The HMRC said earlier that "tens of thousands" of phishing e-mails had been issued ahead of today's income tax return deadline. The e-mail tells recipients they are eligible for a refund, all they have to do is fill-out some information, including their bank account and/or credit card number(s). Those who have fallen for the scam have had their accounts emptied, credit cards maxed-out, and may have had their information sold to other criminals by now.
Revenue & Customs, or HMRC, Britain's IRS counterpart, said they estimated 20,000 of these e-mails had been sent in the last two weeks, alone - and they expect a "massive upsurge" in similar e-mails after today's deadline. The HMRC has shutdown scammers worldwide, following recent investigations - including criminals in Austria, Mexico, Korea, Thailand, and even here in the States.
The HMRC reminds consumers never to answer such e-mails, as the department contacts customers by snail mail only.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Tweet Locally
Twitter now supports local trending, allowing you to discover the most popular Twitter conversations in your local area, as well as other areas. Businesses may use this to keep an eye on their competition, connect with their local customers, or even monitor communities in which they do not perform well or in which they are looking to expand.
Webmasters and bloggers may be interested in this as well, as it allows them to target the current "hot" topics close to their homes. These popular subjects are often closely-tied to hot topics across the Web, so you really can't go wrong
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Webmasters and bloggers may be interested in this as well, as it allows them to target the current "hot" topics close to their homes. These popular subjects are often closely-tied to hot topics across the Web, so you really can't go wrong
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Wrinkle... Filler?
Have you ever heard of wrinkle filler? Me, either. I understand the concept here, but I think that is one bad PR move, calling a product wrinkle "filler." It reminds me of things like spackle, and I do not think it would be very safe to spackle your face! However, there is a multi-billion dollar industry serving people who apparently do not mind.
I am now, quite literally, middle-aged and I definitely look back at pictures of me as a younger man and wonder if there is any way to recapture some of that youth. They say men age better than women, and many say we actually get better-looking, but as an individual, I can't help but see all the wrinkles, lines, and changes that have occurred.
Still, even if I could afford it, I wouldn't suggest spending thousands of dollars to recapture one's youth, because it simply isn't possible! This site will help save you money and also guide you to "wrinkle-filling" products which actually work.
I am now, quite literally, middle-aged and I definitely look back at pictures of me as a younger man and wonder if there is any way to recapture some of that youth. They say men age better than women, and many say we actually get better-looking, but as an individual, I can't help but see all the wrinkles, lines, and changes that have occurred.
Still, even if I could afford it, I wouldn't suggest spending thousands of dollars to recapture one's youth, because it simply isn't possible! This site will help save you money and also guide you to "wrinkle-filling" products which actually work.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Microsoft Earnings Up 60%
Microsoft posted earnings of 60% over its 2008 4Q returns, thanks largely to Windows 7 sales. Win 7 is Microsoft's best-selling OS to-date, which is somewhat surprising, given the failure of the preceding Vista. Microsoft reported record sales of $19.2bn - well above analysts' predictions - which brought stocks up 0.9% (about 25¢) after it was announced. MS quit making profit or sales forecasts in Q1, 2009, citing "market volatility." Microsoft owes at least some of its success to the rebound in the PC market, but Office sales were up as well.
Yahoo, Apple, and Google reported strong figures; the first two saw higher profits in 2009, as well. Nintendo's sales, however, dropped 10% which analysts say is due to a slowdown in Wii sales.
Microsoft's net profits for Q4, 2009 was $6.66bn.
Coincidence? We'll let you decide...
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Yahoo, Apple, and Google reported strong figures; the first two saw higher profits in 2009, as well. Nintendo's sales, however, dropped 10% which analysts say is due to a slowdown in Wii sales.
Microsoft's net profits for Q4, 2009 was $6.66bn.
Coincidence? We'll let you decide...
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Police Pop YouTube Pot-Smoker
David Johnson, a 44-year old man from Gretna, Nebraska, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor child abuse and possession of drug paraphernalia and marijuana after police found some 90-odd YouTube videos of Johnson smoking pot with his sons, 17 and 19. The eldest has also been cited for marijuana possession and the 17-year old has been placed in foster care. Police say they confiscated 50+ pipes and bongs from the Johnson household when they served a warrant on January 12th.
While marijuana is increasingly becoming a non-issue in the States, it is technically still illegal to smoke or possess it without a prescription. And while the Johnson family may be armchair activists who thought their YouTube videos were somehow bolstering the growing call for the legalization of marijuana, it's far more likely they are just a bunch of dumb-assed stoners.
Drugs can obviously be harmful and drug control is a serious issue which can affect entire families - even communities - but marijuana should never be considered in the same category, or "class," as drugs like cocaine, crack-cocaine, heroin, and crystal meth. More than anything, police who rigorously enforce marijuana laws are power-control freaks looking for a hand-out; keeping jails full and handing-out fines keeps their coffers full.
While removing a child from the home - especially seeing as how the "child" in question is freaking 17-years old - in this case is Draconian by anyone's standards, it's obvious that the hayseed Nebraska pigs were seeking to "send a message" and unfairly, and unjustly, victimized the Johnson family to make examples of them; this is about posting criminal behavior on social networking sites and the Web, in general, not smoking pot.
The outcome of this case is important, particularly to honest and decent Nebraskans, as this involves several gray areas of the law, including whether or not the evidence is admissible and whether or not the victims can exercise their 5th-Amendment rights (and if using the videos against them violates this right). Were it not for the physical evidence collected, the Johnson's might have been able to argue that the product they were smoking was not marijuana, and/or that they cannot be arrested "after the fact" (as there would be no evidence to back the charges - the cops wouldn't be able to prove they were smoking marijuana, nor that they ever became impaired/intoxicated).
While the Johnsons almost deserve to be charged - with "sheer stupidity," if nothing else - the bigger question is Precedent and how this case will be viewed and used in similar cases, both in, and outside of, Nebraska.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
While marijuana is increasingly becoming a non-issue in the States, it is technically still illegal to smoke or possess it without a prescription. And while the Johnson family may be armchair activists who thought their YouTube videos were somehow bolstering the growing call for the legalization of marijuana, it's far more likely they are just a bunch of dumb-assed stoners.
Drugs can obviously be harmful and drug control is a serious issue which can affect entire families - even communities - but marijuana should never be considered in the same category, or "class," as drugs like cocaine, crack-cocaine, heroin, and crystal meth. More than anything, police who rigorously enforce marijuana laws are power-control freaks looking for a hand-out; keeping jails full and handing-out fines keeps their coffers full.
While removing a child from the home - especially seeing as how the "child" in question is freaking 17-years old - in this case is Draconian by anyone's standards, it's obvious that the hayseed Nebraska pigs were seeking to "send a message" and unfairly, and unjustly, victimized the Johnson family to make examples of them; this is about posting criminal behavior on social networking sites and the Web, in general, not smoking pot.
The outcome of this case is important, particularly to honest and decent Nebraskans, as this involves several gray areas of the law, including whether or not the evidence is admissible and whether or not the victims can exercise their 5th-Amendment rights (and if using the videos against them violates this right). Were it not for the physical evidence collected, the Johnson's might have been able to argue that the product they were smoking was not marijuana, and/or that they cannot be arrested "after the fact" (as there would be no evidence to back the charges - the cops wouldn't be able to prove they were smoking marijuana, nor that they ever became impaired/intoxicated).
While the Johnsons almost deserve to be charged - with "sheer stupidity," if nothing else - the bigger question is Precedent and how this case will be viewed and used in similar cases, both in, and outside of, Nebraska.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Getting the Most from Last.FM
Last.FM is one of the most important sites on the Web. More than just a personalized, commercial-free radio station, Last.FM is a stand-alone DJ, as well as a wealth of information on music, artists, and tracks, and music-based social network. But Last.FM's greatest strength, in my estimation, is that it introduces you to music you will love but never knew existed. Last.FM is simple to use and almost completely self-explanatory, but a few tricks will help you get the most out of it.
