Slashdot Effect

Wednesday, January 5, 2000
One year ago: A Few Twinges
Two years ago: The Frontier Mind

I was scanning the referrer logs at work, and noticed some hits from Slashdot! We weren't suffering from the slashdot effect, where a website succumbs to overload when that tech news and discussion site turns its attention on an unprepared web server. But someone had asked about online banking, finance and investment sites, and Jack had reponded, mentioning us. Actually, his words were:

"If you need to get education about the stock market along with free stock tracking and some cool Java interactive charting (which costs money anywhere else) you should check out the site my girlfriend works for: www.stockcharts.com. Build up the hits there so she can get rich and take me on a trip!"

I was listening to Talk of the Nation the other night. The topic was a book about how women should be more nurturing to themselves, in addition to taking care of everyone else in their lives. I related this to Jack and the stress he's under, and wrote, asking him to be sure and take care of himself. One piece of advice that sounded useful: the author talked about the carry-over benefit of doing something relaxing on a regular basis, including exercise! I think a walking program is something that Jack could make a part of his life; meditation or guided imagery don't sound likely.

My sister has been doing some decluttering, too.

"I started to put the Xmas decorations away, then decided to clear up that corner of the basement before I did anything else. Tucked into odd corners all over the house are remnants of emergency cleanups done before some big gathering. Some of these bags of junk, papers etc. even got moved with us 5-1/2 years ago. I delved into one, and it contained all kinds of art supplies, including stuff that must have been from J---'s 3rd b-day party. (the puppet party) ! I also took a small load down to Goodwill (and didn't go in)."

This is a common pattern, according to what I read in the DECLUTTR mailing list and newsgroup. I do it myself! For me it's papers and old bills that were gathered up, sorted, and bagged. I've decided that I need to do another clothing purge. I know I have stuff that I don't wear, and I don't have room for all of it if it's all clean! There's an overflow pile that is shifting around from the far side of the bed, to the laundry basket.

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