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December 31, 2004
Make Honest Predictions
By QBlog in
While my wife was involved with Quixtar we were repeatedly told that the "e-commerce revolution" was changing the way Americans shopped and that soon, nobody would go to Wal-Mart or Safeway because virtually all shopping would be done online. Such predictions were often followed by an explanation of Quixtar's business opportunity and how it was properly positioned to take advantage of this retail revolution.
And it seems that much of Quixtar's business is built on the assumption that one day e-commerce will supplant traditional retail sales putting Quixtar in the fabled catbird seat. What a stupid assumption. And I think Jeff Bezos would agree with me.
In the latest issue of Wired Magazine, Jeff Bezos (founder of Amazon.com) talks about his business and e-commerce. The Bezos interview won't be online until Jan. 7 but I've included some excerpts below.
Chris Anderson (Wired's editor in chief) - How much of retail sales do you think eventually will be online, and how much offline?
Jeff Bezos - I think online ultimately will be 10 to 15 percent of retail (it's currently around two percent). The vast majority of retailing will stay in the physical world because people have acute needs, they want things now. Also, there are products, like a yard rake, where the economics of delivery don't make sense. But a 600-pound table saw is a great item to sell online because it always gets delivered. And it's expensive enough that there is enough profit in it to cover the cost of shippiing. Plasma TVs, same idea.
Do physical bookstores have anything to offer that Amazon doesn't?
One thing is face-to-face meetings with authors. And what Howard Schultz at Starbucks likes to call a third place, where people go and sit and spend time. We humans are a gregarious species; we like to mingle with other humans.
That's a realistic assessment from a guy who has helped pioneer the e-commerce industry. And you know what? His honest voice gives him credibility that the Quixtar IBO lacked. Also, Amazon.com is a publicly traded company so theoretically he could be hurting his business by downplaying e-commerce predictions. But his candor on the matter improves my perceptions of him and his company. Quixtar execs should take notes.
You want to follow a leader, follow Jeff Bezos.
Later Dude
By QBlog in
I'm out for a couple of days. Enjoy your New Year Celebrations and be safe. Things like Farcical Helpdesk and Blogging 101 will also be taking a break.
While I'm gone, check out this hilarious and bizarre Advent Calendar.
December 29, 2004
Santa's Bringing New Servers
By QBlog in
Yippee! This site, and a few others, are moving to new servers on Thursday. The new servers are bigger, faster, stronger, smarter and sexier. Hooray!
Ok, let's play "Good News/Bad News."
Good News: The new servers will be more secure and more reliable (we hope) and will be better able to handle the amount of traffic this site now receives.
Bad News: This site will be down for a while from Dec. 30-31. Sorry but it has to happen.
And thanks to all of you who notified me about the Forum errors today. The Forum was not hacked, it was just experiencing some connection errors which will hopefully receive a permanent remedy with the server move.
Lastly, I am continuing to make adjustments and improvements to this site to better serve you. A few things to look forward to in 2005:
- New Blog design. They creepy eyes will probably be back in some form and integrated into the new design.
- Forum enhancements. I'll be updating the Forum with new tools to make it even more dynamic (whatever that means).
- More Blog enhancements. With the recent upgrade to MT 3.14 I can now integrate some additional features... like... uh... cool stuff. Trust me, you'll love it.
Ok, the point is that I'm working tirelessly to make this site so much better than it is now. A lot of stuff is behind the scenes but trust me, it's good.
Anyway, I guess I just spent an entire blog post talking about blog maintenance which doesn't make for a very interesting blog. I know I'd avoid blogs with strings of entries reading, "Today I added a new comment feature" and "Last night I found a new way to use trackbacks." So, enough with the maintenance crap, just know that tomorrow (Thursday) this site may not be here. Why? Boy your reading comprehension skills are crap.
December 28, 2004
China Stalls Direct Sales
By QBlog in
Chinese officials have once again delayed the opening of "direct-selling" in their country. CHINAdaily reports that despite promising to remove the ban on direct selling as a condition of its entry into the World Trade Organization, government officials are effectively maintaining the ban amid concerns over "direct selling's potential for causing social unrest."
Apparently China has had a real problem with pyramid schemes and "widespread fraud." During the last 12 months (from Sept. '03 - Oct. '04) the State Administration of Industry and Commerce has cracked down on pyramid sales 2,797 times and "smashed 11,000 pyramid gangs." Wow. That's a lot of scamming.
So, companies like Amway and Avon will be forced to wait a little longer before they can begin direct selling. Until then, they'll continue to sell products in a store with trained sales representatives. What an amazing concept. And did you know that Amway pulled in over $1.2 billion dollars in China last year, 20% of Alticor's total earnings, by selling products in Chinese stores. Yeah, go figure.
The most interesting part of the entire article happens to be the very end which states:
The government will also require direct selling companies to have no records of severe law-breaking in the past two years and overseas firms to have at least three years' management experience in direct selling.
The commission paid to the salespersons should not exceed 25 per cent of the product price and the companies should be responsible for the illegal activity of salespersons.
Very interesting.
December 27, 2004
Upgraded Blog to Mt 3.14
By QBlog in
I just upgraded this blog to Movable Type 3.14. I'd planned to do this for a while but was forced to when my MT-Blacklist crapped out this weekend. Without the Blacklist I received roughly 600 comment spams in the last 48 hours.
More details to come.
UPDATE
And here are those promised details. The Movable Type upgrade went smoothly and I love the new features. If you're running an older version of MT to power your blog, I encourage you to upgrade soon. I bought the Unlimited Personal Edition that sells for $99.95 but with various discounts it cost me about $18. Sweet.
The thing I need to think about is whether or not I should enable the comment authentification feature. This feature requires all commenters to register with the free TypeKey service before commenting. The great thing about this feature is it will effectively eliminate all comment spam while also permanently banning comment flamers. However, I hesitate to activate this feature because I personally hate being asked to register with some service before commenting and I don't want to push that annoyance onto the site visitors.
And so, I must make a decision. And for now my decision is to trust in the MT-Blacklist and hope it will keep my comments spam-free. Turns out, the latest version is 2.03 Beta and I was running version 1.6 something. Not good. It worked for me until this weekend but now I'm back in action and killing comment spam dead.
And if you are reading this wondering what the heck this "comment spam" is all about then check out Adam Kalsy's Comment Spam Manifesto. It gives a brief overview of what blog owners like me deal with on a daily basis.
Comment Spammers Must Die. Die Spammers, Die. No MERCY!
- Do you know a good Indian restaurant?
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- Do you know a good Indian restaurant?
"Ah hah!!! Another one of those Quixtar/ Amway/ Chain Marketing scam people"
Monday Reader Mail: 26
By QBlog in Reader Mail
Today's Reader Mail asks about the Quixtar group Team of Destiny.
name: daniel
date: December 23, 2004
message: hey i have been reading your page lately and i was just wondering if you know anything about the team of destiny. i was on the team a while ago but the page is down now. just wondering if you know anything about that. and keep on coming with the articles, they are great.Your fan,
dan
Well dan, if you'd been following this blog closely you'd have noticed that Team of Destiny changed their name to TEAM in October. And in case you missed it, TEAM stands for "Together Everyone Achieves More" which is one of the most tired cliches in history.
And to celebrate the name change I've composed a little tune with the help of Daft Punk and Orrin Woodward. Check it out and let me know how you like it.