First, download and install the Last.FM Scrobbler. This stand-alone program not only frees-up your browser, it "reads" tracks from your personal library (those already on your computer) and uses those as a base from which it builds your personalized radio station. Go into the Tools tab and set it to "Enable Scrobbling." Click the "My Profile" icon at the upper-left for a pane of options.
Now, go through your media player (the Scrobbler supports all the popular programs) and listen to several tracks. Technically, you do not need to listen to the full song, just cycle through several songs. It's easiest to set your program to random play and let it run a while - you could mute the volume in the program itself while you enjoy other media (such as watching media, hanging-out on social networks, browsing, etc.) or watch TV - as this will "seed" the Scrobbler. Note that, at this time, Last.FM does not include music from external sites, such as YouTube, even if you access them through a media player the program supports (Winamp).
Next, type an artist, tag (such as genre), or song into the Scrobbler. Last.FM will play something very similar, though rarely the specific term(s) you type. Whenever you hear a song you enjoy, click the heart (Love) icon at the top to fine-tune your preferences. When you hear a song you'd like to hear more often, click the "Add to Playlist" icon and it will become part of your station's library.
You can do this as often as you like, but note that whenever you type a new selection, Last.FM begins playing music similar to that selection, not in addition to the preferences and playlist you've already established. So, if you generally listen to country music, but want a little classic rock in your mix, typing "Classic Rock" will start the scrobbler on a station specifically tuned to that quantity; "Classic Rock" will play classic rock tunes, one after the next, until you interrupt it (either by choosing a new term or stopping the cycle and starting Your Station, Loved Tracks, or another selection). Again, the key here is to Love and Add to Playlist as appropriate, and the new tracks will be shuffled into Your Station, along with similar tracks.
All-told, the Scrobbler needs at least 3-4 hours, or 100+ songs, to really tune-in your personalized music list, but this is easily accomplished over a few days of casual listening. Using a forced method as outlined above will do it quicker. You can find more information on using it through the dedicated Forums.
There is a toolbar which you can install, but I do not recommend toolbars. Further, installing the Scrobbler eliminates the need for one. Fire.FM also forces you to subscribe after 30 tracks if you are outside the US. The Scrobbler is a separate program which takes resources and runs in the background, whether minimized to the taskbar or Xed-out to the tray, so you may find the toolbar better handles your system resources.
Last.FM is also a music-based social network and wiki. It is the most important music site online.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
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First, download and install the Last.FM Scrobbler. This stand-alone program not only frees-up your browser, it "reads" tracks from your personal library (those already on your computer) and uses those as a base from which it builds your personalized radio station. Go into the Tools tab and set it to "Enable Scrobbling." Click the "My Profile" icon at the upper-left for a pane of options.
Now, go through your media player (the Scrobbler supports all the popular programs) and listen to several tracks. Technically, you do not need to listen to the full song, just cycle through several songs. It's easiest to set your program to random play and let it run a while - you could mute the volume in the program itself while you enjoy other media (such as watching media, hanging-out on social networks, browsing, etc.) or watch TV - as this will "seed" the Scrobbler. Note that, at this time, Last.FM does not include music from external sites, such as YouTube, even if you access them through a media player the program supports (Winamp).
Next, type an artist, tag (such as genre), or song into the Scrobbler. Last.FM will play something very similar, though rarely the specific term(s) you type. Whenever you hear a song you enjoy, click the heart (Love) icon at the top to fine-tune your preferences. When you hear a song you'd like to hear more often, click the "Add to Playlist" icon and it will become part of your station's library.
You can do this as often as you like, but note that whenever you type a new selection, Last.FM begins playing music similar to that selection, not in addition to the preferences and playlist you've already established. So, if you generally listen to country music, but want a little classic rock in your mix, typing "Classic Rock" will start the scrobbler on a station specifically tuned to that quantity; "Classic Rock" will play classic rock tunes, one after the next, until you interrupt it (either by choosing a new term or stopping the cycle and starting Your Station, Loved Tracks, or another selection). Again, the key here is to Love and Add to Playlist as appropriate, and the new tracks will be shuffled into Your Station, along with similar tracks.
All-told, the Scrobbler needs at least 3-4 hours, or 100+ songs, to really tune-in your personalized music list, but this is easily accomplished over a few days of casual listening. Using a forced method as outlined above will do it quicker. You can find more information on using it through the dedicated Forums.
There is a toolbar which you can install, but I do not recommend toolbars. Further, installing the Scrobbler eliminates the need for one. Fire.FM also forces you to subscribe after 30 tracks if you are outside the US. The Scrobbler is a separate program which takes resources and runs in the background, whether minimized to the taskbar or Xed-out to the tray, so you may find the toolbar better handles your system resources.
Last.FM is also a music-based social network and wiki. It is the most important music site online.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
No Cure for Eczema
There is no cure for eczema, but if handled properly, the effects can be minimized. Eczema is a persistent skin condition in which areas of skin flake, crack, and become itchy, red, and often painful. The condition is usually made worse because others are under the mistaken impression that it is contagious and so may avoid the sufferer and/or tell others to do so. Eczema is not contagious.
Keeping the area clean and heavily moisturized usually brings some amount of relief, and small affected areas can be bandaged, but there is no cure for eczema. You can learn more about the condition, as well as eczema treatments, by following the provided link.
Keeping the area clean and heavily moisturized usually brings some amount of relief, and small affected areas can be bandaged, but there is no cure for eczema. You can learn more about the condition, as well as eczema treatments, by following the provided link.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Three Months On, Newsday Online Has 35 Subscribers
While Newsday is literally fraught with problems since an ownership changeover, one of the most noteworthy changes has been the website's redesign, and the fact that it has been put behind a paywall. While print subscribers and those with Optimum Cable (which shares owners with Newsday) receive access to the site for free, Newsday now costs $5/month to access online. And, since October 2009, it has picked-up a whopping 35 subscribers.
Some staffers are reported to have called the redesign "an abomination." The publisher is reported as saying, "That's 35 more than I would have thought it would have been."
As Newsday is one of the first news sources to institute a paywall, many other sites have been watching its progress. The New York Times announced it would institute a paywall on its site in 2011.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Some staffers are reported to have called the redesign "an abomination." The publisher is reported as saying, "That's 35 more than I would have thought it would have been."
As Newsday is one of the first news sources to institute a paywall, many other sites have been watching its progress. The New York Times announced it would institute a paywall on its site in 2011.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Inclement Weather Interruptions
Sorry guys. The electricity has gone off at about 9:30a the past two days. I am still recovering and it is right at 32-degrees here, so it's been tough. Hopefully things will come together and we'll get back on schedule shortly.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
You Can't Trust Celebrities
One particular weight loss program has an ad campaign which features nothing but celebrities who have lost weight using that program. One of those celebrities, at least, made a recent appearance on a talk show and had put most of the weight she had lost back on. The question everyone had to ask was whether or not the actress went off the program she had been promoting or not; needless to say, it wasn't a resoundingly positive statement about the program.
Celebrities who promote things like whatever weight loss product they used, or are using, are only sometimes being completely honest. It's rarer than it used to be these days, thanks to the Web, but some spokespeople literally do it only for the money. Do your own research before you get taken!
Celebrities who promote things like whatever weight loss product they used, or are using, are only sometimes being completely honest. It's rarer than it used to be these days, thanks to the Web, but some spokespeople literally do it only for the money. Do your own research before you get taken!
Radio Reviews
With the death of traditional television, some people have forgotten about radio. As a 35-year old man, I grew-up listening to the radio (in the car, mainly). Unlike TV, radio is still available in its original broadcast form, so no matter how old the device, you can listen to the same stations as someone with a brand new receiver. Actually, I'm just guessing that they still make traditional radios.
Of course, there is digital radio. I've never even played with a digital radio device, so I can't say if they are capable of receiving traditional radio signals, but the demand for them isn't very high. Many car manufacturers are including digital radios in their new models these days and I'm not sure how that works either, but traditionally, you pay a monthly subscription fee for the services, in addition to purchasing the equipment. If you go the latter route, the set includes equipment for the home, as well as portable devices to carry with you and plug-in to your car.
