I wrote a blog post about our photo shoot of wood sunglasses and watches in their natural habitat.
You can read it here if you are so inclined.
Plus, Allen is missing out on this online gig.
iPhone cases for the holiday season...
Showing posts with label Web. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Web. Show all posts
Friday, September 22, 2017
Saturday, August 5, 2017
Am I Being Followed?
Do you ever notice the ads inserted on the websites you
frequent?
Me either. Usually.
But every once in a while, something does catch my eye as I
scroll down Facebook or a news site or even my own blog.
Today it was Singles.
I was prompted to click to Meet Singles. The default choice
was women and the selected age range was in the thirties.
This did not bother me.
The thing that bothered me was the selection of prospective
matches pictured.
Even though this company had correctly identified the city I
currently reside in, the suggested matches were the same women displayed when I
lived 3 time zones away.
Is this a case of me being followed by a group of stalkers?
Do they have twins out here on the coast or do they commute?
One day I expect that the companies will become so adept at
figuring out my preferences that they will realize I have never once clicked on
one of these ads.
On that day the sidebar of my browser will be blank and
Amazon will not suggest a green leather toaster.
And until that day...
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Paparazzi
I never thought I would have to worry about paparazzi. I'm not famous or rich so the idea of my photograph in front of an untold number of people never crossed my mind.
When I was growing up a friend used to bring over copies of the type of magazine you see at the grocery store check out.
I never thought to ask her if she bought them or how they came into her possession.
I remember thinking three things about those magazines. ''Who the heck makes up this stuff'', and ''These pictures can't be real'' and "Who would pay money for this"?
Time and technology marches on
The publications are still in the grocery stores and provide moments of mirth as I peruse the covers. Still more when I see someone purchase one.
Paparazzi seem to have adapted and added skills like posting to content mills (I was going to say News but I couldn't do it), blogging, tweeting as well as photo-shopping. Still, these paparazzi have been replaced by a group they never would have expected. Us.
We are the New Paparazzi
Our preoccupation with taking and posting selfies may well be doing the paparazzi out of, well, an occupation.
Even celebrities post their own pictures. Some are celebrities because they post their own pictures.
I recently saw a post from Neil Gaiman about a "Take an author to lunch day". And it got me thinking that if we obviate the need for paparazzi, maybe we should have a "Take a paparazzi to lunch day". Show them they are still appreciated.
If we aren't careful we could be standing in line at the checkout with nothing to look at.
You can look at this. You can even buy it...
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Coloring Books or Colouring Books
Allen discovers the Internet. Well, he discovered that there
is an Internet and realized the incredible potential for making money. And for humanitarian
stuff too.
He is a little fuzzy on the year but a home computer at the
time cost about $2,000. Not the low cost re- entry to the business world he was
looking for and unfortunately the citizens of the port city his freighter
docked at had the unfriendly habit of locking their doors. “Where is the
trust?” he asked the fellow seated at the bar next to him.
Fortunately the
fellow was conversant with literature and pointed Allen in the direction of the
public library saying, “Them buggers got computers”.
Apparently libraries are closed at night (and they also lock their doors), so Allen returned bright and early at 11 a.m.
The encounter with the librarian started off well as she welcomed Allen and showed him to a computer instructing him to double-click on the dial-up icon and to type his search into the Netscape search box.
Had he but known the binging and bonging of the dial-up connection was a harbinger of his future in the Indian Subcontinent.
He thought it best to catch up on what people were selling
on the Internet and had no trouble finding ads online. In fact he said to
himself “This is worse than commercials on TV”.
Armed with this new information and the knowledge that the
pub opened in one hour, Allen started to think “What can I resell that people
really want and will pay too much for”?
Spurred on by opening time Allen was feeling stressed.
Spurred on by opening time Allen was feeling stressed.
Fate intervenes
Not being used to mouse-ing and clicking, he accidently
opened a link to an article on Carl Jung’s thoughts on adults coloring, or colouring since he was in Brittan, as a de-stressing
therapy.
Allen thought Carl was probably a pretty smart guy as he had once ducked into a lecture on Jung and reason suggested that you only get lectured about if you are really smart. Or really bad.
Allen thought Carl was probably a pretty smart guy as he had once ducked into a lecture on Jung and reason suggested that you only get lectured about if you are really smart. Or really bad.
Allen had an epiphany. He thought that creative people like
himself don’t like to be constrained (or stressed) by someone else’s design,
also people like himself have a lot of trouble staying within the lines.
He would offer, for the quite reasonable price of $29.95, a book of blank paper and a #2 pencil (Sharpener sold separately. Just pay separate shipping and handling). He would point out that this combination could be used in at least two different ways.
1: Draw the design that YOU WANT and then fill in the spaces with crayons or colored pencils or pastels (sold separately)
or
2: Colour the shapes you want and then outline them in pencil giving the impression that you can stay within the lines.
Fate has a field day
In spite of the stress of knowing the pub was minutes from
opening, Allen had the idea that he should offer pre-printed images to be
colored by those without the imagination to come up with their own designs thus
adding to the breadth of his offerings.
Remembering his motto “Maybe a little marketresearch isn’t such a bad idea”
Allen hopped back on Netscape and typed in a search for
“Adult stuff” and within seconds found himself being frogmarched by the now not
so friendly librarian out the door.
Allen was OK with this as the pub was calling.
Fate laughs again
It being early days of the Internet, people were, wisely,
not used to handing over their credit card information on line and as Allen
moved around so often he routinely missed orders that came through the post.
He
would have to await the mobile payment revolution.
Allen had two final comments on this venture.
“Coloring books are stressful” and “Being ahead of the curve sucks”.
“Coloring books are stressful” and “Being ahead of the curve sucks”.
Allen 2.0 Too
When we last left our intrepid entrepreneur he had arrived
in India from Nepal by way of China.
The Big City
Because he had no idea what the sign at the city limits said
(ed. No Solicitors) he was not sure which city he was in but there were
thousands and thousands of people and few snakes.
It didn’t take many sales calls for Allen to realize that
while India did indeed have electricity and curry and Pepto Bismol, it didn’t
have a lot of phone lines.
This was a setback for the sales of home facsimile machines.
Time and Technology marches on
Allen had seen a cell phone before his sojourn in the
Himalayas, but as they were expensive and heavy enough to defend yourself
against grizzly bear attack, he never thought they’d catch on.
Everyone had one
At least everyone in this city and certainly everyone in
this bar.
They were all technology mad.
They would discard their old cellphone
for the latest model, or that was what he would tell the IPS (Indian Police
Service) officer when questioned about his recent acquisition.
