Archive for March 2003

High-Tech Improving Disabled Access gives us a peek at what’s coming to assist those with disabilities. Every bit helps, but my own experience dictates more tech will come along adding more barriers to break.

My 20×2 entry was messed up. I created it using a Windows PC and it ran on a Mac. The Mac took away all the effects and reduced the quality. Here’s the real deal [Uses free Powerpoint Slide Show viewer - 2.9M file] minus the music file since it is too big to include… but, I am not sure how it’ll play on a Mac. Yes, I have a Mac on my wish list, it’s just not one of those things I really need, y’know?

Two of my favorite entries came from fellow D/FWers Michael Giffith and Josh Benton.

Taking a break from sxsw activities to drop a line. Got in on Saturday afternoon, in time to check a couple of panels and say hello to a few friends. Didn’t stay out too late… remember I’ve got to walk for two and I had to moderate a panel first thing the next morning.

Panel went fine. Not too crowded as people were recovering from the night before. It was a pleasure working with Matt Stephens, Ethan Persoff, and Craig Swann… all talented guys.

Went to Fray3 last night and it was roomier. Anyone who wanted to come made it in this year. Kudos to Derek and crew. Paul (hubby) and I both told stories. I took a few shots and will post soon.

Today, more panels and 20×2 is tonight. Austin weather has been cooperating very nicely this year.

Need some good reading? Just came across Adrian Holovaty’s interview of Andy King.

Too make the new redesign and server move more frustrating, I got word from a Mac IE5 user that this site looks funny on the browser. I’ve ran it through the XHTML and CSS checker and it’s in good shape with minor errors, but nothing that could screw things up.

Love to mention the talented folks I’ve seen around here, but it’d be a long list. It was a pleasure meeting folks for the first time and seeing familiar faces again. Be back to reality tomorrow. Y’all behave.

I prefer the good old fashioned paper to electronic books. However, ebooks are nice because I download them to my handheld device for reading in between activities or while waiting on whatever. This is the first review I have done for Knowbetter, Review of Fire Your Boss and Hire Yourself: Freelance Your Way to Happiness and Prosperity.

I have a few more in my handheld waiting to be rated. The Web site also provides information on the ebook industry, publishers, and more.

No boring Web strategy articles allowed today. Grokdotcom has two entertaining articles that teach you somethin’. I admit I’ve always believed in: Quality, cheap, and on time; pick two. Online Conversion Rates / On Time, On Budget & On Purpose tries to change the strategy from pick two to pick three. Can it be done?

Shades of Bogart movies or Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer reflect in To Have or Have Not. Why go for a two percent conversion rate when you can do better than that? Eh, that sounds boring. Let Detective Grok tell you the story.

I am now on the new server with a new design. I know it’s boxy and not too exciting to look at, but it is built with valid CSS and XHTML (at least, at last check). I also give you the option of making the font larger or leave it at the default size. Also, the background is white so it’ll make it easier to read unlike the previous orange background. Although, I understand some people have problem with white backgrounds. If this is the case, let me know and I’ll create another style sheet with a different background color.

Now, if I can get Mozilla to get me my emails. I can get them to work in other clients, but not Mozilla. Strange. The problem may be the new design has moved over to the new server under meryl.net, but the old design remains under www.meryl.net. Links are broken because of this… just knock off the www portion to stay on the new site. Oh, this is a big headache.

Special thanks to Simon and Simon. No, this isn’t a play on the TV show. It’s people like Simon who make me glad I stick with the ‘Net stuff.