Posted on November 17, 2009 07:25 AM
In the fifteen years I've been doing business online, I've done just about everything. In the beginning, it was all about content sites. My first domain, WorldVillage.com, is still online. In fact, it's getting a facelift soon. I started adding games to the site and soon launched ClassicGames.com. The site was acquired by Yahoo! in 1998. As I became enamored with saving money online, I decided to build my own bargain-hunter site in 1999. DealofDay.com... Continue Reading
Posted on October 28, 2009 07:36 AM
Hardly a day goes by that I don't hear about a new Twitter app, web tool or other utility created to make the use of Twitter easier or more interesting. It's pretty hard to keep up with them. And it's pretty rare that I endorse a tool or app. Just as I wait to see new sites pick up steam before jumping on board, I usually don't start using new tools until they demonstrate widespread... Continue Reading
Posted on August 19, 2009 08:00 AM
It's all your fault.
I'm not going to beat about the bush. Nor am I going to try to save your feelings. I'm going to be brutally honest because I think direct is always the best way to go - and because you can handle it.
It's all because of you.
Continue Reading
Posted on July 25, 2009 04:20 PM
I have to warn you now.
This entry is not going to be pretty.
But someone has got to say something.
Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
Fine... sigh... I'll do it. Continue Reading
Posted on July 23, 2009 12:02 PM
By now, you know that I am the creator of the world's most-talked about iPhone application, iFart Mobile. Although most people know me these days as the best selling author of "Twitter Power - How To Dominate Your Market One Tweet At A Time" and a successful internet entrepreneur, my staff and I eagerly jumped into iPhone development as soon as the app store launched. If you have been following me on Twitter, you are... Continue Reading
Posted on April 23, 2009 03:46 PM
A recent question in USA Today by Steve Strauss in the "Ask the Expert" column asked the question, "Should Entrepreneur's Twitter?" Mr. Strauss answered the question with a definitive "No" and gave several reasons. One must wonder how someone who so clearly does not understand Twitter was able to speak as an "expert." As a true expert on the subject, I wish to set the record straight and dissuade entrepreneurs from acting on Mr. Strauss... Continue Reading
Posted on April 16, 2009 08:28 AM
With Twitter becoming such a powerful force on the social media scene, there are those who get it and those who don't get it. There's a certain number of the "don't get it" crowd who will invariably take an outright aggressive posture and make a statement like this... "Twitter is a waste of time. Who cares what you had for breakfast?" Many on Twitter will hem and haw about the content of the question, almost... Continue Reading
Posted on April 15, 2009 09:36 AM
Editors are newspapers, radio shows and television programs are human beings, just like the rest of us.
They have deadlines to meet and a never-ending stream of work they must do in order to deliver newsworthy content to the public.
You can imagine how difficult it must be for them to find quality sources for stories on a regular basis! Continue Reading
Posted on March 28, 2009 01:34 PM
I've been a fan of UStream.tv ever since I discovered them a little over a year ago.
Every Wednesday, I do a live show with my co-host Dan Nickerson. It's called Joel Comm LIVE!
UStream has proven to be innovative as they continue to add cool features for broadcasters, including the ability to bring in co-hosts from other locations, add titles and also play YouTube or local videos within your program. Continue Reading
Posted on March 27, 2009 03:06 PM
I love coming up with new ways to demonstrate the power of Twitter. With such a massive network of users, it's fun the push the boundaries and see what is possible. I decided I would make myself available to anyone who wanted to interact. I had to set aside time to do this because its just not possible to answer every @ reply that comes your way. So around 2:20 pm MDT today, I decided... Continue Reading
Posted on January 26, 2009 01:32 PM
As I'm sure you read on my blog or elsewhere on the web, Facebook had suspended my account.
After sending a few emails and having some friends with contacts at Facebook work on my behalf, my account has been reinstated.
Here is the email I received from them... Continue Reading
Posted on January 10, 2009 11:48 AM
It doesn't happen often.
But it does happen. And when it does, I have to shake my head and wonder what some people are thinking.
What am I talking about?
Well, let me set the stage for you with a little anecdote. Continue Reading
Posted on December 3, 2008 09:14 AM
I've been a huge fan of Amazon.com since Bezos launched the site out of his garage. When the pundits said "It'll never work", I said they were clueless. Of course it will work. I spend more money on Amazon then any other online store, as do many of you. I'm also a huge fan of my iPhone and I've used it to shop at Amazon many times. I joined Amazon Prime a couple years back... Continue Reading
Posted on November 14, 2008 04:11 PM
Ron Matthews pointed this video out to me yesterday, telling me it was totally worth 16 minutes of my life.
