Experience Design is a constantly changing landscape where many of us get to temporarily step inside the protective bubble of organisations and industries most people only ever read about.
MoreAuthor: zefamedia
Don’t Mash the Method
Is ‘process’ the same as ‘method’? Many people seem confused. Does it matter? Sort of. It matters when your job is to take a look at how a company runs …
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Free UX Templates
Just over a year ago I took part in an amazing team competition called FullCodePress to build a website from the ground-up in 24hrs. Read all about it Since then …
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Smokin Little Industries
Recently a few people have asked me why I haven’t formed my own User Experience company. I do think about it and it’s possible that one day I will. But …
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MEGA LED
At Click Suite we’re researching the feasibility of an outdoor LED installation at a top secret location somewhere in Wellington. It’s in the early stages but what’s evident is that …
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What’s Your Strategy for the Downturnaround?
The seeds of the next big thing are being planted now. Are you getting ready to turn the downturn into an upturn? No-one yet knows what the new economy will …
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leftovers
It has been about six months since I changed jobs and now some of the projects my old team were working on at the time have started going public… This …
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‘Goggle Type’ exposed as fake
A modified typewriter touted as the original Google appliance is, in fact, a well-crafted fake, the Skeptics Society, Mr Vintage and a font expert says. The device, an object known …
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An interview with Jack Wyndham : Inventor of Goggle
Jack Wyndham invented the Goggle Chrome Appliance and founded the Milton Beekeeping Society. He talks with zef[a]media. You invented the Goggle Chrome Type Appliance? I came up with the idea …
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Goggle and Google : Side by Side
With the “Goggle Type Appliance” making the TV3 Nightline news last night, many people have been asking “…so what’s the difference between Goggle and Google?” Here’s a side-by-side comparison of …
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Inventor donates browser prototype to ‘Art with a Heart’
After my exclusive scoop last week created ripples on the internet, the original “Type Goggling Appliance” (one of just three prototypes) has been discovered on a dusty shelf at the …
MoreGoogle Chrome invented by beekeeper
The creation of this, and over 20 other art works, was made possible by
Click Suite supporting us by donating a day to “Art with a Heart”.
Theres more information at
Proceeds from this auction are going to Save the Children to support
our fundraising efforts as part of the 2008 Vietnam cycle challenge.
Thanks for supporting our cause by
More– bid high, coz its all going to charity!
Gesturing Government
A lot of people I’ve been talking to recently are excited by the emergence of NUI (Natural User Interfaces), but are asking “Isn’t this just for gamers?” My immediate answer …
MoreSome Slides to Share
The presentation slides from the UPANZ Wellington Spring Event which took place yestersday – thanks to all who came along… Don’t Get GUI : Get NUI! View SlideShare presentation or …
MoreDon’t get GUI : Get NUI!
Have you been getting NUI recently? If you’ve ever used a touch screen then you’re well on the way to the brave new world of ‘Natural User Interfaces’. Well, that’s …
MoreStamps Licked?
You wouldn’t believe how hard it is to get a stamp for a postcard in San Francisco. Getting a postcard is the easy part. But buying stamps? They should make …
MoreFlying like a Conchord
On my 12-hour flight to San Francisco, Air New Zealand offered a plethora of inflight entertainment including a grumpy hostess, movies, music and computer games. I’m one of those people …
MoreMake that a double cona
Rex and I are off to the West Coast of the USA this weekend… I’ll be attending User Experience Week in San Francisco and Rex SIGGRAPH in Los Angeles. It …
MoreGovt details HTML switch-off plans
Technology Minister Dave Cunlife, says the Government will announce a date for the turn-off of HTML websites by 2010 – or sooner, if uptake of rich media hits 55 per …
Moreblogger blogs blogging
I’ve been contemplating if I should ditch my blog and vanish. What do you think? While my blog subscribers have halved in the past year, the other statistics indicate this …
MoreBack to the Future
The time has come for a change and it is with some sadness to tell you that next week is my last at Provoke. It has been an invaluable experience …
MoreQuantum Theory Perplexes Information Hippies in Nelson
Brendon Ford and I have just returned from a miniature junket in Nelson to present the mechanics behind the award-winning intranet we worked on for the Ministry of Transport back …
MoreSearch Engine Not Starting!
