I’m a little late with this announcement, but better late than never I guess. Sitepoint printed a limited number of “Hardcover Signature Editions” of The Principles of Beautiful Web Design!

They’re going to start shipping the these babies on Dec. 17th and there is apparently only 50 left, so get’em while you can, folks. …and for those who’ve asked: no, I didn’t individually sign each one. Sorry to disappoint. :)

This is either the funniest, or saddest email I’ve received thus far in connection with my book. I’m having trouble deciding how to reply to such an asinine, hypercritical message so I’ve decided to leave it up to the court of public opinion.

Jason,

I was looking at your book on Amazon and clicked the link to http://www.principlesofbeautifulwebdesign.com/ . While I do like the message and techniques presented, I am amazed you include a misspelled word on a web site design example. I am also amazed no one reamed you in the reviews.

The possessive form of “it” is “its.” “It’s” is only used as a contraction for “it is.” Period. The error is under Imagery, end of the first line.

Check http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/it if you need a confirmation.

Also, under the “About the Author” section, the comma belongs inside the quotes. Pick up a newspaper or magazine and notice where a period or comma should be placed when at the end of a quote.

Sorry, but you lost a sale because of those blunders. Maybe if you fix them you won’t lose another. Pretty layouts and color choices are not the only things that make a beautiful web site.

Regards,
(Name Removed)

In this persons defense, I’m terrible at catching grammatical and spelling errors. My wife and the editors at Sitepoint can verify that. I’ve since fixed the two minor grammatical errors, but I’m curious how you think I should respond? Please leave out any expletives.

I’m really hoping this whole thing is just a payback joke for mass rick-rolling everyone I know on twitter. :) Regardless, it’s pretty classy.

Back when I was in college, a few friends from Campus Crusade and I started a little tradition known as No-Shave November. It was no Whiskerino to be sure, just a simple pact between friends to bear facial hair for the entire month. Having Beaird as my last name, you’d think I’d be wooly by default, but honestly I prefer that clean shavin’ look - as does my wife. I’m pretty sure the last time I went without shaving for more than 3 days was 2002. After 5 years, I was curious what I would look like with a beard. On November 1st I put away my electric razor, and this is the result:

As you can tell, I still have a goatee. It definitely looks and feels a lot cleaner than the full beard, but I’m not sure how much longer it’s going to last. I’ll give it a few more days though. Maybe it’ll grow on me.