text:
Hat tip to PC World for letting us all know about Google's new tool that helps us take action against online reputation attacks. Curious mostly about the implications for removing objectionable content, we decided to check it out. In the post, we see a number of mentions on persistent issues facing brands who have online reputational issues - the post states: |
The new application, called Me on the Web, is aimed at people interested in tracking online references to their names and to other personal information that may be slanderous, inappropriate or incorrect.
The post goes on to state that in order to take advantage of this new reputation managing tool, you need to have a Google Account, and that the Me tool is located in the Google Accounts dashboard section.
We visited the site and found the link that allows one to manage their online profile - just as the article suggests, it's called "Me on the Web."
The links under this section are as follows:
Set up search alerts for your data
How to manage your online identity
How to remove unwanted content
About Me on the Web
We took a moment to visit the "How to remove unwanted content" link and quickly found a familiar reporting mechanism called Remove a page or site from Google's search results. I mention it's familiar because we have attempted to use this tool in the past to deal with defamatory/libelous online blog posts on Blogger and found that it got us nowhere.
With this being branded as a "NEW" offering, we thought to try again anyway. Because we had been through this before, we skipped all the conditions for removal and jumped straight to the removal tool/form, and we were presented with several options specifying the nature of our request.
When trying to select the option which states: I have found content that may be defamation/libel, Google emphasizes rather clearly in bold text:
We do not remove allegedly defamatory content from www.google.com or any other U.S. dot com domains.
Contrary to what the PC World article suggests as far as Me on the Web helping with defamation and libelous posts, the above bolded quote clearly states that without a legal basis (i.e. copyright violation), Google's objectionable content removal tool does nothing to help. In fact the form doesn't allow you to proceed any further unless there is a legal basis for content removal.
So it seems more same-ole same-ole with regard to Google tackling content removal, and with the majority of reputation harming content being defamation and libel, unfortunately Google doesn't appear to be doing anything new, much less tackling online reputation management with any teeth.
The abundance of talk surrounding Facebook putting Google out of business seems now to be just an undercurrent to all the waves being made with Facebook's real-time "what's happening" feed.
However using Facebook's search function to find people just isn't that easy. Privacy filters aside, Facebook's search function has serious quips that seem to choke up far too often, and I find it much easier to just find people using "FirstName LastName on Facebook" searching with Google.
These are my own observations of course, and my experiences may be different from others, but it appears more like putting the carriage before the horse with respect to a brand new "what's happening" feed feature when the current search feature on the site underwhelms, and appears to require the outside assistance of Google to get the job done properly.
This post comes from a series of observations which seem to indicate a movement towards one-on-one, more personalized Web experiences that may not be consumed as intended by your customers and new audiences. We've seen it first-hand |
monitoring marketing campaigns running on Facebook and/or Twitter, which were meant to draw in crowds, new or loyal, young and old, to witness a brands online experience, having the opposite effect than was originally intended.
How does this happen? We've caught feedback rumblings of nagging login screens when trying to view fan/contest/event announcement pages, buggy interfaces, and/or pages which aren't loading content properly due to UI changes, or device/software limitations. Is this a campaign execution issue, or are we witnessing a chink in the business models of social media platforms, who may themselves be unsure, unsettled or divided on how to monetize their site and what they eventually want to be when they grow up?
Whatever the reasons, the result can be one that makes a shambles of your best laid plans, as everything may appear to be humming along nicely on the 3rd-party platforms, and on the screens and apps of in-house staff and managers, but are not producing anywhere near the kind of joyous and supportive bridge crossing experience for new audiences, whose first impressions of the company's online endeavours is one associated to annoying, frustrating and temperamental experiences.
This traverses to brand risks as well, which we touched on with our post on reputation blind spots. In another example, we've fielded concerned calls regarding botched plans which missed key elements of damaging and well orchestrated smear campaigns because their choice of road warrior device, used to keep a pulse on social media developments, was found unexpectedly, to be ill-equipped in loading the "full Web" experience needed to do their job properly.
We may have arrived at a point where the familiarity of a well-pitched software and/or tool, with their numerous conveniences and promises of greatness, have instead distorted our view of an online social reality that's taken us several steps back, to an era of software incompatibility, walled gardens, and an online bandwagon riding experience that may be well-lauded by cliques, peers and friends, but is exclusive and leaves passerby's and new business prospects feeling underwhelmed.
Several months ago, we received a call from a client asking us if we had any advice to offer on a matter. It seemed a customer had contacted them explaining how they had "Googled" their brand name, and in the top 5 results, they had stumbled on an incident which alleged a serious issue with their company. They were already aware of the incident and were in the process |
of rectifying the issue, but when they had tried to repeat the search themselves using Google, they were not seeing any such incident appearing in their search results. This was one of the first in a series of discussions with numerous clients on the topic of personalized search.
The idea of geographically matching relevance to a users search criteria is not new. However the application, uses and the appearance of geographically restricted content has started to quickly surface as the race to deliver the most locally relevant and real-time results heats up. Google is still King as far as vanity searches go, and while the impact of personalized searches is shifting our understanding of relevance, it is also an emerging reputation blind spot that should not go unnoticed or ignored.
Content providers and search portals algorithmically restricting content based on geography is one aspect of the way the Web delivers content that is unique to each one of us. Every time you log in to a social networking platform or check your Gmail account, information is being collected that relationally ties your person, alias or online identity to online uses, visits, shares and interactions.
The combination of geographically restricted content can certainly be made more meaningful when an ad pops-up about our favourite Pub, which all too coincidentally is a name that's been dropped when conversing with friends via email about places to meet up after work.
Going back to the example with the client who couldn't replicate the same Google results their customer had contacted them about, if you run into a similar issue with a potential employer, your boss, a supplier, partner or client asking for an explanation on an incident you can't seem to locate in your own searches, then you might well be experiencing first-hand the reputation blind spots of personalized search.
If you use Gmail, log-out, clear your cache, and repeat the same search to compare previous search results you got when you searched while being logged-in. This seems to correct the situation most of the time as far as performing a Google vanity search. Broader searches on varying social media platforms may require a little more browser tweaking and heightened awareness of privacy filters and settings to override algorithmically edited and geographically restricted content.
One approach we have been using to counter the issue of personalized search blind-siding company's and brands not seeing the same results others are seeing is a feature in our RepuTrack toolset called the SEO View.
The SEO View is one of six views offered through RepuTrack, providing a summary view of incidents scored by tonality, geography, source type, and numerical rank (top 100), and this works to inform subscribers on the likelihood of negative incidents appearing in the first 10 pages of results when someone performs a vanity search in any of the widely used search engines.
The video below is just a little over 7 minutes in length, and shows the SEO View feature in action (makes it's appearance at 5:35 of the video):
Did you ever have that idea? You know, the one that started off as a random thought that sounded so perfect when it rattled around in your head? How the idea got parsed, shared or acted on are another thing altogether, and this, is where the inspiration to this post may be found. Namely, the inaction that follows many brilliant ideas that one could claim as there own. |
Except for the fact that someone else acts on that idea and will gladly take all the credit for you.
One of the great things about social media (and there are many) is how opinion and insight become a part of the collective conscience. And the amazing way organic thoughts and opinions are co-opted rather simply through the function of sharing, and facilitated through the break-neck speed of syndication. One of the best reasons to monitor social media has to do with the way knowledge transfer and shifts in cultural awareness can potentially translate into new and marketable insights and technologies.
There are many everyday examples of social media sites that have taken those thoughts and ideas shared by the crowds to the next level. In the category of pro-consumer resources, there are, to name just a few, review/testimonial sites, fan sites and hack sites (in the context of a piece or body of work that produces something that is desired, wanted or needed by a community of users). The "hack" phenomenon is something that continues to fascinate because it gives us all a peek into both, the resourceful nature of consumers, and the democratized tendencies of social media.
So should it stand to reason that if a consumer needs to take their own initiative to make consumer goods function or work better, that this happens because companies aren't listening to what people actually want or need? Perhaps, and I think there is some truth in the details, especially when looking at the example of fan-sites and how they are able to capture the imagination and creativity of online audiences in ways that the companies who produce the goods being hacked never dreamed possible. In such situations, there is an inclination and maybe an overall tendency to overlook or shut out the ideas that take shape and form online.
It also stands to be reasoned that not all thoughts and opinions are going to be the next best social media idea, however neither should all of it be dismissed at wholesale. The value of having a trend, industry or brand monitoring strategy in place is found in gauging those opinions - it follows that the listening, teasing out of promise and meaning is where the best social media ideas are born. I've seen it go both ways, and more than I'd care to share in the direction of corporate blinkers and muted hearing coming in the way of something great.
Don't get caught looking away, otherwise what happens is the same deflated feeling that overcomes someone when they have a "hey, that was my idea" moment. Except when it happens with a social media idea that could have been born with a little investment in monitoring online thoughts or opinions, it's an alarm of lost opportunity that rings around the world. And you can bet that everyone online that you wouldn't want to see or hear it will be paying attention and taking notes.
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Our firm likes to work closely with our clients, and help them makes sense of what goes on deep in the world of cyberspace. Specifically when this relates to preempting attacks on their corporate identity and reputation.
The RepuMetrix™ blog is an online project which allows us to directly interface with consumers, clients, and people with questions about our technology, our products and/or services.