» Daft Punk and Orrin Woodward - Changing TOD to TEAM (mp3)
December 26, 2004
Blogging 101 - Blog Ethics
By Matt Wood in Blogging 101
If 2004 was the year blogs came of age, it’s because they were forced to. Bloggers covering the American presidential election and the war in Iraq became a standard part of the mainstream media conversation. The contentious political season gave many of them their wish: to be treated like professional journalists. But greater exposure also demands greater accountability. Blogging is a free-form medium; its biggest strengths are transparency and the lack of a traditional editorial control structure. Bloggers enthusiastically seize upon any public issue and make it their own. But this enthusiasm, and the speed with which it can be communicated to the world’s most public forum without any oversight, can lead bloggers into dangerous ethical territory of plagiarism and libel. This year, as blogs became some of the primary sources of political coverage, their enthusiastic creators were forced to grow up. If they wish to be taken seriously, they need to adhere to a new set of ethical standards.
Weblogs are so popular because they empower people to add their voices to the formerly closed media discussion. Bloggers are famous for their editors-be-damned approach to writing. Their unfiltered view of the world injects personality and style into the news cycle. Bloggers wear their biases on their sleeves. They post gut reactions to events within seconds. Unburdened by the constraints and costs of a major media organization or publishing house, the only audience they have to please is themselves. But the blog’s greatest strengths—individuality, immediacy, and style—may also be its greatest weakness. Speed and candor are not substitutes for accuracy and fairness. As Dan Rather can attest, bloggers gleefully pounce on mistakes made by the media. But they seize on mistakes by other bloggers with greater ferocity. A blogger in a rush to break a story will shoot himself in the foot with a sloppy or false posting.
During the spring of 2004, Sean-Paul Kelley saw a tremendous spike in traffic to his political blog, The Agonist. Kelley posted nearly live battlefront news from Iraq at a prolific rate, up to several dozen updates a day. Occasionally he attributed his information to other news organizations, but much of it seemed to come from a bevy of inside sources around the world. However in April, after being accused of plagiarism by another blogger named General Roy of Strategic Armchair Command, Kelley admitted to Wired News that he copied many of his posts verbatim, without any attribution, from an email newsletter by Stratfor, an Austin, Texas intelligence company. In some of his posts he even claimed Stratfor’s data came from his own confidential sources.
The questionable nature of his sources notwithstanding, Kelley is a talented, passionate writer. At the South By Southwest Interactive conference in Austin, Texas that same spring, he deftly skewered the current media coverage of the war, offering up his site as an alternative. Why would such an ambitious and talented reporter risk his reputation by plagiarizing? Kelley told Wired that he did it out of career ambition. “I was trying to develop my own sources,” he said. “If I could throw stuff out there to get some eyebrows raised as to ‘who is this guy?’ then I might get some encrypted email [leaks from anonymous government sources].”
Reaction to Kelley’s revelation in the blogosphere was mixed. The Washington Post’s Cynthia Webb said that many of her readers didn’t think it was that big of a deal because blogging is supposed to be a free-flowing medium. The fact that Kelley copied some of his material mattered less than getting the information out in the first place. But many others, including Dean Esmay of deanesmay.com, said that Kelley was clearly wrong. “I don’t think it’s about journalistic standards per se,” said Esmay. “It’s about being a decent, ethical human being. You credit your sources period.”
Ethical issues loom large for a blogger like Kelley who aspires to be treated as a professional journalist. Many people have already tried to answer these questions about blogging ethics. Some sites suggest that bloggers follow a modified version of the Social of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics. Rebecca Blood, in The Weblog Handbook: Practical Advice on Creating and Maintaining Your Blog, recommends six standards that she says can “bring transparency—one of the weblog’s distinguishing characteristics and greatest strengths—into every aspect of the practice of weblogging.” Her guidelines include disclosing conflicts of interest, noting questionable or biased sources, and linking to reference material. These suggestions can help bloggers identify themselves, show that they acknowledge competing points of view, and took the time to research their work.
Sean-Paul Kelley has likely ruined any chance he had at achieving true credibility. Other would-be blog reporters who find themselves with his opportunity need to strive for the same level of integrity and accuracy as the traditional journalists they so often denigrate. But even if you post only personal anecdotes and simple daily journals you need to be concerned with ethics. Pages deleted long ago live forever in the Google cache. You should feel accountable for everything that comes out of your keyboard.
Keep a simple rule of thumb in mind: when writing about anyone other than yourself, be they friends, family, politicians, musicians, or athletes, pay them the same amount of respect and fairness you expect in return. It’s a blogger’s twist on the Golden Rule: Blog about others as you would have them blog about you. This doesn’t preclude criticism, disagreement, or satire. But it does demand adherence to facts, diligent research, proper citation of sources, and old-fashioned fair play.
Ethical blogging is really about professionalism. If you take the time to check facts, credit sources, and correct mistakes, it shows that you care about your work and the reputation it engenders. This extra effort also places you on solid legal ground from which you can defend your work. Most bloggers have little interest in being treated as a serious journalist or scholar. Little harm can come from a few innocent mistakes or inaccuracies. But considering the ease with which anyone—think potential employers, litigious corporations, love interests—can find anything you have ever posted on the web, a few minutes to check your work is time well spent.
- By Matt Wood
Blogging 101 publishes every Sunday and provides blogging tips, advice and tutorials for blog newbies and veterans alike.
December 25, 2004
Merry Christmas
By QBlog in
December 24, 2004
QBlog's Farcical Help Desk - 7
By QBlog in Farcical Help Desk
Every Friday, the QBlog Farcical Help Desk™ answers the Quixtar questions that nobody dared to ask. Additionally, each Help Desk answer is guaranteed to end with some form of punctuation or we'll refund your money. No fooling!
Question: Is Santa real?
Answer: Yeah. Of course he's real. What? You don't believe in Santa?
Q: I don't know, having some doubts. Like how does he
deliver all those presents in one night.
A: Well, he uses FedEx of course.
Q: Really? What about the reindeer and sleigh?
A: Yeah. Well, he uses those too but FedEx helps him streamline the process.
Q: But how does he know what every kid wants and why
do some kids not get everything they want and what about those poor kids?
A: Ok. You know what? You win. Santa's a fraud. A big fat, red fraud. It's all
a big lie. Everything. The sleigh, reindeer, naughty list, the whole deal. It's
all a big scam perpetuated by corporate America to fuel the consumerism plague
that afflicts our nation. You happy now?!? Huh? Oh, and the Easter Bunny. Fake
too. Hey... what are you doing? Stop crying now kid. Uh, it's not so bad. C'mon.
I'm sorry. I just lost it there. I was just kidding, see. And look, at least
Quixtar ain't a fraud. I mean that's something right? Here's a candy cane.
December 23, 2004
Imran Saves Forum!
By QBlog in
A big, big thanks to my friend Imran, from Canada, for helping me restore the Quixtar BLOG Forum. Without his skills, there's really no telling how long it would have taken to get everything back up to speed. Please join me in dispensing props to Imran. Thanks man, you rock!
And yes, the Forum is back online. As I stated before, the damage from Monday's attack has been minimized. Also, the security has been improved to prevent future attacks but I am looking at other forum solutions so if you have any recommendations please let me know. As they say, once bitten twice shy.
And Merry Christmas to you all. It's so good to finally have this headache under control. I haven't slept much in the last few days (partly because I'm sick) trying to restore the Forum. I'm so glad that virtually none of the member's posts were lost. I was nauseated at the thought of losing all those posts and I'm ecstatic that they've been restored.
If you frequent the Forum and notice any bugs, please let me know. If you don't frequent the Forum, I suggest you check it out. There's some good stuff there.
