Disqus - Friends of TheAntiHype

Re: The Google Sidewiki Controversy

sylviefortin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:12:03 -0000

Don't worry, KonaGirl. When I get this mad, I'm like a pit bull and won't stop biting until someone pries my jaws open. LOL

Re: The Google Sidewiki Controversy

sylviefortin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:09:53 -0000

True, my days don't normally consist of fist waving and slogging through mountains of sleazy comments. I'm also much more peace-loving on any given day. But this issue is well worth the battle, if there is even the slightest chance that the Google Gods will listen to our pleas. :)

Re: The Google Sidewiki Controversy

sylviefortin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:06:45 -0000

That is an excellent suggestion, Dan. Much appreciated!

Re: The Google Sidewiki Controversy

sylviefortin — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:09:21 -0000

Exactly! The assertion that "people will know it isn't your website" is patently ridiculous. Google knows damn well that people will use it instead of our built in commenting system.

But here's the real rub.

You do not need Sidewiki installed in order to view comments that people have posted. Google has already proven this by including Sidewiki comments as fully indexed and searchable on their own engine.

When anyone clicking THAT link (a google.com link, not your own URL), they will definitely be confused, and Google knows it.

Here's an example (I found this while searching on Google for the keyphrase "stop sidewiki"):
http://www.google.com/sidewiki/entry/1059090425...

Re: The Google Sidewiki Controversy

sylviefortin — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:39:02 -0000

You got my vote, John. (and for the record, my deep dark shameful secret is that I am a big fan of Failblog, so I can tell a good Fail from a dumb one) LOL

Re: The Google Sidewiki Controversy

sylviefortin — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:22:39 -0000

Hey John. Yep. I'm afraid that I will be following suit myself, and for the first time since Google was born, I will be actively using an alternate search engine. I know it ain't much, but it's my own personal boycott.

Re: The Google Sidewiki Controversy

sylviefortin — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:21:09 -0000

Hi Abey. Thanks for your comments. However, you're seeing this from your perspective, rather than seeing it from the perspective of someone relatively new to online tools. Remember, you're talking to someone who runs a company that specializes in supplying web based businesses with customer support services. Which means, we see MORE than just one perspective. We see the flood of emails from people who ask the "dumbest" questions, because they just aren't web savvy. Most can't tell the difference between an ad appearing on your site vs. your content. This is hardly different.

Re: The Google Sidewiki Controversy

sylviefortin — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:16:30 -0000

Thanks for this link! I've added it to our Sidewiki Blockers list, in a new section where we'll list any Anti Sidewiki activism links. http://www.marketersboard.com/google-sidewiki-b...

Re: The Google Sidewiki Controversy

sylviefortin — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:09:53 -0000

Thanks for this link! I've added it to our Sidewiki Blockers page:
http://www.marketersboard.com/google-sidewiki-b...

Re: The Google Sidewiki Controversy

sylviefortin — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:04:14 -0000

Well said!

Re: Google Sidewiki Blockers

sylviefortin — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:02:26 -0000

Not sure what a "normal website owner" is defined as (I think I'm pretty normal). :)

But my problem with all of this is that all website owners lose the ability to manage the comments appearing that are directly related to (beside) their own websites, and that's where blockers may become a necessity. For us, we haven't yet decided to implement a blocker, as we're in a "wait and see" mode. But we won't hesitate to do it if it becomes necessary.

Note that even the blockers won't stop Sidewiki comments from happening, and they will still be searchable (indexed by Google), but that, at least, would be located on Google's domain, not appearing next to my own while a customer is browsing my website.

Re: The Google Sidewiki Controversy

sylviefortin — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:55:59 -0000

Yep, this one is already listed on the Google Sidewiki Blockers page.
http://www.marketersboard.com/google-sidewiki-b...

We haven't installed it yet, so we can't advise on its efficacy

Re: The Google Sidewiki Controversy

sylviefortin — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:33:12 -0000

Thank you for this link. Very informative! It is good to know that we can't get sued over garbage that others post on Sidewiki. But I still have concerns over how people can misperceive it as material I somehow allow on my site. Just last week, I had a conversation with someone who threatened to report me for being a scammer. Why? Because they had clicked an Adsense ad on one of my sites, got scammed by them, and they thought they had bought from ME.

If people are that easily confused by an ad, think how they can be confused by what looks like my comment system. uggh. The mind boggles

Re: The Google Sidewiki Controversy

sylviefortin — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:47:21 -0000

Absolutely agreed! What I find insulting is when people came on this board saying "I haven't seen anything bad posted" as if that proves their point.

That's why I took all that extra time during the weekend, slogging through the crap, so I could show exactly what is there.

Re: The Google Sidewiki Controversy

sylviefortin — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:44:46 -0000

OK, that is just hysterical! Thank you for doing this, and hopefully drawing attention to how Sidewiki could be used/abused by people with nefarious intent.