We also look at this blog as an online resource allowing us to share our insights with the business owner, the consumer, and blog audience, and work towards forming a discourse around the complexities of Reputation Measurement™ technologies, brand and reputation monitoring, and protecting businesses most valued asset -- their reputation.
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Over the past two years, CoreX has developed a reputation as being a leading provider of solutions designed to assist businesses in the areas of brand and reputation monitoring, investigations, competitive intelligence, market research, counterfeit brand protection and helping businesses preempt online threats.
Commencing August 1st 2007, and as part of an overall re-branding strategy, CoreX will officially become RepuMetrix.
With this announcement, we are committed in continuing to provide all our clients with the same level of service they have come to expect. That means providing them with leading-edge Internet monitoring solutions, and assisting them by keeping up on developments that affect their company – and their industries – with timely retrieval of intelligence from Web sites, blogs, chat rooms, social networks, video and media worldwide.
We are very excited about this re-branding strategy, and we believe it to be an integral part of staying ahead of the complicated, exciting and ever-changing Web, while continuing to build on our position of technological strength and our product and service offerings.
Building new relationships has always been an important part of our business philosophy and we encourage all questions and comments – leave us a comment or send us an email. We want to hear from you!
New research from eMarketer shows that 74% of employees are well aware that there are consequences associated to having bad social media habits at the office. |
Most employees appear to understand the potential for reputation damage that stems from bad-mouthing the boss or the company. A major stumbling point to social media use in the office continues to hinge on the fact that companies still don't have an official policy or clear direction on what social media sites are or aren't allowed to be accessed or used during work hours.
If your workplace would like to introduce social media in the office, but doesn't know how, here is a suggestion. Attach the tips below along with the eMarketer article and take it to your employer or boss. Explain how you understand your responsibilities to the company and how you are willing to initiate discussion on enacting an official workplace policy:
Tip to Business: Make it a matter of official policy and provide your workers with a clear direction on the uses of social media in the workplace, especially if social media plays an important role in your overall business strategy. Social media sites and fee web tools that make it easy for key company opinion, ideas or data to be posted online and shared freely may expose your company to unnecessary risks. Those risks may be associated to such things as propietary disclosure and/or breaches of confidentiality. Such activities should be closely monitored, and in addition to enacting workplace blogging and social media policies, those policies should be expanded to include guidelines which will work to prevent breaches from occurring and raising risk awareness within your workplace culture.
Tip to Employees: Ask your employer and become well-informed about any company policies as they relate to posting ideas or opinions on blogs, social media sites, or using any free online utilities which help you manage email, company documents, spreadsheets or other forms of company data, and which may expose your employer to unnecessary risk.
Click here to read about other interesting findings from the eMarketer article.
Despite the fact that a cloud of suspicion looms over corporate SEM initiatives, Microsoft appears both poised and intent about entering into a space during a turbulent and uncertain period of time. An amenable time in so far as Microsoft standing to benefit greatly from Google's blunders. More specifically, Microsoft's AdCentre can incorporate into its vision a degree of lattitude that will allow them to determine which hill they want to die on.
]moreAnother fine example of an earlier post on footprints and reputations comes from an interesting announcement made from Ask.com's "eco-friendly" data center. The "eco-friendly" data center will be located in Moses Lake, Washington and will be a "zero carbon emissions" plant that uses "renewable hydropower."
Very impressive stuff -- and, as I've discussed here before, with this announcement we might well be seeing the wave of the future as far as reputation management strategies are concerned - more specifically, how companies approach reducing their environmental footprint will be an important factor in showing Web audiences companies are acting responsibly and are committed to the "Green" cause.
A great article by Globe and Mail columnist Mathew Ingram outlining the importance of dealing with any nasty conversation that targets your business in a timely manner:
Article: Blog Bites Man
Source: globeandmail.com
Link: Blog Bites Man
Social Target's main man Nathan Gilliatt just released his Guide to Social Media Analysis and we are just as thrilled as anyone about being a part of it. This comprehensive guide includes information on over 30 companies in the social media space, and after months of interviews, research and compiling information from different vendors from around the globe, it is available for purchase.
While doing our interview and demo, I immediately got the sense that Nathan was the right man for the assignment - he just has a way of articulating the things we do in the social media space that I believe will make it simple and meaningful for anyone thinking of jumping in on paid services and springing on formal measurement.
We were also pretty excited about being a part of the Forrester's Brand Monitoring VPC. These sources are extremely valuable in the decision making process.
Originally appearing in The SHIELD™ - Volume 04 - Fall 2006
Part 1 of a 3-part series - Corporate tips to build brand and avoid disaster in the conversational era.
Corporate success in the conversational era
Blogging is here to stay.
For those of us who've barely mastered emails and surfing the Net,
it's a rude awakening. Blogging is the practice of running a "web log"
where people from all over the world can chat with each other about
Web experts call this the conversational era, and like any other new
era, it comes with its own set of rules and expectations. Companies who
hope to remain competitive and aware need to find ways to incorporate
blogging into their corporate strategies. Why? Because people are talking
about them – and where people talk, anything can happen.
Some companies have tried the ostrich approach. Stick one's head
in the sand, and one doesn't have to see the corporate damage being
done on blogs and message boards. The results have almost always been
Reacting without careful thought or strategy can be equally devastat-
ing. Corporations, like people, need to detach themselves emotionally
before rushing in to defend their company's reputation.This can be hard
when all the rule books are outdated and no longer apply.
People these days recognize sincerity. As customers, their choices are
endless. They will gravitate toward companies who show they are pas-
sionate about their work and respectful of the people who make their
success possible.
A positive blog presence, as this series of articles will show, can trans-
late into effective brand strategies, which include rebuilding old brands
and introducing new ones. But when it comes to blogging, flash and
dazzle won't work. Honest conversation will.
The following tips will help you engage effectively with online con-
versations. Some of these suggestions, because corporations have been
conditioned otherwise, may feel counter-productive. But the web-based
evidence is overwhelming. These approaches work.
1. Listen. Most companies make the mistake of avoiding or mini-
mizing issues brought up by dissatisfied customers. The blogging com-
munity will see right through this and won't put up with it. They will
eventually drive a stake through even the finest company's heart.
2. Respond in a timely, concise and focused manner. Bring-
ing on an arsenal of PR and legal advisors isn't always necessary or ad-
visable. Talk in a way that people will understand. Keep the language
and concepts simple.
3. Admit when you are wrong. This is often what the audience
wants. What makes blogs unique is their ability to self-regulate.
You won't be able to win over everyone, but some will feel your pas-
sion and hear what you're saying. These people will become your allies,
and they will turn the tide in your favour.
4. Accept the repercussions of your actions. Companies who
admit wrongdoing are often rewarded because they were truthful and
willing to accept the consequences of their actions. Their rewards are au-
dience trust and greater customer loyalty. The trick is, stay with the top-
ics at hand. When you've successfully won over your audience, DON'T
make the mistake that our final tip warns you about.
5. Talk, don't sell. Blogs were founded on an anti-pitch sentiment.
Defy this truth, and expect to be burned. Businesses often try with well-
intended eagerness to promote their product on blogs, citing low costs
and other accessibility features. Bloggers' first loyalty, however, is to the blogging community. Companies who've never been the target of nega-
tive conversation suddenly find themselves attacked for lack of obedi-
ence to the anti-pitch rule (also known as "splogging"). Winning over an
angry audience for "selling out of place" can take years.
So your firm has spent countless amounts of money to manage the reputation of your company, your brands, its products, services and people.
And then the unimaginable happens.
You'll be sitting in your office, minding your own business — whatever that business may be — and someone will relive the Hobbian nightmare by taking your lifes work into his primordial vain by saying something brutish and nasty about your company on some blog site.
Within a matter of hours, its all over the web.
Here are a few questions that might run through your mind when this happens.
What do you do?
The knee-jerk reaction to this of course is, well, to be angry - after all, why would anyone do this type of thing, and who is this person doing it?
Is this happening because its become fashionable to bash business on blog sites?
One approach to overcome this gut-wrenching matter - concentrate instead with the matter at hand!
Detaching oneself from the emotional roller-coaster of being the target of some blog author or mystery cybersmearer is not an easy thing.
But controlling ones emotions so as to not minimize issues, or worse, overreact, is extremely important.
The recent leaking of Target's AP Directives, if anything, proves that the bloggers first loyalty is to the blogging community.
Overreacting without carefully deciding on how best to deal with a nuisance blogger can often produce disasterous outcomes.
In the case of Target, bloggers discontent rose with news of Targets legalbot approach, and suddenly the containment strategy of tracking a single mystery blogger and shutting down their practice of disseminating confidential company information resulted in a rapid blogrolling of the AP Directives document on dozens of message boards, blog sites and consumer advocacy/gripe sites.
One thing that you can never underestimate about Web 2.0 is the aspect of blogging allegiance.
Unravelling the complexities and mystery of why people say the things they do are sometimes not nearly as important as dealing with the matter that is at hand, specifically from the standpoint of minimizing the damage to ones reputation.
Whether the unkind words or allegations are being spread by a disatisfied consumer, a disgruntled employee, or a scheming competitor, focus first on what it is that is being discussed.
Listen. Don't make the mistake of minimizing the matter, or altogether sticking your head in the sand. The web-based evidence that the ostrich approach will produce disasterous outcomes is overwhelming.
