Sherry Chandler » 2006 » January » 23
from Christopher Stern’s article, The Coming Tug of War Over the Internet:
Do you prefer to search for information online with Google or Yahoo? What about bargain shopping — do you go to Amazon or eBay? Many of us make these kinds of decisions several times a day, based on who knows what — maybe you don’t like bidding, or maybe Google’s clean white search page suits you better than Yahoo’s colorful clutter.
But the nation’s largest telephone companies have a new business plan, and if it comes to pass you may one day discover that Yahoo suddenly responds much faster to your inquiries, overriding your affinity for Google. Or that Amazon’s Web site seems sluggish compared with eBay’s
The changes may sound subtle, but make no mistake: The telecommunications companies’ proposals have the potential, within just a few years, to alter the flow of commerce and information — and your personal experience — on the Internet. For the first time, the companies that own the equipment that delivers the Internet to your office, cubicle, den and dorm room could, for a price, give one company priority on their networks over another.
Read the whole article for details and subtleties.
This post was written by sherry
[Update: No wonder you're bored at work! One of my correspondents has alerted me to this front-page article on today's Lexington Herald-Leader:
LONDON - Having a bad day? Well, no wonder. According to one scientist, Monday, Jan. 23 is the gloomiest day of 2006.
Cliff Arnall, a health psychologist at the University of Cardiff in Wales, has devised a formula that combines personal and seasonal factors to calculate the year's emotional low point.
Arnall said January is a time when people are simply working and don't have a lot of events, parties or holidays to look forward to.
People are struggling to cope not only with the bleak weather, but also with the debts they amassed by spending too much over the holidays.
It's also when people start to feel like failures because they've broken resolutions so quickly.
Follow the link to view the formula. I'm too depressed to try to convert it into html.]
Surely not on Monday. The week is just beginning.
Still, maybe these items will cheer you up on this rainy Monday that may bring another January flood, at least here in Kentucky.
Try the Give Bush a Brain game. Warning: Loud music. Probably don’t want to do this one if the boss is in the office.
For softer music, try the Doo Wop Horses. Click on each horse to cue him to join the song.
Both of these have probably been around a while but no harm revisiting old friends.
As usual, thanks to Donna, currently appearing with Kentucky’s own Rude Osolnik, for these links.
Meantime, one of my correspondents has me know about a new search engine that has much to recommend it. It’s called Patriot Search, and I suggest that you give its Mission Statement and Privacy Policy a close look before using it.
This post was written by sherry
