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John L. Dilbeck's News Archive
John L. Dilbeck's Ramblings
Whatever strange and wonderful ideas tickle this big brain of mine.
ISSN: 1533-8193
Being a voracious reader, I go through lots of news and stories. When I find one of interest that I think will benefit you, I write about it here. Your feedback is always welcome.
News Archives
(See menu at left for the old archives.)
November 2003
New articles added
Posted by johndilbeck on Sunday, November 30 2003 at 8:21 PM
Category: (default)
I added several new articles to the site today. You can find them in the articles section.
Is the Alexa Toolbar Spyware?
Posted by johndilbeck on Thursday, November 27 2003 at 8:47 AM
Category: (default)
Recently, I received an email from my online friend, Barbara Brabec, who said, "I don't know if you're on my newsletter list or not, but if you are, you got my notice the other day about my website update. Just wanted to tell you that I saw your "Download Alexa Toolbar" info and proceeded to do this, only to run into a computer nightmare that I've written about this month on my site. I think you ought to read this article. You can link to it from my home page."
(To read her article: What You Need to Know About Spyware, the Alexa Toolbar, and Anti-spyware Programs: How the Alexa Toolbar Created Havoc with Internet Explorer and My Whole System.)
Before I say anything else, I'm very sorry that Barbara had such a difficult time after downloading this software. I've learned a great deal from Barbara about running a home-based business and I am a huge fan of her books on professional arts and crafts. Nobody knows the world of marketing arts and crafts as Barbara does and I wholeheartedly recommend her site, her newsletter, and her books.
However, I have to disagree with her regarding the Alexa Toolbar being spyware.
Also, we don't specifically know that the toolbar caused the problems she experienced, but she feels that it was the cause and that the problems went away after it was uninstalled. I don't know, either way.
(You should know that I don't use Windows PCs and I try to use Microsoft products as little as I can. The only Microsoft product I use on a regular basis is Internet Explorer, and as soon as I find a product that works better, I'll drop it. That said, I can't install the toolbar on my browser, because it isn't available for the Macintosh version of IE. There is a javascript available that gives me some of the same information that is available via the toolbar, called Snapshot, and that's what I use to evaluate sites, find related links, and look at their rankings and traffic information. This doesn't give me as much information as is available via the toolbar, but it works for me.)
Before you are allowed to download the Alexa Toolbar, you must agree to the Alexa Internet Terms of Use Agreement, which spells out exactly how the product works and how it may impact your privacy. It also discloses how information is reported to both Alexa and to Amazon.com (which recently aquired Alexa).
The terms don't say anything about causing problems with computers and browsers and I have to assume this is not a prevalent situation since thousands of Amazon.com affiliates use and recommend the product and millions of people have the toolbar installed on their systems and use it without problems.
However, even if only a small percentage of users may be impacted by this, it could amount to thousands or even millions of users, due to the proliferation of Windows systems.
Again, I'm sorry if Barbara -- or anyone -- has any problems with this software, but the Alexa Toolbar is being used by millions of satisfied users who find it to be helpful.
Perhaps this is not software that should be used by everyone, because it's really designed for webmasters who want to evaluate other sites and find related links. If you're not involved in web marketing or web design, perhaps it isn't for you.
For those of us who compete in Internet marketing and consulting, however, it provides valuable information that is not accessible anywhere else.
Are the traffic stats from Alexa 100% reliable. Probably not. What they provide is a statistical summary of traffic patterns -- based on traffic as measured and reported by browsers with the Alexa Toolbar installed, or by browsers -- such as mine -- which use the Snapshot javascript.
When you download the software, you acknowledge that you're aware of how Alexa will report your browsing for compilation of traffic stats and you agree to it.
How can it be spyware when the terms of use specifically spell out the facts behind how Alexa compiles and estimates traffic patterns and relative rankings of websites in terms of popularity -- as measured by folks with the Alexa Toolbar installed on their systems?
It can't be. It isn't.
Spyware, by definition, is software that is installed without your knowledge or permission -- and that is not the case with this toolbar.
Yes, there are problems with spyware being installed when you download all sorts of things on a Windows computer and Barbara gives some good advice on how to eliminate it from your system.
However, this toolbar is not spyware. It's a valuable tool that I use everyday (in the Snapshot format) and I would be much poorer without having it available. It helps me evaluate competitors, merchant sites, affiliate sites, portals, and other sites, and I use it to make decisions about which companies I want to work with.
There is no way that website rankings can be accurate unless every single browser on every single computer were to report their visits to a central repository or if every web server were to report on every visit.
Alexa is giving us the best information I can find anywhere by reporting statistically on where the millions of toolbar-enabled browsers go.
Can these statistics be skewed? Sure. Sites visited by webmasters who have the tool installed may have a higher ranking than they might otherwise have, and the same can be said for sites where they don't go, where rankings may be skewed lower than reality.