Admit when you are wrong. This is what the audience wants most. The thing that makes the Web 2.0 the darling in the communication medium is its self-regulating aspects. Meaning that you won't be able to win everyone over with your words, but if your passionate and genuine with your approach to dealing with the matter, some will listen. A few will even become allies, and this could help turn the tide in your favour.
Respond in a timely, concise and focused manner. The subject of one of the earliest posts on this blog site - "tell it early, tell it all, (and try to) tell it yourself." Bringing an arsenal of PR and Legal advisors on-board isn't always necessary or advisable. Talk in a way that people will understand.
Keep the language and concepts simple.
Be sincere.
The blogging community is especially good at seeing through any campaign of disinformation or deception, and will eventually drive a stake through even the finest company's heart.
So your firm has spent countless amounts of money to manage the reputation of your company, your brands, its products, services and people.
And then the unimaginable happens.
You'll be sitting in your office, minding your own business — whatever that business may be — and someone will relive the Hobbian nightmare by taking your lifes work into his primordial vain by saying something brutish and nasty about your company on some blog site.
Within a matter of hours, its all over the web.
Here are a few questions that might run through your mind when this happens.
What do you do?
The knee-jerk reaction to this of course is, well, to be angry - after all, why would anyone do this type of thing, and who is this person doing it?
Is this happening because its become fashionable to bash business on blog sites?
One approach to overcome this gut-wrenching matter - concentrate instead with the matter at hand!
Detaching oneself from the emotional roller-coaster of being the target of some blog author or mystery cybersmearer is not an easy thing.
But controlling ones emotions so as to not minimize issues, or worse, overreact, is extremely important.
The recent leaking of Target's AP Directives, if anything, proves that the bloggers first loyalty is to the blogging community.
Overreacting without carefully deciding on how best to deal with a nuisance blogger can often produce disasterous outcomes.
In the case of Target, bloggers discontent rose with news of Targets legalbot approach, and suddenly the containment strategy of tracking a single mystery blogger and shutting down their practice of disseminating confidential company information resulted in a rapid blogrolling of the AP Directives document on dozens of message boards, blog sites and consumer advocacy/gripe sites.
One thing that you can never underestimate about Web 2.0 is the aspect of blogging allegiance.
Unravelling the complexities and mystery of why people say the things they do are sometimes not nearly as important as dealing with the matter that is at hand, specifically from the standpoint of minimizing the damage to ones reputation.
Whether the unkind words or allegations are being spread by a disatisfied consumer, a disgruntled employee, or a scheming competitor, focus first on what it is that is being discussed.
Listen. Don't make the mistake of minimizing the matter, or altogether sticking your head in the sand. The web-based evidence that the ostrich approach will produce disasterous outcomes is overwhelming.
Admit when you are wrong. This is what the audience wants most. The thing that makes the Web 2.0 the darling in the communication medium is its self-regulating aspects. Meaning that you won't be able to win everyone over with your words, but if your passionate and genuine with your approach to dealing with the matter, some will listen. A few will even become allies, and this could help turn the tide in your favour.
Respond in a timely, concise and focused manner. The subject of one of the earliest posts on this blog site - "tell it early, tell it all, (and try to) tell it yourself." Bringing an arsenal of PR and Legal advisors on-board isn't always necessary or advisable. Talk in a way that people will understand.
Keep the language and concepts simple.
Be sincere.
The blogging community is especially good at seeing through any campaign of disinformation or deception, and will eventually drive a stake through even the finest company's heart.
I received an email notification this morning from PayPal. I've been a PayPal customer for some years now, and have received spoofing emails in the past. They have however become more and more convincing. I've also received Bank of America emails as well as from other financial institutions, but those don't stand a chance in convincing anyone who isn't even a customer.
With PayPal emails, its a little different because I have had legitimate notifications from them in the past concerning chargebacks on my account. This happens in cases where people use fraudulent credit cards to send you payment. Below is the most recent email I received:
I've magnified the link that appears in the email when you hover over the link they ask you to visit. It is clearly going to an unauthorized location. The other clincher that this was a scam email was that the email arrived at an email address not tied to my PayPal account.
I'm sure I'm not alone in receiving these kinds of emails, but the incident prompted me to write about my views as they pertain to Net security. More specifically, this notion that establishing trust continues to be one of the Internet's greatest challenges. Ironically, one of the underlying themes in the most recent battle between eBay and Google was eBay's claim that Google checkout is unproven. The question that remains is how does one establish "proven" systems of trust when a site like PayPal continues to have problems associated to preventing identity theft and fraud? Does one take away from this that this just one example which represents the negative perpetuality of Net security?
There is absolutely no doubt that the way the Internet works now is wonderful because it is able to grow without limit, and capable of handling any application. But the idea that someone may stand in the middle of an established system of trust raises some concern over scalability issues as it relates to Net security. Do we retreat from this problem, and accept this as a cost of taking our business online?
Amazingly, as I interpret the location of the link from the bogus PayPal email pointing to a non-trusted site, and its attempt to take me to a site in the Eastern block if it isn't a spoofed address, its lesson also allows me to recognize how successful IP addresses and domain ties have been all along in providing us with the rudimentary capability to combat online fraud.
And as we strive towards establishing smarter networks and suspicion detection systems meant to stay on par with the kind of growth the Internet is experiencing, establishing trust in Net security still needs to allow the Internet to be this fantastic place with huge growth potential, open to innovation at will.
Fixes that make the experience more obtrusive through processes and functionality designed to put in place stricter safeguards will come with considerable cost and penalties. Keeping networks open also doesn't mean pushing everything to the edge allowing it to evolve on its own because so far we have not had any success being able to apply this principle very well to Net security.
A heated debate surrounds search engine innovators such as Google to hand over its data to the US Department of Justice (DOJ). The debate pits Google against the DOJ as an innovator that ought to be more cooperative and socially responsible with regard to handing over trade secrets to authorities in hopes of assisting them in the areas of monitoring the activities of child pornography offenders, as well as monitoring any/all activities related to homeland security and terrorism.
I think what this recent so-called "defiance" of social responsibility is bringing into the search technology discourse is this fundamental division of interests, and this notion of intrusion which appears to be looming like a dark cloud over innovators of search technology.
What's interesting about the debate surrounding search technology in current times is the duality of interests, as the technology is looked at both with enthusiasm and condemnation.
Enthusiasm on the level of possibilities it can provide in areas such as homeland security and monitoring/tracking the activities of sexual predators, just to name a few. Until now, enforcement authorities have had to use hit-and-miss methods such as cyberbaiting to track these forms of criminal activity. The problem is that cyberbaiting on the web is a lot like trolling the vast open sea with a 10-foot fishing boat.
It is no coincidence that when the US Department of Justice asked Google to hand over "trade secrets" on its search engine technology, that behind its "good-will" nature of seeking "cooperation" was this imperative seeking their aid on security matters. This idea of using search technology to combat such things as child pornography as well as the possibility of intercepting communications between terrorist groups were initiatives that could assist governments in areas it was ill-equipped in handling using their current methods.
But its the same courts, lawmakers and enforcers of law that are also pointing their fingers at companies like Google, condemning such search engine innovators of digging-up information that is infringing on copyright, peoples privacy and a wide number of other levels of personal, corporate and government intrusion. A number of these cases are in the courts, and will be for some time, and it is doing nothing more than creating an obstacle for innovators to take search technology to the next level.
Here's how I see it. The days of innovators such as Tessla are long gone. His was a form of pure innovation, driven by passion, and less to do with the commercial viability of their contributions. And in a way, its a good thing that innovators are taking what they can get nowadays. The legacy of squatting on innovations for the almighty dollar are happening less and less because innovators are not so quick to give away their work.
Cases such as Tessla's inform us of the shrewd and sometimes dehumanizing approaches of governments and corporations to snatch away innovation for their own greed and self-interested purposes, with little or no acknowledgement at all to the people who first put things down on paper and made them reality.
So while the military were the first to bring the web to life, I'm certain that they are biting their tongues over the fact that they weren't able to be the principle innovators of search technology. I also think that because search technology is primarily in private ownership, its created a sense of insecurity and and an air of mistrust that I believe might not have existed at all if search technology ownership was in government hands.
And as governments and their officials push search engine innovators to a point where they are demanding search engine companies to "cooperate", their demands are being made at the expense of intruding on the intellectual property of the search engine technology owners. A demand that stands to do nothing more than disturb the waters of future innovation in combating such things as child pornography and homeland security.
The main problem with the bullying approach being used by governments is that there isn't a large supply of developers in the area of search engine technology. You upset the few that are in the know, and you throw away the opportunity of ever getting them to assist in combating criminal activity that occurs online.
I think the real question to be posed: who is actually doing the intruding, the innovator or the followers of the innovation?
I recieved an email pointing me to a blog site called Crickets Chirping
It immediately reminded me of an article I once read on how NOT to start a blog site. Specifcally, the part that outlined how there is little or no value in spreading lies, innuendos or false claims. But spreading rumors, lies and baseless allegations is brand and reputation monitorings raison d'être.
Yet still, I guess it never ceases to amaze me how far some people will go to make an attempt at manipulating an audience with as little fact as possible.
This link sent to me, a case in point. These are bloggers who claim to "get it" or at least understand blogging enough that they self-appoint themselves as experts in all facets of commerce, technology, education, public policy and sometimes even law.
If blog sites like this show up in your feed, or you get an email from these people, ignore it or delete it altogether. Don't even bother responding. Don't link to their websites either.
