Like most people, I've been using the Internet for work and play since the late 1990s. The Internet allows me to work at home as a telecommuter, and it also allows me to spend ungodly amounts of time looking up information, corresponding with friends and colleagues, and just generally snooping around wherever my imagination takes me.

In fact, the Internet has become such a big part of my life that I have a hard time remembering how I operated before it came along. Back in mid-March, at the insistence of my employer, I took the next big step on the Internet and started writing a PB&E weblog — or "blog" if you prefer. My blog runs on the newly revamped Associated Construction Publications website (www.acppubs.com) along with those of the other ACP editors around the country. To find it, just go to the "BLOGS" button at the top of the page and click on "Pacific Builder & Engineer" from the drop-down menu.

My blog is basically a shorter, punchier version of this column. I'm writing it weekly, and I was worried at first that I would have a hard time coming up with enough topics to feed into the grinder. So far that hasn't been a problem, however, and every Monday I've dutifully posted my thoughts on Northwest construction-related topics ranging from the economy and politics to contest entries, trade shows and traffic congestion.

I'm trying to write a blog that is focused on the Northwest construction industry but has a broad enough view to make it interesting to people in other parts of the world as well. How well am I succeeding at that? I don't know. Haven't a clue. That's because in two months of writing the blog I haven't received a single response from it.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised, because I rarely receive responses from this column, either. But with a blog, it's so much easier to respond that I thought that someone would have something to say by now. You just go to the box at the bottom of the blog, type your comment and click the button. It's as easy as that.

I'm hoping the reason for the lack of response is that readers aren't aware of my blog yet, hence this discussion. But if you have read it, please let me know what you think — especially if you don't like what I'm doing. If you don't want to use the response tool on the website, just drop me an e-mail at cmolesworth@reedbusiness.com or give me a call at (360) 757-1949.

I want my blog to be a discussion starter that will be helpful to the construction industry — a meeting place where people can weigh in on topics of importance to contractors. With your help, it can be.

Some time back I wrote in this column about ethical lapses in the construction industry and the need to clean up our act. So I was pleased to receive information from AGC recently about the creation of the Construction Industry Ethics and Compliance Initiative.

Thirteen construction companies — all AGC members — came together in April to form the non-profit CIECI to promote ethical behavior and full compliance with the law. It will focus on construction companies' best practices for encouraging ethical behavior and ensuring full compliance. The CIECI's goals are to identify and spread those practices throughout the construction industry.

None of the founding CIECI members are based in the Northwest, but several of them do business here. I hope their efforts will resonate throughout the industry.

I also note that the Laborers' International Union of North America has launched a campaign aimed at building awareness for the nation's need to redirect its resources toward taking care of America's infrastructure. This is more good news for the construction industry.

LIUNA's effort, under the banner of "Build America So America Works," will include diverse advertising, a massive member-to-member voter registration, and a new source of expert information at www.LiunaBuildsAmerica.org. In addition, LIUNA will organize a petition drive to get 1 million people to urge Congress and the next president to invest in roadways, bridges, dams, railways, schoolhouses, and other fundamentals the country depends on for its economic viability and quality of life.

It's encouraging to see organized labor applying its considerable people power in the campaign to rebuild the infrastructure.