Highlights from year one

It’s been a year today since I launched my WordPress powered blog on BillDay.com and started shifting my blogging attention here in lieu of my java.net blog.

249 posts later, I feel like I’m finally catching my stride. Of course it helps to have plenty of time to spend reading and writing… 🙂

Many of my most popular posts from the last year provided device reviews and information. The top four based on reader page views were:

• “Everything about my Nokia 7610” remains the most read and most commented post on the site even today, almost seven months after I published it. Useful guides and software suggestions not just for prospective or current 7610 owners but also for anyone using or considering any Series 60 powered phone.
• My round-up of Nokia 6255 coverage was short but apparently sweet, as it holds the number two spot for persistent page hits. BTW, while I was working for Nokia in 2004 I had the chance to use a 6255 prototype and for what the device can do I have to say I loved it.
• Upon leaving Nokia, I had to give up my 7610 and 6255 (big tears were cried that day, I tell you). “My new LG L1400” discusses my criteria for a follow-up phone and why I ultimately chose the LG.
• “Nokia 9300” provides info and links on Nokia’s newest communicator class device and is still in the top 25 page requests five months after publication

Other popular posts included “JavaOne 2004 recap” (a summary of the daily photo blogging and session reviews I posted while at the conference), “Unlicensed Mobile Access” (introducing work to enable access to GSM and GPRS mobile services over non-GSM interfaces such as WiFi or Bluetooth) and “How to send aid to tsunami victims” (the fact that this post is still getting good hit count is heartening; thank you to everyone lending assistance!).

I also have a few favorites of my own. Of course I have to mention my leaving Sun and leaving Nokia posts since so much has been happening for me on the professional front this year. Thanks to everyone for your comments, support, and suggestions on those. I’ve also received some nice compliments from readers of “Simple pleasures of 54g” and its follow-on “Harden your WiFi“. And speaking of WiFi, I hope device makers, especially Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, LG and the other “big guys”, have been reading my WiFi requests in posts including “Missing from Nokia 7610“, “Sharpening the (somewhat dull) Razr’s edge“, and “WiFi spells opportunity for handset makers“. HP apparently has. (I feel Russ’ pain and really, really don’t want to like a Pocket PC device but I have to say HP made it hard for me with the h6315 and nearly impossible if h6500 does turn out to have WiFi built-in as some sites are reporting.)

I’ve learned from year one that detailed device posts are hot items. Watch for more, including the overdue L1400 update, in year two. Until then, thanks and happy hacking!