Eric Hartwell's InfoWeb

Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Great apes to learn human behaviors [CNN 4/20/2005 14:32 via Boing Boing 4/20/2005] Researchers at the Iowa Great Ape Trust are putting eight intelligent bonobos in a human-like living situation to study how culture may emerge.

Bonobos? Homer, Moe, Skinner, Lovejoy, Wiggum, Lenny, Carl, Barney

The bonobos will be able to cook in their own kitchen, tap vending machines for snacks, go for walks in the woods and communicate with researchers through computer touchscreens. The decor in their $10 million, 13,000-square-foot, 18-room home includes an indoor waterfall and climbing areas 30 feet high. Bonobos, a species of ape from the Congo, are the most like humans. They constantly vocalize "as though they are conversing" and often walk upright. The animals, which have a life span of up to about 50 years, will be allowed to mate and have families -- and develop cultures that will be studied for generations to come.

Target Remakes the Pill Bottle - sensibly and beautifully [New York Metro 4/18/2005 via Gizmodo, Boing Boing 4/19/2005] The standard-issue amber-cast pharmacy pill bottle has remained virtually unchanged since the second World War. An overhaul is finally coming, courtesy of Deborah Adler, a 29-year-old graphic designer whose ClearRx prescription-packaging system debuts at Target pharmacies May 1.

Easy I.D. The name of the drug is printed both on the top and side.
Code red. The bottle is Target’s signature red color - and a symbol for caution.
Information hierarchy. Most important information (drug name, dosage, intake instructions) above the line, less important data below.
Flat sides for readability; Upside down to save paper.
Green is for Grandma. Different colored rubber rings for each family member.
Info card that’s hard to lose tucked behind the label.
Take “daily.” Avoids the word "once" on label, since it means eleven in Spanish.
Clear warnings. Revamped the 25 most important warning symbols.