I now depend on the Internet for all my media-based entertainment. Over to The Rundown, I am providing weekly, Saturday Morning playlists. The (primary) idea is to simulate broadcast TV as we knew it growing-up - when our options were limited by the number of channels on the rotary dial and the whole country could be changed by a single performance. Right now, these playlists are limited to visual media, but I am a big fan of radio.
Yesterday, I began exploring my Web-based radio options and was actually blown-away by the choices! I'll be discussing Web radio at length over the next few days, possibly even weeks, and have added a new tag for it (radio). Like TV, the technology will be discussed here, but the entertainment-specific content (like playlists) will likely be posted over to The Rundown.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Of course, there is digital radio. I've never even played with a digital radio device, so I can't say if they are capable of receiving traditional radio signals, but the demand for them isn't very high. Many car manufacturers are including digital radios in their new models these days and I'm not sure how that works either, but traditionally, you pay a monthly subscription fee for the services, in addition to purchasing the equipment. If you go the latter route, the set includes equipment for the home, as well as portable devices to carry with you and plug-in to your car.
I now depend on the Internet for all my media-based entertainment. Over to The Rundown, I am providing weekly, Saturday Morning playlists. The (primary) idea is to simulate broadcast TV as we knew it growing-up - when our options were limited by the number of channels on the rotary dial and the whole country could be changed by a single performance. Right now, these playlists are limited to visual media, but I am a big fan of radio.
Yesterday, I began exploring my Web-based radio options and was actually blown-away by the choices! I'll be discussing Web radio at length over the next few days, possibly even weeks, and have added a new tag for it (radio). Like TV, the technology will be discussed here, but the entertainment-specific content (like playlists) will likely be posted over to The Rundown.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
New York Times Online Set to Charge
The New York Times will begin charging for access to its online content in 2011. The newspaper is adopting a "paywall" system, allowing readers free access to a certain number of articles before charging them for more. This is the same system Rupert Murdoch's news sites are to use. Murdoch's News Corporation includes the Times' competitor, The New York Post. Murdoch made headlines a few months back when he threatened to "hide" his news sites from Google, whom he has frequently accused of stealing content.
I am registered at NYT and have been since the 1990s - in fact, I had a subscription to the paper for a year or so back then. The site sold subscriptions from 2005 to 2007, but concluded it would make more money from advertising revenue. The paper is struggling to make a profit now; the paper's advertising revenue dropped 30% within the last year and its owner, the New York Times Company, posted a $35.6m loss in Q3, 2009.
However, the New York Times website racked-up an impressive 16 million unique hits monthly as of November, 2009. The company is hoping the paywall system allows them to turn a profit from heavy users without running-off casual visitors.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
I am registered at NYT and have been since the 1990s - in fact, I had a subscription to the paper for a year or so back then. The site sold subscriptions from 2005 to 2007, but concluded it would make more money from advertising revenue. The paper is struggling to make a profit now; the paper's advertising revenue dropped 30% within the last year and its owner, the New York Times Company, posted a $35.6m loss in Q3, 2009.
However, the New York Times website racked-up an impressive 16 million unique hits monthly as of November, 2009. The company is hoping the paywall system allows them to turn a profit from heavy users without running-off casual visitors.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Covering Medicare's Gaps
If you are on Disability or Social Security, you are also more than likely on Medicare. While Medicare covers a lot of processes and some drugs, whichever ones you desperately need are certain not to be covered - at least not if your luck is anything like mine. If you do not already have secondary insurance coverage, you need a Medicare supplement insurance plan.
Medigap is one of the more well-known and respected of these programs. While there are numerous programs similar to it, Medigap is where I would start, were I looking for secondary coverage. If you have a social worker, ask him/her about programs in your area or call Medicare directly to get more information on your coverage.
Medigap is one of the more well-known and respected of these programs. While there are numerous programs similar to it, Medigap is where I would start, were I looking for secondary coverage. If you have a social worker, ask him/her about programs in your area or call Medicare directly to get more information on your coverage.
"Networked" TV
Earlier this week, I discussed Yahoo!'s new smarTV widget. While that is still underway and I certainly do not have any access to it nor any TV capable of employing it, My Yahoo! has been my start-up page for years. The first thing on My Yahoo! is my TV guide and, when you click on a show's title, it opens a new window which provides the information for that episode. And, down near the bottom on the left-hand side is a little widget which says, "Record to TiVo."
I don't have TiVo, but the digital TV tuner I have does have an R-45 input in the back, labeled "Smart Antenna." I have an Apex DT250. I have come across reviews but no manual online and Netflix does not list it as one of its streaming devices. The TV I have does not support a direct computer connection either, but I am going to try and network the TV and computers through the broadband connection just to see what happens.
The problem is I can't find the damned hub! I had it in this very room for weeks before the DSL was installed and specifically recall moving it before company arrived one day several weeks ago... and have torn this house apart looking for it, yet haven't seen it since!
Still, once I find it, I'm going to network the TV and see if I can get anything to recognize it or communicate with it. If anyone has any suggestions or knows anything about all of this, I would really appreciate any comments you have!
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
I don't have TiVo, but the digital TV tuner I have does have an R-45 input in the back, labeled "Smart Antenna." I have an Apex DT250. I have come across reviews but no manual online and Netflix does not list it as one of its streaming devices. The TV I have does not support a direct computer connection either, but I am going to try and network the TV and computers through the broadband connection just to see what happens.
The problem is I can't find the damned hub! I had it in this very room for weeks before the DSL was installed and specifically recall moving it before company arrived one day several weeks ago... and have torn this house apart looking for it, yet haven't seen it since!
Still, once I find it, I'm going to network the TV and see if I can get anything to recognize it or communicate with it. If anyone has any suggestions or knows anything about all of this, I would really appreciate any comments you have!
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Berners-Lee Working to Make Gov't Data More Accessible
The inventor of the World Wide Web, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, unveiled his latest project: a site dedicated to compiling, presenting, and making it easier to access government data. The site, data.gov.uk, is hoping its content inspires applications and services which utilize the information in novel ways. The Prime Minister appointed Berners-Lee head of the project last year.
Some 10 applications have already been designed utilizing the site, including FillThatHole, which allows citizens to report potholes and other issues with roads and SchoolFinder, which maps the best area schools. "Government data is something we have already spent the money on... and when it is setting there on a disk in somebody's office, it is wasted," Berners-Lee told the BBC.
The Obama administration established data.gov for these same reasons. Both sites hope to make the government more transparent and accessible to its citizens in addition to all else.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
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Some 10 applications have already been designed utilizing the site, including FillThatHole, which allows citizens to report potholes and other issues with roads and SchoolFinder, which maps the best area schools. "Government data is something we have already spent the money on... and when it is setting there on a disk in somebody's office, it is wasted," Berners-Lee told the BBC.
The Obama administration established data.gov for these same reasons. Both sites hope to make the government more transparent and accessible to its citizens in addition to all else.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Make Your Kid's Life Easier!
I had severe acne growing-up. My face literally looked like pizza! I know it is gross, but it's true - my face was always broken-out, aggravated, red, splotchy, and often oozing. It had a pretty devastating effect on my self-esteem; since I could not control my acne, I just stopped caring about my personal appearance altogether. Needless to say, I did not date much in highschool.
Eventually, I had to have the doctor prescribe me an ointment which worked by actually burning the top layer of skin off my face. It was uncomfortable and I still looked awful for the two to three months it took to work. Today, there are better solutions and phisoderm is one of the more popular.
If you or your child has acne, it is not just "skin deep." Looking good helps you feel better about yourself and confidence breeds success.
Eventually, I had to have the doctor prescribe me an ointment which worked by actually burning the top layer of skin off my face. It was uncomfortable and I still looked awful for the two to three months it took to work. Today, there are better solutions and phisoderm is one of the more popular.
If you or your child has acne, it is not just "skin deep." Looking good helps you feel better about yourself and confidence breeds success.
