Say "interface design" and most people think of computers and how we interact with them. Truth be told, interface design is all around us. It really has little to do with computers.

My prime example of interface design is a restaurant menu.

I have been involved with the cult of technology for thirty-five years. There are more than a few people, my parents and family included, who view me as their shaman or witch-doctor. Through years of intense study and practice, I know the secret chants and finger-strikes to enable computers to perform their magic.

It's belittling to many adults I know that they need someone like me, or someone a fifth or sixth their age, to enable them to work their computer. My mom tells the story of buying her first Mac more than twenty years ago. Yes, I enabled the purchase, but here was a computer she felt she could actually run use. Last year she purchased her second Mac and her feeling of being able to work on accomplish tasks with her iMac is still there.

When I look at it though, I'm still the shaman. I installed her printer drivers and desktop wallpaper.

A friend of mine called the other day asking for a favor.

My early-warning system should have immediately triggered, but it didn't. He needed a "four-slide presentation" for a speed-dating rendition of a marketing presentation. The kicker: the company running the forum needed a PowerPoint file.

If you've read my post on Keynote presentations, you'll understand some of my trepidation. To make matters worse, this friend happened to be the same client from my previous post.

As I design my first new book of the new year, perhaps I could subtitle this post "Happy New Copyright Year".

Luckily, copyright law has has changed over time. While I don't profess to be a lawyer, I am a publisher. I have had lawyers defer to my working understanding of copyright law. Truth in advertising... they were homicide trial lawyers.

Whenever I meet with a publishing client, the issue of copyright rears its head. "How do I copyright my book?" "Must I fill out and file a form?" "Should I protect my work?" The answers to these questions depend on the type of protection you wish for your work.

I look at Craig Lawrey with a touch of jealousy. He is a Navy Distinguished Marksman, an accomplished ocean-going Sailor, and a not-so accomplished Equestrian. He has been an Army Infantryman, Postman, Navy Reservist, and an Environmental Consultant. The hardest and most inspiring job he has ever had (his words) is being a Stay-at-Home Dad.

Craig is a client of ours who recently published a book titled Does Your Daughter Have Dad Hair? Working with Craig in designing his book was a blast. The first time we spoke on the phone, Craig told me he selected us to publish his book not just because we did great work, but because we were geographically desirable.

When we met, his point of view regarding his decision to hire us had shifted more to our design capability. Almost apologetically, he showed me his manuscript in Microsoft Word: "This isn't what I want my book to look like, but it's the best I can do." We chatted for a few moments so I could get a greater feel for my new client. He described his book in a flavor of Tool Time meets What Not to Wear.

As I outlined my design concepts, Craig's enthusiasm grew. I excused myself for a few moments and returned with a sheet of paper with four silver pieces adhered to one side. I spoke two words: duct tape.