The way to reduce these inaccuracies is to have more people install and use the toolbar. The more people who use it, the more accurate the statistics.
Will some of you have problems with it? Most likely. I don't know anyone -- and there may be millions of you out there -- who doesn't have problems with a Windows computer. I'm always hearing from friends who have had to reinstall the operating system, reformat a disk, and do other similar things.
And, while I'm not interested in using Microsoft products, myself, well over 90% of all computer users prefer their products.
I'm happy to recommend the Alexa Toolbar to you -- if you have use for what it offers.
Knowledge is power, and I think Barbara has done a good service by telling you about her experience and how she solved it without following the horrible advice she was originally given -- Gateway told her to reformat the hard drive. Fortunately, she didn't fall for that tired old line.
If the Alexa toolbar doesn't provide you with information you need, you should probably remove it from your system. If it helps you build your business on the web, keep it.
We must each make these decisions for ourself.
I hope nobody else runs into the problems that Barbara describes.
While it didn't work out well for her, it's working well on millions of other computers and I'm happy to continue offering this valuable tool to you. If they had a Macintosh version, I'd install it today.
If you'd like to install the Alexa Toolbar, just follow the link. Be sure to read the Terms of Use before agreeing to what it says.
If you, like me, don't use Windows, there may be a javascript version of their Snapshot report available for installing on your browser. Just follow the link. If your browser and/or system is incompatible, you'll be diverted to a page that will offer alternatives.
I first learned about Alexa from Ken Evoy, in his ebook Make Your Site Sell!, where he explains how to use it to evaluate other sites. Another of his pages discusses website traffic and relative ranking using Alexa and includes a form where you can enter your domain name and see how you're ranked by Alexa. The closer your ranking is to 1, the higher your popularity. Many people are surprised to find that their site ranks in the millions or has not traffic ranking at all.
Using what I've learned from Ken over the last few years, I've built several sites into top 2% sites on the whole Internet. The Alexa toolbar (or Snapshot javascript) played a big part in helping me do this.
Now, I'm working to get a new site into the top 1% using Site Build It!
I appreciate what Alexa is doing for all of us by tracking and ranking website traffic so that I'll have one more tool in my arsenal for evaluating what I'm doing that helps -- or hurts -- my website performance.
As they say, your mileage may vary.
Do what's best for you.
FCC Clears Way for Local Number Portability Between Wireline and Wireless Carriers
Posted by johndilbeck on Saturday, November 15 2003 at 2:10 PM
Category: (default)
Previously, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruled that wireless carriers (cell phone companies) must allow customers to port their cell phone number to a new carrier when they change services starting November 24, 2003 if the wireless carrier is located in top 100 Metropolitan Statistical Areas. For customers outside of those top 100 MSAs,the carriers are not required to comply until May 24, 2004.
On November 10, the FCC reaffirmed that wireline carriers must port numbers to wireless carriers under its current rules.
This means that customers will be able to switch from one cellular provider to another (after the required dates) and keep their phone number by transferring it to the new provider.
Additionally, it means that customers with landline phones (traditional wired phones) may switch to wireless and transfer their phone number to their new wireless provider as of the required dates for their areas.
See the FCC's press release (PDF format) for more information. The press release contains a reference to another PDF document that contains a list of the 100 top MSAs.
I've been reading about this and during this transition time it's probable that there may be some glitches in transferring the number, so it seems that the safest advice is to keep your old wireless or wireline carrier account until after the new wireless account is activated and the local number is properly ported. Some wireless carriers will cancel your old account for you after the switch, but others may not. So, it behooves you to make sure the new account is functioning smoothly with your old number before cancelling your previous account.
If you cancel your old account first, you may not have the ability to transfer your number. So be careful if you're one of the first to try this.
Dilbeck Marketing is proud to represent the best cellular/PCS companies in the country, offering you savings and service unmatched in this industry. They will work with you to transfer your old number to your new carrier. It's probably best to tell them specifically that you want to do this when you create your new account.
You should verify that this option exists in your location with your new provider before making any changes.
Soon, there will be no need to be tied to your old carrier just because you want to keep your old phone number. Remember, this doesn't go into effect until November 24, 2003 in the largest MSAs and until May 24, 2004 for the other areas. Don't jump the gun.
U.S. Wireless: Poised for Growth
Posted by johndilbeck on Friday, November 14 2003 at 8:27 AM
Category: (default)
Sean Buckley, of ITU Telecom World, reports, "Wireless communications certainly has come a long way since its formative days in the mid-1980s, growing to serve over 148 million users in the United States, according to figures from the CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association). Far from the hype of the late 1990s and early 2000, the US wireless mobile market today is less about spectrum grabbing or one so-called killer application, and more focused on delivering a unique user experience.
