Mom was playing/singing "Ring around the Rosie" with Maleah last night and mentioned that the true origin of the song was actually pretty sickening. To paraphrase what she said and other info I've found online:
The song is about the black plague and originated in 1347
Ring around the Rosie is reference to a round red rash from the disease.
A "pocket full of posies" referred to the flowers surrounding the infected to help protect them.
"Ashes, ashes" refers to the sound of a sneeze made by the sick.
"We all fall down" morbidly refers to those that have succumbed to the disease.
I immediately wanted to erase this song from both my and Maleah's brain. However, if you know me... you know I checked it out. It could not be further from the truth. The song was first published in 1881 in a Children's Nursery Rhymes book. For more information that debunks this odd story, go to http://www.snopes.com/language/literary/rosie.asp.
This is yet another example of why I hate email forwards. Yes, I did hear it directly from someone, but Snopes described this as an email forward that had been circulating for awhile. Recently a guest Pastor gave an amazing illustration of a "true" story about 9/11. It was completely false.
The moral of the blog post... Check it out. If it sounds too crazy to be true it almost always is. Call me skeptical or cynical, but don't call me uninformed.
To check things out go to:
http://urbanlegends.about.com/ (my personal favorite)
http://www.snopes.com/
Showing posts with label Email Stuff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Email Stuff. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Friday, November 09, 2007
Warning: Spoof IRS Emails
I just wanted to pass along a quick bit of information. Someone is sending fake IRS refund claim emails. Do not open it. Although there probably isn't a virus attached it is best that you just delete it. Don't worry, you're not missing a refund.
- If the IRS needed to contact you, it would be by the US Mail.
- The IRS would never go out of their way to get you a refund.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Email Scam Alert
Just a quick word of warning about email. I've been receiving potentially dangerous emails lately. I know what to look for, but not everyone is as advanced as I. :)
Bank or Paypal emails: If any financial organization asks for information from you, don't give it to them. Banks will never, ever ask you to verify anything by email. If you receive something you think might be phishing (term for fishing for info) forward it to the company. For example, Paypal has spoof@paypal.com as their reporting email. Most companies would just use abuse@yourbankname.com.
Greeting Card emails: Before opening an email from a "family member" be sure to see who its from. The email address should reflect the company that is sending it. An example would be if you received a greeting card from 123greetings.com, but the email address is fhwq@glasssystems.biz as I recently received. Do not open it. The email body should also tell you which "family member" or friend sent it to you. Also, the link should be taking you to that company's website, i.e. hallmark.com, not 65.42.119.8.
Most important thing to remember: Use some common sense, check your sender's email address, and never give out personal info. Oh, and NEVER open up an email with an attachment unless you KNOW who it is from!
Bank or Paypal emails: If any financial organization asks for information from you, don't give it to them. Banks will never, ever ask you to verify anything by email. If you receive something you think might be phishing (term for fishing for info) forward it to the company. For example, Paypal has spoof@paypal.com as their reporting email. Most companies would just use abuse@yourbankname.com.
Greeting Card emails: Before opening an email from a "family member" be sure to see who its from. The email address should reflect the company that is sending it. An example would be if you received a greeting card from 123greetings.com, but the email address is fhwq@glasssystems.biz as I recently received. Do not open it. The email body should also tell you which "family member" or friend sent it to you. Also, the link should be taking you to that company's website, i.e. hallmark.com, not 65.42.119.8.
Most important thing to remember: Use some common sense, check your sender's email address, and never give out personal info. Oh, and NEVER open up an email with an attachment unless you KNOW who it is from!
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Tech Support
This an email I received from Miranda's dad. Pretty funny stuff.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: O'Leary
Date: Oct 4, 2006 4:56 PM
Subject: Fw: Tech Support
To: Bob Speakman
Tech Support Calls
Tech support: What kind of computer do you have?
Female customer: A white one...
============================================
Customer: Hi, this is Celine. I can't get my diskette out.
Tech support: Have you tried pushing the Button?
Customer: Yes, sure, it's really stuck.
Tech support: That doesn't sound good; I'll make a note.
