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October 31, 2007
Am I an SEO "Expert"?
Not long ago I pondered what could make someone call them self an SEO Expert. I also noted that my "consulting" website wasn't listed in Google anymore. Well, soon after that, I decided to change that. So, I did some run-of-the-mill SEO things which you can find suggested all over the internet. Today, I remembered I did that and decided to type in the two phrases which I would care about. "Perl consultant" and "Perl consulting".
So, currently #1 for one phrase, and #2 for the other (I will get you Randal!!!)
Can I now say I'm an "SEO Expert"? If not, why not? After all, I went from nowhere to be found, to top spots for TWO phrases which would be most important to me if I were still doing consulting. I'll also note that (as of this writing) I'm also on the 1st page for "CGI Consultant", "CGI Consulting" and "perl programming consultant" (#2 for that one).
No magic, no black-hat tricks, just well published best practices. I'm still seriously wondering what SEO "experts" do that the everyday person can't to bring their website to the top of the SERPs. Ok, ok.. I'm not an "everyday person", but any developer has these same things available, and even a non-tech person can read about these best practices in plain-English and tell their tech people to do it.
Maybe I'll just add "SEO Expert" to my resume.
Posted by Kevin at 9:30 AM | Comments (0)
October 25, 2007
Does Vlad really care?
VOA News - Iran Denounces New US Sanctions
But Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized the U.S. decision during a visit to Lisbon, Portugal. He said the sanctions threaten to make the situation worse.
Really? Do you really thing Vlad cares? I don't know about that. He visited Iran last week, and I have a feeling Bush waited until he spoke to Vlad about these sanctions before having them announced. After all, I can't think of any reason to announce them today, as opposed to any other except Bush and Vlad talking about it. Vlad has to be all nice with Iran, they owe him money, are from the same region, and he needs to keep up his anti-US rhetoric.
I mean, what will it make worse? Iran hasn't stopped anything as it is. The only thing punishing Iran at all is sanctions. Plus, I think this is more because of them helping the Taliban and fighters in Iraq than the nuclear issue. The nuclear issue is a back-room-meeting situation right now. Even if Iran wanted to halt activity, they won't if it just looks like they are because of US pressure. They don't want to seem that weak.
Posted by Kevin at 6:34 PM | Comments (0)
Homeowner's Ass? An example of bad website QA
My bank finally updated their online banking system. With it, came some problems. I've done some voluntary beta testing for them, which I hope has been useful for them. But, here's something I caught *after* release, which was, in a way, funny... but sort of not.
I had to send in my annual money to my HOA. So, I enter a one-time payment, and fill in the FULL payee name "Westbrook in Wilton Homeowner's Association". Well, apparently even though the system truncates the payee name, there was no maxlength on the form field.
This is how the check went out:
Technically, I think I should have deposited the check in my ass.
Posted by Kevin at 9:16 AM | Comments (0)
October 24, 2007
Dumbledore Gay?!?! Gimme a break
Put Dumbledore Back in the Closet - TIME
When J.K. Rowling announced at Carnegie Hall that Albus Dumbdledore—her Aslan, her Gandalf, her Yoda—was gay, the crowd apparently sat in silence for a few seconds and then burst into wild applause.
So, I'm not a Potter fan. But, if suddenly Tolkien came out (when alive) and said Gandalf was gay, I'd be kinda pissed. Not because he was Gay, who cares? But, if he was.. write it in the damn book. Otherwise, it's like saying "Oh yeah, he really loved kittens" except, that would have less "shock" factor, wouldn't it?! That's what I think this must be about. Some shock factor to sell some more books, get some more PR and maybe reach a few more people in a different segment. Am I wrong? Anyone who has read the series now going "Ohhhhhhhhh! So, that's why he did.. blah blah blah"?
Doubt it.
Posted by Kevin at 12:33 PM | Comments (0)
October 22, 2007
PKK Is Scared
Al Jazeera English - News - Pkk Fighters 'Offer Turkey Truce'
"We are ready for a ceasefire if the Turkish army stops attacking our positions, drops plans for an incursion and resorts to peace," a statement from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) said on Monday.