Exploring the device he found you could talk, text or txt,
play pointless games and it seemed to have that damned Internet on it.
He also found that online payments had caught on big time.
Specifically, mobile payments.
This development called for extensive research and an hour
later Allen knew he was on to something big.
It seemed that many companies in India were considering a
move away from the current mix of desktop online and mobile payments to mobile
payments only.
Possibly a brilliant move
No longer do you have to stand in line for the cashier, to make an impulse purchase, you can be mediating an international dispute, going to couples therapy or contemplating in the throne room.
If you have a free thumb, you can purchase the object of your heart’s desire. O.A.C.
Sure those who are used to desktops and even (shudder)
catalogs where you get a decent picture and legible text might be reticent, and
so what if the largest group with the most disposable income (or at least
savings) with potentially fading sight…
Allen had read enough. He would target service the mobile
market.
He reasoned that younger people did not have the experience of their elders.
The lack of a product was not the problem.
The problem was
how to get the product in front of the largest number of marks customers at the
cheapest cost.
This was also the question on the minds of a group that Fate
was toying with.
The start-up woman’s clothing designers became convinced
that Allen’s entrepreneurial prowess and Mobile Application Development skills
could translate their Plus size clothing line to a plus size bank balance.
Later they were to agree that they should not hold their board meetings in a bar. At least not one that was home to Allen.
Not one to say no to an opportunity, or temptation for that
matter, Allen had one job in front of him; Find out what Mobile Application
Development was.
That and how to make a compelling presentation. Compelling enough to get a cheque.
That and how to make a compelling presentation. Compelling enough to get a cheque.
They agreed to reconvene in the same location during a
popular local time. Happy hour.
He then applied himself to understanding Mobile Application
Development, or MAD for short, and 30 minutes later he was talking a local
artist into drawing his ideas out on Bristol board for future consideration in
his newly formed company.
Presentation day dawned and quite a bit later than dawn, the
designers, Allen and his artist were situated around the boardroom table. The
waitress took their orders and commerce was commenced.
With the artist holding up the presentation and Allen pointing out the main selling points with an umbrella from one of the drinks, things were going well until one of the up-starts from the start-up asked why he was not using PowerPoint.
Viewing questions as an opportunity, he took the opportunity
to excuse himself and get another round. On the tab.
After several rounds of negotiations, Allen felt more sure
of a sale ‘tho less sure of his ability to read the room, and he decided to
offer the ladies some sage business advice.
He suggested that the group abandon their hopes for a mobile application in favour of a website aimed at desktop users ‘cause “Those little mobiles can’t accommodate your product even in landscape mode”.
From there, talks headed south and so did Allen, leaving the
group with the bar tab and the artist.
Watch for further adventures of our budding billionaire as
records are released.
All products trademark of their respective companies.
All products trademark of their respective companies.
Allen 2.0
Some of you may be wondering what direction Allen’s life took after the inaugural Tales of a Dissatisfied Squid Salesman
and the popular (well it was popular in Asia) Humourous Lessons in Business, Tales of a Dissatisfied Squid Salesman II
The direction was east. It could have been west, the world being a sphere and all, but the first plane out of town was going east.
David’s now estranged twin brother Allen had financed his trip through the sale of David’s car and was looking forward to a bright new future (as well as backward at not a few creditors).
Unaware that Allen still had a set of his car keys; David wandered the parking lot before realizing that he really missed Allen and wanted to see him again. Preferably in a dark alley.
After a series of plane and train rides on borrowed tickets and documents, Allen arrived in Kathmandu, Nepal.
His first thoughts were, “They’ll never find me here”.
His second thoughts were, “Where the heck is here”?
His third thoughts were, “Seems like a good place for some meditation. Some reflection, introspection and any other ‘ection’”.
Having heard the villagers speak of a remote monastery, Allen determined that he should take up meditation in a local bar. Allen recalls, “A lot of time passed, much of which was, quite frankly, a blur, before I was awakened to the desire to get back into the world of commerce”.
The thing that awoke him was the squawking of the bar’s fax machine.
After buying a few more drinks and listening to the bartender explain how the fax worked, Allen decided to re-launch his career by selling facsimile machines to the masses. After all, who wouldn’t want badly pixilated pictures and text sent right to their own home?
Unfortunately the masses did not live in Nepal.
Fortunately China with its masses was right next door.
After a month or so, riding in carts pulled by various animals, he arrived at The Bamboo Curtain.
Unfortunately it was closed.
Undaunted, but quite miffed, Allen returned to Kathmandu where he lingered a few weeks or maybe months until he left his bar stool and set his sights on India, a land teeming with masses and hardly any bamboo.
After a month or so, riding in carts pulled by various animals, he arrived in India.
Allen had seen a map of the world but up until recently had no idea what the scale on a map represented.
After another month or so, riding in carts pulled by various animals, he arrived in an area large enough to be considered to be teeming.
The trip had been long and fraught with perils and snakes but the people of the area were a friendly lot and he was soon having a drink with someone who was willing to share his whiskey. Someone’s whiskey.
That someone had left a truck full of the stuff with the keys in the ignition and his new friend had decided to move the truck to a safer, not overlooked location.
They were well into the bottle, all the time looking over their shoulders for any sign of the owner of the truck so they could flag him down.
They should have been looking in the vicinity of their ankles as suddenly karma (a concept Allen had never heard of) reared its ugly head in the form of a venom spitting cobra.
Cobras are actually quite beautiful if you ignore their tendency to spit venom in your eyes with great accuracy even from a great distance.
His drinking partner froze with fear but Allen, startled out of his wits, sprayed his mouth full of whiskey right into the cobra’s face. (Don’t try this at home kids)
You have never seen a more affronted looking cobra in your life.
As the cobra slithered off to wherever snakes go, Allen became aware of the owner of the truck coming Right down the alley. Exit stage Left.
To be continued…
and the popular (well it was popular in Asia) Humourous Lessons in Business, Tales of a Dissatisfied Squid Salesman II
The direction was east. It could have been west, the world being a sphere and all, but the first plane out of town was going east.
David’s now estranged twin brother Allen had financed his trip through the sale of David’s car and was looking forward to a bright new future (as well as backward at not a few creditors).
Unaware that Allen still had a set of his car keys; David wandered the parking lot before realizing that he really missed Allen and wanted to see him again. Preferably in a dark alley.
After a series of plane and train rides on borrowed tickets and documents, Allen arrived in Kathmandu, Nepal.
His first thoughts were, “They’ll never find me here”.
His second thoughts were, “Where the heck is here”?
