Shot high above the streets of New York City, Up There reveals the dying crafts of large-scale hand painted advertising and the untold story of the painters struggling to keep it alive.
Capturing a trade that is equal parts artistic precision and grueling labor, the film represents a painting tradition pre-dating modern advertising. A craft that today finds itself dangling precariously on the brink of extinction.
You’re Doing it Wrong
Web Inspector Updates
Reply
Tons of new features and improvements coming to Webkit’s Web Inspector tool for web developers.
Of note: Edit as HTML (finally), Timelines, and Audits.
You can use these now in Webkit’s nightlies, but we’ll have to wait and see when they’re formally released in Safari.
The Opposite of Fitts' Law
The next time you’re constructing a user interface, you should absolutely follow Fitts’ law. It just makes sense. But don’t forget to follow the opposite of Fitts’ law, too uncommon or dangerous UI items should be difficult to click on!
[via]
Tools
Some great old tool catalogs, here.
Especially these (PDFs):
- American Swiss File & Tool Company, Elizabeth, NJ
- Great Neck Saw Manufacturers, Mineola, NY
- Ken Quality Tools, Akron, OH
- Warren Axe & Tool Co., Warren PA
- Woodings Verona Tool Works, Verona, PA
Ten-year-old Paul would go totally crazy over this
Edward Tufte Presidential Appointment
Edward Tufte has been appointed to “help track and explain $787 billion in recovery stimulus funds” as part of the Recovery Independent Advisory Panel.
I’m doing this because I like accountability and transparency, and I believe in public service. And it is the complete opposite of everything else I do. Maybe I’ll learn something. The practical consequence is that I will probably go to Washington several days each month, in addition to whatever homework and phone meetings are necessary.
Edward Tufte, March 7, 2010
IOGraph Wallpaper
One of my recent IOGraphs (née Mouse Path), ‘shopped and available for download (right click and save as) as a desktop background/wallpaper.
Why Ad Blocking is devastating to the sites you love
Did you know that blocking ads truly hurts the websites you visit? We recently learned that many of our readers did not know this, so I’m going to explain why.
This Is What Work Looks Like
My mousepath for yesterday, from about 10am until 3:30pm (when it crashed).