Customer: No, wait a minute... I hadn't inserted it yet... it's still on my
desk... sorry....
============================================
Tech support: Click on the 'my computer' icon on the left of the screen.
Customer: Your left or my left?
==========================================
Tech support: Good day. How may I help you?
Male customer: Hello.. I can't print.
Tech support: Would you click on "start" for me and...
Customer: Listen pal; don't start getting technical on me! I'm not Bill
Gates.
============================================
Customer: Hi, good afternoon, this is Martha, I can't print. Every time I
try, it says 'Can't find printer'. I've even lifted the printer and placed
it in front of the monitor, but the computer still says he can't find it...
============================================
Customer: I have problems printing in red...
Tech support: Do you have a color printer?
Customer: Aaaah....................thank you.
============================================
Tech support: What's on your monitor now, ma'am?
Customer: A teddy bear my boyfriend bought for me at the 7-11.
============================================
Customer: My keyboard is not working anymore.
Tech support: Are you sure it's plugged into the computer?
Customer: No. I can't get behind the computer.
Tech support: Pick up your keyboard and walk 10 paces back.
Customer:! OK
Tech support: Did the keyboard come with you?
Customer: Yes
Tech support: That means the keyboard is not plugged in. Is there another
keyboard?
Customer: Yes, there's another one here. Ah..that one does work...
============================================
Tech support: Your password is the small letter "a" as in apple, a capital
letter V as in Victor, the number 7.
Customer: Is that 7 in capital letters?
============================================
Customer: can't get on the Internet.
Tech support: Are you sure you used the right password?
Customer: Yes, I'm sure. I saw my colleague do it.
Tech support: Can you tell me what the password was?
Customer: Five stars.
==============================================
--
God Bless,
Bob Speakman
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: O'Leary
Date: Oct 4, 2006 4:56 PM
Subject: Fw: Tech Support
To: Bob Speakman
Tech Support Calls
Female customer: A white one...
============================================
Customer: Hi, this is Celine. I can't get my diskette out.
Tech support: Have you tried pushing the Button?
Customer: Yes, sure, it's really stuck.
Tech support: That doesn't sound good; I'll make a note.
Customer: No, wait a minute... I hadn't inserted it yet... it's still on my
desk... sorry....
============================================
Tech support: Click on the 'my computer' icon on the left of the screen.
Customer: Your left or my left?
==========================================
Tech support: Good day. How may I help you?
Male customer: Hello.. I can't print.
Tech support: Would you click on "start" for me and...
Customer: Listen pal; don't start getting technical on me! I'm not Bill
Gates.
============================================
Customer: Hi, good afternoon, this is Martha, I can't print. Every time I
try, it says 'Can't find printer'. I've even lifted the printer and placed
it in front of the monitor, but the computer still says he can't find it...
============================================
Customer: I have problems printing in red...
Tech support: Do you have a color printer?
Customer: Aaaah....................thank you.
============================================
Tech support: What's on your monitor now, ma'am?
Customer: A teddy bear my boyfriend bought for me at the 7-11.
============================================
Customer: My keyboard is not working anymore.
Tech support: Are you sure it's plugged into the computer?
Customer: No. I can't get behind the computer.
Tech support: Pick up your keyboard and walk 10 paces back.
Customer:! OK
Tech support: Did the keyboard come with you?
Customer: Yes
Tech support: That means the keyboard is not plugged in. Is there another
keyboard?
Customer: Yes, there's another one here. Ah..that one does work...
============================================
Tech support: Your password is the small letter "a" as in apple, a capital
letter V as in Victor, the number 7.
Customer: Is that 7 in capital letters?
============================================
Customer: can't get on the Internet.
Tech support: Are you sure you used the right password?
Customer: Yes, I'm sure. I saw my colleague do it.
Tech support: Can you tell me what the password was?
Customer: Five stars.
==============================================
Tech support: What anti-virus program do you use?
Customer: Netscape.
Tech support: That's not an anti-virus program.
Customer: Oh, sorry...Internet Explorer.
==============================================
Customer: I have a huge problem. A friend has placed a screen saver on my
computer, but every time I move the mouse, it disappears.
