Author: Shelley Powers

Categories
Web

Dot Com Bust Redux

I’m assuming the only reason that the RealNames failure is getting air time is because the former CEO has published its business dealings with Microsoft.

I glanced through Keith Teare’s papers at his personal web site, and just can’t see the fuss.

Microsoft chose to terminate the relationship with RealNames. With the nebulous nature of the product, the overall opinion against such centralized technology in today’s market, and the business proposal I don’t see how anyone could be surprised by this decision.

RealNames owed Microsoft $25.5m on May 2nd. They didn’t have it. They issued a counter-proposal. Microsoft wasn’t interested. RealNames bites the dust.

Teare believes that Microsoft isn’t demonstrating vision in its current direction, and is seeking solutions that it can control. Maybe so, but consider the proposed future direction for RealNames: Centralized, proprietary, flat architectured Keyword technology in partnership with a company such as Verisign.

I have a hard time identifying with one proprietary, centralized, patent-holding company fighting back at another proprietary, centralized, patent-holding company.

However, I do have sympathy for the 75 people in Redwood City that lost their jobs.

Categories
Weblogging

Wash U at Blog U

n case you’ve curious about the type and quality of programs at Blog U, I want to assure you that we have one of the best domestic engineering programs in the country.

For instance, one of our learned professors is considered an authority in the field of receptacle reclamation. Indeed. Why, he’s know throughout the world for his expertise.

He’s joined by others in the staff who take great pains in preparing and presenting the training material in a manner sure to inspire even the most hesitant of domestic engineer trainees.

Categories
Weblogging

More on search engines

A previous posting has outgrown its comments, so I’m continuing it here.

I said:

Webloggers aren’t influencing decisions — they’re influencing the information that influences the decision, and that’s dangerous.

When webloggers act as a cohesive group to deliberately influence the position of a link within Google’s search results, this is influencing the information, not the decision. It is not equivalent to lobbying, which is an attempt to influence a decision. And it is not reflective of the interest of the populace — its a deliberate and coordinated action.

To repeat, this is a deliberate attempt to influence the flow of the information. And this is dangerous.

Will the results that Google returns influence people? Not for larger issues that are well publicized. However, in issues of business and with less well publicized issues, this can make a difference. How much so, we don’t know — we would need Google’s usage patterns and statistics to measure this.

Should webloggers not link because of this? No, because the problem doesn’t rest with webloggers — it rests with Google. The technology behind Google’s ranking system breaks with weblogging.

A link is just that — a link. It’s a great way to connect people into a community, or to let others know about new information. However, it shouldn’t be treated as a vote.

Google needs to get smarter; the technology that links the web together needs to get smarter. And we webloggers need to stop treating Google as a favorite pet that never pisses on the carpet — especially when we’re standing in the middle a puddle.

Continued here

Categories
Just Shelley

For those about to rock!

Sometimes it seems that life is found moments of delight interconnected by serendipity.

I looked out my window this evening, astonished to see people everywhere, as well as boats crowding the harbor. Checking online, I found that there was a fireworks show in front of my place tonight, the KFOG Kaboom.

I could have watched the show at home, but what’s the fun of that?

I walked the few blocks down to the waterfront, merging in with a very good natured crowd. As we entered the viewing area, I heard a guy in low-voiced consultation with his wife:

“They’re going to be searching your purse up ahead.”

“It’s okay, I left the gun at home.”

I’m sure they were joking. Though, this is America…

Tents were serving beverages, including my favorite margaritas; I got into line, enjoying the voices and interactions of the people around me as I waited my turn. When I ordered my drink, the person serving gives me a big smile, and returns with my drink served in a double cup.

“You’re the lucky double cup.”

He then yells out to the crowd behind me, “We’re all out!”

I flowed with the crowd until almost to the water, finding a fairly calm and decent spot by the fence, listening to the music blaring out over huge loudspeakers. To the left was the Bay bridge, outlined in lights. To the right, a fleet of boats, most silhouetted in bright colored lights.

Rock n’ Roll! A Rock n’ Roll fireworks show. Better and better.

The DJ came on and introduced the station to the crowd and then yelled out “Let the fireworks begin!”

What followed was 20 minutes of the best fireworks show I’ve seen, perfectly correographed to the music. Smiley faces and gold waterfalls. Red hearts and purple and green planets admid silver galaxies. Around me was the happy and excited voices of the crowd, bodies swaying and swinging to the tunes, breathing in the strong sweet smell of canibus.

Well, this was a rock n’ roll fireworks show.

Finally, to the strains of “For those about to rock”, the finale: explosions of fireworks so large and so close, they lit the harbor as the crowds vibrated from the percussion.

When it was all over a 10 minute walk had me back in my own apartment as a quarter million people made their way home.

I love this city.

Categories
Burningbird Technology

Space? What space?

I was playing around with my server earlier, trying out some fun and interesting sounding new techie toys. Unfortunately, the new techie toys required ImageMagick.

Those of you with a Unix background are probably going “Oh, No!” about now. I knew I was pushing the bubble with this one, but you only live once.

Damn the server! Full install ahead!

— —- — —

Anyway, we’re almost back to normal. I’ve managed to save the server, and was able to repair the Apache installation. It was also nice hearing from the system kernel, all those “panic!” emails.

If you tried to post comments earlier during some interesting moments of turmoil and they aren’t showing up — Sorry! If you have a minute and wouldn’t mind reposting, I would be grateful!

The great thing about Unix servers is that you can do anything. The bad thing about Unix servers is that you can do anything.