I have just started freelancing as a web and graphics designer, although majority of my portfolio are designs I made for myself, in previous sites I had, but at the same time a good bit of it are clients. Would you say its completely fine to add to your portfolio designs you never used?
Also I am trying to get my foot in the door, but at the same time struggling to find a company that will take me on for full time work, as I haven’t had that much experience with a group/firm, but I do know my coding and design skills are up to scratch (without that sounding up myself). Do you have any advice or suggestions?
Oh and… I third Duder! lol
Nice progress on Rock Band btw:D
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Hey Matt,
Good idea on the questions.
When you were freelancing full time what was your worst worry? Were you busy all of the time when doing it or was there the odd time when you felt you weren’t doing so well?
Is there anything you would have changed second time round going into freelancing full time again if you were to do it or do you like the security of working for graphics.net (eagerly awaiting the re-design by the way.)
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Whoo. Ok, there seem to be a few people who are interested in the freelance side of things. I am too! Even though I’m not a web designer it’s something I’m really interested in. Thing is, it’s so overwhelming. I mean, where the hell do you start?! How do you make a name for yourself?! Isn’t it way too competitive?! How much do you really need to know before you can call yourself a web designer?! Aye, you probably get my drift…
It would also be cool to know your background and how you got into it and also what you see yourself doing in the future, and if there are any projects you’d like to get involved with.
One last thing! (Promise, I’m done soon) Your blog is really successful with over 1,500 subscribers. Gimme some tips, please!
You have a very unique style with designing sites - the whole dirty, grunge look (definitely my fave web designer, though I’m partial to a bit of Jon Hicks too!). Has that always been the case, or did you kind of develop that style over time?
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I heard that if you crack open a 360 and install a cooler in there somewhere, it can help prevent red ring. Sure, it’ll void the warranty, but that’s not a real problem over here. Do you know if there’s any truth to this?
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Howdy Matt,
What’s your life and career like post MuchMusic? Do you miss the environment there or was it too mainstream for your tastes?
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What’s your favourite colour?
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How do you build your WordPress themes? Do you start from scratch or do you have a base theme and just tweak it?
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Considering how successful you were (or seemed to be) with freelancing, what made you elect to return to employment? Why employment over starting your own firm?
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Matt, your designs are rock solid. What I would like to know most is where do you get most of your inspiration? Long hours from video games or simply surfing?
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As I’m getting ready to unveil a personal portfolio/blog site that’s been in the works for months, I have realized I have no idea how to promote it.
So my question is; when you launched this site what steps did you take to get notoriety. For not only your design work but also your posts about design, gaming, etc.
Thanks Matt.
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Hey im jesse and ive always had a playstation (1 and 2), but now im thinking about getting a playstation 3. ive played xbox 360, its games were fun except for sports games like madden for example. the graphics where fine, but id even much rather play madden on ps2 then xbox360. this is bc the way the players move and run. i like the more natural running style like on a playstation then the xbox. i know it sounds weird but to me it just gives off a better realistic feeling. so im just wondering how the ps3 is going to do in that prospective?
thanks
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Wow, I’m really impressed with your website. I stumbled upon it when I was searching for a way to use my Xbox 360 Controller on games without gamepad support. So thanks there!
I can think of several questions, but how to you personally take Xbox 360 screenshots? do you have a Vid Cap device that you run your 360 through? Or something else..?
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I too second Duder!
And I second Ian. I love WordPress myself and have used it primarily for my own blog, but also for some small projects now and then. So it would be awesome to hear a bit about your use of WP!
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I seconf Ian as well… How do you build your WordPress themes?
I’ve just recently started using WordPress, and have been building off of a base theme. I’m curious what others do.
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Congratulations, Matt :]
What’s it like to have a new baby?
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Congratulations
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Matt,
Do you use a plugin for your reviews page?? If so what is it, it’s very clever!
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