Reviewers at W-T seeking sex!

The following conversation with the folks at Webmaster-Talk Forums has run its course:

"This is a farce! The respondents are replying to sexy avatar pics rather than honest requests for a review. As a professional reviewer I look for the lessor marked and go for them first to give the "little guy/gal" a shot at infamy. The two top reviews at this time both have a girls pic as the avatar, one of them is a guy who is deliberately using sex as a marketing tool on this forum. My site is honest and so is this duplicate request for review. This is a test of the viewer mentality, moderator judgment, and value of continued service at this forum. I do NOT have time to waste on disingenuous sites. V.O.I.D."

I thought I had found a good place to get noticed while providing a valuable free service to webmasters which might give me a boost as well. Maybe I could find some friends there? Maybe. I have not given up hope, though I have a different opinion since my recent discovery. Just look at the response numbers as I do, then check the low #s versus the high. Its obvious. Sex sells.

This quote is taken from a PM from a moderator at W-T: "I'm not certain I understand what you're so irate about in your rant in the blog reviews section. Would you mind explaining what the problem is ? I read your blog entry too, I'm still not sure what is wrong.

Is it just some member's avatars that you are finding fault with ?? If so, who are they ? We do have fairly strict rules here about adult-oriented stuff - we do not allow it.

Thanks."

I thought I was being quite clear. At the time of this alleged rant the two top posts both had human female avatars quite obviously oriented to attract attention not to the blog but, to the image. This avatar from sizzler_chetan was painfully obvious. This is a MALE poster presenting a sexy female image to the world which at first appears to be the poster "herself". This is blatant use of sexual connotation and is also misleading advertising. What about this is difficult to understand? Where is your morality? What about simple honesty? Why should I continue to review here with such an obvious bias toward sex? There were multiple blogs listed yet, the only two with major responses were attached to female avatars. Perhaps you do understand, and are denying accountability. Adult oriented? Get real. This is all about how YOUR VIEWERS look at the posts. It is ALL ABOUT SEX because that is what it is.

"I would hardly go so far as to call it false advertising.. the guy's not advertising.. it's just an AVATAR in a forum."

In the USA this is DEFINITELY advertising, as such it would fall under the preview of misleading. All avatars are expected to be a reflection of the poster in some way. I do appreciate your contact and continued discussion of this matter. Since I need to participate in a global format, and my views can be somewhat rigid at times, your assistance in this matter is very gratifying/enlightening. Thank you.

"What would that say about me if I used a photo of my cats ?? It would say nothing more than 'I like cats'."

And when you use a pic of a sexy girl it says two things; I like sexy girls, and I'm using this one to sell my blog. That's close to prostitution, it's technically legal but, not very honest. He withdrew the avatar? Hmm, wonder why. Not. You want to sell your blog with *****cats make em furry and four legged; there's way more than enough reference to sex on the web. We do NOT need it here at W-T.

Haha! Got censored when I meant the literal psycats! Thanks for the continuing epic.

LadynRed, there is a certain expectation from your avatar, followed by your demeanor and attitude. When what is found behind the avatar is FALSE it is a LIE. Period. Yours seems to suit your position as a Mod and a commentator in general. Does this help you find my objection?

Liars, cheats, and thieves are intolerable. Where is the proper forum for the discussion of misuse of sexual innuendo? I am not alone in the recognition of this blatant disregard for appropriate use of avatars. This is avatar abuse at the level of misrepresentation leading to an inappropriate expectation of service which will be denied at first contact. Sex sells. Abusive innuendo hurts all of us.

All content © 2008 Keith E Larson

Webcentric Without Electricity?

The vast majority of my life is spent on-line. What happens when the power goes out?! First, a moment of panic, what was windows doing just then? Am I backed up everywhere? What did I lose? The absolute black screen of death. OMG, how long will I be without my Web connections? Is there life outside still?

Yes, I have neighbors, all of whom descend upon the commons for mutual support. Whatever they might have been doing, they are now a part of the community survival ritual. We come together as not before to celebrate our new found interest in each other. We break out candles in the dark; we get the grills going for a power-free cookout. The fire of enthusiasm is everywhere. Life takes on new meaning. All thanks to the snobs that snub us; the ones who kicked in their AC all at once in the city proper. LOL - what's for YOUR dinner?

