Editorial Comment - Things That Bother Me About Some Internet Websites

Published by Jimmy Oldsun, Editor

Date:  2/22/2011
Post:  1,733

I've learned a lot about the internet, computers and hosting a website since I've worked here at Hermann Hearsay.  Some of the things I've learned bother me.

For instance, did you know that some websites place very intrusive "tracking cookies" on your personal computer when you visit their site.  This bothers me?  Why are they attaching their intrusive "tracking cookies"?  What do they want to know about you and me and our web-surfing patterns?  What other personal information are they trying to surreptitiously extract from our computers?  What do they do with our information?  Are they using our personal information for some sinister illegal purpose?  Are they selling our personal information to third parties?  Who are these third parties?  Why are they willing to pay for our personal information?  Is this how unscrupulous website operators really make their money as opposed to selling paid advertisements and/or paid subscriptions for their website?  Do they fully disclose what they are doing with it?  It makes me wonder, and well, it bothers me.

Have you noticed that some websites require you to "register" with them in order to gain FREE or PAID access to their site?  Why do they want your name, address, email address, telephone number and other personal information?  How many websites have you "registered" on in order to gain FREE or PAID access?  Do you trust the website and its operators?  Have you read their "Terms and Conditions"?  What are the risks and rewards associated with revealing personal information to websites on the internet?

Did you know that some website operators pay $500 per year for an invasive and intrusive software program called 'Spiral 16'?  I understand that this particular software has the ability to "mine" all sorts of information about a website.  For example, when this software is attached to a website, the owner of the software can obtain lots of information about the website's visitors and readers.  Information like IP addresses, ISPs, internet surfing patterns, and other things.

There are basically three ways a website operator can make money:

1. charge a subscription fee for accessing all portions of their website,
2. charge advertisers to place "banner ads" on their site much the same way as newspapers charge for their display and classified ads, and
3. gather and sell your personal information to third parties.

I want you to think about the websites you are visiting.  Can you trust them?  Have they fully and clearly disclosed their "Terms and Conditions"?  Do you understand them?

The "Terms and Conditions" here at Hermann Hearsay are very simple.  We CURRENTLY DO NOT:

1. charge a subscription fee for accessing all portions of OUR website,
2. charge advertisers to place "banner ads" on their site much the same way as newspapers charge for their display and classified ads, and
3. gather and sell your personal information to third parties.

Because I have experienced some problems with websites in this regard, I plan to share further information with our readers in future postings.  I will give you specifics, and I will name names.

Reciprocal Links: http://www.DSchaefer.Vemma.com (Nutrition For A Lifetime), http://www.Heart2HeartLyrics.blogspot.com (Song Lyrics Seeking Singer-Songwriters), http://www.HermannMoNews.blogspot.com (The 'Drudge Report' of Hermann), http://www.RivertownRecipes.blogspot.com (Great Local Recipes)

Other Recommended Links: http://www.AccuWeather.com (Weather Forecasts), https://stores.healthmart.com/berlenerdrugstorepharmacy (Professional Local Pharmacy Services), http://www.DorasSpinningWheel.com (Embroidery), http://www.HermannAdvertiserCourier.com (Gasconade County's Newspaper of Record), http://www.MUTigers.com (Official Website of the Missouri Tigers), http://www.RushLimbaugh.com (Conservative Talk), http://www.Time4Pie.com (Great Pie, Coffee & Conversation), http://www.ToedtmannGrosse.com (Obituaries), http://www.WatkinsOnline.com (Watkins Natural Products)