Archive for the ‘SEO News’ Category

ID Theft & SEO

I saw an article on protecting oneself from identity theft. The SEO sponsoring the article also provided links to websites advertising mortgage information, free credit reports, and other related subjects.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t one have to GIVE OUT PERSONAL INFORMATION to receive this information? And, isn’t that how identity theft happens? Giving out your PERSONAL information?

Yes, yes, I know, webmasters and site managers do their dead-level best to insure that the site is secure. However, I know—from recent personal experience—that, just like with anything else, where there’s a will, there’s a way.

I spent the better part of one hour today (let’s just say “today” is a certain Monday in July and leave it at that) closing one bank account and opening a new one simply because someone at a check authorization agency who had access to my information as well as Heaven only knows how many other people’s information downloaded the files and sold them to another company. I know that these things happen, I’m aware that this has happened before, and will probably happen again, and I understand that, but it still made me feel VERY VULNERABLE.

You better believe I will guard this new account as closely as I can. However, should it happen again (God forbid) I honestly do not know what I will do. I have racked my brains all afternoon trying to think of ways that I can make purchases, pay bills, and take care of business without having to reveal my checking account information. I will probably start using a debit/ credit card as much as possible, although, frankly, I’m not sure how secure that is.

Is there anyone out there, any Webmaster, site designer, site manager, who can think of a way to make a site more secure? I can guarantee you if you come up with an idea, and it works, you would have my undying gratitude as well as that of ANYONE who has ever been a victim of identity theft.

How about it? Anyone up to the challenge?

I-Phone & SEO

According to an article posted on a certain SEO, the first month’s I-Phone bills came out today, which caused a major drop in the oxygen level (from all the people gasping for air when they saw the amount.) Reportedly, some bill amounts are in the triple digits. I’m sorry, but I can’t see paying as much if not more for a “glorified” cell phone than I do for a tank of gas or a utility bill.

Yeah, yeah, I know, it has all the “bells and whistles”. It’s an I-Pod, it’s got Internet access, it’s got text messaging, etc., and so forth. Well, so does my computer.

My cell phone is one of the cheapest made. It has basic service—plenty of minutes, free long-distance, no charge for talking to someone who uses the same carrier. It HAS other capabilities, I just don’t choose to use them.

Now, I know some of you are out there saying, “But, I NEED all this stuff.” OK, yes, CELL PHONES are becoming a necessity. A “phone away from home” (or office or wherever) is a good thing. But, that’s what cell phones were originally intended for—PHONE usage. And, that’s all I’m going to use mine for.

I have a home computer for e-mail and instant messaging. I have a radio in my car for music, and if I want to listen to music somewhere else, I’ll buy the product that was made SPECIFICALLY for that purpose. I think it’s bad enough that we as people have become a nation of “multi-taskers”. I don’t think we should ask our electronic equipment to do the same.

“But I NEED it for my work.” I’ll bet if you went in and asked your boss to pay all or half of your I-phone bill, you would find out real quick just how bad you “need” all that stuff. Most places I know will pay for basic cell phone service, especially if a person must be reached at all times (such as law enforcement personnel, hospital/medical personnel, etc.) But, the user, if indeed they are allowed to be added to a cell phone, must pay for any “extras”. And, that’s how I think it should be.

My feelings, my thoughts. What are yours?

SEO & Online Dating

An article that gives tips for women who haven’t dated in years suggested the grocery store as a good place to go on a first date. Something about you can tell if a person is thrifty or an impulse buyer by watching what purchases they make and how much they spend.

(Of course, this article just HAPPENED to conveniently link you to SEOs that offered on-line dating services. How nice of them.)

 

OK, wake-up call here. In the first place, any time you’re on a first date, no matter where you go, you’re not gonna be doing what you normally do. And, I know of NO WOMAN out there who, even if she consents to going grocery shopping on a first date (and, frankly, I don’t know of one—especially if you hate it as bad as I do) who is going to buy what she normally buys—especially in the way of “personal” products with a guy who she barely knows standing right next to her.