He was so right.
It's worth 16 minutes of your life, too.
Enjoy :-)
Continue Reading
Posted on August 20, 2008 03:31 PM
When Apple released the iPhone in 2007, they effectively announced "game over" to the rest of the cell phone world. With the release of the 3G and the iTunes App Store, Apple puts another nail in the coffin of wannabees who will arrive late to this party. The moment I saw the App Store, I realized that I had to begin producing applications that the installed user base of 10,000,000 iPhone users would embrace. I'm... Continue Reading
Posted on August 5, 2008 08:56 PM
When it came time to plan a summer vacation with my family, Mary and I decided we would just do a local Colorado trip rather than fly somewhere. I researched places that would be within driving distance and came upon Glenwood Springs, a popular tourist destination smack dab in the middle of the Rockies. They are famous for having the world's largest Hot Springs pool and it is a beautiful location. Instead of driving, I... Continue Reading
Posted on July 31, 2008 11:40 PM
I was all set. Today was going to be the day. I knew from the pre-orders on my new book, "Click Here to Order: Stories of the World's Most Successful Internet Marketing Entrepreneurs", that we were on the verge of making history with an instant best-seller. And then... it happened. I received a call from my publisher, David Hancock. David is not one to be given to overexcitement, but there was something in the sound... Continue Reading
Posted on July 11, 2008 08:55 AM
The long-awaited day has arrived. Not only is Apple releasing the brand new iPhone 3G phone, which promises to do everything but do your dishes, but they are also releasing the new iPhone 2.0 firmware which promises to bring new functionality to current iPhone hardware. I woke up early today and plugged in my iPhone to find that the 2.0 update had rolled out to my area. I told iTunes to download v2.0, backup my... Continue Reading
Posted on June 19, 2008 12:47 AM
Have you ever wondered what people did BEFORE they become Internet marketers? It's pretty cool to see that the greatest success stories are people just like you and me. I will tell you this about me. I used to be a DJ. Yup, I worked in the nightclubs to begin with, but then the entrepreneur in me discovered that there was more money to be made in playing music at private events. So I started... Continue Reading
Posted on April 30, 2008 01:23 AM
I've been blogging since 2003. That seems like an eternity in Internet years! If you aren't blogging yet, you are missing out on a KEY component of your Internet business and online presence. The thing is, many people are totally and completely intimidated by the thought of blogging. You may even be reading this and thinking, "I'm too embarrassed to tell Joel that I don't even know what a blog is!" Don't sweat it. You... Continue Reading
Posted on March 4, 2008 03:58 AM
Do you ever go to Google to search for your name?
A search for David results in 719,000,000 web pages. Zoiks!
A search for Brenda presents 31,500,000 results.
And search for Fred will get you 120,000,000 results, including a stock chart for Fred's, Inc, whoever that is.
Last year, I Googled my name to see where I came up in the results. Continue Reading
Posted on February 21, 2008 12:33 AM
A few months back, I launched this groundbreaking Internet marketing course to the world... The Secret Classroom ... and the feedback has been fantastic! I regularly receive emails from people telling me what an impact this course has had on their online business. I wanted to take a moment today and share one of these emails with you. I think it says way more about the value of The Secret Classroom than I could ever... Continue Reading
Posted on February 20, 2008 01:54 AM
I get a lot of questions from people who are eager to start Home-Based Businesses. They wonder if they can afford office equipment, pay for outsourcing, purchase expensive courses, and go to Internet Marketing Seminars. What many people don't realize is that having your own home-based business offers many tax advantages that will really help you with these expenses. Whether you're joining a Network Marketing Company, starting a commercial website or plan on being a... Continue Reading
Posted on January 30, 2008 12:33 AM
I just got done having an email conversation with my friend, Jeremy Gislason. We communicate via email because he is in Japan and on a totally different schedule. Anyhow, Jeremy and Simon Hodgkinson have been working on putting together a new member site that has tons of great content to help you build your member site! Basically, this site teaches you everything Jeremy and Simon know about building member sites... and they have over 100,000... Continue Reading
Posted on January 15, 2008 08:06 AM
I make no secret of it. I am a 43-year old man who loves playing computer and video games. And why not? I was a teenage when Space Invaders, Asteroids and Centipede took over the arcades. I was sixteen when I bought my first computer, a TRS-80. It was great for primitive gaming. And I've got a great collection of old computer software in a special room in my basement. Perhaps I'll do a video... Continue Reading
Posted on January 4, 2008 12:01 AM
I'm at a loss for words. I've started this newsletter half a dozen times trying to find the right way to share some information with you. Sometimes the words don't come. Eloquence doesn't seem to be in the cards for me today. It's not that the topic isn't interesting. It's just that I've got writer's block. Has that ever happened to you? There are days that I am able to create new content for my... Continue Reading
Posted on December 18, 2007 10:35 PM
I'm a huge fan of developing online communities for revenue generation. The wonderful thing about community sites is that the members create the content for you. However, it can sometimes be tricky to kickstart your forums in order to get people posting. If you launch forums and people visit only to find that there is no activity, odds are they aren't going to register, post or return. This is the primary reason most forums don't... Continue Reading
Posted on November 12, 2007 10:55 AM
Do REAL people make money online?
