This post is my 200th post, so I thought I would focus on traffic for my blog.  Since I moved my blog to my own server using WordPress, I’ve noticed that I don’t have nearly as much traffic as I did with Blogger.  At first I thought that it may be a simple case of people not following my link to the new site, or people just not interested in my posts.  Both is quite likely.  

So, I thought I would check out my Google Analytics for both sites and compare the data, just to see what I may be doing wrong in regards to my WordPress site vs. the original Blogger site.  The numbers are really interesting: 

 
As you can see, the numbers are quite different, equaling out in weight.  While the Blogger site still gets more hits over the period of a year, the WordPress site keeps visitors longer, provides a higher likelihood of additional page views, and has a lower bounce rate.  

For me, while I may have lost a lot of visitors, I have gained readership.  How?  By keeping more people on the site and reading my posts.  For me, that is far more valuable and flattering than thousands of people visiting over a month, but no one reading anything I post.  It’s actually pretty exciting!  Now I wonder how the readership will evolve over time.  Will I gain more readers while keeping the bounce rate the same?  Perhaps I will increase the average time on the site with more interesting content.  

I’m glad I moved from Blogger, if for nothing else than having a control specimen to compare my new site against.  Now I can more objectively determine how well my blog is doing, and in what areas.  

Yes, it’s started.  So many bloggers, “news” sites, and rumor mills are talking about the expected 3G iPhone, and how it will change the world.  Lots of sources “close to the 3G iPhone project” have been touting the appearance of the new Wunderkind of the Smart Phone genre, and the many bells and whistles that they will be sporting.  But one aspect of the new iPhone has been oddly silent:  the up and coming applications that everyone is expecting.  

Now, as I’m sure comes as no surprise to those who follow my blog (thanks you two! ^_^), I’m very pro-Mac.  I like the Mac platform, I like the fact that it’s now 100% UNIX compatible as of 10.5, and I like the fact that it’s simple to use.  Part of that has to do with the design of the hardware, but most of it has to do with the applications that are available for the Mac.  That’s what really makes a Mac a Mac.  You can change a windowing system on either Vista or even Linux to look like a Mac, but it still doesn’t have the same applications running.  

Well, we know that Apple already has released various beta versions of the iPhone OS SDK in order to encourage developers to write programs.  This is great, but we haven’t heard much from developers as to the applications they are writing.  Many have speculated, but none confirmed the release of a Microsoft Office suite (surely watered down if not just a viewer) for the iPhone, and some other apps like a version of Flash from Adobe.  But nothing concrete.  

Well, if I were calling the shots, or at least if I were looking for Apps that would appeal to me, here would be my list: 

1. Presentation Software:  I want to be able to show a Keynote from my iPhone.  This could be either something built into iTunes sharing (like photo albums), or an actual Keynote viewer and basic editor.  Either way, I would like to see an app that will let me present Keynotes.  Then I would just need to have a way to hook up the iPhone to a projector.  
2. Text Editing:  This could be as simple as a plugin for Google Docs (which didn’t work well on the first gen iPhone), or a separate application that is more than just a note taker, but could be less then a full fledged version of Pages or Word.  But typing on the software keyboard?  let’s talk about: 
3. Bluetooth Keyboard Support:  Yes!  Let us tether a bluetooth keyboard to the blasted thing!  It would be convenient on so many levels.  And it’s one major requirement I have for the rumored iPod Slate. 
4. Spreadsheet Viewing:  This could be just as simple as adding the Preview option from Leopard into the iPhone OS.  I’m not thinking about using a spreadsheet program on the iPhone, that’s something to do on a real computer.  But it would be nice to be able to read a spreadsheet that is sent to you, or review it before a presentation. 
5. Terminal:  Yes, I want a terminal on my Mac.  Why?  Because I use it constantly while checking connections, servers, ports, and running various apps.  It would be invaluable for any IT professional to be able to SSH into a remote machine while traveling, check on a server status, restart services, etc. all while away from a real computer.  
6. Full Version of iCal:  I want something more robust than the current iCal software on the iPhone.  All new events created on the thing shouldn’t create a new calendar.  It should also be able to subscribe to new calendars, and color-code them.  That would be nice. 

