Link
Topic: The Site
New to the links page.

Disconnected
Topic: The Site
Futz.

There I was, logged onto Star Wars Galaxies, re-learning the keys, and wrestling with the windows. Suddenly, a new window appeared, and, orange letters glowing against a blue background, I read the words "lost connection to server."

So I backed out and checked my system connection, and sure enough, there it wasn't. We tried bouncing the router, the modem, and when all else failed, we called Comcast to check on an outage.

Well, it seems there's no outages in our area, and we're still down. They said they'd send someone out tomorrow morning (which is better than Friday afternoon, when they'd originally suggested).

We think the modem's broken.

Luckily enough, I had just got time at Techies, and so I can update my 'blog. Or play a few games. In air conditioned comfort.

Ahhhh... sweet data... the shakes have stopped.

But... for how long? Lords of Comcast, my mental health is in your digital hands.

Insert Wit As Appropriate
Topic: The Site
This is the part of the 'blog where normally, I'd start talking about a topic which I've done a little thinking on, or some research as well. I'll make a statement concerning how I feel about that topic, and if I need to do anything about it.

I'll then expand on that, giving reasons and citing examples. I'll draw comparisons, and perhaps contrast it with some other concept as well. I'll do all that I can to make my feelings on the matter plain, yet without insulting the intelligence of the reader (I hope). I'll even, occasionally, add an oblique and obscure reference, just to see who's paying attention. Sometimes, there's a foot-note.*

I'll back up my statements, and reinforce them, by addressing arguments commonly brought against them. I'll discuss them, and explain why those voices of dissension are invalid, or (if they are actually valid), why they are the least preferable of options in my opinion for my situation. I'll try to do so in such a way that does not attempt to deride or insult another viewpoint; indeed, I'll present my statement from my own personal opinion, and hope it's clear that someone else's position may be different, and their preference may, as a result, also be different. I'll try to keep it all in perspective.

I may mention something that a reader will want to research a bit, often citing Wikipedia, with a link to the article. I used to list these at the end of the article as well, so they'll all be in one place. Now I only do that if there's a lot of them.

Some articles might include an image, presented in my very own "Spidorvision" monitor. Those are kind of fun.

I'll conclude with a summation, or sometimes a resolution that simply ties up loose ends. It depends on the nature of the weblog. It's not really formulaic, although the rants seem to follow the same system. Sometimes, I'm happy about something, and trying to share the news. Sometimes, I'm trying to disseminate useful information. I usually make an effort at humor. I feel best, though, if I manage to make you think. I don't want to change anyone's mind, but I would like to think I help people make up their mind. That really makes me feel better, and like the 'blog's worthwhile.

Or maybe I'll just make a quick entry that's a sentence or two long. I do that sometimes, too.


*Like this.

Just Because
Topic: The Site
I just wanted to try a new banner look for a while. I'll probably change it back later, but for now, I like it.

New Poetry
Topic: The Site
It's called Ouroboros.

Busted Link
Topic: The Site
Jim's web page is a busted link for some reason... so I've removed it until I hear otherwise... or at least get word that it's moved.

Cool
Topic: The Site
I've been informed that someone else actually does read this. I guess I'm back.

Thanks, Skeeve.

This Is Not A Business
Topic: The Site
I don't get any money for this web site. In fact, I pay money every month so that viewers don't have to tolerate ads and popups as a result of visiting my site.

I bring this up because I've had a couple of people ask me why I don't ask for donations, or charge for content.

I don't charge for content or ask for donations for a couple of reasons. One is that I don't think anything on here is worth charging for the content. The other is that I'd rather that people came to the site and read it because they enjoy doing so, without worrying about whether or not it's costing them anything. Charging money for that would discourage people from doing so. And besides: there's not enough people that look at this site to require my paying a huge bandwidth fee to begin with. The cash I pay is pretty small, and less than I usually pay for lunch.

And who knows... maybe one day someone will read my stuff and use their amazing connections to get me published. That'd be neat. But I don't expect it.

If you like coming here and reading this blog, or my stories, or whatever, keep doing so. It's not gonna cost you a dime. Tell your friends. They might like it too.

If you don't like coming here, tell 'em anyway. Maybe they will.

I do this for myself too. It's fun. I'm not going to make other people pay for my fun. I'd rather you shared in my fun. So I hope you are in fact having fun when you come to this site. I'm having fun posting it.

Originality
Topic: The Site
See... I'm always concerned when I post something that I saw on another site, because I want to be original in my content. So when I see something on, say, Fark, for example, I feel like I'm stealing if I post it here. Usually, I'll just refer to it. Otherwise, I won't post it at all.

But recently, Fark themselves posted a thread about Kopi Luwak... after I posted an entry here in my very own blog about it.

I was ahead of Fark? Could that be possible?

I checked the dates... the facts cannot be refuted.

I guess I don't need to feel guilty any more.

Mo' Betta Blog
Topic: The Site
Okay... this should be the last mod to the site for a while.

New banner image. Yay. The image is narrower, giving more space for the 'blog section. However, the separator bar is still adjustable.

New menu system... a drop-down menu, that opens the individual pages in separate browser popups. Just in case you want to see more than one page at a time. It should also eliminate the frames issue many people (Well, some people. Well, actually, just Jim*) have complained about when viewing the page on a handheld PC.

The only other real complaint I've had about the site is that some people are so creeped out by spiders that they can't bear to see the site. By switching to a text based menu, that should help a bit. It also makes it possible to navigate without images. Viewers, maybe this will help. Click Tools in the tool bar. Select 'Internet Options.' Then click the Advanced tab. Scroll down until you get to Multimedia. Unclick the 'Show pictures' box. Refresh. Scary pictures go bye-bye. Return your browser to the original configuration just by re-clicking that same box. That'll work for Internet Exploiter, but there will be a way to do it on other browsers too, if you use something else. Use your 'Help' functions; it's why they're there.

I'm here to help.

---

*Of course, his own page hasn't been updated since australopithecus discovered that fire was a pretty good idea, so he's got no room to talk.