the stuff in my head

Thought Refinery #2 is up, this time I take you on a sound seeing tour of the grocery store.

I will be speaking at an internet evangelism conference April 1-2 in Virginia. It’s called Internet Evangelism for the 21st Century and is at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. There are many good speakers (other than me) and I think you would learn alot. Visit the site http://ie-21stCentury.com and register – maybe I’ll see you there!

Reaching the Connected Generation with Blogging: What is a “blog”? What does it mean “to blog”? And how can blogs be used to evangelize on the World Wide Web? Find out answers to these questions—and more—as this panel of bloggers discusses the emerging medium and what it means for the future of ministry on the Internet. You’ll hear from Steve Knight (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association), DJ Chuang (ForMinistry.com), Nick Ciske (nickciske.com/blog/), Will Samson (willzhead.typepad.com), and Stephen Shields (Faithmaps.org).

Podcasting and Internet Evangelism: Learn about podcasting, the audio phenomenon sweeping the internet and blogosphere. Discover why and how it started, how to do it (including a live demo) and how you can use it to further the Kingdom. Learn what to do and, more importantly, what not to do in this vast and unregulated spectrum. Details on equipment, software, and publicizing your podcast will also be covered. If you’ve ever wanted to be a radio DJ, show host, or just like to talk, don’t miss podcasting. (Nick Ciske)

It’s from 2002 but still as relevant as ever, possible more so today.

Our common culture is being stolen from us by monopolies and corporations in the name of greed. Our government is helping them. We are doing little to nothing to stop them. In fact, we are being called the thieves.

Our freedoms are being stolen and we are doing… what?

• Buying iPods with proprietary DRM. (I own an iPod)
• Funding Microsoft’s takeover of the world. (I use Windows)
• Binging on yet remaining emaciated by the Hollywood diet of unoriginal movies. (I love movies and own 150+ DVDs)
• Sucking down hours of reality TV that has nothing to do with reality and everything to do with selling us stuff we don’t need.

(I occasionally watch Reality TV)

I am part of the problem. I am part of the solution. As are you.

Listen and learn – this will affect you deeply in the coming years: Lawrence Lessig: Free Culture

A revolution is brewing. Make sure you’re on the right side.

This would be fun to try with a Gmail account. Of course a web site/database would be more efficient… hmmm…

Urban Legends Reference Pages: Inboxer Rebellion (Kellie Lawton)

I got a call at work today, on my personal cell phone. It was from a nice lady at Aplus.net that couldn’t say my name. They were just wondering if I was needed web hosting or a custom web site built? No harm in that right?

WRONG.

How did they get my cell phone? Well they raped my WHOIS data that’s how. If you own a domain name you are required to provide contact info to the world which can be accessed by anyone. This allows the real owners of domains to be contacted if they are breaking laws, otherwise doing bad things, or an ownership issue arises, etc.

It’s not for increasing your sales!

So Aplus.net, I probably would have never used your service, but this has certainly sealed the deal. But they don’t care, they are probably raking in the cash from this little scam…

Goodby Aplus.net, hello Better Business Bereau, FCC, and ICANN complaints department.

Another innocent victim

More about Aplus’ (sometimes illegal) tactics

Update:

• Complained to ICANN… like that will help.
• Found they’ve been doing this for at least a year.
• Put my cell on the Do Not Call list (can’t complain to the FCC as I wasn’t on it yet)
• Went to the corporate site, talked to 3 sales/support people via their instant help chat system. The first two didn’t want to talk, the third humored me, but wouldn’t give me Ivan’s (the CEO) phone number. Apparently he gets mine but I can’t get his. That’s not playing fair.