Ever since I can remember, the argument for environmentalists have been to move to Solar and Wind power as the only way to save the planet.  Their position is from a green point of view:  that is, if it isn’t natural, it isn’t an option.  This is fine, and there are a lot of merits to these methods of generating energy, but right now it just isn’t enough.  We need something else to bolster our energy needs until these more green technologies can be made more efficient.  And the best move that can be made right now is energy recycling. 

What’s Energy Recycling?  It’s the process of using the excess heat created by a process to boil water, create steam, and move a generator.  One excellent example of wasted energy this way would be many cooling towers in Atomic plants.  

But that isn’t all!  Many factories, refineries, and smelters are major sources of excess heat, and as such could be producing electricity.  Just place a boiler on top of the plant, capture the heat, boil water, create steam, use that steam to move a generator and you are all set!  

Now, you may ask where I got this idea in the first place.  Well, I’m guilty of perpetuating an idea of others.  It seems that Europe and Japan has been doing this practice for years, bolstering their grids with additional energy from their factories, refineries, etc.  Heat is not wasted if it’s sufficient enough to boil water.  This was reported this morning on my way to work on NPR, by the way.  

So why don’t we do the same thing?  It’s such a simple idea, why haven’t the US thought of this before?  Because there are currently State and Civil laws that protect power companies from having to pay retail prices for the power that gets pumped back into the grid from an non-system source.  That, and most older facilities would be subject to new EPA regulations if they made any modifications to their facility.  

Now, the other day, I was listening to Sean Hannity on the radio.  Now, this isn’t a regular thing for me, as I don’t like to get just one side of the story (I find NPR the least biased news source).  But he had an interesting argument for the Republican Party:  Rebuild yourself.  He pointed out 10 items the Republicans could do in order to rebuild the party.  Number 4 was Energy Independence.  What could be more independent than using recycled energy?

So, my challenge to Government, both parties actually, is to challenge the protection laws currently in place for energy companies to allow energy recycling.  We could generate almost twice the energy we have now, if we follow Denmark’s model (half their energy comes from recycled energy projects), and lower our energy growth needs.  That’s the kicker: the need for foreign oil could be lowered as far as overall energy production, and allow more oil to be diverted to transportation (at least for now).  

Now, I don’t expect it will magically solve our nation’s energy needs overnight.  But wouldn’t it be nice to not have to worry about rolling blackouts?  More energy means cheaper electric manufacturing costs, and cheaper overall bills on the consumer.  Also, those factories that produce a lot of heat in order to produce their product can save even more money as they generate that excess heat into energy savings, or potentially a secondary revenue line.  

Those are the benefits, at any case.  Now the hard part needs to be hammered out:  negotiating with power companies and potential power generating sources a fair and sustainable model.  Perhaps they can offer to buy the recycled energy at wholesale costs..  Anyway, that’s a fight that will be well worth the effort.  

Second Life isn’t really a game, because there are no real objectives that you need to accomplish.  For this reason, a lot of people are turned off.  But, let’s say you don’t have the money to visit exotic locations around the world, but would like to see them for yourself?  Second Life is a very inexpensive way to see the locations through someone else’s eyes.  

ROMA Sim

http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA/204/29/22

The Roma sim is a simulation of ancient Rome.  It’s not really clear which specific slice of time was taken to use it, as the buildings are all from different Emperors, but it’s fun to walk around the town.  You are not allowed to fly in this sim, but you can click on any fountain and take a “litter” to several locations.  Check out the Temple, the Museum, or the Circus Maximus.  There is even a Calilgula’s Pleasure Palace, though it’s geared more to the adult crowd.  

The rules in the sim:  Dress in roman togas.  You can get some free from the Dock that you land on when teleporting to the sim. 

