Link List

  1. The Cicada Principle for Web Designers

    Alex Walker demonstrates how to use prime numbers to generate non-repeating patterns from repeating images.

    Keeping the ‘cicada principle’ in mind, I’ve made three square, semi-​​transparent PNGs of 29px, 37px, and 53px respectively, and set them up as multiple backgrounds on the HTML element of a test page.

    As you can see, the tiles overlap and interact to generate new patterns and colors. And as we’re using magical prime numbers, this pattern will not repeat for a long, long time.

    Exactly how long? 29px × 37px × 53px… or 56,869px!

    This article optimizes everything I love about front-end web design; Math-powerd design patters for calculating artistic randomness. Simply badicle. I think I will be applying the Cicada Principle on a refresh of the Glee Tour site I have in my queue next week.

  2. U.N. Finally Defeats Anti-blasphemy Measure

    Your deep appreciation is due to those survived by Salman Taseer, Shahbaz Bhatti and others who recently gave their lives in the name of free speech and the free exchange of ideas.

    It is your right to believe in invisible sky monsters. It is not your right to murder those who criticize your extraordinary beliefs. The truth is important. Only by freely exchanging our ideas can we find it.

  3. Robbie Fulks Responds To His Critics About His Criticism Of Ryan Adams

    I linked to a piece earlier this month where Robbie Fulks spoke candidly about his feelings toward Ryan Adams. Today, he applies reason and critical thought to critics of his criticisms.

    Non-extraordinary claims don't need much evidence. And, in matters of taste, the formal protocols of dispute, as the Latins pronounced in one of their all-too-typical maxims that somehow manage to be both perfectly concise and utterly incomprehensible, don't apply.

    Or do they?

    It’s peppered with nuggets of free thought fundamentals you find in skeptic and atheist literature. I may need to finally get around to booking him for a private party this year.

  4. Jacob Nielsen On Hated Web Design Techniques

    Jacob Nielsen:

    Once users reject a design technique due to repeated bad experiences it's almost impossible to use it for good because people will avoid it every time.

    The first example is our beloved spash screen. This time used in a positive way but with poor results due to general hatred of the technique. The study shows people don’t read splash screens even when they contain relevant information.

  8. Space Shuttle Booster Cam!

    Amazing video of the February 24th launch from cameras mounted to Discovery’s solid rocket boosters. From lift-off to splashdown, you see the WHOLE thing! Notable shots at 2:26, 6:04, 10:10, and 28:06.

    Really incredible perspective.