Today, it was brought to my attention that Maryland’s governor, in an August 24 announcement with General Motors outlined a timetable for the “sustainable” energy future from Sun Edison’s products, which began life back in 2003. The governor helped pass legislation that requires 20 percent of Maryland’s energy portfolio to come from renewable sources of [...]
In Your Header, Verbing Your Nouns
Monday, September 1, 2008
It bothers me when sites provide links to “sign up” and “login”. The former is a verb phrase, but the latter is a noun; it should be “log in” to mirror the form. An argument can be made for linking to “login” the noun, as in the “login [page]” but then you would also link [...]
Don’t Make Me Log In Twice!
Monday, September 1, 2008
This is a call for all developers of websites and web applications that have a user authentication system. If I have to register for your site, please don’t make me register again for your forums or customer support app!
It’s fine to use third party software for discussion forums, but it’s important to put forth the [...]
How to Write Email
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Send email in plain text – not “formatted” or HTML. Your font is hideous and your gratuitous spacing is offensive. Don’t even get me started on background images. Convey your message with punctuation, letters, words and sentences. If something is *really important* you can use asterisks, like that.
Keep it short and to the point – [...]
Keep Your Shoes On
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
It really bothers me when I have to take off my shoes upon entering someone else’s house. I know that sounds insensitive and it’s not my place to make such a call because I’m only there under their grace, but that doesn’t make it any less illogical or annoying.
I’m a person deeply rooted in logic [...]
Bank of America’s Retarded Password Policy
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Bank of America requires that your password be only alphanumeric.
Wait. Let me get this straight. You want me to supply a password that consists of only letters and numbers, thereby increasing the likelihood of simple dictionary attacks? And this is “to make sure [my] passcode is sufficiently secure”? Apparently there are “invalid symbols” that I [...]
Safety is Terrifying
Sunday, August 26, 2007
We Americans have been taught that safety and security should be the highest goals of our lives. You should strive to work a “safe job” with “good benefits” so you can raise your children in the same fashion, perpetuating the cycle of excruciating mundanity until the guys you pay for your security cause the nuclear [...]
