The computer is a wonderful instrument, particularly emails and word processing. Also research, although in the latter instance I don't want two million answers in two seconds or less. It's OVERKILL. But I compromise and in the words of New Jersey Governor Christi, I'll "sit down and shut up!"
But here is my beef. It's all the hungry advertisers who are endulging in preditorial and dishonest tactics to advertise "we've got what it takes to take what you've got." Most recent example was a drop down ad telling me I could get a FREE CREDIT SCORE from each of the three major credit bureaus. I supplied my name and address. Then they said there would be a $1 refundable service fee. Wait. I smell a rat. A big rat. Sure enough, I would need a credit card for the dollar and then, if I didn't cancel within seven days they would bill me monthly for $29.95. I said goodby to the scammers.
That was one isolated example of hundreds, probably thousands, of the other sleazy companies who employ the same sucker trap gimmick. DO NOT FALL FOR IT! There are no free lunches anymore. There used to be some lavish dinners given by investment firms and they practically locked the doors in the fancy restaurant until we free loaders signed up to have a meeting with one of their well dressed sharks.
But those characters soon realized they were spending more than they were receiving, so they gave up on giving free dinners. Now, they just email people from their purchased lists of retired folks with big assets. From what I noticed at the last dinner I attended, about ten years ago, all the free loaders had big asses. You know, like those heavyweights who eat at the Buffet Restaurants. You can pig out all you want and waddle out with 5,000 calories in your bum. No thanks!
But getting back to the "free" sucker traps. We're surrounded by them. They drop down, pop up and follow you with the stored information they acquired. Probably from Ed Snowden, may he rest in Russia, or wherever. Uncle Sam is waiting to put him in handcuffs, go on trial and make a bad poster boy photo for all the world to see. Meantime, the damage has been done. Our private lives are quite public.
Another stink hole (pun intended) is when you're being followed after a purchase on amazon.com, such as a book or DVD. Immediately you are given a list of other books and DVDs you might like to buy. If you try to leave the page, a stern notice will advise you that you might lose all your desktop material and/or receive a virus from the Internet waiting in the bushes. Oh come on. didn't we all learn how to read and write in school? Why do we have to receive all that visual and audio bullshit.
Maybe Ed Snowden wasn't such a bad guy after all for his mission to blow the whistle.
Finally, I'll sign off for this Blog. Stay turned for more enlightened content down the road. And thanks for reading me, mostly between the lines!
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