December 22, 2004
Good News
By QBlog in
I'm still trying to get the forum back up but I do have good news. It looks like the database was salvaged and at worst, a few of the posts from last weekend will be lost. User data and configurations look to be intact. I'm really happy about this.
The grunt work now involves figuring out how to restore the corrupted forum files. Not as easy as it seems at first glance.
And some of the blog posts and comments were lost too but I'll be restoring that soon. If you see comments added with similar time-stamps that's me manually dropping them back in.
Oh, and by the way... the killer bees are swarming.
UPDATE
Yesterday's "Joe Land" post was lost. I'll try to repost it tomorrow. You ever have those days where you feel like you take one step forward and two steps back? This has been one of those weeks.
UPDATE 2
Things are looking REALLY good. Forum should be back online tonight. Missing "Joe Land" post restored (or rewritten) and blog comments manually reinserted (only 20 or so were lost so that shouldn't be hard). I need to do some quality checks, set some permissions and perform a few minor edits but the forum should be 99.9% restored before Christmas Eve officially begins.
Sadly, posts made on the forum from Dec. 18 until it was hacked are gone forever, casualties of some dumb haX0r. Thanks to you all for your patience and I'm so thrilled that your posts were not lost (except for a few).
December 21, 2004
Confirmed: Land Does Oasis
By QBlog in
This is a repost (from memory) of a blog entry I published this Tuesday. The original entry was lost when a backup database replaced the existing database. The original database became corrupted when some punk hacked the Quixtar BLOG Forum this Monday.
- QBlog - Dec. 23
I recently recently received some information confirming that Quixtar Diamond Joe Land is building a non-Quixtar MLM business. The information comes from members of Land's downline who claim that he is participating in an MLM called Oasis Life Sciences. Such claims are consistent with this blog's November report about the apparent involvement of Land's wife (Lynn Land) in the same business.
Additionally, this information arrives on the heels of the recent announcement detailing the restructuring of Land's tool business (AllianceNet Solutions). There's a definite sense that "something" is happening in the Land Line of Sponsorship though what that "something" might be is up for speculation.
Speculation
I've listed the facts that I know about Joe Land and his tool business. Now I will inject a bit of speculation. This is based only on my opinions so take that for whatever it's worth.
I believe Land is planning to exit Quixtar. This secondary MLM (Oasis) is a huge step in that direction. It will allow him, and any of his downline that choos to follow him, to smoothly jump from Quixtar directly into another MLM with minimal disruption of the revenue stream. I believe he wants to jump for two primary reasons:
- He isn't making as much money in Quixtar (including his tool business) as he'd hoped to make and sees that revenue stream decreasing annually.
- He wants to move to an "obscure" MLM that doesn't have the same baggage as Quixtar and Amway.
I could be wrong. As I said, I'm only speculating. But Land does appear to be violating Quixtar's Rule 6.5 (which basically says don't operate a competing MLM while you're an IBO) and even if he doesn't plan to jump from Quixtar, the corporation may be forced to remove him if he continues to violate their rules.
The most interesting aspect of this whole situation is how the other Quixtar tool businesses will react to this news. What will people like Orrin Woodward, Fred Harteis, Jody Victor and others say if Joe Land leaves Quixtar? Will they even allow such a move? I don't know but it will be fun to watch and even more fun to speculate about how all this will shape up.
More Info about Oasis LifeSciences
December 20, 2004
Forum Hacked
By QBlog in
The Quixtar BLOG Forum was hacked today. Not sure what's going on but it's down for now. This was a real hack but I have no idea who did it or what may result from this hack.
Thanks for your patience.
UPDATE: There is some good news I guess. This blog was not hacked. All server logs indicate that no data were damaged, deleted or corrupted. That's a big relief. More updates coming.
UPDATE 2: Still working on the Forum problem. Set up a task force to identify the hacker, find him, drag him out of his hole and burn him alive.
UPDATE 3: I'm putting everything on hold till I get this Forum mess cleared up. So the blog and all the crazy stuff connected to it will be neglected till then. Sorry. I'll post updates here as needed.
UPDATE 4: It looks like the data were untouched which is a good thing. Forum should be back online tomorrow and possibly later today.
UPDATE 5: A helpful site visitor has pointed out that many forums using the same open-source software powering the Quixtar BLOG Forum were recently attacked. InfoWorld, PC World and others are reporting that a worm called "Santy" has infected forums around the globe. It exploits some security flaws, overwrites files and can expose passwords. That's bad.
But there is good news. This worm did not infect any data and so nothing in the QBlog Forum will be lost. All entries, user logins, etc. should be fully restored. Also, since this appears to be the work of a large-scale attack, it's unlikely that anyone used any of the sensitive data to cause real problems. I see no evidence of any activity beyond the initial attack. Lastly, this was obviously not something done by anyone specifically sympathetic to Quixtar, Amway or any other MLM. Sorry, no conspiracy.
So, things are looking up now. Still not happy but the forum should be back up tonight or tomorrow. Check back here for more updates.
UPDATE 6: I spoke too soon. This is bad. Real bad. It may have been mere coincidence that this happened at the same time as the Santy worm. Or maybe the Santy worm alerted someone about the security holes with the forum. This forum was hacked by a person, not some worm and as I really dug through it tonight, it looks really, really bad.
UPDATE 7: This is the last update on this post. It looks like the forum will be restored. Entries posted after Friday, Dec. 17, are lost. I'm really sorry about that but I'm extremely excited that everything else seems to have been saved. Thanks for your patience. Forum should be back this weekend.
Monday Reader Mail: 25
By QBlog in Reader Mail
The wonderful Mr. Anonymous has written me yet again. Let's see what he has to say.
name: Anonymous
date: December 2, 2004
message: If you devoted half the time and money you have used to do a site like this, you could be rich or even better yet have accomplished something out of life that was worth something, but your right you have, you have a professional website which looks professional but im sure your lifetime achievement of talking bad and supporting negativity towards a company that you have probably just read about and have no credibility, is going well, im sure your parents are proud that their son spends his life talking bad about a company in which he has no credibility.
What can I say to that? I think those Anonymous comments speak volumes. One day I hope to be just like Anonymous.
December 19, 2004
Blogging 101 - Categories
By QBlog in Blogging 101
Many blog tools have a "categories" feature that enables bloggers to organize their posts by themes instead of just dates. Categories make searching for archived content a much easier process. Admittedly, I haven't used categories on this blog until recently but I now see the importance of this organizational enhancement.
Blogger Sucks
Blogger.com doesn't suck, they just don't offer categories... yet. Some get around Blogger's lack of categories by creating multiple blogs under a single profile and using each blog as a separate category. This can work if a unified template is used but the problem is that the dated archives can't be shared across each blog. My advice for Blogger users, write Blogger and request a categories feature but in the meantime, clearly name your posts to simplify searches of your blog content.
Be Wise
I've seen some blogs with 40 categories. The author creates a new category for almost every post. That's just silly. If you're using categories then think of a broad theme rather than something overly descriptive. If you sometimes post about Beanie Babies then maybe a category called "Collectibles" instead of Beanie Babies. That way you can also put your posts about Madame Alexander Dolls under the "Collectibles" category.
You also don't necessarily need to categorize every post. If most of your posts are about the same thing, which is also what your blog is generally about, then you might want to save categorization for those special projects. I started a weekly series on another blog called "Sunday Memories" where memories of childhood toys and technology were shared every Sunday. Setting up a "Sunday Memories" category would have been perfect for such a project. I've recently started switching over all these Blogging 101 posts to a Blogging 101 category which you can browse through on the Archives page. Things like that are perfect for unique categories.
