Since, I have never ever blogged in my life, Rebecca Blood's book The Weblog Handbook: Practical Advice on Creating and Maintaining Your Blog. In it, she tells the basic etiquette you should have when writing on your blog.
First, you never want to be fake on your blog. Readers want to see the genuine you. Don't create a front that you have to keep up unless for a specific reason. You need to grow and change with your blog as you as a person grows and changes.
Second, make sure that you aren't blogging things that don't have a purpose. You need to sit down and decide what kind of people you want to reach with your blog. This will help give your blog purpose because now you have a specific audience to write for.
The Weblog Handbook was very helpful to me. I did not know one thing about blogging. I didn't even know what it was. This book will definitly help me become a better blogger and hopefully help me blog well enough that people will want to read it.
Google vs. Evil
In the fall of 1998, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, unleashed Google upon us. Google grew like so many other search engines, but now it's facing problems. Most major companies have a detailed code of conduct. Google's is three words: 'Don't Be Evil,' present the information without making it look all bright and flashy. Don't allow pop-ups ads that don't pertain to the page. However, the prospect of being evil, is now beginning to interfere with the growth of Google. In the midst of growth , these questions have arose, that the data-retrieval system can't easily answer. "Should Google refuse to link users to "hate"sites?" "Should Google fight the Church of Scientology's attemps to silence critics?" Google has always adhered to is 'Do good by users.' Now, the problem arises. Does Google do what's good for users or what's good for Google?
Google has had several legal issues pertaining to links that Google has yanked from their site. Now, Google needs to decide whether it's more important to keep customers happy by sticking to their principles or do they give up what they believe in and allow things to remain on the site that goes against what they feel is evil or discriminatory.
Microsoft vs. Evil
Microsoft has been getting into a ton of legal problems, lately. Legal problems that have been costing the company millions of dollars not to mention the near irreparable damage it is causing Microsoft in terms of users and sponsors.
One of the major battles Microsoft has fought was in 98-99. This fight was over Microsoft purposely denying consumer choice. During the trial of this case, a government lawyer explained "that Microsoft required its Internet service provider partners to hawk Internet Explorer almost exclusively--and not tell their subscribers about Netscape products."
Another lawsuit is that of Compaq questioning Microsoft Monopoly. Compaq, a top computer maker, was found worrying about Microsoft's "improper use of a monoply position" Now, Microsoft and Compaq are said to have a close working relationship. This statement from Compaq came right after Microsoft was charged with using their monopoly power to compete unfairly with Netscape.
In 1993, Compaq prepared slides for a meeting in which they specualted on what Microsoft might do if Compaq decided to use software from another company, Go Corp., for their hand-held devices. Compaq stated "potential reactions" by Microsoft. Among these reactions were, "sabotage our efforts" by using Wondows 95 to break some of Compaq's software. They also feared that Microsoft would withhold information on Windows 95
http://www.google.com/corporate/tenthings.html
http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,17996,00.html
http://www.wired.com/news/antitrust/0,1551,60998,00.html
http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,17852,00.html
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.01/google_pr.html
When I first heard about Labor of Love, I wasn't a willing participant. I mean, going to help meant I had to be up, dressed, and ready to go by eight o'clock, and on a Saturday, no less. Not a thing most people, let alone college students, want to be doing. Going to the Pittsburgh Food Pantry, seemed to make it worse. Driving an hour to pack food, whoopee!! I had the worst attitude going into it, but that changed and quite dramatically, I might add.
I soon found this project to be so much more than a "horrible start" to the day. I finally got time to talk to people, I normally don't have time to talk to, and I realized how many people would be affected by the work I was doing. Seeing all the food and good that we all did today, made me realize that there really are those out there who need our help. Before they were just there and now I feel like I made their day a little brighter. This in turn, of course, made my brighter.
For me this experience was such a rewarding one. I got to catch up with friends, make new ones, and do something good for someone other than myself. I truly feel so much better after helping at the Food Pantry. It's such a an amazing feeling. I would really like to either go back and help or maybe find something else that will help them or others who aid those in need. We, as a society, need to learn to be more giving with our time. After today, I realize that and fully intend on sharing more of my time and talents with others
Autism, is something that hits really, really close to home. My cousin was diagnosed with autism a few years ago. I've decided to become certified as a special education teacher and hope to one day work with Autisitc children.
Autism comes in so many different forms, that it can be hard to detect. I'd love to find something that I could do to help push along the process of finding a possible cure for autism. I haven't heard of anything that goes on, such as the Relay For Life or anything like that. If you know of anything please let me know.
I think it's very important for people to be aware of autism and the signs that come with it. I would like to find a way to get out there and educate people, but as of now I don't know how. Take finding a cure for Autism seriously. If you know of anything that I or someone else can get involved in, please let me know
One thing I'm really into now is Tennis. I'm a huge Andy Roddick fan. I watched Wimbeldon and the US Open, both of which he sadly lost.
Andy Roddick holds the Wimbeldon fastest serve at 153 mph. He also recently tied himself for the fastest US Open serve which clocked in at 152 mph.
In my opinion, Andy Roddick is truly one of the greats. He is another Andre Agassi. For only being 22 years old, he has the control, and maturity in tennis most dream for. I feel that Andy will be around for a while and he'll keep bringing his monster serve with him!!
Do you when my birthday is? Take a guess, I dare you!!....... Go on guess...... Did you guess? I bet you didn't guess right!! Well, for those of you who said December 24th, 1986, GOOD JOB!!!!!
That's right, I'm still only 17 but just for 3 months. I'm the oldest of four kids, three girls and a boy. I love my siblings to death, though you wouldn't know it when we were together. My parents are the greatest. I'm told I'm a spitting image of my dad, but just with my mom's looks. So basically. I'm tall and thin like my dad, have his personality, (scary I know) but I have my mommy's looks.
I'm interested in a lot of things from tennis, (GO ANDY RODDICK) to college basketball, to NBA basketball. I love the Backstreet Boys!! I'm so happy they are coming out with a CD in the fall. I also listen to Usher and well, basically anything. My favorite actors are, Jake Gyllenhaal, Brad Pitt and Matthew Lillard. Actresses would be Jennifer Aniston, and Kirsten Dunst. Well that's all for this one. Check out the other two!!
Interested in more? Check out my live journal!!
Hi everybody. I'm Melissa Lutz, or Missy. Sometimes, you might see my nickname as Moose, don't be alarmed. It's a nickname given to me by my family when I was little and my best friend continues to use it today. She's my Armadillo. I'm here Moose. Weird, I know. I'm a first year student at Seton Hill. I'm here for certification in Early Chidhood, Elementary and Special Education. My major as of yet is undecided but it's between Psychology and English. Any suggestions? I live in Brownlee dorm, room 226, come up and visit! I'm really looking forward to meeting more people and I hope to hear from people soon. CYA!!!!!!!
-Missy
PS: I already have a live journal, if you wanna check it out!