HOsting locally and feeling like a HO
30.3.07
I read the article that appeared on My Broadband and think it was a fair and equal representation of the situation of hosting in SA. SA Rocks is hosted locally but not necessarily because it is the best option. I chose to host it here because it is very tough to promote SA in the USA.
I must however comment on this situation, as the original article does. Here is my comment: "It costs me a R100 a month, at the least, to host SA Rocks locally, what a ball ache. Stupid local hosts, ripoffs, mo-fo's."
I feel like a Ho, I feel like I am being used and abused, but instead of them paying me, I am forking out the cash. I want to know, more substantially than an a single article, why it costs me, as a blogger, R100 to host here in SA? It is cheaper for me to be hosting 3 sites abroad than it is to host one blog.
Surely there is some sort of intelligent life out there in the world of hosts and service providers that can see the blogging boom occurring here in SA? Surely they can figure that quantity is massive and thus if the hosting price is dropped it might be beneficial in the long run? having 10 bloggers at R50 a month is better than one at R100 a month. Half those exorbitant price for a while, do a test and see what happens. In that test period, make it known to bloggers and webdesigners that this offer is on. Go on, I dare you, take a leap of faith and see what happens?
It takes on company to break the mold. The article at My Broadband sites a vicious circle of selfishness (in my opinion) that perpetuates this situation. Why doesn't one hosting company/service provided try something new and see what happens, you can afford it, I'm sure!
I must however comment on this situation, as the original article does. Here is my comment: "It costs me a R100 a month, at the least, to host SA Rocks locally, what a ball ache. Stupid local hosts, ripoffs, mo-fo's."
I feel like a Ho, I feel like I am being used and abused, but instead of them paying me, I am forking out the cash. I want to know, more substantially than an a single article, why it costs me, as a blogger, R100 to host here in SA? It is cheaper for me to be hosting 3 sites abroad than it is to host one blog.
Surely there is some sort of intelligent life out there in the world of hosts and service providers that can see the blogging boom occurring here in SA? Surely they can figure that quantity is massive and thus if the hosting price is dropped it might be beneficial in the long run? having 10 bloggers at R50 a month is better than one at R100 a month. Half those exorbitant price for a while, do a test and see what happens. In that test period, make it known to bloggers and webdesigners that this offer is on. Go on, I dare you, take a leap of faith and see what happens?
It takes on company to break the mold. The article at My Broadband sites a vicious circle of selfishness (in my opinion) that perpetuates this situation. Why doesn't one hosting company/service provided try something new and see what happens, you can afford it, I'm sure!
Labels: Hosting, My Broadband, SA Rocks, South Africa
Change is Brewing
29.3.07
Ruda Landman is leaving Carte Blanche according to an Iol story. I am not saddened by this. She is an incredible investigative journalist and business woman, but it has been 19 years that she has been a part of the show. Hopefully the show will not suffer but will carry on with some fresh blood.
Carte Blanche needs to take this opportunity to redesign, re-align and refocus their goals and ambitions for the next 19 years without Ruda.
I hope that wherever Ruda goes she goes well and is successful, but thank goodness she is leaving Carte Blanche. Now, anyone got any ideas for Derek?
Labels: Carte Blanche, Ruda Landman
Amatomu Zeitgeist sentence
I love checking out tag clouds. I try to decipher obscure sentences out of them. I do this extremely often and find some hilarious stuff. Occasionally sentences are glaringly obvious and occasional they are somewhat obscure. I've been waiting for the right time to start this thread of posts. Recently my tag cloud perusing has been focused on Amatomu so I am sticking with that. The perfect time and sentence didn't really show itself so I have chosen the first semi sort of sentence to kick off this thread!
I threw in a comma in this sentence to make it slightly more clear.
If you stumble across any tag cloud sentences from Amatomu please send them through to me (nharalambous@gmail.com)! Thanks!
I threw in a comma in this sentence to make it slightly more clear.
If you stumble across any tag cloud sentences from Amatomu please send them through to me (nharalambous@gmail.com)! Thanks!
Labels: Amatomu, tag clouds, zeitgeist
Website stolen on MyBlogLog
28.3.07
Now maybe I am making a bigger deal out of this than I should. But imagine you went to register one of your sites on MyBlogLog and you were told the following:
This Hecubus freakin' dude is starting to really piss on my battery. I have now emailed the MyBlogLog people twice and am awaiting a response. Let's hope this gets sorted out fast.
Any advice from anywhere would be welcome. Chillibean, got anything?
This Hecubus freakin' dude is starting to really piss on my battery. I have now emailed the MyBlogLog people twice and am awaiting a response. Let's hope this gets sorted out fast.
Any advice from anywhere would be welcome. Chillibean, got anything?
27 Dinner was awesome, the police weren't
The 27 Dinner
I love the 27 Dinners. The most spoken words of the evening must be "I need to talk to you," or "We should really talk."
I am not going to post in detail about things as I am sure many other bloggers are planning it, when that happens I will point my readers to their posts and everyone will be happy.
Update: There are other bloggers who have said it better than I could've: Carly, Tyler, Matt, Groogle, Vincent, Chillibean and just for sympathy read Mike's post 27 post.
My speech apparently went well, people cheered, some laughed with me, others cried but all in all a good response!
The Police
I ended up leaving the dinner at about 1 am last night. That was fine, but then as I turn left on to the highway to get to rivonia, BAM, the cops. Now I honestly did not think that I was over the limit in any way shape or form. Alas, apparently I was. Here is my list of things to do when being stopped by the cops:
Lets just say the rest worked itself out, he gave me some drinking advice, "You must eat while you drinking, its much safer like that," said the wonderful cop. Thanks Mr. Cop-man you're a gem.
Next 27 Dinner, lets leave before 1am and miss the cops. It'll save me a lot of trauma.
I love the 27 Dinners. The most spoken words of the evening must be "I need to talk to you," or "We should really talk."
I am not going to post in detail about things as I am sure many other bloggers are planning it, when that happens I will point my readers to their posts and everyone will be happy.
Update: There are other bloggers who have said it better than I could've: Carly, Tyler, Matt, Groogle, Vincent, Chillibean and just for sympathy read Mike's post 27 post.
My speech apparently went well, people cheered, some laughed with me, others cried but all in all a good response!
The Police
I ended up leaving the dinner at about 1 am last night. That was fine, but then as I turn left on to the highway to get to rivonia, BAM, the cops. Now I honestly did not think that I was over the limit in any way shape or form. Alas, apparently I was. Here is my list of things to do when being stopped by the cops:
- Be Sober (no shit)
- Don't be drunk (no shit)
- Don't talk too much, they'll know you're covering it up
- Don't talk too little, they'll know you're covering it up
- Have your license ready.
