About
Read this first
I am not a guru. I am only a student. I write because the more I sought to explain software and interface design, the more I learn. Even with years of experience and study, I am always ten steps behind what I need to know.
I will never be a guru. I am a student.
And I hope I never change.
Contact
email: greg.moreno@gmail.com
ym: greg.moreno@yahoo.com
skype: gaboogle
mobile: +63 (920) 909 - 1161
I want to build software and websites that make people happy. Everything I do — from designing software to writing — I aim to provide and care for the complete experience.
Talks
- Seminar on Ruby on Rails
June 2, 2007 | Mapua Institute of Technology (Makati campus)
Ruby on Rails demo and lecture - Ateneo iTech Regional Conference
January 28, 2007 | AIM Conference Center
Ruby on Rails demo and lecture - World Usability Day 2006 (Philippines)
November 14, 2006 | Market Market
Download slides (PDF, 5.9 MB) - World Usability Day 2005 (Philippines)
November 10, 2005 | National Computer Center
Download slides (PDF, 2.6 MB)
Usability Testing Reports
- ADB Compliance Review Panel
Download report (PDF, 799 KB) - Your One Stop Shopping Network
Download report (PDF, 1.1 MB)
I believe
- Build software for people first, computers second.
- Usability is always secondary. (Donald Norman)
- Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler. (Albert Einstein)
- Don’t make me think. (Steve Krug)
- People that think well, write well. (David Ogilvy)
- Words are part of the interface.
- Omit needless words. (Strunk & White)
- Do one thing and do it right. (37signals)
- Good is the enemy of great. (Jim Collins)
- Michael Jordan is an alien.
Now, let me tell you a short story
I was supposed to write a short info here about me but I decided to include a short manifesto on technology and people. If you know what I think, I believe you will know me better.
I had my first exposure to a computer in high school. Nowadays that is not unusual but in 1991 I was one of the few public high school students who have access to a computer and can write reports using a word processor. While it makes sense to continue a computer study, I had no intention of pursuing it because I wanted to become a soldier. Unfortunately (or fortunately), I was not qualified so I decided to try computer science in University of the Philippines, Diliman after taking the advice of friends and teachers.
As a technology professional, I had the chance to build products that help people. My work is not as critical as a life-support system but I feel proud someone else’s life is made a little bit easier by my creation. Sometimes that is not the case. There are times when my creation only made people more confused and resistant to technology although that was not my intention.
I study people’s needs and address them using technology like any professional in my field but I realized there is one thing lacking. It is equally important that I make sure technology is easy enough for people to actually use it. Of course there are technology intended for few intelligent persons but the goal is the same. Otherwise, they will still have a hard time accepting and realizing the benefits of technology developed specifically for them.
We are smart and we know what is good for us and what is not. (This does not mean we always choose what is good for us.) However, if technology is difficult to use then it will only bring more pain than comfort to us. Thus, we become resistant and apprehensive.
I will not discuss further because I promised this to be short. Now for some things about me.
I develop software to support my family. My work is not mostly punching the keyboard and staring at computer screen. Sometimes I get to waste other people’s precious time by organizing a meeting; sometimes they do it to me. I am also into writing and someday I intend to write a book.
I live somewhere in Cainta, bordering the east of Metro Manila. Cainta is one of the oldest town in the Philippines.
Other random thoughts
- MicroISV Notebook: A programmer’s guide to growing a small software business.
- The Schoolhouse Philippines: News and views on education and technology.