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This is the main blog for Mike McBride Online, where you can keep track of everything I'm in to in one place.
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| Saturday, December 15, 2001
Interesting reading for the weekend: Madhu on why web advertising isn't working and how website owners could change that. (Via JD Lasica ) Dan Gillmor on a sneaky little thing AOL 7.0 is doing to your internet settings. Joel on Yahoo's lazy programmers. As for myself, it's approaching midnight and I've been asleep, doped up on cold medicine for most of the day into evening. I'm feeling quite a bit better due to that, but Angela is still keeping me on the meds for tonight (good wife that she is), so I may not be capable of rational thought again here shortly. Of course, some would argue that I never am capable of it. :) Digg this | Post to del.icio.us| FaceBook | Stumble Upon| Google Bookmark| 11:55 PM | 0 comments | 
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Microsoft rushes to close IE security hole - Tech News - CNET.com Another critical patch for us IE 6 users. I downloaded it and installed it, no problemo! Digg this | Post to del.icio.us| FaceBook | Stumble Upon| Google Bookmark| 11:43 AM | 0 comments |
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Friday, December 14, 2001
I have to admit, the blog is a bit uninspired today. I'm in a fowl mood, and I feel like I may be coming down with the flu or something. That sort of kills any motivation I have to do any work, let alone post to the blog during the day. Leave it to me to get sick just in time for the weekend. *L* Anyway, Radio 7.1 is due to ship in January. They're taking it commercial, because, according to Dave: Bottom-line: A lot of people are ready to run a Web server on their desktop. I don't think that's true. I think quite a few people wish they could but lack either the technical know-how, or the time and resources to pull off having a web server on their desktop. It sounds like 7.1 will be a fairly nice Content Management System, I'm just not sold that the typical web-user is ready to put down cash for a CMS. A few die-hards probably are, and probably already have Manila, or Frontier, but most of the users are not. Maybe I'm wrong, for Dave, and Scoble's sakes, I hope I am and that they are very successful with Userland, they're good people. Digg this | Post to del.icio.us| FaceBook | Stumble Upon| Google Bookmark| 3:14 PM | 0 comments |
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There's supposed to be a partial solar eclipse today. Of course, it's raining and dreary here in Columbus, Ohio , so I don't think I'll get to see it. Remember when we were younger and an eclipse was one of those things you stopped your life to look at? Whatever happened to that easily amazed kid? Digg this | Post to del.icio.us| FaceBook | Stumble Upon| Google Bookmark| 10:17 AM | 0 comments |
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Blair to let EU arrest Brits My first reaction to this was "Wow, I'm glad I don't live in Europe". But then after more careful thought, it occurred to me that the US will be next to decide to forgo all rules of evidence and it's own laws in the "fight against terrorism". We don't have a law against xenophobia, but we do have "hate crimes", which is just as stupid. They both are thought crimes more than anything else, and that is a area we should not be involved in at all! A bit off topic for this blog, but hey, it's a slow rainy day. :) Digg this | Post to del.icio.us| FaceBook | Stumble Upon| Google Bookmark| 9:48 AM | 0 comments |
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Thursday, December 13, 2001
Hmm I discovered Blogdex today. Not only is it a great way to find out what folks are talking about in their blogs lately, it's also a great way to find out who's been linking to you, and what they're saying about you. For example, by searching for my own url, I found that someone was quoting me back on Dec. 7. Kinda cool seeing someone quote me..:) I immediately submitted this blog to be crawled by their index! Digg this | Post to del.icio.us| FaceBook | Stumble Upon| Google Bookmark| 1:39 PM | 0 comments |
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Interesting reading for the day: Doc Searls explains why Yahoo and it's advertisers have it all wrong. Steven found his answer on using Trillian both with a proxy and without at the same time. David Weinberger on The Generosity of Blogs, in response to Mike Sanders' ramblings about ego and blogging. You should follow the links in those articles as well, there's some interesting discussion going on back and forth about "Why people blog". For my own perspective, I blog because I have something to say. It doesn't especially matter if it's read by thousands of people a day, or just a handful. The goal is to find people who are interested in technology and make it a little less scary, or find those who work with technology and share ideas, opinions, "what works, or doesn't work", etc. If someone can learn from reading about my dealings with workplace, or home, technology, then I've accomplished what I set out to do. Digg this | Post to del.icio.us| FaceBook | Stumble Upon| Google Bookmark| 10:21 AM | 0 comments |
