Forum II and III servers are back online, Forum I server should be back online shortly.
I took the opportunity to completely separate the servers so if one goes down the others will maintain full operation.
Xrumer Link Scam – Black Hat SEO
For SEO specialists and my old Black Hat crew. An SEO high wind advisory.
I admire the creator of this link scam for their ingenuity. Xrumer is an autosubmitter program – it will sign you with up with major forum software platforms like phpbb and even post your first post for you. Not much new with this type of software, but their game plan is brilliant.
They are using their own software in a massive one way link blitz. This dwarfs the old Google bomb by a longshot.
Their first auto-submitted post does not contain a link, it simply says something along the lines of: “I am looking for Xrumer auto-submit software, does anyone know where I can find the official website?” – Because they did not drop a link like most spammers, it goes unnoticed as spam. Now enter the well meaning member (and I have seen many ADMINS fall for this) who googles Xrumer and posts the link for them.
They have just received a bonafied link from a trusted member of that community. Now that is quality spam!
You can google Xrumer yourself to see how many forums are hit with it – it is quite impressive. It has hit so many forums recently that I really do not think there is a way to undo it – They got massive linkage.
Do not be tempted to buy it, Google will figure it out eventually and penalize it. Maybe you could get away with it if you had a mark that was already branded for linkage – take your chances.
A couple things to consider if you are tempted in buying the Xrumer software:
1) The obvious – you are perpetuating Black Hat SEO and spam.
2) Xrumer is a very unique search term, the same ploy would not work on any competitive term – and if you already have branding for your term, you would not want to take a chance with this anyway.
3) If you drop a link on the first post with the program you will be tagged for spam. To drop a link on the first post is the intended use of the software. Xrumer got around this with a unique term and disposable domain for quick cash.
Just guessing, I would bet they rake in an easy $200,000 in one week, or better. Would be interesting to know the real figures.
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Forum admins are today being warned of a new wave of spam coming to forums.
It comes after Russian hackers developed a script to auto submit spam posts to a wide range of forum software – and released it onto the open markets.
The script is able to post to forums even when email validation is required – a common anti-spam tactic used by forum admins.
Targeted forum software claimed open to attack includes vbulletin, phpbb, Invision Power Board, PHP-Nuke, yaBB, IconBoard, UltimateBB, exBB, phorum.org, wiki, different types of bulletin boards and even custom-written code.
Forum admins are advised to follow basic anti-spam procedures, and ensure they have common Russian email addresses blocked, such as mail.ru, inbox.ru, cashette.com, and gawab.com.
For those tempted to use high volume forum spamming, it needs emphasising that forum spam rarely lasts more than a few minutes on valuable forums, and the returns are likely miminal.
However, damage to reputation and standing could be considerable, and may additionally subject the user to legal proceedings under the Computer Misuse Act.
Singer Freddy Fender dies at age 69
“I know there’s a God, and I ain’t him”. RIP Freddy.
Read my post about Touring with Freddy Fender’s Band
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CNN Freddy Fender Death Announcement
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Lyrics for Before The Next Teardrop Falls
If he brings you happiness
Then i wish you all the best
It’s your happiness that matters most of all
But if he ever breaks your heart
If the teardrops ever start
I’ll be there before the next teardrop falls
Si te quire de verdad
Y te da felicidad
Te deseo lo mas bueno pa’los dos
Pero si te hace llorar
A mime puedes hablar
Y estare contigo cuando treste estas
I’ll be there anytime
You need me by your side
To drive away every teardrop that you cried
And if he ever leaves you blue
Just remember, I love you
And I’ll be there before the next teardrop falls
And I’ll be there before the next teardrop falls
Skye Dahlstrom Selected for American Idol
Skye Dahlstrom has completed the first two rounds to be on American Idol. We’re all VERY excited for her. Film crews from American Idol are coming up tomorrow to film her at one of our rehearsals for her background piece on the show. She is the choreographer for the current musical I am conducting: Seussical the Musical
GO SKYE!
09/11/06 – 9/11 5th Anniversary
Enough said.
Five Forums Down for Upgrades
If you’re here because your favorite forum is down, chances are it will be back online by Monday. I have to take them down to install some backend upgrades.
Server Four Launched
My fourth server launched today, launching a secondary e-commerce network to focus specifically on audio. I’ll also be bringing back additional forum communities that were not brought back in the last two server launches.