- After breathaliser test, ask to see the reading yourself (I did not)
- Make sure your ID disk on the car is dated correctly
- MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AT LEAST R40 IN YOUR POCKET
Lets just say the rest worked itself out, he gave me some drinking advice, "You must eat while you drinking, its much safer like that," said the wonderful cop. Thanks Mr. Cop-man you're a gem.
Next 27 Dinner, lets leave before 1am and miss the cops. It'll save me a lot of trauma.
Labels: 27 Dinner, Police, traffic fines
27 Dinner Time
27.3.07
It is almost that time again. The 27 Dinner!
With about an hour to go, my 'speech' is still semi-complete and in a bit of a shambles, but I am hoping things will come together. After the Cape Town reviews one needs to be somewhat careful about talking at a 27 dinner. It's also not like the crowd is small. With over 100 people registered for the event there is much to be concerned about.
I am simply going to try to keep things short, sweet and effective. I am also hoping to capture the crowds with my dazzling wit and incredible looks (uhu).
If you are one of the lucky people attending I will see you there. As Mike mentioned in his post today, I am the dude with lots of facial hair and mostly likely to be sitting by the bar if there is one! Lets hope SA Rocks goes down well.
With about an hour to go, my 'speech' is still semi-complete and in a bit of a shambles, but I am hoping things will come together. After the Cape Town reviews one needs to be somewhat careful about talking at a 27 dinner. It's also not like the crowd is small. With over 100 people registered for the event there is much to be concerned about.
I am simply going to try to keep things short, sweet and effective. I am also hoping to capture the crowds with my dazzling wit and incredible looks (uhu).
If you are one of the lucky people attending I will see you there. As Mike mentioned in his post today, I am the dude with lots of facial hair and mostly likely to be sitting by the bar if there is one! Lets hope SA Rocks goes down well.
Labels: 27 Dinner, Mike Stopforth, SA Rocks, sarocks.co.za
MyBlogLog site fraud?
I recently conducted a Google search for a site that I own (wont mention it, thats not the point of the post). One of the top results, top 5, was for a user on MyBlogLog who claims that he/she owns and runs the site.
Amazed, intrigued and a bit shocked I hopped on over to the profile for one Hecubus. This user has "laid claim" to about 200 websites. One of these sites is mine, however there are much, much more interesting sites that this user claims to own or run, including: Starbucks.com, Xbox.com, blog.myspace.com and xanga.com.
What is this about? I am somewhat confused and a little concerned. Is this some sort of website url fraud? Is this some sort of hacking or simply a "slight of hand" that I have missed?
Amazed, intrigued and a bit shocked I hopped on over to the profile for one Hecubus. This user has "laid claim" to about 200 websites. One of these sites is mine, however there are much, much more interesting sites that this user claims to own or run, including: Starbucks.com, Xbox.com, blog.myspace.com and xanga.com.
What is this about? I am somewhat confused and a little concerned. Is this some sort of website url fraud? Is this some sort of hacking or simply a "slight of hand" that I have missed?
Teazers... Ooops!
Now we all know that Teazers is around, and we have probably all heard about the extremely intelligent and entrepreurial Lolly Jackson. However I do think that a LARGE part of the Teazers income is generated by the mail genetic structure and occasionally pure drunken stupidity.
Teazerz Rivonia, Case in point:
Teazerz Rivonia, Case in point:
Labels: Lolly Jackson, Teazers
Sh'thouse Comics - HILARIOUS
26.3.07
I have discovered a comic that keeps me going all day and Sh'thouse is it. This is some incredibly funny stuff. The writer is a genius and the characters are lovably messed up! I have had the site open all day and have been browsing through it non stop.
Visit the very first Sh'ithouse now!
Visit the very first Sh'ithouse now!
Labels: sh'thouse comic
Incredible Accoustic Guitarist: Andy Mckee
A friend of mine sent me this link a few minutes ago. This guy is mind-blowingly-unbelievable-incredible-brilliant at what he does. And what he does is play the acoustic guitar. I don't need to say any more, his guitar does all the talking.
This video is of Andy playing Africa - Toto.
For fun, check out another video by Andy!
This video is of Andy playing Africa - Toto.
For fun, check out another video by Andy!
Labels: acoustic guitar, Andy Mckee
SA Rocks Badge Competition
Design a new SA Rocks badge and win a South African Rugby Jersey in time for the Rugby World Cup!
If you feel like sponsoring or offering any other prizes please feel free to email me at editor@sarocks.co.za.
Get on over to SA Rocks to check out the specs and the contact details.
Labels: competition, SA Rocks
PS3 vs Xbox 360
25.3.07
Wow, I just saw an advert for both the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. Now I am an Xbox fan myself (yes, yes Microsoft and all that) so I am a bit bias. But be serious here for a second and look at the price difference between the two systems. This is ridiculous. Any day of the week I will choose a cheaper system with as much to offer as the more expensive system.
Labels: Microsoft, playstation 3, PS3, Sony, Xbox360
Google's Scary Master Plan
24.3.07
This is an incredible "pocumentary" [possible documentary] about what Google could be doing, might be watching and is using to make the entire human race transparent. No secrets from anyone, at all, ever. Scary, but possible.
Labels: Don't Do Evil, Google
Demetri Martin - Comedian Extraordinaire
I have featured Demetri as a Fresh Faced Comic before on this blog. I decided that he needs to be featured more often, so here is, ever funny, every present guitar. Awesome.
Labels: Demetri Martin
Cyanide and Happiness still cracks me up
Cyanide & Happiness @ Explosm.net
Labels: Cyanide and happiness
Shouldn't Have Kept You Waiting
Jo'burg gets busy
23.3.07
We all know that Jo'burg is not a small place. I firmly believe that there is a boat load of stuff for people living in Jo'burg to do. I have never been interested in finding these spots, until now.
Jenwynne is making it her goal to discover new places in JHB.
So if you live in Jozi and are interested to see what makes this city a rocking one, check out Jen's blog.
From what I understand she is open to suggestions and contributions, so if you know of somewhere that you would like tested, email her, or comment. If you have been somewhere that you think should be reviewed, drop her an email too!
Jenwynne is making it her goal to discover new places in JHB.
JHB is a huge place with tons of stuff to do, but how do you sort the rubbish from the fun. Easy, I'll be your test pilot.
So if you live in Jozi and are interested to see what makes this city a rocking one, check out Jen's blog.
From what I understand she is open to suggestions and contributions, so if you know of somewhere that you would like tested, email her, or comment. If you have been somewhere that you think should be reviewed, drop her an email too!
Why can't del.icio.us and Flickr remember my login?
22.3.07
At the moment through Firefox I am running the nifty built in del.icio.us plugin that shows me all my saved sites through del.icio.us. The only problem is that to tag a site for del.icio.us or to view any of my bookmarks I need to login. To login I actually need to visit the del.icio.us site and physically type in my details and login. Do me a favour and remember my login.