As in the aforementioned case, if someone claims to be some sort of know-it-all or expert on your business that you don't recognize or know from past dealings, I might suggest inviting them into a discovery session to better inform them about your business, its people, products or services.
But in almost every single case, these are people who aren't the slightest interested in knowing anything about you because fact-finding slowly eats away at the lies they are spreading and quickly proves them wrong.
Your best bet is to just ignore them.
Don't give them a voice. Let them link to each other in their own sesspool of spreading lies and self-indulging narcissism. They're not adding anything of value to your business, they're just trying to figure out how to game your business and/or bait it into a futile discussion.
Don't let them.
If your business has been made a target, contact CoreX to consult with an advisor on how best to combat cybersmearing.
Out-Law.com asks whether "Your boss could own your Facebook profile" - and according to IP law expert Catrin Turner of Pinsent Masons, the short answer is yes.
The article references the PennWell ruling where precedence was seemingly set for an employer to claim 'ownership' over contact lists produced by a former employee during working hours.
From the article, Catrin Turner had the following to say on the case:
"The basic law is that if you create copyright material, something you write or type into a computer, you take photographs, you do cartoons, you potentially create film, if that is created in the course of your employment then the assumption is that that belongs to your employer, so that doesn't have to be written down by your employer."
What are the implications of this ruling when we look at the relationships and reputations we've built in different online environments? Is it possible that relationships and contact lists which are formed on Facebook or MySpace, and the profile itself can become an employers property? On this issue, Catrin Turner goes on to say:
...social networking sites and the material a person creates for them do not exist in a vacuum, that they do interact with working life, but that most users do not realise this.
"They may think that social networking is something which doesn't affect their work relationship, but it certainly does."
In a past post, I've discussed the more complex issues facing corporations as they relate to breaches of confidentiality which can occur when key company data walks out the door. In the Pennwell case and as Catrin Turner points out in the Out-Law.com article, this data can include contact lists and any relationships we form during our term of employment.
We may now have even greater reason for business to develop specific policies and private social networking infrastructure to keep business and personal activities separate. Not only when it relates to the standpoint of productivity, but in light of the Pennwell precedence, an even more convincing argument can now be made for employees to engage in any Facebook related activity only on free time.
Just as I was stringing together some thoughts in a previous post about my own purposes for blogging, and elaborating on the "honesty" of conversation, "conversational marketing" makes the headlines once again.
The current issue involves Microsoft's ad campaign which involves FM Publishing. Specifically, as the Valleywag headline reads, "Federated Media: Microsoft pays star writers to recite slogan," suggesting John Battelle's Federated Media "paid" A-List bloggers to participate in a slick Microsoft ad campaign.
Most of the blog storm centers around the "ethics" and responsibilities" of blog authors. FM VP Neil Chase chimes in on the Valleywag post, and describes this as the new age of conversational marketing - and that there is no harm of foul in a three-way conversation between the reader, blog author and the business which is engaging the readers. He goes on to describe how the authors weren't paid to engage in the conversation, and the only monetizing aspect comes from the ad impressions delivered by way of Microsoft ad campaigns.
If the next step in the evolution of online discussion is to involve marketers into the discussion, and history can teach us anything, then maybe its the conversational marketing methods themselves that might require more careful consideration. Its not a conversation when conversational marketing campaigns turn social marketing into a shill machine before the conversation ever has a chance to flourish. Under such pretenses, conversational marketing can potentially hurt the editorial integrity of the authors and the reputations of people and businesses connected to the marketing campaign.
When they launched their Vista operating system, Microsoft became all too familiar with the kind of online attention and controversy that can stir when the social engagement doesn't require that every participant have their hands in front of them. In fairness, Microsoft isn't alone as its happened to many great companies including Wal-Mart, Sony and Dell.
Egregious or minor faux pas? The one thing we do know is that bloggers are taking notice. Its interesting how history and research continues to reinforce how the online community has already become this finely tuned, self-regulating mechanism that ultimately proves to be accurate in its views. Like it or not, the online crowds in their wisdom will make the final determination whether blogger reaction is justified or not.
Online Reputation Management: What You Need to Know
"Online reputation management can ensure the ongoing success of your brand and your organization."
The Need for Reputation Management Increases Across the Web
"If you and your business have already suffered loss from bad online reputation, there is no time to wait. Contact a reputation management professional immediately."
There's been a lot of coverage on the "Legal Notice Regarding Google AdWords" story, and I can't say I've read it all, or agreed with everything that's been said "for" or "against" Google on the matter.
But from what I've been able to observe from the way AdWords/AdSense works, and the kind of traffic AdWords has been bringing to our sites, here is my take on the matter.
I think what is fundamentally wrong about what Google's done here is that on the one hand, they wanted to give their AdWords the greatest reach on the web by allowing site owners to pop-in their AdSense code.
But by doing this, Google also stands to lose control over what each site owner is doing on their sites with that code.
The way their AdSense program works is that the site owner gets a cut of the action on the pay-per-click fees that go to Google, so what's to stop that site owner from clicking that ad themselves, or worse, setting-up advanced scripts to randomly click ads so as to not appear like fraud is being committed?
Looking at the kind of traffic I've been getting on sites where I'm running Google's AdWords program has made me wonder too about the useless traffic and hits.
Interestingly enough, it's a collectibles company that is bringing forward this class-action suit.
If you use Google AdWords, I'd like to hear your comments or opinions on the matter.
Indeed, Social media requires clear strategy - and Melcrum has released a report that attempts to deliver the most practical explanations of social media, with examples and advice on how to develop a social media strategy.
"How to use social media to engage employees" is a global survey of attitudes toward social media technology and could be useful if your in the area of corporate communications. Its also the kind of report which makes it perfectly clear that you may not be alone in terms of deciding on the right social media strategy for your corporation, but with some 60% of organizations committing to having some form of social media strategy in place by 2007, you soon may be.
Fundamental to the success of your ORM strategy means staying on top of the "buzz creep" - this means tracking every incident of online mention of your company name, your staff, brands, products/services, etc. - before if finds you. Using news alerts to monitor your reputation can work if you use it strictly as a monitoring barometer to help understand i) the timeline and delivery of incident details to the inboxes of Web audiences, and; ii) tracking how quickly the news can impact any rise or drop on first page Web search results.
The main drawback to solely using news alerts as an ORM strategy (a point that seems obvious to many of us, but one that can never be overstated) is that they don't cover the entire online terrain. Our experiences suggest that Web audience approval or disenchantment occurs most in places where debate on an issue or topic has the most potential to flourish and involve input, and although mainstream media has taken significant steps in recent years to allow input on news articles and stories, the content controls are a major reason why discussion and debate continues to happen elsewhere.
Another important consideration is that mainstream media, intentionally or not, has historically excluded some of the groups and associations most actively involved in using online environments to carry their message. For example, environmental groups may choose online communications because it allows them a control over the theme and message of their initiative - a control mechanism that is far less achievable in mainstream media coverage that would sooner point out the consequences of the groups actions (past or present) than focus on the message and relevance of their cause.
Taking this example one step further, like it or not, the debate to determine whether a newly launched campaign is 'eco-chic' or an eco-sham will be settled by the Web audiences, and the choice of where to debate the issue could find fertile ground on a MySpace blog maintained by a member of the activist group, and may eventually even make its rounds to a MySpace group or forum discussion. Whether or not those discussions transpire into any planned action outside your commercial establishment, our experiences inform us that using news alerts for ORM will mean you will only be apprised of the situation after it has happened.
As well, when we are speaking of online attention that can make or break a brand, keeping an eye on discussions that may lead to a planned protest are more likely to happen on a blog, a message board/forum, or social network site. The most striking evidence of this phenomenon is the little mainstream coverage received by the recent Energy Action Coalition's Fossil Fools Day initiative. For this reason and many others, ORM strategies must go beyond vanity searches, news alerts or a collection of feeds.
Richard Warman is a lawyer who has been made a target on a white supremacists website. The offending blog author is calling for the murder of Mr. Warman, a human rights lawyer in Ottawa who put Tomasz Winnicki in jail for ignoring a court order to stop posting hate on the Internet.
According to the Canadian Press, Mark Goldberg has teamed up with lawyers from Papazian Heisey Myers and Bernie Farber, CEO of Canadian Jewish Congress, to file an application with the CRTC which describes Bill White of Roanoke, Virginia, as a neo-Nazi who has encouraged people to "take violent action" against Warman and even posted his home address on the sites. The application requests that the CRTC issue an order enabling carrier ISPs to block the site and any others that have perpetuated the violent action against Mr. Warman.
So is this an issue of net neutrality, or hate?
Vint Cerf, Google Chief Internet Evangelist and Co-Developer of the Internet Protocol, has this view on net-neutrality:
Allowing broadband carriers to control what people see and do online would fundamentally undermine the principles that have made the Internet such a success...A number of justifications have been created to support carrier control over consumer choices online; none stand up to scrutiny."
Tim Lee, regarded as the Inventor of the World Wide Web, offers up his own view:
The neutral communications medium is essential to our society. It is the basis of a fair competitive market economy. It is the basis of democracy, by which a community should decide what to do. It is the basis of science, by which humankind should decide what is true. Let us protect the neutrality of the net."
This idea of network or net-neutrality is the principle that Internet users should be in control of what content they view and what applications they use on the Internet.
