The T-Mobile HTC HD7 phone being given away to one MAKE readerTo promote the release of the Windows Phone 7, Microsoft is partnering with various websites, including MAKE, to give away a Windows Phone 7 to each site’s readership. To be eligible, all you have to do is post a comment on the theme of “Do more with less,” in the Comments section below. You can post more than one comment, but only one per day, and they must be new ideas, not the same post. The deadline for all comment entries is Monday, November 29, 2010, 11:59 p.m. ET. The winner will be chosen at random. See the full rules after the jump.
When I think of doing more with less, I always think of Buckminster Fuller and his concept of “dymaxion.” Opinions vary on the inspiration for this term, but it is likely a portmanteau of the words dynamic, maximum, and tension. It basically started out as a Fullerian brand name (Dymaxion Car, Dymaxion House), but Fuller went on to define it as “maximum output for minimum investment of materials, energy, and time,” or basically, the greatest output from the least input. This and other Bucky whole system design ideas were life-changing to me when I first encountered them as a teenager, in the pages of the Whole Earth Catalog. I have never forgotten them and they’ve informed my own ideas about design and my understanding of how systems work. If you’re looking for inspiration for your “Do more with less” comments, think about this concept of “dymaxion” and examples from your own life, and your making of things, of maximized design; the greatest result from the smallest investments in time, energy, and materials.
Good luck with the giveaway!
This giveaway is brought to you by the new Windows Phone 7. Learn more about Windows Phone online and see it in person at local T-Mobile stores today.
I’ll enjoy myself a lot more with less Win phone… *snort*
There. I used up my day’s allotment of cynicism. Good luck to everyone else.
Do more with less, don’t get a Windows Phone.
Often, I find my best work coming from the projects with the greatest limitations imposed upon them. In hindsight, I think this is due to the focus required to accommodate these restrictions.
In other words, restrictions and limitations force me to buckle down and focus on what’s important.
As an android user since day one, I can honestly say I am totally and completely fed up with the fat and excessiveness of the operating system. The amount of steps I need to go through to see a text message or take a picture is unbelievable. I am excited to see an operating system that finally concentrates on giving you what you need to know instead of throwing every unnecessary piece of information in the internet. This is the same reason I have a car that tells me my speed and amount of gas instead of telling me my fuel mixture, piston timing, gear ratio’s, etc. While this information is in my car somewhere, and I can find it if I need it, I don’t need it every second of every day. The information that is necessary is up front and that’s exactly what I want from my phone. I love the push with windows mobile, and win or lose, cannot wait to see what Microsoft can do with it in the next couple years.
I code in C# for a living so could be fun.
Less is relative, the development tools for the phone, and ease of programming an App remove the limitations of proprietary programming languages and archaic approval process.
When I talk about doing more for less I am talking about conservation of time, energy, materials, and above all monetary expenses. As a computer programmer by training the efficiency of my code and algorithms allow me to do a greater number of computations per second. As a fellow maker, I take pride in simplifying my designs so that I incorporate the materials I have just laying around and lower the over all power consumption for longer life expectancy. As a young entrepreneur, raining in monetary expenses allow me to devote more to learning and research which feeds the next interation of the cycle.
I always find that I do more when I have less distractions. I don’t need social networks reminding me that friends are eating breakfast. I don’t want email at my fingertips because it would steal time from the things I want to do. Smart Phones kill productivity because they keep the distractions with you everywhere.
Folks, this is not meant to be a debate on the merits of Windows Phone 7. It’s a discussion around the theme of “doing more with less” and there’s a drawing at the end for an HTC HD7 phone.
Doing more with less means thinking ahead to eliminate the duplication of effort.
I have a PC set up (other than my main machine) that is pretty low on features and a little under-powered. It is running Win2k (I know, I know). I have the OS, an editor, and Atmel AVR development tools on it. It also has RobotBASIC and a USB input/output device that RB can control attached to the machine. This PC is right next to my prototype area.
With this minimum setup I can program embedded devices (Arduino or an AVR that I quickly wire up) or make a RobotBASIC program to directly control some I/O from the PC. I just quickly tested some PIR devices with the USB I/O device and RB was dinging the “system bell” every time the PIR device detected motion.
Having a simple PC _right_there_ where I’m working means I use the PC like a tool – sometimes a logic probe, sometimes a simple analog display, sometime a programmable logic device. Other than the OS the software tools were free, the hardware was low cost. The effort to use this tool outweighs the benefit that it brings me right there at the place that I’m putting together circuits.
Do more programming in less time by using visual studio. No one wants to admit it but the IDE makes things so much easier and things get done so much faster. I like to write code just as much as the next man, but with not enough time in the day i would rather leave the specifics to someone else.
place phone in drawer. go for long walk.
I strongly believe that we over engineer most of our stuff. 80 percent of the time, we use about 20 percent of the functionality of our gadgets/tools/toys/etc. Imagine if things were at least half as complex to build and maintain? Oh…do windows phones have cameras, music, media, gps and video? You know, I can’t do without those things.