Now I can feel you flickrholics itching to tell me that you have noticed that flickr now provides an option on login to sign in for up to 2 weeks and remain logged in. What a load of hogwash. That has yet to work for me. Does that mean that I need to keep my browser open for 2 weeks for this service to work? Someone please explain this to me.
These are two incredible services that have changed my online activity like no others, but please do me a favour and remember details. Seriously.
Labels: del.icio.us, flickr, Rants
To shutdown or not to shutdown
Shutdownday is an initiative that is calling for people to switch off their computers on the 24th of March.
Well the odds are in favour of those who think they can. Let's be honest, there is no way to actually prove that anyone has switched off their computers. It is a nice thought though.
I must be honest, I think I can, I'm just not sure I want to!
This is what shutdownday.com has to say:
Be a part of one of the biggest global experiments ever to take place on the internet. The idea behind the experiment is to find out how many people can go without a computer for one whole day, and what will happen if we all participate!Um, lets be honest, if 50 000 people shut down there computers there will be another potential billion who wont. I think that if the experiment is purely for research sakes, then the organisers might come up a bit short. I may be printing this post out and eating if there is some substantial effect on the world if people stop using their computers for a day.
In fact I will go so far as to say that if there is some major effect on the world from the shutdownday I WILL PRINT THIS POST OUT AND EAT IT. You can hold me to that.
Labels: shutdownday
Work at a hospital...
I think I missed my calling in life. This is what happens when the patients are sleeping and the interns start to play I imagine!!
Philips all over shave
What a great advert. Couldn't help but post it. Wonder what the legalities surrounding posting an advert are? hmmm...
Anyways, this is just hilarious and very well thought out.
Anyways, this is just hilarious and very well thought out.
Caption read: "Simplicity is shaving yourself where you want."
Labels: Philips
Southpark's #1 moment
21.3.07
Rolling Stone reckon that this is South Parks most memorable and amazing moment ever.
I had a nice chuckle.
Disclaimer: if you don't like canabilism don't watch this video.
I had a nice chuckle.
Disclaimer: if you don't like canabilism don't watch this video.
Fresh Faced Comic and Ana Free - I Listen
I haven't posted a Fresh Faced Comic in a while so in that light I am putting up a musician first, to apologise and then showing you a Fresh Faced Comic.
Here is Ana Free - I Listen
The Fresh Faced Comic... Kind of.
This dude is an absolute shocker. None of the opinions or views in this video are shared by this blog.
This is Bicep Boy:
Here is Ana Free - I Listen
The Fresh Faced Comic... Kind of.
This dude is an absolute shocker. None of the opinions or views in this video are shared by this blog.
This is Bicep Boy:
Labels: Ana Free, Fresh Faced Comic
Amatomu - Rate, rank and share
20.3.07
Amatomu is being heralded by many as the South African Technorati. This is not a bad description as far as I can see it. You get to post your blog in the list, it gets ranked, your feed gets posted, you get exposure, there is a tag cloud, there is a widget (a must have!) and a cool stat counter that show's you your blogs influence on the market!
These are all great but for me the simplicity of the site is what sets it apart. Vincent Maher (online strategist from MG Online) has done a sterling job of making a complicated process and concept look and feel incredibly simple to the average blogger. The process is almost and just about idiot proof and this is an important and necessary feature. Not all bloggers are coding experts or IT freaks. Many, if not most, are simply trying to blog their thought.
Amatomu is an incredible tool to get your thoughts out there. Join today, lets crash the MG server and show our support for innovation in the South African market.
Some may argue that MG being behind the site is a problem. I say hell no to that. I think that media organisations taking the leap in to the burgeoning online market is refreshing and needed. Congratulations to the team for their efforts and result!
P.S: What is that name about, Amatomu? Sounds cool but possibly a bit hard to remember.
Tyler, screw you for beating me to this post!! For a detailed look at the features, read Tyler's post!
These are all great but for me the simplicity of the site is what sets it apart. Vincent Maher (online strategist from MG Online) has done a sterling job of making a complicated process and concept look and feel incredibly simple to the average blogger. The process is almost and just about idiot proof and this is an important and necessary feature. Not all bloggers are coding experts or IT freaks. Many, if not most, are simply trying to blog their thought.
Amatomu is an incredible tool to get your thoughts out there. Join today, lets crash the MG server and show our support for innovation in the South African market.
Some may argue that MG being behind the site is a problem. I say hell no to that. I think that media organisations taking the leap in to the burgeoning online market is refreshing and needed. Congratulations to the team for their efforts and result!
P.S: What is that name about, Amatomu? Sounds cool but possibly a bit hard to remember.
Tyler, screw you for beating me to this post!! For a detailed look at the features, read Tyler's post!
SMS spam out of control - Homemark
I have already posted about spam on this blog. Email spam and SMS spam, email being the focus. But now it has really reached epic proportions. Not a day goes by when I don't get SMS'd about winning something stupid, paying someone stupid or someone stupid bugging me.
I need to ask a very serious and honest question: Where do these people get my number from?
Today it was my brother who was SMS'd the following:
Now notice how they abbreviated "conditions" to "Con" ironic hey? Then they do mention that I can reply NO to be removed, but they haven't said from what? If I have honestly won something why would they be giving me the option to be removed?
I called the number and this is what they wanted:
Me: Hi I've won a bed.
Call Assistant: Wonderful sir, our winning caller lines are busy please could I have your name and number for our database so that we can call you back?
Me: No thank you, I just want my bed.
Call Assistant: Yes sir, but I will need your name and number so that we can call you back.
Me: Speaking of my number, where did you get it?
Call Assistant: One of your friends or family must have provided your details when they bought something from us.
Me: Well I don't agree with that.
Call Assistant: If you give me your number sir, I can remove it from our database.
Me: Yes thanks.
Call Assistant: Thank you sir.
What a scam! All they were after was my name and number, there was no bloody bed. Homemark is all over the TV all bloody day, is that not bad enough? Now I need to be spammed when I'm not watching TV too?
I need to ask a very serious and honest question: Where do these people get my number from?
Today it was my brother who was SMS'd the following:
CONGRATULATIONS you have won an INFLATABLE BED from HOMEMARK. To Claim your prize call 011 430 6000 quote ref: xxxxxx. Terms & Con apply.Reply NO to be removed.
Now notice how they abbreviated "conditions" to "Con" ironic hey? Then they do mention that I can reply NO to be removed, but they haven't said from what? If I have honestly won something why would they be giving me the option to be removed?
I called the number and this is what they wanted:
Me: Hi I've won a bed.
Call Assistant: Wonderful sir, our winning caller lines are busy please could I have your name and number for our database so that we can call you back?
Me: No thank you, I just want my bed.
Call Assistant: Yes sir, but I will need your name and number so that we can call you back.
Me: Speaking of my number, where did you get it?
