Reached a major mile stone on the road less traveled November 11, 2009
Posted by Matsu in History, Information Technology, News, Technology, Web, Weblog.add a comment
I am reaching the end of my fourth year blogging on WordPress.com and I just realized, or actually discovered, that this off-the-beaten-track blog site just reached a major accomplishment: over 100,000 page views (visits?). However you slice that statistic, it’s far more visitors than I expected, ever.
Granted, the past year I have not posted as often I had in the previous years. Life has just gotten too busy and keeping a digital presence with friends and family is accomplished with posts to Facebook and Twitter. But, now that I am less active, I have more followers than ever. In fact, I average about 120 visits per day. As you can see by the stats, my best day ever was only 1,000 hits, but that’s not bad for a guy that is on a less-traveled (and hard to find) road. It amazes me that the less active I am, and the more time that passes, the greater the number of hits to this site. I can’t say why that is, exactly. As far as I know, my mom is not running up the stats by visiting throughout the day hoping that I will have posted some new and fresh content.
Not that the number of visitors or page views matters, but at the current rate this site will reach 200,000 page views in only two years (half the amount of time it took to reach the first 100,000 visits/page views). I guess I should put something useful up here so people won’t regret dropping by from time to time.
If you are a new visitor to this blog site, welcome! And, if you are one of the readers that browse this way from time to time, thank you for your attention and interest in what I have to say. I hope that I have both amused you and informed you over the past several years. And, I hope to continue do that for several more years.
Barbie kicked out of West Virginia? March 4, 2009
Posted by Matsu in Humor, News, News and politics.2 comments
This is such a strange story. A state representative in West Virgina has introduced a bill that the Mattel doll known as “Barbie” should be outlawed in that state. Whoa. What did she ever do to that state representative? Huh?! Is there nothing more important going on that you could work on? Any problems in your state, like the economy or maybe health care? At the very least, they could they pick on someone their own size?
You don’t believe me? Wander over and read this news article. Needless to say, many of the fine citizens of West Virginia think this whole thing is rediculous and are ready to throw out the person who introduced the anti-Barbie bill and wasting everyone’s time.
Best Photo of Obama Presidendial Inauguration January 25, 2009
Posted by Matsu in History, News, News and politics, Photography, Technology, Web.4 comments
Click photo to be able to pan or zoom into image
At first glance this appears to be yet another photo of the historic presidential inauguration on January 20, 2009. But, there’s much more to this than first meets the eye.
The best part about this photo is the website behind it. If you click on the photo it will take you to this cool website where you can zoom in and pan and each time you do, it will show you more detail. The shortcut for zooming is done by just double-clicking the area of interest.
Try it. Zoom in on the capital building dome. There are people on the dome balcony. At first I wondered if they were Secret Service agents but they turn out to be (or look like they are) just camera men.
Another thing that amazed me was the wall of photographers on the opposite side. I imagine that where this photo was taken (where the photographer is standing) it pretty much looks the same as the other area full of press photographers.
I think it’s pretty cool. Have fun!
Oh Baby, it’s cold outside! December 22, 2008
Posted by Matsu in Christmas, News, Random.Tags: cold, weather, winter
1 comment so far
This morning the outdoor temperature is 3 degrees Fahrenheit. And, there is a wind, so when you factor in the extra cold, the wind chill temperature is -12 degrees Fahrenheit. THAT’s cold!
Form your own opinions – be an eye witness November 30, 2008
Posted by Matsu in Business, Education, Information Technology, News, News and politics, Technology, Web.1 comment so far
One of the more remarkable benefits of modern technology, especially video on demand and live video over the Internet, is the ability to hear and see the news event first hand so we can formulate an educated opinion. We are no longer hostage to a single (or group) of reporters trying (but failing) to give an unbiased overview of a speech or public event. In today’s media rich world everything is recorded and most of that content winds its way to the Internet. Much of it on YouTube. That, I think, is a remarkable thing that promotes opportunities for people everywhere to be truly informed and less influenced by any particular news organization.
What reminded me of this emerging fact is a video I just stumbled across through a post in Twitter. It’s a speech by Eric Schmidt, the CEO of Google, at a keynote session of a New America Foundation conference. Schmidt gives a review of where we are and were we can go of we put our minds to it. Being the head of one of the most progressive and successful Internet companies should at least cause us to wonder what he might have to say, but having heard most of it (before pausing to write this post) I can say that it will certainly make you think. I don’t say I agree with everything he says, but he has some provocative ideas and promotes a positive future.
YouTube Video of Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, keynote address at the New America Foundation (Nov. 2008)
