2009-03-28T09:05:00.000-07:00

Server went down a few nights ago...I swear I thought it was because of my sites. It seams that some ad servers (usually in the EU) send mal-ware through what look like real ads. This has caused some tension with my members. I want everyone to know that the offenders have been removed and our servers, and our sites, are clean. But, you should all be aware that there are some crummy mal-spy-virus-trojan-hijackers out there right now. follow the directions and you should be fine. Red alert pop ups that say that your sytem is infected are the virus. Like the Virus Scan 2009 red pop up screen. Don't be fooled.

I run AVAST! (free)
Adaware (free)

I run scans every two days, and I scrub my browser every time I close it.

Classifieds and CL: Is CL too big?

2009-03-25T22:06:00.000-07:00

So today we see the newly published report of the death via homicide of a New York radio personality as a result of a hook-up on Craigslist.org gone bad. The kid who killed him responded to an ad on CL that was looking for "rough sex" as the report in the Daily News reported.

So, who is the responsible party?
Do we pass more laws so this doesn't happen again?
Can the market respond to this lack of web safety?

I think adults that are looking for hook-ups will use any means available. They may go to the streets, or they might hang out in a bar. or they may use online social sites like CL. However, if we use safe technologies and smaller social media sites, we have less problems with this type of communication simply because of scale. I don't think the answer is in more laws, or less internet activity. On the contrary, I think the answer is in more internet activity...smaller local sites, with real people running them. People that can see who is online via IP address, and can simply decide what kind of advertising or subject matter will work on their sites. I think that all types of advertising should be allowed, just not for all ages.

If I run an adult hook-up site, I should require authentication via credit card as do all other adult sites. CL requires that you basically swear you are an adult. This is not enough.

The LAGrapeVine puts our money where our mouth is. We have several offerings for all ages. We don't allow adult content, and we say so. We have 800 plus games, as well as FREE Business Listings, classified ads, forums and blogs, unlimited upload of photographs and videos, and tons of good information including events and local & national news. We are family friendly.

Check us out and let us know what you think. We are horrified that our industry is tainted in this way, and our community wants to see cleaner and safer sites that put the magic of social networking back on the front burner where it belongs.

Social media and community sites are for everyone and they should be safe.

LAGrapeVine.com

Classifieds and CL: Is CL too big?