I like to use FeedBurner in combination with Google Analytics to watch traffic on this blog.  Why?  Because I love marketing and everything associated with it, even if it's just a little ol' blog that isn't selling anything.  I want to understand my audience so that I can craft a product around them and increase the appeal.  The "product" in this case is just my writing.

Pronet Advertising put up an interesting post today about FeedBurner and the difference between the free service and the pay service.  Bottom line: it's worth $5 a month to me to be able to get more information.  What exactly will I use this information for?  To drive content.  That's it.

If you use FeedBurner check this quick read out, it's worth you're time!

I needed to move around the servers at my house (hey, doesn't EVERYBODY run multiple servers at home?!?) so I was doing a little rearranging this weekend.  Specifically, I decided to sell a server rack that I have, so I pulled my remaining two servers out of there and put them into a different place.  During all of this I innocently powered down my Comcast SMC modem/router to get that out of the way and move it to a different location.  I estimated total downtime to be about 30 minutes.

Well, I was kind of right.  I was back online in 30 minutes.  I could see the internet...but the internet couldn't see me!  It seems the SMC device reset some of its settings.  I originally had it as a pass through only, no firewall protection whatsoever, because I needed my servers to be reached by folks out in the world.  Just some little services they might need like DNS, SMTP and POP3.  So the net result?  I'm invisible to the world.  I don't want to be invisible!  And the people that rely on my servers (which are not many anymore after I closed Ischus Networks) REALLY didn't want me to be invisible.  Their email stopped coming in.  Their websites didn't resolve.  Yikes.

Could I fix the problem myself?  Yes and no.  The "yes" is that I know HOW to fix the problem.  Log into the SMC appliance, change the setting and *pow* we're back in business.  The "no" is that Comcast...in all of its wisdom...has two different logins for the SMC.  The "customer admin" isn't really an admin at all, I was completely hamstringed when I got in.  I couldn't set anything.  Very frustrating.  So what do they make you do?  Call customer service.  *sigh*

54 minutes and 11 seconds later I was off the phone with them.  They fixed the issue.  100% Comcast's fault, 100% fixable only by them.  I hate not having 100% control over a situation like that. 

But things are back up and running normally.  Yipeee.

XBOXIC is reporting that the official Zune blog has released more details about the upcoming iPod killer and some of the fascination for me is its ability to link to the Xbox360.  Now we're cooking with gas!  I like the fact that my MCE computer, Xbox360 and Zune will all be able to work together.  And iPod junkies...it will play AAC music so get ready to move your junk over to Zune!

Microsoft released the technical refresh for Office 2007 Beta 2 today. I haven't had a chance to kick the tires a whole lot, but here are my first three initial comments:

• Graphical change.  The icons are different for each of the components of the Office suite now, and they have changed the intro splash screen graphics
• Windows Desktop Search 3.0 Beta 2.  It now prompts you to install this package if you want to search Outlook.  When you install it, it also catalogs your entire desktop...very similar to Google's desktop search engine.
• Easier navigation with the Office Button.  Excel has added more navigation to this feature (presumably the other programs in the suite have as well).  I like it.  Can you tell that it's budget season at church? Look at my "recent documents".

Overall I'm pleased with the progress and effort that MS is making.  I think the end result is going to be an excellent and useful program!  I'm anxious to run through the release candidates and then get to the final product.

Zune, the new music "experience" from Microsoft has been officially announced.  It's on the way and I can't wait.  I love this:

The wireless connectivity will allow users to share full-length songs, play lists, pictures and other content from device to device. Users will be able to listen to a shared song for up to three times over three days.

If you want to see some nice graphics of the player, you can check out this site.

Boo iPod, hurray Zune! ;)

Michael received a response from Dell regarding the incredibly stupid email that they sent to him.  Here it is:

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike_Grant@Dell.com [mailto:Mike_Grant@Dell.com]
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2006 12:50 PM
To:

Michael Sainz

Cc: Scott_Sharp@Dell.com
Subject: RE: Requested Dell Quote(s) #317617665

My apologies.  It appears you got an email intended for me that should never have been sent to begin with.  I'll make sure that Diandra gets more training on Microsoft products.  She is new and unfortunately there appear to be some growing pains.

