links for 2005-09-26
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Neat hack to see a zip code on top of Google Maps.
links for 2005-09-24
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I am going to start using this… You should too.
Back in the game
This read more like a ProBlogger post than most of my typical content, but I think it’s worth saying…
I didn’t tell too many people, but for the past 2 months, MobileTracker has been absent from the vast vast majority of Google search results pages (SERPs). I wasn’t trying any crazy blackhat optimization techniques–I just rely on having great and timely content–so it came as a complete surprise. I talked around a bit and consulted forums and found out that for whatever reason this can just sometimes happen. I’m happy to report that it looks like the dark days are over and the goodtimes are back.
Luckily, I had some great exclusive content pieces that went up during the outage, as well as a lucky uptick in placements at Yahoo. Still visits were down about 25% overall–missing a few thousand visitors that average a few page views apiece is a hard thing. Advertising revenue was down, but was still at a decent amount (very livable). Personally I would have thought AdSense would have seen more of a dive since search engine viewers click ads more often than daily visitors.
Traffic is now higher than ever and the future is rosy.
While it wasn’t fun, it’s nice to know that it’s possible to continue with the site and income if there is a big (permanent) shift at Google. This experience reaffirms my goal to not depend on any one source of traffic or revenue.
Arrested Development is back
And that makes me happy. Arrested Development is one of the most original shows I have ever seen. It was renewed despite (yet again) lackluster ratings. The episode tonight featured a website several times, and in typicaly quirky AD style the site is live for all to see: ImOscar.com. If you haven’t seen this show before, there is no better time to start than a fresh season. Get on it!
Time to start reading the Observer-Picayune
again.
links for 2005-09-19
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Awesome looking Flash loader to do Flickr like photo annotation… Seems easy too.
FedEx billing is crazy
I have no luck with shipping companies. Just when I thought I was a fan of FedEx, I run into their insane billing policies. My bank was bought out recently, so my account number changed. This caused everything I had on autopay to be rejected, so I had to change a lot of my account information for various companies. This includes FedEx, but of course I didn’t remember this until after I had sent a parcel.
I got a note in the mail reminding me to update my account information, so I went on the phone and did it right then. I then went to a customer service rep to make sure they would know to try my card again, now that it is current. She told me that I would have to mail in a check, because they had already sent a paper notice. I told her I know they sent a paper notice, that’s why I called, and to just run the payment now while I was on the phone. This it appears is an impossible task because it could appear confusing that I got a paper bill and then paid it online (she confused me by calling this process confusing, really haven’t figured out what she meant.)
Any other time I get a bill there is an option to pay online or by phone. I don’t write checks, so I of course put it on the back burner and now it’s going to be right at the wire. If FedEx wasn’t retarded, they would have had their money weeks ago. Way to go.
So now, onto UPS?
UPDATE: I went with DHL. They have a nicer website than either FedEx or UPS.
iPod nano review
I wrote up a more extended review of the iPod nano over at MacMerc. Summary: my iPod mini is dead to me–long live the nano. It’s a really great device. Everyone I have shown it to has been blown away, computer and non-computer folk alike.
Apple has another winner!
Where were you four years ago?
I was in Chemistry, I don’t remember exactly what period that was but I’m guessing it was third. Class hadn’t started yet and someone came in and said that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. We turned on the TV in time to see the second plane hit. I don’t think most of my classmates realized the gravitas of the situation. The TV was on for the rest of the day save for my American history class. Like 9/11 wasn’t history.
Some classmates got picked up early but I was there the rest of the day. If watching Fox News and CNN counts as being there. Oddly I don’t remember how lunch was, but I can imagine it was very very quiet.
(After reading this and checking my math again I just have a hard time believing that was four years ago. Wow. How things have changed.)
Boat at a Drivethrough
Boat at a Drivethrough
Originally uploaded by jogales.
This is part of a photo set taken by my brother along the gulf coast during the past week.
My new toy
My new toy
Originally uploaded by jonknee.
I had to. I have been jealous of color screen iPod owners for a while, but this was the last straw. I’m now the proud owner of a 4GB iPod nano. Hot hot hot.