"Too big to fail" or punish...

Anyone else read the article about FTC recognizing that all their "settlements" they come up with companies like FB where the company is allowed to evade admitting guilt when FB was found to be abusing the privacy of their users. How can the FTC look at themselves in the mirror and be happy that they ended up with such a watered down "punishment" It is one reason why a company like FB will continue to play fast and loose with the rules-if a company can get punished without paying fine or admitting guilt, then it says a lot about what has happened to the "laws" in this country when it comes to dealing with businessess that have become "too big to fail" or punish!

-A Myabuy Man

Where can you find million dollar homeowners heading to library for a/c...

The answer-Silicon Valley. This is from firsthand experience. Its a shame but million dollars does not go far there. Why the library-its free and offers strong central a/c. Guess how many million dollar homes have central a/c (or even window a/c) in the Bay Area? A lot less than you think....


Lets just say your not going to be living large in a million dollar home! 


-A Myabuy man:-)

Time to get on board with Do Not Track...

It may seem weird that any company in Internet area would welcome the Do not track list. Unfortunately many companies live in a bubble and cannot see the forest from the trees (so to speak) It is similar to some politicians in U.S. that do not see the big picture in anything that is against his/her interests or ego. The problem is a lack of empathy towards the end-user. Its a shame but empathy is something lacking in many people nowadays (particularly those who really lucked out in things)

What do ya'll think? I would totally sign up for Do not Track list if FTC gets in the game and demands that the govt stop squabbling and protect their citizens!

On Myabuy  you will not need to worry about signing up for Do Not Track List, THat is nice, since who knows how much longer it will take for govt to take the recommendation of FTC to implement Do Not Track list.

A time to sue? Probably...

What do you think of Yahoo suing Facebook for 10 patent violations, I think Yahoo will win just because if you go by facts, its clear that Facebook ads are modeled on Yahoo and Google (aside from the sponsored stories which pushes the laws of decency far more than either Yahoo or Google could ever imagine) Also Yahoo owes Facebook nothing-they do not own a piece of the company and will not profit from the success or failure.

If the new CEO did not file patent suit he probably would be let go for dereliction of duty...

Love to get other thoughts on it....

Myabuy 4 life:)

What does a million dollars buy you (not much in Silicon Valley unfortunately)

When I was in Mountain View, I met a guy who bought a home in Palo Alto in the 1960s told me that before that area became Silicon Valley it was farming land-its why many of the homes and apt buildings are not built with modern conveniences (double paned windows, thick walls.) They were never designed to be million dollar homes or even executive style accommodation lol Make me wish I were alive to have bought up a bunch of homes in the 1960s lol

The place I rented back in Mountain View best described the no upgrade necessary for the very high rent mentality of most landlords!

-Myabuy Man

Myabuy

What does a $1+ million home in Silicon Valley look like....

Very average...honestly $1 million gets you so little in Silicon Valley-if you owned a home there before the Internet boom (when the homes were probably priced at their physical value-materials, land size, design) than your sitting on a fortune that will not go down in value...Its weird what $1 million gets you in an area that is not near the water, or beautiful scenery....

Well its the type of area where nothing is what it seems...

-Myabuy 4 life

The difference between Silicon Valley myth and reality!

Wondering when Silicon Valley will understand that people who work there (unless their an employee of a huge company) cannot afford to live there. I remember living in Mountain View and talking with people working downtown who had to live about a 1hour drive away (some had to take a few buses) to get to work. I went to mountain View for Myabuy but learned a lot about the difference between the myth of Silicon Valley and the reality of living there.Income inequality does exist even in 1 of the richest parts of CA.

Just an observation from a former Mountain View resident, who did make some good friends while living there....

What's wrong with the FTC-look at the Facebook settlement. Shameful by any legal standard!

Is anyone else disappointed in how inefficient U.S. government and the FTC has been-waiting this long and willing to accept "settlements" from companies like Facebook that relish in exposing everyone (except their own executives) information as part of their culture and original business model. I guess that is a type of business model in the way that cos I never heard of, posting your information and then asking you to "claim this profile". That there is no financial punishment to a company that has been doing it blatantly since it's founding (in legal terms punitive damages) indicates that the laws and congress are for sale, through corporate lobbyists-Facebook has a big lobbying unit in Washington D.C.