"Knowing that quality voice and oncoming wireless data services will be key to success, operators continue to aggressively migrate along their respective 3G wireless paths, be it CDMA (Verizon, Sprint, Bell Mobile and TELUS) or GSM (AT&T, T-Mobile and Cingular). Complementing these developments is the added element of Wi-Fi, whereby the user can access even higher data speeds at various public hot spot locations.
"Although the future is certainly centred on wireless data services, voice is still the killer application. But what might be different about today’s vision of the wireless network is almost a maturing of thinking beyond specific network architectures. "
More from the article...
Cellular is HOT and we've got it! Dilbeck Marketing is proud to represent the best cellular/PCS companies in the country, offering you savings and service unmatched in this industry.
Listen to Ken Evoy's Live Radio Interview
Posted by johndilbeck on Wednesday, November 12 2003 at 2:10 PM
Category: (default)
Hear Ken's recent inteview -- Ken Evoy was recently interviewed by one of Montreal's radio stations and the interview was streamed live over the Internet. Listen to phone calls from customers and affiliates around the world. This interview is archived so you can hear it right now.
It appears I'm not the only happy customer and satisfied affiliate!
Open House Featuring Kathleen Davis of the Asheville Citizen Times
Posted by johndilbeck on Wednesday, November 12 2003 at 12:35 PM
Category: (default)
Crest Mountain Communities and M7 Event Solutions will host an open house featuring Kathleen Davis of the Asheville Citizen Times. Davis will talk about the WNC Business section of the paper which appears each Monday. She will be speaking about plans for the publication, offer hints on what kind of articles she's looking for and be available throughout the evening to answer questions. Carolina Image Builders will offer advice on public relations.
Crest Mountain will be previewing their new planned community and meeting/catering site. The food will be spectacular. Resse and Joe Lasher will be your hosts at this beautiful venue.
The event will be held tomorrow Nov 12, 5:30 – 7 pm. Crest Mountain is located in West Asheville. From Patton Ave, turn north on Louisiana, left on Hazel Mill Rd. This will merge left into Emma Rd, which will continue as Dryman Mt. Rd. Take the right at the Crest Mountain sign – property is the former Ben Lippen School.
Thank you and looking forward to seeing you there.
Dave Trout
Mutual of Omaha
658-1472
Helpful tool - Google's "define" parameter
Posted by johndilbeck on Saturday, November 8 2003 at 12:10 PM
Category: (default)
I just learned yesterday about the "define" parameter that can be used when searching on Google. It turns out that it's a very useful tool for those of us who need to keep up to date on definitions, including technical jargon.
For example:
If you go to google.com and type "define: voip" in the search box, you'll quickly be presented with a page full of definitions and examples.
Try it on some of the terms you may not be sure about, such as T1, T3, OC12, SONET, ISDN, DSL, frame relay, colocation or whatever you need to learn about, or to refresh your memory on the particulars.
It works equally well when searching for definitions of other terms, especially in quickly developing fields.
I know I'll be using this on a regular basis.
Western North Carolina Mountain Region Networking
Posted by johndilbeck on Saturday, November 8 2003 at 10:27 AM
Category: (default)
Recently, I joined the Ryze Business Networking site and I'm finding it to be very useful.
As a result, I decide to purchase a Gold Membership and start a new message board. I'm now the Network Leader for the Western North Carolina Mountain Region Networking message board.
The goal of this network is to help individuals and organizations in western North Carolina meet and help each other. If you live in this region, you're invited to join us. Together, we can accomplish much more than we can alone.
If you're interested in meeting new friends, making business contacts, and sharing your wisdom and experiences, then Ryze may be something you will want to look into. You can join for free or purchase a paid membership if you'd like to take advantage of the extra features.
I'd like to invite you to visit my Ryze page.
Ryze Business Networking
Posted by johndilbeck on Thursday, November 6 2003 at 10:14 AM
Category: (default)
Yesterday, a friend invited me to a free business networking site.
Since I have a lot of respect for my friend, even though I don't have a lot of free time, I went to see the site and liked it enough to sign up.
I haven't even had a chance to design my page on the site, but I like Ryze enough to recommend that you visit my page. If you like it, sign up for your own free page and start visiting and learning.
They have many discussion groups and it's a good place to meet people and build business relationships.
There are a number of advanced features which require a paid membership, but I think many people will be happy with the features that are available at no cost.
Check it out, today!
Happy Birthday, Mom!
Posted by johndilbeck on Thursday, November 6 2003 at 9:56 AM
Category: (default)
Today is Mom's 83rd birthday.
Wishing for you all the best.
US Counties
Posted by johndilbeck on Thursday, November 6 2003 at 9:46 AM
Category: (default)
A few weeks ago, I discovered a great site, USCounties.com, that allows you to post free ads for your business or organization in your home county. It also offers quite a bit of information that you may find useful.
For example, I posted an ad for Dilbeck Marketing on the Cherokee County, NC page.
You're invited to visit your home county page. I think this is a great site and I hope they have great success.
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