John McGarvey – web copywriter

This week I’ve mostly been reading about usability, excessive flying and events for writers that are happening vaguely near me. Here goes…

• If you’re anything like me, you probably feel odd consulting an online dictionary instead of an old skool printed one. Well, Slate has a good piece about the symbiotic relationship between search engines and online dictionaries – and how easily it could be unbalanced.
• Are you in Brighton or Oxford? I’ve spotted new events for writers in these creative cities. WriteClub is an informal gathering where Brighton writers can meet each other. And Ben Werdmuller organised the first Oxford Writers’ Group last week. I think the next one’s penciled in for 19 October, but check Ben’s site for more information.
• Usability consultant David Hamill has written a really good article about, er, usability. He uses some easy to follow, practical examples to explain what usability is about and why it matters. Go on, have a read. (I found this piece via Helen Baker on Twitter.)
• Finally, a chap called Brendan Ross is spending a month flying from place to place in the States. He’s bought an unlimited pass with the airline jetBlue, aims to never leave airline property and is writing about the experience for Wired magazine. It’s an entertaining read, if not particularly aimed at us writers.