A Grain of Salt

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by Bob Osgoodby

All things being equal, it is sometimes difficult for someone new to computers to recognize what is good advice and what is not. It seems there are many "self-proclaimed" experts writing articles on every subject imaginable, and sending them out over the web. As a publisher of three major Newsletters, I get articles submitted to me every day.

Some of the advice given in these articles is good and some is downright awful. Just because it appears on the web doesn't make it gospel. I received an article recently that discussed "E-mail Harvesting Software" which extracts E-mail addresses from Web Sites. It went on to say that it can search the web on "keywords" that match the clientele you are seeking. It then recommends that you send an E-mail to each one you find, telling them of your offer. Bad Advice - this is spamming.

Spamming of course, is the sending of unsolicited E-mail to someone who hasn't requested it. Most ISP's (Internet Service Providers) have a "zero tolerance" for spamming, and will quickly terminate your account. Was there a hidden agenda here? A quick visit to their web site, which was listed in the credits, showed they were a representative for the company selling the software.

Another article discussed online marketing and came down pretty hard on personal web pages available free from many ISP's. Turns out they were selling web space - another hidden agenda.

So how do you know who to trust and whose advice you should avoid? Always check the credits at the end of the article. If they are selling what they wrote about in the article, they are at the very minimum suspect. Their real agenda might be to sell you their product or services.

Now, don't get me wrong. There is a lot to be learned from people who are actively engaged in the business they write about. There are some very knowledgeable people on the net, and their articles provide some really great advice.

So how do you separate the good from the bad?

If you see an article that reads like an "Infomercial", be especially careful. Usually a dead giveaway is they refer to their product, service or opportunity in the body of the article.

Watch out for outlandish claims. If someone claims they have the secret to earning a huge income, why would they share their secret with you for twenty bucks?

Another ploy being used is to write a "make believe" Newsletter. It is usually a thinly disguised advertisement(s), with little or no content. If it arrives in your mailbox without you requesting it, it's a good bet it is simply an ad. If they are simply hawking their wares, take it with a grain of salt and use the magic "Delete Key."