April 05, 2006
Comments Closed Temporarily
Due to MASSIVE SPAM problem, I have been forced to temporarily close comments.
Posted by capecodcyclist at 01:32 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 24, 2006
Little to say
I apologize if you have been looking for posts of substance here lately. I have set my daily del.icio.us links to post to my blog (a handy bookmarks back-up tip from Lifehacker), but other than that, there hasn't been much going on.
Since the acquisition of my iMac, I have been using most of my free time to get my computer/online surroundings set up just so. Is there a point when you have to accept that things have been tweaked enough? The problem is that there are always new toys, tips and tricks to check out, so you could really waste your time away trying to find ways to save yourself time. There are definitely a few of my favorite tools that I wish were better integrated with each other, but enough is enough.
It is time to accept the tools I have, and make the most of them. What a great time it is to be a geek...
Posted by capecodcyclist at 06:14 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 26, 2006
Thinking in Web 2.0: Sixteen Ways
"Thinking in Web 2.0"I highly recommend the above post for an excellent read regarding present and future online technologies. It is a great read for developers and users alike.
To summarize Dion Hinchcliffe's points:
1. Before you even begin, understand your goal simply.
2. The link is the fundamental unit of thought.
2a. Everything on the Web is linkable with a URI or URL (and if isn't, it should be!)2b. Saving any link lets you get back to what the link originally referenced, and it lets you share it with anyone, anywhere, at any time.
2c. The anytime piece in #2 is crucial and means the link is really a permalink that won't change or go away without good reason and prior warning.
2d. Links should be human readable, consistent, and their purpose self-evident.
3. Data belongs to those that create it.
4. It's about data first, experiences and functionality second.
5. Be prepared to share everything with enthusiasm.
6. The Web is the platform; make it grow.
7. Understand and embrace the "capability gradient".
8. Everything is editable. Or it should darn well be.
9. Identity on the Web is sacrosanct.
10. Know thy popular standards and use them.
11. Obey the law of unintended uses.
12. Granulate your data and services.
13. Provide data and services that are for user's individual benefit.
14. User-driven organization and filtering are not just nice to have. Not critical, but very important.
15. Offer/use rich user experiences.
16. Embrace and enable rapid change and feedback.
Read his entire post:Thinking in Web 2.0: Sixteen Ways
Technorati Tags: Computer, Web 2.0, online, cyber life
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Posted by capecodcyclist at 09:16 PM | Comments (0)
February 23, 2006
Trying to use Flock With Movable Type
Movable Type - Flock Community:
"When setting up a Movable Type blog in Flock you might encounter an error near the end of the wizard that says 'There was and error detecting your blog settings'..."
Lately, I have been all about trying new Web 2.0 apps and such (PageFlakes and News Alloy are the two most noteworthy of these). So, it should come as no surprise that I have also been checking out "browsers" that claim the ability to combine many of the features I have been enjoying: blogging, tagged bookmarking, aggregating, etc. Tonight I decided to take Flock for a spin. No offense to you Flockers, but what a let down.
First, I am no newbie to any of this. I use Mars Edit to do most of my blogging now when I am at home. I didn't have any problems setting this up with my MT blogs. However, despite perusing bug reports, forums and comment sections, I could not get my Movable Type install working with Flock for the life of me. Hopefully Flock makes this an easier transition for MT users before they go public. I spent the entire evening trying every tip and hint I could mine from Google, and all I can say is, "What the Flock?!?!"
I give up. It's time for bed.
UPDATE: Spent my entire morning trying to connect to my blog through Flock... still nothing. I can connect and post to my blog through Flickr, Mars Edit, etc., no problem, but Flock will simply not let me log in.
Technorati Tags:
blog, blogging, Computer, Flock
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Posted by capecodcyclist at 10:09 PM | Comments (0)
February 04, 2006
I Think I've Been Blogwinked
blogwink
verb
Using a blog or blog comments to cause people to accept what is false, especially by trickery or misrepresentation: beguile, betray, bluff, cozen, deceive, delude, double-cross, dupe, fool, humbug, mislead, take in, trick. Informal bamboozle, have. Slang four-flush. Idioms: lead astray, play false, pull the wool over someone's eyes, put something over on, take for a ride. See honest/dishonest.
