Blurts

This is an object lesson for those assuming free online is free forever. GeoCities once offered anyone the opportunity to build a web site. I probably recommended this as an option for educators wanting to get into web site development.

The lessons:

• You can’t trust free
• Backup
• Nothing is forever

It surprised me to learn that Geocities was a Yahoo! product. The article seemed to indicate Yahoo was simply prioritizing and those of us with significant investments in other Yahoo! services (e.g., Flickr) should not be overly concerned. The article also indicated that the shut down was predictable and people would have had an opportunity to backup and move their content.

McCain on Thursday introduced the Internet Freedom Act, which would keep the FCC from enacting rules prohibiting broadband providers from selectively blocking or slowing Internet content and applications.

Why? Net Neutrality would require “onerous” government regulation. 

If I live in a location with few options (e.g., North Dakota), I feel I need someone to regulate what a provider does. I do not consider dial up an option if I disagree with the policies of my provider. My provider seems to be able to get digital content to my television and phone without a problem. What is the issue in getting content to my computer?

From the same MacWorld article. The following comment from ND Senator Dorgan:

“Network neutrality protects the fundamental rights of Americans in using the Internet and accessing content, applications, and services of their choice. A well-reasoned network neutrality policy also ensures a level playing field for companies large and small as they create an online presence, and will continue to foster the entrepreneurial innovation found not only in corporate office suites, but in college dorms across the country.”—Statement from Senators Byron Dorgan, a North Dakota Democrat, and Olympia Snowe, Maine Republican

nnCatch the title of the bill “Internet Freedom Act”. I guess the accuracy of this title depends on who you think should be free. The provider (I emphasize the singular in my situation) or the consumers.

This link from the Pear Analytics blog points to a white paper summarizing use of Twitter. The largest category of Tweets was described as – Pointless Babble (41%). Pass-along value (I hope this post would have pass along value in that it provides a resource for your consideration) represented only 9%.

Reminds me of a joke – punchline – there must be a pony in here somewhere (alright except for this final bit of pointless babble, you have to admit this comment had some pass along value).

This page from Google offers some interesting information about and examples of Google Street View. The video of the street view trike in action is great. The technology behind Street View is a fascinating example of geo location, GPS, etc.

This long form blog entry from Louis Gray considers the charge that blogs are dying in this new age of 140 character microblogs. Not so, claims Compete (a blog analytics site). Their data show a gradual increase in those who visit blogger, blogspot and wordpress (the online free services). This post from Gray also cites Blogger source Rick Glau as noting that the the long and short forms are complimentary. I agree – my blog posts automatically generate a short Twitter comment. Twitter is for scanning. Blogs are for considering and pointing. It is still difficult to be profound in 140 characters.

NY Times Organizes Comments Reading e-books. These are educated opinions – I did not see anyone who claimed he/she had data. Interesting perspectives. Note the comments – 350+ when I read the article.