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May 31, 2005
TOD v. Larsen Dismissed
By QBlog in TEAM
According to PACER the Team of Destiny lawsuit against Scott Larsen has been dismissed.
» Stipulation and Order of Dismissal without Predjudice (pdf)
Plaintiff Team of Destiny, Inc., by its attorneys, Kuiper Orlebeke PC, and Defendant Scott A. Larsen, by his attorneys, Butzel Long, PC, hereby stipulate and agree that Plaintiff's Second Amended Complaint against Defendant shall be dismissed in full, but without prejudice, costs, or attorneys' fees to any party.
Yeah, so I guess the suit is over. Not really sure if anyone won. Looks like Larsen removed his pages about Team of Destiny so I imagine that was a condition of the settlement. Did Orrin Woodward and company give up anything? I guess we'll never know because it looks like the whole thing has been sealed under a bizarre protective order (pdf).
Retroactive Seal?
It appears that Orrin Woodward and company asked for the complaint, and all exhibits, against Larsen to be sealed after they'd been PUBLIC for about a year. You heard right, they filed a complaint, amended it a couple of times, entered exhibits and then asked for the complaint to be sealed. And guess what?!? The judge granted their request!
All the court proceedings were publicly available until May 13, 2005. After that point, they were put under seal. But wait, there's more. The motion for a protective order had two requests.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiff's Unopposed Motion to Place Pleadings Under Seal (Dkt. 55) is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part. The Complaint (Dkt. 1), First Amended Complaint (Dkt. 17), and Second Amended Complaint (Attachments to Dkt. 28), and any exhibits attached to any of the complaints shall be placed under seal until December 31, 2011 or further order of this Court. The remainder of the relief included in the proposed order submitted by the parties is denied.
Obviously the documents have been sealed but what about the part that was denied? My guess is that Woodward asked for the authority to pursue those who have copies of the complaints and exhibits and to be given the power to force them to relinquish those copies. Why do I think that? Well, I have copies of the complaint and exhibits posted on my site with links to six separate mirrored copies and nobody's asked me to remove them.
I know what you're thinking. "Isn't sealing documents that are already in the public domain pretty stupid?" The answer is YES! It's absurd. So, they're unavailable at the courthouse (for a small fee) but available for free on the Internet. What's the point? Also, why is Woodward so worried about people reading the complaint that he filed? Doesn't it make you curious? Don't you want to read it now, more than ever?
If you haven't read the complaint yet I encourage you to download it, print it out and read it. It's actually pretty interesting.
» Team of Destiny, Inc. v. Scott A. Larsen (pdf)
May 30, 2005
Monday Reader Mail: 45
By QBlog in Reader Mail
This week's Reader Mail brings up an interesting question, and it's not the question being asked by the reader. The question is for Quixtar and its wonderful IBOs — why is the reader asking ME about refunds and not you? I think I know the answer and you can read it after Brian's email.
name: Brian
date: May 14, 2005
message: Thank you for setting up this page. I wish I had looked into this about a week ago, BEFORE, I became an IBO. The whole thing is definately a sham. I'm just curious if there is any way to get some money back. The refund policy seems to be really shady. I dropped about $150 for everything, and I realized I'll probably have to eat it, but anything I can get back would be great. Thank you for any info
Ok, here's what I think is the most likely answer to the question I posed above — Brian feels deceived and doesn't trust that Quixtar or the wonderful IBOs will give him an honest answer. And if I'm right about Brian, then it's a sad, sad commentary about Quixtar.
May 29, 2005
Blogging 101 - Revise
By QBlog in Blogging 101
You remember that awesome entry you posted on your blog last week? You know, the Hemingway-esque pontification about life and blogs and destiny? Well, after a bit of sober reflection you realize that it wasn't so great after all and could use a little revising. That's pretty much what I did to the "Is Blogging Journalism" entry posted earlier this month.
I went back and tried to flesh out the Blogging 101 post to make it more comprehensive. The ability to quickly revise, while following some basic modification guidelines, is another reason blogging (or Web publishing in general) is so cool.
And that's pretty much my entry for Blogging 101 on this Memorial Day weekend. Just revising a previous post to make it better, improved. Have a great weekend and if you'd like to help out with Blogging 101, send me an email. I'm now taking submissions and will post more details soon.
Blogging 101 publishes every Sunday and provides blogging tips, advice and tutorials for blog newbies and veterans alike.
May 28, 2005
QBlog Toons - Amalot
By QBlog in Humor
May 27, 2005
QBlog's Farcical Help Desk - 24
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 want to be one of them Internet Quixtar
critics. How can I get started?
Answer: Well, do you have a website?
Q: Website... right... ok, what next?
A: So, you don't have one I take it. How about your IQ level? Are you a Jeopardy
guy or more of a Fear Factor guy?
Q: I'm more of a Cops kinda guy.
A: Perfect. Ok, have you ever succeeded in any business at all? Ever?
Q: I one time started to do one of them envelope stuffing
businesses but I got tired of licking all them envelopes so I quit that. You
mean that kinda thing?
A: Absolutely. So far you're a prime candidate. Another thing you need is the
ability to quote everything out of context, can you do that?
Q: Michael Moore was my drinking buddy in high school!
Of course I can do that.
A: Awesome. I guess the last thing is time. Do you have the time to spend hours
and hours a day writing negative crap about a company you know virtually nothing
about?
Q: I already do that, I work for the government.
A: Sweet, I think you're ready to start your anti-Quixtar website. Good luck!
Q:
It came! It finally came! My "Girls of AmQuix" pinup calendar finally
came in the mail today! I'm so freakin' excited man.
A: I heard about that thing. How you like it?
Q: Oh dude, it is awesome. It's the collectible "Ex-Wives
Diamond Edition" and Ms. January is just gorgeous.
A: Wow. I've only seen the "Faces of Birdie"
collection and that was, uh, different.
Q: Just wait till the guys at the garage see my calendar.
Boy will they be jealous. I'm going down there right now to show them.
A: Alright kiddo. Later.
Q: I got my Quixtar bonus check today and it's not quite
what I was expecting. Can you help?
A: Well, how much was it for and how much did you expect it to be?
Q: That's the thing, it wasn't for an amount. In fact,
it wasn't really even a check, not a proper check anyway. It was more of a fish-type
thing. Actually it was a fish.
A: A fish? Your bonus check is a fish?
Q: A rather large bass from the looks of it. Six pounds,
maybe seven.
A: Well, I assure you, that is not from Quixtar. You're obviously confused.
Q: It said it was my Quixtar bonus check. Why would
a bass lie to me?
A: Oh, it's a talking bass? Well, why didn't you say that to begin with?
Is it offering you three wishes?
Q: You know, that's the first thing I asked it but apparently
the wish thing is being rationed out by the "Aquatic Creatures Guild"
and this particular fella didn't get his allotment of wishes. But he says if
I toss him in the lake, I'll get another Quixtar bonus check.
A: Nope. You'll get that regardless. He's trying to trick you to keep
you from eating him.
Q: Is that a fact? Well, I don't like being lied to.
A: Nor do I. So you want this bass recipe or not?
Q: Hook me up.
A: Ok, first you need a pound of butter...
AutoBlogger
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
If you blog, you must watch this advertisement for AutoBlogger.
Maybe the WRTF should use this tool instead of the Google Spam they churn out.
May 26, 2005
DeVos Speaks - 60 Minutes and Amway
By QBlog in DeVos Speaks
"DeVos
Speaks," is special series that features comments made by Amway co-founder
Rich DeVos. Each DeVos quote is published without comment and includes a link
to the source material (for context) when available. This series doesn't have
a regular publication schedule but all posts are available under the Category
listing on the Archives page.
Well, let me give you the background on 60 Minutes, it might help you a bit.
We were first approached a long time ago. We tried to put it off. We told them we didn't think we were a good subject for the show, but they said they were going to do a show, with or without us. And we finally took it upon ourselves to say that if they're going to do it anyway, then we're not going to dodge it — even if it's a disaster, we're at least going to stand for what we believe and if they don't put our thoughts on the tape, well that's up to them. But we're not going to run from it.