Well, I consider myself real people!
Let's face it, before I became known for my AdSense ebook, I was just another anonymous Internet entrepreneur.
It's true!
Now my success story may seem out of reach...
... but it's not.
No way.
If I can do it, ANYONE can do it.
Trust me. I know myself and am still amazed that people consider me an Internet "celebrity." Continue Reading
Posted on October 23, 2007 09:54 AM
Last month I was in Atlanta for the Big Seminar. Now usually I'm not much of a morning person, but when I took a peek at Friday's schedule, I knew I had to wake up early... Over the past five years or so I'd been hearing the firstĀ speaker'sĀ name over and over again... "Joel you've got to check out this young kid Jermaine. He's from the inner-city, but Corey Rudl is taking him under his... Continue Reading
Posted on September 19, 2007 06:49 AM
It's one thing to have consenting adults eat worms on a reality show.
It's a totally different story when children are being exploited for entertainment.
And that is exactly what is taking place with Kid Nation, CBS television's much-hyped reality show. Continue Reading
Posted on September 7, 2007 12:26 AM
One penny.
One cent.
1/100th of a dollar.
Uno centavo.
That's all it takes for you to instantly own your own Internet store!
Yes, I'm serious.
My customers have been asking me for a simple solution where they can tell people about great products and earn easy commissions...
Continue Reading
Posted on May 22, 2007 05:56 PM
"Take this job and shove it... I ain't workin' here no more" And so went the lyrics of the popular country-western song belted out by Johnny Paycheck. It is a common practice to place a phone call to a local radio station and ask them to play this song when you "fire your boss" Let's face it. It's a fun tune. And more people than ever before are telling their bosses to "take this job... Continue Reading
Posted on May 18, 2007 12:03 AM
Thank you to those who submitted questions on my blog yesterday. I really appreciate your input and will be sharing some exciting news with you soon. By now, you probably know that I like to provide as much free information as possible. There is a lot of worthless junk passed off as valuable in the Internet marketing niche, and I like to make sure you get good stuff for absolutely nothing when possible. In celebration... Continue Reading
Posted on April 11, 2007 12:22 AM
You've probably already noticed it. The look of your AdSense units has changed. No, you didn't push the wrong button and accidentally wipe out all your formatting. And no one hacked into your code and played with your Web page. Google has redesigned its ad units. The changes aren't radical but they do offer a couple of small advantages. First, the "Ads by Google" tag is now at the bottom of the unit instead of... Continue Reading
Posted on March 29, 2007 01:03 AM
I recently received an email from a reader. May I share it with you? "Joel, I appreciate your newsletters and great tips. Out of all the so-called gurus, I feel like you deliver more real value in your email than anyone else. But I am feeling very confused about all the different ways you discuss to make money. You tell us about a new software tool that is the supposed answer to our problems, but... Continue Reading
Posted on February 26, 2007 07:51 AM
There are over 29 Billion web pages in the world.
There are over 108 Million web sites in the world.
There are over 85,000 Squidoo sites in the world.
And mine is now #3...
...in the world! Continue Reading
Posted on February 24, 2007 10:37 AM
Saturday morning ramblings.
I know, it might be Saturday afternoon or Sunday... or even Monday, when you receive this. Nevertheless, it's Saturday morning as a write.