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I spent most of yesterday afternoon writing. I was writing down everything I've worked on this year, so I can take it to my yearly review. I've never really done that before, I usually just wander into it without anything prepared, but this year I just decided that if I was going to get a lousy raise because of the economy, the least I could do is show management what it is they are paying for. Besides it was a good reminder for me, to actually see what it is I do written out, to actually see all the different hats I wear, and what they mean to the overall business. Here is what I came up with. (I took out all identifying business names).I'm sure there's still stuff I'm leaving out too. Digg this | Post to del.icio.us| FaceBook | Stumble Upon| Google Bookmark| 9:22 AM | 0 comments |
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Wednesday, December 12, 2001
A little explanation today, as background to the bizarre fax we got this morning. We don't have a traditional ISP, we have a company that we are partnered with, who provided a consultant about 6 years ago to put together our computer network. (Before I worked here). We've simply thrown up a fractional T1 between our two locations, and we connect into their proxy and email servers for our internet access, and they connect back into our database as part of the work they still do for us. (Non-IT work) Today I got a fax from them stating that there system will be going down at 9:00AM, for about a half hour or so. Unfortunately they did not mention which of their systems will be going down. Since I haven't noticed any interruption in internet service, I'm going on the assumption that it was their internal systems that were down, the stuff we don't have access to anyway. Now here's the part I don't get. Recently, rather than continuing our relationship with the original consultant, the guy who knows how our network was originally put together, and understands what I did when upgrading it last year, they advised us to use their internal help desk number. So we wind up being grouped with all of their internal departments when it comes to service, only we aren't internal, and in fact, have a completely different set of needs when compared to their internal departments. Today being a case in point. Since they were shutting down an internal system that we don't have access to, there was no reason to fax us the warning about it, but because we are grouped in with everyone else, we got the fax. Yes I know it's only one fax, but I worry that this is a trend that will continue, that I'll have to explain the way it works to every person I come in contact with through the help desk. You also have to understand that being the lone IT person here means that all knowledge about our network starts and ends with me. I've documented most of it, but it will take some time for a new IT person to get a grip on it, and in the meantime, interent connection issues will be an adventure, because no one on either end will understand how it works. Oh how I would love to be able to sit in on those conversations..*L* Of course that assumes that I will ever leave this place. Given current market conditions, that may be awhile, but you never know. If I were in management, I'm not sure it'd be worth the risk of letting me just walk to another job. I guess with year-end coming up, and my yearly evaluation, I'll know whether they understand that or not. So far, I don't think they have. Digg this | Post to del.icio.us| FaceBook | Stumble Upon| Google Bookmark| 10:55 AM | 0 comments |
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Tuesday, December 11, 2001
Update, the main site for editthispage is still pointing to Manilasites, but I seem to be able to get to the blogs they host, which is good! At least, for now..:) Digg this | Post to del.icio.us| FaceBook | Stumble Upon| Google Bookmark| 9:04 PM | 0 comments |
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Whew! I just got done writing an email to all of the staff explaining how file permissions were going to work, who would have access to what, who wouldn't, how people were going to be grouped, the feedback I got last week from some of the users I met with, etc. There was alot of information and explanation packed into one email. I need a break, maybe a walk down the hall... Back! Miss me? I hope everyone at least reads it carefully before they start with the questions. I don't generally mind the questions, after all I would really like everyone to buy into this, and understand it, but when the question was answered in the email already, it sort of gets annoying! I'm sure there will be complaints, there always is when you change something, but I still hope people see we are changing this for a good reason. I hope..*fingers crossed* Digg this | Post to del.icio.us| FaceBook | Stumble Upon| Google Bookmark| 3:18 PM | 0 comments |