==============================================
Tech support: How may I help you?
Customer: I'm writing my first e-mail.
Tech support: OK, and what seems to be the problem?
Customer: Well, I have the letter 'a' in the address, but how do I get the
circle around it?
==============================================
A woman customer called the Canon help desk with a problem with her printer.
Tech support: Are you running it under windows?
Customer: "No, my desk is next to the door, but that is a good point. The
man sitting in the cubicle next to me is under a window, and his printer is
working fine."
==============================================
And last but not least...
Tech support: "Okay Bob, let's press the control and escape keys at the same
time. That brings up a task list in the middle of the screen. Now type the
letter "P" to bring up the Program Manager."
Customer: I don't have a P.
Tech support: On your keyboard, Bob.
Customer: What do you mean?
Tech support: "P".....on your keyboard, Bob.
Customer: I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT!
God Bless,
Bob Speakman
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Email Emotion Protocol
I hate email sometimes because you cannot convey any proper emotions. I am forever going to start using the following Email Emotion Protocol or EEP for short:
[Happy Tone] This indicates that the person emailing is happy or in a "good mood". This person might be "joshing you" or even "goofing around". "Sarcasm" can be used in this tone, but if it is too thick the [Sarcastic Tone] format should be used to prevent confusion or "unwanted stress".
[Sarcastic Tone] When you mean opposite of what you say. For example. I might say, "you are very smart if you have to read this to figure out what a 'sarcastic tone' is". You get the picked. If you don't you are very "smart".
[Angry Tone] Usually if a person is really mad they will use this tone. Also the "ALL CAPS" method is very popular - though widely misused. If you ever receive an email in "ALL CAPS", but the "angry tone" is not prefaced you are allowed to use the following tone on the list.
[I'm talking down to you now Tone] aka [I'm gonna knock you out Tone] aka [If smurfs are blue, what color will you turn when I choke you? Tone] If these tones are invoked be glad you are not in arm's length of this person. Fire might come out of your monitor when you open this email. Resist the urge to use the next tone as a result.
[Retaliation Tone] If you misunderstand someone, or you fully understand them you might be lead to swing back at them with full force. Never, ever do your dirty work via computer. That's what the USPS is for.
[Pick your reply carefully Tone] This is often referred to as the "woman" tone or "that time of the month tone". When men receive "I don't care" or "do whatever you want" or "does this make me look fat?" by email it is the same as when you hear it person. Do one of two things. 1). Break your computer and say the dog ate it so you couldn't reply. 2). Reply and spend the next week cleaning up the mess from the fall-out of Hurricane Female. Though a new computer may cost more initially, therapy can get expensive too.
[Loving Tone] Men often have to send this type after the above tone. [I want something Tone] Similar to the above, but used cleverly (sometimes) to get what you want. Usually doesn't work for men.
[Please stop emailing me Tone] Gets rid of unwanted "e-pals" and helps trim down your inbox size - theoretically. Often these are people who send you mind numbing email forwards about missing children who aren't missing, money for free, "I'm not your friend if you don't send this back" emails, and horrible horrible "email this to all of your friends and you will see Frankie Munez do the macarena". These people are not your friends. If you a) never talk to them in person or by phone, b) never get actual email from them, or c) want to kill them...they are not your friends.
[I learned to type yesterday Tone] this is used by people who tend to write run-on sentences with no punctuation and spleling errors galore they would probably use this tone but the cant figure out where the brackets are on their keyboard they also like to use ridiculous font colors and sizes.
That's all for now!
Bob
[Happy Tone] This indicates that the person emailing is happy or in a "good mood". This person might be "joshing you" or even "goofing around". "Sarcasm" can be used in this tone, but if it is too thick the [Sarcastic Tone] format should be used to prevent confusion or "unwanted stress".
[Sarcastic Tone] When you mean opposite of what you say. For example. I might say, "you are very smart if you have to read this to figure out what a 'sarcastic tone' is". You get the picked. If you don't you are very "smart".
[Angry Tone] Usually if a person is really mad they will use this tone. Also the "ALL CAPS" method is very popular - though widely misused. If you ever receive an email in "ALL CAPS", but the "angry tone" is not prefaced you are allowed to use the following tone on the list.