We had no control over the people they used. They took tape from all over the country. They taped people on the West Coast, they taped people on the East Coast and they chose to run the portion they ran. Now, you may not have liked, or I may not have liked it — it's unimportant. That was their choice. The fact of the matter, however, is that what you saw is what was being presented at an Amway meeting. And I'm not going to knock it and say it was so bad — it's just that when you take a little piece out of a big meeting, it can look not as good as you'd like to have it. You know, if you and I sit in a meeting for three or four hours and we hear somebody say a few things like that, we'd applaud. We'd say, "Yeah, right on, and soar with the eagles — why not?"
But when ya suddenly see that little section, one minute long, taken out of context and flashed on a screen, it doesn't look quite the same. Does it? When a person stands up and says "I'm going to have a ring for every finger..." You know, I say sometimes at a Direct Distributor meeting where we're on a talk about getting ahead in life and having some of the finer things in life, that sounds pretty good. But when it's on a national television screen, as though it represented all of us, and that all we think about is greed, or money, or rings, or cars, or buses, or whatever, then it doesn't look very good.
- Rich DeVos, Directly Speaking - 1983
Comments (24) TrackBack (0)May 25, 2005
An American Moment
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
I depart from the usual Quixtar-related rhetoric for a moment to refelct on a column by Keith Thompson titled "Leaving the left." I was struck by Thompson's clarity of thought, his honesty, his love for his country and most importantly, his courage to stand up for what he believes is right.
Here's an excerpt but I encourage you to read the entire column:
Nightfall, Jan. 30. Eight-million Iraqi voters have finished risking their lives to endorse freedom and defy fascism. Three things happen in rapid succession. The right cheers. The left demurs. I walk away from a long-term intimate relationship. I'm separating not from a person but a cause: the political philosophy that for more than three decades has shaped my character and consciousness, my sense of self and community, even my sense of cosmos.
I'm leaving the left -- more precisely, the American cultural left and what it has become during our time together.
I choose this day for my departure because I can no longer abide the simpering voices of self-styled progressives -- people who once championed solidarity with oppressed populations everywhere -- reciting all the ways Iraq's democratic experiment might yet implode.
No matter what you're politics may be, Thompson makes some damn good points.
May 24, 2005
Google Bombing and Quixtar
By QBlog in Web Initiative
The world is slowly, but surely, realizing that the Quixtar leadership has been using blogs to Google Bomb. Juicee News Daily asks What is Google Bombing? The answer is lengthy but thorough.
Here's an excerpt:
As of 2 February 2005, many have noticed changes in the Google algorithm that largely affects, among other things, Googlebombs. As evidence of this, ponder that only roughly 10% of the googlebombs listed above work as of 15 February 2005. This is largely due to Google refactoring its valuation of PageRank, mostly in an effort to keep up with the encroaching result relevancy of the Yahoo and MSN search engines, which many people claim are not nearly as easy to "hack" as Google.
In 2005, multi-level marketing giant Amway Quixtar began a "Quixtar Web Initiative" to manipulate Google results. The project was deemed a clear and flagrant violation of Google's Quality Guidelines.
Amway Quixtar leaders told members that the company had "hired geekoids who were spending their time Google bombing positive info about Quixtar so that the negative sites would be buried way down at the bottom of the Google list when a prospect types in Quixtar [in a search engine]. Nobody will even be able to find the negative sites anymore."
Actually, the Quixtar Web Initiative (aka Web Reputation Task Force) began in 2004 after the spring IBOAI meeting. And the "positive info about Quixtar" is more like complete nonsense filled with Quixtar keywords.
May 23, 2005
Monday Reader Mail: 44
By QBlog in Reader Mail
Today's Reader Mail demonstrates that people do not appreciate being deceived.
name: Robert C.
date: May 16, 2005
message: First, I have no idea what "bloggin" is. All I know is a few things. First, I believe in the efficacy of network marketing. Secondly, I've been involved in the "old" Amway - tired of the order pick-up, prepay, and attempting delivery and gettin paid by my customers.
I bought in to Amway because of an incredible presentation which captivated me until I thought (then confirmed) I heard the word Amway.
Now, (May, 2005) I am contacted by a friend about this "new" e-commerce business. Quixtar being the marketing "agency" behind it. The more I listen and learn, the more I suspect as well as communicate to the "mentor" "coach" who chastises me for trying a multitude of network marketing companines, I say to him "this sounds remarkably like Amway." Only today *(May 16) do I discover that this so called new company is in fact the "New" Amway. Disgust and dissappointment.
If there is nothing to hide nor be ashamed of re Amway, why the dammed (sorry) secrecy and deception of calling and naming it what and as it is?
I just want to get straight answers to legitmate questions before I give it all up to pursue my own dreams (sound familiar?).
I just want a legitimate e-commerce business that I can be proud of and not be ashamed of mentioning its real name.
Any help and or advise would be most appreciated.
Sinderely,
Robert C.
Unfortunately, I have no advice except to say that Robert should fully educate himself in all aspects of e-commerce and multilevel marketing. I imagine the MLM crowd will advise that Robert join their MLM because it's different, unique and immune to the problems and deception that Robert seems to detest. With that said, what advice would you give to Robert?
May 22, 2005
Blogging 101 - Care To Comment?
By Matt Wood in Blogging 101
Using comments effectively in a blog
I'm back from my brief hiatus, after my last Blogging 101 article necessitated a stay in protective custody. Now that I've been away and had some time to repent for what I said, I'm fully back on the blogging bandwagon. Hopefully this piece will be awkwardly read off a flickering screen by two hot interns from Vassar during a riveting "What's in the Blogs" segment on CNN.
Much of the hype about blogs stems from the audience interactivity they permit. Almost every blog features an integrated comment system that allows its readers to post immediate reactions to each post that are displayed right along with the original text. This turns one-sided, author-centric web pages into dynamic communities in which the real action often happens far down the page and far off-topic from the original post.
But starting this kind of discussion isn't just a matter of switching on the comment setting in Movable Type. A blogger has to know how to solicit meaningful feedback and keep the conversation going. She also has to know when to insert herself into the discussion and when to respectfully step back and let things develop as they will.
Here are some tips for getting the most out of your comment section:
- Write open-ended posts. This can be as simple as adding
a "What do you think?" at the end of your furious rant about the
last OC episode, as long as
it invites people to respond. If you really have a lot of readers, you can
even get away with an "Open Thread" in which you make a placeholder
post just so people can talk.
- Lay off the inside jokes. If you're really interested
in getting a good dialogue going, make your blog feel open to people who don't
know you in the real world. There is definitely a place for blogs written
just for your friends, but to really engage new people, they have to feel
comfortable joining the conversation.
- Be outrageous. Nothing gets the peanut gallery more excited
than when you say something really obnoxious. Push the hot buttons. Use language
that you know will set off emotions. Deliberately pick on people (in good
taste). Even if you don't feel that strongly about something, sometimes it's
fun to whip up some Rush Limbaugh faux-outrage just to get the barbs flying.
- Participate in the discussion yourself. Don't get so wrapped
up in your own thoughts that you don't take time to respond to other comments.
Blog posts, by their immediate nature, are often incomplete, poorly written,
or unclear. Sometimes you have to elaborate or answer questions that will
lead you down new paths and bring up even more interesting points.
- Stay out of it when you're not wanted. You can also smother
a conversation by controlling it too much. You may want to let a handful of
people riff on a topic for a while before you jump back in the fray. Think
of the way your best teachers encouraged discussion in class: most of the
time they asked some well-placed questions and sat back to watch it unfold,
speaking up only when necessary to keep things on topic.
- Show your work. If you realize that you made a mistake
in your original post, don't delete the offending text. Leave it there to
elaborate and clarify, either as a clearly marked update or using strikethrough
tags. Readers who come to the page later will find it more instructive
to see the entire discussion as it unfolded.
- Don't be defensive, but don't be a pushover. If someone
jumps your case, think about it a few minutes before you respond. You have
to be in control of the situation. As we all know, internet discussions can
quickly get out of hand. It's much easier to take the high road and let the
flame throwers look like the high-strung assholes. But then again, you don't
want to look like an easy mark. If a commenter attacks you unfairly, you're
obligated to set the record straight and make fun of their mama.