Call Assistant: One of your friends or family must have provided your details when they bought something from us.
Me: Well I don't agree with that.
Call Assistant: If you give me your number sir, I can remove it from our database.
Me: Yes thanks.
Call Assistant: Thank you sir.
What a scam! All they were after was my name and number, there was no bloody bed. Homemark is all over the TV all bloody day, is that not bad enough? Now I need to be spammed when I'm not watching TV too?
Labels: Spam
Bob Woolmer's death and the media
19.3.07
I was absolutely stunned last night at about 8pm South African time when I was alerted by news24's SMS service of the Bob Woolmer story. At that point I received a simple SMS stating that Bob had been found in his room and was being rushed to hospital. In the time it took me to turn around and ask someone on the room with me to put on Sky news I had received and email alert and someone had chatted to me about it. Then Sky was put on the TV and it was announced that he had been pronounced dead.
There has been a fair amount of coverage regarding the story and I am saddened by Bob Woolmer's death. What amazed me was how in touch I felt. I had all the necessary information at my finger tips and was alerted of his death at the same time as his best friend on Sky news. In my mind this illustrates the extent to which our media has progressed.
There has been a fair amount of coverage regarding the story and I am saddened by Bob Woolmer's death. What amazed me was how in touch I felt. I had all the necessary information at my finger tips and was alerted of his death at the same time as his best friend on Sky news. In my mind this illustrates the extent to which our media has progressed.
Labels: Bob Woolmer, Massive Media
2oceans: going, going, gone!
Many people have problems with 2oceansvibe, as do I. Where are the comments Seth? Why don't you let your readers speak to you? Are there any readers (I am sure there are)? I have used the "contact us" section on the site a few times and received no feedback from Seth. I am sure he has reasons, I would love to know what they are.
Seth posted earlier today about the 2007 SA Blog Awards, unfortunately I struggle to take him seriously and never read this "blog's" content (I can see Britney's shaved head and Paris's boobs anywhere) so I skimmed through it. Obviously Seth holds the awards in enough esteems to be upset when he feels things aren't going his way. He only joins in the debate near the end when big media picks up the story.
Tsk, Tsk Seth, do regular bloggers not qualify to be responded to by someone of such high esteem as yourself. It takes big media to rouse your opinion? Well in my opinion bud, too little too late and too inconsequential.
Oh, one last thing... I counted 48 adverts on 2oceansvibe. I think that's more ad than content on the homepage.
Labels: 2oceansvibe, SA Blog Awards 2007
d2 - dear mr president - Read This
18.3.07
Below is a short snippet from a post that has blown me over
It's this shared understanding that connects us as human beings, that enables us to work together towards common goals, that gives us just enough empathy to be able to realise that we care.Read the full post you will not regret it.Caring is what binds us, and it shouldn't be negotiable.
Labels: d2
Jippii's rubbish service
I am unfortunately one of those unsuspecting clients, unbeknownst to me. This morning I received two SMS's from Jippii explaining that I can win a VW Polo. I then received another SMS from them regarding something else. I then made use of the unsubscribe option on the SMS to which I was told I would be paying R5 per SMS to use as far as I understood it (I stand to be corrected).
Immediately after requesting the service be halted, I was SMS'd by Jippii again to remind me that I could win a prize and ask me to join the service.
This is absolute rubbish and I feel intruded, exploited and used as a potential client. I am not and will not ever be a client to this company.
I DO NOT suggest using Jippii it seems as though they are 100% purely after your money and they are taking it R5 a time per SMS.
Cellphone Postit
This is one of the funniest and ironic things that I have seen in a long time. A cellular phone with a postit on the back as a reminder. Guess the calendar service reminders weren't doing there job!! 'Stick' to what you know at the end of the day!
Labels: postit
Wordpress plugin directory
16.3.07
Labels: Wordpress
Blip.tv offers podcast hosting
Competitions like the one Mike mentioned on his blog, the getpodcasting initiative are awesome events for SA and online developments. Hosting services are incredible for many bloggers as it is firstly costly to own/run a website/blog/podcast and secondly it takes some know-how. With a hosting service this does become somewhat cheaper and simpler.
My suggestion is to try the services that are available out and see if the bridge that gap that you are trying to cross.
Labels: blip.tv, Mike Stopforth, podcast
Can you move $9 million?
I have received a desperately emotional email from a gentlemen called"Paul Mohammed" asking me to help him invest about $9 million. Holy moses this is my lucky day isn't it? Ja, sure it is. What a load of hogwash.
Brief insert:
Brief insert:
I am Paul Mohammed, first son of Deputy Minister of public Works in Liberia. I am now resident in Johannesburg, South Africa.I got your contact through South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
And:
I would love to know the funniest/strangest/most interesting spam mail you have received?
My fund is presently with me safe and secured. I would like you to help me for investment in lucrative areas under your care in any of the countries that you choose or here in South Africa. The amount (Nine Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) US$9.5M USD.What is this? Who does this? Where is this spam coming from? How does it get through my spam protection on gmail? Wow it irritates me.
I would love to know the funniest/strangest/most interesting spam mail you have received?
Labels: Spam
There is alot happening
There really is very much going on right now. It is early, and that marks two days of waking up really early. I have decided recently (yesterday) that I need to start waking up at about 6:30am everyday because I am at my most productive early in the morning before most have woken up. Ill be trying this theory out from Monday.
I have a new site launching on Monday too which is extremely exciting. I will be releasing more info about this over the weekend so keep a lookout! Very nervous times too.
I am still working various freelancing jobs that have all seemingly kicked in to high gear over the last week or two.
Non-stop meetings are plaguing my day and I am meeting some amazing people along the way. This week alone I met with three bloggers face to face. Now that's something that doesn't happen every day! Prospects are looking positive if I must say.
Finally SA Rocks is really making me happy. People are contributing on a consistent basis and there seems to be a great deal of excitement surrounding this little blog. It just goes to show that a little bit of positivity really can do a country a lot of good!
I have a new site launching on Monday too which is extremely exciting. I will be releasing more info about this over the weekend so keep a lookout! Very nervous times too.
I am still working various freelancing jobs that have all seemingly kicked in to high gear over the last week or two.
Non-stop meetings are plaguing my day and I am meeting some amazing people along the way. This week alone I met with three bloggers face to face. Now that's something that doesn't happen every day! Prospects are looking positive if I must say.
Finally SA Rocks is really making me happy. People are contributing on a consistent basis and there seems to be a great deal of excitement surrounding this little blog. It just goes to show that a little bit of positivity really can do a country a lot of good!
Labels: random note
Sales skills to remember
15.3.07
I attended an interesting course today. Clive Price from the Peers Group gave a great talk today on how to alter your approach to sales.
Some brief pointers:
For more great tips and sales assistance get over to the Peer Group website and contact Clive Price!
