Category: Internet/WWW

Tech joy (or, ‘Clear your cache’)

Why oh why can’t we make computers that just work?

If I had a nickel for every blog post worldwide that had such a thought, I probably could afford a top-of-the-line computer – and want to bet it too would be balky and aggravating?

And then there’s the harmonic convergence of tech woes, when our 10-Fox news had a full weather forecast, followed by silent NW Cable News, our news audio with black screen and finally, our full package – in time for sports.

It’s enough to curse the Gods of Technology.

I was having a problem too geeky to describe in detail with our Website’s CMS (content management system). I still haven’t seen the updated version of a story show. The East Coast tech, calling before 11 (thankfully), suggested I clear my cache. I said I could, but what do I tell our many Website visitors – they have to clear their cache to see updated stories?

They’ll just go to another site – who can blame them? Plenty of news fish in the cyber-sea.

Oh well. Hopefully our freeze warning (it’s June!) won’t freeze out Balloons Over Bend again in the AM (actually it was the wind, and it sure was blowing this evening. Summer will arrive by July 4, right? Ah, Central Oregon;-)

 

Blogging about writing about blogging about writing

That headline is likely longer than this post.

I won’t be doing as many posts on Sunday and Thursday nights, as that’s when I write my Monday and Friday pieces for my on-air gig.

Of course, tonight I wrote about this new “baby” of mine, a different place to talk about journalism, KTVZ, the Internet, and probably other stuff as well.

I also promised all my posts won’t be ‘Barney-length’ opuses, so… let’s just say I’m glad to see you here, especially if it’s after seeing me on the air, and… leave it at that 😉

Another teen tragedy, alas

Read all about it – and the dozens of comments on it – at http://www.ktvz.com/global/story.asp?s=8388713.

This time, because of a snarky but well-timed criticism of some partial info we got from school district, I had the never-fun task of calling the family – hoping so much a spokesman or friend would answer. Instead, it was the teen’s stepmother, who was relatively gracious, considering what that family is going through, who helped straighten out the info.

We’ve had about 40 comment postings so far – but 25 THOUSAND viewings of the comments. Clearly, these totally unrelated teen-death tragedies have struck a major nerve, and people not only want to speak out but read what others say – good, bad and, yes, ugly. I’m not sure I’m drawing a firm enough line on the personal attacks people feel the need to send out, often protected by the much-abused anonymity, but there have been enough good wishes, thoughtful remarks and cogent discussion that it’s worth the hassle.

I think. 😉

People who think we relish bad news should see how bad I was trembling after that phone call. I offered condolences, I asked if there was anything we could do, I said I can’t imagine what they’re going through – and I can’t. It’s one thing for a beloved football and wrestling star to run away from a police stop and die in a mysterious manner. But for a clearly troubled teen, close to graduation, to flee police, SHOOT AT THEM and eventually take his own life, despite police efforts to end it peacefully – that one hangs just as heavy, if not heavier.

Bad choices. But then come the armchair quarterbacks, the parent-blamers, the police-blamers, the society-blamers, and those who defend against them. It’s almost like a badly choreographed opera – predictable in its sour notes and occasional sweet sounds.

To me, above it all, is the sweet sound of a community getting to weigh in – again, good, bad or ugly. I’d love to set rules of decorum, but that’s like trying to arrange the world to one’s liking.

It’s too messy for that, but with that mess comes all the joy as well. You can’t separate them.

Enough ruminating. Thanks to NHL, it was a longer day at the station, oddly enough, and emotional for me, as well. Hoping for a few calmer days…

 

Hi Bend Blogs people!

My pal Jake Ortman – man, I wish we could work together, dude – has kindly added my new blog to BendBlogs. So hi, Bend Blogs readers! (Hi Bulletin reporters, editors etc.! I have it on Good Authority you are among Bend Blogs’ most prolific visitors – which means I darn well am not going to post any secret inside info or worse yet, scoops(!) on this page! Heh;-)

I do want to use this spot to thank Jake for all the time he puts in on things like Bend Blogs and Utterly Boring, which I’m sure he wishes could be a full-time gig but hey, don’t we all? I almost made my topic line on this blog “If I have to wear ONE MORE HAT, we’re going to need taller doors.;-)”

But isn’t that the way of the world these troubling days? Doing more and more with fewer people and resources, and still expecting a high (or higher) level of quality? I don’t know which House of Cards is falling faster – that one or the cheap-gas-fueled economy.

Hang on, folks. It’s going to be a bumpy ride;-/