- Follow the trackbacks. Trackbacks, in a nutshell, are
posts on other blogs that reference something on your site, and by the magic
of the internet, shows up in your comment section. They used to be a little
hard to pull off, but most blog software today automatically uses trackbacks
in some form or another. They're indirect comments. Some bloggers even prefer
that people use trackbacks instead of commenting directly on their site. If
you receive a trackback, make sure you read it and respond if necessary, or
better yet, respond by leaving a comment directly on the other site. Or, write
a new post and leave a trackback for them, and then they'll write another
one and trackback you, and then you'll become best blog buddies and all is
right with the geek world.
- Do it all on the same page. Always configure your blog
to display comments on a single page with your original post instead of in
a pop-up window. This way the entire discussion will be archived at the permalink,
allowing it to be indexed and searchable. This preserves the flavor of the
entire discussion, and captures ideas that happened later in the discussion
after the original post.
- Clean house. Nothing kills a discussion like the dreaded comment spam. You get a good argument going over the merits of Jack Bauer's latest torture technique, and all of a sudden everyone's talking about online casinos and porn. Again, most modern blog tools have automatic methods to help, but a few spam comments always slip through. Just make sure you pay attention and clean out the garbage. But then again, a well-placed penis enlargement comment might keep things going.
A blog without good discussion will always die of neglect. You have to actively monitor your comments. Every blogger, no matter what they say, started their site because they want other people to read it and respond. Say what you will about self-publishing and grassroots reporting and speaking your mind, but discussion is what blogs do best.
- By Matt Wood
Blogging 101 publishes every Sunday and provides blogging tips, advice and tutorials for blog newbies and veterans alike.
Other related Blogging 101 Entries
May 21, 2005
QBlog Toons - Not Amway
By QBlog in Humor
May 20, 2005
- He tried to sell me his Quixtar thing
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- He tried to sell me his Quixtar thing
"Their website is horrible. Creepy fake-smiling white people all over."
QBlog's Farcical Help Desk - 23
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 just don't know about this Quixtar? What
can it do for me?
Answer: What can't it do for you? Do you have dreams?
Q: Of course. I had this one dream about an octopus
with asparagus tentacles and its head looked a lot like George McGovern and
he was chasing me...
A: Not that kind of dream. A dream about what you'd like to be doing one day
in the future or a vacation you'd like to go on or your dream house or something.
Q: Well, I have always dreamed of going to Sea World.
Seems like a pretty cool place with lots of marine life.
A: Sea World eh? That's it? That's your dream? Pretty lame dream don't you think?
Q: No, I think it's a great dream. It's my dream. Going
to Sea World. You going to make fun of my dream now?
A: No, no. Just seems like... well. Maybe you don't need Quixtar to achieve
your dreams after all. I mean if all you want to do is go to Sea World, that's
not so hard to achieve. Hey, maybe you could dream about owning Sea
World, right? That's a dream Quixtar could help you with.
Q: Nah. I don't want to deal with the hassle of owning
a marine park. I think I'd just like to visit.
A: Well, then Quixtar's probably a waste of your time then. Maybe look into
temp work or something.
Q: Yeah, ok. Thanks.
A: Don't mention it.
Q: I run a blog and I need some help. I usually post
crap about school and my boyfriend and Coldplay but last week I made a few comments
about Quixtar and... OMG, you just won't believe what happened!
A: Uh, were those comments in any way critical of Quixtar?
Q: I guess so, I mean my friend Mary is totally into
this cult thing and all she talks about it Quixtar and she keeps trying to get
me to join it and I'm just sick of finding ways to tell her I don't want to
be in her stupid business. So, yeah. I made a few comments about how Quixtar
has made Mary crazy and all her Quixtar friends are just really weird.
A: I see, and now you're being lambasted by Quixtar-lovers who keep trying to
convince you that Quixtar really is the most awesome business by saying clever
things like "you're a looser" and "don't be a dream-stealer."
Q: Yeah, exactly. And I mean the comments these people
leave, they just go on FOREVER! Write a freakin book why don't ya?!? Maybe they're
so repressed that they just jump at any chance to go on and on about their Quixtar?
I don't know.
A: Actually, we found that it's impotency. No kidding. Scientific studies
have revealed startling high rates of male impotency in IBOs who ramble on and
on about their glorious business opportunity. Quixtar is currently trying to
get Pfizer to sign on as a partner store.
Q: Too much information. Look, can you help me or not?
A: The best way to get them to leave your blog alone is to do a post where you
laud some Quixtar product or service. You don't even need to know what laud
means, just say you laud it.
Q: Laud huh? Why laud? Do people still use that word?
A: People in Quixtar use lots of words. Their vocabulary is nearing 50 words
last I heard. They just added "prosumer" a couple of years ago and
that's been a real crowd pleaser.
Q: I see.
A: Ok, gotta go. Bye.
Q: What does "prosumer" mean and where did
the word come from?
A: Great questions. Prosumer comes from the root word "pro" which
is short for "prostitute." And "Sumer" is the home of the
Sumerians, which are credited with inventing the cuneiform system of writing.
Sumer is now part of Southern Iraq. So, Prosumer means "Sumerian Prostitute."
Q: That makes absolutely no sense.
A: That's exactly what Ken McDonald said to me the day he left Quixtar.
May 19, 2005
Define Prosumer
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
"Prosumer" is a word I frequently heard when my wife was an active Quixtar IBO. From the way it was used I assumed that a prosumer was someone who bought products from Quixtar instead of a traditional retail outlet. "Don't be a consumer and buy from Wal-Mart, be a prosumer and buy from Me-Mart!" What marketing genius came up with "Me-Mart" anyway? Ah, but I digress.
So, what does "prosumer" really mean? I can't seem to get a conclusive answer from the IBOs I've asked so I searched the Internet. Tipped by an alert reader I found a prosumer definition at World Wide Words.
...coined in 1980 by the futurist Alvin Toffler — in his book The Third Wave — as a blend of producer and consumer. He used it to describe a possible future type of consumer who would become involved in the design and manufacture of products...
And a site called The Word Spy describes a prosumer thusly:
- A consumer who is an amateur in a particular field, but who is knowledgeable enough to require equipment that has some professional features ("professional" + "consumer").
- A person who helps to design or customize the products they purchase ("producer" + "consumer").
- A person who creates goods for their own use and also possibly to sell ("producing" + "consumer").
- A person who takes steps to correct difficulties with consumer companies or markets and to anticipate future problems ("proactive" + "consumer").
And of course Wikipedia has a very thorough definition of the word including a reference to that wonderful book, the cluetrain manifesto:
More recently, the cluetrain manifesto noted that "markets are conversations" with the new economy "moving from passive consumers ... to active prosumers."
So, what does prosumer mean and are Quxitar IBOs using the term correctly? From my limited exposure to the word's usage within Quixtar I'd say the word is used incorrectly or at best, in a new way. But I may be wrong. I honestly don't know. The word is just one of those words that people hear and nod and don't think much about. It's a good word, I like saying it (unlike Me-Mart which I hate saying or hearing). Prosumer. I'm a prosumer. You're a prosumer. We prosume.
So what do you think prosumer means? And do you believe Quixtar IBOs are using it properly or do you even care one way or the other?
May 18, 2005
- Obnoxious People
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- Obnoxious people
"Attack of the Amway parasite"
Quixtar Needs A Slogan
By QBlog in Quixtar
If I understand correctly, Quixtar is without an official slogan. Companies often use slogans to market their product or service and to promote a specific brand idea. The current Coca-Cola slogan is "make it real," McDonald's uses "i'm lovin' it" and the famous General Electric slogan - "We bring good things to life" - has been replaced with "imagination at work."
However, Quixtar doesn't have a slogan and I think it would be rather sporting if we tried to come up with a suitable slogan for them to use. The slogan should be short and memorable.
I'll select the best suggestions and send them to the Quixtar Marketing Command Center for evaluation.