So there. :-P
Here come the ramblings, kind of a stew from me to you :-)
Continue Reading
Posted on February 14, 2007 08:58 AM
Take a look at some of the most famous web site brands online today. Imagine that it is 1994 and the World Wide Web is a new novelty. What would you name a store that would sell books at discount prices? How about Amazon.com What would you name a site that would become the world's largest garage sale. How about Ebay? What would you call a site that would become a premier portal to the... Continue Reading
Posted on January 24, 2007 10:21 AM
I'm sure you've heard the 'buzz' about social networking and Web 2.0. Millions of people have signed up for their own MySpace site, including me! Have you actually discovered how to make *REAL MONEY* with it and generate TONS of free traffic with MySpace and other social networking sites? Recently I managed to get hold of a "private" two-hour telephone conversation featuring two 'under the radar' experts discussing how they are driving BIG traffic and... Continue Reading
Posted on January 18, 2007 01:17 PM
People have been asking me three questions about the AdSense program, and their new terms of service and AdSense support team have now clarified all of these issues. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Question 1) Does Google allow other ads to run on the same page as AdSense Ads? Answer 1) The official word is a qualified "yes". You may not run ads that are designed to resemble AdSense ads. For example, Yahoo! Publisher Network ads look very similar... Continue Reading
Posted on January 4, 2007 09:38 PM
It was a moment in time... ... and it went by in a flash. Did you miss it? Don't feel bad. Thousands of people did. Three months ago, I leveled the playing field as much as it could possibly have been leveled. On October 10th, the Instant AdSense Templates VRE Building System hit the web with a fury, and became one of the most-talked-about and valuable products of the year! On October 15th, the product... Continue Reading
Posted on January 3, 2007 01:54 PM
Happy New Year! I'm very excited about what this year is going to bring, and from the comments on my blog, many of you are as well! I'll be announcing the winner of my contest tomorrow... Many have indicated that they are going to get serious about building their business online in 2007. Yet, a fair number are without direction. Let's face it. Without a compass, it can get awfully tricky to find your way... Continue Reading
Posted on December 14, 2006 01:09 PM
I've got a Christmas gift for you!
No strings attached.
It's a gift, pure and simple. :-)
As you are probably well aware, Google AdSense is not the only way to generate money on your site with contextual ad services.
I've written a brand new report called:
"Contextual Ad Systems: Earning Beyond AdSense"
And I want to give it to you for free...
Continue Reading
Posted on December 8, 2006 08:03 AM
I'll be the first to admit that I have made some mistakes in my life. Hey, I'm human and I don't expect to always get it right. It was a mistake for me to tell people about Mike Filsaime's report, "The Death of Internet Marketing" before it was actually time to do so. Ooops. My bad. Sorry, Mike. It was a mistake to accidently use another marketer's trademarked name in reference to a different marketer's... Continue Reading
Posted on December 5, 2006 12:55 PM
He beat me to it.
I'm not angry... it's not my style.
But I am just a little.. bit... um... er... envious?
Ok, I said it. I'm envious.
And I think I have a right to be.
Continue Reading
Posted on November 23, 2006 12:42 AM
For those who were online in 1999, you may remember the very first "Get paid to surf" program. It was called AllAdvantage. Basically, by displaying the AllAdvantage toolbar while you surfed, you got paid. And when you referred people to the program and they surfed, you got paid. It worked VERY well, except that the management team at the company messed up the opportunity. Don't get me wrong. I earned THOUSANDS with this program. And... Continue Reading
Posted on October 15, 2006 11:20 PM
Traffic.
It is the one thing that anyone with a website hopes for again and again.
You can have first-site site design.
You can have incredible content.
You can make sure your pages are totally optimized to be search engine friendly. Continue Reading
Posted on October 7, 2006 11:45 PM
I can't believe what I am about to tell you.
In all sincere honesty, I can not believe it.
But it's all true.
I have just totaled up the data size of Instant AdSense Templates... Continue Reading
Posted on October 5, 2006 12:21 PM
Time to dig into the mailbag and answer questions from readers... Question 1) I've got ads on my site that I don't want. How do I block other sites from showing their ads on my site? Answer 1) That's easy! Go to your AdSense account at www.google.com/adsense and click the "AdSense Setup" tab. Then click the "Competitive Ad Filter" link. Simply enter the url that you want to ban and it will disappear within a... Continue Reading
Posted on June 14, 2006 08:09 PM
About six years ago, I met a guy named Todd Vinson. Todd is one of the most incredible people I have met in my life because he has dedicated his life to serving others. In particular, he has a heart for helping teenage boys who are displaced or whose families are in crisis by providing a long-term home solution where they will be properly cared for. This happens at Willow Springs Boys Ranch in Chandler... Continue Reading
Posted on June 7, 2006 12:07 AM
If you have a site and want to get your visitor's attention, this is really cool stuff...
Over 86% of web surfers have some sort of popup blocker installed. If you want to gather email addresses or request your visitors take some other action, popups have become ineffective.
Until now...
