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Flow: Zen and the Art of Having Fun Writing

July 25, 2006 by Liz

Flow

I want to tell you about one of my heroes. His name is Mihaly Csikzentmihalyi (pronounced chick-sent-me-high-ee). He became a cult figure in the creative world when he published a book called Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. The book came out in 1990 and writers, artists, others who need to be creative still tell others about it.

Everyone experiences flow. We call it being “in the zone.” What you might not know is why and how it happens or that you can make it happen more often. [Read more…]

Net Neutrality 7-25-2006

July 25, 2006 by Liz

Net Neutrality Links

I’m adding this link to the Net Neutrality Page.

Today’s cell phone system argues for retaining network neutrality

Net neutrality proponents foretell a grim future for the Internet if net neutrality is scrapped: one where technology stagnates because of high entry barriers and one where a small oligarchy controls what consumers can and cannot experience. . . . wouldn’t it be nice if history provided some guidance from which to evaluate these claims?

It turns out that we have a privately owned and controlled network all around us, one that closely mirrors the technical functionality of the Internet, but where there has never been a requirement for net neutrality: the US cellular phone network.

. . . So why aren’t there a wealth of amazing and interactive services available for mobile devices? Why is there no MySpace, Craigslist, Amazon, Flikr, or eBay accessible through this network? Why are cell phone payment systems and email systems nearly nonexistent? Why haven’t charities raised money or awareness of their causes through this system?

It’s simple. Because the cell phone carriers control what services are allowed to use their networks. There is no net neutrality on the cell phone network.

Read this one to find out what you would pay to set up the same thing you’re already doing via the cell phone carriers.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related
NET NEUTRALITY PAGE

Technorati Has a Birthday and We Get the Present!

July 24, 2006 by Liz

Customer-Centered Technorati!

In honor of their third anniversary as a company, Technorati has rolled out a major upgrade. The billboard that Technorati has changed their view to customer-centered is that when you sign in, you’ll find the home page is about you, your blogs, and what you might find interesting — not about Technorati.

I’m already liking these changes.

The Home Page brings what I need together. Everything I use daily is there. I love that the ping is right on top. I can click directly to my indexed posts.
The link counts are a lot more accurate. Thank you.
Favorites makes sense and is easier. I’m MUCH more likely to use Favorites Now.
Technorati Browser Buttons are one reason I’m more likely to use Favorites now.
The Search function is faster and has more filters. I very much like that I can filter by language.
The Search results have extended excerpts. (Show details.) I can take a closer look without having to click through.
The support text is written clearly. That’s a BIG deal to me. Thanks Technorati for getting a great writer to write these bits and pieces. No confusion or ambiguity whatsoever in anything I’ve read so far.
I also love the quieter new layout.

Check out this tool for business blogging, blog promotion, and branding. You can read about it and see a video of the features at Sifry’s Alerts by clicking on this title.

Happy Birthday, Technorati! Thank you, David and Technorati, for the present!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

American Airlines: When 2+2= -8 Just to Get Back to 0

July 24, 2006 by Liz

Stuck in the Airport

I have traveled 1,481,924 miles with American Airlines. I’m a loyal customer. It means something to me. It should mean something to them. Apparently it does 50% of the time.

Saturday I flew out of Philadelphia. It’s not American hub, but I flew American anyway. My flight was delayed, an unfortunate circumstance that occurs too often in Philadelphia. The delay was 4 hours. I did what I do — got a drink and something to eat. Then I looked for a story. I think of the story I found as When 2+2= -8 Just to Get Back to 0 [Read more…]

Net Neutrality 7-24-2006

July 24, 2006 by Liz

Net Neutrality Links

I’m adding this link to the Net Neutrality Page.

Telco Wars and Net Neutrality

Let me start of by saying reading this post by James Enck may cause your heart to skip a few beats if you work at Level3 or are a customer who relies on them, or has built budgets and pro-formas based on how Level3 charges you.

But it goes much deeper and you MUST read through the various links that other bloggers have gathered to get the whole picture. . . .

The line from Gordon Cook sums up a lot:

Net Neutrality is a skillful diversion to draw our attention there while Qwest, ATT, Verizon and BellSouth still the knife in at the court and PUC level and kill off the remaining services they donÃ¢â¬â¢t control.

. . .

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related
NET NEUTRALITY PAGE

Bloggy Question 16 — Customer Feedback

July 23, 2006 by Liz

What Do They Think?

For those who come looking for a short, thoughtful read, a blogging life discussion, or a way to gradually ease back into the week, I offer this Blogging Question.

A friend comes to you and says she wants to know what folks really think about her blog and her business. What advice would you give her to help her find out?

–ME “Liz” Strauss