Multiple Categories
Some blog tools allow for multiple categories but I advise extreme caution when assigning a post to more than one category. Remember, categories can also become hard to sort through as they get filled with posts. Adding content that's also listed in other categories may not be the best way to serve your readers. I'm not saying you can't use multiple categories, just use them with caution.
Be Descriptive
Don't name your categories something ambiguous. If your category contains posts about dogs, don't call the category "Mr. Binky" even if that's the name of your dog. Most people who don't regularly read your blog will be clueless about the significance of Mr. Binky and such a label will only confuse them and bloggers should avoid confusing their audience as much as possible. I'd change the Mr. Binky category to something called "Dogs." Not as cute but much more descriptive.
The End
That's about all I can say about categories. Have anything else to add? Be my guest.
December 18, 2004
Amway eBay Quixtar
By QBlog in
What happens when a global corporation listens to its customers, its critics and its competitors and develops communities that embrace new ideas and critical feedback? Well, you end up with eBay. EBay continues to build its online empire, in part, by providing forums for millions of members to openly discuss a variety of topics while developing a sense of community and tapping into a larger knowledge base than they could ever offer internally. Businesses around the world are adopting this philosophy about information and feedback.
However, Quixtar is walking in the other direction. Why is that? And what could Quixtar be if it became more like eBay and less like Amway?
December 17, 2004
QBlog's Farcical Help Desk - 6
By QBlog in Farcical Help Desk
Every Friday, the QBlog Farcical Help Desk™ answers the Quixtar questions that nobody dared to ask. Additionally, each Help Desk answer is guaranteed to end with some form of punctuation or we'll refund your money. No fooling!
Question: So I ordered some LOC from Quixtar and it
was delivered by a penguin. Is that normal?
Answer: No. Unless by "penguin" you mean a guy from UPS or some other
delivery company.
Q: No, I mean a penguin. You know, the small flightless
bird that swims and eats herrings.
A: Yeah. I know about penguins but you should probably call Quixtar and complain.
Q: Complain? Why would I want to complain? He did a
splendid job and even swept my front porch on his way back to the truck.
A: He was driving a truck?
Q: Yeah. A big black and white one shaped like a penguin.
How else would he be able to make his deliveries? He sure couldn't swim, I live
in Arizona.
A: *Sigh*
Q: Hey. I got this really cool idea that I think Quixtar
would just love and it would really boost their business. It's XS SOAP! Not
only do you drink your energy but you get it while showering!
A: It's been done.
Q: Really? Bummer. And it was such a great idea. Well,
how bout LOC deodorant?
A: You might be on to something there. It removes stains while it fights body
odor. Interesting.
Q: Yeah, yeah. And how bout the Trim Advantage Fitness
Machine? Cool huh?
A: Hmmmmm. I think you may be one of those people who is just obsessed
with duel-use products. You don't happen to own an El Camino do you?
Q: How'd you know?
A: I'm psychic. *click*
Q: Is it ok to shoot Christmas carolers?
A: Of course not you Scrooge. Why so humbug?
Q: They've just been singing outside my house every
night for the past week and it's really annoying.
A: I understand but try to get in the Christmas spirit.
Q: Actually, they're not really carolers per se, more
like dogs howling.
A: Even if they sound like dogs howling, it's the spirit that matters,
not the tune.
Q: No. Now that I think of it they are actually dogs.
Real mangy mongrels howling and barking around my house.
A: Uh... sir. Put down the scotch and get to bed.
Q: And it looks like they're being brought here in a
black and white truck and herded around by...
A: Let me guess, a penguin?
Q: Yeah.
A: Well, I still think you're drunk but you might want to see if you
can get the penguin to sweep your front porch. I hear he does a great job.
December 16, 2004
I Got Nothing
By QBlog in
You ever have those days where you just completely run out of gas and have absolutely nothing left to give? Well, today is one of those days. I got nothing left. I generally make it a policy not to blog about not blogging. In other words, if I got nothing to say then I won't bore everyong by blogging about how I got nothing to say. But tonight, I actually wrote a couple of posts and just decided they aren't really good enough to publish and then I looked at the clock and realized it's near bedtime and I got nothing.
So here I am telling you I got nothing. Sometimes blogs just suck but since you're here why not check out the QBlog Radio on the top right of the Home Page. It's groovy and free. And you can hear a new song every day.
December 15, 2004
What the Hell?
By QBlog in
Read Greg Duncan's blog post titled "Favorite Web Words --Fred Harteis and Jody Victor." It's one of the most bizarre blog posts I've read and typical of the crap churned out by the Quixtar Web Initiative. You look me in the eye (those creepy eyes on the top of the page are mine, they'll do) and tell me that post isn't something concocted in a PR workshop. I would provide excerpts but they lose their comedic impact out of context.
Oh, and when you're done reading that December 11 post, check out the December 12 post titled "Web Word Wit Wisdom by Billy Florence and Orrin Woodward." Did you read it? No? Well go. It's like watching and episode of the Twilight Zone.
UPDATE: Google, are you paying attention? Quixtar's Greg Duncan Blog is clearly violating your Quality Guidelines as I've demonstrated in this post. However, if you were unconvinced before then take a look at the December 17 post from the Ron Puryear Blog titled "Web Word Wit Wisdom by Billy Florence and Orrin Woodward." The post is identical to the December 12 post on Greg Duncan's Blog. What a bunch of idiots.
+ Going Platinum On An Emerald Base
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
+ Going Platinum On An Emerald Base
"The title is from a tape by Randy Haugen"
WWG Modifies Tool Biz
By QBlog in
The World Wide Group (also known as World Wide DreamBuilders) is modifying its tool business. Apparently WWG, which is headed by Ron Puryear, is shifting a significant portion of the tool business online. The new program, called "Premier Membership," sounds similar to the changes Joe Land recently announced for his AllianceNet tool business. A site visitor sent me an FAQ page (pdf) that describes some of the program's details.
Premier Membership benefits for $37.95 per month are:
All BSMs will be discounted from suggested retail as follows: - Standing order tapes and CDs for $2.50 each, 64% savings - Additional tapes and CDs for $2.50 each, 64% savings - Videos and DVDs at $7.50 each, 58% savings - Profiles of Success for $7.50 each, 58% savings - Books—Average 30% discount off suggested retail - Literature—Average 20% discount off suggested retail - Free Basic Membership—Includes access to all features of wwdb.com - My.Biz—Personal website for only $2.95 per month, 80% savings
Ok. Did you get all that? Yeah, I don't really understand it either but it looks like WWG is working to reduce the cost of tools. More data would probably help but I just see savings, savings, savings. Everybody likes to save.
One little item in the Platinum portion of the FAQ piqued my interest:
11. Will the method of payment of BSM breaks change?
a. World Wide Group will pay the Platinum and above membership commissions via electronic funds transfer for each Premier Member month in their downline the first week of each month.
If I'm reading this right then Platinums and above receive a commission on each Premier Membership. Or maybe I'm not reading that right? But if I am reading it right, then the program sounds like it could be a good deal for Platinums and above.
By the way, there's an updated version of a non-Platinum FAQ (pdf) which states, among other things, that the new My.Biz portion of the program will not allow customization at launch. Bummer.
December 14, 2004
Blog Rank Obsession
By QBlog in
Bloggers love rankings. I don't know why but we do. Services like Technorati, Daypop Top Weblogs and the now-defunct Organica help perpetuate that rank obsession. Now, thanks to Lady Cutie Troublemaker, I've found a new way to feed my obsession: PubSub LinkRanks.
