• NYT Op-Ed on expertise, perception, and trickery
  The volunteers knew the taste of strawberries perfectly well. That was the problem. The associations that came with the word “strawberry” overwhelmed the taste of chocolate. Every trickster’s hope, says Jim Steinmeyer, who designs illusions for magicians, is “finding smart people who bring a lot to the table — cultural experience, shared expectations, preconceptions. The more they bring, the more there is to work with, and the easier it is to get the audience to make allowances — to reach the ‘right’ conclusion and unwittingly participate in the deception.”
• Entrepreneurs Find Ways to Make Technology Work With Jewish Sabbath
  Yet another article on kosher technology
  “But Zomet has invented Sabbath-friendly wheelchairs, sound systems and elevators that stop on each floor, and developed a Shabbat scooter with Michigan-based Amigo Mobility International.”

Although Clippy was reported dead in early 2007, his cousin Ibbi (a feminized toilet seat?) has stepped forward to head up the so-helpful-you-want-to-throttle-it department.

It’s amusing to see a despised and unsuccessful software feature egregiously ripped off. Why did someone think this was a good idea?

Tags: agent, assistant, clippit, clippy, guide, ibby, interface, Microsoft, office assistant, travel, UI, website