Consumer Complaints

At a time when shopping is big as well as returning items, we find items that don’t work or live up to our expectations. Rather than just complain, do something about it. It might surprise you. I bought two Miss a Kits and the pen didn’t work on either one. I wrote to the company … Read more

Publisher Plans to Do Digital Books

Thanks to the Internet and POD (print on demand) publishing, traditional (or deadwood) publishers are looking for ways to stay alive. The Dallas Morning News has come a long way in mixing the Internet and technology with its newspaper. It has established blogs, references “for more info go to www.xxx.xxx” in its newspaper, and more. … Read more

Ads in Blogs and Content

I know that seeing ads everywhere in a blog annoys and I’m guilty of it. I do the best I can to provide you with information that you can use or find valuable. Many quality Web sites are using ads and I respect that. I even click on them when I find something interesting.
The ads are there for the most obvious reason. Since becoming a full-time content maven, I’ve had to explore various routes to support the family and that includes ads. This may not matter to you, but I simply want to be up front with you about this.
Ads come with the risk of losing readers. Master New Media, Engadget, Gizmodo (ooh, I listed competitors next to each other), and Boing Boing are well-respected and full of traffic, right?

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Adobe to Cut Jobs

If you think you’re having a bad weekend… consider a couple of thousand people who have to face L-day as in layoff on the 15th. Not surprisingly, Adobe plans to cut jobs and announce them on December 15. Wonderful holiday present… (yes, sarcastic). The cuts aren’t limited to former Macromedia staff. Most cuts will occur … Read more

Why English Is Hard to Learn

In November’s issue of meryl.net newsletter, I included “Reasons why the English language is so hard to learn.” (I don’t remember where I got it from, otherwise, I’d happily add an attribution.) Weatherly wrote a Haiku-like thang (obviously it’s not a Haiku since it doesn’t use 5-7-5) a few years ago, sent it to me, … Read more

Blogs Bad for Business?

Kristen posted a comment on Brand Autopsy. and need Kirsten say more about why blogs are a poor choice for connecting with consumers and customers? blogs are not fact-checked. blogs are opinion. blogs are skewed with personal perspective. my words keep falling on deaf ears but media should be listening since I understand media and … Read more

Super Customer Service: Starbucks

The title of this post isn’t an oxymoron. The manager of the neighborhood Starbucks has been a wonderful supporter of my kids’ elementary school. He provided coffee for an early morning outdoor event and his employees signed up to volunteer at the school. Since the store is collecting toys and books for children in a … Read more

2005 Gift Ideas: Updated

I’ve added a few more gift ideas since originally posting the entry. You can see the 2005 gift ideas here. I’ve gotten most of my shopping done. Whew. Now I have to figure out birthday gifts for Paul (celebrates 40 in January), my middle child, my daughter and my dad. I’m staying calm about the … Read more

Writing for the Web: Digital Web

I’ve written many articles about writing for the Web and feel like there’s nothing new to say. What worked a few years ago still works today… chunking text, short paragraphs, bold headers for scanning, and so on. Then I read “Resurrect Your Writing, Redeem Your Soul” and can tell you this is a different article … Read more

Links: Line-through and Colors

Why do some sites use line-through for the a:visited style? A person who visits a page may want to go back to it. It’s not unusual. It is important to make it obvious when a visitor has visited a link because she may be looking for something and wants to check the links she has … Read more