June 8, 2009
What’s stopping me from getting a website?
I’ve been having a bit of a problem lately. As I’ve been working for an Internet company for a couple of years you might expect that I’d have my own website by now. I really wouldn’t mind having one. As a creative writer it would be great to put up my books to sell, as well as advertise my skills for freelance work, and be able to put up my resume and portfolio. I even like the idea of making a few dollars by having items that I like, such as music albums or favorite novels that other people can then click on to buy through affiliate sites. The problem is this: There seems to be a barrier in my mind to taking the plunge into the Internet world. Today I’ve decided I’m going to get to the bottom of it.
First of all, I liken the acquisition of a website to any other service or product that one wishes to experience in this life. If I want to buy a book on the Internet, people will tell me to go to www.amazon.com. If I want to sell some old antiques my relatives left me, people will tell me to sell them on www.ebay.com. If I want to buy a good pizza I’ll go to the place that my friends recommend in the local area. However, it seems that when I ask the question (and this is to my friends who are software engineers), ‘How do I get a cool-looking website in a few minutes for as little cash as possible?’ I get a wide range of answers that have confused me even more than when I started contemplating my own place on the Internet. ‘Download software’ is one answer that I don’t like at all. When you want to buy music off the Internet people will tell you, ‘Try www.itunes.com, www.limewire.com, or www.mp3.com.’ Why can’t people give me a specific answer? It’s daunting when people tell you to just ’search Google’, I mean the Internet is huge right?
That’s one of the problems. People are busy these days. The age-old saying, Time is money’ couldn’t be more appropriate than in this Information Age that we are now inhabiting. We want and need simple solutions to our inquiries. Otherwise, we fear that we will be wasting valuable time that could have been spent working productively, instead of on fruitless Google searches that provide us with millions of links, none of which seem to be related to any company or brand name that you’d recognize. People want to hear a familiar, respected name like Microsoft, Sony Playsation, www.wikipedia.com, Apple Ipod, or www.myspace.com. That’s another one of my blocks. I’d like to know that my fellow species believes in the product or service that I’m about to undertake in.
It’s rare for me to read a camera manual and I don’t want to spend my time adjusting lenses and light settings on old fashioned SLR machines. I’m the kind of person who would like to point the camera, push the button, and get quality photographs. Lucky for me the camera industry has evolved to fulfill my desires. Many people will admit that the Age of the Internet is in its infancy and that my expectations might be a little bit ahead of their time. My tech-friends however don’t believe it. To them, making a website is as easy as eating Mom’s apple pie. So, I’ve done a bit of research and discovered a couple of things.
It’s now easy to get a blog online. Blogs are online journals, but now I realize that they can be used in many of the ways in which I would like my website to function. They are in all actuality a type of website. The simple fact that they are usually only one or two web pages is what differentiates them from other websites. There are lots of blog sites out there on the web (many of which are free) like www.blogger.com which has just been bought by www.google.com, www.spaces.msn.com, www.myspace.com, www.xanga.com/Default.aspx and www.typepad.com. Supposedly you can get a site on www.geocities.yahoo.com up and running in just half an hour using one of their templates to put all of your information/details into. You can make it so Yahoo isn’t even mentioned in your domain name, so it looks more professional if you are hoping to do some business. Also check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog which has a list of links to where you can set up a blog.
If you are a freak like me and are one of the around three percent of people in the world who own Mac computers (oh why do people have to do things differently, and incompatibly?) then you can check out Apple’s new website technology called IWeb. I don’t know if it will work with Microsoft Windows systems but you should check it out anyway. In Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ latest keynote presentation he showed how you can have a multi-page website capable of blogging, podcasting, storing and sharing music, photocasting, videoblogging, and more in a matter of minutes. Now this looks good to me, but can I make it into a commercial site? I don’t know. The idea is great though. With simple templates you can make your site look individual and exciting, just by dragging-in and pasting cool pictures and sounds all through the pages. Does only Apple do this? Have others figured it out that we need simplicity when getting a site going? Steve Jobs explained that there are easy ways of downloading site-producing software on the Web, but that usually the sites created are boring and ugly. He said that you could make beautiful sites as well, but you’d need to know how to code html, in other words, be a tech-head.