[I'm talking down to you now Tone] aka [I'm gonna knock you out Tone] aka [If smurfs are blue, what color will you turn when I choke you? Tone] If these tones are invoked be glad you are not in arm's length of this person. Fire might come out of your monitor when you open this email. Resist the urge to use the next tone as a result.
[Retaliation Tone] If you misunderstand someone, or you fully understand them you might be lead to swing back at them with full force. Never, ever do your dirty work via computer. That's what the USPS is for.
[Pick your reply carefully Tone] This is often referred to as the "woman" tone or "that time of the month tone". When men receive "I don't care" or "do whatever you want" or "does this make me look fat?" by email it is the same as when you hear it person. Do one of two things. 1). Break your computer and say the dog ate it so you couldn't reply. 2). Reply and spend the next week cleaning up the mess from the fall-out of Hurricane Female. Though a new computer may cost more initially, therapy can get expensive too.
[Loving Tone] Men often have to send this type after the above tone. [I want something Tone] Similar to the above, but used cleverly (sometimes) to get what you want. Usually doesn't work for men.
[Please stop emailing me Tone] Gets rid of unwanted "e-pals" and helps trim down your inbox size - theoretically. Often these are people who send you mind numbing email forwards about missing children who aren't missing, money for free, "I'm not your friend if you don't send this back" emails, and horrible horrible "email this to all of your friends and you will see Frankie Munez do the macarena". These people are not your friends. If you a) never talk to them in person or by phone, b) never get actual email from them, or c) want to kill them...they are not your friends.
[I learned to type yesterday Tone] this is used by people who tend to write run-on sentences with no punctuation and spleling errors galore they would probably use this tone but the cant figure out where the brackets are on their keyboard they also like to use ridiculous font colors and sizes.
That's all for now!
Bob
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
You can't quit on AOL
This is an on tape account of a customer trying to quit AOL. It is kind of funny, but it begs a question. Should this rep have been fired as a result? We've all had similar experiences - or worse - but did it deserve being fired over? Wasn't he just doing his job? He did get rude a couple of times, but was firing him the solution? Post a comment at the bottom of the email if you have any thoughts on this one.
On Tape: Rep Won't Let Customer Quit AOL
Watch Video: AOL Rep Won't Let Man Cancel Account |
An incredible video from CNBC shows an AOL customer trying to cancel his account, but a phone rep won't let him do it. What customer Vincent Ferrari got when he tried to cancel his account was a lot of frustration.
It took him 15 minutes waiting on the phone just to reach a real, live person.
And, what happened next was recorded by Ferrari on audio and lasted about four minutes:
CLOCK READOUT - 00:00
AOL REPRESENTATIVE: Hi this is John at AOL... how may I help you today?
VINCENT FERRARI: I wanted to cancel my account.
AOL: : Sorry to hear that. Let's pull your account up here real quick. Can I have your name please?
VINCENT: Vincent Ferrari.
CLOCK READOUT - 00:30
AOL: : You've had this account for a long time.
VINCENT: Yup.
AOL: : Use this quite a bit. What was the cause of wanting to turn this off today?
VINCENT: I just don't use it anymore.
AOL: : Do you have a high speed connection, like the DSL or cable?
VINCENT: Yup.
AOL: : How long have you had that...
VINCENT: Years...
AOL: : ...the high speed?
VINCENT: ...years.
AOL: : Well, actually I'm showing a lot of usage on this account.
VINCENT: Yeah, a long time, a long time ago, not recently...
CLOCK READOUT - 01:47
AOL: : Okay, I mean is there a problem with the software itself?
VINCENT: No. I just don't use it, I don't need it, I don't want it. I just don't need it anymore.
AOL: : Okay. So when you use this... I mean, use the computer, I'm saying, is that for business or for... for school?
VINCENT: Dude, what difference does it make. I don't want the AOL account anymore. Can we please cancel it?
CLOCK READOUT - 02:21
AOL: : Last year was 545, last month was 545 hours of usage...
VINCENT: I don't know how to make this any clearer, so I'm just gonna say it one last time. Cancel the account.
