Note: This column represents the opinions
of the writer and as such, is not purported as fact
Sponsor's Message
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As a result of my recent trials and tribulations with government, I now
find myself with a significant amount of time on my hands.
I've also had a raft of overseas offers (and they're still arriving)
from companies, individuals and governments who are requesting my
services in the areas of jet engine and UAV design.
Unfortunately, due to the (in)actions of government, I'm not in a position
to take advantage of any of these offers and as a matter of principle, I
refuse to do anything that will generate tax revenues or kudos for the
encumbent administration by way of leveraging this potential.
They've made a very clear statement that they place principle ahead of
pragmatism and I'm happy to follow their lead.
The Aardvark PC-Based Digital
Entertainment Centre Project
Yes, at last, this feature
has been updated again! (31 Mar 2003)
Which then leaves me with the decision -- where to from here?
Finances allowing, I'm considering expanding Aardvark into a more full-featured
site and service with far more IT and technology news plus whatever other
features might be of value to readers.
To this end, I'm now asking *you*, the reader, what exactly you'd like to see
added to this site and how you think it could be made more valuable to yourself
and the IT/technology community in general.
Ideally, additional new services should be of sufficient value that the
donation button (soon to be renamed the "gift button") gets a thrashing --
ideally right up to (but not exceeding) the $26K per annum limit at which I
would have to start paying tax.
Note that I don't wish to charge for any services (indeed, the government
has made sure that I can't even if I wanted to) Instead, I'd like the site
to remain free and open to all.
Right now this site is basically a daily commentary and news aggregation
resource -- but what else could it be?
The present forums are fairly crude and I don't know that they actually
represent good value for the US$70 I would have to pay next week to keep them
ad-free, as they presently are.
Some of my thoughts are:
- to expand the news-aggregation to include general NZ news and current events
by reviving the "News in a Nutshell" concept I included in the very early
editions of 7am.com. This would allow readers to get a quick
fast-food version of all the news they needed each morning without having
to trawl several news sites. If this were done I'd also make sure that the
first edition of each day was online by 6:30am.
- to add a general science and technology section to cover the really
interesting stuff that exists under these classifications
- add a streaming audio bulletin so that those who are busy can listen to
the day's commentary and key news stories while working at their computer.
- increase the number of "features" (like the
"Promoting Your Website" series).
- increase the number of product reviews -- like the very popular
Mizuda DVD review that
has scored over 50,000 page-views since it was published.
- replace the existing forums with software more conducive to highly
interactive and thoughtful discussion.
- include more interviews with the industry's "movers and shakers" -- and
with some of the little guys who are doing really innovative and interesting stuff.
But I'm just guessing -- it's you, the readers, who really know what you want
and what would make Aardvark a better place to visit.
So, while they're still ad-free, race off to
the forums and voice your
opinions.
Otherwise I might just have to take up one of those overseas offers -- which would
mean publishing Aardvark from distant shores.
Oh, yes -- and send me more stuff for the Lighten-Up section please!
If any Aardvark readers want to share an opinion on today's column or
add something, you're invited to chip in and have your say in
The Aardvark Forums or, if you prefer,
you can contact me directly.
Yes, You Can Donate
Although the very kind folks at iHug continue to generously sponsor the
publication of Aardvark, the bills still exceed the income by a fairly
significant amount. It is with this in mind therefore that I'm once
again soliciting donations from anyone who feels they're getting some
value from this daily column and news index. I've gone the PayPal
way of accepting donations because the time involved in processing a bunch
of little credit-card billings sometimes exceeds the monetary value they
represent. Just click on the button to donate whatever you can afford.
NOTE: PayPal bills in US dollars so don't accidentally donate twice
what you were intending :-)
Contacting Aardvark
I'm always happy to hear from readers, whether they're delivering brickbats,
bouquets or news tip-offs.
If you'd like to contact me directly, please
this form. If you're happy for me to republish
your comments then please be sure and select For Publication.
Other media organisations seeking more information or republication rights
are also invited to contact me.
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page?
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a free summary of Aardvark's daily commentary -- automatically updated
each and every week-day.
Aardvark also makes a summary of this daily column available via XML using
the RSS format. More details can be found
here.
Contact me if you decide to use either of these feeds and
have any problems.
Linking Policy
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Linking Policy.
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