Greg Hartnett

In early August, a friend of mine, Sumo Rob, told me that he had heard a poll reporting more than a third of Americans believed that Bush and company may have had a hand in the 9/11 attacks. While I had heard some of the “inside job” arguments before, the number seemed abusrdly high, and I wrote it off as bad information. Most of the people I know, and I run with a fairly liberal crowd, would scoff at the notion.

Last week, I heard Bill Maher reference the same poll, citing the same results. I decided to look a little further, and indeed they were correct. According to a recent Scripps Howard/Ohio University poll 36% of respondents replied that

it is “very likely” or “somewhat likely” that federal officials either participated in the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon or took no action to stop them “because they wanted the United States to go to war in the Middle East.”

The entire article is worth a read. Of additional interest is the role that the web has taken in the dissemination of alternative views, and how the rival philosophies reside on opposite sides of the technological divide. But that’s for another post.

Things aren’t looking good for GW. His approval ratings are abysmal, currently hovering anywhere between 30 - 40%, depending upon which poll you look at. Even his loyal supporters are beginning to run for the exit. I knew back when right-wing mouthpiece Anne Coulter slammed him for his nomination of Harriet Miers that there was trouble in paradise.

With the November elections approaching quickly, expect the Bush-bashing to reach new heights. Republicans seeking election will try to distance themselves from the Cheney-Bush junta, and Democrats will sling more mud than ever. Grassroots organizations and liberal bloggers will continue to prop up their candidate of choice, with increasing fervor as November approaches. But where will these naysayers be when Bush is gone? I wonder if DailyKos and Salon will report of the deception and chicanery of a Democratic leader if/when one is in office? What will all the “crazy liberals” do when they can no longer blame everything on GW?

Only time will tell, but if history is any indicator, I would imagine these outlets will gloss over the misgivings and misdeeds of a Democratic leader, probably resorting to pointing the finger at a hostile Senate or Congress. Complicitly playing their role in the polarizing of the American populace in an effort to advance their own agendas. A song and dance, getting you talking and thinking about issues that are not really important, in the guise that your officials are actually concerned about your well being. They are not. The system is broken, and spiraling ever more out of control.

So now that it is socially acceptable, you can hop on the bandwagon and let the world know that you think GW is a bumbling fool - truly redefining incompetence. But you had better start planning on what card you are going to play next. GW day’s are numbered, and you can’t afford to be a one-trick pony.

Have you heard of Camp Democracy? Not likely if you get your news from mainstream media. Why would they want you to know that people are gathering to speak about important issues. The more they can keep you in the dark, the easier it is for them to control the conversation. But I digress.

Camp Democracy is a non-partisan (yeah right) group coming together in Washington DC to promote “peace, democracy, and the restoration of the rule of law.” Various booths are set up between the Mall and Constitution Avenue for interested parties to learn about activism, electoral reform, community building, and more.

While the main topics addressed will cover and end to the war in Iraq, there will be plenty of speakers covering topics ranging from corporate globalization to the ineptitude of the Bush administration. If you are within the DC area, and would like to attend, here is a list of the schedule of events.

If you can’t (or don’t want to) go, but would be interested in donating money, click here. Or you can volunteer for any number of projects. Or you could do nothing, and complain that your country is going to shit. Your call…

I have thoroughly enjoyed the transition of switching from a Windows environment. I have grown into an Apple enthusiast and evangelist. The OS is more intuitive, less prone to crashes (never), better looking, and just more fun to use. I don’t know if I’ll ever go back to a Windows machine.

However, I am less than thrilled with the contact management solutions I have come across thus far. I started off using Mac Mail, iCal, and Address Book, but didn’t like having to flip between the apps to manage each. I was looking for an all-in-one application.

I had purposely held off on using the Entourage application. I had never liked MSFT Outlook when I used Windows, and was reluctant to try a MSFT offering on my clean Mac. But, I had already installed Word and Excel, so I figured I’d give it a shot. While Entourage has it’s perks (I really like the Project Management feature), overall the entire application is clunky and unresponsive. It is the only application on my PowerBook that I have to wait for. After downloading mail, I have to wait 30 seconds before I can click anything in the mail. Completely unacceptable.

