WordPress.org releases 1.5.1 to fix many bugs and patch some items. As with all releases, minor or otherwise, the support load on the forums is mounting and they are in need of more experienced aids to answer questions and help out. If you run WordPress, why not head over and help out someone new to the package.

Just prior to the 1.5.1 release some previews of the new WordPress logo were leaked and are available here. I always like taking a peek into the creative process someone takes to design their logo. The logo has several things going for it so far, and who knows if this will even be the final. But the current direction is good, showing strong attributes. The logo features a strong smooth logomark based on the W. The prominant W has a firm foundation with the serif font but ends smoothly conveying elegance to the utilitarian font. This strong logomark is followed by a font that appropiately catagorizes the logo. The serif’ed font is very classical and evokes a traditional, book-like feel.

Between the two styles I prefer the traditional, “logomark on left, logotype on right” logo. Featuring the W mark in the center of the logotype deters from the legibility of the name. It also makes it look like an aviator emblem which is definately not right.

Creamer Pyramid from above

My previous coffee creamer wall was unable to support the weight of additional blocks. Thus I begin on other simple structures and geometries. Naturally the pyramid is an obvious choice for a stable structure.

Mesothelioma is one of the deadliest diseases known to man; the average life span of an inflicted person from the time of diagnosis until death is less than 6 months. It’s a disease that strikes approximately 3,000 United States citizens each and every year – a disease that is almost 100% preventable; the only known cause is via exposure to the deadly mineral Asbestos. It comes from inhaling the particles and dust of the asbestos as it decomposes. Asbestos fibers have been used in building materials, auto parts and other products for decades, but are linked to cancer and other diseases. Hundreds of thousands of injury claims have forced many companies into bankruptcy and now a $140 Billion bill is being milled over by a committee in the senate. This bill would compensate those affected by Mesothelioma and the lawyers are all over it. So are the google-mongers. So how does a deadly disease intersect with the internet? What could they possibly have in common?

I did a search on Google News for Mesothelioma and what did I find? The entire first page inundated with articles from India – 6 out of the 10 of the articles listed! A web search also finds a slew of sites featuring everything from Mesothelioma lawyers to facts on the disease. Why so much sudden and foreign interest in the subject? Google advertising.

A current trend seen here in the US, is the outsourcing of technical jobs to India, Malaysia, Taiwan etc. Why? They work for cheap and the worth of a dollar is strong in their lands. I’ve also noted a raise in Indian and Malaysian blogs/bloggers and other websites targeted at making money. These are smart people. They are technically as savvy as most of us westerners and are looking to capitalize.

A recently released list of keywords reveals the highest paying Google Adsense keywords. As you might have guessed, Mesothelioma and Mesothelioma Lawyers are at the top of the list. There is an entire subculture when it comes to search engine optimization or SEO as its commonly referred to. Website upon website boasts tips, tricks or hacks to help you make the most of Google’s supposedly lucrative advertising streams. One site sells a pdf for $80 that is supposed to contain all the tips you need to make fast cash on Google Adwords and Adsense. Its an interesting model – pay for Google Adwords to point to your site, then fill your site with Google Adsense ads. If what you pay for the Google Adwords is less than what you bring in with the Google Adsense ads – you’ve turned a profit.

Unfortunately for Mesothelioma victims, the only ones benefiting from their plight are lawyers and publishers that are preying upon current marketing trends to benefit their pay-per-click schemes.

Morning coffee is always better with a colorful wall of creamers to choose from. Should I go with Irish Creme, French Vanilla, or Southern butter pecan? More importantly, why do all these flavors come from exotic locales? Isn’t vanilla just plain vanilla? More places should offer free cofee condiments. One gas station I got my morning coffee from even had large glass bottles of different flavors you could add – good stuff.

A relative newcommer to WordPress and the community, and I see I’m making a big splash on the WP topsites. Much to the chagrin of Mike D.

Mike: Touché