Technical Note TN2124: Mac OS X Debugging Magic – “This technote describes a number of ‘secret’ debugging facilities in Mac OS X, including environment variables, preferences, routines callable from GDB, special files, and so on. If you’re developing for Mac OS X, you should look through this list to see if you’re missing out on something that will make your life easier.” Via Codepoetry
Archives for February 2005
Disabling Google's Autolink Functionality
A recent post by Jeffrey Zeldman alerted me to the fact that Google’s new IE toolbar inserts links into Web sites. While the idea sounds useful for the user, it could prove quite troublesome to the owners of the site. The concept is no different than what Microsoft attempted to do back in 2001. Ultimately, I take issue with Google, or any other company adding content or links to a site that I created, maintain and/or own. Luckily, as Mr. Zeldman’s post on this issue notes, there are PHP, Perl and JavaScript solutions to disable Google’s autolink functionality. Hopefully Google, will listen to the developer feedback, and provide a better method for disabling this functionality in their search bar. Google is a great company, that has had an amazing impact on the Web. I would truly hate to see their shiny reputation tarnished by a poor decision like this one.
RIP Jef Raskin
As noted on Slashdot, Jef Raskin, “GUI pioneer, interface expert, Apple employee #31, and the man most credited with the creation of the Apple Macintosh, died of cancer on Saturday February 26, 2005.” While he hasn’t been involved with Apple since the time of the first Mac (he and Jobs were far from friends), his work is the foundation of modern computer interfaces. Sadly, few UI designers care as much about the end-user as he did. I truly hope Jobs, and Apple recognize him publicly for all that he did for them, and for us, the users.
And all that Malarkey [CSS: A tribute to selectors]
An Interview with Lawrence Lessig
The O’Reilly Network (computer book publishers – nothing to do with Bill O’Reilly) have posted a great interview with Lawrence Lessig, covering ‘the court battle on the legality of P2P; another legal battle to free “orphan works” from their copyright gulag; rolling out new Creative Commons “sampling licenses” with the help of big-name artists like David Byrne; and supporting the “free culture” work of Brazilian musician and culture minister Gilberto Gil toward a society based on freedom of culture.’
Kitchen Voodoo
Photo taken from Engadget
I love the Voodoo Knife Rack made by Viceversa. They have taken a rather utilitarian tool (an object to hold knives) and designed a fun, yet useful piece of working art. Granted, I’m not keen on the exposed blades, but perhaps the danger of cutting oneself is part of the fun. Hrrrm, perhaps not. Either way, it looks cool, even if it isn’t something I would choose to use.