So I’m finally using this iPhone for one of the reasons I wanted it for, mobile blogging. I downloaded the Wordpress App. and I’m writing this post to test the mobile blogging capabilities of this bad boy. I’m here at a local park with my daughter, so I also took a picture of her and some other kids playing right now to see how that looks once it’s live.
I’m often sitting at a park bench watching my daughter play for several hours on the weekends, when an idea for a blog post (such as a solution for a current problem, or a creative thought) sparks in my brain. Typically I’m lucky if I remember about it when I get in front of my computer again, well, not anymore!
So here goes nothing, the first of many mobile blog posts…
I have noticed several phishing attempts along with a colleague, Alex Rothaus, from some Google impostors. After contacting our Google representatives this morning, they confirmed that those emails were not authentic. If you receive ANY emails from “Google AdWords” or any a similar source, claiming a payment was not processed and asking you to click on a link to resolve the issue, do not click on that link. Just forward the email to Google help through your webmasters account if you have one.
The emails look legit, but Google will never ask you to click on a link, they will just give you instructions to go to Adwords.
Here are some screenshots from phishing emails we received this morning:
If you noticed the same, get the word out and let us know.
As I was checking my Gmail this morning I noticed a clever little Gmail Ad that almost got me to click on it. Not because of the product offered, or because I was interested to see what was in the other site. I almost clicked on it because there are some elements that triggered some of my robotic behaviors in my computer. Here’s the ad:
Can you tell what triggered my robotic behavior? Hahahaah, no no no, it wasn’t the text saying “Someone has a crush on you..”. It was the “(1) New Message” text. You see, those ads aren’t new, and I would never automatically click on something like that elsewhere on the web. The thing is I’m in my own trusted Gmail Inbox, and I see a perfect little link saying “(1) New Message”, I automatically put my mouse cursor on top of it. I had to pause, read the rest and think for .5 seconds in order not to click.
The concept of advertisers capitalising on people’s robotic behaviors isn’t anything new, it just feels weird when you realize they almost had you. Now think of this, for everytime you realize that they just had you, there have been at least 10 or more times that they got you and you still don’t know about it.
Watch this cool short video about something similar to what I’m talking about. It’s called “Subliminal Marketing”, scary and interesting stuff…
What a crazy week this has been, and interestingly enough it has rushed by like the ones before! Wow time flies… Here’s a little something funny for you to share with your friends, or should you?
Geoff:
PubCon is always fun. Been to one before and the best thing I personally got out of it was networking... Can't make it this year, but I would recommen
Mark:
Mobile blog posting - what a revolutionary concept :-) iPhone rules :-)
If you have been here before you'll notice this is a new look for us. The old tools and cool links will be back up soon, bare with us during this transition. Thank you.
