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Marty's "Living life in chapters" A self development blog: 10/14/07 - 10/21/07

Marty's "Living life in chapters" A self development blog

Friday, October 19, 2007

Thoughts about Yahoo staff

Having read the Yahoo meeting transcript about their future plans that was linked on a few pages, I was struck by the copious amount of spin therein. I couldn't read the whole transcript due to far too much "corporate speak." It was just too boring.
It is pretty obvious that Yahoo are not performing as well as they would prefer. They are doing their best to "talk up" the situation. **I've witnessed first hand "our unique product" phrases in the past. Here is one of my scribbles recalling a personal situation that could relate in some way to what is going on at Yahoo. (Just my gut feeling guess).

I've written about my time at TVJS before. Click here if you want to read it.

When I joined TV Jobshop in Y2k, one of my duties in the customer service department involved supporting candidates applying for jobs using the TVJS website. The functionality of the site involved a system of job skills matching using drop down lists of bespoke job skills. I'd say it was unique, but was in denial of the fact that it was actually uniquely useless. There were more than a few bugs in the programming and it was almost impossible to get hold of the IT manager to get these fixed. Internal politics would not allow me or anyone from my department to speak with him directly. The IT department was in fact a contracted out!
None of the advertising clients took the product seriously. This was largely due to the fact that advertising was initially free as a "loss leader". Meanwhile, I spent many hours sending out email responses to candidates using a kind of "talking up" language of positive spin, and I believed it too! I was keen to promote a professional service. The problem was that I was wasting my time. The website had been poorly designed from the start and somewhat rushed. The glossy TV adverts that went out belied the chaos within.
Eventually, I came to realize what a mess the project was in, but I was still hopeful things could turn around. Like any start up business, change occurred rapidly, sometimes on a daily basis.
The website crashed frequently due to a combination of security flaws and malicious attacks by some people who obviously had a grudge against Mark Goldberg.
Many of the employees seemed on a mission to make a fast buck and rip off the company. I thought that was sad and was against my ethics. I loved working there for many reasons. The excitement of television (albeit small time digital) was a major attraction for me. I also made some good friends there, some of whom have gone on to be pretty successful.
Mark Ryes currently presents "Bid Up TV".
Georgie Palmer is a presenter on local ITV news magazine programme Meridian South serving Hampshire and the surrounding region.

Whatever happens with Yahoo, I wish them luck, however, I suspect many of their competitors have stolen a march on them. Google seems to be swallowing up large chunks of the market, already dominating online video with the YouTube site purchase. Yahoo seem to have their 2008 plans successfully hidden in some bluster in their announcement. Doesn't tell us much, does it. Perhaps they don't want to give too much away to the competition, but I reckon they are trying to play catch up and are likely too late.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

A Growing Group

WOW!
I can't beleive how many folk have joined here from 360. I wonder how many more have moved over to Multiply and don't yet know about this group?
What else do you folk want to see on this page? I'm open to suggestions.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Stuff to avoid on the internet

My PC was running a bit on the slow side last night. Pages were loading slowly and all the usual stuff. I thought at the time that it was just traffic with my ISP, but this morning I noticed an icon on my toolbar that I didn't recognize. Upon investigation, I realized that it was most dreadful of all programs "Limewire", the so called free file sharing software. Seems my son was up to mischief and downloaded it last night. I was not best pleased, particularly as I had already warned him about this program before.
After un-installing the program and running my registry cleaner on the PC, things were not better. I did a file search on the whole PC and found a dozen other Limewire related files and folders that I immediately deleted. Finally, things are now back to normal. The registry cleaner picked up more than 200 errors when I did the clean. I'll be having words with young Craig when he gets home from school. I've no doubt he will deny doing this.

Here's a few other bits of software to avoid.

"Bearshare" - I spent a day at a friends house cleaning their PC. It had picked up a nasty trojan that caused the PC to crash on startup.

Bespoke email software such as Outlook and its equivalents are OK I guess, but I don't use them, preferring to use webmail only. The downside with email software is that it automatically dowloads' all emails and attachments. BY using a webmail account, not only can I pick up email from any PC, I get th choose which emails I download to the PC. Some malicious programs attach themselves to emails and will execute the moment you look at the file, even without opening it.