We are considered second rate citizens, the people who come up from the bottom while supporting the rest. The ones who's money is earned through multiple lifetimes' of hard work. Those who have not quite made it to the "snub you" level, those who still remember their roots. In truth, we provide the foundation upon which the rest of society builds. Remember me, for your children will, whether or not to their advantage depends entirely upon their attitude toward "new money" making its way into their midst. Good luck to the "good 'ole boys" network in this town; I'm on the way up to my own "top view" and it will be as much a look back as sideways. I can still see from whence I have come...

All content © 2008 Keith E Larson

Social Network Development

Social Marketing has been around for a very long time; the Web 2.0 phenomenon is not exactly breaking news either but, what does this mean to you - the blogger? The social give-and-take between you and your readers is there, right? You give information and insights, they take a related link to a "similar interests" or landing page. Aside from being both informative and insightful, you are also providing a form of entertainment; you creatively express your thoughts and ideas concerning the subject. Your site contains advertising of some sort and you employ a few marketing elements as well. This is your foundation. Be certain it is constructed on solid ground and is significantly well built itself.

"The art of social marketing is to be perceived not as a marketer;
rather you should become known as a Maven."
Keith Larson (4/20/2008)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

maven (also mavin or mayvin) is a trusted expert in a particular field, who seeks to pass knowledge on to others.

The word comes from the Yiddish meyvn and Hebrew mevin (מבֿין), with the same meaning, which in turn derives from the Hebrew binah, meaning understanding. It was first recorded in English around 1952, and popularized in the 1960s by a series of commercials.

In network theory and sociology, a maven is someone who has a disproportionate influence on other members of the network. The role of mavens in propagating knowledge and preferences has been established in various domains, from politics to social trends.
(End of Wikipedia reference extract.)

Starting out as a writer who wishes to be known, then beginning to monetize your site is the most effective method of ensuring that your content remains the primary focus of your blog. Readers return to your site because what you have written previously was of interest or was useful to them. As long as you are genuine in your "endorsements" the advertising you present should be seen in a favorable light. People expect you to investigate your advertisers, to learn about the company and its products and/or services. Advertising on your site should reflect your concern for the reader. It needs to be relevant to your posts AND it needs to be something you would recommend to a close friend or family member. "What would Mom think of this?" A question which allows time to pause and reflect. Are you more giving, or taking more?

All Content © 2008 Keith E Larson

Disclosure and Disclaimer Policies

This policy is valid from 21 April 2008


This is a personal blog written and edited in its entirety by the author. For questions or comments about this policy, please see the current contact information on my profile page.

This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, or other forms of compensation. However, I will continue to post regularly about that which I find inspiring and refuse to be manipulated by potential sponsors. They will either accept my blog and I for who and what we are, or they will not be welcome here.

It is my reputation as a Blogger and a Maven that is on the line; This I will not jeopardize.

This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest. I am free (as in freedom) to choose that about which I blog. Refusal to publish advertising for any reason is at my own discretion.

Keith E Larson
Author and Publisher

To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org


Disclaimer Policy

All information provided on this site, particularly any information relating to specific hardware, software, products, or services is presented for general informational purposes only. It should not be considered complete or exhaustive, nor does it cover all aspects and issues or their suitability for use under all circumstances.

While the author and publisher makes a reasonable effort to include accurate and up-to-date information on this site, the information you access through this site is provided "AS IS" and without warranty, express or implied. V.O.I.D Scribe makes no warranty as to the reliability, accuracy, timeliness, usefulness or completeness of any information accessed through this site. Keith E Larson assumes no liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in the content of this site. To the fullest extent permissible pursuant to applicable law, Keith E Larson disclaims all express or implied warranties related to this site, included but not limited to implied warranties for merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.

By using the V.O.I.D Scribe site, you agree not to rely solely on any of the information contained herein. Under no circumstances shall V.O.I.D Scribe or Keith E Larson be liable for your reliance on any such information, nor shall it/I be liable for any direct, incidental, special, consequential, indirect, or punitive damages that result from the use of, or the inability to use, the materials in this site or the materials in any site linked to the V.O.I.D. Scribe web log.
Your use of this web log (Blog) site is at your own risk.

