Link: Vintage Connections: OEM-Style Japanese Wiring Supplies

This looks like a great resource for when you can’t (or don’t want to) replace a connector with a better one like a weatherpack style. Restoration heaven.

Link: Six Degrees of Separation

Apparently six degrees is actually provably true? Haven’t watched, but apparently the concept is accurate, if not necessarily the number of degrees.

Link: Menu psychology

Interesting menu redesigns and guesses on diner psychology.

Link: Roadgeek Fonts

More road-sign fonts. Not sure which are nicer, these or the previous link.

Link: Official road-sign typefaces @automatsvet.cz

FHWA, DIN 1451, and many more

Link: iFixit: Do-it-yourself Mac & iPod Repair

All their guides are now free to download and CC licensed. Nice! Their guides are so well documented and illustrated, there’s really no point looking anywhere else for Mac repair stuff.

Link: There is no page fold

I still dislike long scrolls, but I really hate people who write shit like “after the jump” and worse, “below the fold” online.

Link: 5 myths about homeownership – Joseph Gyourko in the WaPo

Once again, long-term data disproves cherished myths of mine…
1: Housing is a great long-term investment
2: The homebuyer tax credit makes buying a house more affordable
3: Homeownership is good for society because owners make better citizens
4: It’s safe to buy a house with a very low down payment
5: Owning a home is cheaper than renting one because you save on rent

Link: Crisis as an educational tool

Dan Meyer: “Creating crisis” as a way to teach. Basically, he’s suggesting (and saying that the Head First books do this really well) that you need to give students a reason to learn what you want to teach. Escalating levels of complexity and crisis in a multi-step problem does tend to be an effective (and common) teaching tool, but it’s nice to put a name to it.

Also, check out Kathy Sierra’s comment #7. “Oh, shit. Oh, cool!” is the official Head First moniker for “creating crisis.” I like it. :)