A new tool from Google, Google web trends, allows people to check out the trends in web site popularity. Google web trends allows users to even compare web sites side by side. This is how I saw that LinkedIn was getting way more traffic than Wikipedia.
I just upgraded to Firefox 3.0 and, upon trying to access this site got a warning from Google that the site contained Malware. Of course, I would never allow anything like that on my site so I looked in depth.
It seemed that many of my posts contained hidden links and iframes that I never put there. Somebody hacked the site, which makes me want to cut out their lungs with a dull spoon.
I am not sure how this happened, so I assume the vulnerability may still be there. I have changed my passwords to the site, and will continue to monitor. I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
That being said, the information provided by Google was pretty poor, and I would have appreciated more detailed information in order to fix my site since they were blocking my readers.
RFID is all the rage these days - with inventory tracking systems, building entry systems, encoded car keys, and now the US passport. US passports will now contain RFID chips which is supposed to make them forgery-proof. Will they?
Stop making it hard for people to buy things from you. Sounds simple right? It’s human nature to avoid painful experiences, even if that avoidance will lead to more pain later. Even if I really want what you are selling online, you can make it so hard for me, that I won’t buy it.
RIAspot.com is a new Web 2.0 social networking site for people who work with or have interest in Rich Internet Application technology. My aim is to connect this niche community to help push the technology, provide a better sense of value to business, and to help people who work with RIA tech do their jobs better.
The site is open, and membership is free. I’ve added most of the features you’d expect like blogging, IM, making connections, job board posting, forums, and finding great user created content. It’s like facebook, but focused on a professional community.
I encourage you, if your work or interests touch on this technology - go and sign up.
There is a lot of debate about the definition of Web 3.0. Some proposals include: 3d browsing, increased bandwidth, and artificial intelligence. There seems to be consensus that Web 3.0 will include the semantic web.
Instead of just a web of human-readable pages of text, imagine if the info on the web could also be easily parsed for meaningful data. The data could be both human and machine readable, with meaningful relationships easy to discern.
I have had the unique opportunity recently to participate in several “proof of concept” tests building essentially the same application in Flex and in Silverlight. What I found were some interesting distinctions, rarely discussed, that should be helpful when choosing a technology.
When properly conceived, architected, and executed - RIAs can engage your users, build your brand, and drive your technology ROI.
How does this business transformation happen?
So, my current long-term gig is up at the end of May and I’ll be looking for a new contract. Specifically, I’d like to find something that can be done nearly 100% remotely.
If you know anyone who could use a UI expert with technical expertise in Flash / Flex / Ajax / JSP and (currently learning) Silverlight - please send them over to my public profile on linkedIn here : http://www.linkedin.com/in/johnm. They can contact me through linkedIn.
I’m currently in Boston, but may be moving around soon, which is why I think telecommuting is the best possible option for me.
I have to give big props to a company from my home state of Maine, who’s helping the world go greener - in a user friendly way. Hallowell International of Bangor Maine has invented an air to air heat pump that works in cold climates. That’s big, huge news.
A heat pump heats and cools basically the same way your refrigerator does. It uses compressors to exchange heat with the air. They run on electricity alone (negating the need for fossil fuels), and are way more efficient than propane , oil, or straight electric heat. Up until Hallowell, the systems could only be used in Southern climes and required an outdoor air temp of at least 30 degrees F to operate.