Impact Popup gets around popup blockers to display a very slick popup that you can install on your site in a matter of moments. Continue Reading
Posted on May 13, 2006 11:42 AM
I'm sitting in a conference room in Dallas, Texas, attending the Focus 4 the Future "No Limits" Internet marketing seminar. At the moment, Perry Marshall is sharing his story and telling people about making money with Google AdWords. Perry is a super-nice guy and his success story is totally legit. Continue Reading
Posted on May 7, 2006 11:29 PM
Lara Croft is back. And this time she means business. Back in the late nineties, Lara Croft came on the scene in the game Tomb Raider. A female "Indiana Jones"-style character, Lara spelunked tombs in ancient ruins of Rome, Mexico, Egypt and Atlantis, fighting off creatures and bad guys while on the hunt for priceless artifacts and treasure. Rather than just shooting to kill stuff, Tomb Raider challenged the player mentally with a series of... Continue Reading
Posted on April 16, 2006 11:13 AM
There are so many ways to promote business online. Adsense is a focus for me, because it has been so lucrative, and because there are so many businesses building their brand through the Adwords program. What's very interesting is that there are entire worlds of promotion outside of the Adwords Pay Per Click model. "Sponsorship" type programs are one example, which can bring traffic to not only your web site, but to your brand, through... Continue Reading
Posted on March 27, 2006 08:40 AM
I offended Vern Troyer, the actor who played the role of "Mini Me" in the Austin Powers movies. Why would I do such a thing? I didn't mean, to, but it happened anyhow... If you've been following my blog, you would know that I've been in D.C. attending Yanik Silver's Underground Seminar. Yanik was very clever in putting the seminar together. He gave the entire thing an "Austin Powers" secret agent feel, which each attendee... Continue Reading
Posted on February 7, 2006 01:07 AM
I love finding promising online businesses and bringing attention to them. Last year, one of my clients introduced me to a product that he was creating called Got-Zip. As a long-time affiliate to many merchants, I took special interest to this new service as it turned the affiliate system on it's ear. Instead of paying out commissions for sales that orginated on a link through your web site, Got Zip levels the playing field and... Continue Reading
Posted on December 18, 2005 05:31 PM
About eight years ago, a friend turned me on to the music of The Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Their work can be described as bombastic and theatrical rock and roll with a distinctly classical feel created for the Christmas season. Continue Reading
Posted on December 15, 2005 01:55 AM
Several months ago I was going through email from readers. As you might imagine, people have a lot of questions, not just regarding AdSense, but also related to other areas of Internet business.
I began noticing a recurring theme in these emails. Continue Reading
Posted on December 14, 2005 12:40 AM
Two totally conflicting stories out of Hollywood today that explain absolutely everything you need to know about how out of touch Hollyweird is with the American mainstream. Continue Reading
Posted on November 13, 2005 06:24 PM
The Firebox browser has come out of nowhere to give Microsoft's Internet Explorer a run for their money this past year. Now, Firefox has Google on their side. The browser is superior to IE in every way and I recommend that you download and install a copy now. Your web surfing will be more secure. Your machine will crash and lock up less. And you will be a happier person. :-) Click the button below... Continue Reading
Posted on November 8, 2005 03:01 PM
I just got back from one of the the most educational and inspiring seminars of my entire life. My friend, Jeff Walker, suggested that I go to Armand Morin's Big Seminar in Los Angeles. On his advice, I registered just a couple weeks ago. It cost $2000, but I trust Jeff and took his advice.
Words cannot describe the weekend I just experienced. Continue Reading
Posted on September 19, 2005 05:06 PM
World of Warcraft may be the most popular MMORPG ever. Over 3.5 million people are now playing worldwide. Tons of fan sites have popped up, celebrating this massive online fantasy world. And some people are quite creative with the resources provided by the game. No, I am not talking about the Chinese farmers who find the best places in the game to loot gold and resell for exhorbitant prices on ebay. I am talking about... Continue Reading
Posted on August 22, 2005 02:43 PM
I've been in the Internet business for over ten years. (Wow, has it been THAT long?) During this time, I have seen the highs and lows of riding the Internet roller coaster. If I have learned one thing, it is that there is more opportunity out there than anyone really realizes. I sat down at my computer this past week and I started compiling a list of unique ways that I make money online. After... Continue Reading
Posted on August 17, 2005 12:47 AM
Growing up with the Muppets, I did not hesitate to buy this DVD. After watching 30 minutes of it with my 10 year-old daughter and wife, we turned it off in disgust. My daughter said, "This is NOT the Wizard of Oz". And my wife and I repeatedly exchanged glances as we could not believe the inappropriate humor that was laced hroughout this movie. Jokes about being sexy... jokes about nipples... jokes that do NOT... Continue Reading
Posted on July 6, 2005 11:44 PM
For nearly ten years I have provided useful resources for parents who want to keep their kids safe online. With the overwhelming amount of pornography, predators and violence on the Internet, how can wise parents allow their children to surf the web, check email and instant message without fear of these modern-day ills?