People like me can be scared to start something new like having a website even though we hypothetically know the positive consequences that could eventuate from the venture. Our fears could be irrational and unfounded, but nonetheless they probably have some reason for coming into existence. Websites usually cost money (although many blog sites are hosted for free) and we don’t want to waste our hard-earned paychecks having a site that does nothing for us. After you get your site we have to figure out the best ways to promote it, to bring in ‘traffic’. Can we make money from it? Does having large banner advertisements limit credibility? How do we get connected to these affiliates who we can work together with to sell products? Does commenting in other people’s blogs and leaving your URL bring people back to your site? You bet, as long as what you’re saying is honest and relevant.
What’s scared me into waiting to go online? In the past there have been too few simple, clear answers as to where to go to get the job done easily with an aesthetically pleasing result for techno-novices like myself. We fear loss of money in having a site that does nothing. We are concerned that we may waste time searching for the ‘right’ site-building software, and that there may be too many to choose from. So how do we know which the best are without many famous brand names and advertising? These are some of the stifling questions that stop a normal human being from going ahead with this opportunity that technically-savvy people never think twice about.
It seems that after doing more research that it may not be as hard as I anticipated, and the ironic thing is that it is usually the case. Experience leads to knowledge and wisdom. If we are too scared to act, then nothing gets done. We need to put our feelers out, ask people ‘in the know’, and search the Web. Still, I love it when things are made easy for me because of other people’s hard work and helpful, generous sharing of information. Get on the Internet people! I’m going to give it a shot.
P.S. If you’re a little more technologically aware, you can get your own web hosting space and then download these supposedly easy software templates to build your own site: http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/hosting, and http://wordpress.org/.
June 7, 2009
Wristwatches – History
From pocket watch to a fashion accessory. What was once, in the earliest years of portable watches, considered to be unsuitable for men and only for women, has developed today into a fashion utensil that everyone has. In the meantime, the wristwatch is no longer just a instrument to tell which time it is. It is a designer piece and can indicate much more than the time.
A great deal of mechanics in a small housing
The first confirmable portable timepiece was developed in 1500. This was not a wrist watch, but more of a pocket watch. Through technical advancement, which made it possible for people to house mechanics in an increasingly smaller space, the necessary parts of the clockworks were able to be brought into a manageable form. In this way, the first pocket watch was born, which at the time was still the size of an egg.
The computerized wrist watch from Japan
A totally different watch came onto the market in the 1970’s from Japan, which had built its own watch industry. The new wristwatch from Japan was no more set on a mechanical basis, but on a computerized control. This wristwatch extended its range of capability quickly. The wrist watch no more just showed the time. The little timepiece on the wrist now also knew the date, the day of the week and even knew whether a leap year was involved.
The wristwatch as jewelry
Now, the wrist watch is much more than a watch. The wristwatch has become a fashion accessory. Wristwatches come in all colouration and forms conceivable. One can also purchase harmonious watches from all fashion collection. The current watches are dominated by the correct fashion trends. Despite these contrary styles, there is something for every taste. The tiny watches, which require glasses to tell the time, and the extravagant large watches, which make it hard to walk upright. Anyway, one thing is certain: science is still likely to make so much advance – that the wrist watch will be found on the wrists of people for a long time, to answer the question as to what time it is.
Jenson: 2nd Is Not Good Enough
I will never forget how tough it can get, how difficult it can get, but when youre winning, ending up second is a disappointment.This season is weird because after the last couple of races Ive won. Ive plain delighted the weekend, but I wake up on a Monday morning and Im already meaning about the next race.
Its quite a strange feeling, very opposite to the rest of my Formula 1 career, winning four races out of five, but you do get used to it very quickly.
Over the last few weeks, Ive been non-stop meaning about the next race, running through it in my mind, getting all the data. Its been quite a stressful few weeks, you wouldnt think so, but it is more stressful.
Michael Schumacher lived in this mental state for the best part of 12 years.
A driver always wants to try to master every aspect, control every situation, to bring it under his control, to dominate.
In this he will have been influenced by the mentality of Ross Brawn, who knows all about maintaining competitiveness and giving nothing away in an F1 blog. Its hard not to become compulsive-obsessive in that placement.
Speeding is a kind of controlled chaos, there are so many variables at play, especially at the sharp end of Formula 1.
June 5, 2009
Save Money On Long Distance – 5 Ways
Considering VoIP? Do you make plenty of long distance calls or just a few? Do you spend a fortune no matter what you do to lower your rates? Call after 9pm. Wait until the weekend to share your good news with those across the ocean? Perhaps you even have stopped using the services at all? You can stay connected with those that you love no matter where they are located. Have a look at the following ways to save money on long distance:
1. Do you VoIP? The first thing that you can do is to consider the service known as VoIP. This service uses a technology called voice over internet protocol to allow you to talk over the web instead of talking over your phone lines. The installation of equipment is fairly painless and the fee for the equipment is usually a one time thing. If you have a service provider that provides VoIP in your area, you may want to look into it. Why? No additional long distance fees!