Some brief pointers:
- You can't close on sale until you've pointed out the need for your service.
- Cold Calling (CC) sucks, but it can work.
- Your goal for a CC is to GET AN APPOINTMENT
- Once in a meeting or appointment make sure you show interest in your potential client and their company. Do not focus on your product. Repeat, do not focus on your product, yet.
- Identify gaps for your product/company to take advantage of while getting to know your client.
- When gaps are identified, summarise them for your client.
- Try to make them acknowledge their shortfalls or gaps.
- This acknowledgment allows you to then suggest solutions (your product/company)
- When you have all the above achieved, begin to fill the identified gaps with products or services that you can offer.
- If all the above has gone successfully, close your deal.
For more great tips and sales assistance get over to the Peer Group website and contact Clive Price!
Labels: clive price, peer group, sales
Away all day
14.3.07
I will be in a sales conference for the whole of Thursday. Freelance job one has subsidised the course for me. Hopefully I will learn some interesting things regarding marketing and sales and can pass on the knowledge. Woop woop for large corporations paying freelancers to learn interesting stuff they wouldn't normally pay for!
Labels: freelancing, marketing, sales
Old men and sexual harassment
Sexual Harassment is an issue in the work place. I have never experienced it personally and I think it is more of a female issue because some men believe they have the right to make women feel uncomfortable.
The reason I speak of this subject is that a friend of mine recently experienced a situation that I believe could be classified as sexual harassment.
Getting her lunch FriendA* was waiting in the queue to get a sandwich or something. A guy who works in the company in a higher position in the company than FriendA walks up to her and says the following:
"You definitely aren't eating anything other than a salad, you can't put anything else in that tight little body of yours."
What the hell is that? What gives that guy the right to talk ANYONE that way? Just because FriendA works in a position lower than his he feels that it's OK to treat her like meat?
This sort of behaviour is not acceptable in any environment let alone the working environment and should be stamped out as soon as the bastards are found.
The reason I speak of this subject is that a friend of mine recently experienced a situation that I believe could be classified as sexual harassment.
Getting her lunch FriendA* was waiting in the queue to get a sandwich or something. A guy who works in the company in a higher position in the company than FriendA walks up to her and says the following:
"You definitely aren't eating anything other than a salad, you can't put anything else in that tight little body of yours."
What the hell is that? What gives that guy the right to talk ANYONE that way? Just because FriendA works in a position lower than his he feels that it's OK to treat her like meat?
This sort of behaviour is not acceptable in any environment let alone the working environment and should be stamped out as soon as the bastards are found.
Labels: sexual harassment
Facebook = fakefriends
I have recently had a discussion with various people about Facebook and the level of "fakeness" present on the site.
I have a boat load of friends, many of whom I know and want to have on my list of friends. However, many of these "friends" I simply agree to befriend cause I don't want to look like a prick (which is fairly easy apparently). So I have a monster list of "fakefriends" that I really don't give rocks to know or see or hear from. In fact, I probably wont ever talk to them on facebook.
I feel the need to ask why these people even bother to ask to be friends with me? Why do they feel the need to befriend someone who doesn't even really like them? I just don't get it.
I have now just started leaving these requests alone and not declining or accepting them. Anyone else got any solutions?
I have a boat load of friends, many of whom I know and want to have on my list of friends. However, many of these "friends" I simply agree to befriend cause I don't want to look like a prick (which is fairly easy apparently). So I have a monster list of "fakefriends" that I really don't give rocks to know or see or hear from. In fact, I probably wont ever talk to them on facebook.
I feel the need to ask why these people even bother to ask to be friends with me? Why do they feel the need to befriend someone who doesn't even really like them? I just don't get it.
I have now just started leaving these requests alone and not declining or accepting them. Anyone else got any solutions?
Labels: Facebook
Flickr layout change possible
Flickr has just added a little feature that allows you to change the layout of your flickr page. There are six choices to choose from. I think this is a great addition and makes the whole feel of things more mentally individual!
You can do this here: http://flickr.com/account/prefs/layout
You can do this here: http://flickr.com/account/prefs/layout
Labels: flickr
All quiet on the western front
13.3.07
I am struggling to blog about anything. At all. Whatsoever. So That's what I am blogging about.
Here's a comic to keep you going:
Cyanide & Happiness @ Explosm.net
Here's a comic to keep you going:
Cyanide & Happiness @ Explosm.net
Labels: Explosm.net
Stupid is...
12.3.07
This lovely lady:
All I can say is the above picture is the exact reason that I got tired of Rhodes. This sort of thing will definitely come back to bite you in the arse (or nipple) later in life. It is on the net, it is out there and it will be for a very long time. Stupid is as stupid does. This is stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid.
Pic courtesy 38.co.za
All I can say is the above picture is the exact reason that I got tired of Rhodes. This sort of thing will definitely come back to bite you in the arse (or nipple) later in life. It is on the net, it is out there and it will be for a very long time. Stupid is as stupid does. This is stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid.
Beyonce and Shakira
These two sultry songstresses have released a single together. There is nothing wrong with that!!
MXit tutor assistance
11.3.07
MXit is now apparently able to be used a tutoring tool.
The Department of Science and Technology has spent more than R4-million to explore the use of cellphones as learning aids, according to a Sunday Times article. Wikipedia is also in the play here. The site is being used as a resource to assist students via instant messaging.
Students have been encouraged to make use of MXit and enter dr.math.help.me@jabber.org on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 2pm and 3pm. In these time slots students are able to ask questions via MXit and have a tutor answer their questions. An obvious concern is whether the service provides students with answers or help. There is a difference; if you are sitting in a class and ask a tutor for the answer via MXit, what is the point of being in the class really?
However if you are at home, doing your homework and you are stuck, simply IM the tutor and wait for assistance regarding your question, brilliant.
This sort of project is incredible as messaging via MXit costs less then 2c per message. Cheap, accessible and efficient.
The Department of Science and Technology has spent more than R4-million to explore the use of cellphones as learning aids, according to a Sunday Times article. Wikipedia is also in the play here. The site is being used as a resource to assist students via instant messaging.
Students have been encouraged to make use of MXit and enter dr.math.help.me@jabber.org on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 2pm and 3pm. In these time slots students are able to ask questions via MXit and have a tutor answer their questions. An obvious concern is whether the service provides students with answers or help. There is a difference; if you are sitting in a class and ask a tutor for the answer via MXit, what is the point of being in the class really?
However if you are at home, doing your homework and you are stuck, simply IM the tutor and wait for assistance regarding your question, brilliant.
This sort of project is incredible as messaging via MXit costs less then 2c per message. Cheap, accessible and efficient.
Labels: Mxit
Does the SA Blogging "elite" dominate Muti?
10.3.07
I have just read two great posts about the downfall of Digg.com. The post pretty much asks if Digg is or ever was a democracy where the best posts prevail, or whether the "Digg Mafia" bury what they don't like and give rise to an underworld of posts.
