Marketing and Social Media Consultant Blog » Featured

Drop the SOPA or get screwed

Justin Parks — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 13:16:26 +0000

Its been a while since I blogged. Life has been hectic with family, work and all the important things that need or require my time (like sleeping). But its time I wrote something about this.

I was messing with a new WordPress site today and found a link on the WordPress forums to this page about SOPA/PIPA and how it is being pushed through in the USA as a new form of legislation.

I have been watching and reading the news about this strange piece of legislation and was roughly aware of its content and the overall proposal, but until I read this page I haven´t had the inclination to actually pipe up and say anything about it as I honestly believed that such a ridiculous piece of crap would never see the light of day as real law.

But it’s still here and it’s still being considered, so, about time I said my piece.

Simply put, this piece of legislation is a complete load of shite.

Take a few minutes and watch this explanation of what this proposal means. If it has the same effect on you as it did on me then I am hoping that you will step up and do what needs to be done to make it absolutely clear to your local politicians, business people, family and friends that you will not accept such lopsided ”fat cat” favoritism that this proposal entails.

Its detrimental to us all and will only serve a tiny minority of individuals who are adamant about maintaining the status quo, have no clue what the internet can offer them and who are to lazy to go and try or learn something new.

PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

Straight of the wordpress page, heres how our American firends can make themselves heard:

We are not a small group. More than 60 million people use WordPress — it’s said to power about 15% of the web. We can make an impact, and you can be an agent of change. Go to Stop American Censorship for more information and a bunch of ways you can take action quickly, easily, and painlessly. The Senate votes in two weeks, and we need to help at least 41 more senators see reason before then. Please. Make your voice heard.

Lets ge with the program guys and girls. Go make it happen.

Permanent Bookmark Tabs in Google Chrome Browser

Justin Parks — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 16:31:39 +0000

In chrome, when on a webpage or site you use regularly, right-click on the tab at the top and choose “PIN TAB”. Do this for all the sites you want so you have 6 or 8 tabs. These are NOT permanent and will disappear when you close the browser. To prevent that and make them permanent.

Follow these instructions.

Go to the Google Chrome Shortcut on your desktop or toolbar and right-click on it. Choose Properties. Look for the Target field.

Add this line:

- -pinned-tab-count=x

to the end of this string in Target. C:\Users\name\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe so it looks exactly like this:

C:\Users\name\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe – -pinned-tab-count=x

Now all you have to do is change the X to represent the number of tabs that you want to make permanent on the chrome browser and it will look like this every time you open your browser:

Simple as that!

Thanks to Addictive Tips for that info. Was exactly what I was looking for!

Social Media Revolution Video Updated to version 3

Justin Parks — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 10:06:57 +0000

I love these videos. This is the third instalment of the series entitled social media revolution, and its pretty funky. It gets some interesting bits of information across and in such an entertaining way and also it gives everyone a break from listening to me ramble on about things. Have a watch and enjoy.

Genius Spam from the Federal High Court and a serious note

Justin Parks — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 15:40:09 +0000

I don’t get much spam and any I do get is the usual fair of pathetic efforts to sell me something crap in a half assed email with missing images, large glaring colourful text or a mishmash of badly coded html design. This one caught my eye though, and by the time I was done reading it I was laughing my head off.

So, due to popular demand (after I mentioned it on twitter), here it is for you all to behold and revel in its grandeur. I hope at least you get the same enjoyment out it as I did. Hats of to these guys for at least putting the effort in.

Spam email to Justin Parks with some notes thrown in by myself and highlighted in red for good measure.

ATTENTION (Im at attention, please proceed),

YOU ARE HERE BY CALL TO JUSTICE FROM THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT. (oh goodie) WE HAVE A NOTE RIGHT IN FRONT OF US THAT YOU ARE HAVING SOMETHING TO DO WITH SOME INTERNET SPAMMERS ALL IN THE NAME OF THE (FBI, BANKNOTE, EFCC ,COMPENSATION AWARD HOUSE AND SOME ORDER SCAM EMAIL) (A note? Really? Must be serious…go on) AND THAT YOU ARE ALSO HAVING SOMETHING TO DO WITH SOME SPAMMERS IN AFRICA ABOUT A CONSIGNMENT AND MONEY. (First I heard about it, but anyway)

WE GOT THE NOTE ON OUR DESK THIS MORNING FROM THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF HEAD INTERNET SECURITY (GEN. DANIEL DOHERTY) (Hello Daniel…) WHO HAS BEEN MONITORING ALL YOUR EMAIL FROM THERE DATA BASE. (…you nosey bugger)

YOU ARE ASK TO STOP ALL CONTACT YOU HAVE BEEN IN SO FAR WITH ANY OF THOSE SO CALLED SPAMMERS OR ELSE YOU WILL HAVE YOURSELF TO BLAME. (Nothing new there.) AND ONCE AGAIN YOU ARE TO CONTACT US BACK WITH ALL THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO YOU BY THOSE SPAMMERS TO HASTEN US OUR INVESTIGATION ON WHO IS BEHIND ALL THIS AND WHO HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH YOU BECAUSE OF YOUR MONEY .. (My money? I thought it was a consignment of money from Africa. I’m confused)

NOTE: (there’s that note again!) YOU ARE ASKED TO GET BACK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE OR WE WILL HAVE TO INFORM THE FBI TO COME AND PICK YOU UP IN YOUR ADDRESS AND YOUR CASE WILL BE WORST IF YOU DON T COOPERATE WITH US TO GET THOSE SPAMMERS RED HANDED THAT IS WHY WE EMAIL YOU TO KNOW MORE DETAILS FIRST BECAUSE THAT IS THE EASIEST WAY TO MEET OUR GOOD CITIZEN S. (So I should give the FBI your email address then or what?)

