Archive for July 2003

I don’t want this to become a forum for my complaining of vertigo since I have some place else to do that. Just wanted to let y’all know I am still around and why I can’t post as often.

My buddy Nick has had a lot of good stuff to share. He posted his presentation from Web Design World on The Why and How of Blogging. If you’re here, you obviously understand blogs. There are many who still don’t or don’t realize the potential of blogs beyond the “Hey, family and friends. Here’s what I am up to!” thing.

I’ve managed three blogs this year. This one, the professional-side in which I tell about goings on related to techie, Web design, and writing. The baby blog, which chronicled the development and arrival of my son – it’s no longer updated as it’s served its purpose), and the newest is the Bionic Ear Blog in which I share the adventures of literally changing my life by way of hearing.

My local newspaper, The Dallas Morning News, has recently started a blog. Even with all these blogs popping up, the blogging stats are still low on the number of people using blogs. I won’t even begin to discuss the many ways a blog can be useful and the equal number of ways it’s abused. I believe that eventually like browsers, blogs will find its place in the e-world and live as another killer app just like e-mail.

E-mail had its early adopters in the military then in the BBS (bulletin board system) world, then through places like Prodigy and AOL (man, I had to refrain from saying h-e-double hockey sticks – heh) to ISPs. I still have a few friends who aren’t e-mailers, but they have an account through AOL or their workplace. Two of my three childhood friends NEVER e-mail on a personal basis. Blogs will be the same way. Some people caught on early before blogging apps existed, others got into the game when the apps came along and spread the word, and now it’s reaching mainstream audiences, which will lead to finding new uses for them (Intranets, small businesses, schools, etc.).

Having been an early adopter of a blog, I wish I had written a book on it or given a presentation. Why can’t I do that now? Eh, there are so many out there and good ones by awesome writers. Why add to the fray?

Still feel blah despite trying to work with the dizziness and nausea. Another day of taking it easy, alas. Everyone promises me the CI will make a difference.

Details at the Bionic Ear Blog.

Hello everyone, “The Husband” again. Meryl as requested that I post that she recovering but is experiencing severe vertigo. She apologizes for her slow response to e-mails and requests. Details, if you have not been foollowing are at http://www.meryl.net/ci/.

You know it is bad when Meryl can’t use the computer.

I hate cold calling, but I think I have a good reason being hard of hearing. That’s why I enjoy working with e-newsletters. We announced another winner of the VIZible Value Award in the July eNewsletter Journal. See what it takes to have that Je ne sais quoi. Read previous issues, which review other e-newsletters and how to make them stronger.

Digital Web Magazine has an insightful interview with Jeffrey Veen of Adaptive Path who discusses tight budgets and his thoughts on the stagnation of the browsers.

I had another post ready to go today… but must set it aside since this is making news everywhere. RIP Netscape tagline credit belongs to Molly. It started at Webstandards.org. Then, I found more at Eric Meyer’s place (Naturally, I went there as soon as I heard about this since he works for Netscape… still), Amit wrote Mozilla Wants to Rumble With IE… no doubt there is more on the topic throughout the Web, but these are the best places to start along with Mozilla.org. Oh, and there is Marc Andreessen’s contribution that came out before all this came out. You get the idea.

Another good source is Bruce Lawson’s excellent and humourous (I can spell it that way, he’s British) interview with Eric Meyer at DMXZone, a great community for Macromedia and Ultradev developers by developers where beginners and advanced developers can come together to share knowledge and learn from each other.

Launched in May 2003, features” href=”http://zlog.co.uk/features/”>zlog addresses Web design issues. Currently, there are three articles and five interviews.

One of the interviews is with Shirley Kaiser, who discusses her passion for Web standards as a fellow member of WaSP.

David M. Freedman poses a challenging question as the law hasn’t caught up with the Internet. In Can You Copyright an e-Newsletter? explains basic copyright definitions and how they apply to Web sites and e-newsletters.

When I wrote a never-published article about digital protection, I probably tore out a few hairs out of frustration in trying to get the right information on paper. Freedman consulted with a property lawyer in writing the article, which puts copyright stuff in English for the rest of us.

I also recommend The GigLaw: Guide to Internet Law by Doug Isenberg, an attorney and founder of the Internet law Web site GigLaw.com. Anyone who does Internet newsletters, Web design, manages a Web site, freelance work relating to the Internet, or hire such folks should have this book. It references case studies (Playboy and Electronics Boutique are mentioned) and the lessons learned.

The book is divided in seven parts, the major parts of Internet law, for easy referencing. Each part has a case study to explain how a real-life situation is impacted by legal issues. Ever notice the copyright symbol on many Web sites? The book clearly explains how it works and the correct way to use it.

This is the source to go to get the answers on how Internet laws affect a business and see bulleted lists of how tos. The book makes an excellent reference because of the well-organized layout and jargon-free writing, something I thought not possible to do after my attempt in writing about copyrights in Web design.

Doug Isenberg is an attorney and founder of GigaLaw.com, the Internet law Web site. You can’t beat these qualifications in choosing an author for this book. Anyone who does Web design, manages a Web site will want this book as Internet law is exasperating topic with few clear answers. There are few Web sites on Internet law that can be trusted because the information is flawed or doesn’t accurately explain the law.

The book is divided in seven parts, the major parts of Internet law, for easy referencing. The parts being copyright law, domain names and trademarks, patent law, privacy, free speech and first amendment, contract law and high technology, and employment law. Each part has a case study (Playboy and Electronics Boutique are mentioned) to explain how a real-life situation is impacted by legal issues and lessons learned. Ever notice the copyright symbol on many Web sites? The book clearly explains how it works and the correct way to use it.

The hot topic of online children’s privacy and protection is beneficial to parents and anyone who has a Web site that targets children. The requirements and exceptions of COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) are clearly described.

This is the source to go to get the answers on how Internet laws affect a business and see bulleted lists of how tos. Though Internet law is a new and evolving area of law, this book’s companion Web site, gigalaw.com, will keep the reader abreast of the latest. The book makes an excellent reference because of the well-organized layout and jargon-free writing, something I thought not possible to do after my attempt in writing about copyrights in Web design.

VITAL STATISTICS:
TITLE: GigaLaw: Guide to Internet Law
AUTHOR: Doug Isenberg
PUBLISHER: Random House Trade Paperbacks
PUBLICATION DATE: October 22, 2002
ISBN: 0812991982
FORMAT: Paperback
PAGES: 432
PRICE: US$17.95