Linked List: December 3, 2009

Thursday, 3 December 2009

Twitter’s New Mobile-Optimized Site ★

This would have been great two years ago, before there were native iPhone apps. Still might be great for Android, Pre, and Symbian phones. Their old minimal mobile site is still available for now; the new mobile site, optimized for WebKit-powered mobile browsers, is at mobile.twitter.com.

‘You’re Constantly Looking at Something and Thinking, “Why Is It Like That?”’ ★

Objectified, the latest documentary on design from Gary Hustwit (director of Helvetica) is now showing on PBS. One of the excerpts on the web site is the interview with Apple’s Jonathan Ive.

OpenDNS Founder David Ulevitch on Google Public DNS ★

OpenDNS founder David Ulevitch:

Google claims that this service is better because it has no ads or redirection. But you have to remember they are also the largest advertising and redirection company on the Internet.

But Google only shows you ads on and redirects you to things you’ve asked for. OpenDNS shows you ads and redirects you to things based on mistakes you make.

To think that Google’s DNS service is for the benefit of the Internet would be naive. They know there is value in controlling more of your Internet experience and I would expect them to explore that fully. And of course, we always have protected user privacy and have never sold our DNS data.

Translation: Sure, we do something shitty with DNS right now today, but Google might do something shitty with DNS in the future so they’re even worse. Pure FUD.

Really Basic Maths ★

Khoi Vinh shows the iterations he went through designing his Basic Maths theme for WordPress.

Google Public DNS: A New DNS Resolver From Google ★

Fast, secure, and none of the filtering/redirection shenanigans from OpenDNS. I’ve switched. Here are the docs on how to use it.

Update: Here’s the privacy policy. Clear, cogent, and respectful.

New York Times ‘Article Skimmer’ Prototype Still Up ★

Not sure how long it’s going to be around, but the prototype version of the NYT’s new “Times Skimmer” is still available. Interesting comparison.

G.E. Agrees to Sell NBC to Comcast ★

The Times also has a behind-the-scenes look at how the deal was made.

Update: Good question from Andrew Elliott.

Ed Bott on the Bogus ‘Black Screen of Death’ Story ★

Ed Bott excoriates IDG (publishers of PC World and ComputerWorld) for their role in publicizing the bogus “Black Screen of Death” story earlier this week. (I linked to Jeremy Kirk’s initial story at PC World, and this follow-up a day later.)

Pictory ★

Splendid new web site from Laura Brunow Miner.