Sooooo.. "we're ready to stop attacking you if you stop your plans to attack us back, and stop shooting back at us. We didn't expect that you would plan to attack us back, so we want a ceasefire."
Posted by Kevin at 11:57 AM | Comments (0)
Kyla's TKD Tourney
From Saturday:
#1 in sparring (2nd year in a row). Won by a long shot:
#2 in forms (taegeuk 6). She lost by a very small margin. I'm talking about .3! It was a close call:
Congrats Kyla!
Posted by Kevin at 10:44 AM | Comments (0)
Happy Birthday Suzy
Happy Birthday Suzy! (yesterday)
Posted by Kevin at 10:27 AM | Comments (0)
Dumb Dems
Pelosi's judgment questioned over Armenia issue | U.S. | Reuters
I said before this was really a stupid thing. And, Pelosi wanting to push for a vote was the Stupid Cherry on top of the Stupid Cake.
President George W. Bush warned the symbolic resolution to affirm the 1915 massacre of Armenians by Ottoman Turks as genocide would harm Washington's relations with Ankara. But as long as it looked like it would pass, Pelosi stuck to her guns.
Her tone changed a bit as it lost some support. But, this is a good example of how some Dems really don't seem to "get" the war of terror, or our need to succeed in Iraq and that region. Turkey is a key ally for us, and a needed country. Maybe the push to piss them off was a strategy to undermine the war in Iraq? Either they didn't care about the likely repercussions of bothering with this useless resolution, which would be ignoring the importance of Turkey to us, or they were just too stupid to notice. In either case, it's all just plan stupid.
And, after all.. who the hell are we to determine if that was genocide or not? What the hell business is it of ours? It's a perfectly fine topic for college classrooms and places for us to debate if we want (who really wants to?), but not for our government to quibble over, and certainly not for them to vote on.
I think the biggest enemy of the Democratic party right now is the Democratic party. They were voted in because people wanted a change, and wanted to send a message to the Republican controlled government. But, I don't think this new government has done squat. No Iraq timetable (which personally, I think is stupid but that was a big part of the platform and certainly why they got many votes), gas prices still rising, healthcare is the same, borders are still porous, etc... Maybe I forgot something I read, but I don't know what they have done. Anyone? Beuller?
Posted by Kevin at 10:26 AM | Comments (0)
October 19, 2007
Better, or worse? Better, or worse?
That's what you hear over and over during an eye exam. And, sometimes you really can't tell if it's better or worse. Sometimes, it's pretty close, or looks the same during the .03 seconds you have to decide when your eye hasn't had the change to adjust yet.
This is now the 2nd or 3rd year in a row where my new prescription doesn't seem right. Each time, my left eye is just a little "off". I give it a few days or my eye/brain connection to adjust, then just can't the funhouse effect I get anymore and need to revert back to my other prescription.
I wonder how common this really is, since it's now been a few times for myself. I now get nervous during an exam that I'll give the wrong answer. This last time, when I couldn't tell which was better/worse, I said it, instead of just picking one. But, I don't know which one the doctor chose, or how he chose it.
I think next year, I'll have my exam, and just say "whatever you found, just give me the same prescription that I've had."
Posted by Kevin at 10:32 AM | Comments (0)
October 18, 2007
China still whining
VOA News - China Says US Award for Dalai Lama Gravely Undermines Relations
Oh, and sending our kids lead painted toys doesn't? Why don't you shut up?! Keep your wolf tickets for something people will pay attention to.
Posted by Kevin at 3:30 PM | Comments (0)
October 16, 2007
Well, if Vlad says so...
Putin: Iran nuke plans 'peaceful' - CNN.com
.. then it must be so!! After all, Russia has no economic stake in the reactors in Iran. Oh wait.. yes they do! But, Putin is surely being impartial here. *cough*
Posted by Kevin at 2:15 PM | Comments (0)
October 15, 2007
China is a baby
Al Jazeera English - News - China Snubs Us Over Dalai Lama
China has pulled out of an international meeting on Iran to protest against the US giving the Dalai Lama an award, a US state department official says.
