Are we entering an era in which newspapers censor what can and can’t be published on websites and blogs. I know it is drawing a long conclusion from recent events, but that is a possible result from recent events. Newspapers are now resenting people referring to their content and linking to it. This goes to the heart of public debate.
If they make comments, or write a story, that you or I disagree with, we should have every right to write an article with counter opinions. Now, from memory, you cannot argue, or give an alternative opinion, if you don’t in some way refer to the original content. This could include quoting snippets from the original and it would have to include some reference to the original material – normally in the way of link. We do this of course to make it easier for our readers to go and read the original content. They can then form an opinion based on both sides of the argument.
WebProNews reports on the issue and they have their own spin on the issue. Small Business Mavericks takes a different spin and asks – is linking unethical. I think newspapers may be taking this issue beyond common sense. Yes, they do have a right to their content as I have a right to my content. However, when I put it out there in public, I have to cop the criticism or applause. If people want to link back to me – I say yes please.
Some online news services now want to charge a fee for you link back to them. This is like the banks that charge us fees to borrow our money, or paying money for a tax service franchise to save us paying too much in taxation.
What these newspaper don’t realize is that down the track, the newspapers that stay open and who are prepared to welcome comments and inbound links, will be the ones who rise in popularity. They will be the online news services that we go to read. In fact, with luck, those newspapers will go the way of private school teachers - they are being laid off – so too will the newspapers.
Is this a potential threat to our freedom of expression online? What are your thoughts?
I probably shouldn’t poke fun at this poor guy. I mean, how would you be, standing at the sink washing the dishes when a lightning strike takes you out. At least you don’t have to finish the dishes. What are the chances of it happening – a million to one? Yet it did.
Modeling may save some moms from both the dishes and cooking. It seems if you have a Plus Sized Hourglass Body Shape the fashion industry may soon be calling. There is a movement now to get away from the traditional twigs on legs that we call fashion models and move to using models that better reflect society. There is hope for all of us yet.
Where Can a Medical Transcriptionist Go Wrong? You have to trust these people but they are human. A recent case in the UK highlighted why medical transcriptionists need to be soooo accurate when transcribing from an audio tape. It seems a specialist had recommended a specific type of treatment but the transcriber made a tiny but crucial mistake with the medication quantity. He was very happy for several days.
His wife has now found that Yoga: The Great Stress Reliever, is the only way she can calm him down. Cold showers don’t even work. BTW – he is 85 and she is 80 – go man go.
Sometimes I get some strange emails. Today I received one touting a franchise business that promised income of $75k-$200k with a total outlay of only $45k. I am always a little suspicious when the first thing they throw at you is the income. Carpet cleaning (and mattress sanitizing) is big business. The market is also pretty full.
The New Hot Franchise Sizzles! that appeal to me don’t involve cleaning or any intense sales. I would prefer a hot franchise opportunity that had customer coming to me – a franchise like fast food since it is always going to be popular.
I had an offer several weeks ago to sell a new range of toothbrushes that were set to revolutionize dental care. Now I know that Gum Diseases Should Be Identified in Time and that dental care is very important. But at $0.50 commission paid on every toothbrush sold, even in my humble town, if I could get everyone to buy one, I would still only make around $25k – and there are always expenses.
What I would like to buy into is an online franchise. With an online presence, you can have multiple income streams. Even with an online presence, I would be wondering – Can Small Businesses Earn Affiliate Money? I think they can if the affiliate program was related to your business in some way.
Really, what would please more than anything right now is not having to read silly emails that promise me the world.
You know, there are times when I think we print signs and posters without realizing what we are saying. I know there are times when people print signs to be intentionally funny as well. Take this sign – I have a feeling the double meaning was intentional – It would certainly have people talking.
If you were to buy into that business as a franchise, would that sign encourage you or put you off? I am not sure how I would feel being associated to a sign like that. Sure it’s funny to start with and very clever, but like all franchises, being funny and clever doesn’t always equate to good earnings. Being able to filter out whether what is being offered is a New Franchise Opportunity or Rumor can be difficult. Research is the key – just don’t be misled by any clever slogans.
Messages are often confusing or misleading. Do you like leading life on the edge. You may jump at working as an excavator operator if your saw this message – Excavators Take You To The Edge. It’s true, excavators often work sitting precariously on the edge of a trench or large excavation – but it’s not really living on the edge.
Even businesses make changes without completing the job. Look closely at the shop door and the operating hours. It says quite clearly in large letters, open 24 hours. Below that is clearly shows shop hours that indicate it closes each night. It’s not then 24 hours is it?
Our web sites are the same. I see some sites with links that are supposed to go to internal pages – instead I am met with 404 page not found errors. Or I am sent off to an affiliate page. Your internal linking is important. It guides your visitors around your site – it also guides the search engine bots around your site. Mislead them and watch your site drop out of the search results. Read this post if you need to know What Kind Of Link Structure Should You Use?.
Misleading signs – the world is full of them.
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