links for 2009-07-29

Tomorrow we are having a second Guardian Hack Day, our first at Kings Place. Simon Willison has been asking for suggestions of tools that non-coding hackers can use to build stuff, and has put together a great list. I'm giving a lightning talk on 'Graceful hacks', hence the #ghack2 UX related links in today's link dump.

"'Silk' is a smooth, free icon set, containing over 700 16-by-16 pixel icons in strokably-soft PNG format. Containing a large variety of icons, you're sure to find something that tickles your fancy. And all for a low low price of $0.00. You can't say fairer than that."

Collections of design and graphic elements from Smashing Magazine

The Guardian style guide is a good basis for deciding whether you should use web-site, website or "web site" in your hack.

The Google AdSense heat map may help you decide where to place your 'hack' widgets on a content page

"Still confused about the Associated Press’s announcement last week about a new content tagging system that’s supposed to provide rights information? I am — but the AP’s apparently not talking to anyone further about it".

"I like conversing with my 16 year old god son because he uses the computer completely differently from me or anyone else I know who is over 25. We had a massive debate about whether or not internet 'friends' are really friends and whether you can ever really trust someone you only know in the virtual world. I feel strongly that they are not and that you cannot. Needless to say, he feels strongly that they are and you can". I'm think they are both right - there isn't a solid line in online and offline anymore - there are people whom I only know online who I would trust professionally and personally to the nth degree.

For a long time I've been arguing that the Mail's paper and online brands are both excellent at what they aim to do, but are too divergent to hang together as a unified editorial proposition. This article is a typical example. Absolutely priceless amongst the user comments: "Sorry, I haven't read this article yet - am too busy staring at the Hollyoaks babes bikini calendar article..." [via about 100 regular Mail bashers].

"THERE'S 70 BILLION PEOPLE OF EARTH -- WHERE ARE THEY HIDING" features prominently throughout the Cabaret Voltaire single "YASHAR" and comes from "DEMON WITH A GLASS HAND," an episode of "THE OUTER LIMITS" from Oct. 17, 1964.

"The plans for the new integrated Thameslink/Crossrail Ticket Hall are now up on the Islington Council website. I've pulled out a few of the more interesting perspectives and cross sections to try and give a 'feel' for the new station, which I've included below."