Posted by capecodcyclist at 10:44 PM | Comments (0)
February 02, 2006
Guts Should Not be a Prerequisite for Blogging (although sometimes they might help)
I am prepared for the fact that this blog may make me sound like a "girly man," but I am okay with that. I am not a tough guy, and I have never claimed to be. A commentator on Cape Cod Today made a comment to my farewell post there today that will stick with me, and made this all so clear:
"Don't blog; you don't have the hide for it."
I don't have the hide for it? Why should blogging require a thick skin? This simple comment made it so clear to me how confused some people (even bloggers themselves) are about blogging.
Blogging is just another form of communication for me. It began as an offshoot of my Cape Cod Cyclists' Escape website that I had already been messing with for a couple of years. My first blog post was made in May of 2003, on Memorial Day. I began with "Life by the Drop," which soon turned into "Sunday Morning Blog" after I discovered someone was already using the previous title. My first couple of posts were about my failed vacation, irritation at baseball announcers' abuse of the word "scuffling" when they were describing "struggling" teams and players, and this post which I made in my first week of blogging (May 27, 2003):
The Cape Wind Farm opponents are at it again. Today, the local rag (Cape Cod Times) took the Audubon Society's position statement on the proposed Nantucket Sound wind farm and twisted it to suit their own agenda. See "Birds vs. Windmills," 27 May 2003. "The Audubon Society supports the ""responsible planning and development"" of offshore renewable energy resources." Yet, the Cape Cod Times manages to twist this position into the Audubon Society being against the Cape Wind project.In the wake of the recent spill of over 100,000 gallons of oil here in Buzzards Bay, I do not see how any sane person can deny the importance of finding alternative energy resources. Although it is true that the Cape Wind project would not eliminate the Mirant corporation's Canal Electric power plant (to which the spilled oil was being shipped), it is one step in the direction of reducing our reliance on these dirty, fossil-fuel burning energy sources.
By 2020, wind could provide up to six percent of the United States' energy needs according to the American Wind Energy Association. That is nothing to sneer at.
For more on the Audubon Society and alternative energy sources see: Beyond Oil
Obviously, like any human being, I have opinions. It is apparent to me, now that I am questioning what this blogging thing is all about nearly three years later, that very early on, blogging was about expressing my views on things. Please note a couple of my chosen phrases from this early post: "the local rag" (to describe the Cape Cod Times), and "sane person" (might be interpreted to mean that people who don't agree are insane?). There is no denying that I have opinions that might be contentious. My approach to these subjects has not always been neutral or politically correct. However, I am expressing myself and my opinions and I not trying to harm anyone by them. I have blogged with only the most innocent of intentions, and until now the results have always mirrored this fact.
Some of the best things in my life have resulted from blogging. If it wasn't for my blog, I would have never been introduced to Cookie's blog. If I had never met Cookie, I would have never been introduced to Jesse's blog. If I had never met Jesse... well, let's not think about that. Jesse and I are due to be married this coming April as the result of the amazing coming together of two bloggers. Blogging has done me enough good that I will never deny its benefit. That there have been negatives is my own fault.
It was "my bad" (I despise that phrase) that I started to post my thoughts to a blog on Cape Cod Today without doing so anonymously. Not only that, but my first experience with Cape Cod Today should have been enough to keep me away. After making a post that attracted some great comment section interactions with Rep. Matt Patrick of Falmouth, the post was snubbed in the headline section of what was then the primary link to people's blogs. Instead of packing it in for good after feeling the sting of politics in the media, I returned for more. Having a letter to the editor ignored is one thing, but I was going to put my thoughts out there in a way that could not be ignored. Again: "my bad."