According to the explanation "LinkRanks are our way of measuring the strength, persistence, and vitality of links appearing in weblogs...
...The intent of this system is not to measure the strength of any particular domain, but rather the relative likelihood that you'd find and follow a link to that domain. As such, the links are what's really important, not the pages themselves." Yeah, ok. Whatever. Just give me the darn rankings.
This site was ranked 34,773. How did yours do?
December 13, 2004
Dueling Stereotypes
By QBlog in
ster-e-o-type n.
A conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image.
The Life of a Quixtar Critic
The life of the Quixtar Critic is a lonely one, filled with disappointment and missed opportunities. The Quixtar Critic lives paycheck to paycheck and struggles to make the minimum payment on his credit card bills. The Quixtar Critic's self-esteem is boosted only when other Quixtar Critics congratulate him on the awesome job he's doing with his Quixtar Criticisms. The Quixtar Critic is an agnostic who always votes for Democrats. The goal of the Quixtar Critic is to make the lives of every IBO as miserable as possible and he rejoices each time he learns of an IBO who's left "the business." The hate and anger the Quixtar Critic feels towards the Quixtar IBO will eat away at him and inevitably lead to his early demise.
The Life of a Quixtar IBO
The Quixtar IBO is incapable of thinking independently. He does only what he's told and never questions his upline. The Quixtar IBO lives paycheck to paycheck because all of his business earnings are spent traveling to each function where the same message is repeated year after year. The Quixtar IBO is a born-again Protestant Christian who always votes Republican. The Quixtar IBO has no friends outside of Quixtar because he's scared off all his other friends with "The Plan." The Quixtar IBO's self-esteem is so low that he only feels good when listening to a tape or some guy from a stage tell him he's a winner. The hate and anger the Quixtar IBO feels towards the Quixtar Critic will eat away at him and inevitably lead to his early demise.
A stereotype is a tool of the ignorant and foolish. Don't be an ignorant fool. THINK!
Monday Reader Mail: 24
By QBlog in Reader Mail
Today's Reader Mail selection is a true blast from the past. Tim wrote me back in August, 2003 and had some nice things to say about the blog.
name: Tim
date: August 16, 2003
message: Man, am I having fun reading your stuff tonight! Just found your page through Google after having been "hit up" this week by a Quixtar recruiter. Have listened to Greg Duncan CD on "Private Franchising" and am reading Bill Quain's "Pro-Sumer Power!" book.
Love the refreshing, candid thoughts coming out of your pen. Well written...
Well, a belated thanks Tim but it's more of a keyboard than a pen though I get your meaning. I sure hope others enjoy reading this blog as much as I enjoy writing it.
December 12, 2004
The Amazonian
By QBlog in
I love Amazon.com. I love the site, the service, the prices and reliability. I've bought new and used items from Amazon.com and I even sold a music CD through their Amazon Marketplace feature. So why all this talk about Amazon.com?
Well, back in September this blog was approved for the Amazon Associates program. It's a program where Amazon advertises on a Web site and the site owner gets some money each time that ad results in a product purchase. As with the Google Ads, any money received through this Amazon Associates program will go towards the maintenance and improvement of this blog. Anything beyond that will be donated to the EFF.
You will notice the Amazon ad on the right rail of the main blog page. I may add it to the archive pages later but for now, it's just on the home page. I'm still figuring out how this whole thing works so there may be some tweaking in the coming days but most of that should be invisible to you.
Thanks for your continued support of this blog. It really means a lot to me.
Blogging 101 - Get Blogging
By QBlog in Blogging 101
I've adapted the Make Your Own Blog: TUTORIAL for the Blogging 101 series. If you don't yet have a blog, this article provides some reasons to publish a blog and how to get started.
Do you have something to say about Quixtar, Network Marketing, Democrats, Republicans, last night's meal or your trip to China? The topic doesn't really matter, if you have something to say to the world or a group of friends then blogging is for you.
What's a BLOG?
Not quite sure about blogs? Don't sweat it. They're really quite
simple. Think of them as a type of hybrid Online Journal where
you can easily publish whatever's on your mind. Short for Web
log, blogs are frequently updated posts arranged chronologically.
They often reflect the personality of the author but many show
an astonishing amount of diversity (see
a sampling of that variety). Rebecca Blood has written a brief
history of blogs and Dave Winer developed a sort of definition
at Harvard Law.
Why BLOG?
Great question. Every day more and more people begin blogging.
They realize that blogging allows a type of publication and conversation
that simply didn't exist a few years ago. Those with little or
no technical experience have discovered the power of instantly
reaching a global audience and how that power can impact individuals
and even entire communities.
Blogging takes advantage of the Web's strengths (links, frequent updates, low cost, global audience, no censorship, etc.) and minimizes some of the weaknesses (required technical knowledge).
There are a few reasons why blogging might appeal to you.
- Simple. Blogs are quite simple to set up and require little or no technical skills. If you can fill out an online form, you can start a blog.
- Free. Many blogs are free. If you don't want to spend money to be heard, just start a free blog.
- Control. You decide what to discuss. The content is yours. There are no rules except those you make.
- Community. It's amazing how many people you can connect with by simply publishing your thoughts, opinions and feelings on a particular topic or life in general. A good blog can be a way to connect with people, make new friends and plug-in to a vast (and ever expanding) community.
- Voice. Blogs provide a format for you to be heard on a global scale. If you want your voice to be heard, there isn't an easier or simpler way to make that happen than by blogging.
How to get started?
First you should decide on a blog tool. There are several to choose
from but I recommend Blogger
for those who want something simple and free. If you don't like
Blogger try one of the tools listed at The
Weblog Compendium.
To set up your blog on Blogger just follow the simple instructions. You'll probably want to host your blog for free on Blogger's Blog*Spot service so be sure to select that option when you sign up. Also, be sure that you choose an appropriate name for your blog. I recommend keeping it relatively short.
I've set up my BLOG, now what?
Now you just start typing. Write about whatever you want. Try
to keep it brief but there really are no rules. Just keep in mind
that whatever you say on your blog may be read by anyone and it
may stay on the Web forever, even if you delete the blog. Once
something is published on the Web, it's in the public domain and
almost impossible to remove.
Don't libel. You should also keep in mind that libel laws apply to blogs and you are accountable for what you say. Even if you publish a blog anonymously, there are ways to track you down should there be some legal reason to do so.
Aren't Quixtar IBOs forbidden from having a BLOG?
I'm not a lawyer but from what I've determined, Quixtar IBOs can
publish a blog as long as they don't violate any of the rules
governing personal Web sites. If you're a Quixtar IBO and want
to start a blog about your business, please check with the appropriate
people to be sure that you're not violating any Quixtar rules.
I do have a little experience with this and I'll relate my personal
understanding of the rules. I could be wrong so please don't take
my word for it.
Quixtar allows personal sites as long as you don't post your IBO number, try to directly recruit people or promote the products. You cannot try to sell products and you can't make any sort of definitive claims about earnings potential. If this is wrong, please send me the documents that prove I'm wrong.
Read a PDF copy of the laws governing personal IBO Web sites. Quixtar sent me this copy in early 2003 (the rules may have changed).
I want comments on my blog, how do I do that?
Blogger now has a commenting feature as part of the service. However,
you can still used third-party comment systems if you would like.
Some commenting tools:
Now you're blogging!
That's all there is to it. Blog on folks.
December 11, 2004
Shameless XMas Plug
By QBlog in
There are only a few more shopping days left before Christmas and nothing says I love you like an official QBlog "Not THE PLAN" T-Shirt. In fact, all QBlog Merchandise makes a wonderful Christmas gift and every purchase helps support this blog. No fooling.