The Server Four backend will use three different software applications for e-commerce. I don’t have any immediate plans to bolster forum-related features – the forums are running smooth and have been stable for quite a while, will leave them be until the next milestone software release (which should be by Christmas).
From the front end most communities will not notice much of a change, but our online customers will notice a whole new set of services and options when ordering online. So for me, it means the freedom to continue pursuing music endeavors full time while the backend of the empire provides all those boring, tedious things needed in life, like food.
I used to say “the empire” would never reach the height of it’s former glory. I do not currently share that opinion anymore.
🙂
Seussical Scores are In
Seussical scores are in! Will have those ready in a couple weeks for musicians.
The rehearsals have gone great so far, the cast is VERY focused and disciplined.
🙂
Recording Studio Moved to Mount Vernon, WA
This last week I hauled the recording studio up to Mount Vernon, WA – More of just a personal post and not terribly exciting so just move along folks. For me it’s very exciting, it means I can open up the studio again if I want. I’ve done some soundtrack work this year, but not nearly as much as I’m accustomed to. It’s been a terrible disadvantage not having all my toys with me. So finally my toys and I are reunited. The former studio was called Road Records – visit the Road Records website. The studio had three different locations over 16 years and started with a keyboard and a little four track recorder. I produced thousands of tracks at Road Records and hundreds of band demos , solo artist albums and soundtracks.
The night before I left I had the honor of having dinner with three of my good friends from the California High Desert – Karen Etheridge, Fred Dearborn and Carlotta Diggs. I’ve worked for years with both Karen and Carlotta doing gigs and recording projects. Was really great to see them and get caught up on what’s happening down in the High Desert. Thanks for being true friends!
Night before I left, California High Desert.
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Joshua Tree, Victorville, CA.
A mean looking Uhaul, don’t mess with me.
I had the coolest Uhaul – technocolor rocks. Sure was glad I didn’t get the one with the big spider, that freaks me out.
Went up the Interstate 5 and first major landmark passing by is Six Flags Magic Mountain.
O’Brien was my favorite rest stop. The I-5 drive is SO boring, that you really look forward to a nice rest stop.
I was behind this ZapWorld dot com trailer for hours in a traffic jam. Cars look really cute.
I got out to take a picture of this bus and a lady came running out with a basket that said “Picture Donations”. I told her I’d just stop taking pictures. What a scam.
In Oregon they have to pump the gas for you. I keep forgetting that.
Ever notice that old broken down barns always look cool? Why is that?
Ok, I’ve bonded with nature now. Let’s move on…
I’m starting to be in a better mood now that I’m seeing some green. When you drive up the I-5 from Palmdale / Lancaster it’s HOURS upon hours of dirt….so green is nice.
Proof that sometimes a traffic jam is actually caused by a real working construction worker.
Ahhhh……Green….. getting close to home. What a beautiful site.
SAVE THE HISTORIC LINCOLN THEATRE BUILDING: PUBLIC MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT
On Aug 18, 2006, at 5:02 PM, Harold A. Page wrote:
SAVE THE HISTORIC LINCOLN THEATRE BUILDING:
PUBLIC MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT
You are invited to attend a public meeting regarding the City of Mount Vernon’s intention to surplus all or part the historic Lincoln Theatre Building.
The meeting will be attended by invited City Council members and it is intended to be an informational, fact filled presentation on the issue of the City’s ownership of our only city Mount Vernon landmark listed on the Washington State Historic Registry.
Whether you agree, disagree or just want to be more informed about the issue, we welcome you to spend the evening of Tuesday  the 22nd of August, 2006 at the Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church, 1511 E. Broadway starting at 7:00 pm
Who is presenting this discussion ?:
Citizens to Save the Historic Lincoln Theatre Building is a non-partisan, grass-roots coalition of concerned citizens , Mount Vernon business people and Lincoln Theatre users whoÂÂ value the Lincoln for it’s historical value, and architectural uniqueness and importance to the vitality of downtown business activity. It is an irreplaceable asset to our community and we want to protect it.
Please join us!
Tuesday, August 22nd
7:00 pm
Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church
1511 E. Broadway
Mount Vernon, WA
Please attend.ÂÂ It is important for our city’s administration to know that the citizens value thisÂÂ irreplaceable asset.