Disqus - Latest Comments for scottmcandrew

Re: How to Filter Out Fake Referrals and Other Google Analytics Spam

scottmcandrew — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 23:16:33 -0000

Thanks for writing this and fielding all these questions Mark. Regarding the new View and Data, I wanted one clarification. In your example above, now that the View exists, if one were to add additional domains to the 'Exclude non-Ghost Referral Spam' filter on a later date, you would still be able to view data back to when the view was created (you wouldn't 'start over' by appending the filter). Is that correct? (Thanks again!)

Re: Screenshots of Facebook’s Redesign [PICS]

scottmcandrew — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:42:22 -0000

These screenshots wouldn't tell the story because their static and only for a subset of users... but, I wouldn't be surprised if in lieu of engagement over pageviews they made up for the inherently lowered ad volume by updating the ads being displayed with AJAX at a set time interval.

Re: Screenshots of Facebook’s Redesign [PICS]

scottmcandrew — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:34:51 -0000

Agreed--this is about engagement, not about 'bounce rate.'

Re: Dell’s international keyboard for the Inspiron Mini 9

scottmcandrew — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:56:32 -0000

After typing on the Mini 9 for awhile, I'd do this just to get the apostrophe and quote key where it is supposed to be.

Re: Does local search matter?

scottmcandrew — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:52:37 -0000

Hey John - Thanks for passing that link -- much appreciated!

Re: Bozeman fired up over officer’s Facebook posts

scottmcandrew — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:22:31 -0000

Lisa, I absolutely agree about free speech. Even if the officer was truly joking and his 'dry humor' was taking out of context, it just wasn't a bright thing to do. Social sites are an online equivalent to 'real world' social settings; if you wouldn't go to a party, even where you were acquainted with the majority of guests, and say off-color, potentially controversial things while other guests listen, or even video tape the incident, you should think twice about putting it up on a social network profile page.

Re: Robert and his locksmith encounters – A Google Local spam story

scottmcandrew — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:59:43 -0000

@acmelocksmith - I read your Locksmith Fraud info on your site. It was after I posted some of my findings/frustrations above, but before you had commented. I believe I also saw some of your frustrations aired on the Google Maps Group also.

I sincerely can't believe how little has changed with so much light on the topic. I actually read that Google's AdWords team (I believe it was the AdWords team, not the Maps or Local team) was thinking of new ways to monetize local search results. That's a tough nut to swallow for the little guy. The cards are stacked against you, and Google's answer is to find a paid advertising scheme out of it.

I don't think that Local should go away. In many ways Local is a foregone conclusion with mobile really taking hold. Ultimately, Google, Yahoo and Bing will clean things up; it just can't happen soon enough!

Re: Robert and his locksmith encounters – A Google Local spam story

scottmcandrew — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:55:01 -0000

@scovert - sorry for the late reply. I'm pretty disappointed with my commenting system's spam handling, but I finally got around to cleaning things up a bit. Google will (hopefully) eventually clean this up; its unfortunate that it is so gamable--there are sites that are going far against the posting guidelines and common sense for spam detection but still easily making it onto map listings.

Re: Social Big Brother in Big Sky Country

scottmcandrew — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 11:10:15 -0000

Update: Later in the day (Friday the 19th) Bozeman's City Manager, Chris Kukulski, issued a press release stating the City will no longer be engaging the practice (or requesting user names and passwords to Internet sites). The announcement was also accompanied by a video (it was streamed live, but is now archived). Both can be found online here:

Press Release: http://tinyurl.com/nulpv8
Video: http://tinyurl.com/mjkkre

Re: Social selling - your commerce, your context

scottmcandrew — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:31:16 -0000

Just an update - I sold the item that I listed with ToldYa, not through ToldYa, but through my Amazon Seller Account. I might push something else up to ToldYa, but if you're reading the article and there's no product showing in the widget, it's because the item is no longer for sale...

Re: 5 Reliable (social media) sources

scottmcandrew — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:18:07 -0000

Thanks, and thanks to you for sharing your work Creative Commons, Birger!

Re: 5 Reliable (social media) sources

scottmcandrew — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:51:16 -0000

No problem Dave. The next step is dragging you to South by Southwest in Austin, TX next year - I'm pretty sure you'd enjoy it!

Re: DON’T Check kirgo.at - Facebook phishing scam

scottmcandrew — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:48:15 -0000

Charissa - that doesn't sound good. I'd be reporting your problem to Facebook so they are aware of you situation. I don't know how they handle that sort of thing. Hopefully you don't lose any of your Facebook information, but more importantly, do monitor your other personal accounts in the event that the people behind this attempt to leverage your identity to do further damage!

Re: DON’T Check kirgo.at - Facebook phishing scam

scottmcandrew — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:20:26 -0000

Spyware was one thing I hadn't heard of happening in this attack. Have you seen any other reports of it?

Re: DON’T Check kirgo.at - Facebook phishing scam

scottmcandrew — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:10:28 -0000

Andrew - see my response to Tiffany. Just be careful with your other accounts (see above). -Scott

Re: DON’T Check kirgo.at - Facebook phishing scam

scottmcandrew — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:09:17 -0000

Glad I could help. I hope everything goes well for your friend. -Scott

Re: areps.at in your Facebook Inbox = Phishing

scottmcandrew — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:10:11 -0000

Kim, as long as you didn't provide your Facebook login you should be fine. If you did provide any personal information (such as a username and password), I'd advise that you immediately change your Facebook password, and, unfortunately, start monitoring your banking, credit card and cellphone accounts. With only a full name and date of birth scam artists can attempt to compromise your identity.

That said, it sounds like from what you've described that all should be fine.

Re: DON’T Check kirgo.at - Facebook phishing scam

scottmcandrew — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:05:50 -0000

Stacey, here's how it works: When someone goes to one of these phishing sites and types in their username and password for Facebook, the predators then take that information and either manually (by visiting the real Facebook) or through a computer script (which is more likely) log in to Facebook and send messages to that person's Friend list. If you don't type in your personal information on the face/phishing Facebook page, you are not in any danger.

Re: DON’T Check kirgo.at - Facebook phishing scam

scottmcandrew — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:03:55 -0000

Tiffany - If a friend has their password stolen, do tell them to log in to Facebook and change their password immediately. There is still some risk to your friend, however. Someone out there likely logged into their Facebook account and could have their personal information. Merely possession of someone's full name and date of birth is enough for an unethical person to try to access credit card and banking accounts, so I'd advise her to be watchful of her accounts beyond Facebook, especially her financial and cellphone accounts.

Re: Google Analytics: 00:00:00 Avg. Time on Site?

scottmcandrew — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:44:34 -0000

Yes, you're understanding it correctly.

Re: How do visitors REALLY use your site?

scottmcandrew — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:42:45 -0000

Absolutely not, Aaron! I do think that there are good things that non-professionals can do to educate themselves better and make smarter decisions about their site, though. And, either of these tools is right at home with a professional, too.

Re: Google announces interest-based advertising for AdSense publishers

scottmcandrew — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:29:59 -0000

Hi Atniz - If you want to participate in the AdWords interest-based advertising you can find the settings in your AdWords account on the My Account > Account Settings page. If you scroll down the page you'll see an area called Interest-based Ads Settings. Click the edit button and you should find what you need. I hope that helps you!

Re: Review: Silverback, Usability and the Mac

scottmcandrew — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 23:53:42 -0000

We started using Silverback recently and it's hard to argue the value-to-price ratio. I agree with other commenters that a Windows version would help. There are usability differences and ergonomics of working with a Mac vs. a PC, even if the user is just interacting with a web browser.