His third thoughts were, “Seems like a good place for some meditation. Some reflection, introspection and any other ‘ection’”.
Having heard the villagers speak of a remote monastery, Allen determined that he should take up meditation in a local bar. Allen recalls, “A lot of time passed, much of which was, quite frankly, a blur, before I was awakened to the desire to get back into the world of commerce”.
The thing that awoke him was the squawking of the bar’s fax machine.
After buying a few more drinks and listening to the bartender explain how the fax worked, Allen decided to re-launch his career by selling facsimile machines to the masses. After all, who wouldn’t want badly pixilated pictures and text sent right to their own home?
Unfortunately the masses did not live in Nepal.
Fortunately China with its masses was right next door.
After a month or so, riding in carts pulled by various animals, he arrived at The Bamboo Curtain.
Unfortunately it was closed.
Undaunted, but quite miffed, Allen returned to Kathmandu where he lingered a few weeks or maybe months until he left his bar stool and set his sights on India, a land teeming with masses and hardly any bamboo.
After a month or so, riding in carts pulled by various animals, he arrived in India.
Allen had seen a map of the world but up until recently had no idea what the scale on a map represented.
After another month or so, riding in carts pulled by various animals, he arrived in an area large enough to be considered to be teeming.
The trip had been long and fraught with perils and snakes but the people of the area were a friendly lot and he was soon having a drink with someone who was willing to share his whiskey. Someone’s whiskey.
That someone had left a truck full of the stuff with the keys in the ignition and his new friend had decided to move the truck to a safer, not overlooked location.
They were well into the bottle, all the time looking over their shoulders for any sign of the owner of the truck so they could flag him down.
They should have been looking in the vicinity of their ankles as suddenly karma (a concept Allen had never heard of) reared its ugly head in the form of a venom spitting cobra.
Cobras are actually quite beautiful if you ignore their tendency to spit venom in your eyes with great accuracy even from a great distance.
His drinking partner froze with fear but Allen, startled out of his wits, sprayed his mouth full of whiskey right into the cobra’s face. (Don’t try this at home kids)
You have never seen a more affronted looking cobra in your life.
As the cobra slithered off to wherever snakes go, Allen became aware of the owner of the truck coming Right down the alley. Exit stage Left.
To be continued…
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Context
#MAD405 blog # 4
In our Mobile Application Development class on marketing ourselves, we were told to discuss the topic of potential employers spying on us.
Companies are using Google, Facebook and other social media to look at your past with a view to determining suitability for employment.
Am I in favour of this practice? Yes and no.
As a former employer I can see the value of the sort of information that can be gleaned from an individual’s online profiles, blogs and affiliations. As a former landlord, this information would have been invaluable.
As a soon to be graduate, I would like to think that my goofier photos and the occasional rant about my “cable/cell/insert utility here” service would not impinge upon my chances of employment with the companysnooping researching my background.
With any good luck it will be a person reviewing the life of David.
After all, who doesn't have a less than flattering photo of themselves online? Maybe, one with you holding a beer. And who hasn't thought unkindly of a service provider at some point?
The person reviewing your history may even identify with you. They can see things in context.
But, will it always be a person?
Your cover letter and resume is already being scanned by software adept at discarding your best effort for not including the correct key words or for just being Englishly challenged.
Having just read of a software offering by EdX that will check online tests and essays, offer immediate feedback as well as the opportunity to re-write a test at once, I found myself wondering if it won’t be long until your digital presence on this planet will be subject to the cold hard scrutiny of software and not the cold hard scrutiny of an HR person.
Can context be programmed in? Will the machine take things with a grain of salt?
Maybe there’s an app for that.
Hold the presses! Here are two useful articles from Workopolis.
Find out who you know at the companies you'd like to work for. Just click on the 'Check LinkedIn' button.
and
How to get more employers reading your resume
CLOSED MOUTH GATHERS NO FOOT TEE SHIRT by dequilla
Design unique customizable clothing online at Zazzle.
In our Mobile Application Development class on marketing ourselves, we were told to discuss the topic of potential employers spying on us.
Companies are using Google, Facebook and other social media to look at your past with a view to determining suitability for employment.
Am I in favour of this practice? Yes and no.
As a former employer I can see the value of the sort of information that can be gleaned from an individual’s online profiles, blogs and affiliations. As a former landlord, this information would have been invaluable.
As a soon to be graduate, I would like to think that my goofier photos and the occasional rant about my “cable/cell/insert utility here” service would not impinge upon my chances of employment with the company
With any good luck it will be a person reviewing the life of David.
After all, who doesn't have a less than flattering photo of themselves online? Maybe, one with you holding a beer. And who hasn't thought unkindly of a service provider at some point?
The person reviewing your history may even identify with you. They can see things in context.
But, will it always be a person?
Your cover letter and resume is already being scanned by software adept at discarding your best effort for not including the correct key words or for just being Englishly challenged.
Having just read of a software offering by EdX that will check online tests and essays, offer immediate feedback as well as the opportunity to re-write a test at once, I found myself wondering if it won’t be long until your digital presence on this planet will be subject to the cold hard scrutiny of software and not the cold hard scrutiny of an HR person.
Can context be programmed in? Will the machine take things with a grain of salt?
Maybe there’s an app for that.
Hold the presses! Here are two useful articles from Workopolis.
Find out who you know at the companies you'd like to work for. Just click on the 'Check LinkedIn' button.
and
How to get more employers reading your resume
Words to live by.
CLOSED MOUTH GATHERS NO FOOT TEE SHIRT by dequilla
Design unique customizable clothing online at Zazzle.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Marketing and Privacy
Blog 3 #MAD405
Privacy (from Latin: privatus "separated from the rest).
"Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is I don't know which half." - John Wanamaker
So you’ve finished your latest app “Left-handed Miffed Raptors”.
You’ve published your masterpiece to the Apple, Blackberry and Android stores.
Now you can sit back and let the cheques roll in. $ Cha-ching.
Not so. Unless you already have a following and your own evangelists (and even then) there is still marketing to do.
But how? My game is aimed at sinister (I know, not politically correct) game players with the intellect to appreciate the nuances of an adventure based around the actions of disgruntled fowl.
Big Brother(s) to the rescue
Your "Likes" define your intelligence on Facebook.
I’m not a number!
No, you're a binary number.
What? They have a profile of me?
You did read those multi page documents before clicking “I Agree”, didn’t you?
If not, here is a summary:
They (hereinafter referred to as the Company) can collect, combine, filter, distort, distill, dispense any and everything you (hereinafter referred to as you) post or even allude to.