So now I am looking for an alternative. I have looked around a bit, but haven’t yet found what I am looking for. Basically, Outlook for a Mac that doesn’t suck. So not the real Outlook, which does suck, but something that has email, address book, and calendar functionality. Otherwise, it’s back to Mac defaults, because I give up on MSFT.

PS - I am also looking for a new web based calendar, so compatability would be nice.

I am going to keep from any political agenda on this post…

Today is not the day to point fingers, or second guess. Nor is it the time for political jockeying, name calling, or agenda advancing.

It’s a time for all of us to remember. Remember those poor civilians who lost their lives that fateful morning. Remember the families that shattered as those buildings collapsed. Remember what life was like on September 10, 2001. Remember how we felt safe, and trusted that our leaders would take care of us.

As I sift through all the news commemorating the fifth anniversary of 9/11, I find that I am having trouble keeping the tears at bay. The emotions of the day flood back, as if the events happened only yesterday. I think of the guys that I knew who died that day. Chris Slattery, who grew up across the street from me, and in whose house I had my first sleep over. How did he die? Instantly when the plane hit? I like to think so.

Or Chris Ciafardini. A year younger than I when we went to school together. I never really knew him that well, but we hung out a bit. When I watched the names of the victims in the days that followed 9/11, the name jumped out at me. When I saw a street sign in Oyster Bay commemorating him, I realized that my fears had been justified.

Those signs became all too popular in my old home town. I saw them putting one up for Tim Byrne just up the street from where I grew up. A memorial street sign now hangs ominously over the kids playing on the quiet cul-de-sac, a constant reminder of the heart broken home just around the bend.

I remember seeing flyers adorned on store fronts and light poles, hung by family members desperately seeking information about a loved one. I remember learning from my sister that she had finally gotten in touch with my cousin who had worked at the NYSE. And learning from my father that my cousin, who was at the time a speech writer for Giuliani, was also safe.

I remember reaching out to people I knew who may have been afftected. Talking with Brian as the events unfolded, to learn that his buddy LP had gone missing. Unfortunately, Laurence worked at Cantor Fitzgerald, up on the 104th floor of the World Trade Center. Cantor Fitzgerald saw the highest casualties of any company - almost the entire workforce was decimated that morning.

Today as I work, the emotions of the event linger with me. I remember the tragedy each day, but today I permit myself to remember details and emotions of the day. So today, all I do is remember. Tomorrow, I rant.

With employees scattered worldwide, staying on the same page often proves difficult. In an effort to keep all of us more in tune with each other, we have decide to implement a web-based calendar application.

After an initial search, the Google Calendar seems to be the front runner. However, I also noticed that Yahoo has it’s own offering, and there are more than a handful of applications offered for free, or sale.

I’m leaning towards recommending the Goolge service.  Anybody have any opinions?

eventually you get burned. This is a pretty straightforward lesson - one that we all learn at a fairly early age. Even my 4 1/2 year old, daredevil son knows that if you stick your hand in a dog’s mouth, you’ve got a good chance of walking away with a bite.

So why is it that the world is shocked at the passing of Aussie croc-hunter, Steve Irwin? I am not trying to sound insensitive or callous towards the grief of his family. What I don’t understand is the “floored” responses, or the people saying “what a shock” or “it was a freak accident“.

How can this come as such a surprise to so many? The guy defied death on a daily basis. It would have been a shock, or a “freak accident” if a helicopter fell on his head. Or if I got stung in the chest by a stingray - that would be a surprise. But when you tempt wild animals continually, eventually you get bit - or stung.

We all know that honesty is the best policy. Our parents and teachers have always taught us that you never get ahead with being dishonest, and that being truthful is always the right choice. But is it? Does honesty really pay?

So we all know this, and yet we continue to be less than 100% honest. How many times do you lie, every day? 10 times? 20 times? More?? Each of us does it - every day, we lie. We lie to our spouses, our kids, our boss, officials, coworkers, strangers, business associates, and friends. Hell, we even lie to ourselves.

Why do most of us lie? Fear. The fear of disappointment or negative consequences. The fear of not being seen in the light that we wish to be seen. The fear of rejection. The fear of confrontation.

