Monday, January 7, 2008

Monday, January 7, 2008

Let your fingers do the walking in your Wikia Search...

Wikipedia launches their new search engine today. Wikia Search is the newest effort by Wikipedia, founded by Jimmy Wales in 2004 which adds another excellent source for data searches. I'm already jumping on the bandwagon although I was disappointed when I did a search for 'famous liars' and 'Roger Clemens' didn't come up. In keeping with their open door policy, Wikipedia will incorporate human input with methods based on computer programs. Wikia Search will encourage users to rate the effectiveness of search results and will also favor results judged to be most helpful...

Wikipedia has no illusions that their new search engine will become number one over night. Wales figures it may take at least two years for the engine to reach the standard set by Google and Yahoo! "Wikipedia started with nothing and steadily built an audience over six years to become the number 8 Web site on the Internet. An audience will stay if they have a sense of ownership, which is what we're providing with the seach project." Wales cautions against expecting too much from Wikia Search too soon: "Don't expect Google-quality searches on Day 1, that's just not going to happen." ...

The search engine race is like 'Secretariat' in the 1973 Belmont Stakes with Google at 57.7% of U.S. searches in November, according to Nielsen/Net Ratings. The closest rival is Yahoo with 17.9%. I use several sources of information for my Timeline, Music and Video Memories in writing the daily MPR but my two main sources are 1) Google and 2) Wikipedia, although I find the later a bit European slanted at times and when they throw up a dubious source of information red flag, I go elsewhere. I'm looking forward to using the new Wikia Search engine because it will get me directly to Wikipedia and that in itself will help shorten the length of my searches. It will also provide you with an additional source for your searches whether you're trying to remember what song was number one on January 7th in any year you choose or provide the answer to the latest trivia quiz in your office or at home. Simply Google - Wikia Search...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1896] Debuted on this date: The first "Fannie Farmer Cookbook" is published...1927] The first transatlantic phone service begins between London ("London Calling") and New York. 31 calls are made on the first day...1927] The Harlem Globetrotters play their first game in Hinckley (IL). Gee, I wonder who won??? 1929] The "Buck Rogers" comic strip runs in newspapers starting out as "Buck Rogers 2429 AD" but will change to "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century." ...1941] The NBC Blue Radio Network presents "The Squeaky Door" which will later be known as "Inner Sanctum"...1950] Ernest Tubb makes his 'Grand Ole Opry' debut...1967] "The Newlywed Game" debuts with host Bob Eubanks on ABC-TV...
  2. 1926] Wedding Bells: George Burns and Gracie Allen say "I Do." George starts singing songs no one has ever heard and closes the ceremony by saying "Good Night Gracie." Here, George Burns tells us about meeting Gracie in Cleveland: http://youtube.com/watch?v=_nAesuInmU0&feature=related ...
  3. 1953] Dropping a bomb: President Harry S. Truman announces the development of the H-bomb...
  4. 1959] Recognizing the bearded one: The U.S. recognizes the new Fidel Castro government in Cuba...
  5. 1980] "GERONIMOhhhhhhh": Jimmy Carter signs legislation authorizing $1.5 billion to bail out Chrysler...
  6. 1992] A landslide election: Tom Seaver of the Mets is elected to Baseball's Hall of Fame with the highest (98.8%) percentage of votes in history. Seaver won 311 games. Rob and I were at his 300th win at Yankee Stadium in 1985 against the Yankees (Seaver was a member of the White Sox then). Here's a video tribute to #41: http://youtube.com/watch?v=3Yd3DBtIU9U ...
  7. 1996] Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow: One of the biggest blizzards in U.S. history blankets the east with more than 100 deaths reported...
  8. 1998] Impeachy: Monica Lewinsky signs an affidavit denying a sexual affair with Bill Clinton. On the same date in 1999 Clinton goes on trial before the Senate facing impeachment...
  9. 2005] 'D-I-V-O-R-C-E": Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston separate after 4 years of marriage. 'Bradgelina' becomes part of the Hollywood vocabulary...
  10. 2007] Patriotism Rules: The Patriots win the AFC Wild Card Playoffs with a victory (37-16) over the J-E-T-S. One year earlier, same date, the Pats beat Jacksonville (28-3), their opponent Saturday night in Foxborough...

Music Memories:

Commentary:

There was good reason for the late Will McDonough of the Boston Globe to call Roger Clemens, 'The Texas Con-Man'. Of course, McDonough was upset at the time that 'The Rocket' was leaving Boston for more money, something he's done several times in the past. There's nothing wrong with that but what is wrong is lying about it. Each time he left a team he claimed it wasn't about the money, so there is some reason to doubt his truthfulness, something I questioned last night while watching the '60 Minutes' interview with Mike Wallace. He came off as angry and defensive, as a man who feels he was wrongly accused of using HGH and steroids, two illegal substances, despite the Mitchell Report testimony by trainer Brian McNamee that he injected Clemens with both. There were several inconsistencies in Clemens interview including the denial that his body changed. Look at Roger's rookie card and compare it to any baseball picture of Clemens in the 21st century and you tell me if his body changed or not. He also said "you'll never see me pitch again." You know that if some dopey team out there comes up with enough money for another year, Clemens will be happy for another big payout. And finally, his ill-advised defensive posture is sure to be tested, as early as next week by Congress and don't think McNamee's attorneys won't file a counter suit against the tarnished 'Rocket.' ...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Nicolas Cage (44), Katie Couric (51), David Caruso (52), Kenny Loggins (60), Jann Wenner (62), Bob Kwest (65), Paul Revere (70) and William Peter Blatty ("Rosemary's Baby")(80)...

Timeline Countdown: 5 days until the NFL Divisional Playoffs, 13 days until the Conference Championships, 16 down and 3 to go for the Patriots, 27 days until the Super Bowl and 38 days until 'pitchers & catchers'...

Posted by at