I’m having a little Junior High flashback this morning and listening to an old Connells album, hence the title of this post. This album (Fun & Games) is still as great as it was in 8th grade.

But the main reason I wanted to write is another great experience. Why is it that my good experiences all seem to involve food?!

This morning I got a haircut at Richard Joseph in Birmingham. I have been schlepping to Atlanta for haircuts since we moved here, but I finally decided that if there can be great UX/Software firms in Birmingham, there can be great hair stylists here too. And I was right.

Was it the great food (that’s included in your services), the beautiful space that is the salon/spa, the great cut and highlights I got from Emily, the shampoo/scalp massage that is out of this world, the free wi-fi (yes, you can work while you get pampered!), or the fact that this great place is right in my backyard?

Colored, cut, and sold.

Honestly, is there anything else I could say?

From ‘Google to Offer Health Records On the Web’ in today’s Wall Street Journal (page D1):

HealthVault, launched in October, offers a number of personal health record options. One called icePHR from CapMed, a unit of Bio-Imaging Technologies Inc. that was an early developer of personal health records, allows users to designate specific information to be available to responders in case of an emergency. Users then print out instructions on how to access the record on a wallet-size emergency card. The service costs $10 a year per family.

You may find the article here (subscription may be required).

We at PointClear helped CapMed develop their online PHR products, icePHR and onlinePHR, and we are extremely proud of CapMed and excited about the press they are getting. Congratulations, CapMed! Woohoo!

Now, how can we help you achieve the same level of success? Contact us and find out.

I’m a Mac devotee, but up until now I’ve run most of my daily apps in Vista through Parallels. Things like Word, Excel, Visio, Powerpoint, etc. Well, yesterday that all changed when I installed MS Office 2008 for Mac (and got the disc stuck in my CD drive but that’s another story). Now I’m almost 100% Mac-native apps. Visio is still Windows for me, as is SnagIt and a few others. But I feel like I’m home, like I’ve finally found “my people.”

The interface, even for Microsoft, is just so much nicer in the native app. I like being able to use the dock and my side mouse key, plus the corners, to move around my workspace. I got so inspired today that I splurged on a Cinema display.

I can’t yet put my finger on it, but it’s sort of like I felt when I moved from California back to Atlanta. They know what real humidity is, and you don’t have to ask if the iced tea is sweetened. I feel like I’m back where I belong.

On the eve of Valentine’s Day I got the coolest gift ever - an iPod touch. My current iPod was a 2004 model, which I maintained was perfectly fine and I didn’t need another one, thank you very much. But I hate to say, I would toss the old one out the window at 70 mph, the Touch is so cool.

Right now I’m watching a Timbaland video, downloading Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations, and checking my email. The gesture based zoom and scroll is nothing short of amazing. It immediately connected to our wireless network and I was rolling.

Yep, I’m in love. Of course with the man who gave it to me. But I think I’m in love with the iPod Touch too. Shh, don’t tell him.

I had a great user experience the other day at Roly Poly, and I wanted to share.

We scheduled an all-day meeting with a client, and things were going so well that we decided not to break for lunch but to bring it in. I knew that Roly Poly was close and would make an easy pick-up, so we googled and found their web site. The site is great - it has the whole menu, including descriptions, item numbers, and indicators to tell if the sandwiches are hot or cold. It’s also really easy to find locations, including maps, addresses, and phone numbers.

We easily figured out what everyone wanted, called and placed the order. The man who took my order couldn’t have been more nice and friendly. But the experience didn’t end there. The sandwiches were ready within 15 minutes. I was able to drive up to the pick-up window where an equally friendly young lady gave me the food.

It seems simple but Roly Poly has obviously done their homework, and they got it right. Here are some highlights:

• Roly Poly uses their web site as a tool. Rather than brochure-ware about how great their sandwiches and salads are, the site meets user needs by providing menus, directions, maps, ability to order online, nutrition facts, and franchisee information. This is a realy important point. It shows that Roly Poly is paying attention to what customers want and need, and most importantly, they are delivering.
• The experience extends beyond the web site. This is something that companies sometimes miss. The staff at Roly Poly was friendly and helpful. They made me genuinely glad to give them my money. And the food was great too! Everything I needed was in the bag including napkins, sweetener for tea, and utensils. Knowing that I was picking up at the window, and would be in my car, the drinks were already packed in a carrier that I could easily transport.

Roly Poly has earned a customer in me, and no doubt in many others who experience what makes them outstanding.