Scotland Sim

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Scotland/93/202/30

For those that know me, this is perhaps my most favorite sim.  The Scotland sim has some great information about the country, the Royal Mile (shopping district in Edinburgh), a ride on Nessie, events, a haunted dungeon, a castle, and Highland games.  It’s a great place to pick up a kilt for your Avatar, or various other goodies.  never tossed a caber before?  Check out the sim in the Highland Games!  There is also a pub that allows one to dance a jig.  Also, take a guided horse-drawn carriage tour of the sim.  

Paris 1900

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Paris%201900/11/173/16

My wife has always wanted to go to Paris, just to see the Eiffel Tower.  Well, in this sim you not only get to see the Tower, but you can ride up to the top, put on a parachute and jump off!  The parachute automatically deploys, and you float down to earth.  Also, you can take a bike ride around the sim, and take a zip line from the Arch de Triumph!  It’s a great sim, with loads of fun.  

Egypt Empire Sim

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Egyptian%20Empire/128/128/0

This sim is one of several sims, such as the Roman Empire (not Roma) Sim, Greek Islands, British Islands, and the Spartan Empire.  It’s well stocked with shop locations, and has a combat arena for those interested in fighting in second life.  Be sure to read the rules carefully.  From your teleport location, you can actually take a boat ride through the other sims.  I would highly recommend it! 

Africa Sim

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Africa/128/128/0

I love the Africa sim, though there isn’t a lot to do there.  But there is a lot to see!  It’s like taking a wild animal safari, getting up close and personal with the animals.  There are shops, and even a balloon tour you can take.  The animals are not animated, but they are 3D.  It’s great, and I think anyone would enjoy it. 

China Sim

http://slurl.com/secondlife/China/128/128/0

The China Sim lands you on a barge, with several levels.  Again, not a lot to do there at the sim, but there are tons of free things you can get on the decks.  If for nothing else, you can get some nice avatars, clothing, and various other freebies from this sim.  

Germany Sim

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Germany/128/128/0 

Though there isn’t a lot here on the Germany sim, there are some really nice houses and castles for sale.  Other than that, it’s a great place to set up a shop if you are looking to sell objects in Second Life, because there is plenty of space.

Official Greece Sim

http://slurl.com/secondlife/GreeceOfficial/128/128/0 

Finally, there is the official Greece sim.  This sim was created to reflect the modern Greek culture, and does a fabulous job.  There are various activities for someone to experience, including a visit to the Parthenon.  It’s well built, and everything is in Greek and English.  Check out the movie theatre, or go shopping. 

Anyway, those are the sims I would recommend visiting, if you are new to Second Life.  If you are looking for educational resources, I would recommend checking out Laura’s Blog.  She has a list of educational locations in Second Life that are very useful. 

It often surprises me when Politicians are able to make vague historical references, say they won’t make the same mistakes, and the people just eat it up like candy.  I’m also surprised with the failure of the Media to provide adequate background information for candidates that run for office.  Is it that they just don’t want to look at the past, or perhaps they feel the American people don’t have the attention span for a history lesson?

What prompted this statement, you might ask?  Last night I was watching the American Experience on PBS in an attempt to get my son to sleep.  He’s not feeling well in the heat wave that hit Salt Lake this week, and was restless.  This night, it was a special on George H.W. Bush.  It covered his rise to politics from his father’s involvement in the Eisenhower Administration to his eventual election to President.

Now, I wasn’t a big fan of George Bush Sr. while he was in office.  Granted, I was just a kid in Jr. High at the time, but with some politically minded friends, I was kept in the loop.  He provided little in the way of what I expected, because I loved Reagan.  Why did I love Reagan?  Because he made Americans feel good about being Americans.  George didn’t do that.  He wasn’t the showman that Reagan was, nor was he the actor.

But he was a Statesman, and if I had known what a Statesman did at the time, I would have applauded his efforts.  George H.W. Bush was first and foremost an Ambassador.  From his few years of working at the UN, he managed to build a huge relationship with all nations and use it to his advantage while both Vice President under Reagan, and while working with the Soviet Union during the fall of the Berlin Wall.

