www.romanvenable.net:  Clark's Weblog



Sunday, December 5, 2004
I Wish There Were An Easier Way To Give Software

I use lots of software I download from the internet and pay for online. It's not truly 'shareware' because it's crippled in some way, or has a limited trial period. Recent examples are NetNewsWire for RSS-reading, , MarsEdit for blogging, Sticky Brain for remembering, Missing Sync for syncing with my Treo. Just this morning I found Mail Factory, which looks like it might be a fun app. to use with a Dymo Label Writer.

What if I wanted to give one of these as a gift? Some would say software is very personal and that just because I like something doesn't mean someone else will, and that that's what trial periods are for. Perhaps. But if I did want to give a license code to a game or application, there's no easy way to make that a gift. What I'm envisioning is a service, by Kagi for example (as they're the ones that seem to accept payment for most such software), that will print the name of the software, its web site, and the registration code on a gift card that can then be tucked in a holiday card and given as a gift or stocking stuffer, or even mailed as an e-gift (like an iCard). Call it the 'Software Gift Card'. Any takers? Apple? Some Shareware alliance somewhere?

Categories: Ideas, Software
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We must give lengthy deliberation to what has to be decided once and for all. --Publilius Syrus


Friday, December 3, 2004
The Scoop On Kerik

Light at the End of the Tunnel:

"Kerik enters the DHS job with impeccable credentials and important real world experience. He is well known for his excellent stewardship of the NYPD during and after the 9/11 attacks. But it seems that his life experiences have culminated to make him uniquely qualified to hold this position. After serving in the US Army, Kerik got a job supervising security for the construction of a US military installation in Saudi Arabia. In 1984 he had returned to the States, and took a position as Corrections Officer in Passaic, NY where he was quickly promoted to Warden. In 1986 he took a 50% pay cut to fulfill his life’s ambition of becoming a NY Police Officer where he soon began to work undercover on narcotics investigations. By 1991, Kerik’s successes had garnered the attention of Mayor Giuliani who appointed him the NY Commissioner of Corrections. In August of 2000 after vastly improving conditions at Riker’s Island Correctional Facility, Kerik was named Chief of the NYPD where he served with the distinction. Following the invasion of Iraq, President Bush tapped him to go to Baghdad to design and implement the training program for the Iraqi Police. "

Categories: News
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It is no profit to have learned well, if you neglect to do well. --Publilius Syrus


Wednesday, December 1, 2004
Despair.com "Greatest Hurts" Collections

Despair.com, creators of 'demotivators,' has its holiday stuff available. How about a mug that says:

Ambition: The Journey of a Thousand Miles Sometimes Ends Very Very Badly

or

Meetings: None of Us Is As Dumb As All of Us

or

Procrastination: Hard Work Pays Off After Time, But Laziness Always Pays Off Now

for your co-workers?

Categories: Huh?, Sites
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Remember that there is nothing stable in human affairs; therefore avoid undue elation in prosperity, or undue depression in adversity. --Socrates