December 10, 2004
- They don't call it by name
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- They don't call it by name
"I've been hit up by these guys an infinite number of times at Borders"
- Never mentions the name of the business
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- Never mentions the name of the business
"Why couldn't she say that she worked for Quixtar"
QBlog's Farcical Help Desk - 5
By QBlog in Farcical Help Desk
Every Friday, the QBlog Farcical Help Desk™ answers the Quixtar questions that nobody dared to ask. Additionally, each Help Desk answer is guaranteed to end with some form of punctuation or we'll refund your money. No fooling!
Question: I saw National Treasure last weekend
and wondered what would happen if IBOs found out about the untold riches buried
beneath Quixtar headquarters in Ada, Michigan.
Answer: I didn't think we were supposed to talk about that... I mean... Treasure?
What treasure?
Q: Yeah. And there's a map on the back of every signed
BSMAA that's only visible when you soak it in XS Energy Drink and hold it up
to the moonlight.
A: I really don't think we should be talking about this over an unsecured phone line... what's
that beeping sound?
Q: Hmmmmm. Sounds like it's coming from my jacket here.
Weird.
A: Would there happen to be a black SUV parked outside your house right now?
Q: Let's see... Actually there is. How did you know?
A: RUN!!! Just run man, run! Get out and run!
Q: Did you know that Ken McDonald was once arrested
for flashing a women's volleyball team in Vancouver?
A: Really? How do you know this?
Q: I was there man. Got the whole thing on tape.
A: Wait. You have video of Quixtar's Managing Director flashing a group of athletic
women?
Q: Well, no. Not THAT Ken McDonald. I'm talking about
my neighbor Ken McDonald from Boise, Idaho. We worked together one summer parking
cars at a country club.
A: You dork. Go away.
Q: Don't you want to see the video?
A: No! And I'm a little worried that you want to see it.
Q: Yeah? Hello? Can you hear me? HELLO!
A: Yes. Hearing you fine. What's the problem?
Q: Hello? I got this problem with your Quixtar and I
need me some help. Hello?
A: Yes. Right here. It's not really my Quixtar but continue.
What's the specific problem?
Q: It's my boy. He ain't too bright, see. He's a few
bricks shy of a load if you get my meaning. Anywho, he got to playing around
with the Quixtar and done stuck himself to our Golden Retriever "Teddy
Roosevelt." He's stuck there pretty fast too. It's an awful sight.
A: Wait. Quixtar has somehow fastened your son to your dog? Are you
talking about a specific product?
Q: Of course I'm talking about a product. It's yer damn
glue. The Quixtar glue. It's good glue and seems plenty sticky but... well I
got myself a situation and was hoping you could help me out. You got like a
glue antidote or something?
A: Sir, I think you are confusing QuickStar
the Super Glue with Quixtar the MLM.
Q: Hmmm... Well can ya help me at least?
A: Try tomato juice. I think that works on stuff like this.
Q: No. That's for getting rid of the skunk smell. We
had to use that last week when my boy brought home a wild skunk thinking it
was a stray kitty cat. Did you know them skunks not only stink to high heaven
but they got some sharp teeth too. Ouch.
A: How bout mayonnaise? Or maybe it's peanut butter?
Q: Hadn't tried them but we out of both so I best get
in the pickup and head to the store.
A: Ok. Sorry I can't help you more. Hope everything works out.
Q: It better. If it don't then maybe I'll send one of
them funniest video things in and win a million bucks.
A: Go for it.
December 9, 2004
Not a Pyramid Scheme
By QBlog in
I told you, it's not.
- Good use for my bww/quixtar tapes
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- Good use for my bww/quixtar tapes
"They are helping me in falling asleep quickly"
- They are complicit in the abuses
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- They are complicit in the abuses
"The A/Q corporation has seemingly done little to stop the offenders"
December 8, 2004
Kick Start Your Pyramid?
By QBlog in
What's a Pyramid Scheme?
A Pyramid Scheme can be difficult to identify but is generally characterized as a system selling goods where commissions are paid to recruit new sellers. Consumer advocates and government agencies advise us to avoid such "businesses" which is why Quixtar's latest promotion has me scratching my head in confusion.
Kick Start Recruiting
Kick Start is Quixtar's effort to "help IBOs build immediate volume in their businesses." It works by rewarding every IBO for recruiting new folks who then purchase 50 PV worth of products in their first month (PV, or Point Value, is roughly $2 per point). That sounds a lot like a Pyramid Scheme to me but let's not jump to conclusions before reviewing all the facts.
The 50 PV requirement is obviously an important aspect of this promotion because it represents product purchases and means that the promotion's rewards are not merely headhunting fees. In fact, it's so important that Quixtar created a special "Product Bundle" page that helps new recruits quickly meet that 50 PV minimum. Each "Product Bundle" (shampoo, vitamins, beauty products, etc.) is at least 50 PV and costs between $115 and $145 for IBOs. Keen!
The Rewards
So what about those rewards? Well, Quixtar is offering some really nice prizes for signing up those new recruits. Things like:
- $1,000 BV for all Platinums...
- A VIP trip to Quixtar...
- Free trips to California...
- $500 Gift & Incentive album...
- And more...
While the Kick Start prizes aren't exactly cash commissions they do represent an interesting recruitment incentive. This promotion sends a very clear message (at least to me) about the importance of recruiting in Quixtar. And while I can't definitively say that Kick Start qualifies as a Pyramid Scheme I will point out that nothing in the promotion's documentation (that I've seen) mentions selling products to non-IBOs (either by the sponsoring IBO or the new recruit). That's very curious since Quixtar's own rules (pdf) require such sales.
December 7, 2004
An Open Letter To Quixtar
By QBlog in
Dear Quixtar,
Stop. Really, just stop right now. You're seriously embarrassing yourself and for what? Search engine dominance? Oooooooh. Impressive.
Ok, so you won't stop. Fine. I think I understand even though you're still embarrassing yourself but for the love of God, hire someone who knows what the hell they're doing! Seriously. Hire a designer and get your blogs looking decent. Hire a copywriter to give those posts a bit more snap and zing. Just please, I'm begging you, if you're going to do this Web Initiative thing then DO IT RIGHT!
I recommend that over the Holidays you sit down with your task force and figure out what needs to be done to improve those blogs. If you don't have the skills, hire someone who does.
And no, I don't really like this "blog bastardization" that you've done but it's the new reality and I'm learning to live with it. I just hope you'll fire the guys running the show right now and get someone who actually knows what they're doing. If you're going to do it, you may as well do it right.
Sincerely,
QBlog
Van Andel Dead
By QBlog in
According to the Detroit Free Press Amway co-founder Jay Van Andel dies at 80.
December 6, 2004
Monday Reader Mail: 23
By QBlog in Reader Mail
Today's mail comes from an apparent MLM advocate. I'm assuming English is not the person's first language so spelling and grammar errors are understandable. As always, my comments appear in bold.
name: Haim A.
date: September 28, 2004
message: Dear (QBlog)
when i was reading, as you say, your thoughts i was wondering how this Quixtar harm you. i my self don't know this company but have interests in the mlm industry.i'm wondering? do you totaliy lost your faith in the mlm?
I'm not sure I ever had faith in MLM. I've always felt that it was a flawed way of doing business and don't see any evidence to convince me otherwise.
well i'm realy believe in the mlm concept as long as you
1. choos the right company for you (there is a risk of course)
2. understand that this is not a lotory it is real difficult business and all (almost) the business rules is needed here too.regards
Haim
How does one choose "the right company?" Theoretically this seems feasible but in reality, most who join MLMs aren't spending time doing detailed market analysis and research. Most in MLM join because friends, family or colleagues asked them to join.