I've written an ebook on this topic called "Internet Safety Secrets". Continue Reading
Posted on July 2, 2005 12:00 AM
Tonight, I grudgingly sat through War of the Worlds. I went with Mary and another couple because we wanted to do something and all the other movies looked like garbage. The movie promised that I would be "on the edge of my seat". And I was. But that was only because I was slumped so far into my chair that my butt was hanging over the edge of the seat. With the exception of some... Continue Reading
Posted on June 23, 2005 12:01 AM
A few months back I really got sick of my computer always being slow and having system errors. As it turned out, many of the problems I am having are related to the Internet Explorer browser (surprise, surprise...) Some friends told me about a new browser called "Firefox". Continue Reading
Posted on May 29, 2005 07:27 PM
Ever since I took part in my first MMORPG (massive multiplayer online gaming) I have thought it would be fun to blog my experiences, starting as a newbie and continuing for as long as I played the game. Today, I purchased The Matrix Online, the game that promises to continue the story of the Matrix in an ever-unfolding interactive storyline. As a fan of The Matrix mythology, I think this will make for an interesting... Continue Reading
Posted on May 19, 2005 11:14 PM
A long time ago in galaxy far, far away, a thirteen-year old boy discovered a new world of action and adventure which had captured his imagination unlike anything before. Star Wars hit the theaters in 1977, and I still remember sitting in the very front row, completely in awe by the images on the screen. I probably saw the film ten times in our local cinema, and waited patiently for George Lucas to churn out... Continue Reading
Posted on May 16, 2005 09:40 PM
For the past few years, I have been slowly building a collection which has taken over my closet. Having grown up playing video games, I was there when the first home PC was introduced. I remember the thrill of playing Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy as a text adventure. (Incidentally, you can now play online for free. I remember when the first person shooter was born in the form of Wolfenstein 3D. I was there... Continue Reading
Posted on April 14, 2005 12:18 AM
In 1996, Eidos Interactive came out of nowhere with a game that has become one of my all-time Top 10 computer games. (Maybe I'll do a top 10 series if I ever finish my 15 Best Movies of All Time) Continue Reading
Posted on April 12, 2005 12:12 AM
Since my ebook has become popular, I have been inundated with emails from people wanting me to look at ebooks and Internet tools. Many of them are a waste of time and money. But occassionally I come across something of real value. Today's entry is about one such tool. The tool is called Search Automator and, to be candid, it is one of the most incredibly useful, and powerful new tools I've seen this year... Continue Reading
Posted on February 22, 2005 12:16 AM
Galoshes. Mukluks. Gazeebo. Macadamia. Blubber. Baluga.
When you read those words, you either know what I am talking about and are busting out laughing, or you think I am totally insane and should be committed (well, you may be right on both counts). Continue Reading
Posted on January 10, 2005 09:49 PM
We are in the process of designing a new home which we intend to build this year. A few years ago, we bought two acres of land in our city. We have been holding on to it and think the time is ripe to place a home on the property. My father is an architect, so he is drawing the plans. Thanks Dad! But I thought it would be a fun thing to play with... Continue Reading
Posted on December 13, 2004 05:13 PM
I've been developing a new site with a cool gimmick. It's called DropThatName.com. Sounds kind of weird, huh? It's not like "hey my name is Rudolpho and I don't like it so I am going to drop it". Nope. Nothing like that. Drop That Name! is a place where anyone can brag about their "brush with greatness". Who doesn't like to tell tall tales of their encounter with politicians, movie stars, rock stars, authors and... Continue Reading
Posted on November 18, 2004 12:01 AM
Stop whatever you are doing. Really. Unless you are caring for your sick mother, desperately need to go to the bathroom or there is a tornado heading for your house, stop whatever you are doing. I have just installed one of the coolest applications I have seen in a long time. I'm sure you will agree. Earlier this year, I wrote about Microsoft's Terraserver, which give an ariel view of the US using USGS topographic... Continue Reading
Posted on November 11, 2004 12:00 AM
Ask the average American which constitution the phrase "separation of church and state" appears in and the majority will look at you as though only a moron wouldn't know the answer to the question. The most common reply will be "The United States Constitution". Imagine the surprise of these same people when they discover that not only does the phrase NOT appear in the U.S. Constitution, but the words DO appear in a version of... Continue Reading
Posted on November 10, 2004 02:37 AM
Over the past few months, I have helped several family members, friends and associates remove spyware from their computers. Often, people don't even realize they are infected with this insidious stuff. All they know is that their computers are running slower and those blasted pop up ads just keep coming. My son didn't know any better when he clicked on a popup ad for "free smilies". He meant well, but that one click managed to... Continue Reading
Posted on October 24, 2004 07:12 PM
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
Posted on October 3, 2004 10:18 PM
