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The Graphing Calculator Story [coverage at Wired, Slashdot]

This has to be one of the most astonishing programming stories I’ve ever heard. A contractor at Apple finds his project terminated, so what does he do? He continues working on the project, unofficially, behind Apple’s back until it’s completed. Along the way, he gains the support of tons of Apple’s employees and, eventually, even wins over Apple itself. This is after he’s worked 16 hour days for free for months; not to mention that he’s recruited hours and hours of free work from many others. Simply astonishing.

Oh, and his project ended up being included as a standard part of the Mac system, shipped with every computer they sold.

Pet Peeve #1: Open in New Window

I’m getting very sick of webpages that code all their links to open in a new window. If I want a webpage to open in a new window, I am quite capable of right-clicking (or command-clicking) and selecting “Open in New Window”. I don’t need some crackpot web designer telling me where to open my links. You want to open your links in a new window? Good for you! Don’t push your preference on everyone else.

When I browse a site, sometimes I like the link I click to replace the current page. Sometimes I open in a new tab. I almost never open in a new window, and I certainly never want the link to pounce a new window on me if I’m normally clicking on it.

As far as I am concerned, the overwhelming majority of “open in new window” links are outright rude. Web designers need to stop forcing this choice on us and let us open links where we choose to open them.

By the way: If you’re reading this and have a webpage with links of that variety, please change them. Thank you.

Home-Brew IPod Ad Opens Eyes

On the right, part way down, there’s a “Video” link that says “Watch George Masters’ homeage iPod ad.” I recommend doing so, as it’s pretty nifty. The article is interesting, too.