Waaaaahhh... you like Johnny and I don't so I'm taking my lead painted toys and going home!
Posted by Kevin at 10:57 PM | Comments (0)
Yippee.. whoop-de-doo
Is it me, or are more news stories about who has more money, ads, celebrity friends, fundraising, web ads, etc... than actual stances on issues? I think I see 10 who-cares headlines to every 1 saying what someone is lying going to not really do when in office.
Posted by Kevin at 4:41 PM | Comments (0)
Congrats Alan!
Good move buddy :-)
Posted by Kevin at 10:48 AM | Comments (0)
Pelosi, kinda stupid
Pelosi says she'll press on with Armenian 'genocide' resolution - CNN.com
Yeah.. push on with it. Who cares that NOT pushing on with it would not do anything because nobody really cares, and you have better things to do but pushing on with it DOES hurt relations with a good ally.
Sometimes, you need to know when to drop something, and this is one of those times.
"There's never been a good time," [Pelosi] adding that it is important to pass the resolution now "because many of the survivors are very old."
And, soon they will be dead and not have to live through any political and diplomatic aftermath of your stupid decisions.
QUICK!! Condemn Germany a few more times for Hitler before all WWII era people die!!
Posted by Kevin at 9:02 AM | Comments (0)
October 11, 2007
UPS Is Silly
So, I'm doing some fresh scambaiting, and the scammer was sending me their "Money Order" (which I "cash", and give some back). They did it via UPS to a fake address I gave them. It was sent "overnight" on Oct 3, and it's been funny watching the tracking since it's pretty much been back and forth this country about 4 times. Finally, it's made it to the right town. But, this is the latest that the UPS site says:
THE RECEIVER'S ADDRESS IS INCOMPLETE. UPS IS ATTEMPTING TO OBTAIN THE ENTIRE ADDRESS AND COMPLETE THE DELIVERY. / A POSTCARD HAS BEEN SENT TO THE RECIPIENT REQUESTING THAT THEY CONTACT UPS.
Soo.... they don't know the full address, so they sent a postcard to the address for the recipient to tell them the address. Funny stuff.
Posted by Kevin at 8:57 AM | Comments (0)
October 10, 2007
Slow day in DC
VOA News - US Congressional Committee Approves Armenian Genocide Resolution
Not much else going on for Congressional Committees to do. It's even a "non binding" resolution. So, it's basically a group of elected officials saying that a bunch of Armenians killed about a century ago was genocide. Not much else for these guys to talk about, eh?
Posted by Kevin at 7:59 PM | Comments (0)
Hacker mom
Posted by Kevin at 12:54 PM | Comments (0)
October 8, 2007
I think the RIAA shouldn't have won
Why the RIAA should have won (though the fine was too high) | The Iconoclast
I'm not exactly sure what was up with the Jury here. I did read somewhere that based on the judge's instructions, they correctly found her guilty. But, the instructions were a bit "off". No damages, that I'm aware of, have been proven yet this woman is slapped with a huge fine.
Personally, I don't think sharing material should be punishable. Just because I have files on my computer shared to the world shouldn't constitute something illegal. It's really the downloading part where, I believe, the copyright infraction occurs. Actually, not even then. I think it's when the downloaded material is used (watched or listened to). Until it's "used" it's just a bunch of 1's and 0's spread out across a disk. Kind of like a gun being in the bedroom closet, and bullets being in the garage. Until they are put together and used, they are of no harm. But, just sharing files seems pretty lame to have being so punishable.
"It doesn't strike a regular person that by passing a CD around the neighborhood, they should have their house taken away," says Lew Rockwell, president of the free-market Mises Institute in Auburn, Alabama. "And by electronic means it shouldn't be any different."