And yes, business is difficult. Yet to the uneducated, many MLM businesses seem "easier" than non-MLM businesses because of the way they're marketed. I'm glad Haim understands that's not the case.
- I was recruited to join a business cult
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- I was recruited to join a business cult
"No, you don't have to sell"
Blogging 101 - Consistency
By QBlog in Blogging 101
One characteristic that distinguishes blogs from many other Web sites is freshness. Because blogs can be updated quickly, easily and from almost any location they often exude a sense of immediacy and urgency. And it's that fresh quality that gives readers a reason to keep coming back, to see what's new at their favorite blog.
But how can a blogger maintain a fresh blog? Well, it's easier said than done but a blogger must be committed to publish consistently. Blogs that are updated "whenever I feel like it" are usually updated with less frequency as the blog ages. Consistent bloggers develop a personal blogging schedule. Whether it's 10 posts a day or three posts a week, they create a routine and try to stick to it. And readers learn to rely on that routine and will regularly return to the blog to see what's new.
Pacing
When I was first blogging I would post the moment I had an inspiration. Sometimes that inspiration would result in five or six posts, all in one evening. Then a couple of days later I struggled like mad to come up with the most banal post imaginable. What I learned from that experience was pacing. If I had six posts I'd look to see which post had a "shelf life" and would still be worth reading a day or two later. If I had one with a "shelf life," I'd hold it over for another day.
It's this pacing that has helped me avoid the dreaded blogging burnout. On days that I really don't feel like posting anything, I post something from off the shelf. This technique helps me to maintain a publication pace that's comfortable for me and fits my lifestyle.
Find Your Groove
Prolific posting does not equal a quality blog, though sheer volume has been known to compensate for many shortcomings. But generally, bloggers should never sacrifice quality for quantity. To avoid a low quality blog I recommend that you find your blogging groove.
Figure out the style of your blog (funny, serious, poetic, photography, etc.), your publishing sensibilities (one post a day, etc.) and then start consistently posting. After a while you'll find your groove and once you do, commit to post consistently.
Why?
I know it's not always easy to stick to a blogging schedule. Ironically my personal schedule was thrown off this weekend as I experienced a string of technical difficulties which impeded my blogging. Yet I kept thinking, "I need to get that Blogging 101 post up because people are expecting it." Those expectations (real or imagined) help motivate me to stay consistent. And there's also another reason why I try to blog consistently. I really enjoy reading other blogs that publish regularly and I just believe that if I like that quality in other blogs, then there's someone out there that likes that quality in this blog.
And that's actually one of the reasons this blog exists. When I started looking for Quixtar info over two years ago I was disappointed that there were no blogs on the topic. And my desire to read a blog about Quixtar inspired me to start my own blog about Quixtar. Thus, Quixtar BLOG was born.
Blast
By QBlog in
I've been having some server issues this weekend which has screwed up my posting schedule. Sorry and thanks for understanding. Be back soon.
December 4, 2004
- Switch buying habits
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- Switch buying habits
"Quixtar reminds me of Milo Minderbender from Catch-22"
"Marks" in Chinese
By QBlog in
Hey, you remember that novel Marks? Sure you do. It's the story of a young married couple, two college roommates and a successful businessman whose lives ultimately intertwine as the result of a business opportunity — and a dream.
Well guess what? I'm pretty sure Marks has been translated into Chinese. Check out the RenBoQie blog and see for yourself. How cool is that? Gotta love the translations.
Continuing Kochka Mystery
By QBlog in
So there's this Web site (kockaconsulting.com) that mysteriously redirects back to my site. I wrote about it earlier this week and some helpful folks discovered that, according to Google, Thomas Kochka lives at the same address as the business address listed for Kochka Consulting (according to the domain registration). Interesting.
First I called the toll-free number listed as the contact number for Kochka Consulting (1-877-459-4111). It was busy. I called several times and it was busy each time. Interesting. Call it yourself if you want and see what it does for you.
Next I called the Kochka home number (listed by Google) and got an answering machine (no voicemail? How 1985). I called a couple of times without leaving a message and finally decided to leave one for the Kochkas.
» Listen to Kochka voice message (mp3)
I later called back with my phone number so Kochka could call me back if he wished. We'll see what happens. The mystery continues.
Amway and The Baffler
By QBlog in
I fancy myself a competent writer, one who understands the craft but has yet to demonstrate the literary prowess required to comfortably wear the "writer" label. However, I am quite skilled at distinguishing good writing from bad (Paul Auster good - John Grisham bad) and am always thrilled to discover quality prose.
That's why I am pleased to direct your attention to excerpts of Matt Roth's wonderful piece titled "Dreams Incorporated: Living the Delayed Life with Amway" (published in The Baffler, 1997). Here are a few excerpts from the excerpt (I know it's confusing):
...Dream Night was not the first Amway event I had been to, but it was the most hallucinatory. It began with the triumphal entrance of the Amway Diamond couples, half-jogging through a gauntlet of high-fives to the theme from Rocky, as the audience whooped and hollered and twirled their napkins over their heads. When the standing ovation finally tapered off, the emcee offered a prayer thanking God for (a) the fact that we lived in a free enterprise system, where there were no government agents kicking down the doors of meetings like Dream Night and (b) His Blessed Son...
...If Amway isn't a scam, why did it seem so much like one? It may win heaps of praise nowadays, but Amway doesn't seem to have changed much at all. Perhaps what's changed is us. While Amway is the same as it ever was, the rest of us have made peace with commercial insanity. Maybe capitalism has finally reached the stage of self-parody, unblushingly celebrating a house-of-cards as its highest achievement. And maybe Dream Night, instead of being the ritual of a fringe cult, is the vanguard of the future.
Just read the full excerpts and you'll understand why I like Roth's literary skills. Even if you don't share his somewhat negative impressions of Amway, you can't deny that dude can sling the prose.
December 3, 2004
+ The Tales Of The Traveling Tampa Toastmaster
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
+ The Tales Of The Traveling Tampa Toastmaster
"Use my IBO number to sign up at Quixtar as a Client, Member or IBO"
QBlog's Farcical Help Desk - 4
By QBlog in Farcical Help Desk
Every Friday, the QBlog Farcical Help Desk™ answers the Quixtar questions that nobody dared to ask. Additionally, each Help Desk answer is guaranteed to end with some form of punctuation or we'll refund your money. No fooling!
Question: I'm having problems logging into the Quixtar
Web site. Can you help?
Answer: Finally! A real, honest-to-God Help Desk™ question. Thank you,
thank you, thank you!
Q: So... can you help?
A: Well, no. Not really. You should probably call Quixtar or your upline or
something.
Q: Gee thanks. Lot of help you've been. I could have
figured that out on my own.
A: But you didn't, did you Einstein? Oh no. The second you see an error you
come running to the Help Desk™ like a little baby. Waaaah. Help me. I
need help.
Q: But this IS a help desk?
A: Oh, yeah. Good point. Nevermind.
Q: Oh my God. I just majorly screwed up. I was prospecting
this guy and he asked me what business I was in and I told him Quixtar instead
of Ned's Internet Retail Biz. What should I do?
A: Calm down Ned. That's a common beginner's mistake and not something you can't
recover from. I mean it's not like you told the prospect it was Amway or anything
right?
Q: Uh... well...