May 17, 2005
+ Short night and a word on Quixtar
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
+ Short night and a word on Quixtar
"I can give them honest, 1st hand experience about the business"
- AVOID THIS GROUP AT ALL COSTS
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- AVOID THIS GROUP AT ALL COSTS
"The Team, a.k.a. Team of Destiny, is a scam"
Justice Prevails at Yahoo
By QBlog in Web Initiative
In case you missed it, the Yahoo Incident is officially over. This site is once again appearing in Yahoo's search results thanks to email complaints sent to Yahoo by concerned readers. I sincerely appreciate your show of support and without your efforts this injustice may have continued indefinitely. The good news is that your voices were heard and because of your actions a bold message was delivered to Quixtar — We Will Not Be Bullied!
A Brief Summary
For unknown reasons, Quixtar contacted Yahoo and asked them to remove this blog from its search results. Quixtar gave Yahoo misleading information about my site and Yahoo acquiesced. After I was alerted to this injustice I contacted Quixtar and Yahoo to correct the obvious error. Last Sunday that error was corrected.
My Thoughts
I'm proud of this site. Proud of the Quixtar BLOG and webraw.com. For over three years I've gladly poured my energy, time, talent, love and passion into this site and done so without expecting anything in return. When I launched webraw.com I wrote a manifesto that expressed my "lofty goals" and described my vision of the "free-Web," a culture of sharing. That vision is as clear today as it was then.
During the last three years the popularity of webraw.com (and Quixtar BLOG) has grown tremendously. That growth didn't result from Google Bombing, Spamming, Link Exchanges or artificial SEO techniques. I attribute the growth to my fundamental Web philosophy — Build a website with fresh, compelling content and maintain it with care and integrity and it will eventually get the attention it deserves.
Part of that attention comes in the form of search engine rankings. A site that has a high rank gets preference over lower ranked sites for relevant keyword searches. I guess you could say that webraw.com has earned its search ranking through hard work, building lasting relationships, producing compelling content, publishing with integrity and following the "free-Web" philosophy on which it was founded. And that's why I was enraged to learn that Quixtar had misrepresented my site to Yahoo and encouraged them to de-list it. Instead of spending the time and effort to develop their own site, Quixtar sought to indirectly destroy the visibility of mine.
I honestly don't care about search engine rankings. You may find that hard to believe but it's true. My anger isn't directed at Yahoo for de-listing my site, it's directed at Quixtar for misrepresenting my site and trying to suppress a voice it can't control. As soon as Yahoo understood what happened, they corrected the error as I expected. However, Quixtar has yet to apologize.
And answer me this — why is it that the so-called "Quixtar critic" takes the high-road while the billion dollar corporation resorts to deceit, vandalism and anonymous personal attacks? That's a damn good question isn't it? Anyone at Quixtar care to answer? I know you read this blog. Don't be shy.
May 16, 2005
Monday Reader Mail: 43
By QBlog in Reader Mail
This week's Reader Mail selection speaks for itself.
name: Ryan H.
date: May 6, 2005
message: What a joke this whole web site is.
If you didn't make in Amway or Quixtar and want to play Blame Someone Else, this is the place. Wah Wah Wah!!! Someone made money off tapes, books & funtions. They should of charged you weenies $1000.00 for your registration then maybe you could a appreciate the system & take your bus. serious.
Maybe you should of signed up for Excel. Then tranferred your group to Shaklee.
Get real you cry babies, look in the mirror and take some responsibility for your lot. Quite blaming others you IDIOTS. Business' fail every day in this world. Suck it up!
Wah! Hey guess what, Alticor grew again last year. Hah. Still legal, still selling awesome products & still a profitable business if you work at it. Networking or Retail. What ever way you choose.
I'm Out
Sounds like Ryan's a true leader. If only he knew how to spell.
May 15, 2005
Blogging 101 - Is Blogging Journalism?
By QBlog in Blogging 101
- Updated May 29, 2005
"Is Blogging Journalism" was one of the questions posed for discussion at last week's BlogNashville conference. My answer is similar to Dana Blankenhorn's — it's a stupid question.
To say a blog is journalism is like saying web pages are journalism. Journalism can happen on Web pages, and on blogs, in lots of places. Not everything that's printed is journalism. Not everything that's broadcast is journalism. Yet we have print and broadcast journalism. It's the same with blogging software.
Blogging is simply a publication tool identified by certain characteristics that distinguish it from other publication tools. When people ask the "is blogging journalism" question what they really want to know is whether or not bloggers who report and opine about public issues and current events should enjoy the same respect and protections given to traditional journalists? My answer to that question is a resounding YES.
What Is A Journalist?
A journalist simply reports information (and sometimes, in the case of columns and reviews, expressly shares opinions) to others and hopefully does so accurately, completely and with integrity. Unlike doctors or lawyers there is no formal certification or licensing process for journalists so anyone can claim to be a journalist. However, the marketplace ultimately decides who is and is not a journalist. Just ask Geraldo Rivera and Matt Drudge.
In a competitive marketplace those with skills and desire will succeed while the talentless hacks will usually fail.
The Blogging Parallels
Like journalism, there is no formal licensing or certification process for bloggers. Virtually anyone can blog and, like journalists, the marketplace determines which bloggers are worth reading and which should be ignored. Bloggers with skill rise to the top and command an audience while the talentless hacks remain unread.
The Concerns
Many traditional journalists express concerns about blogging based on five key issues:
- Credibility
- Accountability
- Ethics
- Agenda
- Accuracy
Let's examine each issue as it relates to bloggers.
Credibility One of the primary criticisms of blogs is also what makes blogging so revolutionary — anyone can say anything about everything to everyone. Due to that accessibility, critics rightly question the credibility and veracity of blog content. But credibility is not a birthright nor a permanent honor bestowed on any individual or institution. It must be regularly earned by consistently demonstrating that the content is trustworthy, accurate and credible.
60 Minutes is considered a credible news magazine but lost much of that credibility over Rathergate. Likewise the New York Times lost credibility during the Jayson Blair incident. And don't forget the Newsweek debacle. Main Stream Media (and the journalists it employs) must earn, and re-earn, its credibility. Bloggers must also earn, and re-earn, credibility. In both cases the audience (or marketplace) decides which information sources (bloggers and traditional journalists) are credible.
The significant distinction between most bloggers and traditional journalists is that most bloggers have no financial incentive to be credible while a journalist's livelihood is directly connected to his credibility. But credible bloggers, like credible journalists, are usually motivated by more than just a paycheck.
Accountability
Who holds bloggers accountable? Libel and other laws apply to bloggers as well as journalist. Also, like journalists, a blogger's audience holds him accountable and as that audience grows the degree of scrutiny and accountability also grows. While journalists are also held accountable by their employer (publisher, editor, supervisor, etc.), popular bloggers are held accountable by a peer group that works a little like the Open Source community. Good blogging gets recognized and supported while poor blogging gets ridiculed and castigated. It's not structured, but for the most part, it works.Ethics
Journalists are taught ethical standards in school while bloggers must learn them on their own. This reality gives journalists an ethical advantage but not an insurmountable one. Most ethical guidelines are just common sense and with some experience, bloggers can discern what is and isn't ethical. And let's not kid ourselves, journalists are human and can be as unethical as any politician in spite of all their training. Real ethics come from personal integrity and both bloggers and journalists that lack integrity will have a difficult time following ethical guidelines no matter how what the level of ethical education.Agenda
Do journalists have an agenda? They're trained to be unbiased but many have shown that such training can be ineffective. And so we, as journalism consumers, are left guessing about potential motives and possible hidden agendas in news reports and editorials. Such is rarely the case with bloggers.Bloggers often wear their agendas on their sleeves which makes it easier (at times) to put the reported information in its proper context. We can expect a "right" perspective from Instapundit and a "left" perspective from Daily Kos. Full disclosure may not be a blogger's advantage but at least it removes agenda ambiguity.
Accuracy
Traditional journalists don't have a lock on accuracy. Neither do bloggers. Instead of keeping score both should just recognize that the public detests negligent mistakes from both traditional journalists and bloggers. Don't piss off the people.
So Is Blogging Journalism?
Certain types of blogging are indeed journalism. If you've ever had any desire to become a journalist, the traditional kind, then I suggest you start blogging. It's a great way to get your feet wet and better understand how journalism works (and doesn't work).