They are working on reading your thoughts but so far the results have been disappointing :)
Your life/intelligence is not the only thing being "defined" by the analysis of collected data; companies are also prey to this compartmentalization.
Now I’m miffed. How does this help me market my app?
Well, data collected by Facebook indicates that people who clicked “Like” on curly fries are intelligent. (despite potatoes belonging to the Deadly Nightshade family, as well as the ramifications of deep fried fast foods). And, if they can determine your sexual preference, they probably know who is left-handed.
So, in setting up your online ads, target only sinister curly fry loving individuals with a propensity for waggling their thumbs in front of a screen for entertainment.
And, to make some extra cash, as well as provide a service to your followers, insert some ads into your game, maybe McCain and A535.
If you want a less hand specific game check out Springy
This should be good for an extra mark.
Book Early Step-by-Step Instruction for Building a Responsive Website (BYOL)
Privacy (from Latin: privatus "separated from the rest).
"Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is I don't know which half." - John Wanamaker
So you’ve finished your latest app “Left-handed Miffed Raptors”.
You’ve published your masterpiece to the Apple, Blackberry and Android stores.
Now you can sit back and let the cheques roll in. $ Cha-ching.
Not so. Unless you already have a following and your own evangelists (and even then) there is still marketing to do.
But how? My game is aimed at sinister (I know, not politically correct) game players with the intellect to appreciate the nuances of an adventure based around the actions of disgruntled fowl.
Big Brother(s) to the rescue
Your "Likes" define your intelligence on Facebook.
Defy definition. “Like” everything.
Facebook and Google have bought data collection companies and can now combine your online clicks, likes and searches with real world (you know, when you turn off your computer/phone/tablet, you do don’t you?) actions such as purchases where you use a rewards or customer loyalty card. So, whether its Trojan or Depend, they know.I’m not a number!
No, you're a binary number.
What? They have a profile of me?
You did read those multi page documents before clicking “I Agree”, didn’t you?
If not, here is a summary:
They (hereinafter referred to as the Company) can collect, combine, filter, distort, distill, dispense any and everything you (hereinafter referred to as you) post or even allude to.
They are working on reading your thoughts but so far the results have been disappointing :)
Your life/intelligence is not the only thing being "defined" by the analysis of collected data; companies are also prey to this compartmentalization.
Now I’m miffed. How does this help me market my app?
Well, data collected by Facebook indicates that people who clicked “Like” on curly fries are intelligent. (despite potatoes belonging to the Deadly Nightshade family, as well as the ramifications of deep fried fast foods). And, if they can determine your sexual preference, they probably know who is left-handed.
So, in setting up your online ads, target only sinister curly fry loving individuals with a propensity for waggling their thumbs in front of a screen for entertainment.
And, to make some extra cash, as well as provide a service to your followers, insert some ads into your game, maybe McCain and A535.
If you want a less hand specific game check out Springy
Book Early Step-by-Step Instruction for Building a Responsive Website (BYOL)
Apocalypse Livestock
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Bad Gmail…Bad - A good natured ribbing of Gmail
Gmail was not working on my phone today. It worked yesterday, but not today.
When I got home, I tried logging in from my computer and got the message that my account was disabled due to suspicious activity. I thought about it and the only suspicious activity I had noticed recently was Gmail prompting me to give them my mobile phone number (I didn’t) as an account recovery tool, and my browser of choice, Chrome, prompting me to install a plug-in every few emails I read in spite of my repeatedly trying to install it. I’m thinking this may have been the problem.
When I finally got access to my account, yes, I did have to give them my mobile number despite the fact they had a separate email by which to contact me, I was alerted that there was activity on my account from an IP address they believed to be in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 17 hours ago. 5000 miles away. It wasn’t me. Not even if the Concord was still flying. It is about 10 hours by air one way.
I’m still miffed about having to give them my mobile number. They obviously did not need it prior to this incident. I’m not paranoid or worried about Big Brother. They already know, so get over it.
Do I feel embarrassed having my email hacked? Nope. Very large agencies including government, credit, international monetary and scientific groups have reported being hacked. Go ahead and Google a government agency or company plus the word hacked just for fun. You can imagine who hasn’t reported. So I am in good company despite having a smaller IT security budget.
This incident prompted me to read some of the Gmail forums. Some genius said that it was a shame no one read the forums (i.e. I am not having any trouble so therefore I will look for a solution?) until they were hacked. This would be good advice for some but not the majority who are happy just to be able to check their email and have the right things happen when they click something in Facebook.
One forum post listed browser plug-ins as a potential problem. No info on how to spot a bad one so, never install any plug-ins?
In a FAQ the question was posed, if Gmail sends me a warning, will that not tip off the bad guys? The answer was that Gmail sent the warning to the real account owner not the bad guys. My question is, “If Gmail can differentiate between the good guys and the bad guys, why make the good guys jump through hoops”? Make the bad guys verify themselves. The bad guys will move on. Send a note to the account owner to change their password.
For the record, when I set up my account on Gmail, my password registered as Strong on their Password-Strength-O-Meter (not the real name).
Why did I write this? I had a feeling it would not fit in the “Tell us how we are doing” form. Besides, it’s fun to let off a little steam.
When I got home, I tried logging in from my computer and got the message that my account was disabled due to suspicious activity. I thought about it and the only suspicious activity I had noticed recently was Gmail prompting me to give them my mobile phone number (I didn’t) as an account recovery tool, and my browser of choice, Chrome, prompting me to install a plug-in every few emails I read in spite of my repeatedly trying to install it. I’m thinking this may have been the problem.
When I finally got access to my account, yes, I did have to give them my mobile number despite the fact they had a separate email by which to contact me, I was alerted that there was activity on my account from an IP address they believed to be in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 17 hours ago. 5000 miles away. It wasn’t me. Not even if the Concord was still flying. It is about 10 hours by air one way.
I’m still miffed about having to give them my mobile number. They obviously did not need it prior to this incident. I’m not paranoid or worried about Big Brother. They already know, so get over it.
Do I feel embarrassed having my email hacked? Nope. Very large agencies including government, credit, international monetary and scientific groups have reported being hacked. Go ahead and Google a government agency or company plus the word hacked just for fun. You can imagine who hasn’t reported. So I am in good company despite having a smaller IT security budget.
This incident prompted me to read some of the Gmail forums. Some genius said that it was a shame no one read the forums (i.e. I am not having any trouble so therefore I will look for a solution?) until they were hacked. This would be good advice for some but not the majority who are happy just to be able to check their email and have the right things happen when they click something in Facebook.