Where net-neutrality falls short is when people have to fear for their lives, or go into hiding because hate and violent views are taken to a provocating and criminal level.
Mr. Warman doesn't think too highly of the idea of freedon of speech, specifically when the internet is used as a vehicle to perpetuate hate.
As put off as some may be about his fanatical opposition against freedom of speech, and his accession of legal remedies to remove hate from the web, it doesn't justify the fact that he now needs to go into hiding, as hiding can and will severely interfere with one's list of places to go and people to see. His indvidual freedoms have in one fell-swoop been altered when his life was threatened by a menacing blogger.
Hatred against any race, ethnicity, indvidual or entity ought not be tolerated in Canada. It is illegal, and punishable under the Canadian criminal code.
Whether its child porn, or views espoused by the Keegstra's and Zuendels of the world, legal remedies are a necessary way to deal with the most active purveyors of violence and hate.
Countering it with a link appearing before you conduct a Yahoo or Google search, asking if you'd like a "censored" or "uncensored" view of your results might not be the best way to deal with the problem.
With regard to the matter at hand, there is no doubt that threatening a persons life is a vile and reprehensible act, but is the CRTC the right place to look for a remedy to a matter as complex as this one? The violator lives in the US, and his blog was published on a server located in the US.
If the CRTC does issue such an order to ISP's to block such content, how many similar requests will follow, and how will a decision like this impact companies like ours that monitor menacing activities towards people and/or companies? Can the sites be blocked without also blocking dozens or hundreds of additional sites hosted at the same IP address?
Jim Bensons views are in alignment with my own on the matter:
Censorship is a value judgement. Making ISPs responsible for censorship is asking them to make a value judgement for society. ISPs mission statements generally say nothing about value judgements. Value propositions, yes, judgements no.
It appears that this incident has all the earmarks for a watershed moment in Canadian history with respect to hate laws, and the CRTC taking an active role in regulating Internet sites spreading hatred.
I'm certain that there will be more follow-up on the application, and the case at Mark Goldberg's blog.
The "Free" vs. "Paid" Tools Debate
In recent months, reputation monitoring has definitely become a hot blogging topic. Some have been announcements welcoming new monitoring tools to the category. Others have been serving as advisories or tips to help business small or large get on board with managing their online identities.
Although most are in favour and understand the need for reputation monitoring, it seems that the "free tools" vs. "paid tools" debate has made its rounds (either introduced by the blog author or in the follow-up comments), and its a debate which I've been watching with some interest for at least as long as we've been offering our RepuTrace™ service.
My bias is quite clear and I've made it apparent in numerous blog posts as well as any opportunity I've had with mainstream media coverage. As I see it, it can be summed up into an advantage where automated software, human insight, core competence and best practices save business the precious time to compile, store and report on any and all online views that can make or break a brand. Timely reporting and precision monitoring that in my opinion greatly enhances the reputation management strategies of any business, small or large.
As far as reputation management strategies are concerned, because there is no comprehensive and all encompassing "how-to" guide to manage your reputation and brand online, my advice would always be to call in firms like ours to continue on a company's brand success, especially if you are realizing that free tools aren't enough.


text:
We enjoyed our stay at your nice home.- Julia & Alex, May, 2012
Thank you Aaron.- Paul & Vicky, May, 2012
Thanks! We will be back.- Brenda & Warren, May, 2012
This was great looking forward to coming back- Rick & Sue, May, 2012
Aaron for your hospitality! We look forward to seeing you again this summer. Good luck.- Julia & Robert, May, 2012
Thanks so much for your warm hospitality. We really felt like we were home. We wish you all the best with the bed and breakfast. We know it will be a huge success.- Chip & Melissa, Pittsburg, PA, May, 2012
Aaron it was wonderful!! And little Livy made it even better.- Judy, Belleum, WA, April, 2012
Thank you for a charming welcome and our stay in this pretty house.- Laurent & Family, France, April, 2012
Thanks for the good food & good conversations! Best of luck on all your endeavors!- Mark & Tawni, March 2012
We had a wonderful time. Great food and great hospitality!- Michael & Ashley, March, 2012
Aaron, somehow we are ending this ledger/Guest book. It is our 22nd Wedding anniversary and can't say enough for your hospitality & fun conversation. It was great getting to talk to you & getting to know about you. Thanks for listening to our story & just pray in your Jewish. You met the best part of my life Good luck in all you do. Talk soon.- Ron & Donna, Quackertown, PA, March 2012
We truly loved our stay. Aaron was an excellent host. We would definitely come back again.- Avon & Prescila, Philadelphia, PA, March 2012
Very relaxing weekend rest, thank you Aaron!- Dave & Vicki, Maple Shade, NJ, February 2012
A very relaxing stay!- Helene & Tom, Bridgeport, PA, February 2012
Great, Great, Great! Staff, Rooms, Breakfast Love!- Anonymous, February 2012
Great Place! Love it!- Robert & Theresa, Hawley, PA, February 2012
Wonderful experience Aaron was so accommodating & delicious breakfast. Thanks for a great trip! P.S. Loved Livy too!! Adorable!- Joan & Sabine, Maryland, February 2012
Not too often you come to a Bed and Breakfast and get tattoos with the hip young inn keeper! Thanks for everything Aaron! Wonderful getaway from Jersey's craziness!- Andrea & Chris, NJ, February 2012
What a wonderful escape from the daily grind. Fresh air, comfy accommodations. I'm ready to start the week renewed. Thanks Aaron!-Jonathan & Valeria, NYC, December 2012
A great relaxing weekend in the country. Much slower and quieter living than in Baltimore. Thanks Aaron for a great weekend!- Julia & Jonathan, Baltimore, MD, February 2012
Thanks for the great hospitality. We had a great weekend, but of course too short. Good luck with Angie & your future.- Wendy & Bob, February 2012
Thanks! We had a wonderful time and a great getaway close to home.- Jim & Linda, Harrisburg, PA, February 2012
Thank you so much for the wonderful 2 days! It was cozy and quaint, exactly what we were looking for. Good luck on our future endeavors! Thanks again for the hospitality. We really appreciate it!- Alex & Lanny, Washing, DC, February 2012
Aaron- Thanks for a cozy, comfortable stay. We loved the company, and breakfast was awesome! We will see you again.
- Ken & Jacki, Lansdale, PA, February 2012
You have created a beautiful, calm & relaxing atmosphere here, and your breakfasts are awesome. Thank you for a delightful stay. Good luck in all your endeavors. Angie is a lucky girl.- Dave & Johanna, ________, _____, February 2012
Thanks Aaron for our hospitality. We enjoyed our short visit. We look forward to coming back again.- The Griswolds, Paoli, PA, February 2012
Thanks Aaron for the great hospitality, food and conversation! All the best until we see you again!- Emmanuel & Irene, December 2011
Thank you for the hospitality- delicious breakfasts and cozy rooms!-December 2011
We had a great time. The room was beautiful- the breakfast was wonderful. Thanks for a great time and a much needed getaway.- Steve & Joy, December 2011
Thanks for the wonderful experience! We loved the room & the delicious breakfast. It was ice getting to know you!- Josh & Brenda, December 2011
Thank you for making our stay such a wonderful one. You exceeded all of our expectations. We definitely felt very welcome & pampered. Take care & God bless! The Bella Vista is truly beautiful.- Bob & Kim, December 2011
Aaron- you are a delightful man, with many gifts and talents. Thank you for making a difference in my life- just by being such a warm host. God bless you as you serve and live!- Linda, December 2011
Beautiful home, soft towels, comfy bed and conversation.- Don & June, Hanover, PA December 2011
Just like a visit to grandma's house with cousin Aaron! We felt right at home.- Len & Phyllis, Hanover, PA December 2011
What a great weekend & enjoyable host. We really enjoyed getting to know you!- Gene & Lansdale, PA, December 2011
What a delight, we really enjoyed the home grown atmosphere and the company. A do-over if we can!!- Pauline & Bill,November 2011
Here for a wedding in Lancaster- had a great stay with new owner since last here. Good luck Aaron.- Laurie & Butch, November 2011
Thank you for another time! We love it here! We will be back again soon.- Alicia & CJ, NJ, November 2011
Thanks for another great stay at the Bella Vista! Good luck Aaron in the upcoming year!- Don & Joan, Westminster, MD, November 2011
I enjoyed myself so much, I love it here. Hope to come back next year in warmer weather. The breakfast was delicious, I loved it so much. I came here with my brother Leroy and sister-in-law Anna. We all enjoyed ourselves. My room the Victorian was beautiful and cozy. I had such a fabulous time at your house, Bed and Breakfast. So good! Aaron you do such a good job to make your guests feel welcome. Your friend from Baltimore.- Betty, Baltimore, MD, November 2011
Very agreeable, accommodating and comfortable.- Norbert & Carmen, Tarbes, France, October 2011
Exquisite!- Johanna, Vineland, NJ, October 2011
Wonderful house, terrific breakfast & great conversation. Thank you Aaron- best of luck to you in all your endevours!- Robert, Trafford, PA, October 2011
Wonderful! Wonderful!- Rachel, Vineland, NJ, October 2011
Great relaxing and wonderful fellowship with Aaron. Looking forward to returning when times permit.- The Wards & The Acuffs, October 2011
Your B&B is very special and have enjoyed my stay. Especially enjoyed the pleasant conversation with Aaron & mom. Thanks for a wonderful Stay.- Anonomous Guest, October 2011
A weekend of old world charm & simplicity was made complete with a beautiful house that felt like home. Thank you for the wonderful hospitality. Completely charmed.- Tahia, Washington, DC, October 2011
We found the Bella Vista to be restful and comfortable. Aaron is a great host. Felt like family!- Anonomous Guest, October 2011
We have found our new favorite B&B! See you in the future.- Joe & Diane, Philadelphia, PA, October 2011
