I haven’t been advertising myself using this ubiquitous term, Web 2.0, but since it’s become such a popular term, some of you may be wondering, does Dan Moriarty get this whole Web 2.0 thing? Does he design Web 2.0 sites? The short answer is yes. I understand and appreciate the current trends in both website development and web design, and can apply it to your next project. While some of the design tricks that are considered Web 2.0 are being vastly overused (reflected surfaces, rounded letters, etc.), I still find a lot of it a refreshing and welcome change from the designs of years past.And Web 2.0 can refer to so much more than just looks. In my mind, it’s about new Internet startups, cheap but powerful software, following recommended web standards and better coding, embracing open source movement, moving to web-based software, creating and joining online communities, and building websites with an eye to flexibility and accessibility.If you’re interested in learing more about what Web 2.0 means, here’s some interesting articles that attempt to define it.Web 2.0 Design:Web 2.0 Design Style GuideWeb 2.0 Type and Logos:Great Fonts for Web 2.0Logos of Web 2.0

For Minneapolis-St. Paul residents, there’s a free electronics recycling event going on this weekend. Visit the parking lot across from the Mall of America, on the IKEA side, and you can bring your old cellphones, computers, CRT screens, TVs, and other stuff that’s just sitting in your basement, and they’ll recycle it for free. And you get coupons to the Mall. Wow.

I know I’m bringing an old Apple monitor sitting in my basement, the old 50 pound CRT kind, and at least one old cell phone.

Read the full details on the Star Tribune website. Hours: 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. From Nov 15-17th.

One of the most common copy writing errors I see again and again in my job is the old double-spacing between sentences. I’m no design/typography snob, but in the interest of public education, I refer you now to this article on fonts.com. Although most of the public is blissfully unaware of this typographical faux pas, and would probably have an easier, more trouble-free life if they didn’t know, I will add my voice to small chorus of truth-tellers and shout, “it’s wrong!”

Yes, it is wrong to double-space. It’s a convention left over from the age of typewriters, as the article above explains. But unless you work in the design world, if you start to single-space, you’ll probably be told by your friends and co-workers you’re wrong. Be brave. Tell them you are no longer living in the past. You’ve moved on. Sorry old typewriting class teacher. This is the 21st century, and you don’t have time to double-space.

You can’t avoid all the hype lately about “going green.” I am trying to take my business in this direction, in what small ways I can. Starting this month, all the electricity at Dan Moriarty headquarters is 100% wind powered. My electric company, Xcel Energy, is offering a great program where any customer can request that 100% of their electricity comes from wind power.Of course, my computers aren’t hooked up to a wind turbine, but all the money I pay for electricity goes toward the wind turbines Xcel has built in southwest Minnesota. It’s a small step that’s easy to make, and now I can say, “Dan Moriarty Freelance Design - 100% wind powered.”

I thought this was quite silly and interesting, so I’m sharing here a link to information about Extreme Ironing. Ironing competitions in exotic locations around the world. Can it be true? See for yourself.According to the official website, extreme ironing is “the latest danger sport that combines the thrills of an extreme outdoor activity with the satisfaction of a well-pressed shirt.”

Google publishes a list of search terms gaining in popularity each week. It’s a good snapshot of what’s a hot topic right now, and it seems to work independently of the major news headlines. Some of it is irrelevant, but some are interesting.