SO YOU ARE TO GET BACK TO US IN NO TIME BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE FOR YOU (Its been too late for me for a long time, but please continue)…. MORE SO YOU ARE TO PROVIDE US ALL NECESSARY DETAILS AND WE WILL INFORM YOU IF TRULY THERE IS ANY CONSIGNMENT FOR YOU AT ALL…(Hang on, I thought you where pretty sure that this consignment was for me, or was it my money, or now its your money and you want me to take it… I think you better check that serious note you have right in front of you on your desk again and get this story straight) OUR DUTIES IS TO PROTECT ALL OUR CITIZEN AND KEEP THEM AWAY FROM ANY HARM OR WHATSOEVER DAMAGE THEY ARE….(pull the other one)

WE WERE TOLD THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SCAMMED MANY TIMES AND YOU STILL KEEP ON COMPLYING WITH THOSE SCAMMER , I WILL URGE YOU TO FAST AND GET BACK TO THIS DEPARTMENT WITH THOSE SCAMMED MAIL. (eh?)

I WANT YOU TO PUT YOUR ATTENTION AND EFFORT ON GETTING THOSE SCAMMER AND AFTER THAT WE WILL DIRECT YOU TO WERE YOUR FUNDS IS BEEN KEPT JUST FOR SECURITY PURPOSE. (Awfully nice of you.)

SO GET IN TOUCH NOW! OR YOUR NAME WILL BE LISTED AMONG THOSE TO BE PERSECUTED (nothing like a good persecution!) BY THE LAW (SCAM ACTIVITIES)….

GET BACK TO US WITH THE REQUESTED DETAILS (I’m on it! Gimme minute!)

BEST REGARDS,

PROF. JUSTICE ANDREW (Cool name)

I do wonder sometimes if these guys would let me recommend them a good copywriter and proof reader before they do this spam stuff. Then again, if I did, I might have missed out on this absolute Gem. If you have any other entertaining examples of Spam Email, let me know on twitter (@justinparks) or in the comments!

Self Employed in Spain – Why bureaucracy strangles us.

Justin Parks — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 12:28:26 +0000

The titles a bit heavy but this short clip goes a long way (and puts a bit of a funny spin) on the process of becoming self employed in Spain. Its not just becoming self emplopyed that can be so frustrating however. Most systems in Spain are still bogged down in bureaucratic nonsense with bottle-necks in the system, unclear processes and small minded people on powertrips capitalising on their positions… just like this:

To all my mates, who dont believe me, this was a true story. Swear.

Getting cheap flights online with the Irish

Justin Parks — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 17:21:11 +0000

With St. Paddys Day less than 24 hours away I have to say I was delighted to come across this. Puts me and Im sure a few of my colleagues (yer all irish tomorrow lads and lassies!) in the mood for a right ole party to celebrate the green! Its just ever so slightly taking the piss out of booking flights online… and taking the piss out of the ourselves as well. ;P

Have a wee watch at this redition of purchasing a cheap flight online.

Social Media on Fox News – The Future as we know it?

Justin Parks — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 16:21:15 +0000

Really and truly, I would not be surprised if this happens some day. Seriously… I wouldnt. Great stuff. What makes it for me is the mention of Geocities at the end (its gone, dont exist, been turned of, went *poof!*, into the nether… etc etc.). Even comedy cant keep up with developments online. HA!

An honest Irishmans view on the economic crisis and the bailout

Justin Parks — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 12:26:01 +0000

This is the most honest opinion I have heard on the whole bloody situation surrounding Ireland, the economy worldwide, the bailout and the banks. I love social media, there is no way any of this would have been broadcast on any TV reporting station in the world. Mores the pity.

I wish this old fella was my grandad. I’m dead impressed. He would be great craic in the pub. (Language ALERT for any who don’t like to hear it like it is!)

Google Goggles for the iphone

Justin Parks — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 08:31:39 +0000

Although this technology is in its infancy its already impressive…and scary…but still impressive. I say its scary because I can foresee the day when you will be able to look at someone, take their photo on your phone and get results about them, criminal record, income, current employment, marital status etc… That’s going to be a strange world to live in but… it might be a better world to live in to. Not sure, the Jury is still out on that!

Here’s what I’m talking about. The new app for Google Goggles. Take a photo and get the details.

Whats your thoughts on this technology and its future?

Next Generation Mobile phones the Mozilla Seabird2

Justin Parks — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 03:56:40 +0000

It takes a lot now a days to make me sit up and say “whoa!” but this certainly did. Its only a pity that its a concept phone on paper and not set to go into production. Its part of the Mozilla labs concept series where you can check out more details about this visionary mobile. Just brilliant thinking.