Last July, I wrote about how Amazon.com was breaking into contextual advertising with its Omakase program. Now they're at it again with another context-based advertising system. This time though, they've taken a leaf right out of Kontera's books. Instead of placing ads in ad units, they're linking to keywords in the text and serving floating ad balloons. You can see samples here and here. Continue Reading

I picked up a copy of Crash on DVD this week because I had heard that it was a fantastic movie. Mary and I watched it last night. I really wanted to like it, but I feel like it fell short. When I learned that it was awarded "Best Picture" by the Academy, I was amazed once again at how out of touch Hollywood is. Continue Reading

It doesn't always feel like Christmas in Oklahoma. The temperature on Christmas Eve peeked at 58 degrees. There is no snow on the ground. It's a far cry from my childhood in the freezing Chicago lakefront suburbs. And yet, Christmas really has very little to do with snow. It has little to do with jingle bells. And it has little to do with the materialism which drives our economy at this time of year. Continue Reading

This is my family's sixth trip to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It is our favorite fall destination. It's within just a few hours drive of home, but a completely different atmosphere from central Oklahoma. The city has a distinct Victorian charm. Sloping streets... antique shops... mom and pop restaurants... wooded areas everywhere. And solitude. This morning, Mary and I sat on the front porch and enjoyed the serene peace and quiet that is so scarce back... Continue Reading

Silly fun. That's my two word review of the new animated film from Dreamworks Entertainment, Madagascar. A light-hearted story about some Central Park Zoo animals that wind up in the title country, Madagascar is an enjoyable way to waste 90 minutes, especially if you are in a theater of kids who make laughing at the silly gags even more enjoyable. As a children's movie, Madagascar succeeds with it's colorful animations and goofy characters. Dreamworks tossed... Continue Reading

Me and my family spent the last four nights in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, one of our favorite places to visit in the fall. The Ozarks rise to almost 2000 feet and are a touch of natural beauty only a few hours away from the plains of Central Oklahoma. Eureka Springs is particularly beautiful because it is a small town (population 2900) nestled in the mountains. Many of the streets are reminiscent of San Francisco, with... Continue Reading

I have been sick for three weeks now. I'm not complaining. I rarely get ill, so this is just unusual. I don't know that I have ever coughed my head off like I have been these past few weeks. Tried decongestants, antibiotics, vitamins, hot soup and lots of sleep. I've got what I call a "hanger-onner". It just doesn't want to let go. So, its a rambling day for me as I sit in bed... Continue Reading

Satellites are roaming the atmosphere, seeking out interesting sites. Actually, Microsoft's Terraserver contains 3.3 tera-bytes of high resolution USGS aerial imagery and USGS topographic maps. Basically, you can get an up close and personal aerial view of just about anywhere in the United States. Here is our home town of Edmond, OK. Zooming in reveals our house. It is the house on the bottom with the white car in the driveway. It's a great deal... Continue Reading

I saw The Passion of the Christ last night. I have to agree with something Glenn Beck said after viewing the film. It's unreviewable. Yet, there is so much to say. I hope you will endure my babbling to find something worthwhile in the words to come. By now, you have heard about this movie. I have been writing about it for nearly 9 months now as the opening day has drawn closer. One entry... Continue Reading

Another project from the Central Command at InfoMedia, Inc., BuyersUniverse.com has launched today! Looking for the best deal on any product? Enter it in the search form and away you go. This engine will hook you up with the best deals currently found on eBay. Congratulations to Darkwolf for breathing life into this project. BuyersUniverse.com - Everything Online" href="http://joelcomm.com/buyersuniversecom_everything_o.html">Continue Reading

We had a horrible night at the Quality Inn in Lyndhurst, NJ. It was supposed to be a non-smoking room, but the odor was there just the same. I went to the front desk and they gave me an ionizer to use in the room. We gave it a shot, but it didn't do the trick and the odor was giving Mary a headache. It was late and the kids were already falling asleep, so... Continue Reading

Yes, it's true. I have been a Presidential Advisor. At least that's what Mary tells me. About 10 years ago, I was shopping at Best Buy on Central Expressway in Dallas. It was the holiday season, so the store was packed with people. I meandered my way into the software aisle, and there HE was. Who, you ask? None other than then-Governor-elect George W. Bush! He has recently won the election for the Gov seat... Continue Reading

This is getting old REAL fast. We just came out of the storm shelter. We had some rotation go right over our neighborhood. Fortunately, no twister dropped down out of it. Weather throughout central and eastern Oklahoma is bad today. I'm ready for tornado season to be OVER! But I sure am glad I put in the storm shelter last year. Continue Reading