Saturday, June 26, 2010

Internet Arcadia Theory: Social Networking: Scam or Not?


Person one: Oh hey! I gotta update my Facebook status! Not to mention I still have to check those wall posts...
Person two: Um...Ew? You use Facebook? Those sites are bogus. You know as well I do anyone can steal your info when you join those sites. It's dangerous!
Person one: ...Imma go update my status now. You can go be blasphemous to the almighty Facebook somewhere else.

Wasn't that conversation just delightful? Believe me, I have had that same conversation. I was in the shoes of person two. I do have am account, but I rarely use it. In fact, my step mom uses her account and mine so she can play Farmville with two farms.

That's what gets me. If you wanna farm, be a farmer. Don't simulate something that can earn you actual money. In fact, you can put money towards the damn thing. Spending money of virtual websites. A prime example of why our economy is in the toilet. People are spending money on things that don't really exist.

There are two points I want to touch on here. The privacy, and the money.

The Privacy

Okay, so you just joined Facebook. Before you go out into the vast world of walls, you have to make your profile. Let's say you are a 14 year old girl named Vanessa. Why Vanessa? I think it's a nice name. Okay Vanessa, what is your gender? Female? Okay. Age? 14? No problem! Relationship staus? Single? Great!

All these things you fill out can be used against you. No, I am not being paranoid. Sites like this may sell your info to sites like www.spokeo.com. Sites like that log info about you, and anyone with money can buy the full profile and get all your info.

Then there is the predators. Vanessa, do you know what that is? Yes. That is correct. There are people who try and find out your info so they can get closer to you.

Creeper: Hrmm...I'm 40, but with this new profile I can make myself look like a 14 year old boy with a face like Justin Bieber. The wonders of the internet!
Vanessa: This boy around my age, and he his really cute! He even lived near me!

Such a pity. People need to look out for things like that. You never know what you are getting until you meet. Even then, don't meet alone.

The Money

Yes, I went there. Spending money on a website to achieve pixelated beauty is a waste of real effort. You worked hard to get that money. Your little farmer did nothing but popped up on the screen and moved itself where you wanted it to. The money you give to them is sometimes good, but they get most of the money from ads anyway.

The money you are spending should be going to feed your family. What happens if there is a fine imposed of facebook? Five dollars a month. I know what you are thinking: It's only five dollars! Yeah, but five dollars adds up. That is 60 dollars a year. If you keep doing this, it will add up. Sure, you will be in contact with your friends, but if you are charged for it, does it even make it fun anymore?

That explanation was a little shaky so let me try again.

The money adds up. You are being charged to speak with your friends. Money to see your friends. Does that seem fair? Not to me. Anyway, it's your money, you get to choose. I just don't want anymore money problems.

Okay, so, we touched on both points. I guess we are done. So, the final question. Are Social Networking Sites a scam or not?

Until next time!

Internet Arcadia: Truly the World Wide Web

Friday, June 25, 2010

Internet Arcadia News: Obama: Ruler of the Internet?


Holy terabytes! This is insane! The president in control of the web? That is unbelievable!

Oh, but it's true. Well, it's not so much true as it is a plan that is doomed to fail, but...You get my drift. Yes sir, we can certainly smell what Barack is cooking. It smells like something you wouldn't wanna eat.

Here is the deal: Our "beloved" president is proposing a bill that will effectively give him the ability to shut off the internet. It is a fairly ludicrous scheme as this would most likely damage the US more than help it. The way I see it, people use the internet to communicate more often then they do with their bodies. It is a quicker and efficient way to keep up with that friend that moved to New York. It is also a better way to stay informed. News websites exist for that purpose.

For Obama to just up and say something like, "I need power over something beyond the extent of my reign because it will help us in times of emergency," is just senseless. Last time I checked, we use internet for numerous things that help us during hard times. if you recall the history of our own fine country, the internet was originally created by the Department of Defense for government usage. Go figure. Now, if we shut it off, what is the point of having it?

Not to mention that the internet is way out of your reach. It isn't called the World Wide Web for shits and giggles. It really goes world wide. Herpaderp.

Anyway, the whole deal with this is something I would rather have you read from another source then have me skew the information if I do. So, here is a link for you to read.

http://www.prisonplanet.com/new-bill-gives-obama-kill-switch-to-shut-down-the-internet.html

I suppose since you came back to the blog after the news article, you care enough to read more. Well, that's all for this post, but I should have more to come.

Until next time!

Internet Aracadia: Truly the World Wide Web

What this blog is about

Hello there. My name is Erik. I made this blog to review all things to do with the web. Now, like all great blogs, we need to have an inspirational mission statement to get our point out there.

Get ready to be inspired in three, two, one...

The internet. What a prospect. Years ago, it would have been thought neigh impossible. It is an easy way to stay in contact with friends, and make new ones as well. This blog was made to keep you up to date on some of the best internet sites out there. We will review them. We will give you news on them. We will go to such lengths as enduring a week on horrible sites, just to get a review to you. Why? Because we care.

Internet Arcadia: Truly the World Wide Web.


Now wasn't that nice? Admit it: You loved it. You were inspired to the extreme. Now that that's out of the way. I suppose I will have out first article up soon. Keep your eyes peeled! Well, not literally, but you know what I mean!