I hope you haven't taken her remarks made out of frustration personally.
I have CC'd my manager to make sure the issue is escalated.  As you know from our previous business dealings, this is not how I take care of business, and it will be corrected going forward.


Thanks,
Mike Grant | Dell Inc. | Account Manager 800 456 3355 ext 7281070 or 512-728-1070 mike_grant@Dell.com Fax (512) 283-6368

How am I Doing? Email My Manager: scott_sharp@Dell.com

**********************************************

With his usual professional flair, Michael's response to him:

From:

Michael Sainz

Sent: Mon 9/11/2006 12:54 PM
To: Mike_Grant@Dell.com
Subject: RE: Requested Dell Quote(s) #317617665

Mike,

I won't think of it again, no problem. You have been very helpful in the past and I value that.

Michael
***********************************************************

Again, well done Michael, way to "be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry".  Readers...is this an acceptable finish to this?  How would you proceed?

“Love is something eternal; the aspect may change, but not the essence”

                                                    -Vincent van Gogh

Enter the Roadrunner...

Roadrunner is expected to have a sustained performance of around 1 petaflops on the Linpack benchmark test. It will be enclosed in 360 server racks that take up around 12,000 square feet--about three basketball courts.

I need one of these for super fast blog posting!

I'm still at ministryCOM.  I'm enjoying it!  During lunch (after I was able to fix my little Windows crash...go ahead open source zombies and mac heads...throw the jabs!) I was checking my email.  Of the dozen or so emails that I had received since I checked earlier in the morning, only THREE were relevant to me.  So to you, my loving audience, I offer you my list of the "Top 6 Ways to Get Put on Matt's Junk Email List".  Pay attention, because I really do add people to my filter often. Here is how to get on that list:

1. Send me forwarded emails.  This is far and away the quickest way for you to get on my junk email list.  That joke you sent me today?  I saw it about six months ago.  That chain letter?  That is from 2003...please quit sending it to people and cluttering up their inbox.  Please quit starting right now.
2. Send me "social networking" invites.  Plaxo and the rest...forget it!  If you can't put my birthday into your calendar manually, then you need to start taking medication.  I am NOT going to go sign up for the newest online service that will remind you that it is my special day.  Nor will I sign up for these services that basically suck my information from me.  Outlook is VERY easy to use.  Go to Contacts-->New Contact and put me in, or else modify my current info.  Curious about my stats?  Just email me directly, matt AT mattsingley DOT com.
3. Use stationary backgrounds.  I mean it.  Stop it.  I cannot read what you are writing to me.  Putting blue wallpaper behind a jokerman font is not good on my eyes.  You are giving me a headache and I am going to send you a bill from my optometrist.  Please go back to a regular white-background form.  Now.  Do it now.
4. Send me an email with a blank subject line.  Really, this is very annoying.  No, you don't have to be ultra-creative, just give me a summary of what your note is about.  And don't use subjects like, "Check this out" because I will hit delete before I do any checking.  The subject line is useful for doing a quick visual prioritization of my inbox.  If the subject is blank, you have added stress to my life, and I know you don't want to do that.  One time?  I'll let you get away with it.  If this continues...you are going on the junk mail senders list and then you'll have to mail notes to me via USPS.
5. CC me on emails that don't need my immediate attention.  Okay, this one should be higher on the list.  Why oh why do you feel that you have to put half of the church staff on a CC list when you are really just having a conversation with one other person.  I don't really want an "FYI" unless it really, truly needs to find its way into my brain.  I struggle with capacity up there as it is, don't tap me out!
6. Send me 3MB video clips as attachments.  This is almost like rule #1...the forward.  Different problem though: you are sucking up all of my allotted storage space in our Exchange server.  Here is the deal: if it's worth watching, it's probably already been published on YouTube.  Go do a quick search and then send me the link.  This simple act of courtesy will propel our friendship to new heights!

Okay, that's enough ranting for me.  Phew...I fell better. Do you?  Is there anything that you think should be added to the list?

Wow...this is really interesting to me.  It seems that Google is gearing up to offer archived news searches for sources that date back to the 1700's!  That is amazing!  I seriously cannot wait to look up old news.  Why?  Because I'm a geek and this kind of stuff is fascinating to me.  Again, another HUGE win for Google if they pull this off.  WTG Sergey and Larry!