As I read this title, I realize that this could be the start of a book, not a short article. Ultimately, every bit of software written is for somebody (even just for the programmer who wrote it). So this means that end user (or customer) has the final say as...

You know them – the dreaded icon. Derived from the Russian Icon, a religious picture, they have been adopted with religious fervor among computer programmers everywhere. These little picture shortcuts in programs are designed to make it easy to find commands and functions, since we all know we are visually...

What are modes? Simply put, it’s different ways of dealing with the same action. In a program, modes are often the same command (or keystroke) that does two different things, depending on the ‘mode’ you are in. As an example, run your favorite word processor, and type some text. Now...

JavaScript, a close relative to Java, has quite a reputation on the Internet. It allows programming to be included on the actual web page, and makes it easy to add special effects not available under HTML alone. The opportunity to add a little pizzazz to your web page makes taking...

As you’re wandering around the Internet, a pop-under appears – ‘You’re IP address is available to everyone! Click here for better security!’ Scared, you click, only to be pitched something you aren’t really sure you need. Is your IP address revealing too much about you? The simple answer is that...

In my business I spend a lot of time at my computer. While I don’t mind it, I certainly don’t enjoy wasting my time, and keep on the lookout for ways to simplify my work. One method I’ve used successfully for some time is Windows keyboard shortcuts, which by a...

When a Florida flight crashed in December of 1972, the black box was of immense help in determining the cause of the crash. Sadly, it wasn’t design error or mechanical failure – it was human error. The recording indicated that the cockpit crew became absorbed in changing an indicator light...

For those who remember the Newton handheld, the Palm’s popularity may be somewhat of a surprise. Small, underpowered, without easy handwriting recognition, yet it is one of the big successes of the late 90s, and created a resurgence in handheld devices. How? While there may be any number of reasons...

An article appeared awhile back quoting Nathan Myhrvold, the former Chief Technology Office for Microsoft. Nathan has been involved with the company for many years, and has guided many significant projects, not the least of which being Excel and Word. When asked why software is so complicated, he placed the...

Every one reading these words has no doubt worried over a problem or two until the answer has become clear. Generally, the best answers are the simpler ones, primarily because we’ve done some thinking, and gotten rid of the unimportant details that cloud the real issue (whatever that may be)...