Change is Afoot
I will be changing the layout and appearance of The Cyberculturalist over the next several weeks. While it may be as far off as a few months, the entire blog will eventually have a completely new appearance; I am changing the overall layout and design, and also adding more tools and features.
Unfortunately, Blogger has an awful lot of custom commands and I know none of them. I am going to try my best, but whatever I come up with is going to be cobbled together, probably from one of the Blogger-provided templates and the multitude of "Gadgets" now available; I am not hardcoding it from scratch - in fact, I am going to avoid dealing with the source code directly as much as possible. Of course, this means bugs and errors are likely and will take time to iron-out.
Please leave a comment if you find anything wrong. I welcome all ideas and suggestions as always, but it's important I know if something isn't working, looks wonky, or anything else along those lines so I can try to fix it. I apologize in advance for any problems that arise from this and I know we've changed templates here almost as many times as we have over to Weird Ink, but this will be The Big Change; this customized template is likely to be permanent (once it is tweaked-out). By any rate, it will be in-place for a very long time.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Unfortunately, Blogger has an awful lot of custom commands and I know none of them. I am going to try my best, but whatever I come up with is going to be cobbled together, probably from one of the Blogger-provided templates and the multitude of "Gadgets" now available; I am not hardcoding it from scratch - in fact, I am going to avoid dealing with the source code directly as much as possible. Of course, this means bugs and errors are likely and will take time to iron-out.
Please leave a comment if you find anything wrong. I welcome all ideas and suggestions as always, but it's important I know if something isn't working, looks wonky, or anything else along those lines so I can try to fix it. I apologize in advance for any problems that arise from this and I know we've changed templates here almost as many times as we have over to Weird Ink, but this will be The Big Change; this customized template is likely to be permanent (once it is tweaked-out). By any rate, it will be in-place for a very long time.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Google Revenue Up 17%
Google's (GOOG) advertising revenue rose 17% in the last quarter of 2009 - more than estimated - but shares still fell by 5%. Clicks on Google's ads were up 13% - clicks were up 9% from Q3 alone. Google made $6.67 billion, nearly $1 billion more than in 2008. Google's net profit also rose to $1.97 billion. It netted only $382 million in Q4 2008 because it had to write-off $1 billion in losses from bad investments AOL and Clearwire.
Google's search market share also improved in Q4, 2009, providing the monopoly with an even wider lead on Yahoo!/Microsoft. However, a spokesperson refused to answer rumors that Apple iPhone is replacing Google with Bing, Microsoft's "decision engine" which debuted last summer, as the default search engine.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Google's search market share also improved in Q4, 2009, providing the monopoly with an even wider lead on Yahoo!/Microsoft. However, a spokesperson refused to answer rumors that Apple iPhone is replacing Google with Bing, Microsoft's "decision engine" which debuted last summer, as the default search engine.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Does it *Really* Work?
You have definitely seen the commercials - the ones with "Bob," the guy who apparently impressed no one in his neighborhood, at work, or in his family until he began taking a dietary supplement which "enhances a certain part of the male anatomy." The other one is where the mildly attractive, middle-aged man and woman are sitting around, discussing the subject. They have played them both, ad nauseam, on cable networks and late-night TV, so I promise you that you have seen one or both, even if you do not recall it. I am just as certain you wondered if the products being advertised really work.
Well, there is only one way to find out for sure: research it. Well, and then try it for yourself if the research sounds promising. The supplements can be pricey, so make sure to check out some enzyte reviews and then consult your doctor - specifically if you have any health problems at all. You should be able to get a free, sample pack to test-drive the routine before you commit to buying it, as well.
Hey, you only live once, right? Probably, anyway.
Well, there is only one way to find out for sure: research it. Well, and then try it for yourself if the research sounds promising. The supplements can be pricey, so make sure to check out some enzyte reviews and then consult your doctor - specifically if you have any health problems at all. You should be able to get a free, sample pack to test-drive the routine before you commit to buying it, as well.
Hey, you only live once, right? Probably, anyway.
YouTube Enters Video Rental Arena
Beginning tomorrow, January 21st, 2010, you will be able to rent full-length movies from YouTube. At first, there will only be five movies available and only to US netizens. All of the movies come from the 2009 and 2010 Sundance Film Festival.
Movie makers and distributors will be able to set their own price and YouTube takes a cut from that. All but one of the initial offerings rent for $3.99 - almost half of what a month's subscription to Netflix costs - and remain available for streaming for 48 hours. With such a model, YouTube could become the premiere video site for indie films, though it obviously wants to court larger studios and production companies. YouTube already offers full-length movies from MGM's archives.
While this obviously puts YouTube in competition with Netflix, the latter was not even mentioned by most articles on the topic; Hulu appears to be analysts' decision for YouTube streaming's arch-nemesis because of the fact that Hulu has already cemented so many deals of the type YouTube is looking to attract.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Movie makers and distributors will be able to set their own price and YouTube takes a cut from that. All but one of the initial offerings rent for $3.99 - almost half of what a month's subscription to Netflix costs - and remain available for streaming for 48 hours. With such a model, YouTube could become the premiere video site for indie films, though it obviously wants to court larger studios and production companies. YouTube already offers full-length movies from MGM's archives.
While this obviously puts YouTube in competition with Netflix, the latter was not even mentioned by most articles on the topic; Hulu appears to be analysts' decision for YouTube streaming's arch-nemesis because of the fact that Hulu has already cemented so many deals of the type YouTube is looking to attract.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Billy G.: Twit
It's official: Bill Gates has his own Twitter account and is quickly becoming one of the system's most popular twits... er, "Tweeters" (Tomato, tomato), having amassed some 150,000 followers in the first 13 hours of his Twitter existence! He now has well over 275k.
Bill Gates' first tweet was "Hello world," a phrase familiar to all computer programmers. As some have noted, you can learn a lot about someone by whom the follow on Twitter... I mean, I guess you can - that's what other people are saying, anyway. Gates is following 40 accounts, including charities and Microsoft; actress, Ashley Tisdale; Ryan Seacrest; and Ashton Kutcher. I have no idea what that says about Bill Gates.
He also established a website/blog, The Gates Notes, dedicated to what he is learning, studying, thinking about, and generally involved in. This is actually kind of exciting, as the site opens with an introduction in which Gates notes he has access to brilliant minds in numerous fields and that, as he learns from them whatever it is in which he is interested, he plans to share that information with readers. Not only do I find that noble, it's a worthy and charitable cause to bring information to people who do not access to it and absolutely none of us have access to the resources Bill Gates does.
Finally, Gates reinstated his Facebook account, which had been deactivated some time back.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Bill Gates' first tweet was "Hello world," a phrase familiar to all computer programmers. As some have noted, you can learn a lot about someone by whom the follow on Twitter... I mean, I guess you can - that's what other people are saying, anyway. Gates is following 40 accounts, including charities and Microsoft; actress, Ashley Tisdale; Ryan Seacrest; and Ashton Kutcher. I have no idea what that says about Bill Gates.
He also established a website/blog, The Gates Notes, dedicated to what he is learning, studying, thinking about, and generally involved in. This is actually kind of exciting, as the site opens with an introduction in which Gates notes he has access to brilliant minds in numerous fields and that, as he learns from them whatever it is in which he is interested, he plans to share that information with readers. Not only do I find that noble, it's a worthy and charitable cause to bring information to people who do not access to it and absolutely none of us have access to the resources Bill Gates does.
Finally, Gates reinstated his Facebook account, which had been deactivated some time back.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Jeepers, Your Peepers!
At some point, we all wish we were younger - or at least younger-looking. Hairlines recede, faces (and other things) sag, and so forth, as we age and there is a multimillion dollar industry or three centered on helping us keep these things from happening too soon and/or fixing them once they do.
While it is true that eating well, exercising regularly, and not indulging in things like tobacco and alcohol will reduce the effects of the aging process, there will always be signs. But, like I said, there are several, multimillion dollar industries looking to sell you something to keep you looking and feeling younger, and it's a multimillion dollar business because pretty much everything they are looking to sell you costs mega-bucks! A little research on the front-end will save you thousands in the long run.