Some futurists imagine a day when all news will be reported by citizen bloggers, making traditional journalists irrelevant. While that may happen (though unlikely) I imagine a day when all traditional journalists become bloggers and we ask the question, "is journalism blogging?"
Blogging 101 publishes every Sunday and provides blogging tips, advice and tutorials for blog newbies and veterans alike.
May 14, 2005
- Ban Quixtar
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- Ban Quixtar
"Help save innocent people and their families"
- The current incarnation of Amay: Team Destiny
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- The current incarnation of Amay: Team Destiny
"The one thing I can't get is hard numbers"
- Quixtar/Amway/BWW
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- Quixtar/Amway/BWW
"The whole environment had this omnious feeling like in those movies where everything was nice and bright, but something dark and murky lurked deep underneath the surface"
QBlog Toons - Business Opportunity
By QBlog in Humor
May 13, 2005
QBlog's Farcical Help Desk - 22
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: Hello?
Answer: Hi.
Q: Is this Yahoo? Because I need some help from Yahoo
but it needs to be a secret.
A: Uh. Yeah. Sure, uh, this is Yahoo. What can we do ya for?
Q: I work for Quixtar and we've got a problem. Our workforce
sort of rubs people the wrong way and irritates folks who then make posts on
the Internet that criticize our business. And there's this one website that
has somehow dominated
the search results of your competitor, Google, and we would like very much
if you could help us out because the owner of that site doesn't say stuff that
we want him to say.
A: Interesting. So this website you speak of, what would you like Yahoo to do
about it?
Q: Well, can you... you know? Sort of not list it in
your search results?
A: Why would Yahoo do something like that?
Q: Because Quixtar has lots of money and the guy running
that website doesn't.
A: Aha. Money. I think I understand what you're saying. But what happens when
people find out that you're bullying people and abusing Yahoo's search engine
to hide criticisms of your business? Won't that seem sort of... I dunno. Big
Brother-ish?
Q: Yeah... and?
A: I see. Not one for thinking ahead are you? Ok, I'll see what we can do. By
the way, what would prevent the owner of the website you hate from making a
similar request about your websites?
Q: Oh. Yeah. Gee, hadn't thought of that. Hmmm. Well,
maybe just ignore his requests then?
A: I thought that's what you'd say.
Q: I was standing there talking to my upline, waiting
for Quixtar Spring Bonanza DreamZone Conference to start and I looked down and
noticed a small hole in the concrete floor of the arena.
A: Shoddy work by the folks who built the arena sounds like. How big was the
hole?
Q: That's the weird thing. It was about the size of
a quarter but then I noticed it was growing. After about five minutes it grew
to the size of a grapefruit and then a basketball. And a weird whirring sound
came out of the hole.
A: Oh, now that sounds like a baby worm hole. What happened next. You didn't
step into it did you?
Q: Of course not but as it grew in size, large objects
were sucked into its vortex a cold light shot out of the center followed by
a booming voice that said, "Give me your money."
A: Uh oh. That doesn't sound like an ordinary worm hole.
Q: It was anything but ordinary. It quickly sucked in
the entire arena and everyone inside.
A: How did you escape?
Q: I was wearing my Quixtar Worm Hole Resistant Suit
which cost over $5,000 but more than paid for itself after today's events.
A: And how. I thought Quixtar discontinued the Worm Hole Resistant Suit line
of apparel.
Q: Nope, you're thinking of the Clone-Proof Jogging
Suits with the patented Magna-Clock.
A: That's right. Yeah. Well glad to hear the suit worked out for you.
Q: Thanks.
A: Bye.
Q: I haven't joined Quixtar yet but I was wondering
if becoming an IBO is a good way to meet women.
A: Absolutely. Many beautiful, single women are building a Quixtar business.
Q: How many and are they hot? No fat chics for me.
A: There are lots of hot women in Quixtar. In fact, the next edition
of Achieve features a "Girls of Quixtar" pullout calendar.
Q: Heck yeah. I'm all over that.
A: And next month Quixtar launches it's new dating service called "PV
and a Movie."
Q: Excellent. Are there any swinging Lines of Sponsorship?
A: Uh, no. Not if you mean what I think you mean. But I hear Dean Kosage's
group is a lot of fun. He's like a rock star or something. And he was raised
on a boat. And all new IBOs get a free beverage cozy and bag of peanuts.
Q: Ok, well sign me up.
A: We don't do sign ups, this is a help desk.
May 12, 2005
Pitch Your "Quixtar Story"
By QBlog in Quixtar
Let's play a game. Put on your imagination caps and pretend that you're on an airplane flying nonstop from Washington D.C. to Los Angeles. Sitting next to you is an elderly gentleman nursing a gin and tonic while he stares thoughtfully at a copy of The Washington Post. He looks familiar but you can't quite connect his face to a name.
Is he a Senator? An actor? A famous lobbyist? Wait, that's the Watergate guy. You're sitting next to Bob Woodward.
But before you get a chance to introduce yourself he turns to you and says wryly, "You got any interesting stories?"
Stunned by his directness you begin to tell him about the hilarious tractor incident with Aunt Martha but he interrupts, "I'm looking for a story that really grabs people, a story that hasn't ever been told properly but one that every American can relate to in some way or another. You know what I mean?"
Suddenly the only thing that comes to your mind is Quixtar! That's a story! A big story. A story that everyone needs to hear. But how can you tell Bob your Quixtar Story and make him understand its significance? Also, you've heard that journalists have short attention spans so you know you need to make your story brief. What do you say? How do you tell Bob Woodward your Quixtar Story in less than three paragraphs? Post a comment and give it a try.
May 9, 2005
Yahoo De-Lists Quixtar BLOG
By QBlog in Web Initiative
UPDATE: It appears that Yahoo may be changing their search results to restore this site to it's proper location (wherever that may be). Which is good, if it happens. And yes, I realize that I look like a paranoid conspiracy theorist if this all just ends up being one giant Yahoo SNAFU (rhymes with Shamoo). Oh well, let's see what happens.
UPDATE II: After calling Quixtar yesterday I'm now convinced that my "paranoia" is totally justified. I had a very brief conversation with David Ellyatt, Quixtar's Web Marketing Manager, who indicated that he asked Yahoo to de-list my site. He refused to explain why and so I'm left to make my own assumptions.
If you'd like to ask Quixtar why they lobbied Yahoo to remove my site then call Robin Luymes, Quixtar's Manager of Public Relations, at (616) 787-6338.
UPDATE III: I spoke with Robin Luymes on Wednesday and he claimed ignorance about any efforts to get Yahoo to de-list my site but also wouldn't deny that such an effort exists. I asked to speak to someone who would know and he got my number and promised to get back to me. I'm holding my breath.
UPDATE IV: Robin Luymes sent me the following message:
Eric: As promised, I'm following up on our phone conversation of yesterday.Quixtar, as a Web-based business opportunity, provides a number of Web sites designed to provide easy access to information about the company, its products, and the business opportunity it supports. We are continually refining our online presence but do not release specific details about our plans, strategy, or actions.
Instead of speculating about the reasons for actions Yahoo! has taken, I would suggest you follow-up with them directly to determine why your blog was "delisted."
Thanks Eric!
My response to Luymes was simply, "Why do you assume I'm speculating?"
UPDATE V: Yahoo has corrected the error. This site is once again listed in their search results. Thanks to all of you who complained to Yahoo, your voices were obviously heard. Quixtar ends up looking like a total ass and gains nothing from its underhanded actions. Justice prevails. Once again Quixtar commits a miserable Web blunder. I'm beginning to think Quixtar's Web division is run by restless monkeys instead of competent professionals.
Go to Yahoo. Search for the following Keywords:
No matter how hard you try, you won't be able to pull up this blog at webraw.com/quixtar. In fact, Yahoo has virtually de-listed the webraw.com domain (which is where Quixtar BLOG is hosted) from their search results.
And typing "webraw" (which is a very unusual word and pretty much only used on the Web in reference to my site) does not pull up my site (webraw.com) until the last page of search results — page 32 in Yahoo and result number 311 (webraw on Yahoo). Contrast that with Google, MSN and Lycos which all list some variation of webraw.com as the top result for the "webraw" search word.
