One of the problems with developing software is finding appropriate icons. And othe graphics for that matter. But I am more interested in icons for use on toolbars and the like. The occasional graphic really improved the ‘Look and Feel’ of an application. It makes it easier to use, particularly if the icons are appropriate.

When they are not appropriate you tend to get really messed up, and cannot work out how to drive the application. What makes things worse is that the icons not only need to look good, and be appropriate, but they also need to be self-consistant. That is they need to look like the other icons in the program. This is sometimes the hardest part of this. They also need to be the right size. I have just found some appropriate icons, but they are the wrong size – 20×20 pixels, rather than 32×32. This would make them out of place in the program too.

Looks as if the USA might be having some changes to make soon with Daylight Saving – they are looking at starting it earlier and finishing it later. This is a good idea, but the issue is going to be updating software that automatically corrects for daylight saving time. Should be an interesting experiment. The reason they are looking at doing this BTW is to save oil, and reduce energy consumption.

Strangely it does not look like anyone actually has any research that daylight saving will save energy. It is the argument that is being used, but there is actually no evidence of that right at this moment.