About
This blog is where Mars Uribe writes about all manner of nonsense. There isn't a set frequency when posts are published. Whenever inspiration strikes, and the minimal spell-checking and review is performed, a blog post will be published.
The Site's Name
Right. So, the name of the site is officially Mars Uplink, and it references my first name "Mars", and the term "Uplink". Traditionally, the term uplink refers to a telecommunications link, or communications channel. Now, in the digital network sense, an uplink could mean connection from the local network (like a LAN) to a wider, larger network (like a WAN). Also, in other senses - like when referring to space and rockets context - an upink often implies that the direction of said communications would be signals originating from Earth and sent outwards or upwards towards other destinations in space - like a satellite, starship, other planets, etc. Either way, it is a communications channel that sends signals upwards or outwards. Also, since my first name might be confused with the actual planet Mars, and my blog posts here originate from Mars the person, not the planet - instead of Earth - I thought it was a nice play on words to name my blog "Mars Uplink". In other words, whatever I write throughout this blog is shared or broadcast via my "uplink" to the greater world (and beyond!); sending out my messages to all.
Also, outside of radio astronomy, space exploration, and activities related to actual satellites, its unlikely you would hear the term uplink used very much. However, I'm a kid from the 1970s. So, to me, uplink also sounds like a term that might be used in the 1970s/1980s/1990s with non-space, though still technical connotations. Imagine talking about one's internet connection to legacy systems like BBS, IRC servers, etc.: "Hey, my uplink to the BBS got severed, so why don't we just go play soccer outside while we wait for it to be restored..." I truly have no idea nor evidence if the term uplink was ever used in that way...But, I feel like it might have been - at least between two geeks. The term simply has that circa 1980s hokey, early tech sound - which I love. Again, I'm a kid of the 1970s, so early tech continues to interest me.
Oh, and the grammarians among you might balk at the idea that the site's name lacks any apostrophe or quote mark to signify possession; it is my blog after all. The omission of any such marks is purposeful. While I won't get offended nor hold a grudge against anyone who misnames the site (while employing proper English rules), the site's official name is in fact Mars Uplink - no more, no less. Time will tell if I still feel that the thinking behind this site's name will still be cute and clever for me some years into the future.
The Site's Logo
I'm not a designer - well, not for graphics and imagery anyway. So, I made this logo very simply (and some might say, poorly!). It is an array of three radio astronomy antennae (though, when I was a kid I thought they were called radar dishes), pointing up and to the right into a sky that is getting dark (let's call it dusk). Again, I'm not so good with the graphics. Anyway, maybe the logo will change in the future. I just wanted a basic thing for the site logo for now.
Content Management System (CMS)
This website is generated into html using the awesome Pelican static site generator, and the content is sourced from markdown (text) files that I craft.
Analytics
I do not actively use any analytics tools (e.g. Plausible, Google Analytics, Matomo, etc.) on this website. However, you should know that the web server used for this website does automatically employ its native logging system, and, of course, my CDN and VPS providers might insert their own such analytics passively...all of which I'm far too lazy to look at. I value privacy greatly. So, I will treat your privacy as I wish others to treat my privacy; which is, with the greatest of respect.
And...That's about it. Please, feel free to reach out with any other questions about me or this website!