Vista and McAfee Woes

Talked about forever, rumors and promises mixed together, and finally SP1 came out as a regular update. I took a deep breath and held it; the anxious tension making my heart race and my palms sweat. What have I to fear? My reasoning self-assurance was of no comfort. Then I clicked the update button. Not long after I discovered the need to breath; this was going to take quite some time. I waited, watched, and dutifully did what I was told. Trust? Not really but, I do have faith in Restore Point. That was a good idea well implemented.

At first glance, everything seemed to be alright, which is suspicious in itself. This is Windows Vista: temperamental at best; a nightmare more often than not. Why must they insist upon reseting all of my desired settings to their own ludicrous defaults? Only I know what is best for me and my PC, not Microsoft! Even my Hotmail account was dysfunctional for several days, and I didn't know about it until all of the backlogged messages burst through at once. What has that to do with SP1? Who knows, maybe it's just a coincidence. Why are there no "lemon laws" for software, particularly operating systems? Ironically, I went to msconfig to lock out all future updates; now I won't be tempted to allow the tyrant "one last chance".

Realize that all of my security applications were disabled for the install, as recommended of course. So, the first discoveries occurred immediately following restart. As I attempted to re-secure my system. My replacement choice for the resource hungry McAfee Security Suite included ClamWin AV which would no longer load due to some esoteric error which I did not think to record. With no suitable alternative at the ready, I was forced to re-install McAffee. Now, which of the remaining security applications must remain disabled to avoid internal bickering? Ah yes, the Comodo firewall I had been training for weeks. And naturally, the on-access scanner added due to the lack thereof within ClamWin.

Due to a previous issue with the McAfee "Quick Clean" which required a re-install, I knew that SpyBot would be reported as incompatible and "...must be un-installed prior to..." This is simply NOT TRUE! They can be taught to play nice with each other and make a very nice team; each one senses and reports a little differently in accordance with their parameters. Sometimes they report together but, generally one or the other finds something amiss. Therefore, I left SpyBot and TeaTimer unloaded while I got McAfee back on-line. Next was Comodo Anti-Malware which would have reported and stopped the install but, works wonderfully in the background otherwise.

Somewhere along the line KeyScrambler got knocked out; MetaCrawler flawlessly pulled up the necessary page for a quick and painless re-install. What I did not know was whether there would be issues with CCleaner and Total Privacy 5 as they were added to the mix without McAfee's presence. Proper set-up with each cleaner is essential to both proper operation and clean start-ups and shut-downs. CCleaner is set to run at start-up as soon as it is loaded, then shut down; this works out fine because McAfee loads first and keeps control until it is finished. TP5 is set to load to the system tray in anticipation of an eventual shut-down; Vista recognizes and waits for TP5 to finish prior to actual shut-down. SpyBot has a delayed run option which is wonderful as this application takes even longer to load and run than CCleaner. The two of them fight over resources when started together which makes boot-up even slower than waiting three minutes for everything else to finish.

As a final tweak I have disabled every available splash screen except SpyBot. All of the others will appear in the system tray should I be wondering about progress. The final indicator of imminent start-up is the three minute SpyBot timer; this will take several minutes to update and run then, I'm good to go once again. Everything is now updated, cleaned, and standing at the ready...

"In the true Literary Man there is thus ever, acknowledged or not by the world, a sacredness: he is the light of the world; the world's Priest; guiding it, like a sacred Pillar of Fire, in its dark pilgrimage through the waste of Time." -Thomas Carlyle

Total Privacy 5 - Software Review

Pleasant surprises are always welcome on my world; today's GOTD offering is right up there with discovering a new friend.

Background from the download site:

"Total Privacy provides the most advanced information removal solution for protection against today’s malicious online and offline threats. Total Privacy 5 makes use of the most advanced washing and shredding methods available today to make sure that your own private business and computer use remains exactly that - private.

Securely clean Internet tracks, system activities and program history information stored on your computer with this safe and easy-to-use Windows privacy protection tool. Also Wipes the free space to make sure that previously delete files cannot be recovered. Supports all major browsers in addition to over 450 popular third-party applications.

