J.Rai
06-20-2007, 09:13 AM
I have seen a surge in news articles of late about how advertising companies use various online tracking tools to build online profiles of peoples' Internet habits (http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSN1840671320070620?src=062007_0801_ARTICLE_PROM O_also_on_reuters&pageNumber=1&sp=true).These stories are commonly delivered with a mix of a sense "Big Brother" shock and an urgency attributed to how this is supposedly some kind of new phenomenon.
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The thing is, the very people that feel violated thinking that there's a record out there of how they clicked right from MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/truenuffcrew) to Facebook (http://sfu.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2366943236) before checking their Hotmail, don't seem at all bothered by the fact that every time they collect Air Miles, Petro Points, Save-On More points, Shoppers Drug Mart points or any other incentive program (including most Credit Cards) you're providing much bigger institutions not only a more intimate view of your spending habits ("Hmmm... looks like this guy is still trying to clear up that rash...") but that it's linked to a file with your actual name as well, as opposed to the anonymous user statistics online.
And if you didn't know THAT, well then I probably should share some other info with you that you might not be aware of: When you yell at your favorite sports team on the TV, they can't hear you.
Now, I'm not suggesting anyone stop using these programs, far from it. Sure, there are a multitude of ways to maintain your anonymity online, but I for one wish that the advertising I see online was MORE targeted. This would not only help the marketing campaigns we use at TrueNuff.com (http://www.truenuff.com/) be more effective (thus making us more money) but also maybe then "the Internet" would realize I have no interest in signing up for a free iPod/PS3/Dolce and Gabbana Handbag or those God damned talking smileys (and no, I don't want to press "The Fart Button"... again.)
Who doesn't like hearing about a new product that they like? I remember when I discovered Penguin Mints (http://www.peppermints.com/) or the Ring Thing (http://www.ringthing.com.au/) and thought "Shit, I gotta get one of those" - and then I DID.
All I'm saying is try not to be surprised when people are trying to figure out in advance if you want their stuff or not. At least if they're doing it right, they won't bother you with shit you don't want or need.
P.S. Talking TrueNuff Smileys coming soon!
Read More...
The thing is, the very people that feel violated thinking that there's a record out there of how they clicked right from MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/truenuffcrew) to Facebook (http://sfu.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2366943236) before checking their Hotmail, don't seem at all bothered by the fact that every time they collect Air Miles, Petro Points, Save-On More points, Shoppers Drug Mart points or any other incentive program (including most Credit Cards) you're providing much bigger institutions not only a more intimate view of your spending habits ("Hmmm... looks like this guy is still trying to clear up that rash...") but that it's linked to a file with your actual name as well, as opposed to the anonymous user statistics online.
And if you didn't know THAT, well then I probably should share some other info with you that you might not be aware of: When you yell at your favorite sports team on the TV, they can't hear you.
Now, I'm not suggesting anyone stop using these programs, far from it. Sure, there are a multitude of ways to maintain your anonymity online, but I for one wish that the advertising I see online was MORE targeted. This would not only help the marketing campaigns we use at TrueNuff.com (http://www.truenuff.com/) be more effective (thus making us more money) but also maybe then "the Internet" would realize I have no interest in signing up for a free iPod/PS3/Dolce and Gabbana Handbag or those God damned talking smileys (and no, I don't want to press "The Fart Button"... again.)
Who doesn't like hearing about a new product that they like? I remember when I discovered Penguin Mints (http://www.peppermints.com/) or the Ring Thing (http://www.ringthing.com.au/) and thought "Shit, I gotta get one of those" - and then I DID.
All I'm saying is try not to be surprised when people are trying to figure out in advance if you want their stuff or not. At least if they're doing it right, they won't bother you with shit you don't want or need.
P.S. Talking TrueNuff Smileys coming soon!