This question is well posed and poised to alert the general public to the issues surrounding services like Digg and the South African equivalent, Muti.
Muti is brilliant, I love using it and reading the posts. However the "stats" section on the Muti site is somewhat worrying in regard to the Death of Digg post that I read. It seems that there is an "elite" posting cream at the top of the Muti crop. These users have the most "kudus" and are submitting the most content. I am interested to know how many of these users posts have consistently reached the top spot and stayed there the longest? I have a feeling that the results would not be surprising.
I would like to know how Muti is differentiating itself from the likes of Digg. Is the content different? Maybe, but more recently I have noticed many "Top 15..." posts from international sites reaching the top 20. These posts simply aim to reach the top of any rating site and they seem to be doing fairly well. Why are these posts reaching the top? Why are users not voting them down and how is Muti going to prevent a Digg scenario?
If these users maintain their dominance over Muti what is the chance of an unknown blogger or contributor to Muti being heard for long enough to make any sort of impact? Many new voices that emerge have incredible things to say. Yet it seems that unless a prolific submitter discovers them and submits their post to Muti the new voice will wither away and die a slow and unrecognised Mutied death.
Is Muti actively trying to engage the general blogging public? Are people aware of the service and the public and open nature of the service? If they are then maybe they simply choose not to submit for fear of looking stupid, but if they are not aware of Muti I think it is time to let the public know and make their posts and submissions count.
In the very heated debate on stii's blog regarding the SA Blog awards, the "elite" bloggers were mentioned as an issue in the SA Blogosphere. I am beginning to wonder if this "elite" is dominating in more ways than we may realise.
The SA Blog awards, Muti and then the world!
This question is well posed and poised to alert the general public to the issues surrounding services like Digg and the South African equivalent, Muti.
Muti is brilliant, I love using it and reading the posts. However the "stats" section on the Muti site is somewhat worrying in regard to the Death of Digg post that I read. It seems that there is an "elite" posting cream at the top of the Muti crop. These users have the most "kudus" and are submitting the most content. I am interested to know how many of these users posts have consistently reached the top spot and stayed there the longest? I have a feeling that the results would not be surprising.
I would like to know how Muti is differentiating itself from the likes of Digg. Is the content different? Maybe, but more recently I have noticed many "Top 15..." posts from international sites reaching the top 20. These posts simply aim to reach the top of any rating site and they seem to be doing fairly well. Why are these posts reaching the top? Why are users not voting them down and how is Muti going to prevent a Digg scenario?
If these users maintain their dominance over Muti what is the chance of an unknown blogger or contributor to Muti being heard for long enough to make any sort of impact? Many new voices that emerge have incredible things to say. Yet it seems that unless a prolific submitter discovers them and submits their post to Muti the new voice will wither away and die a slow and unrecognised Mutied death.
Is Muti actively trying to engage the general blogging public? Are people aware of the service and the public and open nature of the service? If they are then maybe they simply choose not to submit for fear of looking stupid, but if they are not aware of Muti I think it is time to let the public know and make their posts and submissions count.
In the very heated debate on stii's blog regarding the SA Blog awards, the "elite" bloggers were mentioned as an issue in the SA Blogosphere. I am beginning to wonder if this "elite" is dominating in more ways than we may realise.
The SA Blog awards, Muti and then the world!
Labels: Muti, SA Blog Awards 2007
Six degrees of frustration
I like to cause kak on the roads. I like to make people know that they have erred. I like to be the guy that jumps in front of you if you jump a red robot. I did this yesterday; some guy jumped the robot (strike one) nice and slowly on his cellphone (strike two). So I quickly shot in to first gear and popped in front of him in the middle of the road. Instead of reclining in his chair in shame he rolled down his window, stopped talking on his cellphone and launched at me with profanities like I haven't heard since my days at Uni (strike three).
Like any dignified man would, I yelled back throwing equally horrid rubbish from my mouth at this man. We yelled for about 30 seconds and satisfied I drove off.
I think that it took about 2 minutes for me to hit panic stations. I immediately spoke to myself:
Nic: What the F*ck did you just do?
Self: You just ruined a couple of business opportunities.
Nic: What the hell are you talking about?
Self: Well, what if you go in to your meetings next week and this guy is sitting there?
Nic: Then he gets the last laugh and I get screwed.
Self: Correctamundo my man!
My self had won. Have you ever wondered how many people you know in Sandton, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, Africa, The World? It's a lot. In fact I think that you might be astounded that the number is a helluva lot more than you might think. I have blogged about Six Degrees of Separation before, but this is different, this is more of a fated coincidence designed to teach you a karmic slap-in-the-face-lesson. This is more worrisome in my mind.
I like to cause kak on the roads (have I said that already?) and I think that one of these days the kak is going to end up on my head. Think about it and save yourself the embarrassment, simply choose not to become angry. It is a choice, make it.
Like any dignified man would, I yelled back throwing equally horrid rubbish from my mouth at this man. We yelled for about 30 seconds and satisfied I drove off.
I think that it took about 2 minutes for me to hit panic stations. I immediately spoke to myself:
Nic: What the F*ck did you just do?
Self: You just ruined a couple of business opportunities.
Nic: What the hell are you talking about?
Self: Well, what if you go in to your meetings next week and this guy is sitting there?
Nic: Then he gets the last laugh and I get screwed.
Self: Correctamundo my man!
My self had won. Have you ever wondered how many people you know in Sandton, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, Africa, The World? It's a lot. In fact I think that you might be astounded that the number is a helluva lot more than you might think. I have blogged about Six Degrees of Separation before, but this is different, this is more of a fated coincidence designed to teach you a karmic slap-in-the-face-lesson. This is more worrisome in my mind.
I like to cause kak on the roads (have I said that already?) and I think that one of these days the kak is going to end up on my head. Think about it and save yourself the embarrassment, simply choose not to become angry. It is a choice, make it.
Labels: road rage, six degrees of separation
Picture perfect peppers
9.3.07
Labels: Red Peppers
27 Dinner - round two
8.3.07
Chatting to good ol' Mr. Stopforth today he slyly slipped in a request for me to speak at the upcoming 27 Dinner this month. I delayed, and "ummed" and "ahhed" and then hastily accepted the offer before Mike took it away!
I am exceptionally excited to be speaking and a little bit overwhelmed (there are some serious online persona's that attend the dinner). I will be talking about my website SA Rocks. This is a great opportunity for me to give the site some exposure and get some much needed feedback about the site. In 7 minutes I have to try my absolute hardest not to make a tit out of myself in front of the genii attending.
Vincent expressly asked me not to make myself look like a hero. I am not quite sure what this means but rest assured I will not be attending the dinner in a superman suite (I think).
I hope to see you all there, places are limited and filling up fast.
