Second, there is the usability issue. Now I’m not saying that I have visually impaired readers fighting each other off to read my blogs, but in the event I ever do have one I don’t want their screen reader to have to fight with having multiple windows open. That’s just not a nice thing to do.

Of course, there are always exceptions. I try to always have non-HTML documents open in a new window. When doing so I also try to inform my readers of what is going to happen so there are no surprises. Other than that, however, my hyperlinks will continue to open in the same browser.

If you’re looking for more scintillating reading on the subject, check out: Smashing Magazine: should links open in new windows?

Sound off! What do you think? Is 10 things doing it right, or does it really piss you off when a link opens in the same window?

1. http://tibetanplateau.blogspot.com/ (9/5)
2. http://zenbananas.com/ (9/9)
3. http://kome-rocks.santacruzdreamz.com/ (9/13)
4. http://www.writersroundabout.com/ (9/18)
5. http://www.rarst.net/ (9/24)

For the sake of sanity, I’m going to do things a little differently this time around. First, I’m limiting the number of reviews I do monthly. This will vary depending on my schedule but I will be doing at least 5. Maybe more, maybe not. Once I have the monthly queue, I will not take additional requests until the next month (monthly sign-up will be approximately two weeks prior to the start of the next month).

Second, I’m going to reserve the right to deny a review request. I didn’t do this in the past, and I don’t know that I will do it often, but I will determine on a case-by-case basis whether or not a site/blog will be added to the queue. If I do deny a review request, I will let you know personally, and provide an explanation.

Third, starting with this post, I will only accept review requests that are submitted via the contact form. It’s too difficult to try and keep up with requests in comments. I’ve had some issues with the contact form I’m currently using. If anyone out there has a good resource for me, please comment and let me know!

Fourth, while I’ve never required it and I don’t plan on starting now, I wouldn’t mind a little quid pro quo. If you get a review, please let people know. A mention in a post/on the website, some link love, etc. That’s only fair, right?

I’d love to hear your ideas for a better 10 things review process. Please comment below with your thoughts, suggestions, and ideas.

That's right, she's back!

So don’t fret. Your favorite review site is back and better than ever. You can expect one review per week (assuming I have that many requests) as well as more “Things of the Week” and “Resources of the Week”. So stay tuned, because the bitch is back!

That being said, I must say I was completely underwhelmed at the response to giving away this ad spot. I think I will need to re-evaluate 10 things during the first few months of the year. This blog takes quite a bit of time and it seems to me if I only have 3 readers (thanks, as always, Lyndi ) what’s the point?

I do know I need to keep a better blogging schedule than what I have done in the past. What else should I be doing? Your insight (all 3 of you ) is greatly appreciated!

So, that begs the question: how do I fill the gap? Giving a spot to Nice 2 All was a no-brainer, and the other two spots belong to me. I don’t have the energy to start another blog just to even out my sidebar, so I need a fourth ad.

This is where you come in. Do you want that fourth spot? Place a bid! I’m accepting comments below to fill the fourth spot. All I ask in return is a reciprocal link on your blog. Judging will be based on whether or not I like your blog, how I’m feeling that day, did I get enough coffee (you get the picture). My blog, I get to pick. The only other string attached is your actual ad. I’m picky and won’t accept any ad that doesn’t meet my visual standards.

And that’s it. Want the spot? Tell me below:

Why don’t you try it? Head on over to my nomination page at Blognet Blog Awards, vote for me and leave a comment. If you did this in November you’re already registered so just sign in. If this will be your first visit, you will need to register, but hey, you could win $250 for a few minutes of your time (just remember to comment after you vote).

I’d also like to send a special thanks to Wanderer Thoughts. He won $250 in October, which is how I heard about the awards. When you’re done voting for my site, take a quick minute to vote for his under Best Poetry Blog. Hey, you’re already logged in! And the more comments you leave, the more chance you have to win some cash.

Myth #1: HIV and AIDS are the same thing.

Many people are under the misconception that the terms HIV and AIDS are interchangeable. This can be a deadly mistake—HIV and AIDS are not the same thing. In simplified terms, HIV is the actual infection itself. HIV is not AIDS. AIDS is what happens when the immune system becomes compromised, leading the way to infections that are mainly harmless to the average person. Using a very simple analogy, it’s like a healthy person catching a cold and having it turn into a sinus infection. Except a sinus infection won’t kill you.