A: Oh crap, you told him this was Amway? What were you thinking Ned!
Q: I don't know, I don't know. I was just so confused.
I was in the mall and all those lights and the crowds and the noise. I just
lost it. And he kept saying, "this sounds like Amway, is this Amway?"
And I just froze.
A: It's ok Ned. The important thing is that you learn from this mistake.
Q: Right. You're right. Thanks. I feel better now.
A: Great. Now wipe your nose and get back out there. Just one word of advice,
skip the malls and try bookstores. A much more relaxed environment.
Q: I still can't log onto the Quixtar Web site.
A: You again? I told you I can't help you.
Q: See, every time I turn on the computer I keep getting
CNN.
A: Go away and bother your upli... CNN? Maybe you have some weird virus
or adware that forces your browser to the CNN site. What browser are you using?
Q: Browser? I don't know. I'm computer illiterate. Whatever
came with the computer.
A: Well, it's probably Internet Explorer and probably an older version
too. I suggest downloading Firefox and using that instead. Make sense?
Q: You lost me at Internet Explorer. What do I do?
A: *Sigh* Does your browser have a little blue "e" at the top right
and does it say Internet Explorer at the top?
Q: I don't think so. I don't see that anywhere. I just
see a red CNN at the bottom left. And Larry King is talking about some movie
or something.
A: Larry King? What is the URL in your address bar? Does it say CNN.com?
Q: No idea what you're saying... Hmmm... Wait. Now it's
on MSNBC.
A: Ok. So you're at MSNBC.com. Did you type this in your address bar
or click a link?
Q: I think I just hit a button on the remote.
A: The remote? Wait a second. You're watching TV you moron. You're not
even at the computer.
Q: Oh yeah. You know, you're right. No wonder I couldn't
log in. Boy, do I feel silly.
A: Why do I even bother?
Q: Thanks buddy. I gotta run. Big Emerald and Diamond
meeting tonight at the hotel. If I could just find my keys.
A: They're in your pocket. Now go.
Q: How did... how did you know that?
A: Just a hunch. Now leave and please, don't ever come back.
December 2, 2004
Woodward Blog Woodward
By QBlog in
I must confess, I'm fascinated by Orrin Woodward. I can't quite put my finger on it but there's something very curious about this Quixtar leader's online antics. Maybe it's his infamous disappearing articles or his bizarre lawsuit against Scott Larsen? Whatever it is, Orrin Woodward has a way of piquing my interest and getting my blog juices flowing.
For example, I did a quick Google search on the name "Orrin Woodward" today and found some peculiar results.
I discovered six sites (five of them blogs) with the name "Orrin Woodward" in the domain. And at least four of the six sites appear to be authored by someone other than Orrin Woodward.
- http://orrinwoodward.blogharbor.com/blog - Posted by "Orrin Woodward's Biographer"
- http://orrin-woodward-team.blogharbor.com/ - Posted by "Orrin Woodward Current News"
- http://team-orrinwoodward-team.blogharbor.com/blog/ - Posted by "Team"
- http://team_orrin_woodward.typepad.com/ - Posted by "Michael Jones"
- http://orrin-woodward.blogspot.com/ - Posted by "Orrin Woodward" but he speaks about himself in the third person. One of QBlog's pet peeves is when people speak of themselves in the third person. QBlog would never do that.
- http://www.orrinwoodward.com/ - Not a blog but a site with articles written by Orrin Woodward and written in the first person.
So how many domains does a fella need? Nothing wrong with having lots of sites with your name in the domain but c'mon, this is getting ridiculous don't ya think? And what's with the biographer blog? Is that weird or what?
Look, I don't have anything against Woodward. I'm sure he's a fine guy. But if there's one thing I know, it's blogs. And this sort of "name blogging" just doesn't exist outside of the Quxitar universe, not like this.
I generally go through life trying to put myself in other people's shoes so I can try to understand why they do the things they do. This doesn't always work but it's served me pretty well so far. But this, I just don't understand this at all. I'm trying to but I can't. Did Woodward wake up one morning and say, "I need five blogs that use my name as part of the domain and I need them now by golly. Jeeves, get me those blogs pronto."
I don't know and it really doesn't matter. Part of what compels me to continue this Quixtar BLOG is observing the odd behavior of the Quixtar leadership. Sometimes it's like watching a Buster Keaton film, only not quite as funny.
AllianceNet Makes Changes
By QBlog in
According to iBlogO, Joe Land's Quixtar Tool Business (AllianceNet) is making some major changes.
There are really three significant changes to the AllianceNet tool business.
- They've eliminated any payout on the system. I have no ideas what this means except to say that previously there was a payout and now there isn't one. Are the people who formerly got the payout going to be out in the cold? No idea. Not even sure about the whole payout thing.
- No more CDs and tapes, unless you want them. All that motivational stuff will be available on the Web site. You can burn a CD if you like.
- Book of the Month is gone. You want a book, buy it from a bookstore instead of your upline.
I think that's cool that Joe Land's tool business is embracing the Web. The main message I get from this is that Land understands that the old way of selling and distributing tapes and books is just outdated. There are now better, more efficient methods of getting motivational stuff to his Quixtar downline. What I'm waiting for is other Tool Businesses to follow suit. How can one group justify the old method when Land's group is doing this new method? The answer: they can't.
So good job Joe Land. I just wish more details were available (like explaining the payout thing) but it's definitely progress.
December 1, 2004
Quixtar Blog Fumbling
By QBlog in
I was excited when Quixtar launched The Real Quixtar Blog this summer because I believed that a historically secretive company was embracing a very open and democratic form of communication (blogging). And the blog succeeds in providing a nice little glimpse into the mind of a Quixtar employee. However, the blog is also a demonstration of "what could have been" and I'd be remiss if I didn't say that it's fallen short of my expectations.
I just expected the official blog of a billion dollar corporation to be... well... better. Maybe my expectations are too high? After all, the Quixtar Home Page Creep has been mutating unchecked for about two months. But still, wouldn't you think the folks at Quixtar would take a little pride on their official blog? Frankly, I'd be embarrassed to have the "Real Quixtar Blog" as the showcase blog for IBOs. But I'm not Ken McDonald am I?
What's Wrong?
So what's wrong with the "Real Quixtar Blog?" Where to begin?
- The blog does not have a true archive. After I sent an email complaining about this, the blog author put up archives for August and September but now October and November are missing. This leads me to believe it's not something that's automated and not very "blog-like."
- The blog doesn't have permalinks. C'mon. A blog without permalinks? That's just plain lame. L-A-M-E.
- The design is... well... amaturish. I don't generally knock design because one man's Rembrandt is another man's Fridge-Art. But seriously, there are a bunch of free templates out there that are far better than the design on the official Quixtar blog. I know, the creepy eyes on this blog annoy a lot of people but at least the image isn't "muddy." You designers know what I'm talking about.
- Until today, the blog was down for around two weeks. It's back up without so much as an explanation. That's just sort of sloppy but maybe IBOs are used to such neglect?
- It's infrequently updated. That's not a crime but if a billion dollar company starts a blog don't you think it would be updated more than a few times a month? Maybe that's just me.
- Lastly, there's no RSS feed. No feed of any kind. I can't dump this blog into my favorite news reader or include it in any syndication pages. How lame.
I've been patient. I held back these criticisms till now. Blogs change and sometimes blogs that begin humbly, evolve into something spectacular. But a few months have passed and not much has changed, which makes me wonder about the whole legitimacy of the blog. Maybe it's not really supposed to be a blog but something else entirely. What that "something else" is, I can only guess. Do you have any ideas?