Software Programs - Make You Feel Like A Blazing Idiot?

Guys, please tell me why NO ONE can create a nice, easy software program to utilize. Is it so hard to keep in mind that not everyone was born with a computer chip inside of their brain? There are many people out there that would love a script, a program, a banner creator and more that is easy to use, can be followed step by step and come out with great looking professional results.

It can't be that hard to make. And do you even think about the benefits to you? How many support requests do you receive in a day, that could be solved easily by a step-by-step program that leaves no stone unturned? I realize that this might take an hour or so out of your busy day to do, but once again, should I remind you of the multiple hours you have spent explaining things to your customers after you sell them that program?

Do us a favor, get customer friendly! Test your programs, or pay/offer free memberships/free software for people to test them that aren't computer geeks and will find the things that need to be explained for those of us who are ...dare I say it... somewhat challenged in the area of this stuff.

Otherwise, we might just have to start begging God or the powers that be to install computer chips into our kids heads before they are born!

Best Wishes,
Melanie
A.K.A.
The Ranting Queen

Update From Share Ad Space

I received this email today, and for once, all I can say is The Ranting Queen agrees! Pick yourselves up off of the floor now and read this announcment from Share Ad Space. Cheers to Share Ad Space!

Best Wishes,
The Ranting Queen

"Hello members,

As many of you know, the current state of the industry is pretty rough. Sites going broke, disappearing with your earnings, falling grossly behind on payouts, 3rd party affiliate companies terminating program owner accounts across the board, Paypal going on its monthly tirade of deeming one site unfit while another skates on by.

Add to this, the constant downward spiral of earnings a typical member can make while surfing their favorite sites. Want more fuel for the fire? How about the constant bombardment of pages FILLED with nasty viruses, trojans, heavy flash banners that lock up your computer ... oh ... and lets not forget ... PORN!!!! (whether its full nudity or scantilly clad women that leave little to the imagination, makes no difference).

And, last but not least, all of those *lovely* PTP/affiliate pages that have so many banners, popups, layer ads, etc that they can't possibly all fit on one screen (and typically, stack on top of each other 2, 3 or more layers deep).

Does any of this sound familiar?

How many of you are growing tired of this?

How many don't care as long as they make as much as they possibly can?

Want to make a difference?

If you say YES, please read on:

ShareAdSpace.com and MillionHitsLotto.net along with a growing legion of other webmasters, are beginning a grassroots effort to try and clean up the industry of the current state that its in.

For starters, SAS and MHL will soon display ONLY approved PTP and Affiliate pages that meet some strict requirements. If all goes as plan we hope to have this new system in place by April 1st (no, this is NOT an April's Fool Joke!)

More details will be forthcoming as we iron out all of the details.

There will be a DETAILED list of requirements for public viewing so that members AND program owners can view to see if their program(s) are up to standards.

There will also be a list of APPROVED SITES that, through a team effort of thorough research, have deemed these pages have met these new standards.

While many of you will not like these changes, many of you will most likely embrace it. Once this occurs, you will be able to surf knowing that we have taken every precaution to ensure your smooth and most importantly SAFE surfing/clicking experience.

Will these changes happen overnight? No...I will give advance notice to all members to either switch their campaigns, run a few more credits through their current campaigns and most importantly, give them a heads up on the SAFE sites among us so you can possibly join them. Lets give those safe sites the credit they deserve and support them.

Some of you may ask, "But won't this hurt our current earning potential?" Honestly, in the short term, I would have to say yes, quite possibly, BUT ... lets be frank here, earnings are already in the gutter, it can't really get much worse. Well, it CAN if we let it continue on its normal path.

So, what I propose is that we all take a stand, say NO MORE to the bombardment of pages that literally destroy your computer, lock it up or even embarrass you when you have guest in your home and they think you are surfing internet porn!