2. Ready for some comparison shopping? You can compare the prices on those long distance companies that offer service within your area. Which have the best rates overall? Which will offer both high quality service and excellent prices? Narrow down your list to a few. Do some more research – check out consumerguides.com or some other online reviews.
3. Do you really need long distance? Next on your list of ways to lower your rates is to consider getting rid of any and all of your long distance all together. Many people have found that cell phones are an excellent way to make all the calls that you need to. You’ll need to compare how much you use your service and how much it will cost you to use the correct, no roaming cell service. Only keep a land line for emergency reasons.
4. Keep an eye out for deals! Some will use programs such as late night and weekend calling to get the best rates available. Many long distance companies are out there that offer excellent programs. Some allow for you to purchase long distance for only a limited area. Watch for packages and deals that are always coming out.
5. Some offer a flat rate service – Look into the unlimited long distance programs that are available in your area. Many companies are offering a flat rate service. If you make enough calls this is a great way to save money
June 4, 2009
What to Expect in the Grand Canyon Tour
There’s more to Vegas besides its magnificent wedding ceremonies and receptions, and superb entertainment experience that’s comparable to none- the Grand Canyon Tour. You’ll be surprised to see this little town’s world-class tourist attractions that provides various activities for its more than five million visitors.
There are many ways of getting a glimpse of the Grand Canyon and regardless of what the signage tells you, the hours you’ll spend traveling is worth the site of the Grand Canyon. The little flyover on the canyon and back would cost you three hours. If you want to get there by bus, it will take you five hours to cover the distance of 280 miles between Las Vegas and the canyon. You can also drive by car or fly by helicopter and continue towards the mesa inside the canyon. Just look out for some helpful signage that would lead you in your Grand Canyon Tour.
It’s likely for tourist heading towards the Grand Canyon to pass by the town of Williams in Arizona, from which tourists would take another 65-mile trip to the canyon through the historic decade-old Grand Canyon Railway Line.
The Grand Canyon Tour Co. is just one of those providers of a flight-and-ground combination. Getting to the canyon would take you eight hours from the hotel and back. Expect a lot of stops as you travel though. Other tour companies also provide several packages that not only include the Grand Canyon Tour. Others also include visits to Hoover Dam.
Whether you book your Grand Canyon Tour by bus, plane, or helicopter, don’t forget to bring your packed lunch and some essentials that you’ll be needing as you travel. Also expect some weather disturbances so always be prepared.
June 3, 2009
Dating Talk: Find Great Expectations to Live by
Firstly, I couldn’t characterize myself as exactly comfortable being picky and not be lying. Even then, I’m not unsatisfied with the reality of life, either. I just suggest it here as an appetizing piece of info setting up the story I am about to explain in grand style.
This time last week yours truly met for coffee with Corey, pondering about signing up for a dating service for Phoenix singles. You prolly couldn’t guess that, I sit to each of you as a fully satisfied member of the dating service. Totally, and I almost don’t believe it myself! It’s full of fun, attractive people! If you know me at all, you’re probably thinking, “You totally owe me an explanation.”
Here’s how it went down, I noticed these Great Expectations Reviews and liked what I saw. They’re for the serious singles who think dating should mean something.
Because in all honesty I’d never been too big on whatever it is that a lot of singles so aptly entitled “dating.” I got it more than anyone should. Every night people nagg, “You’re still single? ” and “Please tell me you two are dating.”
“Ugh, and double ugh.” I say to them, without missing a beat. “Have you seen what’s out there?”
“Not true,” they reply. “You have no way to know that!”
That’s just my sister (on a good day) 
Trisha McCarthy. She beams the best ideas directly to my core to set me straight. Loved ones never fail to offer perspective. Can’t argue with that, and I thank her for it.
Back to the meaning of this post. As I selected from hundreds of combinations of outfits for my first singles event with Great Expectations, I acknowledged something honest. Over the last year, I hadn’t allowed myself too many figurative great expectations for dating in the fun-filled winding course of life. Single life has its perks, especially when you get out there and have fun. Embracing your own great expectations does wonders for a caring soul.
+Denise Davis