We’ve all heard of people registering potentially popular domain names in the early ages of the internet, one in particular that comes to mind is Rogers Video, whose “dot com” was a place where you could see videos alright, but they were completely unrelated to the actual video rental chain… and not suitable for children. Then there’s Vancouver’s own Kevin Ham, who bought up domains that ended in “.cm” that would cover those inevitable typos.
However, when it comes to valuable cyber space real estate in Vancouver the Parks Board is not after someone who is using a domain for clicks and giggles, their target is StanleyPark.com as it is not currently in their possession:
Vancouver entrepreneur Gerry O’Neil owns something the Vancouver park board wants badly — the domain name www.stanleypark.com.
He bought it for a couple of hundred dollars in 1997, and two and a half years ago, the board sent him a letter asking him to turn it over. But he refused. [TheVancouverSun]
O’Neil (who also owns www.stanleyparktours.com) doesn’t seem to want to part with the domain any time soon, and who could blame him. I know I’ve scooped up some domains (albeit far less valuable) just for the sake of having them in case there was ever a need to build a site. What he has there is pretty much a gold mine in terms of tourism in this town and unfortunately it seems as though the Parks Board wants it so much, they’re willing to throw their weight around – according to the Vancouver Sun article:
Conflict over the domain name kicked into high gear in November 2005 when the park board sent O’Neil a letter asking him to relinquish control of www.stanleypark.com. The letter also noted his lease was up for renewal in 2008.
“This [domain-name issue] is consistent with our policy of registering all key domain names that specifically identify an important park site within the park board system,” the letter states.
“We are aware that your current licence agreement with the board expires on April 30, 2008, and that you will likely wish to negotiate a renewal term in the near future.” [TheVancouverSun]
What gets me is that I’ve done ten “WHOIS” lookups on popular and random park names in Vancouver and so far all I can see is that someone @vancouver.ca has grabbed www.queenelizabethpark.com. That’s 1 out of 10, for those playing along at home, and 30% of them were not owned by anyone. Also, in the Sun article it states someone else owns StanleyPark.ca, and to their knowledge the Parks Board is not currently pursuing the owner of that web space.
Over the last few years I’ve had my problems with the Parks Board, from the lack of restoration in Stanley Park, to the preposterous idea of giant mechanized dinosaurs roaming the woods.
As a Vancouverite who enjoys all the Park has to offer and can see the benefit in horse-drawn tours (even over the exhaust-pumping trolleys) I sincerely hope they will renew this company’s lease. I can fully understand the appeal for the domain name, but I don’t blame O’Neil one bit for hanging on to it for dear life.
Hustling and bustling with all sorts of social media, web, and internetty activity Vancouver’s Social Media dance card is rather full for the month of May. Here’s what will be happening around town (and what will more than likely be live blogged).
What: DrupalCamp Vancouver, Vancouver’s first ever Drupal Camp When: Friday May 9th at 10:00am running until Saturday May 10th at 5:00pm Where:Workspace More Info:Website, Facebook Event
What: Launch Party Vancouver 4 (LPV4) – follow up to the super fun LPV3 When: Wednesday May 21st from 5:30pm to 9:00pm Where: Republic, 958 Granville Street More Info:Website, Facebook Event.
How to get there on transit:1657 Charles Street (@ Commercial Drive). You can get to Grandview Park on the bus (20 Victoria or 20 Downtown) or taking the Skytrain to either Commercial Drive station or Broadway station (both stations are within a few steps from each other).
Size: 0.89 Hectares (it sounds tiny, but this park really gets totally crowded!). Source: Vancouver Park Board.
Features: Sitting in one of the most vibrant neighbourhoods in Vancouver. Grandview Park is one of the landmarks for anyone who walks around Commercial Drive. Equipped with playground, an amazing view of the city and close to just about every business you may need, Grandview Park offers you and your family numerous activities.
Grandview Park houses 3 tennis courts, and it is within walking distance from the Britannia Community Centre. It also features several family-oriented amenities, including a water/spray park and a field house, as well as playgrounds.
History: “Originally the site of the Irish Fusiliers Drill Hall, it was purchased by the Department of Militia and Defense between 1911 and 1913. Following World War I the military’s needs changed and the site was abandoned. The area was leased to the City in 1929 and named for the Grandview neighbourhood. A memorial cairn was located on Grandview Park until its replacement by a new war memorial on November 11, 1959.” [Vancouver Parks Board website]
The good folks at Brave New Code, specifically Dale Mugford and Duane Storey (or “D Squared” as I have just this minute decided to call them) have been working on a theme for mobile viewing of your WordPress blog.
Here’s how it works:
Coming this Wednesday WPtouch will be released to the world
Head to BraveNewCode to download and install like you would any other WP plugin
In your dashboard, edit the plugin by going to Options > WPtouch
Select which pages you’d like to be added to your menu
Chose an icon for each page or upload your own
Grab an iPhone or iPod Touch and check out how hot your blog looks to mobile users
I’ve had a chance to poke around the beta version this evening, here’s a look at my site on the iPhone with WPtouch installed:
I have to say it’s pretty slick. Duane also got me to add a page called “Photos” which was then immediately populated with thumbnails of my recent Flickr photos. Keep an eye out for WPtouch this week and also check out Brave New Code cause these innovative guys are mighty good at what they do.
Update: Brave New Code just launched! WPtouch is now available for your mobile WordPressing pleasure!
Nothing beats cruising the open road with the windows down, sun beaming in giving you a farmer tan on your driving arm, and the sound of rockin’ tunes to soundtrack your venture.
I’ve been road tripping since I could drive; I’ve traveled the highways of our Provinces and the Pacific Coast countless times and on every occasion there has been music to inspire my mission to that holidayland destination.
My all-time best road trip album to listen to front to back: Fully Completely, The Tragically Hip
Band that reminds of me driving the Crownest through Manning Park: Hum
Album that reminds me of driving the #1 from Salmon Arm to Revelstoke: Anthems, Less Than Jake
Song that makes you feel like you’re actually driving in Rad Racer: Map of the Problematique, Muse
New additions to the playlist this year include Shiny Toy Guns and Against Me! both equally fun in their own right when twisting and turning through those mountain passes and sun-kissed valleys.
Our mini vacations may come to an end but the next time I hear certain tunes it always reminds me of carefree afternoons on the road away from the daily grind and hopefully toward a beach with my man.