I’m working on a new information architecture for a transport-related website. I’m presenting the first cut tomorrow and wondering if this one will get past the critics… Wouldn’t it be …
Moresliding around
I’ve started uploading some of my presentations to SlideShare… Here’s the one from kiwi foocamp… Visualisation techniques for workshops where you need to get a consensus in the room …
Morewho wants to save the world?
The Imagine Cup encourages young people to apply their imagination, passion and creativity to technology innovations that can make a difference in the world today. Now in its sixth year, …
MoreSeven Deadly Design Sins
Designers who don’t pick up on their users’ confusion to the environment in the interweb may be risking more than a fine – they may be putting their souls at …
Moreby jimi ! the critics have their say…
Tom Coates Rowan Smith Zef conjured a web persona into Jimi Hendrix before we knew what was happening. The real Hendrix was better (I was hoping for Star Spangled Banner) …
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Getting it On! (@ Webstock 2008)
Thank goodness Webstock is over! Too much of a good thing can corrupt the senses… Photo by wasabicube On Jimi Was that pre-recorded? No Was that his real hair? Yes …
MoreFullCodePress: User Experience Perspective
Occasionally I get emails asking about the (rapid) information architecture process I followed for FullCodePress last year. Steve Batey from Meld Consulting asks all the right questions and has …
MoreWe’re On the Front Seat!
Another little secret I’ve been sitting on for a while now (and can now reveal) is that Front Seat Media and Provoke Solutions have partnered to develop an innovative internet …
MoreJakob’s Top 10 Provoked!
I’ve been hinting for a while that we had big news for 2008 : and now the word is out! Provoke – Project Management, Information Architecture, Implementation, Development. Capiche – …
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It’s about the experience…
While Provoke has a golden reputation for being leaders in Microsoft-driven solutions, this doesn’t restrict our dUX (Design & User Experience) team from crafting an awesome experience for other technology …
Moreprovoke strikes again
Hang on a mo? Was that Mason ‘Chopper’ Pratt on the TV?
Moreauckland spoolfly buys lulu
In case you’re wondering what I’ve been up to recently, here’s a quick update… Fly Buying The new site has a fresh visual design and an improved user experience. This …
MoreWe’re Finalists!
After years of hiding in the dark I’ve been recently making an effort to submit some of Provoke’s Design & User Experience work to industry publications and awards. One we …
Morere-Gathering
The Gathering was New Zealand’s biggest and best outdoor dance party, which was held every New Year for six years between 1996 and 2001. This is the first Gathering documentary …
MoreHow Robust?
I have a lot of respect for Jared Spool – but I almost choked when I received this invite… Building Robust Personas in 30 Days or Less Jared M. Spool, …
MoreUnravelling Visual Design
At Provoke we’re increasingly focussing on visual design and how this influences a user’s comprehension of content, interactivity and pathways. Moments before unravelling…Coming up with a nice-looking visual design usually …
Morebusy beavers
My design team at Provoke have been busy creating mayhem… Congrats to Alastair who picked up Silver at the Best Awards last week for his Social Ticketing concept… Isha (pictured …
MoreMicrosoft Awards Provoked
Provoke took top honours at Microsoft New Zealand’s partner awards last week… Provoke won both the premier award for ‘Partner Solution of the Year’ (for our work on the Ministry …
More{press release} PROVOKE OPENS NORTH OF THE BOMBAYS
Provoke’s new Auckland office has just opened on the back of six years significant growth in the Wellington market. Provoke Auckland have already started working with a selection of new …
MoreCrazy idea archives : part one
My perfect job would be sitting around sipping soy lattes and coming up with bright ideas for the next “killer app”. Now, from the archives of the legendary zef[a]media bondi …
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reinventing dux
I’ve been reinventing the deliverables for the Design & User Experience (DUX) team at Provoke… The many facets of design and user experience – user requirements, business goals, content models, …
MoreFullCodePress : The Aftermath
On Saturday 18 August 2007, teams from Australia and New Zealand competed to build a fully-operational website for a non-profit organisation in 24 hours. No excuses, no extensions, no budget …
MoreFullCodePress : We Begin!