There are likely many other bits of software that are a danger. The only file sharing program I used in the past is "Ares". This seemed to be quite stable and is also not free. I think the license was around 25$. It never seemed to cause much of a problem other than the fact my kids filled my whole hard drive with downloaded movies and music. Subsequently, I don't use it any more.

Well, I'm back to work tomorrow after a pretty relaxing week off. I spent most of it just slobbing around the house, although I did do a little autumn clearing up of the garden.

It's been interesting glancing back at some of my old blogs whilst backing them up on Multiply. Loads of the YouTube videos that I posted have subsequently been withdrawn. Like any sort of journal writing, it's been useful to read back "where I was" a year or so ago. Talk about a guy with mood swings! LOL

A few years ago, this video was being emailed all over the place. It's a classic.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Faith

There are times when I wonder about my faith. Trying to relate to a heavenly father when the experience of my earthly father has not been as tactile as I would have liked. (He is still a good Dad BTW). I communicate better with my father these days, but there was a time when our conversations were stilted.

When people ask me about my faith, I guess the answer I tend to give these days is "Its all about love, the rest (scriptures) are the details". So how can anyone know how much they are really loved? When I think about how imperfect I am and how demanding I am for love, how can God remain so patient and dedicated to me?

Julie shared this video which had me wasted to tears this morning. After seeing the link she put on her page, I went in search of it on YouTube so I could embed it here. Now THIS represents the dedication and love a father can give. Be ready with the tissues folks!!

Comments

(23 total)

there is a saying in our regional language "For crow also itz kid is golden one" ...Touching........Marty...very touching

Saturday 30 September 2006 - 12:48PM (IST)


You were so right! Tissues were needed! The love in that video.. makes you take a whole new perspective on life, it's purpose, unconditional, how petty are complaint can be.. excellant post Marty.. excellant post!

Saturday 30 September 2006 - 02:22AM (CDT)


Touching vedio my friend, this is pure love....unconditional love, the Heavenly father and earthly father are same in loving us unconditionally. i will make a call to my father to say : I love him very much:) thanks for posting this.

Saturday 30 September 2006 - 01:14PM (IST)


You can never love someone completely until you receive as much love back.. :) nice post Marty (:>

Saturday 30 September 2006 - 01:21PM (IST)


Just beautiful, Marty! What a dedicated father and how wonderful that he helped his son to experience all those things he would not have been able to otherwise!! My favorite part was when they were bicycling and the son was obviously thrilling to feel the wind in his face. Thanks, Marty, for sharing this!!

Saturday 30 September 2006 - 01:33AM (PDT)


Well, good on ya mate, you've done it again, pulled a rabbit out of the hat again.
My dad passedaway in 1983, and to this day, I still miss him, and the contact we had, the advice, and well, our discussions in life issues.
Its good to see other dad's interacting with their kids, I do it all the time, coz thats what my dad taught me..........

Saturday 30 September 2006 - 01:53AM (PDT)


Marty it was a towel I needed not tissues, the video makes you realise how trivial and petty our own troubles are...The unconditional love and dedication is outstanding you can clearly see that it is not our sympathy or understanding that they want it is just their life and they live it...xxx

Saturday 30 September 2006 - 10:22AM (BST)


Just looking at all the comments you folks have made this morning, I think I have just realised why this video touched me that little bit extra. Its similarity this father has to his son, that Paul's (my childhood friend) father had to him. Somebody laying down their all... every single ounce of physical and emotional strength for his son.

Saturday 30 September 2006 - 11:44AM (BST)

Thanks for sharing Marty, that was great.

Saturday 30 September 2006 - 05:14AM (PDT)


That is amazing love, we all need love like that in our lives. I will find love like that some day too... you've inspired me to find it.

Saturday 30 September 2006 - 02:28PM (BST


Incredible video Marty and amazing way to show how dedicated a parent is to thier children. I went to check out Julies blog and found her words powerful and true. Thank you for sharing this my friend.