As long as I’ve been in the Navy, I’ve heard that phrase, in some form or another. Doing more with less, translates to me, as “Use the right tool for the right job”.
With the new Win7 phone, it seems to be the right tool, for today’s social-network-central lifestyle.
I’m convinced that the current admittedly innovative Win Phone 7 UI pattern language is going to need significant changes to meet the needs of a growing mobile platform. Glance and Go is an admirable design goal for apps; not so much for a powerful, feature-rich platform.
I predict that, about 2 years from now, when everyone agrees Windows 7 is NOT an appropriate OS for tablets, we’ll see an announcement that Win Phone 8 will be optimized for tablets, and Less will be redefined as whatever the iPad is doing in 2012.
Send me the WinPhone if I win: I need a replacement for my ancient Sony-Ericsson.
I have HTC HD2 phone with windows mobile 6.5. Nice hardware but the features and interface are clumsy (especially browser). Hope Microsoft fixed that in the new OS.
More of what I’m not sure, but Windows Phone 7 is certainly less.
What do you got windows 7?
Doing more with less in the sense of Windows Phone 7 involves, not having less than necessary as some commenters have mentioned, but being free from the extraneous information and visual complexity of many popular products and I think that Windows Phone 7 does this very well and am excited about the potential that it has over the long term despite its possible “slow start” that a few of the online press are claiming.
Again, I remind people this is NOT a debate about Windows Phone 7. This is a GENERAL discussion on doing more with less, sponsored by Windows Phone 7, with a drawing of a free phone being given to the one of the commenters who shares some example of doing more with less. We won’t be counting the posts where people are debating the merits of the phone and making snide comments about WP7. If you want a chance at the phone, leave a comment about some useful example of doing more with less.
I hope it’s a millions times better than my Moto Q was. Make me a believer!
It’s interesting that I don’t really know all that much about the windows 7 phone. This contest has given me an excuse to do some much needed research!
I have an online store at etsy.com, and rather than using all brand new boxes, I recycle ones I receive in the mail. The only time I won’t ship a reused box is when I ship a gift directly to the recipient.
New Logo! ” DO + W/ < ” !!!!!!!!! Hope you like it!
I reuse magazines and pictures to make collages.
OK, I wasn’t going to (not that fussed about a new phone, I have all I need), but for the pure creativity of writing something, I’ll ride the bus to toytown today…
So what does it mean to me It means spending more time planning and less time making. Why? Because the more I plan, the less resources I end up using. Be it my latest hobby, guitar building, or graphics work, or coding, or anything really, if you plan properly, you’ll always get more for less.
Or as my stitching missus always says, “measure thrice, cut once”.
Doing more with less is just doing your job. I won’t say where I work, but they are always telling me to do more work with less resources – the CEOs need their bonuses.
Do More with Less.
Put your phone out of sight and mind when you work.
LL LL EEEEE SSSSSS SSSSSSS
LLL LLL EE EE SS SS SS
LL LL LL EE EE SSSSSS SSSSS
LL LL EE EE SS SS SS
LL LL EEEE0 SS SS SSSSSSS
I am always looking for ways to make do with what I have. It is the ‘green’ thing to do.
Why do I always have to do more? I prefer doing less and enjoying whatever those tasks are.
I would love a Windows Phone 7 – totally buying one if I don’t win this contest…
Bahh with the cynics on here. You can keep your ‘droids…
It’s getting harder and harder to keep track of who’s trying to tell me something and who’s trying to sell me something. Half of my daily news sites seem to have been trying to sell me the windows phone with some sort of sponsored content over the last couple of days and I’ve also noticed a lot of unconvincingly enthusiastic commenting.
It’s all very tiring.
Never had a “Smart” phone. My dumb one needs replacing…
I could do more with less super slow iPhone. Por favor?
One qualm I have with most programming languages is that they’re way too bloated. Script kiddies start programming without knowing how to make their code efficient. Hence, sometimes using less code (less libraries) equate to more efficient code.
My smart phone needs to be replaced with a smarter phone
“Doing more” is not about quantity. When you reach your goal and there’s still room to take a little time for yourself, you know you did more with what you had… or less.
Less: Sold off my wooden boat project.
More: Can now spend my free time making sure my 8 week old daughter is happy and healthy. Bonus: the garage now has space for my wife’s car. Both of these benefits are far more rewarding than a boat.
Do more with less… use free software.
Reduce the amount of waste biproduct during manufacturing processes
buy refurbished goods from licensed resellers. saves money if you want something specific
Do more with less…
I am trying to eliminate as many individual devices as possible in favor of the most important (and most multifunctional) few. A high end smartphone would help!
ive always done more with less, but why i consider less may still be a lot to others. i think having two fridges lets me waste less food because i have more freezer space
Do more with less.
