Sneaky Marketing Ploys

[godricgal]

AIM is driving me a bit nutty. You see, every time I login, it tells me that I have 1 new email. If I were to click the notification, it would take me to a place where I can sign up for AOL's email service. So tell me, how can I have an email if I don't have any email accounts provided by AIM, and why is it okay for them to lie to me like that in order to lure me into their evil email clutches? 

Comments

[bratty-jedi.livejournal.com]

I'm not the only one annoyed by this! I grumble about it everytime I turn on AIM. That and the fact that it always pops up the stupid AIM Today webpage. I don't care about their page in general, somedays it replaces a page I was actually reading instead of opening in a new window which really bugs me, and I can't figure out anyway to makes it stop (assuming there is a way). And yet I keep using the blasted thing. Bah!

[godricgal.livejournal.com]

It's completely maddening. The AIM today thing used to drive me nutty, too, but I've figured out how to turn it off. If you're using Tritron, it's in the 'Sign in/Sign out' tab in Settings.

btw, AOL's data handling policies make me want to hurt the person responsible for them - just sayin' ;)

[bratty-jedi.livejournal.com]

I've figured out how to turn it off. If you're using Tritron, it's in the 'Sign in/Sign out' tab in Settings.

You just might be the newest god in my personal pantheon for that.

I've decided I might as well just walk around with a large sign around my neck stating my full name, addresses, email, SSN, online passwords, DOB, mother's maiden name, etc. I got a letter a few days ago from my undergrad college saying one of their computers had been hacked. They claim there was no evidence anyone had taken any information or used the information for ID theft, but they were letting me know the computer was compromised because it held my data including name, student ID, SSN, and addresses. Is it any wonder my ID was stolen? The sign around my neck would just save everyone so much time to get the same end results...

[godricgal.livejournal.com]

I think I've figured out how to sort the other problem out! In Settings, on the Notifications tab, deselect 'when new emails arrive'.

You're not having much luck on the ID protection thing, are you? Fingers crossed that they didn't actually take any data.

[bratty-jedi.livejournal.com]

It's official, you've been ensconced in my pantheon.

Some days I'm not sure why I bother with AIM. Seems like the only person who talks to me on a regular basis is my grandpa. Which is nice enough, but he usually just wants to talk about why my mom isn't on AIM at that exact moment so not exactly worthwhile conversation.

They didn't tell me the date of the security breach so it is possible this was the source of the original problem. I'm going to give the letter to the police at any rate, and they can do with it what they want.

[godricgal.livejournal.com]

It's official, you've been ensconced in my pantheon.

I'm honoured. ;)

There must be only so much you can say about your mum's AIM status. And perhaps only so many times you can have the conversation.

Keep a copy of the letter, won't you? I tend to think it's more likely that the source of the original problem was the trashed stuff, but it's possible. I'd report to the college that you have had recent ID theft and request that they let you know if anyone else reports anything. Unless you think that they're likely to clam up in order to avoid any law suits.

[bratty-jedi.livejournal.com]

Keep a copy of the letter, won't you?

I plan to. Especially since the officer investigating my case isn't instilling much confidence in me. He has his own pet theory on who is responsible and I think his idea is insane.

[sea_thoughts]

Oh, you have AIM? What's your username? Mine is Xing Shining. ^^

[sea_thoughts]

Also, this one e-mail is both a ploy to get you to sign up. If you did sign up, this e-mail would say "Welcome to AOL!" Ironic.

[gijane7702.livejournal.com]

AIM is evil...that's why I never log on.

That and I don't know anyone on there :D

(I use the same username, btw)

[molly-coddles.livejournal.com]

AIM is high on my Irritating Software list. Yahoo Messenger has moved up on that list to the point where I plan to remove it from my computer in the very near future. The new Windows Live messenger allows Yahoo contacts, so as soon as I transfer those over, it's gone. I'm not a fan of MSN in general, but I appreciate being able to get rid of yahoo, so I'll use it.
I really detest software that adds its own toolbar and web pop up crap. I know you can shut those "options" off, but IMO, OFF should be the default.
Taking too long to load on startup is the problem I'm having with Yahoo now since it updated itself. It doesn't just sit and spin in the tray while loading, it delays everything else. That's a no-no in my book. I want to be online checking the weather forecast 30 seconds after hitting the power button.

Anyway, good luck with AIM and their sneaky marketing. ;)

[godricgal.livejournal.com]

I had Yahoo gripes, too. A recent upgrade has fixed it, but with the old version, I'd set my status to Invisible and it would automatically change me back to available at it's own whim. It was very annoying.

I have loading problems as well, but I put that down to the fact that I login to 5 different IM/VOIP services on start up. Thankfully, I restart but rarely.

I meant to ask you, do you know of any free/good anti-virus software that will run on Windows Server 2003?

[molly-coddles.livejournal.com]

Alas, no, I have not discovered a free antivirus for Win Server 2003. I have used Grisoft's AVG, and they do offer a version that'd work, but it isn't free. Still, it's a good program, and I'd rather pay $40 for that than the virus known as Norton.
Speaking of, I anticipate being up til 2 a.m. working around the Norton Menace. Someone brought me an XP Pro machine with Norton loaded to the gills. It's a nightmare. It refuses to let me load XP SP2 from cd or connect to the Internet except to download old SP1 security updates.
I hate Norton...