Fotonomy Is Open

Fotonomy My current pet project, Fotonomy, is now open for anyone to join. Yay.

It’s taken a while to get to this stage, primarily because of other work related distractions, but the site is really coming together now.

If you’re at all interested in photography, have a look around the site and maybe sign up and join in the fun!

Google Support Response Tme: 2 Years

On May 13 2004, I sent an email to Google suggesting they add a WeatherPixie to their brand new official GoogleBlog. Today, 2 years later, I received a reply:


Date: Fri, 26 May 2006 17:37:32 -0700
From: "MV Search Training" <usersupport-trainingqueue-mv-core1@google.com>
To: "Dom Ramsey"
Subject: Re: [#9921340] blogs and pixies

Hi Dom,

Thank you for your kind words and suggestion. We're considering a few improvements for
the Google Blogger based on our user feedback. We appreciate your thoughtful feedback.

Regards,
The Google Team

That’s 2 years and 14 days to be precise. I think this may well qualify them for the slowest search engine in history award. Congratulations, Google.

Now, judging by the From address on the email, they’re using old support mails to train new staff, but it begs the question – why the hell are they letting them send responses!?

And what’s this about “The Google Blogger”?

Answers on a postcard. Or if you’re Google, just mail me and I’ll read it when I get it… sometime in 2008.

Adsense Video Ads

Google is adding video ads to its Adsense programme.

Is this a good idea? I think so. I’ll certainly give it a try.

People are so used to text ads now that they’re blind to them in the same way they became blind to banner ads years ago. Anything that engages the user is fine by me – provided the ads remain relavent of course!

read more | digg story

MacBook: What you need to know

This is an interesting article on what you need to know if you’re considering buying a new Macbook.

If I had money, I’d be tempted by one of these, but there are a few things that would worry me.

The size – I like my 12 inch powerbook, but the Macbook only comes in 13 inch. Will Apple release a smaller notebook to the lineup?

The keyboard. I’ve not tried it myself, but it *looks* icky to me. Reminds me of a Spectrum… eep!

Shared video memory – not great for games/graphics. Not that I’m much of a gamer, but it’d be nice to know I could..

The heat problem. These things seem to run really hot, but Apple won’t admit to any problem with them or the Macbook Pro.

Given that I have no income, I think I’ll wait at least until the next generation of Macbooks – which knowing Apple, will be sometime next month…

read more | digg story

My House


Your house tells the world that you ought to be a leader. You are a freedom lover and a strong person. You will avoid being alone and seek the company of others whenever possible. You love excitement and create it wherever you go. Once you have a problem, you need a friend with you. Your life is always full of changes.

When it comes to love, you shut yourself off. It’s difficult to win your heart because you have decided to keep your feelings deep inside. You see the world as it is, not as you believe it should be.

You added a flower into your drawing. The flower signifies that you long for love. It also safe to say that others don’t see you as a flirt. You don’t think much about yourself.

Sigh. One out of ten. Must try harder.

I’m cool – but I can’t shoot straight..

It seems my Half-Life on the iPod Nano video was one of the top stories on digg last week. I had no idea, but I’m quite glad the link was to the Google video rather than my blog – I’m not sure my little server would handle a full blown digging very well.

The only reason I noticed was because I saw myself on the Diggnation video podcast. Short clip here.

On a completely unrelated note, Jack Schofield from The Guardian interviewed me about my Google Maps hack yesterday.

I may be failing in my endless quest for Internet anonimity.