Many thanks to those that go mostly uncelebrated but were it not for them, we wouldn't be where we are. It's too bad most of us don't hear about these people until they're gone. Thank you Jef Raskin.
Raskin Family Press Statement, February 27, 2005
Pacifica, CA February 27, 2005--Jef Raskin, a mathematician, orchestral soloist and composer, professor, bicycle racer, model airplane designer, and pioneer in the field of human-computer interactions, died peacefully on February 26th, 2005 surrounded by his family and loved ones. He had recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Jef created the Macintosh Computer as employee number 31 at Apple in the early 1980s, revolutionizing computer interface design. Jef established many methods now taken for granted by computer users, such as "click and drag." He named the Macintosh project after his favorite variety of apple, the McIntosh (modifying the spelling for copyright purposes). Jef strongly believed that computers should make tasks easy for people, not the other way around.
Jef viewed good design as a moral duty, holding interface designers to the same ethical standards as surgeons. Alluding to Isaac Asimov's first law of robotics, one of Jef's mantras was that "any system shall not harm your content or, through inaction, allow your content to come to harm." He left Apple in 1982 to found Information Appliance Inc., where he created the Canon Cat in pursuit of his vision that a computer should be an easy-to-use tool. After a decade studying cognitive psychology, he established a scientific basis for the design of man-machine interfaces, bringing interface design out of the mystic realm of computer gurus.
In his acclaimed 2000 book The Humane Interface, Jef coined the term and founded the field of cognetics, "the ergonomics of the mind," transforming interface design into an engineering discipline with a rigorous theoretical framework. His book, translated into more than nine languages, has become the standard text for more than 100 computing courses around the world.
Building on this work, Jef created the Raskin Center for Humane Interfaces (RCHI), which will soon release a preview of Archy, a culmination and exemplar of his design principles. Archy redesigns the basic building blocks of computing to demonstrate an entirely new paradigm for computer use. RCHI will continue under the technical leadership of Jef's son, Aza Raskin.
Jef's life and work are the subject of a documentary in progress, which will continue to gather information and interviews from people who knew him. More information is available at jefthemovie.com. Jef is survived by his wife of 23 years, Linda Blum; his children, Aza, Aviva, and Aenea; and his children in all but name, Jenna and Rebecca. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
The Raskin Center for Humane Interfaces
I had to double check and make sure this article wasn't from The Onion:
Tiny takeoff on Christo proves gateway to glory
I know, everyone else is probably talking about it too. err everyone else that's a geek. But I just watched the new trailer for it and it looks great! And it has Tim from The Office and Mos Def in it! Looks good, and hopefully it will do the book justice.
So I have a bad memory, most people know that. Usually I can stumble through with my electronic assistance (Hiptop, internet, email, etc). And then occasionally my memory gets a bug and I forget dates or remember them incorrectly. :P Sorry Dad, I don't know why Feb 5th was in my head this year. Please forgive me for being obtuse. I hope you had a good birthday anyways! :) And for the record, everyone wish my dad a happy birthday next year on February 4th!