Beauty is under rated online-why?

I am amazed at how beauty is under rated when it comes to websites and "Social Networks" It is not how the real world works. I do not want to sound superficial but the thought that some of the ugliest and most unfriendly to look at websites are heavily visited is disturbing. It is not the design in so much as the ugly practices and need for websites to devote 40% of screen space to the most tacky "Sponsored ads" and garbage imaginable...

How any business that is looking to maintain a good reputation would be willing to associate themselves, knowing their profile will be seen and matched alongside ads for dollar stores, dubious dating sites, crappy for profit unis (basically all the sad business entities that do not care about customers or the quality of their wares)

Life online is not like the real world. Unfortunately good businesses that rely on ugly websites and "Social Networks" with even uglier business practices will be lumped together-it just does not work (business wise) for the reputable party. It is time for some businesses to wake up and see that not all websites or social networks are equal-to pretend otherwise is delusional.

-Myabuy team

Quality can be measured by the values of its leader

I notice corporations often take the shape and attitude of their leader-whether it is deliberately enforced by the co. or that their ethics (or lack of) are natural magnets to like minded folk. Regardless of the reason, I have never seen a corp where the leadership is evil and the co. itself is pure of heart.

That is why Myabuy is special-it is designed by an ethical leader, who hopefully will attract equally ethical Users. Trust (or lack of) is so important online.

When you cannot reach the person in charge because the leader has deliberately made themselves incognito, that is a bad sign.

I often wonder if people find it fishy that some of the largest social networks have no number attached to their website (be it phone/fax or something) Most do not even have direct email address to the people in charge. While some may think its not important, they are wrong.

There has never in history of the been a major corp that was allowed to be completely uncountable to its members (both paid and free users) I wonder why the media does not mention that either-its a pretty OBVIOUS omission. I wonder if they think that regular users have access to anyone who can resolve issues.

the leadership of the biggest social network is one such unccountable business that has a lot to be desired. Particularly when they do not seem to respect anything about the very users that can make or break their company.

For all those who have not thought about it, I pose this question to you:

If something goes down, what will you do or contact-well there is no number or direct email address. When that happens who will resolve your situation-probably no one:(

What about businesses that use social networks to put up those cheesy advertisements, Same Question. If something bad happens what can you do? Its worth thinking about when evaluating leaders of corporations and whether they have real accountability to its users...

Till Next Time folks!

When do people care about privacy-always!

I want to ask everyone in the google universe when do you care about your privacy? I am assuming your answer is all the time! It is bunk when Social Networks like the CEO of a network that starts with F and ends in "book" boasts, about you and I not caring about our privacy...I can tell you, the reader in everyplace I have been to in the world (5 continents and counting) no one has ever told me, no we don't care...

The reason why there is not so much outrage to the trivialization of privacy from social networks is that most of the world (outside the U.S.) DO NOT KNOW about it. The fact is most social network users outside the U.S, have no idea that these cos have such a reckless disregard for privacy.

No one I spoke to, even knew how social networks made money...If social networks told this to people outside the U.S-that they were abusing the privacy and information of its users, the admiration (not to mention the number of new users) goes out the window.

When I tell people about what social networks are really doing, they cannot imagine a robust democracy like the U.S. would let companies get away with it. This is not innovation, but the Internet equivalent of telemarketing, email harvesting and/or dumpster diving.

Social networks must hope that Congress and U.S. lawmakers will continue to ignore what they do. Unfortunately the action/inaction of the U.S. has consequences. In this case, inaction acts like a rubber stamp in the eyes of many outside the U.S. that what other social networks do (particularly how the one that starts with the letter F and ends in book, does not allow its users to OPT-OUT of all their many privacy invasive features) is appropriate. It also sets a horrible example to others around the world who decide to copycat this deceptive model. When we stop having respect for the privacy of our fellow man, bad things do happen.

That is why it us time for the U.S. government to :"get 'er done", and put a stop to many of these egregious practices.

Sincerely,

A concerned member of Myabuy

Why do people go on networks that make them dumber?

I always wonder why people go on social networks that are proven to negatively impact their daily lives. A recent study reported in most major newspapers, notes that active facebook users are on average a full GPA point lower then their non-facebook using counterparts. That 1 point GPA difference is huge.

Most grad schools and many employers seriously consider GPA when interviewing prospective candidates, particularly in a crowded job market like this one Unless the person has George Bush like connections, they will be at a huge disadvantage in a bad economy.

At the end of the day what does the active facebook user (or myspace, hi5, whatever) have to show for their loyalty? Business connections? hardly. Finding the next big job? yeah right. Improving their chances of landing a dream job or getting accepted to a great school? please.

I have yet to read about someone whose life improved by social networks that expose the complete blow by blow details of their users for anyone doing a google search to see. However I have read articles every single day about how some professor, or politician and the average Joe getting fired or denied promotions, because of some stupid picture, comment or message posted by themselves-or others on social networks like facebook, myspace, etc. When a social network does not care about your privacy, anything you or someone else does becomes your responsibility-and liability.

My advice is to use a social network that benefits rather then hinders your life now and in the future...Your life and future is worth more then what many social networks are offering up now. There is hope, my fellow bloggers-stay tuned for more-myabuy style!

-A myabuyer