I'm the kind of person who likes to know how something works. In a world where many things cannot be explained -- volcanoes, the afterlife, females -- it's good to know there is a logical explanation for Internet linking.

Linking is not a new concept. Marco Polo is said to have marveled at Asia's ability to store files and download directions from Mapquest. How do you think he made it back?

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.

Let's get to the point quickly here -- all Web sites look different depending on various factors: the type of computer you are using (Mac vs. PC), the type of browser you are using (Netscape vs. Internet Explorer vs. WebTV vs. others), the types of extensions you have enabled (Java vs. QuickTime vs. others), your favorite soft drink (Coke vs. Pepsi vs. RC). It's complicated because there are so many variables, more than you had during your entire high school math career.

It's August 21, 1858, in Ottawa, Ill. You had planned on eating your lunch, which consists of whatever they ate in 1858, plus a box of Twinkies, but instead you are attacked by the flock of people heading to the public square. The sun is shining brightly so brightly, you decide it must be 1:55 p.m. You notice two people on stage, both men in their 40s. One of those guys looks just like Abraham Lincoln.

Wait a minute, it is Abraham Lincoln!

Riding in a car during a long trip is a lot like sitting in front of a computer for a day. You know, staring aimlessly at whatever is in front of you thinking of a million different places you'd rather be and yelling to no one in particular because you've just encountered the Leave-on-Your-Left-Turn-Signal entourage.

QUESTION

Would you meet someone you met or chatted with online, even if you had never seen a picture of the person?

BEN: NO

I finally had time to update the website design for my new narrative nonfiction humor novel, "Polos to Ties." I just wanted to make it a little more user-friendly so that people would be able to find out more about the book. I'm looking into both agents and publishers at the current time, and I'm expecting to make a decision sometime in the near future. Stay turned!

I received a fair share of emails regarding my recent story about the RIAA and the price of CDs. I thought maybe it was spam, until I found out that the story was posted on Digg.

Not only that, but I received a handful of emails about my article. I'm glad my writing spurned conversation ... I wonder where that will leave the RIAA?

Usually, I prefer to put the news in my own words, but MoveOn.Org does a pretty good job of explaining Congress' latest attempt to try to rearrange the Internet.

From MoveOn.Org:

Do you buy books online, use Google, or download to an Ipod? These activities, plus MoveOn's online organizing ability, will be hurt if Congress passes a radical law that gives giant corporations more control over the Internet.

It's difficult to imagine life before Microsoft PowerPoint, right? I mean, how would ANYONE be able to get his/her point across to the masses without the use of slideshows, silly graphics and amazing colored boxes?

This is exactly why even Abraham Lincoln prepared his famous Gettysburg Address using PowerPoint. Don't believe it? Take a look here.