AOL: : Well explain to me what's, why...
VINCENT: I'm not explaining anything to you. Cancel the account.
AOL: Well, what's the matter man? We're just, I'm just trying to help here.
VINCENT: You're not helping me. You're helping me...
AOL: I am trying to help.
VINCENT: Helping... listen, I called to cancel the account. Helping me would be canceling the account. Please help me and cancel the account.
AOL: No, it wouldn't actually...
VINCENT: Cancel my account...
AOL: : Turning off your account...
VINCENT: ...cancel the account...
AOL: : ...would be the worst thing that...
VINCENT: ...cancel the account.
CLOCK READOUT - 03:02
AOL: Okay, cause I'm just trying to figure out...
VINCENT: Cancel the account. I don't know how to make this any clearer for you. Cancel the account. When I say cancel the account, I don't mean help me figure out how to keep it, I mean cancel the account.
AOL: : Well, I'm sorry, I don't know what anybody's done to you Vincent because all I'm...
VINCENT: Will you please cancel the account.
CLOCK READOUT - 03:32
AOL: : Alright, some day when you calmed down you're gonna realize that all I was trying to do was help you... and it was actually in your best interest to listen to me.
VINCENT: Wonderful, Okay.
CLOCK READOUT - 03:39
"I've never ever experienced anything like that," Ferrari told CNBC.
He recounts how the AOL representative - as a last resort even asked if his dad was home.
"I think I could've put up with everything, but at the point when he asked to speak to my father, I came very close to losing it at that point," said the 30-year-old Ferrari.
Ferrari then posted the call online, and the response was tremendous.
AOL sent him an apology and said the customer service rep was no longer with the company.
Watch Video: AOL Rep Won't Let Man Cancel Account | An incredible video from CNBC shows an AOL customer trying to cancel his account, but a phone rep won't let him do it. What customer Vincent Ferrari got when he tried to cancel his account was a lot of frustration.
It took him 15 minutes waiting on the phone just to reach a real, live person.
And, what happened next was recorded by Ferrari on audio and lasted about four minutes:
CLOCK READOUT - 00:00
AOL REPRESENTATIVE: Hi this is John at AOL... how may I help you today?
VINCENT FERRARI: I wanted to cancel my account.
AOL: : Sorry to hear that. Let's pull your account up here real quick. Can I have your name please?
VINCENT: Vincent Ferrari.
CLOCK READOUT - 00:30
AOL: : You've had this account for a long time.
VINCENT: Yup.
AOL: : Use this quite a bit. What was the cause of wanting to turn this off today?
VINCENT: I just don't use it anymore.
AOL: : Do you have a high speed connection, like the DSL or cable?
VINCENT: Yup.
AOL: : How long have you had that...
VINCENT: Years...
AOL: : ...the high speed?
VINCENT: ...years.
AOL: : Well, actually I'm showing a lot of usage on this account.
VINCENT: Yeah, a long time, a long time ago, not recently...
CLOCK READOUT - 01:47
AOL: : Okay, I mean is there a problem with the software itself?
VINCENT: No. I just don't use it, I don't need it, I don't want it. I just don't need it anymore.
AOL: : Okay. So when you use this... I mean, use the computer, I'm saying, is that for business or for... for school?
VINCENT: Dude, what difference does it make. I don't want the AOL account anymore. Can we please cancel it?
CLOCK READOUT - 02:21
AOL: : Last year was 545, last month was 545 hours of usage...
VINCENT: I don't know how to make this any clearer, so I'm just gonna say it one last time. Cancel the account.
AOL: : Well explain to me what's, why...
VINCENT: I'm not explaining anything to you. Cancel the account.
AOL: Well, what's the matter man? We're just, I'm just trying to help here.
VINCENT: You're not helping me. You're helping me...
AOL: I am trying to help.
VINCENT: Helping... listen, I called to cancel the account. Helping me would be canceling the account. Please help me and cancel the account.
AOL: No, it wouldn't actually...
VINCENT: Cancel my account...
AOL: : Turning off your account...
VINCENT: ...cancel the account...
