I just came across a new plug-in that allows me to implement Yahoo’s Q search functionality on HeSaid. My first attempt did not yield any results but maybe Apu Nahasapeemapetilon is a tough query….let’s see if this is any better.
Archive for July, 2005
28
Jul
05
Test Driving Yahoo Q
23
Jul
05
Much-Apu-About-Nothing
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Bringing back the Best of CL….one in three He Said readers (there are only three in total) have demanded it back:
The latest installment has a Simpson’s twist to it. Here is the gist of the conversation between a hung-over patron and the 7-11 Cashier |
“Can I have a hot dog?” hung-over me
“You want the big smokey?” Cashier
“Sure whatever” hung-over me
“ahhh you like it big and spicy!” Cashier
At that moment I did not realize what this would start. This small transaction caused this particular cashier to ask me every time I went back “You want a Big Smokey? Cause you like it spicy!” This has continued to this day.
BTW — Apu’s last name is Nahasapeemapetilon.
23
Jul
05
Themes Makeover
As a part of the bachelor weekend I dedicated my morning to WordPress upgrade and tinkered around with some new themes. Where my custom hack of the Kubrick/Headspace theme was getting the job done I like what Dennis Yang did with rotating headers and decided to give it a go myself. To see it in action simply reload the page a few times — see button on sidebar.
Apparently this latest version of WP allows me to post via email….very cool. Would love some comments on your favorite header.
14
Jul
05
What do you know from blogging?
David Coursey used to pen for CNET Networks and I was sad to see him leave. My favorite of his contributions were to CNET Radio — CNET’s best material ever and another departure that saddens me. There was this inherent radio alpha tension between Coursey and the voice of CNET Brian Cooley.
Enough CNET nostalgia, David’s most recent article reviews a recent study that touches on the very question I hear so often from friends and family. What are you talking about…blogging…RSS….blah blah blah.
And he is right…it’s not that those close to me and the four, maybe five, who actually visit the Galleries reside in a cave. Blogging is an evolution of what we already do online….not some new revolution bandwagon everyone is jumping on.
If nothing else, the blogging buzz has created some nice fodder for the Daily Show. Now if I could only track down that Rob Corddry video.
14
Jul
05
Cooter Blocking
The original Hazzard County Cooter is not pleased with the content of the Dukes of Hazzard remake. Whatever you barnacle….this is nothing more than a cheap plug for your memorabilia store. Enjoy the ride.
I’m sure the Dems were pround to have this guy on their team.
12
Jul
05
Google Maps meet Pedometer
A dream app for any runner or biker. Not only are you able to track your route but it also calculates mileage. This is rather addicting once you get a hang of the navigation and instructions. This is definately going into My Web community page.
Here is one of my go-to training runs. Points of interested as follows:
1. From home, head towards the Panhandle. Wave to Dan Farber leadingTai Chi group on the basketball courts.
2. Enter JFK side of GGP and head toward Ocean Highway
3. Head North on Ocean Highway up the hill toward Cliff House
4. Head West onto the Lands End Trail
5. Run along outskirts of Presidio, past Baker Beach to the south entrance of the GG Bridge – treat self to goo and water
6. Head back through Presidio…up Arguello hill and back to GGP
7. Reverse steps 2 and 1 home
8. Treat self to beverage
RObert…you are all over this one
11
Jul
05
Passwords are so Passe
As the Director of our user authentication and customer support platforms at CNET Networks I feel first hand the challenge/frustrations end-users have with authentication via email address or username and passwords. Most users have many passwords, each required to gain access to online sites or services. As a result, users concerned with password recall set themselves up for security breaches by :
- Jotting down their passwords on a piece of paper or a sticky note
- Use very simple, easily compromised, passwords.
- Reuse old passwords as often as possible
In short….there are no good solutions for end-users as long as we are dependent on their short-term memory.
This is why I am following, with interest, the emergence of biometric user authentication. I also oversee our ecommerce platform and work closely with IPAY, division of Pay by Touch, as our merchant bank gateway. PBT has a number of patents in the biometrics space and they are conveniently within in walking distance. They recently hired a former IBM exec as their new CEO and I have to believe integration with your computer hardware, as mentioned in the SF Gate article, is fast approaching. As far as I’m concerned….it can’t happen fast enough.
It’s a safe bet adoption will be slow…probably even slower then asking users to provide their credit card online. I’m confident that, as we have seen with the adoption of online commerce, the ease of use will eventually outweigh the reluctance to participate.
11
Jul
05
Who makes the Netrospective cut
This seems to be the year of 10 year anniversaries. Yahoo, CNET Networks (current place of employment), and OLN emerged from their zygote status in 95.
Yahoo is commemorating the milestone through the Netrospective
acknowledging 100 significant events over the last 10 years. To my surprise pets.com, nakednews, and dotcom guy made the cut over MSN, and CNET. Hey…it’s Yahoo’s party…..
A prize to whoever discovers the Google call-out.
09
Jul
05
Taking My Web 2 for a spin
Yahoo’s My Web 2.0 — a competitive bookmarking service to del.icio.us — was recently released within the last 10 days and I decided to give it a go. I recently jumped on the del.icio.us bandwagon so I wasn’t giving too much up with a migration. Unlike others, I see the value in bookmarking what I consider utility sites (eg restaurant menus, physical therapy schedule, reviewing my bank account, checking the balance on my credit card) and not for everyday sites like kusports.com.
My gripe with del.icio.us, and what is addressed with My Web 2, is the ability to categorize the views for my bookmarks. I may not want the general public to have access to my credit card or banking urls. For these, I can limit the view to myself or maybe just Julie and I. With del.icio.us I was never comfortable including PII sites.
My gripe with My Web — one that mirrors my gripe with GMail – I found it difficult to transition services. Yahoo claims to support bookmark migration via RSS — though after several attempts I was only able to migrate the most recent bookmark added. From the My Web discussion boards….this is a common complaint.
Oh, I should mention, with this experiment I downloaded the Yahoo browser toolbar as opposed to using the bookmarklet. So far, I am pleased with the toolbar, relative to Google’s, though the authentication aspect leaves room for improvement.
08
Jul
05
File Under Too-Effing-Cool
You have to check this out. The Slingbox allows you to pipe in television to your computer over a broadband connection. So, should I choose, I could watch my tv from the office. Or…I could watch Blaine’s TV in Houston on my computer. Where was this in March?????