Mary and I had the opportunity to enjoy a "date night" on Friday. First we enjoyed a nice dinner at Johnny Carinos Italian restaurant. Next we went to the mall and pigged out on ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery (superior to Marble Slab in case you are wondering). Finally, it was on the cinema to take in a showing of Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. I received a great deal of chastisement... Continue Reading
Posted on August 31, 2004 03:32 PM
The pioneering spirit of the Internet continues to inspire people to build a better mousetrap. Nowhere is that spirit better exhibited than in the now ubiquitous search engine known as Google. While not the first search engine on the scene, Google has now surpassed all the rest to become the most useful tool for finding what you want on the web. Today's site highlights a new free download which makes the Google experience ever more... Continue Reading
Posted on July 3, 2004 12:22 PM
Before you go any further, I must tell you that this article is NOT a movie review. Rather, it is a smack to the side of the head of Activision regarding the release of the new PC game of the same name. Available last week, amidst much hype due to the release of the movie, Spiderman 2: The Game was promised to be an extremely open-ended game where you had all of Manhattan Island to... Continue Reading
Posted on June 30, 2004 09:31 PM
In my quest for the perfect online game, I have past by Everquest for several years now. However, I was reading a PC game magazine and saw that they were offering a 30-day free trial to the game. So I went to the site and downloaded an enormous 1.26 GB file. I installed it and signed up as Remotheus, a warrior of some sort or another, with devotion to some god of love. I figure... Continue Reading
Posted on June 15, 2004 11:12 AM
A few years back, I purchased a Pioneer DVD recorder for my home PC. I enjoyed burning a handful of videos onto disc (home movies), but I haven't really gotten much use from the unit. Incompatibility problems, buggy drivers and other obstacles have made it a bit less attractive then when I first purchased it. I've had my eyes on a DVD recorder for my home theater ever since that time, pining for the day... Continue Reading
Posted on June 14, 2004 10:18 AM
Ok, the roots of our great nation are not totally swept away yet. The Supreme Court handed a defeat to Michael Newdow, the atheist who was attemtping to remove "One Nation under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance, stating that Mr. Newdow did not have the legal authority to speak for his daughter. Incidentally, the daughter did not WANT her dad to do this! Kudos to the Supreme Court for bringing us a good decision... Continue Reading
Posted on June 10, 2004 12:01 AM
A Review of the IBIZ Virtual Keyboard Up until now, portable keyboards for PDAs have been clunky and fragile This review is being written on a device the size of a cigarette lighter with a keyboard that is invisible. I am speaking of the IBIZ Virtual Keyboard, a new device from IBIZ Technologies that combines infrared and laser technology to deliver a keyboard that is both functional and portable. Using a standard laser, the VKB... Continue Reading
Posted on May 3, 2004 03:28 PM
A couple months back, I discussed my trials and tribulations with Spyware, the insidious software that automatically installs itself on your PC when you visit certain web pages. Once installed, it proceeds to hijack your machine by delivering annoying pop-up advertisements, unwanted browser toolbars, and generally causing havoc with your computer. I have recently discovered a new program which has been extremely effective in removing spyware from my computers (yes, I had it on THREE... Continue Reading
Posted on March 17, 2004 12:22 AM
The Passion of Christ continues to dominate the box office for its third week straight. This amazing phenomenon has grossed over $267,000,000 in the U.S. in the first 20 days of its release. It is now #22 in all-time box office gross. It would not surprise me to see it pass the $400,000,000 mark by the time the dust settles. If that happens, it will be challenging Spiderman for the #5 spot. Box office numbers... Continue Reading
Posted on February 19, 2004 01:34 PM
Several years ago, I came across an incredibly useful site which has continued to stay on my hitlist. Alexa.com has since been purchased by Amazon.com and they offer a free toolbar which I find indispenable. Not only does Alexa give you more information about who owns a site, but it also provides a popularity ranking, links to similar sites AND a FREE popup blocker (which is highly customizable). Naturally, it wouldn't be an Amazon.com product... Continue Reading
Posted on February 14, 2004 10:40 PM
I have been into computers since the TRS-80 Model I came out in the late seventies. I am not a programmer, but I can put a PC together from scratch, install an operating system and just about any software. I can tweak a machine under the hood and have been able to solve just about any problem I have encountered. To my family, friends and associates, I am the local computer guru. But even I... Continue Reading
Posted on February 10, 2004 11:02 AM
In what may be a shocker to Hollywood, but I have predicted all along, Mel Gibson's The Passion of Christ is set to be a blockbuster. Here's the latest story from Variety magazine... 'Passion' poised for heavenly B.O. (Variety) The movie that couldn't find a distributor a year ago is now poised to become this year's first surprise hit. Though not a single television ad has aired for "The Passion of the Christ" two weeks... Continue Reading
Posted on January 21, 2004 12:15 AM
I "stumbled upon" StumbleUpon.com yesterday and have added their free toolbar to my Internet Explorer. A fantastic concept, the StumbleUpon toolbar allows you to easily rate sites and leave comments if you like the site.