Labels: 27 Dinner, Mike Stopforth, Vincent Maher
Katlehong
I went to do a story in Katlehong yesterday. What an amazing place. People filled with such incredible hope and aspirations.
This child stared at me forever
Labels: Katlehong
Flickr pro account
I am somewhat disappointed. I have just purchased a flickr pro account for $24.95, the one year subscription. I did all this and there was no fuss made about it. I just gave flickr close to R200 of my hard earned cash and it just about went unnoticed.
I logged back in and had to actually look for a little sentence where it alerted me of my upgrade status. I was hoping for bells and whistles telling me what I get for my money, what has changed and the benefits of a pro account. I got bubkis, nothing, Nada, zip, zero, jack didley squat. Now I know what the advantages are, I'm a smart guy (many would disagree) who wouldn't spend the money if I didn't know what I was getting for my cash, but seriously, make me feel important at the very least.
I logged back in and had to actually look for a little sentence where it alerted me of my upgrade status. I was hoping for bells and whistles telling me what I get for my money, what has changed and the benefits of a pro account. I got bubkis, nothing, Nada, zip, zero, jack didley squat. Now I know what the advantages are, I'm a smart guy (many would disagree) who wouldn't spend the money if I didn't know what I was getting for my cash, but seriously, make me feel important at the very least.
Labels: flickr pro
Picasa web album storage - 1GB
Google's Picasa Web Album has just announced that they have now reached free storage space of 1GB and counting. Not to mention improved searching features allowing you to find other people's photos and just some other people.
It's not flickr... yet.
It's not flickr... yet.
Grey's Anatomy dominates Facebook traffic
7.3.07
In case you ever wondered which was more popular, Grey's Anatomy or Facebook, the answer is Grey's.
Dustin Moskovitz (a Facebook co-founder) posted on the Facebook developers blog about Facebook traffic and how it drops massively just before Grey's Anatomy starts every week. This is incredible. It just goes to show that people can live in two separate worlds, neither necessarily reality, but separate nonetheless.
Dustin Moskovitz (a Facebook co-founder) posted on the Facebook developers blog about Facebook traffic and how it drops massively just before Grey's Anatomy starts every week. This is incredible. It just goes to show that people can live in two separate worlds, neither necessarily reality, but separate nonetheless.
The graph below clearly illustrates the massive decrease in active users as Grey's starts. Firstly I think that it is incredible that Facebook has so many users that they can see this kind of massive drop and secondly I find it amazing that Grey's Anatomy can pull almost 200 000 active users away from their PC's simultaneously. Amazing.
Labels: Facebook, Grey's Anatomy
Early to bed, Early to.. go %$#^ yourself
I am usually not awake and driving before 8:30am. There is a good reason for this. It is not because I am lazy, I promise you I am not. It is not cause I like to snuggle in my bed for an extra hour and it is not because I don't have a job. It is simply because I hate traffic with a passion. To be honest, I can even deal with the traffic. It's the freakin' morons that drive their cars in the traffic that grate my goat (yes, I own a goat now).
Why is it that people feel that it is acceptable to drive like blind retarded pigs because they are on their way to work? Drive like regular folk, on a regular schedule in a regular car on a regular road. The fact that you and 4 million other people are on their way to work does not make your irrational and idiotic driving any more acceptable.
So do everyone a favour; slow down and keep your head screwed on to your shoulders facing forward. Thanks.
Labels: road rage
Bare Naked Ladies and Amie Street
Amie Street is a website that sells artists music. There is a twist however, the price of the songs starts at zero, yes nothing. Then the more downloads the music receives, the higher the price. The price climbs until a roof of $0.98 per song is hit, then downloads simply continue as is!
Great idea and I applaud BNL for making use of the technology and massive web market available to them. Let's be honest, the web market is going to take the music whether they are paying for it or not. At least this way they are paying a nominal price and even nothing at one point or another.
Labels: Amie Street, Bare Naked Ladies, music downloads
I've been tagged
6.3.07
Tyler tagged me. I am so sorry Tyler, I completely missed the post! :) I am meant to be placing down 5 things that you didn't know about me.. let's see what we can come up with.
So here goes (thanks for the tag btw):
To be Tagged:
So here goes (thanks for the tag btw):
- I played in a band for about 3 years (Thus Far). Check out some of the mp3's at sovent.
- I am Greek but HATE olives and Ouzo. Sad but true.
- If I could swim in chocolate I would. If I could sleep in chocolate I would. If chocolate were the only food on Earth that I needed to stop to stay alive, I would die. I am a chocoholic and my name is Nic.
- I have significantly more female friends than male friends. Some people say this makes me a bit Metro. I am comfortably straight in case you were pondering!
- I can grow a full beard in about 2 and a half days.
To be Tagged:
- Gregor - Cause I haven't heard from him in a while (too much work will kill ya)
- Verge - I wanna see what you have to hide!
- Leon - Someone international.
- Justin Hartman - A new friend.
- The Colony - Cause you interest me alot!
SA Blog Awards second round
It is time for the second round of voting for the SA Blog Awards. The results are out and there are some incredible blogs that have been nominated and my congratulations go out to all the nominees.
Labels: SA Blog Awards 2007
Error messages with a twist
I love it when sites take the care and the time to make their screw-ups interesting!
Labels: Technorati, web errors
Who's who online list
5.3.07
Yahoo released a list of the top 50 most influential people of the internet. Founders, Ceo's and others stemming from companies and websites such as TechCrunch, Wikipedia, Google, YouTube, CreativeCommons, Skype, Wordpress, Amazon and Digg are present.
Check it out now.
Check it out now.
Labels: internet
This is swarm
Vincent Maher seems to have a new addiction (not smoking, that's an old one) and its name is Swarm. The MG swarm is a real time representation of what the viewers of mg.photos are looking at.
Now at first glance to those who aren't really sure of the significance of this swarm it could seem like a bunch of pretty circles rolling around a black page. It's not. It is an incredible way to view the happenings of the site without staring at blank stats and words and numbers.
So without further ado:
Now at first glance to those who aren't really sure of the significance of this swarm it could seem like a bunch of pretty circles rolling around a black page. It's not. It is an incredible way to view the happenings of the site without staring at blank stats and words and numbers.
So without further ado:
There a other swarms out there I know, but this one is local and local is lekker. Not only is this swarm lekker cause it's local, but because it flies around the page like a manically depressed dope smoker on crack-cocaine. The activity/speed of the swarm circles seems to be dependent on the amount of activity surrounding the image or set of photos (I stand to be corrected here, Vince you will probably be the one to correct me!!).
Anyways, whether I am wrong or right about the MG Swarm, I think it rocks and in fact, it rocks my little socks off!
Anyways, whether I am wrong or right about the MG Swarm, I think it rocks and in fact, it rocks my little socks off!
