Molly Holzschlag, pioneer of early internet standards, dead at 60

September 7, 2023 11:03 AM

Eric Meyer's kind remembrance of his friend. If you came up as a designer or webmaster in the early days of the internet, it was very likely you knew Molly. I didn't see anything about this posted here on the blue, one of the last places on the web that espouses the values Molly fought for—openness, extensibility, and putting humans before algorithmic or financial motive. She will be missed.
posted by littlerobothead (37 comments total)

.
posted by Jairus at 11:08 AM on September 7, 2023

.
posted by brundlefly at 11:10 AM on September 7, 2023

.
posted by Kattullus at 11:13 AM on September 7, 2023

This was such a blow, Molly was a vital force in making the web a less horrible place to be.

So many people have come forth with stories. Personally, I don't know if I'd even be in this career if not for her work as an advocate for the CSS Zen Garden and the associated The Zen of CSS Design.

.
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 11:17 AM on September 7, 2023 [9 favorites]

Technically mefi's own, but with no actual activity. If I had to guess, the account is from around the time that Usability: The Site Speaks for Itself came out - edited by Holzschlag, with a section on Mefi by Matt.

.
posted by zamboni at 11:18 AM on September 7, 2023 [5 favorites]

.
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 11:18 AM on September 7, 2023

body::after {display: flex;}

.
posted by drowsy at 11:29 AM on September 7, 2023 [4 favorites]

.
posted by Spike Glee at 11:43 AM on September 7, 2023

.
posted by Dori at 11:49 AM on September 7, 2023

.
posted by Pandora Kouti at 11:51 AM on September 7, 2023

.
posted by gauche at 11:53 AM on September 7, 2023

.
posted by JoeXIII007 at 12:10 PM on September 7, 2023

.
posted by COD at 12:15 PM on September 7, 2023

.
posted by Alterscape at 12:20 PM on September 7, 2023

I was a web designer back before it became a full-stack job and I had several of Molly's books. Molly's writing designing web sites seem clear and easy and accessible.

She was also one of the few web pioneers who would interact with people outside of their inner circle. We were mutuals for a while on Twitter and she was always fiercely encouraging of anyone wanting to learn to code. Life dealt her so many blows in the last 10 or so years so while I'm sad she's gone, I really really hope she's at peace.
posted by kimberussell at 12:32 PM on September 7, 2023 [6 favorites]

My husband told me this and I just was so dismayed. I had never considered that she might just cease to exist.
posted by DarlingBri at 12:45 PM on September 7, 2023 [3 favorites]

.
posted by idb at 1:05 PM on September 7, 2023

.
posted by humbug at 1:37 PM on September 7, 2023

.
posted by KelsonV at 2:12 PM on September 7, 2023

I’m grateful for her important and impactful work. She will be missed.

.
posted by Songdog at 2:33 PM on September 7, 2023 [1 favorite]

.
posted by gentlyepigrams at 3:09 PM on September 7, 2023

.
posted by Lesser Spotted Potoroo at 3:35 PM on September 7, 2023

.
posted by kmartino at 3:39 PM on September 7, 2023

.
posted by timmins at 6:39 PM on September 7, 2023

.
posted by jadepearl at 6:43 PM on September 7, 2023

I met her at a few conferences and she treated me immediately like a friend despite my not-a-famous-web-guru status. She was always friendly and helpful to everyone.

.
posted by mmoncur at 7:27 PM on September 7, 2023 [3 favorites]

.
posted by detachd at 8:41 PM on September 7, 2023

.
posted by faceplantingcheetah at 1:06 AM on September 8, 2023

.
posted by leahneukirchen at 6:06 AM on September 8, 2023

.
posted by ZeusHumms at 9:01 AM on September 8, 2023

.
posted by suetanvil at 10:19 AM on September 8, 2023

.
posted by trip and a half at 11:50 AM on September 8, 2023

.
posted by jknx at 8:17 PM on September 8, 2023

.
posted by filtergik at 3:38 AM on September 9, 2023

She will be very much missed. What a champion she was!
posted by harriet vane at 5:19 AM on September 10, 2023 [2 favorites]

.
posted by sillygwailo at 1:41 PM on September 10, 2023

.

I had a couple of short interactions with her in my early Twitter days. She had some tough times and her openness was inspirational to me. Seconding kimberussell in hopes that she has found some peace.
posted by Fibognocchi at 7:07 PM on September 12, 2023 [1 favorite]