My initial summary for the GOTD site:

Get this program installed NOW! I am a supporter of multiple security
products and Total Privacy 5 just hit the top of today’s list of MUST
HAVE security applications. All issues are clearly explained in a
separate description box on mouse-over so you know exactly what it
intends to clear. I strongly encourage, no I insist, that you do NOT
check any box you don’t understand! Has several “exclude” functions
such as the cookies list. Take the time to set this one up properly. My
PC runs CCleaner on start-up; the only thing I’ve run is Flock >
GOTD > TP5. This is the summary from my test run; Total Items: 43;
Custom Items: 14; Total Recovered: 3MB disk space, 29 Files, 7 Registry
Entries. Be careful with index.dat and registry streams - these
erasures WILL affect certain performance and display properties. The
full report will be available shortly on my blog, “V-O-I-D: What’s
REALLY out there?”.

The Full Report:

All of the following items were listed after CCleaner and the download; some files are there because of the TP5 download, others were not listed at all by CCleaner. I use my cleaner at least once a day on start-up, mostly to clear the useless files and registry entries that accumulate throughout my workday. As an Internet Investigator of many genres, there are also instances wherein I encounter files which I do not want in my possession, nor bugging my machine. Set-up of Total Privacy will take a little time, especially when preserving certain settings such as cookies.

In the case of cookies and dat files it is best to make a written note of those for which you are uncertain prior to erasing them. When next you encounter an item from this list you will recognize it as being from either: a friendly program with a funny named cookie, or an executable you got AGAIN from an unknown source. The latter case goes beyond the scope of this post to explain.

This is what Total Privacy 5 found and erased:

Document History 1 file; Start Menu Clicks 5 files; index.dat 3 categories/files 39 items and 96KB; Favorites Order History 1 item; Downloaded Components (DO NOT check box unless you want to eliminate your plug-ins!) 8 items and 4MB; Messaging detected ALL installed IM clients and offered 3 items for clean-up on each; Custom Plug-in Cleaners, checked "show only detected programs" and found 16 (Again, read what each does as you may want to keep certain items - my quarantine list from SpyBot being one of them.); Warning: Windows Direct Input will erase all user generated data files; Windows Temp 3 files and 270KB; Sys Temp 4 files and 3MB; DO NOT CHECK Registry Streams or Registry Streams MRU as this will adversely affect the PC you have set up as you want it! It also detects MS Office .doc files accessed even when opened with OpenOffice.org

Read the description box for everything you ever wanted to know about what you are about to obliterate. Most people can safely use one of the 3-pass options, mine took less time than a single intake of breath! It also has start-up and security management tools. Altogether, I am impressed enough to give this one a 10/10 rating for PC cleaners and highly recommend you get to the GOTD site and get this one installed while it's free.

A quick trip back to GOTD revealed this post direct from the application provider:

Regarding the question about how Total Privacy affects the registry, many privacy items are stored inside the registry (MRUs, Registry streams, history information for many programs, IE AutoComplete data and much more) and so, if you select to clean any of those items, Total Privacy will obviously have to access the registry to remove selected values.

Accessing the registry to remove any of those items is completely safe and Total Privacy is smart enough to only remove items that do exist (as opposed to some other similar applications we encountered before that just try to remove anything and everything without any safely checks first).

Total Privacy was tested on Windows Vista, XP, 2003 and 2000 and so it targets the correct registry locations depending on the operating system you are running.

I hope I was able to shed some more light regarding this question. If anyone have any questions or comments (good or bad) that wish to discuss with us feel free to contact us directly at http://www.pointstone.com/support/support.asp

Comment by Steven Martins — April 1st, 2008 at 6:25am

Another positive reinforcement from the GOTD comments section:

Mr Martin

I just downloaded the program and started reading the comments, as they sometimes influence my decision to install the program. This is the first time I have seen anyone associated with the program present and fixing problems as they occur — not to say it has never happened — it is just a first for me.

Don’t know about anyone else but this REALLY impressed me. Want you to know Mr Martin that because of your interest in helping us with bugs and gliches, even though you will show no profit from our download, that I will be buying the product directly from the site as opposed to taking it free. It is rare and refreshing in todays product market to see integrity in ones work and creation. It gives me the impression that questions and problems would be addressed by your software support system quickly and efficiently.