I did a little Googling to see if there is some Yahoo de-listing trend that I needed to investigate and I didn't find any solid evidence of such an effort. I ended up at Yahoo's "Search Spam & Deletions" page and reviewed their guidelines. My site is wholly compliant with those guidelines and I've done nothing to justify such action.
Weirder still is that the sites Yahoo lists when searching for "Quixtar Blog" have been identified as participating in a search engine manipulation scheme.
Why Did Yahoo Do That?
There's speculation about why Yahoo has virtually de-listed this site. My guess is that they caved to pressure from Quixtar or were presented an offer they couldn't refuse ("Here's a boatload of money, now get rid of Janssen's site!"). It appears to be an attempt by a giant corporation to silence independent voices. Do I have the "smoking gun" proof? No. Not yet.
What Can You Do?
The best thing you can do right now is boycott Yahoo. Don't use their search service. Tell your friends about this and encourage them to boycott it as well. Google's a superior search engine anyway and there's really no reason to use Yahoo's search so I recommend that you simply avoid it altogether.
You can also complain to Yahoo. Let them know that you're appalled that my site has been treated in such a manner. Contact Yahoo's Customer Care and make it clear that you don't appreciate such behavior.
Clearing The Record
I know what some of you are thinking. "It serves you right. Your site supplanted Quixtar.com on Google's search results and now you're getting payback." I understand that mentality but you're wrong. I never asked for Quixtar to be removed or even de-valued, just notified Google about their actions. And Google didn't de-list Quixtar, just moved it down slightly in the search results.
I concede that there's a remote possibility that Yahoo believes my site deserves to be de-listed but I challenge anyone to find where I've clearly violated Yahoo's guidelines. And then show me where the sites Yahoo does list aren't in violation.
Thanks.
Monday Reader Mail: 42
By QBlog in Reader Mail
I generally don't edit Monday Reader Mail but the length of today's installment demanded that I make some minor corrections and style edits to preserve the intended flow of the email. My comments appear at the end.
name: Scott N.
date: Mayu 6, 2005
message: I feel compelled to share the experience that I had last night with Quixtar. Let me begin by saying that to this point I have not made a decision about the relative advantages/disadvantages about this company. I was however a little disappointed by their approach to me. I spent many hours in Communication Studies courses while completing my college degree and these classes helped me to see what these people were trying to do to me. I would like to share this information with others so that they may be aware of what the initial meeting will be like or so that in retrospect they may have an understanding of manipulative tools that were used on them.
To begin, when I was approached the offer was made for the "member" to pick me up, this was done so that the "guest" will sacrifice their freedom to leave if the meeting becomes uncomfortable or they decide it is not for them (thankfully I passed on the ride). Once arriving at the meeting location we were quickly ushered through a twisting path of hallways at the facility (in this case a hotel and convention center not associated with Quixtar). The trip though was longer than it needed to be and I feel that this was also done to confuse the "guests."
Once we (the guests) arrived in the meeting we discover that everyone there was dressed in suits and ties (or comparable formality for the ladies) while all the guests were dressed casual to say the least (blue jeans and T-shirts in most cases). This is used to make the guests feel out of place by being underdressed. At the time that we walked into the meeting we were separated from the members that we knew and were placed in the front row of the meeting. This was done to again make the guests feel out of place and to stop them from leaving in the event that this meeting was not for them.
Next we were introduced to our speaker, John Doe (have no idea what his name was), who was of course the owner of a multi-million dollar business. He began by finding things in common with each of the guests, this is done to make him be perceived by each guest as much like the individual guest, making his message be received better. This process was used mainly in the beginning of the lecture but was also applied through the entire talk.
Once the speaker began, he promised to take 45 minutes of our time (which was in fact 2 hours) to tell us about his glorious experiences as a business owner (by the way the name of the company, Quixtar, did not come up until the last 5 minutes). Throughout the lecture he informed us of the glory of his company and how poorly we were all doing because we had regular jobs and not one of these companies. The main focus of the lecture (approximately 1.5 hrs of it) was focused on how bad we were all doing and how great he was doing.
Some of the manipulation devices he used during his lecture were as follows.
Get them saying yes, he would get on long lists of questions to which the answer was yes (from his point of view) and would be supported by the members saying yes behind us as every answer and then end with something like "Wouldn't you want to own one of these companies?" This was done to convince the guests to follow the group.
Also he would keep falling back to how much money he has while feigning humility, this was an attempt to establish himself as an expert while also keeping likeability.
He dropped names of very large companies who were involved with this and informed us that "We don't need to research the company because those companies all did their research and they have more resources than we do." This was again an attempt to keep people from making an informed decision on their own and an attempt to site credible experts. He also said this in a demeaning manor as if patronizing those who would doubt what he says. This was in a parental "because I said so" manner which is another attempt to take control of the encounter.
When he finished his discussion of why we could not possibly want to go against his wishes he began to get the real nuts and bolts of the company and how it works. The only problem is this part of his lecture was filled with loose ends, incorrect math, and contradictions. He began by breaking down the returns that could be expected from this business. However when beginning calculations he did not remove the start up fee (which was cut in half over the course of the lecture). When this was pointed out to him, he was not happy and patronized me directly for caring about a measly 300$ (which at this time was down to 120$). He then went on to display the amount of one time bonuses plus expected returns, which were then all lumped together to develop an expected yearly salary. This number was then used to make projections for coming years incomes (even though it included one time bonuses). In the middle of this he stopped to discuss a points system which was never truly defined or explained. I personally believe this was used to confuse the issue of the math that was being used, sort of a bait and switch approach to the topic.
At the very end he informed us that this was an "elite" organization and he would not let just anyone join. Talking about how he would only accept those people whom he felt it would be safe to have around his family. This was done in an attempt to pull all the other manipulations together. If you have accepted him as similar to you, allowed him to be your friend, and viewed him in a parental manner then it is the next logical step that you would want him to like and trust you.
Once this lecture was completed we got some "success stories" about how great it was to own your own company and how silly we all were to be willing to get up and go to work for someone else. At this point in time they called a "brief intermission" with more to follow. People from the back of the room started advancing on the guests and pinning them in small groups so that the guests would be exposed to additional stories about how great the program is.
Seeing what was happening I exercised my opportunity to leave before I too was collected in the one of these small pep rallies. As I said in the beginning, I personally have not made a decision about this program. I will be conducting my own research on the matter, in fact that is how I came to find this website, but I feel that it is important to be up front and honest with people at all times in all things. I do not feel the meeting was honest and to that end puts these people on an uphill path to convince me.
I felt it was important for those people who were exposed to this sort of meeting without the
benefit of training in the field of communications studies to have a full understanding of what was
done to them and for what reason.
Well, if you got through all that then you'll probably recognize some of the things Scott mentions. Like Ryan, my journalism training helped me to recognize some of the manipulative marketing tactics used while "showing the plan" and probably explains why I was never impressed with Quixtar or its IBOs. Have you recognized similar tactics at Quixtar meetings? Have you recognized such tactics relating to other businesses and if so, which types?
May 8, 2005
Return to Routine
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
I'm finally back home from the BlogNashville conference. Had a great time. Did a brief podcast about it available at QBlog Radio. Frankly I'm too tapped out to provide a full recap right now but I'll have one posted sometime soon.
I met a lot of really cool people. Met a few snotty assholes. Learned a lot. Got some new ideas. I want to do something similar (on a much smaller scale) here at home. Get some of the local bloggers together and maybe just toss ideas around and see what happens.
Ok, off to bed now. Take it easy cheesy.
- What the hell's a quixter
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- What the hell's a quixter
"So my coworker took me to a quixtar meeting last night"
BlogNashville Saturday Pictures
By QBlog in Blog News
More photos shot Saturday at BlogNashville. The pics include a toon that Cox drew of yours truly.
Who dat is?
Turns out Dan Gillmor is a bit
of a bore. That's Ben Cunningham of Tennessee
Tax Revolt in the background.
Some people think JD Lasica looks a bit
like Dr. Evil. What do you think? Oh, and did he mention that he's selling some
book or something... I forget.