He was willing to let the Germans be Germans, instead of puppets of the US, and thereby fueling the anti-American block in the Kremlin that would have taken any excuse to tighten their hold on the Eastern Block.  He made Eisenhower-esque moves and decisions that allowed other people and nations to shine, all the while keeping the US economy strong.

But even further back, George H.W. Bush built the current idea of Republican Conservatism that pervades in politics today.  He did so in the 60′s by welcoming those Democrats into the Republican party that were a little angered by President Kennedy and Johnson.  And this was in Texas, where at the time you couldn’t find a Republican.

His foray into politics in the 60′s represents a clean shift in the ideals of the Republican party, and forced the Democrats to shift to their current position.  It’s interesting that now, 50 years later, his son instigated a shift in the Democratic party in the same way Kennedy and Johnson forced the Republicans to shift.  Now the Republicans are shifting again, back to the Eisenhower days.

So why am I writing about President George H.W. Bush?  Because it’s information I would have liked 15 years ago!  And I keep asking myself, where is the analysis on the current candidates?  Quick snapshots don’t help, nor do sound-bytes.  In order to make a truly informed decision on a candidate, you have to know where they come from, where they have gone, and what they have been willing to do to get there.  That is a full measure of a candidate, because now you can predict with relative certainty what they will do in office.

Now, the American Experience is gearing up for the Election, preparing for it by providing profiles of the past Presidents.  I’m sure, once the Democratic candidate has been chosen, we will see well documented profiles of that person as well as John McCain.  But until then, I would urge anyone to watch the American Experience series on the Presidents.  Learn about what past presidents have done, both right and wrong.  For now, President George H.W. Bush has risen to one of my favorite presidents, right up there with President Ford, President Eisenhower, and President James K. Polk.

It’s taken a while, but I finally have my home in Second Life.  I figured I really didn’t need a large home, so I opted for a smaller home that I bought.  It’s a Celtic round house, and I love it.  It didn’t have many prims, so it made for a better design overall.

So instead of having a huge house with no yard, I have a tiny house with a huge garden.  I haven’t placed any flowers out yet, but I will soon.  Right now, I’m more concerned with meeting spaces to allow students to come and visit me during office hours.  

In the near future I will be adding a video feed to the screen in my home, and will be working on some presentation tools for my students.  Stay tuned for more developments on the Second Life distance education tools. 

If you have a second life account, feel free to visit!  If not, feel free to sign up!  It’s free, and there are a lot of fun things you can do in Second Life.  For instance, if you go to the Paris 1900 sim, you can ride up to the top of the Eiffel Tower, and parachute off.  ^_^  

To visit my home in Caledon Downs, follow this URL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Downs/59/144/45

Hope to see you there! 

Any parent with an autistic child will look for something that may have triggered autism in the family.  As there has yet to be a gene discovered that causes autism, more focus is being made on the possible causes in the environment.  

One modern concern is that vaccines with thimerosal, a mercury-based compound used in some vaccines as a preservative, could be causing autism.  Why?  Because autism is very similar in symptoms to mercury poisoning, and all children get several series of vaccines before they are 2.  The timing is right, the source is identified, everything seems to be pointing in the right direction:  Except there is no scientific proof that thimerosal causes autism.  

But that isn’t stopping some families, which have gone to court.  Most studies rejecting thimerosal as a cause of autism were conducted before 2004.  Since then, according to the plaintiff’s lawyer, 35 articles that were peer-reviewed and published suggest a possible link.  That is what their court argument is running on.  

The problem is they have a huge opponent:  The US Center for Disease Control has not found any link, and therefore considers the claim baseless.  Instead they warn parents to the dangers of not having their children vaccinated.  In fact, there was a recent article on a national outbreak of measles among children.  The MMR vaccine should be protecting them, so either the vaccine is not working or parents are not letting their children have the vaccine. 

What’s my take on it?  Children need to be vaccinated.  Vaccines are very important, particularly for those diseases that are very dangerous (small pox, polio, measles, etc.).  The good news is that thimerosal is being used less and less, and was actually removed from most infant vaccines in 1999.  