On Saturday 18 August 2007, teams from Australia and New Zealand will compete to build a fully-operational website for a non-profit organisation in 24 hours. No excuses, no extensions, no …
MoreFullCodePress : The Day Before
On Saturday 18 August 2007, teams from Australia and New Zealand will compete to build a fully-operational website for a non-profit organisation in 24 hours. No excuses, no extensions, no …
MoreFullCodePress : Getting There
On Saturday 18 August 2007, teams from Australia and New Zealand will compete to build a fully-operational website for a non-profit organisation in 24 hours. No excuses, no extensions, no …
Moregeeks gearing up for website olympics
It\’s not often that the geeks get to represent their country in a team sport. That\’s an honour usually reserved for the rugby types, the netballers, and the all-round action …
MoreProvoke chief wins (another) award
Mason (‘Mase’) Pratt, chief executive of Provoke Solutions, has has been named NZIM/Eagle Technology young executive of the year. How young? Well, he’s first boss I’ve had who is younger …
MorePress Release: Kiwi team gears up for Geek Olympics
On Saturday 18 August 2007, web teams from Australia and New Zealand will compete in Sydney to build a fully-operational website for a non-profit organisation in 24 hours.The All Blacks …
Moresmatterings
No, this isn’t the name of my latest usability technique, but a ‘smattering’ of news from the frontline here at New Zealand’s toastiest Interaction Design kitchen… Kitchen? Why yes… Provoke’s …
MoreI’m Full Code Press Ahead!
The wait is finally over! The following names from both teams were drawn from a hat*: The Australian team: Marla Mitelman – Project manager Ruth Ellison – User experience /IA …
MoreWhen Greens Go Bad
I’m surrounded by brand new Prius’ in traffic. My neighbours have installed solar panels. Organic food is now trendy. Can I afford to be “green” anymore? THEN (the past 20+ …
MoreBlobbing-Up Users
We’ve been going all gooey over ‘blob charts’ – our answer to persona data analysis – a godsend when faced with dozens of interview transcriptions and observations. When analysing users …
MoreWe’ve Been Skin’n
The Provoke Design & User Experience team had some fun last week when we were given the opportunity to design some ‘skins’ for a beta of the new Sharepoint Community …
MoreFeedback from Power to the People
Apologies to my regular subscribers – I’m not keeping pace with my goal of two blogs a week. Part of the reason is the return of my dj turntables (I …
MoreGood News Zealand
I’m going a little off topic from ‘User Experience in IT’ this week to user experiences of a different sort… It has been an interesting week for New Zealand with …
MoreReflections on Power to the People
Today I co-presented a full day workshop at GOVIS 2007 here in Wellington. I didn’t think I’d make it having spent the last few days in bed with an aggressive …
Morestuck in a reality distortion field
If you haven’t heard from me in recent weeks it’s because I’m stupidly busy, and when I get extra busy I often end up in a strange ‘reality distortion field’ …
MoreHelping Airlines Cope with Children
Qantas and Air New Zealand could greatly improve their online booking process when it comes to children who need to fly unaccompanied. There’s many reasons why children need to fly …
MoreMake Qantas Smarter (and win!)
Qantas have a ‘thick’ online booking system. This came to light when I read an article in The Dominion Post this morning, which reads: A mother says she will never …
Moreputting yourself out there
Many of you would have already heard of the threats against popular software industry blogger Kathy Sierra. That is the question…I briefly met Kathy when I organised a UPANZ event …
Moreprototyping tools for web design
After a slow start to the year, the Wellington Usability Professionals group has an exciting series of events planned for 2007! To kick things off, their next meeting is Tuesday …
MoreGood vs Evil
ponoko My ex work colleague Dave ten Have is making his dream real with new venture Ponoko. Ponoko allows designers to have their own workshop and factory to create products…as …
MoreSeeking User Experience Strategic Guru (E-Commerce)
Provoke has some exciting projects on the horizon and I’m keen to hear from (or about) any fantabulous e-commerce gurus out there (freelancers or full-timers). You might be the sort of person who could lead the research, strategy, requirements and information architecture of a large e-commerce and dynamic data-driven web site.