If you put your thoughts out there, and you have strong opinions, you are going to ruffle some feathers. Especially if you learn the number one community blogging lesson too late: if you don't have anything positive to comment about on someone else's blog, keep it to yourself-- or post an opposing view in your own space. Maybe I learned this lesson too late, or maybe I am just blaming myself for something I shouldn't be. Regardless, by the time I was questioning where the venom was coming from in some of the comments to my blog posts, the damage had already been done. Not that many of these people require fuel for their fires. There are obviously nutjobs out there with some serious issues. Still, with friends like bloggers in a public blog forum, who needs enemies? Talk about dysfunctional- Cape Cod Today wrote the book, and I was going along for the ride. Until...
The other day, I posted an article that included an illustration of one of the most disgusting pieces of legislation that I have ever heard. I expressed my displeasure with legislation proposed by a Georgia Congresswoman (my first mistake: she is a woman, my second mistake: she is black) that would place a permanent memorial of all records relating to the life and death of Tupac Shakur (womanizing, drug dealing, convicted felon, gangster rap-artist) in the National Archives and create an additional repository at The Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts in Stone Mountain Georgia. What seemed an obvious waste of our money to me, was an example of my racism to a fellow blogger on Cape Cod Today. The comment section for this post quickly spiraled away from the issues of my post into a debate about the realities of my being a racist. My tactic was not to defend myself-- racism is not an issue I have to defend myself against, however the attacks continued (as my upset escalated). Despite warnings that bloggers should be playing nice, this was the second of such unprovoked attacks against me in as many days. The first came after I commented to another post with one sentence stating that I felt Judge Alito was representative of mainstream America. I was immediately accused of being sexist and that I would prefer all woman be behind their "invisible burqas." Blogging on Cape Cod Today was losing its enjoyment. I blog as a creative outlet and for intelligent debate- not for personal attacks.
This brings me to tonight. I am blogging. It may not be in a public forum, but I have control of the content, and all comments pass through me. It feels better, but there is also a sense of loss. In a public forum, your space is not really your own, and freedom of speech requires you to allow comments that you would not necessarily endorse or approve of:
Open blog comments, freedom of speech: someone comments, calling you a racist. The comments remain hanging out there for all to see. Someone whose life work you admire calling you a racist makes it even more difficult to swallow, and makes the pain even deeper. It might be different if I just didn't give a shit about racism, but my second edition copy of The Apartheid Handbook has not remained part of my collection so many years because it is valuable or looks nice. I didn't tell people on Cape Cod Today this. Why would you defend yourself against something that is so far off base? Instead I pulled the plug on my blog, started deleting posts, and closed my comments. It just wasn't fun anymore.
Blogging is about expressing myself. I appreciated the public audience, but not at the expense of my reputation or my family's good name. None of my comments or posts have ever or could ever bring any shame to my family or I. But enduring being called a sexist or a racist in a popular public forum, by someone whose life's work you admire is/was too much to endure. It wasn't just one person on the Drew bashing crusade. I just gave them what they had been clamoring for since I first started blogging there: I quit.
Blogging isn't about being strong. Blogging should be about expressing yourself freely, and being comfortable and happy doing so. I am not one to toot my own horn. I will not defend myself against accusations that could not be further from the truth. I would rather just leave. Go ahead and call it "tucking my tail between my legs." I call it sanity. I try to live my life to the best of my ability every day. Today that meant removing myself from a horrible situation. That others whom I also respected tried to interfere with that, and forced another day of comments on what I thought was MY Cape Cod Today blog, only made it hurt all the more that I was being denied this outlet that I enjoyed so much. There is nothing to keep me from enjoying it still. It is just different-- like being sent to your room without cause. I am sure it will grow on me not having the attack dogs barking at my heels. I just realized that my jaw hurts from clenching it all day. No, I'm not upset, not at all...
Posted by capecodcyclist at 10:38 PM | Comments (5)
It's All About the Benjamins
Will nothing online remain free from advertising? People are even selling space in their RSS feeds now.
I suppose everyone should be entitled to make a buck, but really... in your feeds? I am ready to unsubscribe to a few feeds I have been subscribing to. The biggest sell out is a political, Conservative-minded blog I often read that has sold space to the most blatantly Liberal newspaper in existence: The New York Times. How can you people live with yourselves?