I love how you're doing it, too. Keeping within the boundaries of their rules, and showcasing the possible damage that could be done on these sites.

My favorite is the jihadist comments. Seriously, smart stuff!

Re: The Google Sidewiki Controversy

sylviefortin — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:27:11 -0000

So far, the only power we have, according to Google, is to "claim" our own sites by posting our own Sidewiki entries, on each and every page of our own sites, so that people know how to reach us directly. Uggh.

That's all well and good if you only have one site with a few pages, but what about those of us who have dozens or hundreds of web properties? Each with hundreds of pages? Impossible task.

The only other option is to install a Sidewiki blocker. See the article where we are posting constantly updated lists of technological solutions.

Re: The Google Sidewiki Controversy

sylviefortin — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:23:36 -0000

Hi Deah. Yes, you are correct. People need to have Sidewiki open to view the comments. Which brings to mind...do I want people on my site who would want to use such a tool?

Re: Angular Cheilitis

markmcgimpsey — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:16:50 -0000

Unfortunately I cannot. I am an advertiser directing a person looking to solve a problem, to a likely solution, and do not own the product. I have ever only had mild angular cheilitis which fortunately cleared itself before it became unbearably painful and was treated only with a moisturing lip balm.

This will not work in cases such as you describe. I have not read this information and have no idea of the ingredients involved, other than they are available at home and have worked quickly and effectively for a number of people.

I suggest you contact the product owners directly, (in this case the Angular Chelitis Foundation whose link is in the body of the article), or attempt to find the information by searching on Google for forums, or for people, who have cured their condition with this information.

Re: Angular Cheilitis

markmcgimpsey — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:20:04 -0000

Hi Lisa.

Much as I might like to, it's not my product to do that with. Besides, I'm paying for advertising for this product as I'm trying to make some money online. I'm sure you appreciate that paying for advertising and then giving away the 'product' (information) would be daft. Doubly daft, as the product owner would then sue me.

It's possible you might be able to find the information on line somewhere without having to pay something, but how much is your time worth to do that?

I'm not money hungry, but I sure don't want to go hungry ;-)

Re: Bonus Quote of the Day -- Political Wire

Teris — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:51:10 -0000

The rot starts at the top and works its way down - the castle is crumbling beneath their feet, and any fool who thinks a POW that knows nothing about economics -will do anything else than fly this plane into the ditch. McCain's choice of VP proves his judgement is way off, Carl Rove is running his campaign, and the Iraq war costs 10 billion a month of borrowed money. The country is going bankrupt and the dollar will be worthless if this continues. Even Alan Greenspan says McCain's tax cuts -we cannot afford. The iceberg is upon us.

Re: Bonus Quote of the Day -- Political Wire

Teris — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:47:43 -0000

McCain can lie all he wants, the economy -the banks, the financial institutions are all in the toilet, and he can not fix what the Bush administration has done to this country.
We do need change, We need Obama, not more of the same from inexperienced, incompetetent and lying political hacks like McCain Palin. Get real man.

Re: Randy The Hermit, Homer & Sylvie Fortin in Threesome

thehermitvi — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:33:20 -0000

Hi Sylvie

How about Sylvie the Sin Survivor (it works on a number of levels) It could be Triple S for short.

Randy The Hermit

Re: Randy The Hermit, Homer & Sylvie Fortin in Threesome

sylviefortin — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:47:34 -0000

Thank you for the review. Very nicely done!

But I must gently correct you on the Guru Basher term. In fact, one chapter in IM Sins is against guru bashers, which will make a lot of sense when you read it. :)

I believe you have mis-labeled yourself as a guru basher. You aren't at all. You, my dear friend, are like me. You focus on the sin, not the sinner.

A Guru Basher is someone who blasts a person. Guru Bashers are detrimental to themselves, as well as to those who listen to them.

I know, I know...it's all semantics. :)

Just wanted to clarify the distinction between bashing a tactic or a product vs bashing a person upside the head. :)

*scurries off to finish Part 2*

Re: Randy The Hermit, Homer & Sylvie Fortin in Threesome

sylviefortin — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:31:20 -0000

I'm perfectly fine with you using me in the running saga. I love the message you're trying to get out there, and I love that you are using tongue in cheek humor to make the point.

Plus, I am having fun with it, so why not? LOL

Re: Randy The Hermit, Homer & Sylvie Fortin in Threesome

sylviefortin — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:05:18 -0000

Well I felt it was necessary to set the record straight after all. :)

Just curious, if you're the Anti-Hype, and Randy is the Hermit, what would my nickname be? Or maybe we should wait until all three parts are finished. I'm working on stuff that even scares me a little. LOL

Wondering if everyone will still be so supportive when I cover some tough issues from the other side of the coin. :)