Here’s a list of my published articles and other work. I’m currently working on my first book, a non-fiction work of political history. More details to come.

your articles have really inspired me of late. — louis lazaris,
comment to me on his six revisions article

Web Design and Related Articles

The Convergence of New and Old Media

The first post for a blog associated with the History Commons, a non-profit citizen journalism project, published in October 2013.

Standing against SOPA/PIPA

Slated to be published in January 2012 by Six Revisions, but due to circumstances beyond my control, it was paid for but not published.

Technical Editor: Distinctive Design

Technical and copy editor for Alexander Dawson’s Distinctive Design, published June 2011.

Pro Bono Designs for Non-Profits and Charities, Part 2

Published May 2011 by Onextrapixel.
“A very insightful article of what it means to give.” — Barry La Vette of Buttah Designs

Pro Bono Designs for Non-Profits and Charities, Part 1

Published May 2011 by Onextrapixel.

Getting Ahead Of The Curve: Branding On Mobile Devices And Desktop Browsers

Published May 2011 by Smashing Magazine.

From Nothing to Something: Story of a Self-Taught Designer

Published March 2011 by Six Revisions.
“What a great story and very inspiring article!” — Claire Wielandt of Design Lab CPH

The Wabi-Sabi Aesthetic

Published February 2011 by Six Revisions.

The Hows and Whys of Educating a Client

Published February 2011 by Onextrapixel.
“This is by far the longest and most thorough post I’ve seen on client education. … I’m passing it around our agency as I type …” — Anthony Pipkin

Should You Reset Your CSS?, Part 3

Published December 2010 by Six Revisions.

A Comprehensive Guide to CSS Resets, Part 2

Published December 2010 by Six Revisions.

The History of CSS Resets, Part 1

Published December 2010 by Six Revisions.
“Incredible, fantastic chronicle.” — Paul Irish
“I’m honoured to be included in such a fine piece of writing.” — Andrew Krespanis
Cited as a motivating factor (however small!) for Eric Meyer’s 2011 reset.

Should Web Designers Know HTML and CSS?

Sparked an excellent debate on the topic. Published November 2010 by Six Revisions.

Public School Websites Don't Have to Suck

Public school Web sites tend to be awful; this article shows why, and discusses how that paradigm can change. Published in October 2010 by Six Revisions.
The article is leading to a movement to provide pro bono work for schools to improve their sites.
“This is a fantastic article. … Constructively critical, and potentially revolutionary. Great stuff.” Louis Lazaris
“This article moved me. So much so that I would like to offer up pro-bono work to an interested U.S. public school site …” — Jacob Gube, publisher of Six Revisions

How to Teach Web Design Using Optimal Learning and Gestalt

Teaching Web design using gestalt principles and learning techniques; something of a follow-up to the last article. Published in October 2010 by Six Revisions.

Gestalt Principles Applied in Design

Applying Gestalt principles of perception in designs, published in August 2010 by Six Revisions.

A Web Designer’s Guide to Linux Fonts

Using Linux fonts in your designs, published in August 2010 by Six Revisions.

A Comprehensive Guide to Windows Vista Fonts for Designers

A July 2010 article on using “Vista” fonts in your designs, published by Six Revisions.

8 Definitive Web Font Stacks

A January 2009 SitePoint article about font stacks and their uses in Web design.
Created a large “buzz” and was quoted in a myriad of Web articles and books; formed the basis for Chris Coyier's Font Stacks snippet.
PLEASE NOTE: This article was erroneously misattributed to another SitePoint author named Aaron Boodman for a few days in July 2011. The error was caused by a server migration. It has been corrected, but some sources, particularly the 3rd revision of Ian Lloyd’s Build Your Own Web Site The Right Way Using HTML & CSS, will continue to reflect the error.

The Real History of the GUI

The first major piece I published, on SitePoint back in 2001.
It created some brief excitement on Slashdot, and whetted my appetite for research-based writing.
It also gave me the opportunity to write Web design articles for the site, until I realized my readers knew more about the subject than I did.
Hopefully, I’ve rectified the situation somewhat since then.

Social and Political Writings

History Commons

I’m the senior content administrator for the History Commons, an open-source information repository. I’ve written well over 3,000 entries for the site since 2007.
I also wrote a 2008 article for Harvard University’s Nieman Watchdog showcasing the site.

Raleigh Progressive Examiner

For a few months in 2009, I wrote political commentary editorials for the Examiner.
It was great fun, and had the site paid more than I could make turning in soda bottles, I would have continued.

Thanks to the following for helping me get started in publishing my work: Alex Dawson, Six Revisions' Jacob Gube, and the History Commons’ Derek Mitchell and Paul Thompson.

If you’re interested in discussing a design or redesign of your site, contact me:

writing is an exploration. you start from nothing
and learn as you go. — e. l. doctorow