Start eating better, eat lots of fish (or take a vitamin supplement with Omega 3), exercise more, and find the best eye cream for wrinkles, and you can age gracefully without going broke.
While it is true that eating well, exercising regularly, and not indulging in things like tobacco and alcohol will reduce the effects of the aging process, there will always be signs. But, like I said, there are several, multimillion dollar industries looking to sell you something to keep you looking and feeling younger, and it's a multimillion dollar business because pretty much everything they are looking to sell you costs mega-bucks! A little research on the front-end will save you thousands in the long run.
Start eating better, eat lots of fish (or take a vitamin supplement with Omega 3), exercise more, and find the best eye cream for wrinkles, and you can age gracefully without going broke.
txt helps kids lrn 2 spel lolz
According to a report from a research project still underway, children who text are actually improving their spelling skills. The year-long study of 63 English students is only at its midway point, but the data indicates that texting is "actually driving the development of phonological awareness and reading skill in [the] children."
While texting, basically a toy language, consists mostly of acronyms, phonetic spellings, and alpha-numeric combinations ("l8r" = later), the study proved that the shorthand increased the same phonological awareness as spelling correctly. After all, the intentional misspelling of a word to successfully communicate the same thing requires an understanding of the correct spelling and usage of the word.
The study continues through next year but so far, researchers say they have found no negative results from txting.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
While texting, basically a toy language, consists mostly of acronyms, phonetic spellings, and alpha-numeric combinations ("l8r" = later), the study proved that the shorthand increased the same phonological awareness as spelling correctly. After all, the intentional misspelling of a word to successfully communicate the same thing requires an understanding of the correct spelling and usage of the word.
The study continues through next year but so far, researchers say they have found no negative results from txting.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Blog Redesign on the Way
I know it seems like I just did one - because I kinda did - but it's been well over a year since the blogs got their facelifts and things are sagging once again. I never liked this design that much to start with, it was just the closest I could find to what I was going for and I didn't have time to keep trying to develop one on my own (still don't, but it's got to be done).
All of the blogs except The OddBlog are going to undergo serious redesign over the next several months. I have only the faintest, most general, idea as to what I want - I know which elements must be kept and at least some of them have specific placement - so I'm giving no ETA or anything. I also don't know Blogger language, so even though I may end-up trying my hand at coding some unique template(s), I'm probably just going to find a template I like and run with it.
If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, I'm all ears!
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
All of the blogs except The OddBlog are going to undergo serious redesign over the next several months. I have only the faintest, most general, idea as to what I want - I know which elements must be kept and at least some of them have specific placement - so I'm giving no ETA or anything. I also don't know Blogger language, so even though I may end-up trying my hand at coding some unique template(s), I'm probably just going to find a template I like and run with it.
If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, I'm all ears!
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Nascar Jackets
Global warming aside, this is said to be one of the coldest winters in several decades. Unless, and until, that global warming makes everyday 70º (and what, in the world, would be so bad about that?), you are going to need a jacket, at the very least. Besides, no matter how hot it gets outside, theaters and studios, doctors' offices, and supermarkets will always be cold.
Speedway Jackets Plus has you covered though - especially if you are a Nascar fan. They have as many of the 2010 Nascar jackets up as they have gotten. Check those out and be sure to peek at the new "black-on-black" designs. If you are going to need a jacket - and you are - you might as well look stylish in it!
Speedway Jackets Plus has you covered though - especially if you are a Nascar fan. They have as many of the 2010 Nascar jackets up as they have gotten. Check those out and be sure to peek at the new "black-on-black" designs. If you are going to need a jacket - and you are - you might as well look stylish in it!
What if Facebook Disappeared?
An interesting blog post posited this question, though the reasoning behind it was somewhat flawed. Facebook is not exactly the new AOL; people forget - and a lot of today's netizens weren't even old enough to remember - that AOL became the powerhouse it was at the time for one, very good, reason: it was the only thing available!
As regular readers know, I have lived in rural areas for much of my life and this was the case in 1993-94, when AOL first became available to me. The only other option, a local company in a nearby town, not only didn't come around for another 2-4 years, but cost $10-15 more per month and was literally a connection to the net and an e-mail account. AOL had chatrooms, featured content, Instant Messaging (yes, this was before even IM programs!), and more. I still have AOL 2.0 floppy disks (though they've been overwritten)!
Facebook is far from the only social network in town, and honestly, seeing as how it's been the talk of the intertubes for going on two years now, it speaks volumes that it just now outstripped AOL in U.S. traffic! I don't know anyone who uses AOL anymore - I take that back, I know a handful and they're all my age or older and have little idea WTF they are doing online outside of AOL, which is the only reason they're still paying $30/month for that piece of shit - and basically everybody I know has a FB account, even if they rarely use it.
The fact that Facebook is now the fourth largest site online and comprises a whopping 5% of the world's total Net usage is impressive, but not as impressive as some analysts seem to think. One of the things which separates me from those guys is that they think in nanoseconds - they think like the Internet runs - in fads and immediacy. What's paradoxical about this is the fact that they ballyhoo over every little change as it happens as though it is a precursor of things to come, while noting it has already happened before and means very little at the time...
Facebook is a social networking site, not a cloud computing desktop or storage center - it isn't even an e-mail account! If you have so much "data" collected on FB that losing your account would cripple you, then you are using it wrong!
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
As regular readers know, I have lived in rural areas for much of my life and this was the case in 1993-94, when AOL first became available to me. The only other option, a local company in a nearby town, not only didn't come around for another 2-4 years, but cost $10-15 more per month and was literally a connection to the net and an e-mail account. AOL had chatrooms, featured content, Instant Messaging (yes, this was before even IM programs!), and more. I still have AOL 2.0 floppy disks (though they've been overwritten)!
Facebook is far from the only social network in town, and honestly, seeing as how it's been the talk of the intertubes for going on two years now, it speaks volumes that it just now outstripped AOL in U.S. traffic! I don't know anyone who uses AOL anymore - I take that back, I know a handful and they're all my age or older and have little idea WTF they are doing online outside of AOL, which is the only reason they're still paying $30/month for that piece of shit - and basically everybody I know has a FB account, even if they rarely use it.
The fact that Facebook is now the fourth largest site online and comprises a whopping 5% of the world's total Net usage is impressive, but not as impressive as some analysts seem to think. One of the things which separates me from those guys is that they think in nanoseconds - they think like the Internet runs - in fads and immediacy. What's paradoxical about this is the fact that they ballyhoo over every little change as it happens as though it is a precursor of things to come, while noting it has already happened before and means very little at the time...
Facebook is a social networking site, not a cloud computing desktop or storage center - it isn't even an e-mail account! If you have so much "data" collected on FB that losing your account would cripple you, then you are using it wrong!
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Optimize to Speed-Up Your Dial-Up Connection
Dial-Up Networking (DUN) - that is, using a modem to dial-in to your ISP and connect to the Internet - truly sucks. I cannot impress upon anyone enough just how different the Web is on broadband; it is literally a different experience - an entirely different medium - as different as comic books are from music. Aside from everything else, streaming content is unavailable on DUN and streaming content comprises the largest portion of the Web these days.
However, DUN remains the most popular method of connecting to the Internet for all sorts of reasons, so you should know how to optimize your connection and get the most speed from it. While you will never be able to do some things on DUN you can on broadband - such as receive streaming media - you can definitely improve your browsing and download speeds and save time and frustration with these simple tricks:
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
However, DUN remains the most popular method of connecting to the Internet for all sorts of reasons, so you should know how to optimize your connection and get the most speed from it. While you will never be able to do some things on DUN you can on broadband - such as receive streaming media - you can definitely improve your browsing and download speeds and save time and frustration with these simple tricks:
- Make as direct a connection as possible. Eliminate everything you can between the computer's modem and the phonejack: remove splitters, extensions, and use short phonelines made of copper or gold.
- Clear your cache and cookies regularly. In general, you should clear your cache at least once a week and your cookies once every other week. You can find this option under "Tools," "Options." or a similar tab in your browser. On Windows machines, you can also select this option through "Disk Cleanup."
