Archive for June, 2007
I've been in web development, design and publishing since the mid 1990's. I think I've seen just about every optimization trick in the book. There are many nuances to search engine optimization but if you follow some overarching guidelines, I promise you will grow healthy exposure to your site.
This past month I've seen thoughtsparks.net traffic increase by 22% from the previous month. I've also turned-up number one on Google in search phrases like "nine random facts" out of 1,130,
June 28, 2007
13 Comments Full Story
Living life on purpose is something I strive towards. I enjoy looking at cause and effect, the end results. Writing to a blog is a process that is done with definite goals in mind. I wrote about the Top 20 Reasons I Blog back in March. In reviewing those reasons, by-and-large they are still the same.
Doing the Math
Today, I did a quick look at my web stats using Google Analytics. I've seen a 22% increase in visits from the previous 30 days. Sounds impressive. So, making the blanket assumption
June 26, 2007
7 Comments Full Story
I've discovered the secret to gardening: continous cultivation. Gardening is a rewarding, delightful experience to plant and watch the vegetation grow. Through the seasons it changes and evolves into a habitat that is pleasant, provides shelter for birds and butterflies and is a blessing to my family, friends and neighbors.
I find many parrallels to parenting with gardening. Raising three beautiful daughters brings to mind that same sense of cultivation. They are growing into thoughtful, gifted
June 26, 2007
4 Comments Full Story
What is the Wow Factor. In short the Wow Factor is people's first impression when they say, "wow that is really cool." Digging a little deeper however, it is much much more.
The Wow Factor is excellence in motion. First and foremost the Wow Factor is the result of top quality work that often involves blood, sweat and tears.
The Wow Factor drives innovation. With each new major roll-out of Windows or Apple's operating system, with the premiere of the high-end BMW or for us T
June 21, 2007
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Your blog is written with a professional and creative tone. Becoming an excellent communicator takes time. No matter where you are starting from, you can improve and develop your voice. I am pleasantly surprised by my twelve year-old's blog Gloriana's Book Blog. Call me biased, but for her age I find her short posts entertaining and informative.
The posts are not riddled with coarse, profane and negative words. Writing that is pilfered with these qualities are like the overuse of the
June 19, 2007
21 Comments Full Story
A life well lived, which I hope mine continues to be, is like a bottle of fine wine. It really does get better with age.
Yesterday, I sat down and updated my resume and posted it to Portfolio. It's something I try to do every year or so as I figure it's just a good idea. It took me less time to revise even though I had more to pack-in on two pages. It should be that way. As we move through life and pick-up experience we grow our skills and experience.
I've picked-up or improved on other skill
June 15, 2007
6 Comments Full Story
Maybe it's to be different or maybe because I was tagged twice, once back on April 30th by Cherann and on June 2 for 10 Random facts and by Lord Matt for 8 Random facts, I'm listing nine random facts about myself.
Here are the rules as quoted from Lord Matt:
Players start with 8 (9 in my case) random facts about themselves.
Those who are tagged should post these rules and their 8 (9) random facts.
Players should tag 8 (9) other people and notify them that they have been tag
June 11, 2007
16 Comments Full Story
Kind of a quirky thought, but in Googling the word thoughtsparks 639 of the 640 results directly relate back to my site or postings in one form or fashion. The first page and a half of Google returns on my name Phil Stolle are mine as well. Then they are interspered with the other Phil Stolle from Germany and diverge from there for the remains of the 143,000 returns.
Bloggers are coining new terms all the time to have unique addresses and putting their own spin on their topics. I enjoy develop
June 6, 2007
13 Comments Full Story
Too often I read bogus money saving tips like, "use a credit card with points back." The idea is that you could get something for nothing. Or the typical ad that says, "Buy now and save 50%." I often make the comment, "Don't buy now and save 100%".
If you want to save huge amounts of money, I'm talking major savings, there are some simple ways to do that. The basic premise is that if you change fundamental, ongoing operational costs you will reduce your overh
June 5, 2007
7 Comments Full Story
Goal setting is a challenging thing to do effectively. As I look down the short road to 40 as mentioned in my post, "A Techie Looks at 40", I am setting some SMART Goals for the next 15 months. SMART Goals are: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. There are eight specific goals that I expect to accomplish in this time frame. In a way I'm getting around to the "Gotta Get Goals" meme that Christy tagged me for a while back. This is a new meme of sorts.
June 4, 2007
5 Comments Full Story