MoreReprasent!
The new few months are going to be busy in Wellington when it comes to conferences and presentations.
This time I’m involved in a few myself…
MoreNarrow Thinking
They’re ripping up the footpath along the Queens Highway on the Kapiti Coast – then laying it down again in pretty much the same place.
MoreSitting on a Hybridised Bomb?
In my search for a fuel-efficient car I was amazed to learn that in New Zealand you can buy a Prius for around $5000.
MoreHiccups ruin commuter’s lives…
Stuff reports a ‘big financial hit’ for Stagecoach due to staff not understanding their new software.
MoreStarving on the main-trunk line
A few weeks ago I ‘treated’ my daughter to her first big train trip – on the Overlander – in what proved to be a scenic experiment in illusion and culinary depravation.
MoreI’m going off the rails
In an act of hypocrisy I’m abandoning electric rail in favour of a fossil-guzzling car. This was not a light decision, but the Kapiti-Wellington public transport system has literally driven …
MorePsychic Customer Service
For two weeks my fiance Sarah had survived without her purse. It contained her cash-card, VISA, drivers license, library card, sewing gear, lipstick (and all those mysterious things women lug …
MoreIt’s all about me me me…
Meme tagging… Hey – I am ‘it’ and maybe you are next… hold your breath.. Chan has done the damage by tagging me to the ever evolving internet meme. So …
MoreiFlat Earth
Are we throwing ourselves blindly into a yawning flat paradigm with the Apple iPhone? Let us consider a world without pressing your (or someone else’s) buttons… First of all, try …
MorePersonas Banking Elves & Why Technology Does Not Matter
PERSONA QUAKE! Following my ‘Bring Your Personas to Life’ article on Boxes and Arrows (and more recently, this blog) I’ve attracted a lot of criticism and some praise. I don’t …
MoreBring Your Personas to Life!
Most UCD (user centred design) companies now create personas – profiles of representative users – to guide their designs. After all, to do UCD you need to get the ‘U’ …
MoreUX Industry Goes Loco
In New Zealand the demand for Information Architects, Interaction Designers, Web Designers and Usability Consultants is hotter than global warming. It’s so hot that the local industry is possibly nearing …
MoreI’m Hiring (Again…)
When you see the latest jaw-dropping feature from Flickr, 37signals, ZoomIn, TradeMe or [your favourite website], do you think, “how on earth did they do that”? Do you then dig …
MoreFiltering Out Advanced Search
Last year I designed a prototype of an advanced search system for Student Job Search (SJS). I’d taken inspiration from the iTunes ‘smart playlist’ feature and created an ultra flexible …
MoreNew Govt Web Guidelines
The new version of the New Zealand Government Web Guidelines is out for consultation – get in quick as consultations close on 31 October 2006. The whopping 132-pages of Guidelines …
MoreI Aye?
I’m almost back home from my workshop and conference run – GOVIS, OZ-IA and this weekend PKS2006… OZ-IA in Sydney was kinda interesting, but in my experience it didn’t match …
MoreI’m Hiring
Well, strictly speaking, Provoke is hiring… I’ve now been working as the Director of Design & User Experience at Provoke for just under two years – in that time my …
MoreBankDirect vs Kiwibank
It’s one of those strange things about my world – every time I criticise a company or Government department the next day they’re nominated for an award (or even actually …
MoreTranzMetro Goes Web2.0
TranzMetro, Wellington’s commuter train service, has undergone several partial make-overs in recent years and the railyards are a living case-study of a confused or fragmented branding department. But, in the …
MoreBuy Kiwi-Designed
In New Zealand a battle of words is raging over a new ‘Buy Kiwi-Made’ campaign. The Greens (who lead the campaign) say that ‘New Zealand manufacturers and workers can be …
MoreKiwibank’s Secret Formula?