If detected early and treated properly, HIV doesn’t escalate to AIDS for years, and in some cases, decades. The best example is, of course, Magic Johnson. He was diagnosed with HIV back in 1991. That’s 17 years ago, and he is still AIDS-free.

Myth #2: You can catch HIV by casual contact.

Again, this is untrue. HIV/AIDS is spread through bodily fluids, and mainly through bodily fluids that are very personal in nature, such as:

• semen;
• vaginal fluid;
• blood;
• other bodily fluids containing blood (for example menses or bloody saliva);
• breast milk.

So unless you consider sex, blood transfusions, or giving birth casual contact, you’re okay talking to someone with HIV and/or AIDS. Hell, you can even shake their hand or give them a hug.

Here’s how you can contract HIV:

• having unprotected sex (of ANY kind) with someone infected;
• sharing needles or syringes with someone infected;
• getting an infected blood transfusion (very rare).

Myth #3: HIV can infect only homosexual men and drug users.

This is the most dangerous of the HIV/AIDS myths out there. HIV/AIDS can infect anyone. HIV does not care if you are white, black, gay, straight, Buddhist or Catholic. If you engage in high-risk sexual practices, are a drug user sharing needles and syringes (or both) HIV may eventually find you.

There are more myths out there, both old and new. (I like the “sex with a virgin will cure HIV. That’s a good one.) Do some research. Be informed.

Learn More

The Center for AIDS Prevention
AIDS, Sex, and Teens
The Body: the Complete HIV/AIDS resource
Ryan White’s Story

Do More

Buy (RED)
ONE
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
International HIV/AIDS Alliance

I’m so excited that 10 things I hate about your site has been nominated for the “Best Web Design Blog” award, from BlogNet Blog Award! What an honor! They even wrote the nicest stuff about me, and two people (so far) that I didn’t even pay posted pleasant comments!

They’ve even asked for a 10 things review. I think I’ll wait until the November voting is over. I don’t want anyone to think I’m trying to buy my award!

Speaking of voting, head on over and cast yours. Help 10 things win the “Best Web Design Blog” for November!

Owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of their nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail him/herself of the protection of that country.

Intolerance, racism, injustice, persecution—the people of the world have been hurting each other since the dawn of time. While most of us fundamentally believe that no one has the right to take a life (under ordinary circumstances), we have been killing each other throughout history for inane and oftentimes ridiculous reasons. Let’s take a look:

WWII. Jews fleeing European countries to avoid concentration camps and religious persecution. (Did you know that the Allies lost over 60 million lives defending Democracy and basic human rights during WWII, while the Axis powers only lost 11 million?)

Darfur. The president is alleged to have “masterminded and implemented a plan to destroy in substantial part the Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa groups, on account of their ethnicity. His motives were largely political. His alibi was a ‘counterinsurgency.’ His intent was genocide.“¹ As a result, millions were forced to flee their homes.

Bosnia. Thousands of Bosnians were driven from their homes as a result of “ethnic cleansing” in former Yugoslavia.

Armenian Genocide. The Armenian Genocide—refers to the deliberate and systematic destruction (genocide) of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I.² Hmm. Sound familiar?

Iraq. Five years into the US military intervention in Iraq, the country is dealing with one of the largest humanitarian and displacement crises in the world.³

There’s more. Historical and contemporary refugee crises

There is so much going on in the world right now. I will consider this post a success even if all you do after reading it is reflect on what it means to be a refugee and give thanks that you are fortunate enough to live in the United States (warts and all).

Invisible Children

Do Good

Refugees United—provides refugees with an anonymous forum to reconnect with missing family.

SOS Children’s Village’s

Take Action—Tell congress to increase efforts to prevent and reduce statelessness

Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children

Invisible Children: The bracelet campaign or Invisible Children: Apparel (I wrote about them on The Web-Betty Blog in September: Killing for Christianity.)

¹BBC. Q&A: Sudan’s Darfur conflict. July 15, 2008.

²Wikipedia. Armenian Genocide.

³Refugees International. Iraq.

I’m armed with 3 blogs providing information on changing the domain, which I will list as soon as the switch is done and I can say whether or not they helped with the process. I am coming up short, however, on what to do with my RSS feed (which is through Feedburner). I’ve tried some searching, but every resource I pull up just confuses me. Can someone outline the steps I need to take to change my RSS feed without jacking everything up? I don’t have a gazillion subscribers, but I’d like to keep the 20 I have.