Brittney in the foreground. She's a professional blogger. No, really. She was
hired by WKRN to
blog. That's all she does. She gets paid to post to Nashville
is Talking. Sweet.
Went to the Red
Restaurant for dinner with Bob
Cox, Mark Glaser and John
Jay Hooker. It was one of the most interesting dinners I've had in my life.
John Jay Hooker is a bit of a legend around Tennessee and in the political arena.
He claims to be friends with Muhammad Ali, Robert Kennedy (when alive) and Oprah
Winfrey. He doesn't have a blog but is interested in how blogs can help him
in his fight to reform
election laws.
During dinner, Cox and Hooker (does that sound like the title of a bad porno?) had a lively discussion about the so-called "Nuclear Option" currently being debated in Congress. At one point Hooker pulled out his copy of the U.S. Constitution (doesn't every lawyer cary a copy wherever he goes?) and read to us from one of the articles discussing Senate rules... or something. It was a rather surreal moment that I was able to catch on camera — John Jay Hooker reading the U.S. Constitution to a couple of bloggers inside a gay bar.
I most enjoyed witnessing Hooker's enthusiasm for blogging. He's a 75-year-old man who knew virtually nothing about blogs prior to BlogNashville and is now saying that he senses something really big is happening with the blogosphere. He wants to take blogging to "the next level."
It's late and I need to get some sleep. I'll post more about BlogNashville tomorrow.
May 7, 2005
BlogNashville Friday Pictures
By QBlog in Blog News
I'm at BlogNashville. Here are some pics I took yesterday.
Anoniblogging
Aha!
The Fishkite Dude
The Homeless Guy
Wolfie's Club
May 5, 2005
Evelyn Pringle Reports on Amway/Quixtar
By QBlog in Quixtar
Evelyn Pringle is apparently a columnist for Independent Media TV, an alternative news site that publishes the stories that Main Stream Media misses or ignores. She recently (Dec. '04 and Jan. '05) wrote a series of articles about Amway and Quixtar.
A lot, but not all, of the information in her report comes from Eric Scheibeler and his whistleblower book, Merchants of Deception. Other material is derived from court records, testimonials and extensive Internet research. Unfortunately, the agenda-driven tone of the articles detracts from their impact and effictiveness.
The articles can be found (among other places) on a "'fiercely independent' press release driven Internet news" site based in New Zealand. While Scoop isn't the only site carrying the report, it's well designed and its appearance is superior to the other "independent news" sources reporting Pringle's articles.
» Evelyn Pringle: Bush + Republicans + Amway = Fraud
Former Amway insider, Eric Scheibeler, has written a must read new book called ''Merchants Of Deception''. This one time member of the Amway motivational cult has turned whistleblower and FBI witness and boy does he have some tales to tell.
» Amway, Republicans & That Old Time Religion
For decades, Amway has used its political clout within the extreme Right Wing of the Republican party to gain access to foreign markets, obtain special tax breaks, and most importantly, to retain immunity from prosecution for pyramid scheme fraud. The giant MLM is able to generates funds all over the globe, simply by using some of those funds to buy protection against regulation and oversight.
» IRS To Amway - The Party's Over
Apparently, the IRS has decided that Amway distributors are having too much fun listening to tapes, reading books, and attending the same training seminars year after year after year. In July, 2004, the United States Tax Court issued a ruling that barred 2 distributors from claiming business related tax deductions for the cost of these items.
» Teflon Amway - 20 Years Of Crime & Lawsuits
The paperwork involved in the endless stream of lawsuits filed against Amway and its Kingpin distributors over the past 2 decades would probably fill a 10 story office building. The complaints and discovery documents filed in these actions, which Amway has fought so hard to keep hidden, outline 20 years of fraud perpetrated on millions of unwitting and vulnerable recruits all over the world.
Professor G Robert Blakey was retained as an expert witness in the 1998 Procter & Gamble v Amway lawsuit to issue an opinion on Amway's business practices. Blakey is one of the nation's foremost authorities on organized crime and after studying its business structure and functions, Blakey determined that the Amway business is run in a manner that is parallel to the businesses run by members of organized crime, "consisting of associated enterprises engaging in patterns of legal and illegal activity.
So go check out those articles, see what you like or don't like about them. There's some really interesting stuff in there even if it's a bit slanted (Pringle is obviously not a fan of the Republican party).
May 4, 2005
QBlog - The Book?
By QBlog in
So I'm at the bar tonight celebrating some work-related blogging accomplishments (yes, my job also involves blogging) and the conversation shifts to Quixtar. At first I'm a little hesitant about telling my "Quixtar story" but but with a little prodding (ok, not that much prodding) I explain about the Quixtar BLOG and my experiences since launching it over two years ago.
What was truly bizarre is that both of my companions were genuinely interested in the Quixtar story. I told them about the Team Of Destiny lawsuit against Scott Larsen and about how TOD changed their name to TEAM in midstream (which got some chuckles).
I told them about Dexter Yager and the sexual harassment complaint filed against him. I explained the tool businesses and the why that business interested the FTC. I recounted the events that transpired while my wife was involved in the business and how this blog seems to currently impact Quixtar policies. I kept telling and telling and they kept listening and asking questions and never once appeared bored. Ok, maybe a couple of times but only when I was explaining Quixtar's bonus payout structure.
What's really interesting to me is that one my my companions, an editor, suggested that I turn my story into a book. Actually, she said I absolutely must turn this into a book and gave me the names of agents and friends who could at least point me in the right direction. And the more I thought about it, the more I like the idea of writing a book. It would be a way for me to lay out all my experiences and knowledge in a narrative form that will, hopefully, be interesting to read.
What do you think about QBlog - The Book? Good idea? Bad idea? Do you think you'd read it? Do you think others would read it? I guess the best question is "what would the book specifically be about?"
I suppose I'd have a chapter or two on the Blakey Report. And definitely a chapter on the Qrush saga. Maybe a few chapters about the Quixtar Web Initiative and who knows what else.
I've actually considered doing a book for quite some time but I've always envisioned a blog book, something that shared the knowledge and skills I've learned from running this blog. But now I'm seriously considering a book about my sometimes surreal experiences connected with this Quixtar BLOG.
I don't know. For now, I'm open to the idea and pleased that at least a couple of folks believe that my story is worthy of a book. I'll keep you posted.
May 3, 2005
- I thought he wanted me to help him with a web site or something
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- I thought he wanted me to help him with a web site or something
"This Quixtar stuff is a straight up pyramid scheme"
May 2, 2005
Monday Reader Mail: Special Edition
By QBlog in Reader Mail
Today's installment of Reader Mail is expanded to accommodate its uncharacteristic length and format. Generally, the Reader Mail series features a single email and my comments. However, this particular installment consists of several email exchanges between the Reader (Bob) and me. Bob's messages will appear in blue. I have not edited any of the emails except to correct some grammar and protect identities. Also, Bob's email display name was Jim S. which explains my confusion about his name.
My reason for doing this Special Edition is that the communication between me and Bob encapsulates my experience with many Quixtar IBOs, including my wife's former upline. In fact, the frustration that resulted from similar communications while my wife was still in "the biz" served (in part) as the impetus for this blog.
Finally, before getting to the emails, I would like to thank Bob for actually responding to my messages. It's unfortunately rare that someone replies to my questions and I was delighted that Bob took the time to engage in a dialogue.
name: Bob
date: April 26, 2005
message: Hi Ed. I was checking out your site and noticed in your About section you claim to be unbiased and try to maintain objectivity with regards to Quixtar. But all of the links listed on the first page are definitely anti-Quixtar. Blogs, news reports, everything... Do you need some links for all of the positive stories out there from reputable sources? I can send you some in the interest of "fair and balanced" reporting if you wish.
Let me know what you think, and have a great day!
Bob
name: QBlog
date: April 28
message: Hi Bob,
I would very much like for you to send me some links to all the positive stories
out there from reputable sources. Send them to me and I'll post them all on
my blog.