AOL: : ...would be the worst thing that...
VINCENT: ...cancel the account.
CLOCK READOUT - 03:02
AOL: Okay, cause I'm just trying to figure out...
VINCENT: Cancel the account. I don't know how to make this any clearer for you. Cancel the account. When I say cancel the account, I don't mean help me figure out how to keep it, I mean cancel the account.
AOL: : Well, I'm sorry, I don't know what anybody's done to you Vincent because all I'm...
VINCENT: Will you please cancel the account.
CLOCK READOUT - 03:32
AOL: : Alright, some day when you calmed down you're gonna realize that all I was trying to do was help you... and it was actually in your best interest to listen to me.
VINCENT: Wonderful, Okay.
CLOCK READOUT - 03:39
"I've never ever experienced anything like that," Ferrari told CNBC.
He recounts how the AOL representative - as a last resort even asked if his dad was home.
"I think I could've put up with everything, but at the point when he asked to speak to my father, I came very close to losing it at that point," said the 30-year-old Ferrari.
Ferrari then posted the call online, and the response was tremendous.
AOL sent him an apology and said the customer service rep was no longer with the company.
--
God Bless,
Bob Speakman
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Junk Mail
You're on your way out to the mailbox with dreams of a check from Ed McMahon just waiting in your mailbox to be cashed. You open it up and your disgust takes over.
Bill.
Bill.
Another Bill.
Credit Card offer.
Another Credit card offer.
Oooh. What's this? You see a letter from someone you don't know that says "FREE MONEY OFFER INSIDE". Well, its no Ed McMahon, but you won't turn down free money. You tear open the letter open with such wreckless abandon that you cut your finger. The letter says if you send this guy a dollar he will send you a list of addresses and if you send the same letter to that list of addresses they will in turn send you a $1 each and in just a few short months you will be sipping drinks in Cancun. Sound to good to be true? You know it is so you throw it away. How hard was that?
Okay, here's another scenario. You sit down at your computer and you're thinking "please let someone email me today. Anyone. Doesn't matter who. Maybe you'll get a 'joke of the day' email. Let's see. As you open up your inbox it chimes and tells you you're still wanted. Let's see what we have…
Junk mail .
Junk mail.
More junk mail.
Credit card advertisement
Viagra offer… ew.
Oooh. What's this? You see an email from someone you don't know that says "FREE MONEY OFFER INSIDE". Well, getting free money from an email is better than no money at all. Once open the email states that if you forward it on to 12 of your friends you will get $100 gift card to BestBuy. I could use that! So, what if it's too good to be true; it's free, and only takes a little time. Forwarding to friends….and to family….and then to my business colleagues….and SENT.
What's the problem with this scenario?
Simple. Email has completely broken down our natural abilities to tell JUNK from REAL. Why did we throw away the one email, but forward the other one without even thinking? Here are some people's thought processes:
- It doesn't take much time. Wrong. Though it may only take a few seconds of your time it takes much more from your friends, family, and colleagues to delete your 120 forwards you send them each day. Also, the bandwidth used to send internet is a staggering number. You may not think it costs you time, but eventually it will.
- It doesn't cost anything. Also wrong. Not only does it cost you bandwidth, time, and energy, but it might also cost you a friendship. No matter what the email says I am still your friend if I don't send it back, but you may not be my friend if you send another one.
- It won't really hurt anyone. Apart from all of the other reasons I've given not to do it there are even bigger risks involved. You know how annoying it is to scroll down through pages of meaningless text to get down to the actual email….but that's not meaningless text. Its email address. Your email address. Your friend's email, your friend's brother's mother's friend's boss….you get the picture. Why is this fact important? You've just been added to a spammer's mega list of actual active email addresses. Good luck getting rid of it from here on out. Your friend might not be a spammer. However, you don't know anything about your friend's cousin's friend's uncle, do you? That's the problem.
The point is…be safe emailing and don't forward something unless YOU HAVE READ it. Don't even open it if you don't know who it's from, and most importantly if it sounds too good to be true….well, you know the rest.
Until next time…hopefully sooner than later...
God Bless,
Bob
--
God Bless,
Bob Speakman
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