One forum post listed browser plug-ins as a potential problem. No info on how to spot a bad one so, never install any plug-ins?
In a FAQ the question was posed, if Gmail sends me a warning, will that not tip off the bad guys? The answer was that Gmail sent the warning to the real account owner not the bad guys. My question is, “If Gmail can differentiate between the good guys and the bad guys, why make the good guys jump through hoops”? Make the bad guys verify themselves. The bad guys will move on. Send a note to the account owner to change their password.
For the record, when I set up my account on Gmail, my password registered as Strong on their Password-Strength-O-Meter (not the real name).
Why did I write this? I had a feeling it would not fit in the “Tell us how we are doing” form. Besides, it’s fun to let off a little steam.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Internet Metering and the CRTC
The Chairman of the CRTC, Konrad von Finckenstein, says "We are convinced that Internet services are no different than other public utilities and the vast majority of Internet users should not be asked to subsidize a small minority of heavy users".
That’s scary.
If “Internet services” are like public utilities, we could be put into a situation like Ontario power users who are paying extra for investment in green power, solar and wind, which is a good thing, but at the same time are still paying extra for “debt retirement”.
What’s debt retirement? Well, the public utility said it didn’t charge us enough for the electricity it sold us. Sounds like bad management to me. Seems they were a billion in debt so they did the only thing they could reasonably do. Gave a million dollar bonus to the CEO and saddled the public with extra charges for electricity they had already paid for. Imagine pulling that at your local gas station? Dave, we made a mistake and didn’t charge you enough every time you filled up these past few years, so we’ll be tacking on an extra charge for the foreseeable future. We’ll let you know when we’ve got enough. Have a nice day!
Back to the Internet.
The ISP’s build their networks with considerations (money, favors) from the government who gets its money from us. The ISP’s charge us for access to their networks (paid for by us and the government) then they shape and throttle the access we have and now want to charge more.
The scary part?
What if the CRTC decides ISP’s can charge for what you’ve already viewed? I’m already regretting hours of YouTubing.
Wait. What if this spreads to television? All those reruns of MASH, Gilligan’s Island, Friends…
Seriously, the ISPs are not talking about capping the “small minority of heavy users”, they want to gouge the “vast majority of Internet users”.
Makes cent$.
That’s scary.
If “Internet services” are like public utilities, we could be put into a situation like Ontario power users who are paying extra for investment in green power, solar and wind, which is a good thing, but at the same time are still paying extra for “debt retirement”.
What’s debt retirement? Well, the public utility said it didn’t charge us enough for the electricity it sold us. Sounds like bad management to me. Seems they were a billion in debt so they did the only thing they could reasonably do. Gave a million dollar bonus to the CEO and saddled the public with extra charges for electricity they had already paid for. Imagine pulling that at your local gas station? Dave, we made a mistake and didn’t charge you enough every time you filled up these past few years, so we’ll be tacking on an extra charge for the foreseeable future. We’ll let you know when we’ve got enough. Have a nice day!
Back to the Internet.
The ISP’s build their networks with considerations (money, favors) from the government who gets its money from us. The ISP’s charge us for access to their networks (paid for by us and the government) then they shape and throttle the access we have and now want to charge more.
The scary part?
What if the CRTC decides ISP’s can charge for what you’ve already viewed? I’m already regretting hours of YouTubing.
Wait. What if this spreads to television? All those reruns of MASH, Gilligan’s Island, Friends…
Seriously, the ISPs are not talking about capping the “small minority of heavy users”, they want to gouge the “vast majority of Internet users”.
Makes cent$.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Voyeur to Vandal?
An interesting quote from Stephen Fry No Comment “The fact that I will have turned off my website’s comments facility or moderated it into effective silence is even now driving some of my readers (a tiny minority I’m happy to think) insane.”
"Peeping" through the window of your computer is expected, even encouraged.
Some hosts invite you to comment or criticize (whether they read your input is another thing). Some sites let anyone with half a mind to post, post.
But what if you feel compelled to offer your opinion and the inconsiderate designers have not included a soapbox for you. What indeed.
Stephen Fry of Jeeves and Wooster, Last Chance to See, and followed by over 2 million tweeters, http://twitter.com/stephenfry is now pushing Pushnote beta.
I read the PCWorld article about Pushnote beta, which on first read might lead some to believe that those with half a mind to post could salute or slam the person/product/website on the website whether or not the site allows comments. It was obvious, from the comments by the readers, that they believed this was the point of the software. Say it ain’t so.
It ain’t so. Ya can’t just graffiti on someone’s site, unless you’re a cracker/hacker.
Pushnote beta, not to be confused with the PushNote app for the iPhone, is a browser plug-in that allows people to comment on what is on a site. The comments are available to other users of the plug-in. They are not posted on the site. Reminds me of StumbleUpon where you can comment and recommend sites and randomly Stumble across sites based on your interests and the recommendation of others.
Pushnote does let you cross post to Facebook and Twitter but does not rank or recommend sites so you are on your own there. It does have links to The Web and Hot Pages which are pages that have been commented on.
If you have a site you could join Pushnote and see what people are saying and posting on social media, assuming it catches on with the masses. The downside: You can’t edit or delete comments, your own or other’s. The upside: At least you know what is being said and maybe address any valid concerns.
You say you neither read nor write comments as a rule. Hmm.
Is the average Joe going to sign up for an account, download and install the plug-in (which gave me some little trouble in Firefox but worked after updating the browser) so he/she can praise web content or will the majority just be slamming sites and other users?
So far the comments on StephenFry.com have been mostly positive with3 4 votes for Stephen for Prime Minister or Pope.
For people who still use the Post Office Lake Nipissing postcard
"Peeping" through the window of your computer is expected, even encouraged.
Some hosts invite you to comment or criticize (whether they read your input is another thing). Some sites let anyone with half a mind to post, post.
But what if you feel compelled to offer your opinion and the inconsiderate designers have not included a soapbox for you. What indeed.
Stephen Fry of Jeeves and Wooster, Last Chance to See, and followed by over 2 million tweeters, http://twitter.com/stephenfry is now pushing Pushnote beta.
I read the PCWorld article about Pushnote beta, which on first read might lead some to believe that those with half a mind to post could salute or slam the person/product/website on the website whether or not the site allows comments. It was obvious, from the comments by the readers, that they believed this was the point of the software. Say it ain’t so.
It ain’t so. Ya can’t just graffiti on someone’s site, unless you’re a cracker/hacker.
Pushnote beta, not to be confused with the PushNote app for the iPhone, is a browser plug-in that allows people to comment on what is on a site. The comments are available to other users of the plug-in. They are not posted on the site. Reminds me of StumbleUpon where you can comment and recommend sites and randomly Stumble across sites based on your interests and the recommendation of others.