- Defrag your PC regularly. Depending on the amount of traffic your computer gets - both online and off- - this could be once per month or once per week. Whatever the rate you determine, it's best to schedule your computer to automatically Defragment by using the "Scheduled Tasks" operation.
- Make sure you have the best driver for your modem. First, go to your Device Manager and find your modem, then right-click on it and select properties. From there, navigate your way to the driver tab and choose "Update Driver." Let Windows search for a better driver from the Microsoft site, but be sure to check the modem manufacturer's site for the best, most up-to-date, driver.
- Switch to Open DNS.
- Ask your ISP if they provide an "accelerator" program. If they do not, or if it costs more, a search engine query for "web accelerator" will return several, many of which are free.
- Uninstall or Disable any add-ons, toolbars, and Web utilities you are not using or use very rarely - only enable the ones you need immediately.
- If you are a Vista user, do this.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Kipling Luggage
Speaking as a 35-year old man without a set of luggage, I truly believe that everyone over the age of about 25 should have a luggage set. Let's face it: a grown man who carts his clothes and toiletries around in plastic bags is pathetic! Of course, unless you travel often, you do not really need an entire luggage set (well, some women might - and that's not being sexist! - women tend to have more "essentials" then men, just by nature), a nice Kipling backpack will usually suffice.
When you get right down to it, luggage is largely a matter of style. If you travel often, you need a full set; if you travel infrequently and tend to "pack light," a backpack and/or suitcase is all you should need. But, really, stop with the plastic sacks already! YOU ARE A GROWN MAN!
When you get right down to it, luggage is largely a matter of style. If you travel often, you need a full set; if you travel infrequently and tend to "pack light," a backpack and/or suitcase is all you should need. But, really, stop with the plastic sacks already! YOU ARE A GROWN MAN!
Some Keypoints for First-Time Webdesigners
A friend recently put together her first website. Since she is doing this to further her business, and she's cute, I decided to check it out and offer some webdesign pointers wherever I could (especially since the girlies are said to like smrat guys). What I noticed were several, easily remedied, oversights most "newbie" webmasters make and which, though they appear literally all over the Web, few neophyte webdesigners would even know to look for. So, I threw this post together for my good friend, as well as all the rest of you "n00bs."
Please note that, as I mentioned, this information can be found in a myriad of places both online and off-, and many of those resources go into greater depth because they are written by people who actually know WTF they're doing. I compiled this list literally off the top of my head. This is, by no means whatsoever, an authoritative guide - simply a quick list of what are, in my personal experience, the most often overlooked or unknown webdesign tips of which every webmaster should be aware.
Quality counts; you must use "good form." Not only should your site be pretty and functional, it needs to be technically correct. While visitors cannot see this technicalese, the search engines and browsers can. However, only some programs include this information by default; most of the time, you have to edit the actual source code - the underlying HTML programs like SiteSpinner and Dreamweaver write for you. For this, you will need a good HTML editor. If you use one of those Web-based "sitebuilders," it has a "View Source" or "HTML" function somewhere; these applications include an HTML editor.
While Windows' Notepad works wonders, as does any plain-text editor, a full-fledged HTML editor has features those programs do not, such as color-coded commands, HTML-keyed macros, and prompts which remind you to include the arguments, attributes, and tags that are so easy to forget. My personal favorite, and one which I've used for years, is Arachnophilia. The latest release is Java-based and works on any OS. It contains tons of features, but I'm not familiar with it; I prefer the older version, which only runs on Win-based machines. Learning the latest release is on my agenda, which is packed tighter than a clown car, so even though I'll post about it eventually, I have no ETA; you'd do well to jump-in and learn it on your own.
Now you need to bookmark at least one good HTML guide, such as HTML Code Tutorial. When you Bookmark it, create an entirely new folder entitled "Website" or similar. Include all bookmarks relating to your site and sitebuilding and design in this folder. You may wish to create sub-directories for specific subjects, such as "Design," "Coding," etc. Go ahead and bookmark this page, while you're at it, and include it in one of these directories.
Here are some general webdesign pointers for you n00b webmasters:
1. You have to learn HTML to be a good webmaster - ignore all of that "You don't even have to know HTML" bullshit - if you want to run a website, knowing HTML is the only way to do it. Of course, you don't have to be a master of it - that's why you have that handy guide bookmarked!
2. Do not rely on specific fonts unless they are freeware fonts anyone can download and install or should already have, such as Georgia or Arial. If a visitor does not have the correct font(s) installed, your site will not appear as intended. If you absolutely insist on using a particular font, limit its usage to such things as titles and create text images instead. Note that all of the titles on The Weirding are actually images. This is why.
3. Wrap text around images with the ALIGN argument. There are several positions available, including top, bottom, left, right, and more. While you do not have to place the alignment value in quotes, browsers will still read them if you do and I personally believe it makes for better form, overall.
4. Always include the ALT tag for images. Not only is this good form, but search engines will rank your site lower if they do not find them. The ALT tag also describes the image to visitors whose browsers are set to not download pictures (usually for faster browsing on dial-up connections) or the image fails to appear for any reason. The ALT value will appear whenever the cursor rests on the image, so it can also be used to comment on the picture instead of naming it.
5. Include the META tags KEYWORDS and DESCRIPTION. KEYWORDS are the search terms and phrases with which you want your page/site to be associated; DESCRIPTION is exactly that and is what appears in search engines. Include no more than 10-15 KEYWORDS and keep the DESCRIPTION succinct.
6. If at all possible, include the major KEYWORDS of the page in the first 250 characters. The first paragraph in this post contains several keywords, such as "webmaster," "website," and "webdesign." Don't overdo it or the search engines will think your page/site spammy and lower its ranking. Do not repeat the same keyword or phrase more than 3-5 times throughout the entire document, if possible.
7. Be certain to include a TITLE for every page. This appears at the top of the browser screen whenever a visitor is on your page. It is also the title search engines will list.
8. Check your speling!
9. Leave ample margins on both sides of your page and make sure the page fits in a browser window. Having to scroll to the right to see an entire page isn't just bad form, it's fucking annoying.
10. Include StatCounter on all your pages and learn how to read the data. Get started here.
Again, these are just off the top of my head and pertain as much to good form as Search Engine Optimization (SEO), but these are essential pointers every webmaster should know and provide a good springboard for you newbies: In learning to employ these simple tips, you will also learn a lot about general webdesign and HTML along the way.
Last, but far from least, include a blog and update it regularly. Not only does this allow you to actually communicate with visitors and keep them apprised of the site's growth and changes, it provides new content on a regular basis, which goes a long way toward creating and maintaining repeat visitors - aka, an audience.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Please note that, as I mentioned, this information can be found in a myriad of places both online and off-, and many of those resources go into greater depth because they are written by people who actually know WTF they're doing. I compiled this list literally off the top of my head. This is, by no means whatsoever, an authoritative guide - simply a quick list of what are, in my personal experience, the most often overlooked or unknown webdesign tips of which every webmaster should be aware.
Quality counts; you must use "good form." Not only should your site be pretty and functional, it needs to be technically correct. While visitors cannot see this technicalese, the search engines and browsers can. However, only some programs include this information by default; most of the time, you have to edit the actual source code - the underlying HTML programs like SiteSpinner and Dreamweaver write for you. For this, you will need a good HTML editor. If you use one of those Web-based "sitebuilders," it has a "View Source" or "HTML" function somewhere; these applications include an HTML editor.
While Windows' Notepad works wonders, as does any plain-text editor, a full-fledged HTML editor has features those programs do not, such as color-coded commands, HTML-keyed macros, and prompts which remind you to include the arguments, attributes, and tags that are so easy to forget. My personal favorite, and one which I've used for years, is Arachnophilia. The latest release is Java-based and works on any OS. It contains tons of features, but I'm not familiar with it; I prefer the older version, which only runs on Win-based machines. Learning the latest release is on my agenda, which is packed tighter than a clown car, so even though I'll post about it eventually, I have no ETA; you'd do well to jump-in and learn it on your own.
