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Lo and behold: the first words on the Internet

Most people know of the Internet only from the mid '90s on. But actually, the Internet started long, long ago, in a galaxy, well, that you live in.

I recently came across a page on UCLA's website that showed the first words uttered on the Internet. The day was Oct. 29, 1969, which also happens to be my mom's birthday. The researchers sent an "l" and an "o" before the system crashed. Apparently they were trying to login, and, much like any old computer I've used, it crashed almost immediately.

Website selling personal info ... but how much?

Is it possible to obtain someone's personal information online? There's a site that proclaims this is the case ... for a price.

As reported by Snopes.com, ZabaSearch.com will tell you everything the site can find regarding a particular person. Snopes coughed up $20 and received some personal information, but nothing that couldn't be found already through public records.

Kids need opportunities, not Disney movie endings

Nine-year-olds care about winning baseball games. Just ask Peter Smith, Maurice Robinson and Billy Rogers.

Peter has been to many Washington Nationals games this year, and he just recently started keeping track of the team's boxscores. Maurice listens to Baltimore Orioles games and his great-grandfather, who tells tales of John McGraw, Babe Ruth and Frank Robinson. Billy never seems to come inside until after dark, usually because he is in front of his house, playing baseball with the neighborhood friends.

Crawfordsville and Champaign this weekend

I'll be heading back to familiar territory this weekend as I host a book talk in Crawfordsville, Ind., at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Crawfordsville Public Library. A little later in the day (3 p.m. CST), I'll be at the Champaign, Ill., Borders.

I lived in Crawfordsville in 1998-99, working at the Journal Review during my time there. I will be discussing writing and publishing at the library, as well as explaining the process of putting together my novel, The Developers.

Thank you Columbus, Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Emo Phillips

I just wanted to thank everyone who stopped by during my weekend Borders book tour. I was really encouraged by the turnout in Columbus, especially considering I know few people up that way.

From the Archive

Car won't start if you're drunk

A relatively new device installed in DWI offenders' cars should contribute to fewer drunk-driving accidents, basically because the vehicle won't even start.

Authorities in New Mexico have mandated equipping first-time DWI offenders with an ignition interlock, which can require testing before and during a driving. From an Associated Press report, New Mexico has more interlocks currently installed per capita than any other state.

Next stop: Gaithersburg, Md.

Although my summer signing schedule is pretty light, I will be in Gaithersburg, Md., in July for "The Developers." The event will take place at 2 p.m. July 8 at the Barnes and Noble (21 Grand Corner Ave.). I hope to discuss this book, as well as my new project, "Polos to Ties," which is keeping me mostly off the book tour circuit this year.

Get directions to the Gaithersburg Barnes and Noble here

Do everything but actually compete in the Games

It's difficult to get a good read on the American public when trying to figure out how many people really care about the Olympics. But if any of these people want to explore the Internet looking for more information, they have plenty of options.

There's a lot of hatin' for Valentine's Day

If you're one of the people who don't like Valentine's Day, or you don't even acknowledge the existence of it, there's additional earth-shattering news you may want to know.

It seems like you might be in the majority now.

There are a fair amount of sites on the web blasting Valentine's Day, starting with Uncyclopedia. Unfortunately, I don't have time to give other sites because I have to try to find all of them.

Open document formats defeated in five states

If you just read the headline of this story, maybe you thought "Man, that sucks that I won't be able to open documents in five states. Then again, if I get a job in one of those states, I guess I won't have to stare at a computer screen all day." Before I continue, let me explain what open document format is.

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