Pushnote does let you cross post to Facebook and Twitter but does not rank or recommend sites so you are on your own there. It does have links to The Web and Hot Pages which are pages that have been commented on.
If you have a site you could join Pushnote and see what people are saying and posting on social media, assuming it catches on with the masses. The downside: You can’t edit or delete comments, your own or other’s. The upside: At least you know what is being said and maybe address any valid concerns.
You say you neither read nor write comments as a rule. Hmm.
Is the average Joe going to sign up for an account, download and install the plug-in (which gave me some little trouble in Firefox but worked after updating the browser) so he/she can praise web content or will the majority just be slamming sites and other users?
So far the comments on StephenFry.com have been mostly positive with
For people who still use the Post Office Lake Nipissing postcard
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Old School Computer Interface
I didn’t think I’d have anything to say about tablets for a while but I was wrong.
That is to say I do and I was right.
In my recent post I postulate that people will revert to a physical interface e.g. keyboard and mouse over the virtual keyboard and touch screen. Yes, I know that a touch screen is physical but sliding a finger over or lightly tapping a screen does not provide the satisfaction one gets by pounding on the keys or gripping a mouse.
But I did not see this coming.
The iCADE by ION “brings arcade gaming to life by integrating your iPad into an authentic, arcade-style cabinet complete with joystick and buttons! Impress your friends, family and co-workers with iCADE's great-looking retro design, and then challenge them for high-scores on the most entertaining iPad accessory imaginable!”
That’s right. A full sized joystick and big fat buttons for playing AsteroidsTM and more from Atari’s library along with new titles.
As if you needed another reason to buy an iPad.
I can see it now in cubicles and boardrooms around the world.
Maybe not, but it would definitely be fun.
All products trademark of their respective companies.
Fantasy Sword iPad Case
That is to say I do and I was right.
In my recent post I postulate that people will revert to a physical interface e.g. keyboard and mouse over the virtual keyboard and touch screen. Yes, I know that a touch screen is physical but sliding a finger over or lightly tapping a screen does not provide the satisfaction one gets by pounding on the keys or gripping a mouse.
But I did not see this coming.
The iCADE by ION “brings arcade gaming to life by integrating your iPad into an authentic, arcade-style cabinet complete with joystick and buttons! Impress your friends, family and co-workers with iCADE's great-looking retro design, and then challenge them for high-scores on the most entertaining iPad accessory imaginable!”
That’s right. A full sized joystick and big fat buttons for playing AsteroidsTM and more from Atari’s library along with new titles.
As if you needed another reason to buy an iPad.
I can see it now in cubicles and boardrooms around the world.
Maybe not, but it would definitely be fun.
All products trademark of their respective companies.
Fantasy Sword iPad Case
Friday, January 7, 2011
Tablet Wars CES 2011 Part II
Reports from the International Consumer Electronics Show are saying more than 80 new tablets will be released this year.
That much fragmentation in the segment may drive prices down as manufactures try to wrest market share from Apple. There is certainly scope for improvement considering the iPad has limited connectivity to external devices and precludes phone and video conference functions.
Tablets are here to stay. Surely Apple with their proprietary offering will not pull a Sony BetaMax, but there was the Newton. According to Wikipedia “the Newton project fell victim to project slippage, scope creep, and a growing fear that it would interfere with Macintosh sales”. Coincidentally there was a sale on Macbook Pro at Future Shop over the Christmas holidays.
As for pricing the 10” iPad sans phone functionality is close to the 7” Samsung Galaxy Tab with Adobe® Flash® and video calling ability.
Can the price come down? A consumer showed me a tablet she had purchased online for $50 plus $50 for shipping from China. Some Apple products are made in China. So the electronics may not be where the cost is. The cost must be for the company’s reputation, R&D and support. Or is it just what the market will bear.
Blackberry, the renowned Smartphone maker is set to release the 7.6” Playbook featuring Flash, front and rear facing cameras, a dual core processor and their proprietary OS. In spite of reports of limited battery life, Blackberry says their tablet will provide usability consistent with the industry but with over 80 entries this year alone that could mean just about anything.
Microsoft seems to have sidestepped the tablet market by focusing Windows 7 on their Windows Phone and devices like Acer’s Iconia a notebook with two touch screens.
What is my take on tablets?
See Tablet Wars CES 2011 Part I
All products trademark of their respective companies.
iPad cases
That much fragmentation in the segment may drive prices down as manufactures try to wrest market share from Apple. There is certainly scope for improvement considering the iPad has limited connectivity to external devices and precludes phone and video conference functions.
Tablets are here to stay. Surely Apple with their proprietary offering will not pull a Sony BetaMax, but there was the Newton. According to Wikipedia “the Newton project fell victim to project slippage, scope creep, and a growing fear that it would interfere with Macintosh sales”. Coincidentally there was a sale on Macbook Pro at Future Shop over the Christmas holidays.
As for pricing the 10” iPad sans phone functionality is close to the 7” Samsung Galaxy Tab with Adobe® Flash® and video calling ability.
Can the price come down? A consumer showed me a tablet she had purchased online for $50 plus $50 for shipping from China. Some Apple products are made in China. So the electronics may not be where the cost is. The cost must be for the company’s reputation, R&D and support. Or is it just what the market will bear.
Blackberry, the renowned Smartphone maker is set to release the 7.6” Playbook featuring Flash, front and rear facing cameras, a dual core processor and their proprietary OS. In spite of reports of limited battery life, Blackberry says their tablet will provide usability consistent with the industry but with over 80 entries this year alone that could mean just about anything.
Microsoft seems to have sidestepped the tablet market by focusing Windows 7 on their Windows Phone and devices like Acer’s Iconia a notebook with two touch screens.
What is my take on tablets?
See Tablet Wars CES 2011 Part I
All products trademark of their respective companies.
iPad cases
Tablet Wars CES 2011 Part I
The iPad was the “gotta have” device of 2010.
Customers did not need to be sold, they just said, “I want one”.
About the only questions were Wi-Fi or 3G and 16, 32 or 64 Gig. Reminds me of my humorous post of 2008 about “early adopters”.
I like tablets. They are fun but are they practical?
Once the novelty wears off, will typing on the virtual keyboard become the norm or will people want the tactile feedback of a real keyboard?
I am not a touch typist but I want to stumble across real keys not pictorial ones.
What about protection? The first accessory people buy for their tablet is a screen protector because the screen is a big sheet of glass. Then they buy a case, or shove it in a bag. Not so sleek now is it. But, if you pay over half a grand for something you’re going to want to protect it.
