Google's recent release of its Penguin algorithm has made many in the web design industry hail the death of Search Engine Optimization (SEO). The idea of using coding tricks, selected keywords, trading links, purchased services, etc. as a means to gain a higher standing in search engine results.

After reading many opinions from several resources, and even looking into my own practices in web design and development, I honestly would say "no" to the question "Is SEO dead?"

Despite my love of the internet, I am very "anti-social" when it comes to linking or sharing my social media connections. I gave Spotify hell when they tried to require all members to link their Facebook accounts. I sign up for other sites with my email and never my Facebook or Twitter accounts, and I still fight to keep my anonymity on the internet in most areas.

Then Flipboard came out for Android tablets. Within five minutes of playing with the app, I ended up quickly linking my Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Flickr, LinkedIn, and Instagram accounts. Never before has any app that cool made me easily open up my social media accounts to it.

Apple's announcement of the new iPhone 5 has caused very mixed reactions around the internet. Fanboys and Cultists praised it while others bashed it, claiming Apple is "playing catch-up".

Initially I was not fully impressed, feeling that the changes coming in both phone and OS were minimal, but with my AT&T contract ending in early October, my available choices in smartphones have led me to buy another iPhone.

It's the kind of message you never want to receive on a vacation. You're off in scenic Europe, ready for two weeks of history, cafes, food, and extended family. Suddenly you get word of an ailment at home.

That was my story. Roughly two days into my vacation in Slovakia, I received word that my mother suffered a mild stroke. Thankfully she's ok for the most part, but to receive an email stating this is rather scary, especially when you're thousands of miles away.

I must admit I was surprised. I engaged in my usual wake-up regime of reading the news and Facebook when I came across an article posted on wpcentral.com and USA Today. It spoke of a study that showed that while millions of people own smartphones, most barely use more than five apps on a regular basis

The central thought journalists were trying to make is for the millions of apps floating around the various stores, most users really didn't seem to care. Outside of news, weather, email, and some social network apps, most apps simply are barely used or never used; and thus it looked like apps are not the driving force behind one's decision to buy a smartphone in general or of a particular brand.

I'm sure the photo above is quite familiar to many out there who own smartphones. You're in the car, on the bus, on the train, or even on foot and you whip out your smartphone of choice to look up something, scan a QR code, check your email, or even look up directions on a map...only to find you don't have service.

This has been my story as of late. Originally I would have spotty data only on Chicago's subway system, and I accepted that mainly because I was underground. However, I'm finding that "Searching" message showing up far more often in places above ground, even in areas where one would not expect it.