Tag Archives: Web Sites

SiteMeter is Spying on Blog Readers

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Not that anyone would necessarily notice, but I’ve removed all SiteMeter tracking from the site. See, the blog was loading slowly, so I started running some tests, looking over everything with a fine-toothed comb. That’s when I found a rather conspicuous entry: a cookie from specificclick.net.

I did a search on the address, and found a number of blog posts all saying the same thing: on or around March 25, 2007, SiteMeter quietly accepted an unspecified amount of money and, in return, started embedding specificclick.net cookies into the pages of almost every SiteMeter account holder.

To date, the SiteMeter crew has said nothing about this outside of a few blog posts—nothing about specificclick.net is mentioned on SiteMeter.com, except for a vague “we’re adding new features” bit o’ hype that fails to mention how the new features are going to be collected.

Shane over at AskShane.org said it best:

Screw Up? Don’t Try to Hide

  • Admit you screwed up.
  • Say what you’re doing to fix it.
  • Offer some kind of appropriate compensation.

Because SiteMeter has used me to infect y’all’s computers, it’s the least I can do to point you to something that’ll show you how to remove specificclick.net cookies and block them forever.

IconBuffet: Oslo Buzz

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Oslo Buzz [Star]

Remember when I told you about IconBuffet? Well, I’ve been digging their Free Deliveries for a while now, and when I heard that Oslo Buzz was on sale for only $5, I had to get it!

Why? Well, partly because I’m that kind of geek. Mostly, though, because I’m going to be redesigning this-here blog, and I want Oslo Buzz to be a part of that redesign. :)

I want to share the love, too, so I’m giving away Free Deliveries to anyone who wants to join me in my icon addiction! Here’s how to get your free icon pack:

Continue reading →

Squidoo: Content AdSense is King

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Squidoo

For all you non-Squidooers, there’s been quite a controversy stirred up by the abrupt switch (made without notice) in AdSense placement on user-created lenses a few weeks back. (Whew!) In the midst of seemingly universal opposition (outside of the Squidoo offices, of course), they have announced things will stay as-is until August 1st, at the earliest.

I got a note from someone who was surprised to see a competitive product at the top of his Squidoo lens. He was miffed, actually, not surprised. What surprised him is that his sales went UP after the ad appeared.

So, no promises about what happens next to our ads, other than that we’ll keep trying new things and letting you know about them and listening to your feedback. But for now I wanted to share the thinking with you.

— Seth Godin, 2 Cents on AdSense

Well, at least now we’re hearing more of the thinking behind the scenes. We’ll see what happens. Me? I figure August 1st is far enough ahead that most folks will just be tired of arguing the issue. Quite a few “lensmasters” at that point will have only ever know the ads as having top-placement on Squidoo lenses anyway. Maybe it’s just not worth it…

I can’t help but wonder about a project that, just a month or two out of beta, is already selling out and ignoring their biggest fans and promoters. :?

Cosby Bebop

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Cosby Bebop

Wow, I like this! At least, I think I like it. It’s always hard to judge a parody when you’re unfamiliar with the original. I’ve been looking all over the Internet for the Cowboy Bebop intro theme this thing is a parody of, but I can’t find it.

“Class? Anyone? Anyone?”

UPDATE: Silly me! The guy included a link to the Cowboy Bebop intro on this piece’s profile page!

The Floyd Gottfredson Fan Club

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The Floyd Gottfredson Fan Club, established 2006.

Kneon Transitt loves Floyd Gottfredson’s Mickey. Kneon loves the man’s work so much, in fact, that he’s started a Gottfredson fan club!

This is wonderful news, and ties in well with Gottfredson’s impending Eisner hall-of-fame induction! These are exciting days for mouse fans… maybe we’ll put those ducks back in their proper place! ;)

Be sure to check out the fan club site! It’s a great resource for learning (or learning more) about Floyd Gottfredson’s work. Nice job, Kneon!

Cornerstone Church of Knoxville

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Cornerstone Church of Knoxville, TN: seal.

The CCK website is live!

Go check it out now, and download Bill Kittrell’s sermon from January 29th — it’s a great look at what consititutes true Biblical fellowship.

I’ve got to give Chris Hornsby credit: he’s done a great job, even if it is 100% Flash. (The Print feature is definitely a nice touch!) Now if they could just integrate a sermon podcast …

Post-Weekend Update

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Kneon Transitt
  • Kneon Transitt is now blogging. Sweet!
  • I have finally seen Disney’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. It was good, except it seemed they couldn’t decide who to have up front: Peter or that lion dude.
  • We moved servers. Hosting is now graciously provided by Plus Web Design. No longer do I need to beg for mercy from some fly-by-night operation that doesn’t know the meaning of the phrase “customer service.” (Thanks, Joshua!)
  • Easter sunrise service at Beachmont, followed by an Easter cantata at Hanover First Church of God and hours of fun with the family. Good stuff!

Now that the server transition seems to be complete, I’ll get back in the swing of things!

Now with Gravatar!

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Need a gravatar? Sign up at www.gravatar.com to get one!

Does my blog have the kiss of death or something? Why is it that my implementation of some tool (for instance, YouTube) happens shortly before their site goes down? That can’t be good for my credibility. ;)

Oh well, once they’re back up you should see unique user icons in the comments section of my posts (rather than the “favatar” site icons I had before). Those user icons are called Gravatars (Globally Recognized Avatar), and you can use them anywhere. All you need to do is go to their website and set up an account (e-mail address and a unique password). Then you upload an image, and each time you comment on a gravatar-enabled site (providing your e-mail address) your gravatar will appear.

One more reason to not comment anonymously: if you do, you get the angry “I need a gravatar” monkey beside your comment, and all your friends will mock you nercilessly!