Welcome to DarrylBallantyne.com. Here you'll find information about me, what I work on, what I do in my spare time, and occasionally be subjected to ramblings from my mind. I may, eventually, try to give this site a better design...but probably not any time soon.

Gene, you left too soon.

July 10, 2002 - Updated most of the supporting pages of the site.

McVeggie? I Think Not.
July 11, 2002

But look a little closer, folks.  What does that say in light, fine print at the bottom of the posters?  Yes, that's right: "During preparation, the McVeggie burger may come in contact with meat and/or chicken products."

"How I'd Like To Take Classes" Redux
July 9, 2002

Recently, in a conversation with Laila, an intern working for Quarry in Memphis, I discovered that I'm not alone in this train of thought. Laila attends Colorado College, which operates on what they call the "Block Plan" - basically the exact system I had proposed.

Appealing To Greed In Digital Music Distribution
May 27, 2002

What could possibly drive users away from free P2P systems to a legal, pay-for-content system?

Greed, that's what.  And here's how it could be done.

eBay Doesn't Read Your Email
April 15, 2002

Ever gotten spam that pretends to be from another company, but isn't?  Sometimes they're trying to trick you into "verifying" your information, so they can grab your account.  Other times, though, they're just trying to get you to click on a link or sign up for something - through their affiliate link.  They pocket a bit of change (multiplied by the thousands of people who fall for it), and the company they're defrauding is none the wiser.  (Updated April 16)

Introducing...AdProject.net
February 27, 2002

Spring is in the air, and you know what that means: It's time to start a new company.

Here's the scoop.

KFC And The Club Sandwich
February 27, 2002

I went in, eager for the perfect sandwich.  But wait - it's not available anymore!  Here's the story of me trying, desperately, to just add cheese and bacon.

Wish List For A Wish List
November 17, 2001

StepCast is a classic example of the creators not eating their own dog food. I can't stress enough the importance of actually using your own product. It's amazing what you'll find.

eFax And The Anti-Support: Part 2
October 10, 2001

eFax And The Anti-Support: Part 1
October 9, 2001

Now, eFax (or, well, their parent company, J2) probably thinks they're doing me a favour by sending me this automated response.

They're not.

Toronto Pho Sets Record
September 25, 2001

Half humour, half serious writings about the Toronto Pho we held last night.

Some of you may have wandered here because of JamFest, a Venturer (Scouting) camp I was involved with for seven years. In time, there will be a page up on here about JamFest, but for now you'll have to suffer through the official site.

Feel free to contact me for any reason whatsoever.