bing.com (the Microsoft and Yahoo search engine) tries to add helpful information alongside its listings. So, if one searches for Vancouver Canada, out of the many million listings bing produces, it labels the one from the city, itself, as being the official one:
Vancouver — Official Site
vancouver.ca
Similarly, among the many results from a search for Selkirk College, bing obligingly says the same about this institution’s site:
Selkirk College — Official Site
selkirk.ca
Fair enough, that sounds as if it is a useful distinction for a listing.
If you now use bing to search for Kootenay Lake, you discover over a million results, but topping them all is the regions’s official site of (ta-dah):
Kootenay Lake — Official Site
www.kootenay-lake.ca
Yikes, how did they come to that conclusion? What bizarre bit of algorithmic processing has prompted Microsoft to decide that a retiree’s hobby site can possibly be the official spokesman for the region?
Now, I suspect that various provincial ministries would justifiably protest my authority to speak officially on behalf of, say, trees, bears, bumble bees, lake levels, soils, or water purity. Yet, I have a face-saving solution for Microsoft: in the absence of staunch opposition, I will allow my site to speak officially on behalf of local rainbows—and just maybe steam devils (below).
Alistair
Microsoft-certified official local spokesman
With all of this in mind, I proclaim my favourite rainbow from this summer to be an officially approved bow.
And I might just push my luck and speak officially on behalf of steam devils also.
Brilliant! I for one, think you make an excellent official spokesman for the region and the flora and fauna therein.
BBC interview and now this.
I think you might be officially famous.
Two superb photos BTW.
Wonderful….well done!
I am sure Bert Ratcliffe would also congratulate you.
Your work is such a delight & ever so informative.
Thank-you!
Well done! Though you didn’t solicit this distinction your site certainly has my vote for official site.
don’t let any official status put pressure on your wonderfully active Muse. Keep posting Alistair!
Fantastic new site. I’m sharing it with people I know. You’re creating an archival treasure trove of nature and animal photos. I was astounded by the golden hawk at the top when I went to the new site just now. Thank you, Alistair, I have never had access to such wonders before in this form!!!
Welcome to officialdom!