And, guys, please, don’t even try to tell me that you’re gonna buy your weekly supply of beer (or soda, if you’re a non-drinker) and snacks on your first date. No, you’re not. You’re going to try to convince the little lady that you eat a balanced diet, and you don’t mean one you can balance on your stomach.

Nope, sorry, I think the Webmaster who posted this article, or allowed it to be posted, REALLY didn’t think this one through. I think if I were a Webmaster, I think I would have to ask myself, “Would I think this was a good idea?” Don’t know about any of you others out there, but in my case, the answer would be, “Uh, NO!”

Come on, people. Just because it’s out there doesn’t mean YOU have to let it be on the website YOU are responsible for! It’ll get out there, that’s for sure. But, maybe, just maybe, there’s something else that might be a LITTLE more useful to your users.

Security & SEO

So, an article on domestic spying has links to SEOs that talk about domestic spying. Some are pro, some are con. What blew my mind, though, was that there were also SEO links that led to sites advertising where WE, Mr., Mrs., Miss, Ms. (whatever) can BUY our very own domestic spying equipment!

Phone tapping, wire tapping, surveillance, you name it, it’s been around for a long time. (I don’t doubt that some caveman had a way of listening in on his neighbor’s rock pounding). It still seems, though, that the question of how much is too much, if indeed any is not too much. (That sentence didn’t make a lot of sense, I know, but you get the picture, I hope.)

Me, I’m sort of for it, I guess. 9-11 is still TOO fresh in my mind. I don’t do anything anyway that I wouldn’t want someone to know about. I’m careful who I call, I’m careful what I say when I call them (especially when I’m using my cell phone, because, heck, BABY MONITORS can pick up those conversations), but I don’t get paranoid about it. And, if there is a way to see into my bedroom, I hope whoever is watching brought along a good book!

And, OK, maybe our computer usage is being tracked. Again, does the word “RESPONSIBILITY” rings a bell, here? On both ends? If you’re a user, don’t go to a website or do something that’s gonna raise a red flag somewhere. If you’re a Webmaster, SEO designer, whatever, make your website user-friendly, monitor your content, do what you have to do or NEED to do to keep everything on the up-and-up.

If you’re using “spy” equipment, use it wisely. Believe me, SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE knows who is using what equipment and why. And, again, if you’re spying on me, BRING A BOOK!

SEO & The Environment

OK, I’m all for cleaning up the environment, and reducing “global warming”, (and Heaven knows, there’s enough SEOs out there on THAT subject to keep even the most dedicated environmentalist happily searching—on his or her energy-efficient computer, of course), but an ELECTRIC motorcycle? I mean, I see the advantages, but I also see some disadvantages. Most of the SEOs dealing with this subject, however, conveniently overlooked or glossed over most of the disadvantages, however.)

First and foremost, it’s a motorcycle. Not the safest vehicle on the road. (Sorry, all you “bikers” out there, but that’s just fact.) And, if the pictures I saw of one particular electric motorcycle are any indication, this sucker is LITTLE!

And, the only thing I could keep thinking about was, “What happens when/if the battery runs down and you’re right in the middle of downtown traffic?” (Because an electric motorcycle does not get above 50 MPH, it is NOT recommended for long commutes or use on heavy-traffic roads–in other words, don’t get on the freeway on it—to which I say “DUH!”) I can just picture someone sitting in traffic, an SUV on one side, a Hummer on the other, and God-only-knows what in front and behind, and all of a sudden, no power.

Now, for the stay-at-home mom who lives outside the city, in a nice quiet subdivision, only a few miles from the neighborhood supermarket or convenience store, I could see it. Put on your helmet (always), unplug it (yet another mental image that blows my mind—unplugging a motorcycle?), and away you go to run your many errands. No need to crank up “Ol’ Betsy”.

It might be a good idea for someone whose job entails a lot of downtown travel between branches or offices, if there was somewhere the electric motorcycle could be left overnight. Most people who travel back and forth between set locations (such as couriers, “inter-office” mail deliverers, etc.) probably know shortcuts through alleys, up side streets, down lesser-traveled throughways, in other words, places where traffic is not as bad. So, that might be an advantage.

Like I said, some advantages, some disadvantages.