Simon Willison has created a prototype signed comments system. Simon's system is theoretically simpler than he admits, though we must reveal that we've been unable to make it work. (From the looks of it, we're not alone. Simon seems to be the only one able to create a signed comment.)
Here's hoping Simon resolves the current issues. His system appears quite useful.
Using Clean URLs
Nathan Ashby-Kuhlman points out that many sites still use complex URLs, despite long-standing, commonsense principles for effective URL design.
We're not exactly batting 1.000 when it comes to good URL design, but we do sport persistent, easy-to-type, short, semi-hackable archive URLs:
dionidium.com/2003/07/00089.html
We're working on making archive URLs look more like this:
dionidium.com/2003/07/outsidePseudoElement
There's really no excuse for ugly URLs.