Now you may be thinking to yourself, “Hey, I don’t lie”. Bullshit. You do. You know it. Have you ever rationalized something to yourself? That’s a lie - sugar coating reality. A rose by any other name… While you may not blatantly lie to another, you are bound to “exaggerate” (lie), fail to mention (lie), gloss over (lie), or rationalize (lie) multiple times daily. There’s really no escaping it - your’e a liar.

What can you do about it? It’s simple really. First, you need to come to the realization that you are not going to be able to please all the people all the time. Your actions and decisions are bound to ruffle some feathers, and you need to be prepared to deal with the fallout. You can’t live your life expecting to never step on any toes. People will accept your decisions, so long as you are truthful and forthright in your explanation. What they won’t forgive is dishonesty.

Secondly, and more difficult, you need to shift your paradigm. Instead of shying away from situations that may require you to be less than 100% honest, embrace those opportunities as a time to shine. Step into a difficult spot, and let your honesty fly. Watch the wonder in others as you step up and take the heat. Take responsibility for a failure, and swell in other’s eyes. Awaken to the realization that other’s will expect you to lie, and will respect you when you surprise them with your honesty.

Finally, see yourself as an example for others to follow. If you are fortunate enough to have children, remember that they will learn through your actions, not your words. Telling them to be honest is merely lip-service. Let them see you live honestly, and they will truly learn. If you have subordinates, remember that they too will follow your lead. Always remember that others are taking their cues from your actions, and it should help when you are feeling weak.

So give it a shot. Try incorporating a little more honesty into your daily routine. Next time you feel the urge to lie, take the alternate route. Muster up the courage to speak honestly - you’ll be glad you did.

I haven’t heard any chatter, and a few searches don’t bring up anything relevant, so this may be out of left field.  But…

Is the WordPress platform no longer displaying incoming links using Technorati?  Used to be that when I logged into my dashboard, in the right column there was an area displaying most recent links, with a “more links” that did a link: query on Technorati.  I think it was even there earlier this morning.  I noticed an error while trying to hit the link this afternoon, and the next time I logged in, it was gone.

This blog is using WP 2.0  I verified that it is not just this version by checking the BOTW Blog, which is still running on WP 1.5.2 (I don’t know why??)  So is it just a hiccup, or has there been a change?  Is it still there on any other versions?

I thought it was a great feature, and probably good for both companies - I’d be bummed to see it go.

I submitted this blog to the Open Directory Project (DMOZ) about 10 days ago. I was surprised to see the following referrer this morning - http://editors.dmoz.org/editors/editunrev.cgi?site=235204&cat=Computers/…

So it looks like an editor was taking a peek at the blog. I stroll over the the applicable category, and booya. There’s my listing three quarters of the way down. Pretty responsive review for a free submission.

I am going to take a pretty unpopular stance here - I like DMOZ. I think they’re great, and not just because they accpeted my blog. I think they almost embody the best of what the web can be. I know they have some flaws, and that there are a few bad apples (maybe a bushel). Overall though, I still feel they are the best directory online, though I do know of another directory biting at their heels.

I refuse to buy into the adage that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. That statement assumes that we are a particular person. In reality, we are not any one particular thing, or any one particular way. We are constantly evolving. You are not the same as you were yesterday, you won’t be the same person tomorrow. Hell, you’ll even be a little different after you read this post - both mentally, and physically.

Nothing is. Nothing has been written in stone about how you can act. You haven’t been prescribed a standard by which you must adhere. Every moment of life presents an opportunity to make a choice. Each time you meet somebody new, each time you speak to your child, each time you get something to eat, each time a coworker asks you for help. All of these scenarios provide you the opportunity of choice. How will you choose to act?

Throughout the course of my marriage, there have been times when my wife will lament over a particular trait I may have - maybe how it takes her three times to get me to act on taking out the garbage, or putting the toilet seat down. To which I usually reply, “Don’t try to change me - that’s the way that I am”. But is that the way that I am? Lazy? Unresponsive? Generally, I would say no. I like to think that I typically choose to act in a productive and/or quick manner. But hey, sometimes I am lazy. And unresponsive.