Saturday 30 September 2006 - 03:38PM (BST)


I sat almost stunned for a few moments after watching this. Incredibly moving & powerful on all levels. It's true, like so many others would say, our own issues seem so petty in comparison. I really needed to see this! God Bless you Marty & Thank You for posting it for us!

Saturday 30 September 2006 - 10:10AM (CDT)


Thank you Marty for this video, so touching, so lovely..If only we loved eachother all the way that man loves his son..if only we appreciated what we have more without always complaining for silly things..if only...
This akes us ponder over what really means in life, love can beat everything, if we only let him do it. Thank you MArty, you have such a special soul!

Saturday 30 September 2006 - 05:47PM (CEST)


A very moving story and illustrates the love of a father for a son, not just this son, but ANY son of any father in this world. It is the human being inside the un - abled body that we see and love and it is that that the father responds to and gives him all the normality that he can give. Thanks marty..

special hugs
steph

Saturday 30 September 2006 - 04:54PM (BST)


We are all imperfect Marty and you question how god can be so patient with you for your demand of love. I can see how much love you give and how much you care for others (forgetting yourself in the process) You deserve all the love in the world Marty.xx
The video was awesome, it had me in floods of tears but at the same time a huge smile on my face and joy in my heart to see the love this man had for his son and what a special bond they had. If only all the fathers and indeed mothers could love their children so unconditionally. A fabulous post Marty many thanks for sharing. Big hugs to you my friend and incase I haven't told you recently, love you.xxx

Saturday 30 September 2006 - 08:35PM (BST)


Marty, it was a wonderful vid. It makes me wonder where people like the father in the vid find their inner strength. It is amazing to see such unconditional giving of one's self to the care and love of another, to see the joy it brings. It's sad to say that it's increasingly rare in this uncaring materialistic world. I often wonder if I would have that inner strength if it were me. I like to think I would. There are too many who wouldn't.

Saturday 30 September 2006 - 09:57PM (BST)


simply thank you marty for posting that.

Saturday 30 September 2006 - 10:25PM (BST)


Today the fire alarm sounded in our building and as I arrived out front I saw a very small child screeching and crying, she was afraid her Daddy was going to die, he did not come out of the building. It was a false alarm but that child was clearly upset to the point that, I know she had a reason to worry for her father's safety,

I remember feeling the same way a few times in my toddler years sobs,

Saturday 30 September 2006 - 07:21PM (EDT)


I had heard about this father and son, but had not seen the video. It certainly does help to put things in perspective. Their relationship exemplifies what love is, what it is not only able, but meant to overcome. Thank you for sharing inspiration.

Saturday 30 September 2006 - 09:52PM (EDT)


I read that you think ya imperfect and the rest went out of my head! Stop being so down on yourself! Your not imperfect, and what is perfection? is perfection an egotistical body builder/model thats battling anorexia and probably screwed in the head? Nah I like normal me and I don't see anything imperfect about you! Keep the faith! it is all about love and there is something for everyone, its a matter of finding the person most suited to you then hapiness will follow!

Sunday 1 October 2006 - 12:54PM (BST)


Hei Marty.

Excellently excelling posting. Take care. =)

Monday 2 October 2006 - 12:08PM (CEST)


Phew Marty, Late in making a comment .What can I say.
Simply inspiring. Spendid words.

Monday 2 October 2006 - 04:08PM (BST)


That was so beautiful...thanks for sharing it.....

Tuesday 3 October 2006 - 11:10PM (NZDT

Monday, October 15, 2007

A successful contest


Yesterday was band contest day in Folkestone. I've written about the quirkiness of contests before.
Click here
With the bright autumn sky, it was a beautiful Sunday morning. A typical early start had me leaving home at 8am to get there for 9am. Here's one of the frustration of contesting. Our band was drawn last, so we had to wait until around 2pm to play!
On days like this, I always find I get hungry so finding a cafe for breakfast was a clear priority. After a decent bit of bacon, egg and sausage, I decided to look round for some decent photo's to take. Here's some
Above is from on top the Leas Cliff Hall.
I love the way the sun reflects off the sea here.
and here
and here.

It was a good day all round. We came second out of 11 bands! It's great to get a prize after weeks of work on a piece of music. Another trophy for the cabinet at the band room.