Make devices with “detritus”, not fancy parts.
Well I could enjoy more of my time doing what I am doing instead of struggling with a phone to brag to my friends about what I am doing!
More time enjoying life with Windows Phone 7!
Even though this doesn’t seem like less of an effort, listening to music and rocking out while doing the chores definitely help me feel like I’m doing “less” than I have to! It just feels more like a concert/dance party than a cleanin session!
Since money is a little tight these days, I always love having lunch in the park with a couple of friends rather than going to a movie and a restaurant afterwards. We’re basically getting to spend more time with each other more without all the money!
My recent efforts to do more with less have followed my “amazing discovery” of the concept of delegation. I am finally learning to take advantage of the skills of people around me, using a modest amount of effort to supervise/guide and achieve more in the long run. Yes, I should have realized this earlier…
In the no duh category goes giving up caffine. I spend less money buying soda/energy drinks, less time brewing coffee, more energy!
I’m starting to think that that this contest may have genuinely inspired me to seek greater efficiency in my life. On Friday I called Comcast to change my TV/internet package configuration; now I’m getting more channels for less money!
I have been going to the drive in movies instead of the theatreswith my friends and family so save money, but it’s actually a little more fun since you can actually talk!
Instead of going to Jamba Juice almost everyday like I used to, we just got a blender to save money! Now I get smoothies anytime I want with more smoothies and less spending! It would be awesome to win this phone!
Instead of going to Jamba Juice almost everyday like I used to, we just got a blender to save money! Now I get smoothies anytime I want with more smoothies and less spending! It would be awesome to win this phone!
This weekend I donated a bundle of clothing and books to Goodwill; I get the benefit of “less” unneeded possessions, and they can do a bit more for the needy.
i do more with less when i use coupons they help so much
I do more with less when I find a website that does what I need without me having to install an app for something that I’m only going to do once every year or 5.
One way I do more with less is buying used things. Since I’m in college, i’m pretty tight with money so on way save is searching for the bet deals on the books I need online and in used book stores. Aslong as they’re not torn up, I buy them at a fraction of the price. Sometimes some books even have notes written on them!
I have/had a lot of older computer parts in my closet. This Fall I donated all of the motherboards I wasn’t using to FreeGeek, and while I was there, picked up a great vintage keyboard that makes typing a pleasure.
I am loving aluminum foil as an insulation material these days, helps me shape cakes, and keep things warm
I’ll do more with less
Today I purchased a bus pass and will stop driving to work. That will leave me with more cash and cause less environmental impact
During the holidays, I tend to premake some things that go great in 3-4 meals. Like cornbread. It is great in stuffing, as a panini, etc.
I’m making the pumpkin pies this year with canned pumpkin puree, and I will not feel guilty for not roasting and pureeing my own pumpkins.
Keeping the beers cold outside in the unusual Seattle snow while Thanksgiving food takes over our fridge.
One example of me doing more with less is carpooling with friends to school (when I don’t take the train). Being college students, we’ll save all the money we can and it’s so convenient that I have a group of friends that all live pretty close! It’d be so awesome to win!
When I think of doing more with less I think of using what you have instead of buying new.
Thanks to a new collaboration with a famous scientist, I expect to be getting more publications with less effort on my part!
i love giving out coupons for watching your kids for an hour or clean your house its cheap and effective so everyone is happy
Doing more with less means consolidating all the devices I carry around in my pocket in to one so that I can spend more time sharing ideas and less time joggling devices and keeping things organized.
This might be a little too simple, but I do more with less by always having my laptop with me. Nowadays, since I’m in college, it seems like everything is being moved online, from turning essays in to math homework. It definitely helps me do more when I have free time and I have less stuff to carry around!
I’ve done a lot of research regarding Black Friday deals; by planning ahead I will be able to get more gifts for less money.
I do more with less for a number of reasons (one being I am a college student).
Recycling parts from older computers instead of buying new ones.
And keeping within the max character limit for this entry
I’ve been doing more kitchen cleaning with less effort after buying a Roomba. It’s an electronic pet that cleans my home… awesome!
New technologies have made things easier for us users. Do more with less means to me that I won’t have to spend my time on a certain thing and I can really enjoy doing something else that matters to me. That’s what Windows Phone 7 is giving to us!
One example of me doing more with less is simply turning off and unplugging electronics and appliances. Sometimes people forget and it adds up to the costs. As time goes by, spending a few little seconds on turning appliances off can really make a difference and save more money, more money to spend on stuff I want! I only turn things on when I need to! Hope I win!
Doing more with less is having a single device with the best applications to create ideas, share with friends, and explore new concepts.
Also, on three separate occasions I’ve built a new Roomba battery pack from parts instead of buying an expensive new one – MORE friendly robot power with LESS money!
In the spirit of thanksgivings, this is a reminder of the well known tip that you can make awesome meals from the leftovers of thanksgivings.