As part of my current contract position, I’m creating a custom widget inside the Dojo framework. What this widget does is basically mimic an auto-complete list box (think <select multiple=”multiple”>), but allow for icons next to some of the items.

I have to say, Dojo makes widget creation as painless as it can probably be. With nifty stuff like auto-wireup for events and built in templating, it makes creating these things awfully easy.

In any case, kudos to the Dojo team and check it out if you’re a rich internet nerd like myself.

I hope I get to meet one, two or all of these guys someday. On a recent post at Signal vs. Noise someone calling themselves “The Voice of Reason” took the 37s guys to task for advocating their massively scaled back approach to application development. In the comments, David Heinemeier Hansson said something I’ve been feeling in a way I’ve never been able to put it…

What I believe to be dangerous is the demeaning notion of cogs in a wheel. That just adding more structure and process has a positive effect on the outcome of “the simple man”. I believe that if you treat a designer or a programmer as someone who can’t do right unless they follow A Master Plan, then you’re encouraging to live down to your expectations. Throw reason and creativity out the window in pursuit of instructions.

(Emphasis mine) In any case, its often lately that I’ve felt like a cog in the wheel… and I want out of that. I feel like I’m not allowed to be creative because it might be too much trouble down the line.

Part of being creative and innovating is pushing against constraints. I’m a big believer that constraints on time and resources are a major driver to innovation, but on the other hand, constraints on INNOVATION itself because it might be difficult or require learning new tools and/or techniques does nothing but stop innovation dead in its tracks.

I’m also a big believer in the idea that your technology platform is never an excuse for not doing things the right way. And “the right way” generally means the way that’s best for your users.