last link on the left

The aim of The Last Link on the Left is to provide entertainment, education and observations of modern culture as reflected on the internet and in other forms of communication. Readers should be prepared to be exposed to a wide variety of topics and ideas as selected by the site's author who is solely responsible for the views and opinions expressed unless otherwise indicated.

The Last Link on the Left concept was initially housed on a large metropolitan public-sector web site. When the nature of the concept exceeded the mandate of that organisation, the Last Link was pleased to move on and reside on its own terms on the whole wheat web.

Copyright

We respect copyright. Photographic illustrations and quotations on this site are copyright © by their respective holders. The images/quotations are published in the belief that it is allowed by the Fair Use principle's quotation provisions. If any copyright holder objects to an image or quotation being included, please the Last Link and the image/quotation will be removed or substituted immediately, though probably not cheerfully. If you don't see the link in the previous sentence you may need to disable your browser's content blocking option.

Site Conventions

Most links in this site open within the same window except where noted or as indicated when you 'mouse hover' (position and hold your pointer here for a demo). To purposely open links in a new window, right click on the link and select "Open in New Window" (or "Open Link in New Tab" in Firefox or other like-minded browsers). If you use pop-up blocking software, you may have to press "Ctrl" while right clicking. In the event this technique does not work, consult your software's documentation. To return to the top of a page, press the "Home" button on your keyboard or use the "Top of page" link found at the bottom of most pages. To return to a page you previously viewed on this site, click on the "Back" button of your browser or press Alt+Left Arrow.

The author of this site believes in the principles of the Bandwidth Conservation Society. This site is coded to CSS 2.0/XHTML Transitional standards to ensure quick loading of site pages, compatibility across browser platforms and ease of use for the visually impaired. This site has been designed for viewing with Firefox on a 17 inch monitor at 1024x768 resolution/medium size text (if the print is too small, lean forward or seek an optometrist). This site is checked against Windows IE and we're doing the best we can to be compliant. That said, the aim of this site is content, not coding. Other principles shared can be found at this site [opens in new window].

Permalinks

Throughout this site, visitors may encounter a ">permalink<" icon. This icon allows visitors to link to or bookmark specific locations of the Last Link on the Left site (see our reciprocal linking policy for more details).

Style Guide

This site is written in the style of Canadian English as it is understood and arbitrarily effected by its author. The words "internet," "web site," "online" and "e-mail" shall be presented as indicated in this sentence. Check this web watch entry for more on the subject. The former spellings of the words "burnt" and "learnt" are also fondly remembered.

Ownership

This site is the official web site of The Last Link on the Left, and is the intellectual (yah, right) property of Stuart P. Bayens (Industry Canada CIPO Certificate 1025021). No other Last Link on the Left web sites are permitted or authorised. It is expressly forbidden to present content of the Last Link on the Left in such a way as to make it appear to have been produced by another organisation. This may include, but is not limited to, the framing or mirroring of Last Link on the Left content within another web site's pages, the modification of content, decompililation or the reverse engineering of any software contained on this web site, or the removal or alteration of any copyright, trade-mark or other proprietary notations contained on this web site.

Link Selection

The Last Link on the Left is written from the perspective of its geographic location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

The selection of links included on this web site is based on the merits of the site and its value to Last Link on the Left visitors. Web sites may be chosen for informational or recreational value, and every effort is made to choose the best web sites reflecting a broad diversity of interest and opinion. The selection of links is not comprehensive but offers depth of coverage in areas of specialisation or interest.

The information and features included in this web site have been compiled from a variety of sources and are subject to change at any time without notice. This web site and all information it contains is provided "AS IS." Because of the rapid, ongoing and changing nature of the internet, the Last Link on the Left cannot ensure the current content of any selected site. By using this web site, you assume the risk that the information on this web site may be incomplete, inaccurate, out of date, or may not meet your needs and requirements.

Links Requiring Registration

It has been the experience of The Last Link on the Left that the sites listed on this web site that require registration adhere to their posted Privacy Policies. Visitors who feel that sites posted here violate their policies should the author of this site and the webmasters of the offending site(s). If you don't see the link in the previous sentence you may need to disable your browser's content blocking option.

Reciprocal Linking

Linking to the Last Link on the Left from other like-minded web sites is encouraged. Permission is granted to link to any page of this web site as long as the Last Link on the Left pages and their content clearly appear as the property of the Last Link on the Left. It is expressly forbidden to present content of the Last Link on the Left in such a way as to make it appear to have been produced by another organisation. This may include, but is not limited to, the framing or mirroring of Last Link on the Left content within another web site's pages, the modification of content, decompililation or the reverse engineering of any software contained on this web site, or the removal or alteration of any copyright, trade-mark or other proprietary notations contained on this web site. The Last Link on the Left does not offer reciprocal linking, but will consider any web site's request as a possible external link.

Why is this called the Last Link on the Left?

Things 'left' have always had a negative connotation (being wrong, improper, backward, unusual, fore-boding and even evil). A common reference in popular culture (The Last House on the Left, The Last Drive-in on the Left) The Last Link on the Left seemed an apt place to put the things that don't belong anywhere else. If you're not looking for something, you'll be sure to find it here.

About The Author

The author of the Last Link on the Left has worked in radio, television and film, retail/wholesale music sales and engineering design. He is currently employed as an information specialist at an anonymous municipal bureaucracy. When asked to indicate job title on credit application forms, he lists "cesspool of trivia."

Among his educational accreditations, the author cites the following schools of thought: the Goon Show, Bob & Ray, Beyond The Fringe, Peter Ustinov, Mad Magazine, 630 CHED Good Guys Bob McCord, Bob Layton and Eddie Keen, Peter Sellers, Terry David Mulligan, Walter Cronkite, Monty Python's Flying Circus, Firesign Theatre, National Lampoon and Saturday Night Live (their first five years), Alex Mair, Martin Mull, SCTV, Peter Gzowski, David Letterman, Danny Finkleman, Garrison Keilor, Alex Trebek, Larry Sanders, Rex Murphy, Stuart McLean and, of course, the Onion. When asked to explain the nature of the world, the author states: "Hell is full and Heaven is backed up."

Thank Yous

A listing of debts invites the risk of over-looking individuals who do not immediately come to mind. That said, and in arbitrary order, The Last Link on the Left thanks Lee Anne Pedersen for extensive coding help and exquisite batch files; the boys of Invisible Services at the TIO (Three Initial Organisation) for tips and tips of the hat (and Al Hatt for tips of his); Val & Eric Solash for ongoing moral and material assistance; Harry & Michelle; Brad Lang for inspiration; James Berardinelli for proving that great site design doesn't have to be flashy and James Rout for first showing me Flash; the family Bayens for stimulation and life-long companionship; Tony Dillon Davis & Holger Petersen for the tunes; Wayne R. Henry for his mighty clouds of joy; Jack Litrell for added value over the years; Randy Reichardt for helping open a door; Colleen Friesen for her life-saving abilities; Dirk Svenson for being an understanding alter-ego and sounding board; and lastly, William H. Gates - if it wasn't for the quality of his product we wouldn't have made so many friends.

Friends

Whether through criteria or coercion, these fine folks have chosen to link to The Last Link on the Left.

about this site

providing insight and entertainment for an entire century (the 21st).