What do I want in a portable computing device?
A 10” touch screen. Any smaller and I might as well use my HTC Desire.
It should close like a net book and have a keyboard.
Rubberized shell so you don’t need a case. Hey, it’s a work device.
3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and USB for connectivity.
Dual core processor and 2 gigs of ram for speed.
A web cam and microphone for Skype.
The latest version of Android.
Maybe in 3D too.
I’m still looking.
See Tablet Wars CES 2011 Part II
All products trademark of their respective companies.
iPad case
Customers did not need to be sold, they just said, “I want one”.
About the only questions were Wi-Fi or 3G and 16, 32 or 64 Gig. Reminds me of my humorous post of 2008 about “early adopters”.
I like tablets. They are fun but are they practical?
Once the novelty wears off, will typing on the virtual keyboard become the norm or will people want the tactile feedback of a real keyboard?
I am not a touch typist but I want to stumble across real keys not pictorial ones.
What about protection? The first accessory people buy for their tablet is a screen protector because the screen is a big sheet of glass. Then they buy a case, or shove it in a bag. Not so sleek now is it. But, if you pay over half a grand for something you’re going to want to protect it.
What do I want in a portable computing device?
A 10” touch screen. Any smaller and I might as well use my HTC Desire.
It should close like a net book and have a keyboard.
Rubberized shell so you don’t need a case. Hey, it’s a work device.
3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and USB for connectivity.
Dual core processor and 2 gigs of ram for speed.
A web cam and microphone for Skype.
The latest version of Android.
Maybe in 3D too.
I’m still looking.
See Tablet Wars CES 2011 Part II
All products trademark of their respective companies.
iPad case
Internet on my TV
During my recent seasonal employment at Future Shop I was surprised at the number of people asking how to get "the Internet" on their TV.
I’ve been viewing Internet content on mine for a long time for free.
There are commercial solutions such as Apple TV, D-Link’s Boxee Box and Western Digital’s WD TV Live Hub Media Center.
I would highly recommend visiting the respective company’s websites and reading all the information, FAQ’s and check out the user’s comments under the Support section of the product keeping in mind that some users may not be that tech savvy.
How can you surf on your TV without spending any cash?
If you have an unused computer and a fairly recent TV you have most of what you need.
Connect the computer to your router either wired (preferred method) or wirelessly, plug in the HDMI cable (carries audio and video) to the computer and TV, choose the input source on the TV remote and Voila! The Internet is on your TV.
If your computer does not have an HDMI connection you can use a DVI cable or VGA cable like the one on your monitor for the video and a stereo mini-phone to RCA “y” cable from the computer headphone output to your stereo or TV for sound.
So, what does this give you? Anything you could see and hear on the computer is available on the TV. Family photos, PowerPoint, YouTube, music, movies, Internet stuff and even work if you must. And all for free.
You say you don’t want to sit 3 feet in front of the TV with a mouse and keyboard? Well, you can buy a wireless keyboard and mouse and control things from your easy chair or download the free TIGHTvnc server on the TV computer and TIGHTvnc viewer on your laptop and remotely control the TV computer.
My solution is not quite as elegant as the commercial solutions and may require a bit more work to set up but I like the price, the features available with a computer and I already know how to operate it.
What if you need to buy some parts?
I like to support local retailers but some things like cables are much cheaper online.
HDMI cables run $7 and up online at Tigerdirect.ca. Retail they cost $28.
VGA cables online $13. Retail $44.
DVI to HDMI online $32 .Retail $50 or Monster Cable $150
3' Mini-RCA Audio Cable online $7. Retail $11.
Wireless keyboard and mouse online $43 retail $23. Go figure.
If you don’t have an extra computer, ask a friend or pick one up online off-lease or refurbished starting at $150 or retail starting at $250.
All prices approximate. I have no affiliation with these companies.
All products trademark of their respective companies.
I’ve been viewing Internet content on mine for a long time for free.
There are commercial solutions such as Apple TV, D-Link’s Boxee Box and Western Digital’s WD TV Live Hub Media Center.
I would highly recommend visiting the respective company’s websites and reading all the information, FAQ’s and check out the user’s comments under the Support section of the product keeping in mind that some users may not be that tech savvy.
How can you surf on your TV without spending any cash?
If you have an unused computer and a fairly recent TV you have most of what you need.
Connect the computer to your router either wired (preferred method) or wirelessly, plug in the HDMI cable (carries audio and video) to the computer and TV, choose the input source on the TV remote and Voila! The Internet is on your TV.
If your computer does not have an HDMI connection you can use a DVI cable or VGA cable like the one on your monitor for the video and a stereo mini-phone to RCA “y” cable from the computer headphone output to your stereo or TV for sound.
So, what does this give you? Anything you could see and hear on the computer is available on the TV. Family photos, PowerPoint, YouTube, music, movies, Internet stuff and even work if you must. And all for free.
You say you don’t want to sit 3 feet in front of the TV with a mouse and keyboard? Well, you can buy a wireless keyboard and mouse and control things from your easy chair or download the free TIGHTvnc server on the TV computer and TIGHTvnc viewer on your laptop and remotely control the TV computer.
My solution is not quite as elegant as the commercial solutions and may require a bit more work to set up but I like the price, the features available with a computer and I already know how to operate it.
What if you need to buy some parts?
I like to support local retailers but some things like cables are much cheaper online.
HDMI cables run $7 and up online at Tigerdirect.ca. Retail they cost $28.
VGA cables online $13. Retail $44.
DVI to HDMI online $32 .Retail $50 or Monster Cable $150
3' Mini-RCA Audio Cable online $7. Retail $11.
Wireless keyboard and mouse online $43 retail $23. Go figure.
If you don’t have an extra computer, ask a friend or pick one up online off-lease or refurbished starting at $150 or retail starting at $250.
All prices approximate. I have no affiliation with these companies.
