Category: Uncategorized

I’m interested to hear what folks have to say about Google+.

 I've got an invite but haven't been able to check it out yet.

For those who may now be aware, Google+ is Google's latest effort to
get into the social networking scene. Its previous efforts, such as
Google Buzz and Wave, fizzled.

Particularly disastrous was the launch of Google Buzz. They flipped a
switch and I (and countless others) got messages saying that we had
been automatically placed in a social network with people just because
we had previously exchanged emails. Problem was, there are some folks
I've previously exchanged email with that I don't *want* to be
automatically socially networked with.

I couldn't turn the thing off fast enough.

Word I'm hearing from those who have used Google+ is much more
positive, though. Some are even talking about it as a replacement for
Facebook.

Here's an article on the subject.

GET THE STORY.

What are your thoughts?

YAY! Jerry Pournelle is writing for the new BYTE.

His opening column deals with trends in tablet computing devices
(iPads, etc.) and the future of publishing (Kindle, iPad, etc.).

In the course of the article, he cites "The Mote in God's Eye," which
he and Larry Niven wrote back in 1974.

That book is one of my favorite reads, and in it the authors foresaw a
number of technological developments. As a result, everyone in the
31st century is walking around with their pocket phones and pocket
computers.

Visionary for 1974 (cell phones were only barely invented–and
huge!–at that point, and the personal computer revolution was not yet
really begun). They just didn't realize that pocket phones and pocket
computers would end up being the same thing.

Also, they had the pocket comps using a stylus interface (a reasonable
prediction, but I don't think one that will last that long; it's
already being replaced by touch screens and voice activation), and you
had to establish a special link with the local mainframe, at which
point the device would buzz to let you know it was in communication
with it. (Overly complicated way of connecting to the local wi-fi.)

Still, *very* impressive.

And a ripping good story, too.

GET THE STORY.

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You’ll notice that in the margin are two new buttons, which look like this:

 

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I began blogging in 2004. While there were free blogging options then (as now), I went with a for-pay blogging option because it provided enhanced features that would allow me to provide a better blog experience to readers.

I’ve tried to simply employ my general principle of trying to do the best work I can and leave the money up to God.

To fund the blog I set up an Amazon Associates account and occasionally linked to products that I could recommend. Never made a big deal of it, but I was only trying to cover the expenses of blogging. The income was small–a few dollars to a few dozens of dollars a month–but on average it was enough to cover my expenses.

Not wanting to overcommercialize the blog, I declined many offers over the years from people who wanted to advertise on the blog. Only recently have I had any advertising at all on the blog, and that’s been a small margin ad for a single book of mine.     

I’ve even had peole ask if they could donate to help support the my Internet efforts, but I’ve never been set up for that, and I’ve been happy to provide material just covering my costs via Amazon.

The situation has changed, though, such that I can no longer afford to take my historical approach. Costs have gone up, and I recently committed to a whole new set of behind-the-scenes expenses (e.g., involved in providing podcasts), just before the Amazon income stream was cut out from under me.

The State of California and Amazon got into a tax dispute, and the upshot is that Amazon has cancelled all its contracts with California associates. They’re working to undo the law that occasioned this step, but it’s uncertain if that’s going to happen, and it’s like to be a year or years if it ever does happen.

To meet the shortfall, I’ve created a PayPal account that will allow me to run a Tip Jar, much like other bloggers.

Even if you don’t have a PayPal account, you can still use this feature with a credit card via PayPal’s state-of-the-industry secure payment system. I myself use PayPal regularly, and they are very secure. I trust them, which is why I selected them rather than some other service.

I would therefore ask if you would consider making a donation to help me pay my Internet expenses and keep providing the blog, the podcast, and other fun and informative Internet projects I have planned. 

You can either hit the “Donate” button and make a one-time donation or, if you’d like to provide ongoing support, you can hit the “Subscribe” button and make a monthly donation automatically.

 

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Smiley-face-thumb-450x450-152676 I just wanted to say a word of thanks for your donation. It will help me pay the bills and keep providing fun, informative, and faith-building information.

The costs of providing information on the web via blog, podcast, and other means are real, and your assistance makes it possible for me to provide quality information in a variety of convenient ways.

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Your friend,

–Jimmy Akin