Its a shame because without punitive damages there is no incentive for anyone to respect privacy until they are forced to (which in Facebook's case was 5 years plus) I cannot imagine in private sector lawyers would work and spend years only to settle for such weak terms (no financial or punitive damages) It is a settlement between a watchdog and a private, for profit company being treated like a misunderstanding that has been going on for over 5 years! I can understand why FTC and other government agencies cannot attract top level talent nowadays. If I were a lawyer and spent all this time and effort to get nothing tangible (financial or personal satisfaction) I would feel like the whole thing was a waste of my time and expertise.

-A "faceless" Myabuyer

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

clearing up some myths about Johns Hopkins (my alma mater)

I have met many people recently (from different backgrounds, regions of the country, and education level) who have a lot of false information, when the subject of Johns Hopkins comes up. Some of these fantasies people insist are facts (that is also very annoying-clueless men/women who judge places they have never been to or seen but I digress)

Two different faux friends literally said that Johns Hopkins is a public school. lol Where they got such a ridiculous idea is beyond me. there is no state or city in the name, and there is no town of Johns Hopkins anywhere in the U.S...yet some people choose to be willfully ignorant of what is going on in the U.S. and the world...

I have also been told that Johns Hopkins is just a hospital-how f**king ridiculous is that? Hopkins was the first research university in the U.S., and is a lot more than just a hospital-it is not the Mayo or Cleveland Clinic! There are a ton of different majors, programs and leaders that came out Hopkins-the treasury secretary of the U.S., Tim Geither is a Hopkins grad (SAIS) for peat sake!

Sometimes I wonder where people latch onto false ideas, and how they parrot them and pollute their ignorance to friends, colleagues and total strangers...it is a shame that people do not know more about a great school like Johns Hopkins and the wonderful students and alumni who contribute so much to the U.S. (and world) If there were more Hopkins grads, this world would be in a lot better shape! This is just my 2 cents:)

-from the desk of the Privacy Pioneer (aka Mr Myabuy himself)

A brief Bio of the man behind myabuy

Joel, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of myabuy, LLC is a warm person, patient and diligent.

At Johns Hopkins, Joel started his first company to protect users from telemarketers. Joel obtained a trademark and a USPTO patent for this concept but during his work-intensive senior year, could not devote his full attention to the company and decided to fold the corporation.

Joel graduated Johns Hopkins University in 2007, complete with a grand vision-develop an upgraded, secure fully functional network for all Internet users who value their privacy and do not want to alienating future employers, business partners, and customers by exposing personal information and details for all to see.

Joel hired the best lawyers, programmers, and graphic designers to build the most powerful and simplest network possible-a tremendous undertaking completed in 2010 under myabuy ™ Where Good Friends share and shop!

Joel is a strong supporter of social causes, particularly protecting the environment, supporting higher education, improving health care and increasing transparency among government, financial institutions, and Internet networks.

Joel invites you to join myabuy ™ for free. Take advantage of this offer and join myabuy.com:)

Girls Gone Wild, FB and Myspace are the same-its a real shame!

The only difference between what Girls Gone Wild and Facebook or myspace is Girls Gone Wild promises kids that flash a free cheap t-shirt! All three are corporations that exploits your kids and their friends in the same shameless way.

Both the owner of Girls Gone Wild or facebook, and myspace don't give a shit about your kid or the damaging long term consequences they pushed your kid to reveal and disclose everything. The owners of both these corporations are not your friends-they know their "product" offers no redeeming value. What they do is wrong on so many levels-the founders are likely headed to hell or reincarnated into a gnat/dung beetle/tampon for Joan Rivers...you get the idea.

Well myabuy is gonna be different-and considering the competition that's a GOOD thing. While I am not friends with all my users I always respect them and their information. I am also the founder of myabuy.com and enjoy talking about what myabuy can do for all of you.

Best Wishes,

The Myabuyer

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

Tired of the abnormally cold weather haunting the East Coast and in particular South Florida!

I am so tired of the cold weather in Palm Beach Gardens. Why is the cold front lasting so long on the East Coast:(

While this may seem like a post better suited to twitter, it does impact more then just me and the people of South Florida-Manatee's an endangered species are dying in record numbers this winter. Just because the weather is now cold does not negate the fact that global warming is happening and that abnormal weather changes are highly destructive to our way of life. Just my 2 cents on a non myabuy Business topic that I also care about...

-A loyal Myabuyer

Do you not care about your privacy? That is what the founder of facebook believes...

I do not get how people do not care about their privacy on the Internet. If that is the case, then these same people should be welcoming all the SPAM for Viagra, con men, male enhancement pills, sex sites, and the other unwelcome garbage received in your facebook and email accounts.