I recommend downloading the toolbar and giving it a go. Click the button below for more info. Oh, and one more thing. If you DO install it, please visit this blog again and click the "I Like It!" button. Thanks!
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Posted on December 18, 2003 08:45 AM
M. Night Shyamlan is a modern day Alfred Hitchcock. To date, he has made several films, including Unbreakable (with Bruce Willis) and Signs (with Mel Gibson). I thoroughly enjoyed both of these pictures, but it is his first film that has stayed with me as unforgettable. I am speaking of #12 in my series of The 15 Best Movies Ever, The Sixth Sense. In this film, Shyamalan proves he is the new master of suspense... Continue Reading
Posted on November 16, 2003 02:22 PM
I've been scouring my extensive DVD collection lately, attempting to figure out what makes a great movie. Certainly, films have the potential to entertain us. But a real filmmaker wants to do more than make us laugh or cry. True cinematic art is manifested in an engaging storyline, convincing acting and masterful directing that trancends the big screen, either affirming or transforming the way in which we see our world. As a Christian, I view... Continue Reading
Posted on October 30, 2003 06:53 PM
Once again, we got an early start and walked all over the place. We started by going to the Washington Monument, the tallest structure in D.C. It stands 555 feet high and is truly an awesome site. We took the elevator to the top and got to look out some very small windows in each direction. Of course, there are many others attempting to get a good view, so we didn't have much time to... Continue Reading
Posted on October 21, 2003 09:15 PM
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
Posted on June 8, 2003 12:55 PM
Alright.. been at this web site thing since 1995... that's ancient in 'net years. Still, I struggle when asked to explain what I do. Typical conversation goes like this... "What do you do?" "I have an Internet business" "Oh, you build web sites. My cousin's sister's twice-removed great aunt wants to have a web site. Can you help?" "No, I don't build web sites. I have my OWN sites." "Oh. So, what do you do... Continue Reading
Posted on May 31, 2003 08:55 PM
This has been one crazy week. We run three web servers on a T1 line. This week, every single one of them crashed, a couple of them more than once. I've seen a power supply blow and begin smoking. I've had a motherboard go bad. I've got two hard drives that are failing. It has been an insane week for web servers. When WorldVillage.com failed this week (ie: smoking power supply), I decided it was... Continue Reading
Posted on May 26, 2003 10:42 PM
What a great day to be an American! I want to personally say "thank you" to those of you who are veterans or are currently serving in our bold and proud armed services. I don't take my freedom lightly and am grateful for those who have sacrificed much for so many. As I was driving down I-35 today, there was a uniformed gentleman on the overpass at 15th street, waving an American flag and... Continue Reading
Posted on May 23, 2003 01:01 AM
If you are just joining us on this story, you may wish to click here to read so far. Continuing... Those were the days of BBS's, bulletin board systems, where you would dial in to another computer with your blazing fast 2400 baud modem in order to post messages, download software and play text-based games online. It was also the time when AOL, Compuserve, Prodigy, GEnie and Delphi were battling it out to see who... Continue Reading
Posted on May 10, 2003 10:30 PM
Went to Steak and Ale for dinner with the lovely and engaging MrsMayor. Our waitress was very annoying. Her style was phony and patronizing (in a bad way). Food was good though. The movie, on the other hand, not so much. I like stupid movies, but this one had few good laughs and a lot of tasteless humor. Of course, the teenagers behind us were yukking it up. I was totally disappointed with the ending... Continue Reading