Am delighted we found the Bella Vista! The homey setting is enhanced by your hospitality and humor- and you have the perfect setting for exploring this part of Pennsylvania.- Ann, Alexandria, VA, October 2011
It was quite nice in the Colonial room. You are a gracious host. We enjoyed our talks. Great time!- Janet & Amanda, Pilesgrove, NJ, October 2011
Had a wonderful time at this B&B and would definetly come back again. Aaron is a wonderful host- the breakfast was delecious. A very homey place!- Dave & Janet, Sanborn, NY, October 2011
This is our second visit and again we have had a lovely visit. You are a wonderful host. We had a lot of fun visiting with you. Us girls will be back on our next fabric shopping trip.- Kim Karen & Colleen, Wattsburg, PA, October 2011
Aaron, our host, could not have been friendlier, more helpful, more accommodating. The "all you can eat" breakfast included a variety of tasty dishes.- A bedandbreakfast.com reviewer, October 2011
My husband Michael and I had a great time at the Bella Vista Bed & Breakfast. Aaron was a very gracious host. We were able to bring our dog Willow with us, which was really nice so we didn't have to worry about her. Thank you! Angelina & Michael- A bedandbreakfast.com reviewer, October 2011
We had a great time. The rooms were clean and roomy. Food was great.- A bedandbreakfast.com reviewer, October 2011
My Husband and I went to Bella Vista for our one year wedding anniversary back in the end of September. Aaron is a sweetheart and the nicest guy. He let us know what there was to do around town because it was our first visit to Lancaster County. He really is a great guy and to run such an amazing place all by himself simply amazes us! The room was so clean and big. The bed was comfy and we felt right at home! We stayed in the Colonial. Breakfast was delicious! We did not want to leave and we wish we could have stayed longer! And you can not beat the prices for the rooms!!! We knew we would go back. So next month my husband, my best friend, her fiancee and I are all going back for the night and we simply can not wait! We will continue to stay at theBella Vista whenever we go back to Lancaster county. We wouldnt want to stay anywhere else! Thank you Aaron for everything! Keep up the amazing work and we will see you again soon!- A bedandbreakfast.com reviewer, October 2011
My husband and I had a very pleasant stay at the Bella Vista B & B. We stayed in the Bella Vista room which was lovely and immaculately clean. We did not get to meet the inn keeper because he was away for the weekend but his parents were there to see to our needs and cook us a splendid breakfast. Robin & Steve- A bedandbreakfast.com reviewer, October 2011
Our stay at the Bella Vista B & B was delightful. The rooms in this century home are attractive and very clean. Aaron, our host, was friendly, informative, and a wonderful cook.- A bedandbreakfast.com reviewer, October 2011
Lovely old home & quite comfortable. We enjoyed meeting you and staying at your B&B. Thanks for your hospitality.- The Reids, September 2011
Beautiful room, you're a great hardworking man. Keep up the amazing work! We enjoyed spending our anniversary here! Breakfast was amazing! We will be back!- Alicia & CJ, Bayville, NJ, September 2011
Aaron is a kind, pleasant, accommodating host who treats each guest as a personal friend. I heard from other guests during our stay that he's an avid scrabble player who will while away the evening hours with you playing the game.- A bedandbreakfast.com reviewer, September 2011
Aaron is doing a great job running this B&B by himself! Everything was very clean and the breakfast was huge! He grew up in the area and knows all the good places places to eat and visit.- A bedandbreakfast.com reviewer, September 2011
Beautiful home, beautiful company!- Theresa, Baltimore, MD, September 2011
Dear Aaron, Thank you for an engaging stay. You are a wonderful host.- Nancy, Owings Mills, MD, September 2011
Wow! What a good cook and very good company!- Jan & Henry, Ontario, Canada, September 2011
Thanks for a pleasant, hospitable B&B. Hope all continues to go well.- Paul & Linda, Ontario, Canada, September 2011
Had a wonderful stay & great breakfast!!- Delmar Adena & Jeremy, Gettysburg, PA, September 2011
We enjoyed our stay so much! Thank you for everything!- Joanne & Joanna, Hammonton, NJ, September 2011
Paul and I had a very enjoyable stay. Thank you so much for the delicious breakfast! We will be back!!- Paul & Sandy, Newburgh, NY, September 2011
This was our first time staying at a Bed & Breakfast and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Aaron is a wonderful host! He made everyone feel comfortable and welcome. He also provided 'breakfast feasts fit for royalty.' Our stay at the Bella Vista was a wonderful experience and one that we hope will be the first of many, many more. Carolyn and Larry- A bedandbreakfast.com reviewer, August 2011
I would highly recommend Bella Vista for a friendly, comfy stay in the area of Lancaster. Our host was super friendly and made the time there enjoyable. The only thing that could have made the stay a bit better for me personally was better air conditioning because it was extremely humid & hot while there & a little t.v. in the room would have been nice. Bonnie- A bedandbreakfast.com reviewer, August 2011
My wife and I stayed here for a night to get away from the city and relax. Aaron, the owner, greeted us and although we were early allowed us to check in and freshen up before we went out to see the sights. Our room was clean and well appointed. The bathroom had a double sink and was very spacious. There were two arm chairs in the room so that at the end of the day when we retired to our room we could watch a little television. Breakfast was great and the other guests that were there made for great conversation... Would recommend to anyone looking for one or a couple of days in the Lancaster county area.- A bedandbreakfast.com reviewer, August 2011
Thank you for sharing your home with us. Loved it. Coffee was delicious!!! Loved playing boggle with you. Breakfast was awesome!!!- Ruth Ann, British Columbia, Canada, August 2011
We had a wonderful time! Thanks for your hospitality, you've been a blessing! A great way to celebrate our 40th. You are a fabulous host & great cook! Your B&B is where we will stay every time we come back to the Lancaster area!- Sue & Jim, Harpers Ferry, WV, August 2011
Delicious breakfast and very nice people! Thanks Aaron!- Jan Philip & Eva, Cologne, Germany, August 2011
We had a wonderful, wonderful time! Aaron is wonderful too! Perfect host!- Carolyn & Larry, Easton, PA, August 2011
Thank you so much Aaron for this wonderful stay! We'll remember the Amish dinner for sure, and also the egg-in-the-basket recipe, definitely our Aaron's favorite when back at home.- Christine Henry Arthur & Elisa, Lyon, France, August 2011
Aaron, Thank you for a wonderful stay. We had such a fun time You're a fabulous chef. Best to you.- Linda & Kate, Annapolis, MD, August 2011
Thank you Aaron! You have a beautiful home.- Danna & Doug, Hatboro, PA, August 2011
Very nice place: an old beautiful victorian house. Excellent hospitality, host very helpful. The breakfast was so good! I recommend it strongly. We were three people, and the sofa bed was not really comfortable, but the innkeeper offered a discount so that was fair!- A bedandbreakfast.com reviewer, July 2011
This was my mother's and my first stay at a B&B. Aaron was wonderful. He made us feel like we had known him forever and we hated to leave. The room was very clean, beautiful and comfortable. The whole house was very clean and relaxing. Breakfast was more than delicious. Whole wheat waffles, sausage and very good fried potatoes. He also arranged an Amish dinner for us that was wonderful. I doubt any B&B is better than the Bella Vista. If you are close--stay!! Thank you, Aaron!!- A bedandbreakfast.com reviewer, July 2011
Lovely setting and close to a park in a quiet town. I enjoyed my stay.- A bedandbreakfast.com reviewer, July 2011
Thank you Aaron! It is such a lovely B&B you have here and you are the Best Host!!- Amanda & Kate, Pittsburgh, PA, July 2011
Very much enjoyed your hospitality!!- Gary Mary & Carilynn, Wallersville, MD, July 2011
Dear Aaron, Thank you for your kindness and hospitality. You asked if we felt comfortable with you as the Innkeeper, and the answer is that without a doubt you are the most congenial host I've met. The moment you offered to let us kick off our shoes in the kitchen I knew I would enjoy my stay. In French, the word "souvenir" isn't the sort of word for cheap, tourist kitsch, but stands rather for a sentiment that isn't quite expressible in English. A "souvenir" is a keepsake memory of the seemingly ordinary that only later will you realize is going to leave a lasting fond impression. Sharing drinks on your porch or at the Deck, admiring your photographs of tiny new birds, and watching you patiently clean a Robin's egg for me are some of the many "souvenirs" that will last me through my summer travels and many days to come. Thanks again for helping to make the experience memorable. Can't wait to return for the missed game of Scrabble! Best Wishes,- Aubry, New Orleans, LA July 2011
Praise the Lord for this wonderful place!- Jim & Kathy, Pottstown, PA, July 2011
Thank you for this wonderful stay in Akron!- Arthur Camille & Patricia, France, July 2011
Our second stay here! Better then the first. We brought a boxer puppy (Wyatt) and Aaron even let him stay! You are the greatest! Love ya! Thank you!- David & Laverne, Accomac, VA, July 2011
We enjoyed ourselves so much!!- Mike Karen Sofie & Michael, Lincroft, NJ, July 2011
Aaron, Thank you for your hospitality and making us feel like family more than guests. Would highly recommend your B&B.- Ted & Rose, Clifton, NJ, July 2011
Thanks!- Michelle & David, Savannah, GA,July 2011
Thanks, Aaron! Had an enjoyable stay! Good luck with your business!- Sheila Mary Bernadette & Mary, Newmarket, Canada, July 2011
Great time! Thank you!- Lila & Emily, Milford, DE, July 2011
Awesome Hospitality! Thanks!- David & Princess Pocle, July 2011
Great time!- Linda & Milton, St. Louis, MO, July 2011
Thank you!- Rick & Becky, Lansdale, PA, July 2011
Thank you and it was nice meeting you Aaron!- Alan & Becky, Mark, PA, July 2011
Thanks for a wonderful stay. The place was beautiful & you were awesome. I would highly recommend your place.- Fran & Rich, Merrick, NY, July 2011
Best place ever! I definitely want to come back! Thanks Aaron!- Katie, Merrick, NY, July 2011
What a 4th on the 2nd! Thanks for taking care of everything.- Deb & Mark, Alexandria, VA, July 2011
Wonderful stay! Come see us in D.C.!- Tim & Gina, Alexandria, VA, July 2011
Thanks for a beautiful place to stay!- Doug & Marquetta, Murrieta, CA, July 2011