Where is it still being used?  The Flu shot.  So, don’t give your children the shot, have them use the nose spray instead.  It was recently approved for child usage, and works just as well.  There are some other shots that you should look out for, and if you have any questions or concerns, ask your doctor.  There are alternatives to thimerosal vaccines for those parents that are concerned, and your doctor can help you make that decision.

My parents have been really concerned with food storage lately, and feeling an urgency to get it in place.  As such, they are looking at ways to augment the food storage they already have in as many ways as possible.  The main method?  Self-sufficient urban farming.  

I’ve talked about urban farming before.  It’s a process of growing and raising farm food in an urban environment while complying with city ordinances.  Now, most cities allow quite a lot of latitude, depending on the reaction of the neighbors.  So if you are not on good terms with your neighbors, you may want to warm them up to you.  

The first and easiest method of urban farming is growing a garden.  many people will plant whole sections of their yards in garden, others in selected areas.  I chose selected areas, because our yard isn’t that big to begin with.  I have one small section in the back that has some eggplant, artichokes, corn, beans, pumpkin, peas, radishes, lettuce, cucumber and grapes growing.  It’s small, so there isn’t a lot growing in this location.  But the plants are well managed, allowing for good usage of the land.

This week I will be planting some watermelon in the front yard, in what is currently a garden plot covered with bark.  It will give the appearance of green in the plot while utilizing less water.  Why less water?  Because the bark and weed barrier will keep the weeds down, leaving more water for the melons.

But, because the food that is grown isn’t going to be able to feed us all, or provide all the nutrients we need, more needs to be done.  Unfortunately, there isn’t enough land in an urban environment to have livestock (nor is it zoned as such, generally).  So, what can one do to get their farm-fresh foods?

First, you can learn how to make cheese.  I’ve tried one recipe, and the cheese was pretty good.  Now, this summer my family and I will be making more cheeses by investing in some cultures, rennet, and probably building a cheese press.  Cheese was originally developed as a way to provide the benefits of milk and milk protein without worrying about it going sour in a short amount of time.

Next, there is preserved meats.  We plan on making jerky this summer, along with some bottled and preserved meats.  It requires some investment in a bath bottler (instead of just steam), but it’s worth it in the end.  Along with that, my family has a killer recipe for sweet pickled beets, dill pickled green beans, and hot pickled carrots.  Perhaps this year I’ll get to use my purple carrots I planted (assuming my son hasn’t killed them all already).  

But once you have all this done, where do you store them?  A basement is great if it’s rarely used.  Unfortunately, our basement is being used.  So what to do?  Well, you can build a root cellar.  Root cellars are great, because they can double as cheese caves.  They stay naturally cool in summer, and don’t freeze in the winter.  Also, they don’t have to be really large.  You can build a small pit that is covered (so no one falls in), and then cover it up with a decent covering.  As long as there is a drainage area for rain, you should be good to go.  

So, are we planning on the end of the world?  Is that why we are going nuts with this urban farming plan?  No, not really.  It’s because we want to have good food, save some money on gas and buying at the store.  It’s all about economics.  The fact that the food supply will still be useful and very viable in the case of a disaster is just icing on the cake.  

And the real great thing about these projects this time is my wife’s support of it.  Before she thought I was just crazy, but now she understands the benefits of fresh vegetables and fruits that are just a short walk away.

This summer, we had an instructor cancel on us for three classes we had scheduled.  Unfortunately, we don’t have the staff to cover these classes, so we are looking for a contract instructor that would be interested in teaching these classes, non-credit, for students should they register.  If you are interested or curious, please contact Inita Lyon at 801-585-1964 for details.  

vi Editor
The first class is the vi Editor class.  It’s scheduled for June 18th, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  

Shell Scripting Level 1
An introduction to shell scripting taught in the evening, scheduled for June 3rd and June 5th from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM.

Shell Scripting Level 2
Also an evening class, taught June 17th and 19th from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM.  

If anyone is interested in teaching these classes, please let us know as soon as possible.  Inita will be happy to answer any questions, give you an idea as to how the class should be structured, and which books are being used.  

Thanks in advance for anyone who signs up!