So where I am going with this? Nowhere in particular. Sometimes a journey is worth taking just for the sake of it, with no destination in mind. I am trying to work on changing some of the things in my life that have become habitual. For the time being I am content in the knowledge that I am free to choose as I please, and be the man that I aspire to be. Maybe I’ll even start to like Bruce Springsteen or low-fat salad dressing.

Last Tuesday, Jeremy Schoemaker was kind enough to ask me to cohost the Net Income show live from the trade floor of SES San Jose. It was an impromptu show, very casual in nature, and lots of fun. Basically, we grabbed people from the floor and tried to strike up some conference related talk.

We had no real topic, so at times it was a bit choppy. I think it worked though (except for my King of the Hill impression after the first commercial break - ha!). I definitely had a good time. Thanks some of the people who didn’t mind us grabbing them and sticking a mike in their faces: Dax, Marcus (in the cowboy hat), Chris Boggs, Heather Lloyd Martin, Adam Sussman, Scott Richter, Michael Sevins(?), and Mikkel deMib (in the red suit).

You can listen to the show here.

I don’t come from a computer background. Without knowing my audience, I once made the blunder of revealing in a business meeting that the only experience I had with computers was doing bong hits and playing Playstation in college. I didn’t take any computer classes in school, I don’t know any real programming languages (unless you count HTML), I don’t know shit about hacking, and sometimes I get confused trying to configure my home network. And yet, here I am, running two successful technology companies. How can that be?

I have learned over the last year that even though the vast majority of the work that we do (and I mean we collectively: me, you, all of us who make our living online) deals with computers, it’s not about the technology. The technology comes and goes, and what’s hot today will be outdated next year. This month’s tricks are next month’s pitfalls.

Much like other industries, ours is about the people. The relationships and alliances struck between sometimes powerful forces, coming together to shape tomorrow’s WWW. The power that comes from meeting new and interesting people in the industry, providing for collaborative opportunities. The challenge that comes from dealing with some of the sharpest brains I have ever encountered. It’s about the people. It’s all about the people. Fortunately, dealing with people is one thing I know.

Below are some “tips” for dealing with business associates. Most of them are pretty much common sense, with a dose of Buddhist tradition for good measure.

1. Hire the absolute best people you can find. Ideally, you’ll be the dumbest guy in the room when you meet with your good people. Buy, beg, steal, give away part of your company to get them on board.
2. Never betray somebody’s confidence. I have some of the most influential and respected people in the industry ask me for advice on a regular basis. Not because I am so smart (regardless of what I tell my family). Because they know what we talk about stays between us. Once trust is lost, it is almost impossible to replace.
3. When speaking with somebody, pay attention exclusively to what they are telling you. Don’t let your mind wander. Focus all of your energy on that person. Let them see that you are paying attention.
4. Participate in the conversation. Provide meaningful dialogue when conversing. Ask questions and provide comments that indicate that you are listening. Let them hear your interest.
5. Be authentic. Probably the most important point. If you are not authentic, smart people will smell you coming from a mile away. Leave your polished smile at home, and can the cheesy sales talk. Show people that you are genuinely interested in helping them, and they will flock to you. If you can’t nail this one, then you shouldn’t be the public figure for your company.
6. Show humility. No matter how big your house, no matter what kind of car you drive, no matter how much money you make, how old your domain is, or how many employees you have, you need to treat others as if they are as important or more important than you are. Show everybody you meet at a conference the same respect you would show to Matt Cutts.
7. Refrain from boasting. There is nothing wrong with some self promotion, but remember that nobody likes a braggart. It may be a fine line, but you need to know where that line is, and make sure not to cross it.
8. Master the art of the soft sell. Don’t be a pushy salesman. Let people know what it is that you do, and let them lead. Read the signals, and they’ll let you know if they are interested.
9. Be generous. Pick up the tab for the drinks. Don’t be afraid to grab the entire tab for that nice dinner. Make others happy through your actions and generosity. Remember to put other’s happiness in front of yours.
10. Make people feel at ease. Make them laugh, even if it’s at your own expense. People will tolerate a stick in the mud if they have to, but they’ll seek out somebody that’s fun to be around.
11. Be yourself. You need to feel comfortable with yourself, or others will feel uncomfortable in your presence. With comfort comes confidence, and confidence acts like a magnet.
12. Don’t criticize. Never bad mouth others in the presence of business associates. If you need to talk smack about somebody, tell your wife, your dog, your parents. Just don’t tell people you work with.