Thanks GAODT for the numerous free and useful products and games you have given me.

Comment by MamaBunny — April 1st, 2008 at 9:04 am

Webfly's World Reborn

The inspiration struck me before I even got out of bed this morning; many of my best ideas are born in the first few minutes of wakefulness. There is a brief period of transition from dreamland to reality; a time of natural brainstorming uninhibited by the constraints of real life. There is a notebook and pen beside my computer in case a thought's so hot I can't wait for the OS/Security wake-up process to finish. Hey, that might become the on-line version of my desktop idea file, "Random Brainstorms". What do YOU think? "Random Brainstorms or "Thought's so Hot..." for an on-going post of really incredible stuff? Comment here or post your answer in the V-O-I-D Forums.

"All growth is a leap in the dark, a spontaneous
unpremeditated act without the benefit of experience."
Henry Miller; US author (1891 - 1980)

Brokers - Middlemen or just Broker?

I am an information broker of the Web 2.0 era and as such I may well be broker than ever. Or am I? The richness with which I surround myself transcends simple material wealth, becoming that which I wish it to be only by degrees. Sometimes micro-degrees, as if waiting for summer and it is but early spring. On other occasions the words flow and I spend an entire night writing out the answers to the quests to which I have been drawn.

Last night, indeed quite well into today, was an experience I shall not soon forget. Open season for a well versed writer within the membership of RSBoards. A virtual paradise for me! A break from the game itself; no need to attempt to level-up or train. Unadulterated expressionism; no pressure to perform, just the freedom to be - me.

The game is Runescape, a massively multi-player on-line adventure without the guts and gore of many of today's offerings. I do have a guts and glory type to fool around with on occasion but, I don't make it much past the opening scenes. Match 3/4/5 is more my style.

Perhaps it is that I prefer to create rather than to destroy. To love rather than hate, though I must admit to the knowledge of hate and the power it too holds. Yin/Yang. Without one the other cannot be acknowledged within us. It is our CHOICE to which side we lean and upon whom we seek for support that we do not fall too far one way or the other.

Games and Socialization

Last night I played a bit of RuneScape to relax and maybe connect with friends old and new. Found one old friend from a previous life but, as it was late only the power players were about. We don't chat much more than to establish who is going after what, and that generally only when one or the other is intruding on a plan/cycle. To supplement the in-game chat I have registered with a few of the more interesting forums where time-zones and work/sleep schedules are immaterial. With the RS2 Toolbar installed in Flock it is a simple matter for me to declare break-time when I notice that the NEED for one.

Not being break-time; however, I steeled myself against the temptation to play. Opting rather to connect these two aspects of my social network together. This site has become my central blog and is readily postable from either Flock or Scribefire where ever I happen to be on the web. RuneScape is my primary relaxation tool; the game is simple and relatively straightforward. In other words, playable during mind-scramble and at other times when I just want to chill.

The State of the Union

This is NOT a political blog by any means, though perhaps some astute Poli-Sci major will risk tagging me at some point. I am not a WASP; my spiritual beliefs having long ago transcended mere religion. I can not claim to be a political independent for I am most assuredly affected and dependent upon the ruling party of the time. Or am I? How long ago did our publicly elected officials lose control of this country? Big Brother is WAY beyond our bloated system of government.

Speaking of bloated...

The "new" Vista OS is even more over-burdened by itself than ever. At its core the system has not changed; it has been modified at the surface to present a pretty face. It has also become more intrusive and insistent. Turn off UAC and install Firefox, Flock, or SeaMonkey. Then, add NoScript and Spybot to your security arsenal. To speed up page loading install AdBlockerPlus and FlashBlock. I also use Comodo BOClean anti-malware and KeyScrambler for additional layering. Check keyword "security" in my tag cloud, or (The tag cloud is dynamic and may not contain the keyword I mention!) go to w2wMarketing and enter the keyword search term there.

OK, so social commentary includes politics of sorts; tell me what doesn't? Politics of Love. Office Politics. Social Convention. Peer Pressure. You name it.