Observations on Spring InternetWorld 2002:

Yes, it was rather disappointing as a tradeshow. Where were all the biggies, all those companies that want us to be loyal to them, but can't bother being loyal to us enough to even show up? Microsoft, Oracle, and others didn't show. L-Soft (developer of LISTSERV) wasn't there, nor was Earthlink.

AOL was there and very loud. According to a speaker I talked to, InternetWorld Chicago has already been cancelled (was in June). What Penton Media needs to do is scale down to web services, i.e. search engines, submission services, e-mail services and marketing.

I went to the Intenet Luncheons ($45 for a lousy lunch), and the person running the roundtable didn't even bother to show up. I did meet some very interesting people in usability design who had no idea how much sociology plays into their area.

I've noticed after reading a great many articles on blogs and blogging that people tend to use their blog to pontificate on current events and great matters.

Sorry, this isn't one of THOSE blogs. I prefer to talk about search engines and my work. Although, you never know...

I finished my ebook on specialized search engines! The problem now is marketing it.

My first ebook was easy, because I targeted archaeologists and others interested in the field. This one is targeted at people who use the Internet for research.

Specialized Search Engines

Strange items found in bubble gum machines: small plastic figurines called "Buddha Babies." In a Big!Lots store (formerly Pic' and Save) in Mira Mesa, there is a machine with these "toys" in it. For 50 cents, you can get these solemn baby figures in a variety of meditation poses.

Does anyone remember the POV series on public television? Does anyone remember public television for that matter?

One's point of view does change as one gets older. I found myself explaining how to network to a newbie, and laughed, remembering when I started out, back in 1998. Now, I am such a networker, that people come to me! :)

I got sooooooo tired of those damn phone solicitors/telemarketers that I went out and bought one of those TeleZappers. Supposedly it sends out a signal to their phone machine that tells their computer that our line is disconnected. This doesn't work for those that dial our number directly.

The idea is that, over time, fewer and fewer telemarketers will call. We will see.