I got a gift card for Google AdWords in the mail today, and I figured I might as well give it a try. Not too many places will give you $100 free to use their site. I'm going to try three different ad campains to see what type of ad works better and for how much you need to offer for them...all while staying within the $100 for the month. Then I'm going to write an article for Technorati about the results. But, in order to pull this off, I'm going to need your help.The first of the ads is running right now: a simple text add promoting this month's giveaway. What I need for you, my readers, to do is to let me know where you see them at. What is the name of the site? What kind of site is it? Also, what did you think about the ad itself? What made you click it? You can simply leave a comment or send me an email. Any and all comments will help, and it will only take a minute of your time. ...
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Aaron’s Suit Latest in a Chain of Privacy Invasions
I'm sure a lot of people are familiar with Aaron's Rent to Own, a nation-wide rental chain. They have everything from furniture to TVs. But did you know that they have spy programs installed on their computers? One couple didn't until a store manager mistakenly attempted to repossess a computer, and showed them a picture taken with their webcam.The couple called the police and reported the incident. It was determined that the picture was taken with spy software per-installed on the computer...which, needles to say, is highly illegal. It is legal to have a 'kill switch' program installed, which would shut off the computer should the renter not pay, but that still does not allow Aaron's to remotely take pictures and monitor what a renter is doing on the machine.A Growing ConcernThis is just the latest in a line of cases concerning companies invading privacy. Just recently, it was revealed that the iPhone trackers your every move via it's GPS apps. And it's not only the iPhone; ...
The Great Sippy Cup Quest
As Hannah was approaching her first birthday, I knew it would soon be time to get her fully away from using bottles. I figured that it would be fairly easy. Buy a cup and give it to her; end of story. I very quickly learned, however, that it's no where near that simple.She started out using a Nuby 7oz. Cup With Valveless No-Spill Spout which I received from Wal-Mart as part of a gift package sent out to associates & spouses who are expecting. The cup holds about seven ounces and was great for drinking juice. We used it for months until the spout got all nasty...when someone (cough...Jason) left formula in it and didn't clean it. You can buy replacement spouts, but there are only few places you can buy them. Nuby's website says you can buy them at Babies R Us, but you can't. The store doen't carry them and their site doesn't list them. There were several other places that were listed, one being Amazon and the other being baby boutiques that I've never heard of. On Amazon, ...
Another Unhappy Sears Customer
Several days ago, my parents discovered that their washing machine was leaking. The machine was over six years old so they decided it was easier and more cost effective to buy a new one. So, they went to the store they always go to when buying a major appaliance: Sears. I told my mom right away that they shuldn't go to Sears...especially after my ordeal with them last year (read here & here). They went anyway and left with a washer that my mom really didn't like...but settled for. The washer was going to be delivered today, and that's where the problem started. This is the part where I'd go into detail, but it's not my story to tell. Instead, I turn it over to my dad...or rather his email: "I am writing this in the hope that someone will actually read this and be concerned by it. So far no one that I have spoken to on the phone does, but here goes anyway. I just canceled an order for a washing machine that I purchsed last week at your store in Mesquite, TX. I cancelled ...
Guest Article – Certified Education Makes a Difference at a Young Age
If you are fortunate enough to be a stay-at-home parent in America today, you are among the truly lucky. With thirty years of economic policies that have decimated the middle class, the majority of American households today require two incomes, meaning that young children must usually be relegated to daycare facilities or preschools.Many parents who are privileged enough to stay at home to raise their children naturally wish to take full advantage of this opportunity by attempting to give their children a head start on learning; reading to them, engaging in educational play activities, encouraging them to read, and more. Unfortunately, very few parents can do it all. This is where young children can greatly benefit from attendance at a certified day care, operated by trained, certified early childhood educators. A preschool teacher cannot replace a parent, but the experience of learning in a school setting during the early years can be a valuable supplement to a child's experience at a ...
The Great Sears Debackel…continued
Today I was finally able to get to Sears to try to get my online order straightened out after Sears.com sent me the wrong thing. Last Saturday, I attempted to go to the 'hometown' store in Rockwall, only to find out it's just a parts store and I would have to take it to Town East in Mesquite. I hate going to Town East Mall during the holidays. So, after dropping Hannah off at my parents much to the utter delight of my mom, we headed off to Mesquite. Since it was a Sunday morning, there was hardly anyone there and most of the stores weren't even open. I went up to a register and told the cashier what the issue was with the item. She looks at me and I could literally see her brain exploding while trying to computer what I just told her. Eventually she handed me off to some other girl, who said this: "We ain't got no wallets up here. You gotta go downstairs and look for it." At this point I was already getting mad, but tried to keep it cool. Jason and I went downstairs, ...