Author: Shelley Powers

Categories
People

John Walker

Just in: John Walker will be charged with aiding and abetting terrorists (CNN)

Update: From press conference. Four charges which can result in life in prison. He will be charged in civilian court.

One of the basic components of the charges was Walker’s attendance of an Al-Queda training camp, and meeting with Osama Bin Laden. Another is that he admits that he heard about the September 11th terrorists acts, but still kept fighting with the Taliban. This is based on his own discussions with the Military. (BBIRD – However, how admissible this will be will be dependent on his access to legal representation at the time of the discussions.)

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We’ll return this weblog to it’s regularly scheduled programming…

Categories
Writing

O’Reilly book cover spoofs

On the light side, take a look at O’Reilly book cover spoofs. I like a company that laughs at itself; too bad Enron figured that one out too late.

However, why do they keep showing book covers with an eagle kicking my asp?

I wanted a cute little fluffy kitten myself. Furry. Sweet. Big eyes. The kind that people go “Oooo, that’s so cute!”

But nooooo. I get a deadly snake. Hissssssssssssssssssssssss.

Categories
Weblogging

Blogicon update

Okay, time to update the Blogicon; I have a whole list of Blogicon entries today.

I’m adding the entries to the Blogicon column and page, in addition to adding hypertext named references so that you can link to individual items. Give me a couple of days to make the updates.

Let’s roll:

The first new Blogicon is from New Jersey Meryl (she’s from Joisey, don’t muck with her). Meryl’s entry is:

 

Lone Blogger:

    a blogger who doesn’t use any blogging tool
    Meryl, that’s kind of like shaving by pulling your hair out with tweezers, don’t you think?

    The following two items are a collaboration between myself and my *separated by birth twin sister, Sharon:

     

    Photog:

      v. Photoging – blogging with photos; n. Photog – photo-related weblog like Photographica

      Blister blog: weblog that uses adult terms/strong language such as, well, uh, uhm, never mind.

      I got the following idea indirectly from Gary Turner, aka Mr. Blogsticker:

       

      Stickless:

        generating blogsticker ideas and then not using them at your weblog
        Other BurningBird contributions:

        weblogmania:

          going to weblogs.com and accessing every weblog in the list

            •  – do not try while under the influence

           

          It’s a small world blog virus: posting a song at your site that people canNOT get out of their head – All Day Long – Ohhh, Roll me over in the clover….

          It’s been said that weblogs and Google go hand in hand like peanut butter and bananas. I should know; I have Google tatooed across my butt. Anyway, the next two entries are related to our favorite search engine:

          The Google Effect

            finding content via a search engine rather than using DNS aliases; letting domain names lapse and relying on Google style searches

              •  via Dan Gillmor

             

            Googlewhacking both a game and a phenomena: Precision Google searching Unblinking via Dane Carlson

            Last, but definitely not least, is a Blogicon item from Jonathon Delacour – in the spirit of fun and GSOH that all webloggers exhibit (if they hope to survive among the blogs for long…):

            Do a Dave:

              •  substantially editing or removing content after having posted it to the web

            I have a confession to make: I sometimes Do a Dave at Burningbird.

            (I don’t know; did that last sentence not sound quite right?)

            Anyway, that’s it for the Blogicon until the next batch. Thanks for the generous contributions!

            *separated by geography, birth date, and parents

            -earlier-

            I’ll have more Blogicon terms to add later today. I’m holding off as I’m unsure about one of them. I found it at Jonathon Delacour Unplugged yesterday, and thought it was perfect! The term is “Do a __(fill in the name)__”, and means substantially editing or removing content after having posted it to the web.. I think you know who’s name to use for the blank.

            The Blogicon tweaks, but only gentle tweaks – inviting those tweaked to laugh with us. I’m just not sure about this entry. Is it gentle? Is it mean? Is it funny? Is it art?

            Categories
            Writing

            Too much writing

            Another day of 16-18 hours of writing…Burningbird is burnt to a crisp. Nothing but fried chicken. I’m going to take a break from the weblog for a few days and try and get some of my other writing caught up, and then be able to come back with a fresh zizzle and ping.

            I know, you’ve heard this before. But this time I really mean it.

            For your listening pleasure while I’m gone, a little tune.

            Or, did I mean this tune?

            Or this?

            (Whatever did we do before Google came along?)

            Categories
            Weblogging

            Radio 8 stuff

            I may try Radio 8.0 myself. There’s been a lot of *hooplah on this product:

            Karl Martino Radio UserLand – The Lotus 123 of weblogging

            Dan Shafer – Radio UserLand 8 changes that equation forever. It is the Great Democratizer of Web Publishing.

            SJL – Radio 8.0 – It’s My Secret Weapon

            and so on…

            Amidst the hyperbole, there have been posts that are very intriguing, particularly to someone with my interest and background in emerging technologies. Posts such as those from David Davis dicussing weblog updates through his phone using SMS; or from Dane Carlson, posting via email. It is the non-traditional communication capabilities of Radio 8.0 that intrigue me.

            Since the Userland folks are kind enough to provide the product for a 30 day free trial, I’ll check it out. Join the party. Give into the momentum. Glow with the flow, or some such thing. Don’t be surprised to see a Burning Bird Radio Weblog. I want to see this beastie in action, for myself.

            However, I have work on the RDF book that must be finished today for the editors tomorrow, so no more weblogging for me today.

            On Another Note: Check out the title graphics that Sharon created, and vote for your favorite (top to bottom, post in comments or send email). So far, the top title is the unanimous choice. Sharon also found a lava light and other graphics with a more 60’s tone.

            50’s: turqoise and flamingo pink, black and white, chrome, plastic, and the space age (Jetson’s type of thing). Duck and cover.

            60’s: advocado green, autumn orange, harvest gold, lava lights, flower power, mother nature. Give peace a chance.

            Can these two co-exist? You tell me.

            The decision now is whether to stay a straight 50’s look, or go for a blended 50’s/60’s type of look. Call it: When the Formica meets the Flower

            *hooplah — hype when the word hype has been too hyped

            -earlier-

            Dave Winer talks about how people are complaining that Scripting News is focusing way too much on Radio 8.0.

            Dave has a point — Scripting News is his weblog, he wants to write about what interests him, and now, and probably for long into the future, his focus will be on Radio 8.0.

            It will be up to individuals, then, to decide if they want to continue checking out Scripting News or not. Personally, I’ll miss the comments about issues that generate a lot of weblog buzz — such as open source. And I’ll miss the fun postings such as the one about Madge. However, I’ll be cutting back views of Scripting News, at least for the next few weeks until the release of Radio 8.0 “settles in” so to speak.

            And I can always work on a filter for “…Radio Weblog” if I want to view a cleaned up weblogs.com.

            P.S. Don’t forget to check out the title graphics that Sharon created, and vote for your favorite (top to bottom, post in comments or send email).