Successful Blog

Net Neutrality 12-28-2006

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Net Neutrality Links

I’m adding this link to the Net Neutrality Page.

Net Neutrality/Data in New Congress? Don’t Hold Yer Breath

Of course, the pundits interviewed noted this coming Congress will be preoccupied with other stuff, like, uh, the war and the budget. Oh, and let’s not forget about a little presidential race that’s already gearing up.

My bet is that we won’t see any federal legislation that does any more than pay lip service to the Net neutrality issue. Maybe something in the data security and privacy realm might hit the floor, but the fact is (and call me a cynic) the government wants access to any and all of our data for pretty much ever. That means it will be exempt from whatever laws are put in place, most likely making them moot where civil liberties are concerned. Remember CAN-SPAM, where they conveniently wrote themselves out of the law?

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related
NET NEUTRALITY PAGE

About Spam in my Spam Filter

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Today It Was 309

Every morning as one of my start up routines I sift through my spam filter — to remove false positives. It’s bad enough that comments get caught there. I don’t want them to get eaten.

This spam cleaning ritual is extending my horizon.

I meeting some interesting people.

  • spammers with unusual names — Best regards
  • alien spammers with names I cannot pronounce — ixfwq.
  • lazy spammers whose sole message is one character — 2 or x, or /
  • efficient spammers who can pack what seems like 10,000 links into one message
  • spammers who try flattery “Thanks, guy, for a great site!” They tend to assume I’m a guy or amigo.
  • spammers who pretend to be looking for information
  • spammers who lie outright, “Great site. I’m bookmarking it right now!”
  • spammers who apologize “Sorry, but I need the money.”
  • shy spammers who only leave links without a message
  • celebrities who take to time spam me

I know where to go to find

  • hotel rooms available around the world
  • play poker
  • learn blackjack
  • win at slots
  • enjoy all of the amenities of a casino online
  • a range of pharmaceuticals
  • a variety of physical . . um, er . . . enhancements

In another life when I change my ringtone, I’ll have to try the one that sounds like a mosquito.

Spammers can teach how to get a mortgage loan, get the best shoes, finance my car, spruce up my blog, find quotes and other useful information. I can get enrolled for a college education, learn to garden, fix my home, and get household insurance. This past two weeks lead to a whole list of prom dresses and christmas list ideas. It’s a regular spam shopping mall behind my front page.

Then there’s the porn, oh my! Please someone write a plug in with parental controls for spam catchers. I’m not sure I’m old enough to read the titles in the name lines. I know I’m not ready for Granny’s sex life, but cartoon porn! C’mon I’m a visual thinker . . . I can do without images of Mickey and Minnie at 4:30a.m.!

I imagine great uses for this technology when I think as a mother. Clean out all of that ad spam and let me leave messages for my own and my kid’s spam dash board . . . mine would be filled with my calendar. His would be gentle reminders that said . . .

  • Sweeheart, clean your room.
  • Darling, don’t forget that spelling test.
  • Tuesday is take out the trash day. You’re so good at that!
  • Excuse me, the dishes are still waiting for you in the kitchen.
  • Remember, Mr. Streetwise, that gorgeous girl you’re talking to online (w00h00t!) — I know you showed me the photo –could really be a 65-year-old ugly, wrinkly online predator with one eye, a tattoo, and a taste for boys who don’t like to take out the trash or clean the kitchen.
  • Hey Guy, you have a dentist appointment on Wednesday.
  • Dad’s birthday is coming up. Have you decided yet what to get him?
  • Honey, change your underwear.
  • Ok, Mastermind, time for bed.

Now that’s spam that any mother could love.

Don’t get me wrong. I think spam is evil, but a nice girl can dream of a better day . . . can’t she? I’m still working on some sort of copywriting game using the spam ads as examples of bad advertising. If you have ideas email me. . . .

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Net Neutrality 12-26-2006

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Net Neutrality Links

I’m adding this link to the Net Neutrality Page.

Eight Internet Losers In 2006

Though the Internet had a breakout year 2006, it wasn’t all birthday cakes and butterflies for everyone. Companies, institutions and philosophies came head to head every other day trying to exert some sort of control over it. And most of them failed miserably.

So while there were big time winners in 2006, every year has its colossal losers. This Biggest Internet Losers list rubs their faces in it because it has to be done. There are lessons to be learned.

Biggest Internet Losers 2006

[ . . . ]

7. Net Neutrality

Though awareness and support for the concept of Network Neutrality increased exponentially, the construct intended to be the Internet’s First Amendment still suffered defeat after defeat in Congress.

8. The Telecommunications Industry

It’s interesting that all players involved in the Net Neutrality debate come up losers. But there was no compromise on either side of it. Just when it looked like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast would put the debate to bed, enough grass roots support popped up to delay it just long enough to get to the mid-term elections. Net Neutrality got a reprieve, and it’s driving the telcos crazy.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related
NET NEUTRALITY PAGE

Liz Strauss at The Blog Herald, The Blogging Times, and Who’s One in a Million?

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I Had 5 Minutes Free at 2 in the Morning

About two weeks ago, I got an IM from Tony Hung the Assistant Editor of the new Blog Herald. He asked if I would consider writing a column. I looked in the mirror, to count the lines again. I looked at my husband. I looked at the IM. I wondered at bit at my sanity. I wrote him back and said “Don’t tell me Tuesdays.”

Tony is a doctor in his last year of residency. Still it’s true fast and firmly that he has a solid second calling in persuasive writing. By the time that single IM conversation was over, I had agreed to take on the column — every Thursday. It will be about blogging, people, and real life.

The very first column went up today. Head over, if you’re curious as to what it’s about. Click the screenshot to get you there. The feature’s in the center column.

The Blog Herald

So What About . . .?

Your links will still be in the D-Z List stories at the Blogging Times. They’re so good to me there. I don’t plan leaving them. It’s Tuesdays as usual for all of us D-Z listers.

Drinks and beverages are still in the sidebar here. There’s always an open seat. You’re only a stranger until you leave that first comment. I’m still that saloonkeeper’s daughter, living inside your computer waiting to hear what you think about everything.

Who’s One in a Million?

Have given someone a one-in-a-million award yet? What great way to say a blogger is special. I’ll link to both of you on the front page of Successful-Blog. How cool is that?

Click the poster to the right to find out how to give someone the one-in-a-million award.

I’m the nice one.
–ME “Liz” Strauss

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Look Who’s Talking at The Blogging Times

Business Rule 4: You Know Your Truth — Listen to Yourself

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Indiana Wants Me . . . Lord, I Can’t Go There

Business Rules Logo

Back in the olden days, I was hired as a trainee for the Philips Van-Heusen Shirt Company. I was the first woman on the sales team in Chicago, that made me the second in that role nationwide in the company. During that training year, I was kind of a golden child, I got the systems, taught the guys how to use them, made relationships with customers and partnered well with the big time sales reps. I loved my job.

Then the guy in Indianapolis quit. He had replaced the guy who had quit just months before that. I was too young to think through what that quick change in personnel meant.

My boss offered me that territory –- at my six months review — heck, the teritory was even made bigger. That was something. My boss said I didn’t have to go, but he also said that he couldn’t promise I’d still have a job in Chicago, if I didn’t go.

I didn’t want to go. I love Chicago. I didn’t need the money. I had just bought a condo.

A golden child didn’t say “no,” did she? I felt I had to go. I think I was still worried about teacher approval and following orders. Do the program. Pay my dues. Do what I was supposed to do. I made up a romantic rationale and said “yes.”

Soon enough I was singing that old pop tune, “Indiana wants me. Lord, I can’t go back there.”
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