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20 Year Archive now Available on Google Groups This is actually fairly interesting. It's got a listing of some of the more historic posts, like the first mention of Microsoft, or the first mention of AOL in Usenet. (Via Firda's weblog .) This also presents us with a dilemna. For the last 20 years, how many things have you said online that you wouldn't want people to read now? Too bad, it all exists and is archived, at least in the case of Usenet. That may not be a good thing all the way around... Digg this | Post to del.icio.us| FaceBook | Stumble Upon| Google Bookmark| 11:34 AM | 0 comments |
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Speaking of big stinks, I just had to replace a monitor upstairs. I knew as soon as I hit that hallway that it had shorted, the odor was a definite give away. Luckily we had an extra sitting at an empty cubicle, so I didn't have to run out and buy one on the spot. The next time it happens, though, we might not be so lucky. The funny thing, though, is that this person had a candle burning at her desk, (Yes for some reason that's acceptable behavior here, don't ask me why, I don't agree with it!) and thought maybe that was the source of the smell. My response, " I don't think anyone would want to sell a candle with that odor, it really wouldn't be a popular seller". :) Digg this | Post to del.icio.us| FaceBook | Stumble Upon| Google Bookmark| 10:55 AM | 0 comments |
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Monday, December 10, 2001
Big Stink Over a Simple Link Let me just say it now, in case anyone is worried about the legal ramifications, I don't care if you link to my site, please do. Not only do I not require a "linking agreement" but if you show up often enough as a referrer, you'll get a thanks here on the blog. And if I really like your site, I'll link back, without even asking for a "linking agreement". Unless, of course you require one in order for me to link to you, in which case, I will continue to ignore you and not link to you, because you are unworthy of my link.... Now, of course it should also be stated that if the 'net goes in the direction of requiring "linking agreements" before I can link to anyone online, I will just stop linking altogether. That would be too much petty legal work, and would kill any and all enjoyment I actually get from doing this. :) Digg this | Post to del.icio.us| FaceBook | Stumble Upon| Google Bookmark| 4:12 PM | 0 comments |
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Does anyone know what happened to editthispage.com ? Suddenly the domain is pointing back to Manilasites and all of the blogs it hosted are nowhere to be seen. Would be a shame to lose them. Digg this | Post to del.icio.us| FaceBook | Stumble Upon| Google Bookmark| 1:22 PM | 0 comments |
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News: Is that a bargain PC under your tree? There are some pretty good deals out there if you happen to be looking to pick up a nice PC for the kids or something. You could end up with a pretty decent machine. Digg this | Post to del.icio.us| FaceBook | Stumble Upon| Google Bookmark| 9:18 AM | 0 comments |
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Sunday, December 09, 2001
I installed Opera 6.0 last night, and I've been playing with it a little bit today. I haven't played enough to really give it a full review, but here's a few notes: Things I like (and that separate it from IE 6): The built-in ability to not accept pop-ups. The zoom feature so I can customize the size of text and adjust it to comfortable reading level. The cookie manager is not as customizable as IE, but is less confusing, The Print preview and turn images off as much easier to get to with the buttons on the browser itself. Things I don't like: The built in banner ad. The ton of bookmarks that come pre-installed. Way more than IE or even Netscape! The inability of the email client to set authorization on outgoing email that is different from the incoming mail server. The Instant messenger client is unable to pull my information from an existing installation of ICQ. Isn't it sort of hypocritical to give away free software that gives users the ability to kill pop-up ads, but insist that they see your banner ads at all times? And yes I do realize that if I paid for Opera it would not have the banner ads. That's all well and fine but I don't pay anything for IE and I don't see anything in Opera that makes me want to pay for it over using a free browser. It's slightly faster, but not anything really noticeable, at least in my configuration. The email client is a huge problem as well, I have this domain, and email addresses attached to this domain. My ISP blocks unauthorized SMTP mail, so I have to set my outgoing mail server to match the ISP's outgoing mail server, and then authenticate using my ISP user info, not the same as my incoming email server user info. There's no place in the email setup to setup that authorization. Not a good thing, since that is becoming much more common. So I won't be making the switch, for my own reasons, and won't recommend it for most users, but if you really loathe using anything related to MS, you might want to look at this over using Netscape, which I hate even more..*L* Digg this | Post to del.icio.us| FaceBook | Stumble Upon| Google Bookmark| 3:38 PM | 0 comments |
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