Now you need to bookmark at least one good HTML guide, such as HTML Code Tutorial. When you Bookmark it, create an entirely new folder entitled "Website" or similar. Include all bookmarks relating to your site and sitebuilding and design in this folder. You may wish to create sub-directories for specific subjects, such as "Design," "Coding," etc. Go ahead and bookmark this page, while you're at it, and include it in one of these directories.
Here are some general webdesign pointers for you n00b webmasters:
1. You have to learn HTML to be a good webmaster - ignore all of that "You don't even have to know HTML" bullshit - if you want to run a website, knowing HTML is the only way to do it. Of course, you don't have to be a master of it - that's why you have that handy guide bookmarked!
2. Do not rely on specific fonts unless they are freeware fonts anyone can download and install or should already have, such as Georgia or Arial. If a visitor does not have the correct font(s) installed, your site will not appear as intended. If you absolutely insist on using a particular font, limit its usage to such things as titles and create text images instead. Note that all of the titles on The Weirding are actually images. This is why.
3. Wrap text around images with the ALIGN argument. There are several positions available, including top, bottom, left, right, and more. While you do not have to place the alignment value in quotes, browsers will still read them if you do and I personally believe it makes for better form, overall.
4. Always include the ALT tag for images. Not only is this good form, but search engines will rank your site lower if they do not find them. The ALT tag also describes the image to visitors whose browsers are set to not download pictures (usually for faster browsing on dial-up connections) or the image fails to appear for any reason. The ALT value will appear whenever the cursor rests on the image, so it can also be used to comment on the picture instead of naming it.
5. Include the META tags KEYWORDS and DESCRIPTION. KEYWORDS are the search terms and phrases with which you want your page/site to be associated; DESCRIPTION is exactly that and is what appears in search engines. Include no more than 10-15 KEYWORDS and keep the DESCRIPTION succinct.
6. If at all possible, include the major KEYWORDS of the page in the first 250 characters. The first paragraph in this post contains several keywords, such as "webmaster," "website," and "webdesign." Don't overdo it or the search engines will think your page/site spammy and lower its ranking. Do not repeat the same keyword or phrase more than 3-5 times throughout the entire document, if possible.
7. Be certain to include a TITLE for every page. This appears at the top of the browser screen whenever a visitor is on your page. It is also the title search engines will list.
8. Check your speling!
9. Leave ample margins on both sides of your page and make sure the page fits in a browser window. Having to scroll to the right to see an entire page isn't just bad form, it's fucking annoying.
10. Include StatCounter on all your pages and learn how to read the data. Get started here.
Again, these are just off the top of my head and pertain as much to good form as Search Engine Optimization (SEO), but these are essential pointers every webmaster should know and provide a good springboard for you newbies: In learning to employ these simple tips, you will also learn a lot about general webdesign and HTML along the way.
Last, but far from least, include a blog and update it regularly. Not only does this allow you to actually communicate with visitors and keep them apprised of the site's growth and changes, it provides new content on a regular basis, which goes a long way toward creating and maintaining repeat visitors - aka, an audience.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Yahoo! Adds NetTV, New Partners
We've been discussing TV changes across the site lately, with the announcement that certain special interest groups (namely, the broadcasters themselves) are looking for a way to start charging for "free" - broadcast - TV. However, Internet TV is not just a thing of the future; Connected TV is here and now and is headed to a store near you very soon. Several companies are shipping Connected TV units in Europe and America this quarter.
Yahoo! has entered the arena with its Yahoo Widget Engine and announced three manufacturers and two TV processor companies have joined its Connected TV effort. The YWE basically replaces the "Info" service on your TV - it lists program information, menu guides, and the like - but it also serves ads. Noted advertising partners include MSNBC, eBay, Twitter, Facebook, Napster, and more.
According to Yahoo!'s announcement at the CES, it appears your next Internet-ready TV will be running the Yahoo Widget Engine - if you buy one before 2011 or so, at the least.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Yahoo! has entered the arena with its Yahoo Widget Engine and announced three manufacturers and two TV processor companies have joined its Connected TV effort. The YWE basically replaces the "Info" service on your TV - it lists program information, menu guides, and the like - but it also serves ads. Noted advertising partners include MSNBC, eBay, Twitter, Facebook, Napster, and more.
According to Yahoo!'s announcement at the CES, it appears your next Internet-ready TV will be running the Yahoo Widget Engine - if you buy one before 2011 or so, at the least.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Allsup - SSDD
If you ever stop to peruse your paycheck, you notice how many different taxes, tariffs, and so forth you are paying. Part of those is for Disability/Social Security. While there is a lot of furor these days as to the state of the program and its associated benefits, make no mistake about it: if you have ever worked a day in your life, you have paid-in to Disability/SS.
Unfortunately, almost no one who needs it is approved on their first attempt and there are strict guidelines and timetables by which one must abide or you can lose your right to appeal altogether! Before you let this happen, consider taking an Allsup disability appeal test to see if they can help you. Allsup only charges if they help you win your appeal!
Unfortunately, almost no one who needs it is approved on their first attempt and there are strict guidelines and timetables by which one must abide or you can lose your right to appeal altogether! Before you let this happen, consider taking an Allsup disability appeal test to see if they can help you. Allsup only charges if they help you win your appeal!
Please Pardon My Recovering
The thing with healing is that the first few days always seem the worst - technically speaking, they are, but my point is that once you've gotten past them, you get lulled into believing you are on the mend and start acting naturally. You start trying to go back to your daily routine, doing the things you know you probably shouldn't, but feel well enough to, so you do them anyway.
But it's really that second wave of healing - those four or five days after you first pulled that muscle, the day after you burned the roof of your mouth - that the full extent of the pain becomes apparent. It's the dull ache of soreness that literally stalks your every...
Okay, okay; I wax "poetic."
I'm just saying I'm still recovering. I managed to start on a few posts one day last week when I was feeling better, so I'm going to try and roll-out some stuff today and schedule more for the rest of the week, but it's still going to be up to the Fates for now.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
But it's really that second wave of healing - those four or five days after you first pulled that muscle, the day after you burned the roof of your mouth - that the full extent of the pain becomes apparent. It's the dull ache of soreness that literally stalks your every...
Okay, okay; I wax "poetic."
I'm just saying I'm still recovering. I managed to start on a few posts one day last week when I was feeling better, so I'm going to try and roll-out some stuff today and schedule more for the rest of the week, but it's still going to be up to the Fates for now.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Be Back Soon
I am still recovering from my surgery, I'm sorry to say. I told you it would taker at least a few weeks to completely get over it and it appears that is going to be the ETA (as of this moment) - I was released Wednesday and am still very sore, but have made progress, so I think next Monday is about the right time for me to return. However, I have tons of stories to bring you and it gets boring, lying around, watching TV and movies all day, so expect me to pop-in from time to time.
Thanks!
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Thanks!
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
An Ounce of Prevention
This review is a result of a feedback campaign by Respiratory Guard. The recipients were asked to give their honest opinion about the product they received. Good reviews were not incentivized and poor reviews will not be censored for their opinion of the product.
Too few institutions stress the importance of preventative measures and medicine - that's because a lot of them make money treating a health issue, not preventing or curing it - but you can save yourself a lot of grief and financial hardship simply by taking better care of yourself. This is especially true these days, when it seems every year brings us a new "Super-Bug" destined to wipe-out millions and leave millions more hospitalized.
2009 saw the return of the H1N1 virus, better known as the Swine Flu, and people across the nation were besides themselves, trying to get that flu vaccine. H1N1 eventually proved to be less powerful than once thought, but it still took many lives across the world and took months for scientists to develop and manufacture a flu vaccine that actually worked. For the most part, it was determined that H1N1 could largely be avoided simply by washing one's hands!