The RIAA isn't stopping file sharing. They also aren't generating more music sales with all their litigations. But, what they are doing is continuing to blemish an already money-hungry, degrading product, slimy industry.
Posted by Kevin at 10:46 AM | Comments (0)
October 7, 2007
Still the Dems plan?
Has any Dem said anything different to this yet?
Posted by Kevin at 11:24 PM | Comments (0)
October 4, 2007
It’s Always Funny in Philadelphia
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
This show is funny as hell. Love it.
Posted by Kevin at 10:19 PM | Comments (0)
October 3, 2007
Republican + Sex Scandal = Gay
Top Five Republican Gay Sex Scandals
I have nothing against Republicans, sex, or gays... but it is kind of amusing how many Republican sex scandals are not only of the "same plumbing" variety, but they are usually done by people who publicly appear anti-gay.
Posted by Kevin at 11:35 PM | Comments (0)
3 Diana Questions
Diana Inquest: Three Key Questions - TIME
Questions:
1. Who cares?
2. Who cares?
3. Who cares?
Posted by Kevin at 8:21 PM | Comments (0)
When in business, be professional
Sometimes, I email people regarding something business related. As in, I email them about their business because I'm interested in what they have or the service they provide. Now, I know a lot of people aren't 'net savvy, but email is pretty simple. You type what you would say, because what you type is what you say. And, how you type it is how you say it.
First, I emailed a stable about buying shares in a race horse. This is something I've been wanting to do, and was interested in their partnership. I emailed them with probably about 6 questions, only one of them being if there are still shares left in a particular horse. Here's what I got back:
Hi,
There are .still two shares left in stable 18. We have claimed the horse. His name is Tuff Tiger and he is in Wednesday evening.
You must purchase the shares thru paypal by Wednesday 5p.m.
There are no other expenses.
Any questions please email me.
Ok, so not too bad. I don't like "thru", or the choppy sentences. But, what I really didn't like was the non-answers to all my other questions. I asked about taxes, being payed out and other things any reasonable person wants to know before handing them money. He may not have the time to fully answer my email, but I don't have the time to email 10 times. He says if I have any questions, to email him. Well, I did.. with a bunch of questions, so what would emailing again do? So, bzzzzzzzzt... no business. Another stable took the time to answer my questions, professionally.
Just the other day, on Craigslist, I saw someone had some Berber carpet, and would install it. We are working on finishing the basement, and flooring needs to be done. I'm leery about someone from CL, but doesn't hurt to find out the details and keep that avenue open. So, I send an email asking what color the carpet is, and how much to install per sq. yard. Response:
hello kevin the berber is a brown lt in color nice it would be about 12.99 installe call me if you want
See, now.. if I were some guy looking to install some carpet, I'd take the extra 12 seconds to make that single (should be two) sentences read a little more professionally. Wouldn't you? So far, he seems like an idiot... although 12.99/yard isn't bad. So, I ask him what color "brown" it is, since there is no "brown" when it comes to home product colors. It's always something like "Mocha Choca Sunrise Mud Wrap", which is brown. Here is my email, which I obviously took the time to try to formulate:
Hi XXXXXX,
So, around $1400 for about 1k sq. feet? Is it Shaw, Mohawk, or some other maker? I know the manufacturers use 20 different ways to describe "brown", so I'm wondering if you know their name for "brown". That's what my wife will ask me when I say it's "brown" :-)
Also, are you licensed, insured, bonded, etc...?
And the response:
hello kevin its mohawk mills caliope fawn and yes i have ins,
It's like emailing with a child with ADD. This guy may be a great carpet installer, and have a good price, but it annoys the crap out of me when people can't spend the extra few seconds to type like an adult, and have your email be as professional as you want me to believe you are.
So, I a tip to all small business people out there. When someone emails you about your services, respond professionally. Use proper grammar, complete sentences, and answer all of what's asked. No matter what you do, you're not the only game in town, and it could be the difference between getting a customer, or not.
Posted by Kevin at 9:15 AM | Comments (0)