Labels: MG swarm, Vincent Maher
Six degrees of social networks
The theory of six degrees of separation is a fairly well known one. For those of you who are in the dark, this is a theory that states that [almost] everyone in the world is no more than six steps away from every other person in the world. It's a pretty nifty theory I think.
The reason that I am talking about this theory is that many people know the theory in relation to Kevin Bacon (the actor). I have heard that every person in the world is within six steps or less of Kevin. Firstly I always wondered how is that actually possible, prove it. Then I would wonder why the theory uses Kevin Bacon and not, for example, James Dean?
Anyways, The Oracle of Bacon is one hell of a cool site that illustrates links from any Hollywood star, dead or alive, to Kevin. Go ahead, make my day, try and find an actor alive or dead without a link to Mr Bacon, I don't think you can do it.
Then on to more pressing and interesting business:
Six degrees of seperation and social networks
For a while now I have been wondering about the myspace/facebook/social network craze that is about. I wonder why, I wonder how, I wonder how many and what is it that these people are after. I think that the six degrees of separation is a very good explanation of what keeps people coming back.
I have just over 160 friends on Facebook. If you don't think I do, go check my facebook out. Now let's put this theory to the test. There are approximately 7000 South Africans on Facebook. If I have 160 friends and counting and you multiply each person by 6, you get 960. That is an immediate network of 960 people that I know through my network of 160 (that's one step). If each of those 960 people multiply by 6 and extend their network to 5760 then within 2 steps I know 5760 people. One final example: take those 5760 people and extend their network by 6 and you get 34 560 people. There aren't even close to that many people in SA on Facebook.
(Disclaimer: My mathematical understanding of six degrees of separation might be completely out of whack, but for the purposes of this post you just need to understand the principal of what I am trying to get across)
I firmly believe that it is this theory that makes social network sites such as Facebook successful. If I had no desire to push my network to the extend of its network then I would have no drive to use these sites. Six degrees to keep social networking sites running.
Labels: Kevin Bacon, six degrees of separation, Social networks
Sharepoint expert enters blogosphere
4.3.07
My friend and business partner Courts has eventually entered the blogging world and started up Sharepoint Expert. Courts claims to be the brains behind most of the websites that he and I develop, I think he's right but it really sucks to hear that!
We are working on a new site that should really excite students interested in the social nature of the Internet, especially in South Africa. Keep a look out for that release in a week or two. Check out this blog, Sharepoint Expert or the Studentwire Blog for more information.
In his personal blog, Courts will be talking about his experience with Sharepoint as well as his everyday boring life :).
Check it out and wait for a new template!
We are working on a new site that should really excite students interested in the social nature of the Internet, especially in South Africa. Keep a look out for that release in a week or two. Check out this blog, Sharepoint Expert or the Studentwire Blog for more information.
In his personal blog, Courts will be talking about his experience with Sharepoint as well as his everyday boring life :).
Check it out and wait for a new template!
Labels: Courts, Sharepoint Expert, Studentwire
Facebook introduces advertising
Initially I suspected that they were selling information about their users. I didn't think this was possible but I recieved a message telling me how to deactivate the "share your details" option. This option is automatically set to share by Facebook when you join. Not so cool.
(For those of you who would like to deactivate this setting log in to your Facebook account, click on "My Privacy" on the left, then go to "Friends, notes..." section and go down to the bottom. Click the tick box marked with a tick at the very bottom to untick the box. This box says: "My information may be used according to the restricted Terms of Service." This allows them to sell yours and your friends information.)
(For those of you who would like to deactivate this setting log in to your Facebook account, click on "My Privacy" on the left, then go to "Friends, notes..." section and go down to the bottom. Click the tick box marked with a tick at the very bottom to untick the box. This box says: "My information may be used according to the restricted Terms of Service." This allows them to sell yours and your friends information.)
So for a while I thought I was being invaded privately (sounds kinda kinky when it's phrased like that). Now it seems that Facebook has gone all conventional and put up adverts. Very random Ads I might add (hehe). Have a look for yourself:
Labels: Advertising, Facebook
Cancer shavathon
3.3.07
Today is the day. Now is the time for you to shave or your head if you ever felt the need. No one looks at you funny, no one judges you and in fact, people applaud you for supporting the cause. I love it. I think it's a fantastic idea that is always well supported and rightfully so.
If you haven't been able to get down to one of the official spots then sit at home, take your top off sit your butt down and shave that head. Now is the time.
I went to Cresta Shopping Mall today and was blown away at how many people were sitting and doing their part. The non stop stream of people were in high spirits and willing to part with their hair and air out their follicles. Ofcourse there is always the option to show your support and get your head/hair spray painted. This is a great alternative for those of you who have anal retentive bosses who don't understand the fun side of life and the joys of living outside of the box!
If you haven't been able to get down to one of the official spots then sit at home, take your top off sit your butt down and shave that head. Now is the time.
I went to Cresta Shopping Mall today and was blown away at how many people were sitting and doing their part. The non stop stream of people were in high spirits and willing to part with their hair and air out their follicles. Ofcourse there is always the option to show your support and get your head/hair spray painted. This is a great alternative for those of you who have anal retentive bosses who don't understand the fun side of life and the joys of living outside of the box!
Copyscape - check your content
2.3.07
Copyscape allows you to enter a Url in to the search bar and then searches your content with other sites for copies. The results are displayed as a regular search engine. I am still trying to work out if it just picks out lines, posts, links, headings, pictures or what as criteria. It's still interesting to see where your content is distributed around the web.
Labels: copyscape
SA heads up Security Council
Labels: UN Security Council
Content theft
1.3.07
I think it's taking a couple of days for Technorati to pick up on this post and the inadvertent link, but someone has completely lifted a post from SA Rocks. To the point that they are using the photo which is hosted on the SA Rocks server.
I am extremely grateful that Kidtivity enjoyed the post so much that they lifted it verbatim but I am somewhat upset at the blatant and shameless lifting of the content. It's not as if the post is 100% fresh and new, but at least sources were credited and references made to the appropriate sites. I have alerted the blog editor and will patiently await a response.
The blog seems to be brand-spanking-new and has one post on it... not a very good way to start a new blog I might add; ripping off someone else's work. Is this really what some SA bloggers are doing? If so I am concerned. How many other posts have we all missed on blogs that slip under the radar?
I am extremely grateful that Kidtivity enjoyed the post so much that they lifted it verbatim but I am somewhat upset at the blatant and shameless lifting of the content. It's not as if the post is 100% fresh and new, but at least sources were credited and references made to the appropriate sites. I have alerted the blog editor and will patiently await a response.
The blog seems to be brand-spanking-new and has one post on it... not a very good way to start a new blog I might add; ripping off someone else's work. Is this really what some SA bloggers are doing? If so I am concerned. How many other posts have we all missed on blogs that slip under the radar?
Labels: content theft, SA Rocks
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