Facebook, Adios for Now

At least until the election is over!

I like Facebook for the most part, but lately it is too depressing.

Babies being raped, dogs being abused or killed and other depressing stuff.

Politics getting too ugly. Today just one more post put me over the edge, so this tells me ‘bye for now, Facebook!'

Not closing my account just yet, but I have thought about it.

Maybe I will get some productive work done by staying off Facebook for awhile. And maybe, just maybe, I can figure out why Facebook always take me back to the beginning if I click a link that goes to another Facebook page!

The Internet

Ah the Internet! Full of the most interesting things. Educational things, documentaries, funny stuff, sad stuff and of course all those cat videos.

But there is a dark side to the Internet as well. Hackers and scammers just to name a few.

One of the biggest problems on the Internet are the folks with agendas. Some of them are so clever you really don’t realize what is happening.

There is software available that can edit any video to make it seem something entirely different from the original.

There is software that can edit any photo to make it look different than the original by adding or subtracting objects or people.

When you see one of these edited videos or photos you probably won’t be able to tell if it has been altered in any way.

So how can you know what to believe?  Just be skeptical. If it seems really out of character for someone, check it out. Don’t let your personal beliefs persuade you it must be true, just because you think it is, or would like it to be true.

Agendas can be in places where you would least suspect them. They can be in schools, churches, social gatherings and even families. They can be extremely subtle or outright blatant, but agendas are every where.

Then there are the conspiracy theories. Some are really bizarre, but others are rather believable, especially if they fit what you want to believe.. Usually these conspiracy  theories are started by someone with a not so hidden agenda, Some may have a bit of truth but are so exaggerated it’s hard to see how people can believe them. The sad truth is the Internet has made folks gullible!

If you find that hard to believe,  just look at all the hoaxes out there! First they came in in our email and now on social networking sites like Facebook. Some hoaxes were so outlandish it’s hard to believe that anyone fell for them, but they did by the thousands and passed them on to everyone in their contact list or on Facebook.

Still I would not want to be without the Internet. If it weren’t for the Internet I wouldn’t be able to stream TV and I would still be paying outrageous cable bills. I wouldn’t be able to shop online (that might be good, though).

Good or bad, agenda, conspiracy theories, jokes and cat videos, I still love the Internet!

Block Those Scamming Robo Calls

Yesterday morning  I received one of those fake IRS scam calls. I didn’t answer the phone but the scumbag left a threatening message on my answer machine. Guess this might be a new tactic, but then again I’ve been told my voicemail message sounds like me and not a canned message. (Sometimes I get a message ‘Press one or Press two’. These from my health insurer, no idea what that is about!)

I was pretty irked to say the least.

Previously I had tried to setup Nomorobo, but at that time it wasn’t available for Charter.

Since it is generally easier to delete voicemail messages while logged into my Charter account, I logged in to delete the message.

Wonderful! Nomorobo is now available! I set it up last night and this morning it has already blocked one of those ‘Toll Free Calls’.

I am delighted!

If you are interested in blocking robocalls, check to see if you can get Nomorobo for your phone.

It’s about time we can fight back!

Ah, Facebook!

What I want to read on Facebook.

I want to see my family and friends and how they are doing.

I like funny stuff like cat and doggy videos.

What I don't want to read on Facebook.

Anything about politics or religion ( I have my opinion about both and anything I see on Facebook will not change my mind)

I don't want to 'copy and paste' someone else's post. (I have to admit to being guilty of this, but I am trying to be selective and only share funny stuff.)

I don't want to click links to quizzes that just are there to capture your stuff. This 'Place of birth' could be another way for scammers to add to profiles for ID theft.

I see no reason to re-post, share or otherwise comment on whether I love my kids, or other family members.

I know most of the weird stuff could be hoaxes, photo-shopped or unsubstantiated rumors, so I just wish folks would check it out before posting.  I know it’s all too easy to just click share and go on, but think!

And remember the majority of those posts denigrating someone or someone, are probably by someone somewhere with a *hidden agenda!

Think before you share!

*http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=hidden%20agenda

Got a call today from a scammer.

The Caller ID showed 212-777-3461. I wasn't going to answer, but my younger son answered it. The caller asked for my older son by name.

My son said  "He isn't here". The caller said our computers were sending out virus.

My son  told the caller "We don't have any computers because the police took them all when he was arrested."

The caller immediately hung up.

I am still laughing.

Names are not listed to protect the innocent and the guilty.