My First Post

My Mall & News is now more than five years old. I'm currently getting between 900 and 1,400 hits each day. It is now marginally profitable.

At one time, I thought I could turn this website into another revenue stream. But that turned out to be pretty much wishful thinking. I get almost no money from My Mall, which consists entirely of ads from Commission Junction. The advertising revenue from Google's adsense is enough to cover my monthly server expenses, but that's about it.

However, this website has had great indirect value. It has allowed me to present my resume, get sustained employment, on occasion do independent contracting, and has put me in touch with people around the world who share my many interests.

This blog is an experiment. It is a way to present my view on topics of personal interest-- politics, technology, philosophy, literature, and popular culture. I originally thought that a bulletin board, such as those that ezboard produce, may be the way to go. I also thought about installing WordPress. I like my final decision of using blogger.com, as it is free and it is also integrated with the Google suite of products.

I'm a free speech absolutist, and I like nothing better than the thought and discourse of a vigorous exchange of ideas. I have no restrictions on those who care to respond to my posts. I only ask that you respect the free speech of others in the words you use.