For the last six weeks I’ve been working as an undercover agent – posing as a new customer for Kiwibank – New Zealand’s big little bank. Secret Spy Profile Having …
MoreWhen the Web Was Young
Glimpses of zef[a]media between 1995 and 1999 – courtesy of the Wayback Machine… [Note: Wayback Machine isn’t perfect, some links and images are missing]. 1995 I’ve been scouring the archives …
MoreGet the Method with Boxes and Arrows
My latest piece of writing – ‘Method Acting with Personas’ – appears over on Boxes and Arrows It’s a suggestion for publication and your interest might help get it to …
MoreMicrosoft Bridging the Gap Between Developers, Designers and the User Experience
This article originally appeared on Digitalmelon, and is re-blogged here with the kind permission of Chandima Kulathilake. Chan has been recently evaluating new Microsoft technologies for User Interface Design – …
MorePassionate People I’ve Worked With
My Fabulous Career Recently I pitched for a website I was born to create. I knew it would be an uphill battle – all our perceived flaws were laid bare, …
MoreGold-plated Paper
Dealing in software design I often work with budgets worth many more times than my car (and sometimes as large as my 25-year mortgage). And because I often work in …
MoreStatisfaction
A few months ago I kicked up a fuss about the usability and interaction design of the first New Zealand Online Census. Just having completed my own design projects for …
MoreBob’s Webstock Lyrics Uncovered!
In an exclusive scoop, Zef brings you the original lyrics from Bob’s legendary Webstock performance on May 25. Those who were lucky enough to be present at Webstock may notice …
MoreTriple Bottom Line Usertarianism
As the designers of user interfaces we have an obligation to not only our clients, but our users and their greater working environment. In practical terms, Triple Bottom Line Usertarianism …
MoreTaking Stock…
Well – Webstock was a blast. Here’s snippets from my seven days of coffee and haze… Sunday (PM) I join the Provoke crew to wine and dine the phenomenally busy …
MoreIt’s K-Time!
Webstock is the biggest thing to hit the Wellington web industry since Trade Me sold for $700m in cash – the difference is that, this time, almost everyone gets to …
MoreGoogle Trends is Misery
Google Trends is the new hot topic – but apart the fun it gives you (by comparing search terms), in most cases the information it spits out is quite useless. …
More“I aint got no use-a-bill-latty”
As the President of the Usability Professionals’ Association of New Zealand (you can just call me ‘Mr President’), I\’m charged with supporting and growing “usability” in this country. Well, things …
MoreTo submit, submit or submit?
I’m sick to death of screens containing multiple submit buttons and in recent years I’ve been culling submit buttons from any web application I can lay my hands on. Most …
MoreUsability is Bad for the Environment
Soon after I relaunched my blog in January 2006 my subscriber base shot up from about a dozen regular readers to over 300 – and now fluctuates wildly between 150 …
More‘Absolute Beachfront’ by 2050
What will New Zealand look like in 20 years if we don’t have fresh Water, are still dependant on Oil and human-induced Climate? A sea-level rise of 5m will make …
MoreEnvironmentally Friendlier Pop-ups
Old fossil Web1.0 technologies (such as pop-ups) continue to pollute our browsing environment and are hampering progressive and sustainable navigation. So, in one of my previous blogs I declared “War …
MoreMeantime, in my day job…
Recent success stories from the Provoke coal face (where I manage a small team of interaction designers)… The National Bank of New Zealand’s new plastic fantastic personalised photo cards have …
MoreWar on Pop-Up Pollution!
Pop-up creators are polluting our fragile web eco-system – they must look to alternatives. Now pop-ups are infiltrating people’s homes and messing-up the web eco-system.You might not realise it, but …
MoreOnline Census Flopped?
The online census attracted less than half the expected number the Dominion Post reported yesterday. Less than half the expected number of people filled out the new Online Census.The paper …
MoreEco Entrepreneurs
Peter, a retired engineer who lives in Waitati (near Dunedin), says he has designed a prototype system which will convert household organic waste into biodiesel fuel. His contraption links up …
MoreJust “waiting for the real thing?”
