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Where’s Waldo?” was masterminded by Martin Handford, the creator of the Waldo illustrated children’s puzzle book. In the “Where’s Waldo” series of books, the reader is challenged to very detailed, double-page illustrations of crowded scenes to find Waldo, a lanky, bespectacled boy wearing a red-and-white striped sweater and ski cap who travels through various scenes throughout the world and throughout time. More than thirteen million copies of the books have been sold worldwide and the popularity of the series has resulted in spinoff books such as miniature books and books of Waldo posters.

Hundreds of products, such as dolls and lunchboxes with the Waldo figure, have been licensed, and the books also were the basis for a 1991-1992 Saturday morning cartoon series that appeared on CBS. The character is Waldo in America, but he goes by Wally in England, Walter in Germany, Charlie in France, and Holger in Denmark.

Due to the recent court battles between software giant Microsoft, Eolas Technologies and the University of California changes to Internet Explorer are on the horizon.

The changes will effect several web developers and web sites in general. More specifically, sites that utilize plug-in technology like Macromedia’s Flash (streaming technology that has literally become a staple in today’s Internet sites and applications).

This could be an advantage for Microsoft wherein they free themselves of third-party plugin support and develop their own plug-in technologies.

We’ll just have to see how this plays out.

Unlike their fantasy counterparts, real-life heros need no introduction. Rather, they unselfishly perform a good deed and in many cases risk their lives to save others.

On the other side of the spectrum life is full of heros. A child looks up to their parents idolizing them for their comfort and their love. To the child their mother and father are their heros. An elderly women without much strength looks to the young man who helped her with her groceries as her personal hero. In life especially we all have our heros and without them our lives would be different.

We must remember to thank those that have offered their help in a time of need.

Johnny Cash: 1932-2003

I have felt a surge of loss in regards to the recent passing of John Ritter and Johnny Cash. Similar to how I felt when I first learned that Phil Hartman (one of my favorite comedians) had been killed in 1998.

I wasn’t an avid listener of Cash’s music but had the opportunity to hear his haunting vocals because my Grandmother liked his music and country music in general.

Johnny Cash had a wonderful career ranging from his earliest beginnings with Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis to his career in country music and the Grand Ole Orpy. Nicknamed “The Man in Black”, Cash poured his emotions into his music which reflected successfully in his collaboration with Nine Inch Nails; the song Hurt, which was recognized by several musicians and was nominated at the MTV Awards.

Cash was indeed a legend and leaves behind a legacy which has influenced millions of people young and old.

John Ritter: 1948-2003

When I heard the news of John Ritter’s passing my jaw dropped to the floor because I was literally floored over his passing.

Growing up in the 80s I admired Ritter’s work in Three’s Company which by the time I watched it had already moved into syndication. I was fairly young (couldn’t have been more than 5 or 6) and while I didn’t understand the theme of the show, the focus was undeniably on the character of Jack Tripper. The premise of Three’s Company was borrowed from a British series with a similar concept; Tripper (without a place to stay) is offered the chance to stay with his friends. According to their contract the landlord had say over certain aspects of their rent. In order to play things off without a hitch he pretends that he is gay in order to stay without the complications if he were a straight man, considering at the time it wouldn’t have been “proper”.

Jack Tripper (as played by John Ritter) was like a cartoon character brought to life. He’d stumble on camera, dance like a monkey and act like the biggest fool this side of the Earth and that’s what was great. His comedy and timing matched that of Chaplin and his appeal was infectious.

As you can imagine his death has swelled our hearts and for me memories of watching his performances have flooded into my thoughts. He was truly one of a kind. An all-around nice individual who once was asked why he chose to act in which he replied, “Acting is all I know.”

Thank you Mr. Ritter for your talents. You will be missed.