Thanks,
Eric J
name: Jim S.
date: April 28
message: That's nice to hear... hopefully some of them make it to the first page:
- quixtarfacts.com
- ibofacts.com
- quixtarresponse.com (response to the Dateline link you have)
- internetretailer.com (Lists some partner stores whose lawyers think it's a good idea to link with Quixtar)
- stores.org (Quixtar #7 online)
- Business 2.0
Quixtar has been a leader in online Health & Beauty for years. In the "Numbers" section of its December 2001 issue, Business 2.0 ranked Quixtar #1 in sales for the online Health & Beauty category, with 20.5% of the estimated $1.45 billion market segment. Based on the analysis of Nielsen/NetRatings and Harris Interactive eCommercePulse, Quixtar was ranked ahead of Drugstore.com (12.2%), Merck-Medco.com (5.7%), Avon.com (4.5%). and MaryKay.com (4.1%).
That should be good for now. Not saying Quixtar or its people are good or bad, but I've done years of research on this company, and most legitimate sources are positive to it. The negatives are former IBOs and media sources, typically.
I'll be interested to see your links page in the future.
Bob
name: QBlog
date: April 28
message: These are your reputable sources? These are your stories? This "should be good for now?"
You sent me three general links to sites run by Quixtar or its IBOs, a link to InternetRetailer’s 6 month old, three paragraph blurb announcing partner stores and a link to Business 2.0’s home page (which makes no mention of Quixtar). This is the best you can do? You’re not impressing me Jim.
So you’ve done "years of research on this company" and this is what you come up with? Ok, here’s the "positive" that I’ve come up with after over two years of researching this business:
- I have a link to a Quixtar employee run blog on all my pages (including my home page)
- I have a link to a blog run by a Quixtar IBO on all my pages (including home page)
- My News page includes links to five blogs sympathetic to Quixtar (2 run by IBOs and 3 run by employees)
- There are the following links to various posts on my blog that have something
positive or neutral to say about Quixtar:
Positive Things About Quixtar
Trying To Figure Out The Truth
Single Day Sales Record
Amway Sales Growing
Sometimes People Make Sense
Why I Don't Hate Quixtar
I Like SA8
Bless Orrin Woodward's Site Redesign
Interview With IBO Systems
Jennie Loves Quixtar
RedStar Is Live
Quixtar BackBone Project
Record Day
All of the "March Of Perceptions" series
Now THAT should get you started. There’s a bit more on my blog if you’re interested. And to be quite honest, my blog is possibly the world’s largest repository of unbiased and totally independent collection of positive or neutral stories and information about Quixtar.
By the way, my name’s Eric not Ed.
- Eric J.
name: Jim S.
date: April 28
message: Wow... those blog links of yours sure are reputable. Um, who are they?
Or is this your way of saying you won't put the links up to offer balance. If you have a negative article from Dateline, perhaps you should put Quixtar's response up as well. Instead, you have a collection of blogs and opinionated editorials.
Count the beans, they don't add up. You can't with a clear conscience think that it's balance.
name: QBlog
date: April 29
message: Jim (or is it Bob?),
You’re obviously missing my point. Your original statement called into question the volume of "positive" content from reputable sources linked from my blog. I have scoured the Internet for such content for over two years and wanted to see what you found that I missed. Your response was not what you promised. They weren’t stories and from reputable sources. If you want to argue about what qualifies as a reputable source, we can do that but generally the content produced by a company about its own business is considered biased.
There are other issues as well:
- I’ve searched the Web for over two years and haven’t found many "positive stories" about Quixtar. What I do find, I post on my blog. I suggest you follow the links I submitted. You’ll see that some of them are posts that link to OTHER sources. And sometimes when I can’t find positive stories from reputable sources, I create my own. My challenge to you remains, please send me links to positive stories about Quixtar from reputable sources.
- You questioned my ability (and willingness) to link to content that was positive about Quixtar. My response provided links and examples of how I do link to positive content, repeatedly. I might contrast that with Quixtar’s unwillingness to link to independent sites that pose tough questions.
- Your response here is telling. Instead of replying in kind, with a host of links as you promised, you attempt to bait me into posting your links (all of which I already link to on my blog except for the Internet Retailer link) and frame it as a question of conscience. Interesting strategy but not one I’m entirely unfamiliar with.
I suggest you spend some time researching the Web and my blog to become better educated. Those who have put in the time and effort generally understand that I strives to be a voice of fairness and independence on my blog.
I still want those links.
Thanks,
Eric J.
name: Jim S.
date: April 30
message: Eric,
It's Bob. I must apologize, I didn't follow the blog links because I don't really
pay much attention to uncorrobarated opinions. I went to your site because it's
the first that pops on Google, and wanted to be familiar with it.
As for links to stories, the majority of reputable business sources i.e. Business 2.0, New York Times, Hoover's Online, etc. are subscription sites. Any links I send you won't work. Nor will I send you the articles and violate copyright or my subscription ToA. I might recommend yourself subscribing to those three sources as a start and do some research there. As we both know, anything free is worth what you pay for it.
I also know this. John Maxwell, an acclaimed author on the topic of leadership and who happens to have the most shelf space at Barnes & Noble, went on record stating, "Among all of the businessmen and leaders that I have the pleasure of knowing, there is nobody that I respect more than Ron Puryear [head of World Wide Group]."
John Sestina has gone on record on tape stating that aside from a military or govt. pension, there is no better method of long term wealth than the Quixtar business. Frank Feather, noted futurist, has gone on record stating that Quixtar will be one of the 5 largest online buisnesses in the world. Dr. Bill Quain, professor of marketing For the University of Florida has written books on Quixtar and its benefits.
And probably my favorite endorsement comes from a man named Glen Wilson. He is a retired Secret Service agent of 20 years and now the CIA Agent in Charge for southern Arizona and Mexico. He did research on this business with capabilities we don't have, through DoJ, DoD, FCC, FTC, Secret Service archives, and others. He stand by this business as well.
So, given that list of individuals who support Quixtar and have something to lose financially by their support, I'll trust them, and not some guy who sets up a blog on the Internet. No offense intended to yourself or other bloggers. There just isn't the same respect or possibility of loss behind the claims that you make.
Bob
name: QBlog
date: April 30
message: Bob,
Please provide links or detailed bibliographical references for all the quotes,
material and claims that you make. There is no copyright violation to send links
to subscription services and I subscribe to all of them that you list.
Also, why would you complain about my lack of links if you’re claiming that it’s impossible to link to those sites anyway? If you send me what I ask, I’ll publish it. Just pointing out that you changed from your earlier position of claiming to know of "links for all of the positive stories out there from reputable sources."
You haven’t sent me links and I’d like those links. If links aren’t possible (in the case of a book or non-online industry journal) then a detailed bibliography will suffice (I’m assuming you know how to compile a compliant bibliography but if not, let me know and I’ll send you instructions).
What I’m basically asking for is corroboration of your claims. And no offense is taken, I’m just asking you to prove your claims. I look forward to your reply with the proof.
Thanks,
Eric J
name: Jim S.
date: April 30
message: http://www.team-kmi.com/headlines.php3
name: QBlog
date: April 30
message: Thanks Bob,
Though I’m not quite sure what you sent me. I asked for detailed sources
and you sent me a link to a headlines page, that contained no references to
any of the content you mentioned previously (that I could find). However, I
continued to search through the site to see if there were other spots that contained
what you promised and came up empty. Can you be more specific please?
Thanks,
Eric
name: Jim S.
date: May 1
message: Apparently that link didn't contain what you wanted? referenced new articles and endorsements? I guess I'm not quite sure what you want then.... sorry.
Bob
name: QBlog
date: May 1
message: The linked page contains the headlines of five articles dating back from Sept. 2003 to July 2001. None of the articles mention Quixtar and therefore, can’t have a positive story about Quixtar. To be sure we’re looking at the same thing, I see the following headlines (one isn’t linked so I won’t include it):
- USA Today - September 15, 2003 - Middle class barely treads water
- MSN Money - April 28, 2003 - Is $1 million enough to retire on?
- NY Times - Aug 17, 2001 - Dell Loses $101 Million for Quarter
- NY Times - Jul 12, 2001 - Yahoo loses $48 million in the first quarter
- NY Times - Jul 06, 2001 - Jobless Rate Rises to 4.5% as Economy Remains Weak
The endorse