All products trademark of their respective companies.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Word
I was talking to my daughter in Germany. She is there, I’m not. We were using MSN and I remarked it was as if she were downstairs. Instant messaging is really fast, even though there is a six hour time difference between here and there. But this is not about the speed of the Internet. It is about language. I’ve always thought that it would be handy if there was a universal language. It would be really, really handy if that language were English as that is the only one I’ve been able to master (well I’m working on it). Millions may disagree but it’s my blog, get your own. From what I understand European children have the advantage of being forced to learn more than one language. This is handy as those countries are cheek-by-jowl with a lot of foreign countries that speak something else. I am jealous. When I went to school, more than a few years ago, the educational system arranged that we would get 15 minutes of French. Canadian French. The classes were forty minutes long but we got 15 minutes whether we wanted it or not. I’m sure the teachers were more than competent ‘tho I wonder who wrote the curriculum. Through grades 6 to 12, to the best of my knowledge, few of my unilingual peers rose to the aggrandized state of truly bilingual. For those who did, felicitations. Myself, I can tell you there is an autobus dans la rue, ask for a beer and ask where the washroom is. Two of these have stood me in good stead. The reason for language is to communicate. To everyone. Otherwise, have a code. Back in the old days, Esperanto, a language, was developed in 1887 by Ludwik Zamenhof with the specific intent of creating an international second language. There are an estimated 2 million speakers of Esperanto. There are nearly 7 billion people on earth. Language itself, let alone second languages may be doomed to fail. As early as 1965, The Who said “And don’t try to dig what we all s-s-say”. Prophecy or warning. Need proof of the demise of language? Check out your kids on Messenger or texting on their mobile. Leetspeak short for elite speak as defined by Mopo.ca Leet (most commonly 1337 but often also leetspeak, leetspeek, or l33t) from the phonetic form of the word "elite", is a cipher, or novel form of English spelling. It is characterized by the use of non-alphabetic characters to stand for letters bearing a superficial resemblance, and by a number of spelling changes such as the substitution of "z" for final "s" and "x" for "(c)ks". Leetspeak is traditionally used on the Internet and other online communities, such as bulletin board systems. Leetspeak is commonly used by hackers, crackers, script kiddies, and gamers. (English teachers everywhere are turning in their graves) (well, the dead ones anyway). Imagine this type of communication during the Cold War, think Dr. Strangelove or: How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb But who can blame the younger generations for trying to eliminate extraneous parts of language such as vowels and consonents. Try writing anything of any length on a crackberry. So while today’s languages may join the ranks of Latin and Greek, we will still be able to communicate on some level. So for now I will bid you adieu or say caio which is short for bye.
Protect your communicator with
Protect your communicator with
Sunday, June 29, 2008
The Easy Life...Maybe
Work from home. Earn $$$ while sitting on the beach.
Sounds great doesn’t it.
Set your own hours. No boss and no commuting (with the price of gas who could blame you?).
Can you make money on the internet? Obviously some people can but can the average Joe or Jane? It’s not as easy as it sounds at least I haven’t found it so.
I have made money on the web, coffee money as I call it. Certainly not what anyone would call an “income”. Yet.
I think the clues why may be in the ad lines.
WORK FROM HOME. “I’m trying to avoid work and you’re telling me I’ve got to WORK”. EARN while sitting on the BEACH. “If I’ve got to EARN, that’s starting to sound like WORK”.
I guess there is no getting around it. Anyone who thinks that the idea of generating either a full or part-time income, by working just a few hours a week from home, has sprung from the internet age must be fairly young or has been living under a rock (on the beach?).
I remember reading classified ads in the back of Popular Mechanics, Popular Science and others enticing readers to send anywhere from one to five dollars and a SASE (self addressed stamped envelope) for recipes (hundreds of ways to prepare hamburger), plans (build your own laser) and information (secrets of the universe).
I’ve often thought if I had sent for the secrets of the universe they would surely include the hamburger and laser information.
Oh well, nothing ventured… Anyway, the internet allows this sort of thing to work (there’s that word again) for just about anyone. If you can write (preferably one of the major languages), follow instructions and have a few hundred dollars, you can potentially reach The World. “A few hundred dollars?” “I thought this was going to be cheap”.
It can be, but anyone who is not a programmer or who doesn’t have a lot of experience with websites might do better with a service that does the technical side of things for you. Not the work, mind you. You still have to work. A service can make it easier for everyone, geek or not, to compete.
Free or Nearly.
My blog on Google http://damccaskilland.blogspot.com/ is free.
My Facebook profile is free.
My Zazzle account is free.
I also had a website that cost me about $3.00 a month. I do have over ten years experience in Information Systems so I did things the hard way. Besides, back then the internet was a do it yourself kind of place.
My last job required long hours and included being on-call all the time.
This turned me into a REST from home kind of person as opposed to a Work from home one.
Now that I have more spare time I’m working on the EARN while on the beach or while sleeping. Just don’t sleep on the beach. It's easy to get burned there too.
To be continued…
Take a coffee break with
Sounds great doesn’t it.
Set your own hours. No boss and no commuting (with the price of gas who could blame you?).
Can you make money on the internet? Obviously some people can but can the average Joe or Jane? It’s not as easy as it sounds at least I haven’t found it so.
I have made money on the web, coffee money as I call it. Certainly not what anyone would call an “income”. Yet.
I think the clues why may be in the ad lines.
WORK FROM HOME. “I’m trying to avoid work and you’re telling me I’ve got to WORK”. EARN while sitting on the BEACH. “If I’ve got to EARN, that’s starting to sound like WORK”.
I guess there is no getting around it. Anyone who thinks that the idea of generating either a full or part-time income, by working just a few hours a week from home, has sprung from the internet age must be fairly young or has been living under a rock (on the beach?).
I remember reading classified ads in the back of Popular Mechanics, Popular Science and others enticing readers to send anywhere from one to five dollars and a SASE (self addressed stamped envelope) for recipes (hundreds of ways to prepare hamburger), plans (build your own laser) and information (secrets of the universe).
I’ve often thought if I had sent for the secrets of the universe they would surely include the hamburger and laser information.
Oh well, nothing ventured… Anyway, the internet allows this sort of thing to work (there’s that word again) for just about anyone. If you can write (preferably one of the major languages), follow instructions and have a few hundred dollars, you can potentially reach The World. “A few hundred dollars?” “I thought this was going to be cheap”.
It can be, but anyone who is not a programmer or who doesn’t have a lot of experience with websites might do better with a service that does the technical side of things for you. Not the work, mind you. You still have to work. A service can make it easier for everyone, geek or not, to compete.
Free or Nearly.
My blog on Google http://damccaskilland.blogspot.com/ is free.
My Facebook profile is free.
My Zazzle account is free.
I also had a website that cost me about $3.00 a month. I do have over ten years experience in Information Systems so I did things the hard way. Besides, back then the internet was a do it yourself kind of place.
My last job required long hours and included being on-call all the time.
This turned me into a REST from home kind of person as opposed to a Work from home one.
Now that I have more spare time I’m working on the EARN while on the beach or while sleeping. Just don’t sleep on the beach. It's easy to get burned there too.
To be continued…
Take a coffee break with
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