Ever had a brilliant idea that could potentially ‘spice-up’ a business, the world wide web, or the planet? Like many creative people my great ideas often stay “just ideas”. They …
MoreA Cultivated Census
In my blog a few days ago (about the poor design and usability of the New Zealand online Census), drew bundles of feedback and criticism from various quarters. Comments I …
MoreHolding the Online Census to Account
The online version of the New Zealand 2006 Census is littered with unnecessary design and usability issues. For the first time New Zealand citizens have the option of doing the …
MoreHelen Gets a Little Bit Bold(er)
My blog a few weeks ago (‘I want my bioethanol now’) sparked a number of responses from my readers (and since then I’ve also gained over 100 new subscribers!) Helen …
MoreAnesthetising Our Way of Life
According to at least one New Zealander we’re well on the way to sharing a similar fate as the 14th century Easter (or ‘Rapanui’) Islanders. This morning Linda Clark was …
MorePainting Over History
Another little bit of Wellington history was given a ‘big brush over’ earlier this month. It was a row of old shop-front signs on the corner of Cuba and Ghuznee …
MoreI Want My Bioethanol Now!
While New Zealand seems stuck in some sort of laxy dazy sloth warp, Iceland plans to become the first country to replace fossil fuels with hydrogen for all its energy …
MoreKooks on Killer Highway
Every weekday I see dozens of people tempting fate on one of New Zealand’s most deadly stretches of highway. TXT driving on the Kapiti CoastThankfully I’m sitting safely on the …
More…but will it fold the washing?
For christmas my eldest daughter was given a Knex construction kit – and a few hours later Ferris was born. Ferris is pretty simple, but inquisitive – its main function …
MoreMan Goes Silly Over Usability
Here’s proof that usability can make you look a little bit silly. My work colleague is in love with these new mega-chunky Phillips headphones, which he bought half price for …
MoreKing Kong of Usability Stuff Ups
Last Wednesday I was setting up a usability test environment for a new website. Somebody commented on the computer monitor – “It’s fuzzy” – and proceeded to try and adjust …
MoreStudents Treated to Defensive Design
The Student Job Search website has been relaunched, but at first glance you wouldn’t notice much of a difference… While the visual design has largely remained untouched – most of …
MoreZoomIn BloomIn Brilliant
Zoomin is a New Zealand dynamic street map site, where you can zoom, pan and navigate around the map in real time. Sound Googlesk? Well, it is, but better. What …
MoreTV3 Website Gives Me Nightmares
Just when I thought the web was actually going through a revival with usability, web standards, AJAX taking hold – and New Zealanders actually starting to churn out some pretty …
MoreFlashy Breakable Fisher & Paykel
Great news for Kiwi design – appliance maker Fisher & Paykel Appliances has joined the ranks of global brands like Bose, Playstation, Stella Artois, Blackberry, Audi and Chanel – based …
MoreInsincerity Sucks
An article in the Sunday Star Times (‘Insincerely yours’, Oct 9 2005) claims that New Zealand companies “are robbing their customers, robbing their staff, and robbing themselves with an insincere …
MoreHurricane Rentokil
A hand drier has just been installed at the Provoke toilets, and it’s creating chaos… …all because of a string of simple usability issues. The source of the issue (arguably) …
MoreDown Traden
Are you paying too much when buying goods on Trade Me? All it takes to find out is a couple of Googles. Last July our juicer became redundant. That is, …
MoreThematics
My customer experience today at a ‘Theme Basics Store’ in Wellington… [ZEF] Hi, do you sell shower curtains? [TBS SHOP ASSISTANT] Yes – over there… (points) [ZEF] (looks over) They …
MoreFoto Blotto
It was my first exploration into the brave new world of ordering photo-prints online. I thought the experience would be simple… Visit a website Upload a bunch of photos I …
MoreBlind Greens
While travelling from Ohakune to Paraparaumu the other day I became obsessed with the plethora of political party billboards lining the highway. To the point…The National Party takes the cake …
MoreTrade Me Your Region
The Trade Me ‘change my region’ feature assumes New Zealanders are hermits – never leaving the comfort of their internet device, home, street or town. I live and work in …
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