I mean what would these people expect-it's only their life their exposing-certainly not as important as making a virtual farm, or playing a virtual mob boss. lol Unfortunately if you do not care about privacy don't expect others to hold yours in high regard.

As for the various SPAM that comes through mine and yours facebook accounts there is a solution-demand more from the site owner. They are responsible for the content, and turning a blind eye while your account is filled with boner pill scams.

Just because a site is free to join, does not mean your life is free to exploit. What is the real value of joining an online network.

That is one reason why myabuy.com, the co. I founded and is also free to join and use, does things differently. For one I value utility over allowing 3rd party applications free reign to exploit myabuy members. I do not perceive my privacy needs to be greater that yours.

I hate SPAMMERS, and frauds that try to exploit others, but there is no logical excuse to disrespect other people's privacy while keeping a wall over your own (something I believe the owners of facebook, myspace, etc have willingly done with their websites and the users who joined them.)

It is a shame but the only way to put a stop to this mess is for you to switch to responsible, respectful networks-for example taking a look at myabuy.com may be a good start. Your privacy and mine are worth more than any virtual farm, fruit or virtual mob boss will ever be.

-A concerned Myabuyer

Sorry for long delay-I am no longer in Mountain View, California

I left Mountain View, CA partly because I saw the writing on the wall-housing prices were and still are way overpriced, the cost of living is still super high and I do not think this can be sustained in the economy-even before the housing collapse. I feel bad that this is the situation-I do not want to any city in U.S to suffer, particularly in Mountain View where I did make a few good friends.

Hopefully the situation in all of California will get better! I am now in Palm Beach, FL-there is housing situation here too, but I feel the potential for success is as good as that in Silicon Valley. There is not a big high-tech industry but taxes are lower, and housing is very much so. I will try to maximize the advantages available in Palm Beach so that it benefits myabuy.com!

The great western migration (aka why California economy is in deep doody!)

I noticed that there are a lot of people leaving California-not me personally- I just got here in 2008. But others are finding that life out West is not as prosperous as it once was. Perhaps it is because California (the 8th largest economy in the world) is bleeding red ink. What is most sickening is that the states b-rated actor/steroid abuser/body builder Governor (the man who rode into office due to a bogus recall and is leaving with his tail between his legs.) Many people I met here are counting the days till he leaves office in 2010. He cannot run again but even if he could I doubt anyone would vote for him. Why am I talking about the lame duck governor of California in this blog-because he is making the state poorer and that affects business everywhere-Mountain View and Silicon Valley is not immune. It affects me personally with his plan to impose higher sales tax (8.75%) while cutting benefits to everything else that matters in our day to day lives-healthcare, education, public services. I hate the 8.25% sales tax California has now-if they are gonna raise it should go to helping the economy and not to cover a lame duck governors bad mismanagement. 

Yes there is a reason why people are getting the hell out of California-cause the unemployment is over 10% and all Californians are about to pay more out of pocket and get less. People with less money to spend adversely affects business-all businesses including web, brick and mortar, service industry-everything. I know that the worse is yet to come for Silicon Valley (it is inevitable considering the sorry fiscal condition of the State) and when there is no more money to squeeze out of the few businesses and people that decided to stay-then "it" will really hit the fan. 

But regardless of what happens in Mountain View, Silicon Valley or California myabuy.com will prosper and survive. Being self funded I am used to doing more with less-and concentrating on making a better site rather then putting lipstick on a pig and hoping no one notices the difference. 

Till later my pretties:)

Chief myabuyer

Mountain View, myabuy, and me!

I recently thought of moving myabuy from Mountain View to another city either in Silicon Valley or closer to San Francisco. But the more I think about it Mountain View is the best place to be in this economic climate. Google and Mountain View now have a symbiotic relationship-if Mountain View goes downhill and turns into a dangerous place filled with crack whores and gang bangers it negatively affects Google.  If Google starts to lose money this negatively affects Mountain View because they rely on Google to help build their city as the unofficial Silicon Valley headquarters. 

I am sticking to Mountain View. Google will not let Mountain View become a failed city/town filled with crime, crack whores and gang members. The cities surrounding Mountain View have no safeguard. 

Even if Silicon Valley is not perfect or filled with friendly, polite residents, the city of Mountain View is the creme of the non perfect crop- and that is worth something to me and myabuy.com.

Adios, ciao, domo, sawadee, sayonara from the Chief

Chief Myabuyer