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Friendster announces new features

If you haven't been to Friendster lately, it might be time to go back and check it out. Released in September, Friendster 2.0 appears to be not only leading the way with online social networking, but it may also be replacing Internet dating websites.

There are a fair amount of improvements with the new Friendster, including the following:

- FriendTracker: Real-time updates about your friends' information

- Customizable Profile: Ability to use HTML or CSS for your profile

Three new locations in three different states now carrying 'The Developers'

Borders stores in Champaign, Ill., Evansville, Ind., and Poor Richard's Books in Frankfort, Ky., are now selling "The Developers." Well, I should say I'm assuming they are selling the books, as long as the shipments made it there and they aren't sitting in the back of the store somewhere.

If you happen to live in one of these areas and are ready to read the book, here's the information you need:

Champaign (Ill.) Borders Bookstore

802 West Town Center Boulevard

Champaign, IL 61822

Phone:217.351.9011

It's official: not everything is on the web

Yes, you heard that right. Everything is not on the web. On top of that, I have actual proof that everything is not on the web. Check out notontheweb.com. The page is on the web, but it just goes to show that not everything is on the web. I realize this is a bit of logic problem, but just deal with it!

Emoticons give deeper meaning to 'The Developers'

Some people love them. Some people hate them. Most people don't understand them, yet many people use them anyway.

While this could describe cellphones, I'm actually talking about emoticons. Even this program thinks it's a misspelled word. Fortunately, there is plenty of information online to give you the background on these wacky characters.

Guess what? More people are on online now

The only real surprise in the latest Census Bureau report regarding the Internet is the fact that the information is probably already out of date. Then again, that's probably not even a surprise.

From the Archive

Agents, publishers, reviewers welcome

During the weekend, I began a search to find a suitable agent for my memoir, "Polos to Ties." It's fairly ridiculous how many agents are out there, especially ones that still don't have websites. However, I have narrowed the list to 30-40 who I plan to contact. I'll keep you posted as to what I find out from them, in case there's anyone else out there searching to sell the next great novel.

Next stop: Baltimore bookstores

Although I'm still in the process of setting up book events in Baltimore, I do have at least two confirmed appearances for "The Developers."

At 2 p.m. April 21, I'll be at the Marley Station Borders in Glen Burnie, Md. On the following day, April 22, I will be at the Columbia (Md.) Mall Borders, again at 2 p.m.

Besides the normal meet-and-greet that always occurs at this appearances, I hope to give interested visitors a sneak peek at my new book, which I hope to release at the end of the year.

Twitter, circa 1935

Twitter may have seemed like a new idea when it was launched a couple of years ago, but it wasn't. Check out this Robot Messenger that was used in 1935 at public places in London. For a fee, users could write a message on the "notificator," which would be visible for at least two hours. At least with Twitter now, your friends aren't lost after two hours!

New Orleans cleanup moving slow, needs help

If you are curious as to how you can get involved with the New Orleans disaster, there are plenty of ways to answer the call to action.

Depending on where you live, if you have an extra room or two for displaced residents, MoveOn has launched a Hurricane Housing website. This provides a way to for those generous enough to connect with people who have lost many (if not all) of their possessions.

Book review: "Healthy Travel: Don't Travel Without It!" by Michael P. Zimring and Lisa Iannucci

Traveling to new countries is a great opportunity to see customs and cultures that you may not find in your own backyard. While it can be an exhilarating experience, it can also turn into a problem when not properly prepared for the journey. To make sure you have everything you need, I would suggest reading "Healthy Travel: Don't Travel Without It!" by Michael P.

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