Once the dust settles and the bad pages are cleared out of the system, many members have already said they will come back and surf again. It appears that there is a group of members that have no problem promoting the garbage pages but don't like to surf them personally. Sort of not fair to the members that DO surf and have to endure this onslaught of nasty pages. I
feel that SAS and MHL will take a short term hit, both financially and with overall traffic but after a few months, will rise up again and even become more active than before. True affiliate advertisers (you know, the members who advertise Ebay pages, ClickBank pages, etc) will come back, pay even more for their page hits (since they won't have to compete with the thousand+ nasty pages) and our surfers will may have a more keen interest in what they have to offer.

In other words, bring our sites back to what they were originally intended or: briging advertisers and viewers together in an enjoyable atmosphere.

We have GOT to start somewhere before its too late.

Thanks everyone for listening. Feel free to post your thoughts on this
subject in our forum.

Rod Baker, admin
http://shareadspace.com/ and http://millionhitslotto.net/

*Posted with permission from Rod Baker, Administrator, Share Ad Space

PSA - Pennsylvania Commonwealth Employees Take Note

I started to add PSA(Public Service Announcement) as a way to warn people of the silly things that happen on the internet and through e-mail. I received this copy of an e-mail from a trusted source that was sent out today to all Pennsylvania Commonwealth Employees. It is valid and you should take note. If it is happening in Pennsylvania, it will begin happening all over the world in a short period of time, and is worthy of your attention and perserverance in letting these fools know that we will not be cowed by them.

Recently, the Commonwealth has been the target of spam emails that appear to be part of an “extortion” scheme. The Commonwealth’s Information Security Division is aware of the spam email attack. The spam email purports to be from a “hitman.” The email provides accurate information about the victim including complete name. The email demands that the victim sends a certain sum of money or reply to the sender by a certain time. Commonwealth employees have reported receiving such emails in their email accounts.

There is no evidence that the threats are authentic, however, all appropriate authorities have been contacted regarding these e-mail attacks and are being investigated.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• These emails are an attempt to extort money. Do not follow the instructions.
• Report receipt of email to your agency Information Security Officer or equivalent, or local law enforcement.
• Be cautious - protect personal identity when responding to requests delivered through unsolicited email.
• Guard your personal information as well as your account information carefully.

As a final warning from The Ranting Queen, remember to always guard your personal lives with the same protective nature you will find from a mother bear protecting her cubs. Not everyone is an innocent person that you will meet in real life or in the internet world.

Do not give your personal information out to strangers. Be careful who you trust. In the end, the only people you can ever really trust is yourself and your family members.

Best Wishes,
Melanie
A.K.A.
The Ranting Queen

Does Anyone Know The Meaning Of Customer Service Anymore?

Isn't relax a bad word in this industry? I know it's listed in my dictionary of words to never use in Internet Marketing! However, my cable company didn't agree, and so it took them almost 24 hours of me ranting over the phone at the answering service that doesn't take messages to get it fixed or I was coming to visit!

Once they finally got off their coffee and donut break, it took 10 minutes to fix the issue. But alas, my 24 hours of forced relaxation took its toll and now I'm stressed more than I usually am! Who should pay for this debacle of customer service? You tell me. I have my own opinions and I think that they should pay a heavy price for lost time of advertising, work and income...not to mention the mental stress of not being able to rant to you for ....gasp....24 hours!

It goes to prove that customer service is non-existent. People do not care about you, the one who pays their bills on a daily basis by giving the company they work for your business. They forget who, figuratively speaking of course, signs their paychecks. YOU sign them. If it wasn't for you, they wouldn't work and wouldn't have an income. Do you see where I am going with this? It is past TIME that we all took a stand as consumers. Insist on good customer service, whether it be from a business that has a physical presence or an online business who's only presence is a web page. If they aren't giving you what you need, it's time to find someone else to provide for you.

Maybe I should write them a thank you note instead....24 hours of time spent with my family has no price and should be cherished. Five kids who think their mother doesn't remember their names isn't a good thing either...is it? Once again, this is a matter of opinion I guess. We all know the story about opinions...don't we?

Opinions are like....everyone has one and they all stink! You can fill in the blanks.

I am forced to remind you all of one more old adage. The CUSTOMER is ALWAYS right. And if you don't follow it, soon you won't have any customers!

Best Wishes,
Melanie
A.K.A.
The Ranting Queen