Posted by capecodcyclist at 06:53 AM | Comments (0)
January 27, 2006
Blogosphere Survival Skills
Who said blogs were a passing fad? There are only a few groups of people who would still seriously consider this question: 1) businesses (including software developers), 2) the media, 3) governments (including politicians), and 4) those who have yet to express themselves through blogging. Fortunately blogs, or some future variation of them, appear to be here to stay. In fact, despite negative stories and attempts to bully or frighten people away from blogging, the Internet seems to be flourishing with people freely expressing themselves.
I did say "freely expressing themselves," but even this may be a point of contention in blogs. When confronted with opposing points of view, residents of the blogosphere sometimes claim to be the victims of some organized effort to squash their freedom of speech, despite their obvious, unfettered ability to utilize this right. Many newbie bloggers, and even some confused veterans, also seem to think freedom of speech means freedom from contradiction or freedom from ridicule. When did freedom of speech become a right for only the chosen few, or only for those on "our" side of an argument? When did freedom of speech become something we would so readily deny those who posess the nerve to contradict us?
The blogosphere is still open and free to all people (here in the United States at least). This guarantees differing points of view and a forum that is open to debate. If you put your ideas (especially contentious ones) in a public forum, prepare your defenses. If you are not willing to accept this reality, or have such little faith in your own beliefs that opposition will be perceived as a threat to you, it makes no sense to blog on some of the more popular, public sites.
If you still choose to put your reputation on the line in such a forum, be warned: although the blogosphere is no longer uncharted territory, it does remain a wilderness. By their very nature, blogs can be a dangerous place- especially for those whose beliefs have never been challenged. You are in the public eye. Blogging about contentious issues, being open about your politics, and especially posting on a site where attack dog debate is the standard means of communication, your patience and fortitude will surely be tested. The trick is defining yourself and sticking to your principles without allowing commenters (or tormentors, depending on your perspective) to steer you off course, or author your beliefs for you. Staying above the fray may be your most difficult test.
The point of this post was not to preach or scare would be bloggers away. In a roundabout way, I was getting to some important lessons for bloggers to be. These teachings may very well be the difference between sinking or swimming in the wilderness of the public blogosphere.
Blogosphere Survival Skills
Lesson #1: What should you do if your blog post evokes an avalanche of outrage? Even the smallest avalance can be extremely dangerous. Mild outrage may appear innocent enough, but can quickly overwhelm you if you do not get out of its path. Attempt to make your way right or left of the avalanche's flow and do whatever you can to remain on the surface and avoid being buried.
Lesson #2: What should you do if charged by a grizzly commenter? Play dead and cover your rear. The commenter may bat you about with a few non-lethal blows, but you will survive. The best policy: avoid grizzly commenters or their habitats at all cost.
Lesson #3: How do you avoid a storm of controversy? Listen to the news reports, as they can usually warn of impending storms. Also, if you get the feeling that maybe you are pushing the envelope... you are. Don't post to your blog despite such warnings.
Lesson #4: What should you do if you are bitten by a commenter? Stay calm, and get away from the commenter as quickly as possible. Rinse the bite area and click Help for further instructions.
Lesson #5: How do you free yourself from an admiring commenter's embrace? If you have been trapped by the commenter in a public forum, quickly climb on the commenter's back, highlight his/her text and press the delete button. Hang on for dear life. The commenter will not be able to reach you from this position, and the delete button may actually calm the monster. Beware that it does not lash at your back with its anonymous tail.
It is my hope that mastering these skills will give you a good start as you proceed into the wilderness of the blogosphere. I will attempt to add more lessons as time allows, so check back often. Most importantly, remember to stay on your toes and tread carefully. You never know what might be lurking around that next blog.
Posted by capecodcyclist at 04:45 AM | Comments (0)
December 12, 2005
What Did the Web Log Survey Find, and When Will We Get the Results?
I am sure that I am not the only one who participated in the MIT Weblog Survey this summer. Not that I was anxiously awaiting the results, but they were supposed to be released at the beginning of September, and still nothing...
Does anyone have any insider knowledge about the survey?
Posted by capecodcyclist at 06:42 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack