Well, perhaps I should limit that to just babies babies, but Michael and Kat are having a baby today! Kat went in at
Lately I have been noticing that people aren't really hip to the new terms that keep popping up on the internets. I thought I would do my best to clarify some terms as simply as possible. What is XML? XML stands for Extensible Markup Language. XML is actually just a way of sending data to something with standard formatting. For instance, this is (more or less) what XML looks like: <animal><dog/></animal>Pretty simple. Now you could write a program in any language that interprets that data as a dog being a part of a collection of animals. If you, the consumer/user are lucky, you will never have to see XML written out like that. Your program (iTunes, a website, etc.) will interpret that data and show it to you in a way that is much prettier. Now, what is RSS? or Atom? Well I'm glad you know what XML is. Because RSS (and Atom) is just information about a website formatted with XML in a certain way. RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. No, it really does. It carries information about changes to a website, like say when I write a new post on /mark, my "RSS feed" gets updated with that new information about what I just posted. If you use software called an "RSS Aggregator", the program will check the "RSS Feed" for updates continuously, and notify you when it sees that I just posted. It's like subscribing to a mailing list, but instead of the site sending you emails whether you want them or not, your RSS Aggregator is going out and seeking new information that you told it to. It's kinda cool. Bloglines, NewsGator, and Google Reader, and even My Yahoo are all examples of RSS Aggregators. What is a Podcast? This one is obviously confusing to people. I like Yahoo's definition: "A podcast is an audio recording posted online, much like a short radio show." And that's all it is. It could be anything from a guy talking about music, airplanes, and technology to an actual radio show. The word podcast I'm sure came from iPod + broadcast, but it was just coined by some guy and caught on. Apple did not invent the term. A more general definition I have heard is Portable broadcast. Either way, I love the medium. You can find podcasts on pretty much anything out there, and I'm sure it will be the future of "radio". Finally, there are a lot of people who don't know what AJAX is. You might hear a lot of websites say they use ajax, and frankly, the idea that something is cool just because it uses ajax is stupid. AJAX stands for Asynchronous Javascript And XML. AJAX is simple a way of describing how a website gets updated. Instead of needing to refresh the page to get new content, AJAX allows the page to update without refreshing. That's all it is. Its the difference between Google Maps and Mapquest. Mapquest has to refresh the page when you pan, and google maps doesn't. All the fancy scrolling and fading and visual effects associated with AJAX are just there to make everything run smoothly, so you know what's changing on the page. Hopefully this clarifys some terms you may have been hearing. If you have more questions (and don't think I do a horrible job of explaining things), feel free to ask.
Sara emailed me with a suggestion to do a special post here. The following are 4 questions that, if you post a comment with your name, I will answer the question about you. If you also would like to answer the question about me, feel free to do that, but it is not required. Without further ado: 1) My first memory of you 2) The song/movie/book/website that reminds me of you 3) What animal/mineral/vegetable you remind me of 4) and a question I've always wanted to ask you Just post a comment for me and I will answer these questions about you. Sara: 1) Meeting you at Jenni's going away party to Portland. You made quite the first impression on me. I remember thinking "man, I wish I could bag girls like that." 2) I think it would be the song "The Luckiest" by Ben Folds. I made Sara this CD of my favorite Ben Folds songs when we first started dating, and she particularly liked that song. But then there's also "Zak and Sara" by Ben Folds too... 3) This question is going to be tough. For you Sara, some mineral. Some sparklie, green, beautiful mineral. One that just shines and twinkles. That's what you remind me of. 4) Aw crap. You had to ask. Geez. Ok, took me a while to think of something. Now, 15 minutes later, here it goes: before the night we exchanged numbers, did you ever think about us dating? (I'm trying to see if I was the only pathetic and sort of sad one in that situation) Randal: 1) I remember you first sitting in Mike's room. You were that "computer guy" that was Mike's roommate. Then I remember asking you a bunch of stupid computer questions. 2) With a little liberty - Counterstrike reminds me of you the most, namely Rand0m's ServAr. Those were good times. 3) A potato - because while seeming plain, your actually surprisingly versatile. 4) Why did you stop going to CU? Drugs? Mob? Serial killer? (I'll answer your questions in comments). Weston: 1) The first actual memories of you were just as a classmate, and there was nothing specific about it, so that's not too fun. The first opinionated memory I remember making of you was me talking to Todd and Tyler and they told me they hung out with you, and I remember thinking, maybe even saying, "Weston? Why are you hanging out with him? I don't think you should be hanging out with that kid." Don't know why I thought that. 2) That would have to be that Rob D - Clubbed to Death Song (I think thats what it's called). I remember you had this vision that you came up with in college and you wanted to share it with me. It was of a scene you had put together in your head, set to that song of four or five people walking down an ally in slow motion. You described it to me with such detail and passion that I will never get it out of my head, especially when hearing that song. 3) This one is not easy for me. I dunno, how about.. coal. Rugged, gets your hands dirty, likes being "off-road", and if I do say, could one day be a precious gem (aw shucks. these animal, mineral, vegetable questions are getting sappy.) 4) Are you going to start liking girls again? You used to be such a mac daddy, and I haven't seen you get excited about a girl in years. JL: 1) My first memory of you would be somewhere in Elementary School, but those all kind of meld together too. I think you're right with the RE thing, but what really sticks out in my mind is playing hockey with you in your culs-de-sac. I remember your garage tho. I don't know why. 2) NIN - Perfect Drug. The video, the song, the band, everything about that song. Also, I remember listening to Weezer's Blue album in your car with the awesome sound system for the first time and understanding 50% more of the lyrics due to the superb audio quality. 3) You remind me of a puppy because you are so awesome, but every once and a while you get a little rambunctious. Alas, I can never stay mad at you, what with the smile and wagging tail. 4) Do you believe Rachel was telling the truth about the whole guy/jeep/mountain ordeal? Jacky: 1) Probably trying out for a musical or in choir or something having to do with you being Jenni's little sister. No wait, Lance! 2) "God Gave Rock n' Roll to You" as sung by Future Bill and Ted. 3) Asparagus - tall, funny, and a little stinky after dinner. 4) Did you secretly think I was a loser asking a freshman to prom? Laura: 1) Some pink blur walking by my peripheral while moving into my new dorm room. 2) "Close to Me" - The Cure - cause you were the first one to figure out the song that I was looking for. The one that went "do do doot." 3) A peacock because of the large brilliant plumage, which reminds me of your large brilliant hair. 4) You had a crush on Kusinich, didn't you? The Colonel: 1) The first solid memory was my brother telling about a character that you two made up - Mr. Someone, from a restaurant or something. He was always very nice to you boys. 2) I'm going to have to credit you with finding Bill Shatener. A CD that I would never have seen it's greatness without your guidance. 3) A Cheetah - just a fast angry gnarling cheetah. 4) Have you ever actually worked at Arby's? Ever? Honestly? AJ: 1) Just remember you as a classmate that used to jump around a lot and hang on things. I think I remember you saying something about my tail. 2) "Countdown." Er. "Dark Souls." No wait - that really great movie where that one guy said "don' make me laugh." 3) Your like an Artichoke kid - you got heart. 4) Will you ever move back to Colorado or has California consumed you forever? Jenni: 1) 7th grade - Mr. Mizola's Class, you came up to me and said - "Did you get braces?" and I said, "yeah." and you said "Oh, I didn't notice." 2) Notwist - the first of many excellent EXCELLENT music recommendations. 3) An owl. I can tell there's always a lot going on inside your head, yet you remain very calm and smart on the outside. 4) Where do you think you would be now, if you had never moved to Portland? Nick: 1) The first memory I have of you was Dave pointing you out to me. You were standing in front of Loyola talking to some people, smoking a cigarette. Shaved head, 1/2 foot goatee hanging from beneath your chin. You had shorts on with socks pulled up to your knees, a fashion statement I would come to find quite standard from you, and wearing all black. Very Silent Bob. I was to understand that this person would soon become my roommate. I wasn't sure what to think. 2) Kevin Smith. Clerks. Anything Kevin Smith I guess. I would bet that you two would be friends if the chance ever arose. 3) Tomato. If it weren't for all these different caterpillars constantly eating away at you, things would be so great. They really would. Fortunately, however, you don't let them eat away enough that you will rot away. I wish I had caterpillar repellent. And maybe a little Mrs. Dash. 4) To steal someone else's question: If you could have any job in the world and it would pay you well, what would that job be? 5) There is no five. Charley: 1) I met you in the front yard at one of Weston's crazy parties. I was introduced to you as the guy we were gonna live with. I didn't think you seemed very Bovee to me. You were like "The cool Bovee from the city." (Portland being 'the city' for those who don't know) 2) This one is tough. I will say that Swingers reminds me of you. The Vince Vaughn character mainly. So optimistic, ready to take on whatever comes at you, especially girls and good times, pumping others up to keep a great energy for everyone. 3) Cheese. Like mozzarella though, not chedar. Well, chedar sometimes. Good stuff. Trying to take in too much might make you sick ;) but its still fairly good for you, considering its a major part of one of the main food groups. Also, nobody doesn't like cheese (nick: ignore that). I just realized cheese isn't an animal/mineral/vegetable, but I'm not gonna start over with something else. 4) I don't know why this came to mind, but here is a great question for you: What makes you happy? I would ask that your response lean toward thought-out as opposed to short. I would love to know, considering I could never answer that about you.
 
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