Thank you for a beautiful place to renew our vows!- Matt & Jen, Denver, PA July 2011
Awesome time, awesome food, will recommend to everyone!- Veronica & Steve, Methuen, MA, July 2011
My fiance and I spent 4 nights here and we would not change a thing. Aaron is a wonderful host and he has a beautiful home! He was very knowledgeable about the area and was willing to do what it took to make his guests comfortable, but there was not much he needed to do, since we did not want for anything. His home was very clean and had wonderful charm! We will highly recommend to others! Thanks Aaron!! V & S- A bedandbreakfast.com reviewer, June 2011
Good food, nice people, really enjoyed staying!- Larry & Michelle, Gilroy, CA, June 2011
Thanks so much for the great place and conversation!- Bob & Karen, Harrisonburg, VA, June 2011
Great place, great hospitality, Aaron!- Lois, Harrisonburg, VA, June 2011
Thank you for everything, Aaron! We liked our stay here, very, very much. What a beautiful, pleasant house! Love the breakfasts!- Elly & Wessel, The Netherlands, June 2011
Awesome time. Beautiful rooms. Thanks.- Monica, Steven & Andy, Berwick, PA, June 2011
Had a wonderful stay. Thanks Aaron for the hospitality! Keep up the good work.- Susan, Berwick, PA, June 2011
Aaron, you made my short stay here a delight. Love the house, the breakfast, the stories. And you even let me win at scrabble. Hope to come back soon.- Bonnie, Harrisonburg, VA, June 2011
Beautiful house, nice rooms and guest rooms. We stayed in Bella Vista 3 days. Innkeeper Aaron served, every day different, wonderful breakfasts, and made us feel very welcome. Interesting to see the Amish passing by, and to visit the Ephrata Cloister and Gettysburg (Civil War Museum).- A bedandbreakfast.com reviewer, June 2011
This was our Honeymoon trip and we will return there every anniversary. It is the most beautiful, quiet, charming home. Aaron was absolutely adorable and was the perfect host. He is a master chef, an entertainer, travel guide and a prince all in one. I will send all my family and friends to him and am already making plans to go back this fall. Mr. & Mrs. David Colona, Accomac, Virginia- A bedandbreakfast.com reviewer, May 2011
The inn keeper was very accommodating and made the stay a lot of fun. The food was great and everything about the room was first class.- A bedandbreakfast.com reviewer, May 2011
Aaron, thanks for the hospitality. You are a great and attentive host. Breakfast was delicious. It was a nice getaway from the hectic city life to spend couple of days relaxing at B&B. Indeed a memorable stay and will certainly recommend to friends and family.- Nitin & Mandar, Hillsborough, NJ, May 2011
Aaron, thank you for making our stay here so pleasant especially under difficult circumstances. Good luck in your new adventure. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home.- Wilson, Pat, Don, Shelly, Jeff & Brian, Granger, IN, May 2011
Thank you Aaron. A small hotel, great place, good service, but more than that is you served us like human, not like a corporation. Life tips, beers, and a delicious breakfast. Next time you go to Sweden, do get in touch with me!- Mats & Karin, Sweden, May 2011
Aaron - you are amazing! Our honeymoon was perfect! It was relaxing, fun, and very enjoyable. You are the best host ever! We will be coming back to celebrate our anniversary every year! Good luck!- David & Laverne, Accomac, VA, May 2011
Thank you for making our special weekend a fun, relaxing and interesting time. I enjoyed our conversations and the breakfast was amazing. Thank you so much for making those scones. Good luck going forward.- Mike and Nancy, Mt. Airy, VA, May 2011
What a wonderfully relaxing stay. Thank you for everything!- Cathy & Caitlyn, Lebanon, PA, May 2011
We really enjoyed our stay and your generous hospitality. Definitely will come back!- Gloria & Stu, Easton, PA, May 2011
A pleasing experience with most helpful innkeeper. No negatives.- A bedandbreakfast.com reviewer, May 2011
Thank you so much for everything. You have a darling place. We had a very relaxing time. You're doing a great job, and we wish you the best of luck. Thanks again.- Jim & Kim, Wattsburg, PA, May 2011
Great job Aaron! Keep up the good work, but don't kill yourself doing it. We're praying for you!- Chuck & Julie, Pottstown, PA, May 2011
Great hospitality. We'll be back soon. Thanks for a great time!- Laurie & Bev, Dover, NJ, May 2011
Aaron Kapner is the new innkeeper and he did everything possible to make us feel good and at home. As visitors from the Netherlands, we truly enjoyed our stay in the Bella Vista.- A bedandbreakfast.com reviewer, May 2011
Had a wonderful time! Thanks for everything!- Ben & Alexandra, Alexandria, VA, April 2011
We had a very enjoyable stay. The room was lovely & Aaron is a great host.- Tom & Marianne, Linden, PA, April 2011
Wonderful hospitality, gracious & friendly. A true experience of being welcomed home. Thank you.- Amy & Jennifer, Phoenix, AZ, April 2011
We thank the host for the reception in this beautiful and clean house. The cards, games, and animals made us laugh!- Richard, Marie, Igor, Celine, and the Girls, France, April 2011
Had a very relaxing stay, thank you for everything. You have a great spot here. We'll def be back.- Martin, Pittsburgh, PA, April 2011
Very relaxing house - Great breakfast.- Phil, Janet, Laura, Ruby, United Kingdom, April 2011
"Beautiful Room, Pleasant Host, Great Value" I have stayed at Bella Vista previously and enjoyed it very much. For this trip I found that Aaron, the new innkeeper, is doing a fine job maintaining the high standards set by his predecessors. He is friendly, personable, a gracious host, and was very accommodating of my unique schedule requests, for which I am grateful. I love the quiet, intimate feel of the third-floor "Hunt" room; it will be my first choice for return visits, of which I expect there will be many. This B&B is an excellent value, very reasonably priced, and makes even a quick overnight visit a pleasant mini-vacation.- A bedandbreakfast.com reviewer, April 2011
"Outstanding in every respect" We were surprised to meet Aaron, the new owner upon arrival, but found that nothing had changed from the fine service we previously had received and breakfast was especially superb.- A bedandbreakfast.com reviewer, April 2011
The greatest. We'll be back!- Steve & Leslie, Lancaster, PA, March 2011
I enjoyed my stay. My room I loved and the breakfast was delicious. I enjoyed your company Aaron. You are amazing talented and a hard worker. I hope to return again and get the same room, Floral. I loved it. Thank you for everything.- Betty, Baltimore, MD, March 2011
Great room, great food, great company!- Anna & Leroy, Baltimore, MD, March 2011
We had a delightful experience - lovely space, fine food, and sweet conversation! Thank you, Aaron- Jim & Faithe, Dillsburg, PA, March 2011
Thanks!- Jeff & Jim, Stanfordville, NY, March 2011
Aaron, we want to thank you for making our weekend escape the most amazing one! The Bella Vista B&B was exactly what we were looking for from our country getaway! The decoration of our room was very cozy and I got to say the comfort of our bed just made our night that much more relaxing! The breakfast, WOW, wonderful! It kept us full until dinner time! We could see that everything you do is with lots of passion! I want that potato recipe. It was the best one we've ever had!- Maxwell & Rayanne, Philadelphia, PA, February 2011
Had a wonderful time at the Bella Vista! Aaron is a sweetie!- Lisa, New Freedom, PA, February 2011
What a wonderful and charming place to stay! Our host, Aaron, is quite a skilled chef too. We'd come here again, if there's room, and will certainly recommend the Bella Vista to our friends and family, much success to you.- Mark Jamie Rick & Holly, Harwinton, CT, February 2011
What a beautiful bed and breakfast! Aaron, you are a fabulous host! From the time we made reservations online and got your call like not even 15 minutes later (fast service) your promptness in letting us know the "Hunt Room" was not available and upgrading us to the beautiful & comfortable & romantic Bella Vista room. We thank you for the treat! When we arrived you greeted and welcomed us with a huge smile and so much excitement! You can tell how proud you are to be here, serving your guests! Your hospitality and the absolutely wonderful breakfasts and the pleasure of sharing breakfast with and meeting your family was so much fun and an honor to be able to share it with you. The home is very comfortable, warm, and cozy. The fresh cut flowers in the room was very impressive ... nice touch and thank you for the wonderful shampoo, conditioner, and variety of lotion you had in the bathroom ... very nice! We wish you the best in all your endeavors. You will do very well! Congratulations with your new B&B and already reaching the record of 17 rooms. You will break it! The sky is the limit! Best of luck! We loved our stay! Loved the chocolates and poetry!- Barb & Steve, Dubois, PA, February 2011
Thanks for a wonderful weekend! We had a great time and will keep you in mind for another visit!- Alicia & Scott, Coopersburg, PA, February 2011
This was our first visit to the Bella Vista. We love how clean, country, and friendly everyone is. Thank you very much for the delicious country breakfast! We will be back.- Bonny & Joey, Dundalk, MD, February 2011
Awesome Visit!! We had a wonderful time here and, Aaron, you were/are a conscientious & caring proprietor. May you and your B&B be richly blessed.- Wayne and Sharon, Gibsonia, PA, January 2011
We love coming back to the Bella Vista B&B. It's cozy and clean. The conversation is pleasant, and the food is always delicious.- Ryan and Robyn, Camphill, PA, December 2010
Comfort, convenience, and warm hospitality is found at the Bella Vista.- Janis and Todd, Philadelphia
We enjoyed our stay! Thank you so much for everything. It was a great first experience and you certainly set the standards high for other bed and breakfasts.- Michael and Teri, Maryland
WOW! We so enjoyed our stay at your beautiful B and B. The Bella Vista was recommended to us and we will highly recommend it to others.- John and Gina, MA
Our home away from home. We always look forward to our stay.- Gerry and Carole, PA
Thank you for a most wonderful weekend! You made our anniversary even more special with your warm hospitality and friendship.- Jeff and Jan, PA

subset: commoncrawl


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'Peter Pan' to the rescue at Sage College
TROY — When the New York State Theatre Institute dissolved last December in the wake of scandal and recriminations, it left a void in much more than just the Schacht Fine Arts Center, where NYSTI performed for nearly two decades on the campus of Russell Sage College in Troy.
