We have a number of directories people can use for promoting their websites. Like most directories it can get pretty boring. Page after page of websites listed, hopefully with some sense of order.We decided to make things a bit flashier. People can optionally complete an interview we publish on a related (topic wise) blog. The interview is designed to dig a little bit into the website and the people behind it.
The goal is that after someone's read the interview and clicks through to the website they'll already feel a little bit at home there. We have lots of questions and don't require them all to be answered. At least enough to interest someone in your website.
The questions can also be editted, not many take advantage of that. A few do and create a masterpiece of interest and self promotion. The biggest problem is that a few put in junk for answers, like "ksdfksdfkjd", or just their website title and url. What does that say?
Another problem cropped up today. Here's the email exchange and I just don't know why someone would complete an "Interview" for "Publication" and then apparently be surprised it was published!
The names (except mine) have been changed to protect the "dumb".
A comment was posted to a blog post containing an interview asking that it be "removed from the internet". I can delete it from the blog, but removing it from the internet is a whee bit beyond even my wizard capabilities. The following email exchange transpired. My additional comments here in []'s.
My first email:Dear Black Bear, When you completed the interview the terms and conditions specified: "Terms and conditions: the publication and editting for clarity of interviews is at the decision of the editor. Interviews are intended as a permanent presentation and are dated. Like a newspaper or magazine this are publish and not subject to deletion or editting except at the discretion of the editor." [This is at the bottom of the interview questionaire in normal size type.]
The reason for this is our goal is to develop an interesting and useful resource (which your interview certainly qualifies as). Is there a problem with the interview? Besides the fact that you entered your website address as: [Black Bear's Incorrect URL] when infact it is: [Black Bear's Correct URL] And, that, is not a problem to edit! [Actually, the incorrect URL should have never gotten in]
Black Bear's first reply:No no real problem with the interview except that I am uncomfortable with my full name being displayed. I guess I didn't realize it was going to be posted on the web......rights to privacy and all of that. I thought the interview was just for your edification in providing the service. Another classic case of not reading the fine print. If there is a problem with removing the interview then please just remove my listing.
My reply:It's hardly fine print... at the top of the interview it in normal print it says:
interview.html [the full url given in the email. you can click and complete an interview yourself, but remember it will be published!!!!]
Once you complete the interview we'll send it to an editor and if its appropriate post it to our blog, of course with a direct link to your website. Please note that you can edit questions to meet your needs.
The interviews will be posted on the World Blog or another Self Promotion Blog. (these open in a new window) [in this blog they don't open in a new window]
Everything you enter here will be made public subject to our cantankerous editor's review. Please make sure that someone will have a good idea of what your website is all about by reading your answers.
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I hardly have interest in having these answers from everyone who submits to the directory, though I find many interesting. It is offered like the directory to be an opportunity for FREE PUBLICITY.
I spend a considerable amount of time filtering out the crap submissions (porno, etc). I don't want to waste more of my time deleting stuff because someone didn't read the instructions.
If you are worried about your privacy in such a manner I can hardly imagine why you registered a domain as it makes all your information public:
> Registrant:
[the whois listing from Black Bear's web address]
Registered through: GoDaddy.com, Inc. (http://www.godaddy.com) [etc]
Everyone can view this by going to Whois.net and putting in your web domain.
I'm not sure if I want to waste my time deleting your interview (or listing which is completely seperate and deleting that would not affect your interview).
I don't believe the information about the interview was "fine print", hidden, or unclear in any manner.
It even says that I am "cantankerous" meaning I have little patience with people that don't read the instructions!
Have you ever called the newspaper and asked them to delete something they printed the day before? Though this may be technologically easier the concept is the same.
And Black Bear's final reply:So OK I didn't READ it. And I am sorry that you have to spend ANY time reviewing or editing any crap so to speak. However, if you do not want to provide this free service why don't you just charge a fee and maybe the crappy people like me would not bother you at all. [Then it wouldn't be FREE publicity besides the instructions are short, direct and to the point, the "interview" will be published!]
In the time you have spent with me today, I believe a wizard like you could have just removed my interview and or my listing. [And when people see I removed yours then I will end up spending all day removing and editting other peoples; whether they read the instructions or not.]
I realize that my info is listed in whois but how many people go there and look? [I think a lot of people. I use WHOIS and NSLOOKUP many times a day. And certainly those who do you have your good interests at heart will certainly use those and many other tools.]
Since we are all dumb and can't read I would think not many people will be able to get information from that source. [If you base your privacy on people being "dumb" then I feel sorry for you.]
I did not intentionally set out to waste your time. Just tell me one way or the other that you are taking it off or not and I will not bother you again. [You admit you didn't read the page... that is as good as intentionally wasting my time].
