What’s Wrong with XML APIs

Elliotte Rusty Harold and Bill Venners discuss five styles of XML APIs.

Translating

Sven-S. Porst discusses software localization.

Interface Criticism

Pierre Igot has posted about iCal and click-through.

Apple as Innovator

Tim O’Reilly:

Neither Apple nor Microsoft invented many of the technologies that they brought to prominence. So “innovator” in that sense is perhaps exaggerated. But what Apple does so well is to realize the potential in a technology, and to frame it in such a way that people discover that they need it. In a way, they are cultural innovators more than they are tech innovators.

Wicked Dock

Finding Nemo is Pixar’s most visually stunning film and employs some great vocal talent, but it’s not excellent as a movie. The characters aren’t as engaging, and the script isn’t as sharp. Blue Memento fish would have made a great bit character, but as a lead she’s more annoying than Jar Jar Binks.

I loved the short about the snowman, though.

Here’s how I’d rank Pixar’s films (as films):

1. Toy Story
2. Toy Story 2
3. Monsters, Inc.
4. A Bug’s Life
5. Finding Nemo

Working at Microsoft

Chris Sells has posted some interesting comments about life as a new Microsoft hire.