That void will be partially filled in the next two weeks as the Theatre Institute at Sage presents a performance of the musical "Peter Pan," which will open Saturday night at the school's Schacht Theatre.
The production serves a dual purpose. The loss of the state-funded program took away a valuable resource for local school districts during hard times and left a hole for Russell Sage College to fill. Many performing opportunities and student internships went away with NYSTI.
It was a void the college moved quickly to try and fill.
"When the writing was on the wall in November or December of last year, we started looking departmentally at a way to keep it going," said Michael Musial, who chairs the college's Creative and Performing Arts Department and directs many of its theatrical productions. Musial had a long association with NYSTI as an occasional musical director.
David Bunce, who had served as NYSTI's interim artistic director in the wake of Patricia Snyder's departure, was hired as an adjunct faculty member, as was Sara Melita, who had overseen many of NYSTI's school-outreach and educational programs.
Last spring, the performing arts department assembled a production of "Suessical: The Musical" under the banner of the Theater Institute at Russell Sage. The performance was seen by more than 2,000 students, with associated in-service programs for teachers.
This year, Bunce and Melita have been charged with trying to re-establish lost relationships with local teachers and school districts.
"We're making our presence known," Musial said. "We're trying to become a resource people can look to reliably."
The college has continued to support the program with performance and technical facilities at Schacht, academic credit for students and continuing faculty support. Continued...
Russell Sage's own theater program staged a production of "Peter Pan" last fall, while the NYSTI program was in its final semester. The performance took place in the much smaller Meader Little Theater.
But with several of the performers who had appeared in that production still available — including Sage alums David Girard as Captain Hook and Brian Sheldon as Smee, both NYSTI veterans — an expanded version of "Peter Pan" on the more generous Schacht stage seemed a no-brainer as an institute opener during the holiday season.
Musial said of the larger Schacht stage, "It'll breathe more, it'll fly higher, it'll look better, more impressive."
Another benefit of launching the current season with the classic is that it's a name vehicle that has helped to draw in some of the erstwhile school audiences that fell through the cracks when NYSTI collapsed.
"About 3,000-plus kids are coming to see 'Peter Pan,' " Musial said. "That's about on target with where we were hoping to be. "
Without the millions of dollars in state funding, the institutional connections or the full-time staff and hiring resources that allowed eight-hour-per-day, multi-week rehearsal of productions, "We can't be what they once were," he said. They've had to resort less to hiring professional performers and instead lean more heavily on Sage's performing arts students.
"I think we're doing OK," Musial said. "But we're barely a year old. And the college is still extremely supportive."
WHERE: Schacht Fine Arts Center on the Sage campus in Troy
WHEN: At 2 p.m. and 11 a.m. Dec. 3 and 4; and at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10
TICKETS: $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors. For information, call the Theatre Institute box office at 244-2248.
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Supply and demand, anyone? Come on, folks. This is basic highschool economics. Hundreds of games are released and the demand just isn't high enough, plus the global economy is on a downswing. What happens when supply goes up and demand goes down -- you need to increase demand, and the one way to do it, is to lower your prices. Especially when you have games flooding the net, en masse, alot of them FREE.
Granted they didn't tell you before doing it. Granted it may or may not mean lower profit for you. Then again, you may make more sales to make up for the drop in price.
So you have one of two choices, either man-up and make something great, or get the heck outta Dodge!
Complaining on here isn't really going to get anything done now is it?


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text:
My television is finally 100% paid off, and before the interest kicked in. Yay!
My television is finally 100% paid off, and before the interest kicked in. Yay!
i got my grades too, 4 A- 's
finally recovering from the flu so i'm happy about that too
I got a lot of really great gifts for Christmas and I was totally not expecting any of them!
Just passed my Driving Theory exam, just have to book some lessons and do the practical.
i discovered about 20 really cool gold coins in my attic !
Me and Emma will be going to the Capcom offices in London on "Friday the 13th", in Febuary, getting to see some nice new surprised not yet seen, have pizza, and a great time with a few other fans in the community!
I am a happy man.
I'm happy because found out one of my neighbor's got sent to either juvy or prison. [Please be prison]
Oh dude, go Twist! Did you call the cops on 'em?
I'm happy cause I just spent an hour moving the shit in my room over and cleaning up the build-up of dust everywhere. Also, I've got a new friend... a bird. It's been hanging around my bedroom windows for about a week now, constantly hopping from the fence/table to my windows, crashing into them, going back to the fence/table, crashing into my windows, etc. Dunno whether it understands that it can't go through the windows yet.
It's this type of bird. A pee-wee, I think.
The coins are a bunch of old ones,no two are alike from what i can tell,i cant even tell what country they belong to
Im happy i can lucid dream,its something to do when im bored to death.
Play GTAIV when you're bored. That helps!
On the topic of GTAIV, my laptop works with it on medium settings. I'm so proud of my faithful Toshiba *pats laptop*
Im sooo happy that I finally played RE5 DEMO *__*
Although I couldnt play as MY Sheva, it was fun
I want to pick Sheva to play, NOT Chris
Oh you're lefthanded then like Link.
Exactly, but I prefer playing as female characters and I dont like Chris
So Sheva is the perfect choice
I was able to fix my classes so I'm not in Chinese culture and I do have math. Don't like the math bit...but I only have 2 days that I have to get up early. Also if things go well with my math class (hahaha) I'll be graduating in May and can finally transfer to a different university.
I also saw a funny painting on a truck when I was driving home. Betty Boop had her boobs hanging out and under them was the saying "Got Milk". I was on the phone at the time and just started laughing. Good times.
Last edited by Bertha; 01-14-2009 at 12:22 PM.
I got my Tetanus, Diphteria and Polio-Booster needle yesterday, I litterily cried, shouted, and screamed at my parents to let me get it, they refused to let me get it.
Eventually, I got them to sign it, and then I got it yesterday, didn't hurt, just a little sting; it just hurts when I leave my arm hanging in the air.
Also, about the picking which character to be, I agree, the "automatically Chris" is annoying, then again, it is just a demo.
As far as I know, we wont be able to pick Sheva in the final version too <___<
I don't get what's so confusing. Chris is the main character, end of story.
If you host an online game, you're Chris. However, if you join an online game, you'll be Sheva.
Think of it as Marcus Fenix and Dom in Gears of War -- it works the same exact way.
We know that, but we can prefer playing as Sheva, cant we?
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New York Mets Nike White Cooperstown Double Vision Logo T-Shirt
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Liven up your wardrobe with this New York Mets Nike White Cooperstown Double Vision Logo T-Shirt. Brought to you by Nike, this stylish New York Mets t-shirt features a rib knit collar, 100% ring spun cotton construction and a vibrant screen print graphic of the team's retro logo.. Add this one-of-a-kind piece of Mets apparel to your collection today.
Cooperstown Double Vision Logo Short Sleeve T-Shirt
Rib knit collar
Screen print graphics
Machine washable
100% Ring Spun Cotton
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35 to 37
29 to 32
20 1/8
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38 to 40
32 to 35
20 7/8
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21 5/8
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38 to 43
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