Most importantly, treat others as you would like to be treated. Go out of your way to make a newbie feel welcome. Go talk to the weird looking girl standing alone. Make everybody you meet feel like the special person that they are, and you will never stand alone.

My wife and I have been together since 1994. For those of you mathematically challenged, that’s 12 years. If you have ever been in a long term relationship, you’ll know it takes a lot of work. Compromises, biting your tongue, providing support, listening when you don’t feel like it - all the little things that go into making a relationship last. It’s not easy.

On my drive home last week from SES San Jose, I was reflecting on how good life can be when you make good choices. People seem lucky or fortunate - usually they are not. They just make good choices. Choosing Lily as my wife was probably the best choice I ever made.

So as I am thinking about all this, the perfect song comes on the radio. A song that I always enjoyed, but never fully appreciated. If you have a love that has stood the test of time, perhaps it will ring true to you as well.  Still the One, by Orleans:

We’ve been together since way back when
Sometimes I never want to see you again
But I want you to know, after all these years
You’re still the one I want whisperin’ in my ear

You’re still the one I want to talk to in bed
Still the one that turns my head
We’re still having fun, and you’re still the one

I looked at your face every day
But I never saw it ’til I went away
When winter came, I just wanted to go
Deep in the desert, I longed for the snow

You’re still the one that makes me laugh
Still the one that’s my better half
We’re still having fun, and you’re still the one

You’re still the one that makes me strong
Still the one I want to take along
We’re still having fun, and you’re still the one

Changing, our love is going gold
Even though we grow old, it grows new

You’re still the one that I love to touch
Still the one and I can’t get enough
We’re still having fun, and you’re still the one

You’re still the one who can scratch my itch
Still the one and I wouldn’t switch
We’re still having fun, and you’re still the one

You are still the one that makes me shout
Still the one that I dream about
We’re still having fun, and you’re still the one.

As expected, the SES conference in San Jose passed with much fanfare - check out all of my pics here. There was much networking to be done, many people to speak with at the booth, a handful of drinks to knock back, and some great dinners. It was awesome to see my boys from BOTW, as well as hang out with some of the familiar faces. I was also able to meet a lot of new people - in particular, the impromptu hang-session with Loren Baker.

I feel really fortunate to be in an industry where the people I work with have become friends. As I have aged, I have noticed that I don’t have nearly as many friends as I once did, and I find myself appreciating the friends that I do have even more. Guys like Adam Sussman, Jeremy Schoemaker, Jim Boykin, Darron Babin, Roger Monti. People that I have grown to respect as associates, and value as friends.

I wasn’t able to attend any of the sessions, so I don’t have any feedback to provide on that front, but below I present a list of 10 things I took away from San Jose:

1. People shouldn’t start a conversation by saying, “Do you remember my name?”. It’s not a good idea to put the other person on the spot.
2. I am not going to mix any alcohol on the first night - no beer and wine, or wine and vodka. And definitely not beer, wine, and vodka.
3. There are a lot of people in this industry that are a lot smarter, and/or younger, than I am.
4. Rubber band propelled foam rockets fly approximately 100 ft given the proper trajectory.
5. I am unable to throw a ball and dunk the guy in the booth when I have a handful of beers in me, though it doesn’t seem to effect BOTW Dragonslayer, Rob Schmid.
6. Girls’ tank tops are the best booth schwag ever.
7. Dave Naylor will punch you in the balls. Not mine. Hopefully.
8. Shoemoney has officially reached rock star status.
9. Blackhats and whitehats can mutually coexist - in the pub at least.
10. Companies don’t need any more analytics services.

Less than 24 hours since the show is over, and already I look forward to seeing all of you again in just a few months. Now that the show is over, it’s back to business, and following up on some contacts made at the conference. It’s not all fun and games there you know. We do some business too…

Yabba grabba stogie