Rant: PDF files on websites
It annoys me when companies and organisations provide media releases on their websites as PDF files.
The files are often too large and slow to open; many have copying disabled; it opens a new browser window and sometimes crashes Firefox.
As someone experienced with both media releases and website content management, I can’t understand why anyone would do this. PDF content generally isn’t as effective with search engines and it’s simply not user friendly for basic online documents.
Media releases are meant for public consumption. It should be easy to copy them and cut extracts.
PDF files are okay for large documents, like annual reports or newsletters, but they shouldn’t be used for single pages. (more…) EMF Financial Products
Micropayments for bloggers
There has been a lot of discussion about newspapers charging for online content, but not much has been said about bloggers doing the same.
A company called Fraxion Payments has now made it possible for bloggers to charge as little as one cent per article.
“Creators of quality content can now charge for their work,” says Chris Wilkins, co-founder of Fraxion Payments.
“Those who create the content will get the lions’ share of the revenue. This is the way it should be.”
The company says bloggers will be paid up to 85 percent on a monthly basis for purchased articles, “which may well be a huge boost for citizen journalism”.
The payment is actually 60 percent for total royalties of less than US$100 per month. (more…)
Self-hosted microblog
The open source microblogging platform StatusNet has two interesting options for users.
Microblogging, for the uninitiated, is online publishing of status updates within a limited space, normally 140 characters. Think Twitter or the wall on Facebook.
StatusNet offers its software for download, which can be installed on any PHP/My SQL server. This gives the user control over branding, design and access.
I have installed the program at gorey.com.au/miniblog/.
For people who don’t have a domain or access to a server, StatusNet offers a hosted account. (more…)
Family First preferences
I’m surprised that Family First has preferenced the Liberals in every South Australian seat for the March 20 election.
It’s no surprise their preferences will go to Liberal ahead of Labor, but I expected them to favor independents in some key seats.
I met the Family First candidate for Mount Gambier, Henk Bruins, a few weeks ago and he expressed his admiration for Don Pegler, who is the independent with a chance of winning the seat.
In The Border Watch today, Bruins conceded the decision had been made at state executive level.
I actually think it’s a decision that could shape the outcome. (more…)
Millipede menace
I’ve seen a lot of millipedes lately. Initially they were only outside, mainly in semi-rural areas on the fringe of town. I virtually tripped over them while out walking.
Then they started creeping into town and we began seeing them inside the house.
At Robe on the weekend they were everywhere.
I haven’t given much thought to millipedes before, probably because I haven’t previously encountered them in such prolific numbers as here. (more…)
Abbott and paid maternity leave
Tony Abbott’s colleagues must be wondering what on earth they have done by replacing one erratic unilateralist leader with another. There is certainly no escape hatch between now and the election.
Abbott’s $2.75 billion “big new tax” on large companies to fund six months of fully paid maternity leave is so contradictory and hypocritical it’s mind boggling.
The fact he didn’t inform his colleagues in advance of the announcement, including finance spokesman Barnaby Joyce, suggests Mr Abbott had a brain explosion or popped a thought bubble.
Paid maternity leave on that scale is simply bad policy and doubtful as a vote winner.
The people most likely to welcome it (and so far they haven’t) are feminists and unionists, who are unlikely to vote Liberal anyhow. (more…)
Senate fails South Australian workers
The threat to jobs and industry in the South East of South Australia caused by dumped Asian tissue products highlights the inadequacy of our bicameral federal system.
The Senate was established as a “state’s house” with equal numbers of Senators from each of the six colonies that formed the Commonwealth of Australia.
Our founding fathers wanted to protect the less-populated states from domination by Victoria and New South Wales.
At the time of Federation, governments were formed by alliances between groups of independents. The Labor Party was in its infancy and there were no other political parties.
The alliances were formed around strong personalities or issues like trade and immigration. (more…)