Complete Health's Respiratory Guard Elderberry lozenges work similarly, boosting your immune system and respiratory health. They taste good, though a bit cloying, and are individually packaged. I already had a respiratory "bug" of some sort when I received them - a hacking cough and raw throat. I won't credit Complete Health's Respiratory Guard supplements for my getting over whatever it is I had, but I honestly believe they helped because I had nothing else to take and I felt better within a few days, even though my throat remained raw thanks to the forceful coughing. Of course, this is just conjecture, but I don't think I would have gotten sick in the first place, had I been taking the lozenges as directed (two per day).
Even the slightest amount of prevention can save you the headache (literally) of sinus infections, colds, and the flu. Pick up a box and give it try for yourself.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Netflix to Delay New Release Rentals
Netflix has entered a deal with Warner Brothers studios which delays WB's new release rentals for 28 days. The move is meant to help the company sell more units before they become available for renting. The movie industry has seen a dramatic drop in DVD sales the last few years, but 2009 was the most profitable year in history for theater ticket sales. Netflix has noted they are looking to enter similar agreements with other major studios.
The upside to this, for viewers, is that Netflix will receive price-breaks on Warner Brothers movies and TV properties and will be able to stream more of these online through users' "Instant Queue."
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
The upside to this, for viewers, is that Netflix will receive price-breaks on Warner Brothers movies and TV properties and will be able to stream more of these online through users' "Instant Queue."
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Hulu: The Littler Picture
I have been without broadband for several months now and before I moved (and it was disconnected), but when I last watched Hulu, I had absolutely no problem getting full-screen video without drag. Now, I can only watch it in the small screen.
I did all the usual things - set my network configuration, switched to OpenDNS, et.al. - but while almost all other streaming media and streaming media sites are coming in great, Hulu still will not play full screen without severe drag. The measures I took improved the performance somewhat, but still did not solve the problem.
Hulu recently announced it was going to move to a pay model this year (2010). I did notice the commercials flow a lot smoother than the programs. That is when I noticed the tie-in ad box at the upper-right, above the small-frame player. While I am still troubleshooting my connection and configuring my computer, I have a sneaking feeling that Hulu has decided it's worth the pain in my (and other viewers') behinds to choke full-screen viewing so it can better serve advertisers.
However, Hulu has also seen a near 100% increase in traffic this last year, so it's just as likely the service is simply experiencing growing pains.
I am going to continue tweaking my setup and system and see if I can't isolate, and hopefully correct, the issue on my end. However, Netflix streaming video works perfectly, as does Last.FM and YouTube, so I am convinced (at this point) that at least part of the issue is on Hulu's end.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
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I did all the usual things - set my network configuration, switched to OpenDNS, et.al. - but while almost all other streaming media and streaming media sites are coming in great, Hulu still will not play full screen without severe drag. The measures I took improved the performance somewhat, but still did not solve the problem.
Hulu recently announced it was going to move to a pay model this year (2010). I did notice the commercials flow a lot smoother than the programs. That is when I noticed the tie-in ad box at the upper-right, above the small-frame player. While I am still troubleshooting my connection and configuring my computer, I have a sneaking feeling that Hulu has decided it's worth the pain in my (and other viewers') behinds to choke full-screen viewing so it can better serve advertisers.
However, Hulu has also seen a near 100% increase in traffic this last year, so it's just as likely the service is simply experiencing growing pains.
I am going to continue tweaking my setup and system and see if I can't isolate, and hopefully correct, the issue on my end. However, Netflix streaming video works perfectly, as does Last.FM and YouTube, so I am convinced (at this point) that at least part of the issue is on Hulu's end.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Ensure Your Loved Ones Can Live Without You
The good news is that people are living longer these days, thanks largely to advances in science and medicine, as well as a greater awareness of health issues. The bad news is that people still need a good life insurance policy to ensure their loved ones can afford their funerals. In fact, the UK has had so many problems with people paying their funeral bills that many undertakers have instituted policies refusing to bury loved ones until substantial, upfront payments can be made!
This says nothing of those who depend on your income - what will they do and how will they survive? If you are over 30, you need to learn more about life insurance and find a policy which fits your needs, as well as those of your loved ones.
This says nothing of those who depend on your income - what will they do and how will they survive? If you are over 30, you need to learn more about life insurance and find a policy which fits your needs, as well as those of your loved ones.
#SOCIALTRANCE
Hypnotist, Chris Hughes, will attempt the first-ever social networking mass hypnosis stunt via Twitter and Facebook tomorrow. The event marks World Hypnotism Day and is expected to make it into the Guinness World Records.
Anyone 18 or older can sign-up for the experiment, which will include "positive suggestions for change." All you need is a computer with speakers, as the broadcast will be audio (only). Some restrictions do apply. You can get more information from, and sign-up at, Hughes' Socialtrance website.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Anyone 18 or older can sign-up for the experiment, which will include "positive suggestions for change." All you need is a computer with speakers, as the broadcast will be audio (only). Some restrictions do apply. You can get more information from, and sign-up at, Hughes' Socialtrance website.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
French Piracy Law in Effect
France's new Internet piracy law is now in effect. According to the law, which was vehemently opposed by online free speech advocates, illegal file-sharers will receive a warning e-mail, then a written warning, and will be ordered to face a judge on subsequent transgressions. The judge may fine the offender or restrict his access to the Internet.
The bill created a new department of justice - HADOPI, or the Higher Authority for the Distribution of Works and the Protection of Copyright on the Internet - and was backed by both the president and entertainment industry. However, it faced a lengthy battle through parliament, and similar measures in other Western countries face bitter opposition from many opponents.
Meanwhile, Pres. Sarkozy has been connected to two incidents of reported © C Harris Lynn, 2010
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The bill created a new department of justice - HADOPI, or the Higher Authority for the Distribution of Works and the Protection of Copyright on the Internet - and was backed by both the president and entertainment industry. However, it faced a lengthy battle through parliament, and similar measures in other Western countries face bitter opposition from many opponents.
Meanwhile, Pres. Sarkozy has been connected to two incidents of reported © C Harris Lynn, 2010
What Do You Know @ Phentermine?
As I have never had an issue with being overweight, I know very little about diet pills and all such as that. However, I have come across a lot of information on the subject because it is so popular. According to research, both the US and the UK have "chronic obesity" issues; it is one of the most prevalent health issues facing both countries.
While I am sure you have heard of it, did you know that phentermine was first approved by the FDA in 1959? And though it is only prescribed to obese people, those with obesity-related health issues can't take it because of the side-effects? Its effects also stop working after a few months, as the patient builds-up a tolerance.
Follow the link above to learn more about this oft-prescribed drug which is also available under several brand names. It may be the answer for which you, or someone you know, is looking.
While I am sure you have heard of it, did you know that phentermine was first approved by the FDA in 1959? And though it is only prescribed to obese people, those with obesity-related health issues can't take it because of the side-effects? Its effects also stop working after a few months, as the patient builds-up a tolerance.
Follow the link above to learn more about this oft-prescribed drug which is also available under several brand names. It may be the answer for which you, or someone you know, is looking.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Happy New Year!
Belated, but there it is. I am going to do the whole "dial-up vs. broadband" thing, which is far from original, but I feel is more important and relevant than ever, but I told you things would be a bit wonky now, thanks to the holidays and my upcoming surgery, so it will be another week or so. I dropped-in to wish you all a very happy new year, and hope your holidays were nice, but also give you the agenda as I know it at this point:
I have some pieces I am trying to post the next few days, but at least a handful will be scheduled to run while I am recovering. I plan to take the entirety of next week off (after Monday). After that, it depends entirely on how I feel and everything along those lines.
As for the DUN:Broadband project, I need several more days to play-around, anyway; all I've done the last week is listen to music, update and configure my computer, and watch movies/catch-up on TV. Hey? It is what it is.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
I have some pieces I am trying to post the next few days, but at least a handful will be scheduled to run while I am recovering. I plan to take the entirety of next week off (after Monday). After that, it depends entirely on how I feel and everything along those lines.
As for the DUN:Broadband project, I need several more days to play-around, anyway; all I've done the last week is listen to music, update and configure my computer, and watch movies/catch-up on TV. Hey? It is what it is.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
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