First it was J.P. Morgan Chase then it was eBay and now Paypal!

When is it going to stop?

Do these phishing emails really work?

Do people actually click on a link that look like this:

http://rolexwatches2.com/images/.www.paypal.com/

If you would consider clicking on a link like that can you tell me why? Why would you think that a domain that starts with http://rolexwatches2.com has anything to do with Paypal?

Here is the email I received today and have since forwarded it on to Paypal.

(Click image to enlarge)

If you receive one of these phishing emails make sure you forward it on to spoof@paypal.com and then delete it.

One thing Paypal does is use secure urls for everything. So you would never get http://www.paypal.com you should always get https://www.paypal.com (notice the ’s’).

If you did happen to enter your real Paypal information into a phishing site, go to Paypal and change your login information right away and monitor any withdrawals from your account.

Now-a-days you have to be very vigilant when you are using the internet. If you receive an email like the one above, it is most likely fraudulent and should not be followed. Most companies do not send you an email with login links and tell you to login and change your settings, they send you an email telling you to login to your account but don’t offer any links to do so.

Have you been a phishing victim?

Did you get any of these emails?

Let me know in the comments below.

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This all sounds great, right? For the most part it is, however there are times that the fun and connection can lead to problems in your relationship with your partner. I am sure some of you are saying “No”, “Not Me”! But most will have to agree that the connections you make on Facebook can affect the relationship you have at home.

First let me say this is from a guy’s perspective and I don’t know how a woman’s perspective would differ. If you are a woman reading this blog post, please do leave your comments below, I would love to hear your side.

Let’s put aside the issue of how much time you spend on the computer and neglect your partner; that is for a whole different post. Today the question I am posing to you is what effect does Facebook have on your relationship.

Assume that you and your partner both have Facebook accounts and you are both linked as “In a Relationship” -or- “Married“. Let’s also assume that you have no separate “Secret” Facebook accounts that you are hiding from your partner; that is also a subject for a whole different post. If this is the case, then all should be fine in Facebook world, no?

Not so fast, it is all fun and games when you send each other virtual gifts, poke each other, play Texas Holdem and even write on each others walls and status updates. I have even seen some profiles where both partners appear in each others profile pictures.

But what happens when a “Friend” from the past (before your current relationship) shows up on your partner’s friend list? Is it just Facebook so it doesn’t matter? Would you care at all? Even if your relationship is rock solid would there not be any question in your mind about this new found friendship?

It can be very easy for Facebook to cause troubles in paradise with a simple “Accept Friend Request“. Would it not matter to you in the least that your partner has made a connection with someone that he or she was involved with in the past? If it does matter, what would you do?

• Would you fight with your partner?
• Would you ask your partner to delete this friend?
• Would you throw the computer out the window?

I would love to hear either side of this argument, please feel free to post in the comment section below.

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So for the last couple of days I have been getting chat requests from people that are not my “buddies” this usually is not a big deal because it could be a new client or someone that found me from my blog or Facebook.

But these recent chat requests have gone something like this:

(7:17:31 PM) sara.sky10: Hey
(7:17:52 PM) philmcdonnell: who is this?
(7:18:06 PM) sara.sky10: hey there cutie???
(7:18:15 PM) philmcdonnell: Like I said, who is this?
(7:18:28 PM) sara.sky10: who is this again? Sorry I don’t recognize the name lol
(7:18:38 PM) philmcdonnell: What?
(7:18:50 PM) sara.sky10: Oh Ok LOL,Nice!how you doin??
(7:19:04 PM) philmcdonnell: I am fine, but who is this I am typing too?
(7:19:18 PM) sara.sky10: I’m actually working right now what are you doing exactly??
(7:19:44 PM) philmcdonnell: I am blocking you for not telling me who you are and how I know you… Good Bye!

So anyone have any idea why there are people that do this?

Are they just looking to talk to someone?

Have you had this happen to you?

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Today, following in the footsteps of Michael Hyatt, I started on a new plan to focus my time and energy and to bring the time I spend on the internet under control.

Now if you know me, you know I spend a great deal of my time on the internet. I don’t just surf the web and waste away my time frivolously, I run online businesses, I help others with their websites, I develop applications, not to mention that I do my personal things like pay my bills online too. So as you can imagine I spend a great deal of my time online.

So why delete friends on Facebook?

Well I am doing multiple things, but I figured I would start with Facebook as it is the easiest to consolidate. I am going to use Facebook for my Family and “REAL” friends.

But wait, I thought I was your real friend?

Well in essence if you were one of my Facebook friends then we did have some type of connection at one point, however I am now limiting my friends on Facebook to close personal friends and family that I interact with in real life and not just on the internet.

This has nothing to do with you, I am trying to share with everyone, but I don’t want to share everything with everyone. I used to post family photos to the web in general and then Facebook came along, now I post all my family photos there for my “Friends” to see.

I don’t want to share all my private things with the world. If you look back in the archives here on my blog you will see that I used to post a lot about my family, but once I got on to Facebook it all went there. Facebook makes it so darn easy to upload 200 photos at a time and not to mention the security of knowing that only certain people can view them.

But I still want to keep in touch with you, how do I do it?

That is simple, I am not going into hiding or anything, you can always check here on my blog to see what’s going on.

You can contact me through my contact form here.

You can follow me on twitter.

You can become a fan on my Facebook page, ( Just like Michael Hyatt, I hate the word fan, maybe Facebook should change it to buddy or something).

If we have a business relationship or would like one join my LinkedIn network.

Like I stated earlier, I am trying to focus more on my business and streamline my online presence so there is not so much upkeep.

I do appreciate all my “Friends” and hope that you do understand and will decide to follow me in some other way so that we can still keep in touch.

Here’s to friendship,
/Phil

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The formula is quite simple but if you don’t have it in front of you then you will just be guessing.

Add all the walls widths in feet that you want to paint, multiply the total by the rooms height and then divide the total by 350 (the square footage a gallon of paint usually covers) and then you have how many gallons of paint you will need to paint your room.

Again:

Width of walls in feet (X) rooms height (/) 350 = Total Gallons of paint.

I hope this helps you as well to figure out how much paint you need.

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As you can see I changed my theme once again. This is a custom theme that I am still working on so some things may not work as expected or look weird. Please check back and watch the progress, I hope to have the site completely updated and functional by next week.

Thanks for standing by…

~Phil

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Sorry for the disturbance but once again I am changing the layout of the blog. Please bear with me for the next several days and please don’t worry if things look weird or don’t work. When I am finished everything will be working 100% and it will be for the better, I am making a central area for all my sites and projects.

Thanks for your patience.

~Phil

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As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They’re banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we’ve seen in decades. I’d like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on February 10, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren’t originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children’s books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there’s always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.
Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it’s passed testing. It won’t even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can’t sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can’t even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children’s items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you’ll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you’d better start buying now because it’s all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren’t certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react!!!

More Links:

• http://heartkeepercommonroom.blogspot.com/2009/01/cpsia-blog-in.html
• http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/cpsia-blog-in-updates-clarifications-3324/
  

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All 76 organizations will be affected by the elimination of the ZBGA funding.  Some points of interest:

We all need to tell Governor Paterson that we do not want these cuts, and funding needs to be restored. You can send your message here:

Send a message to Albany

You can join in the cause on Facebook here:

Save ZBGA

Visit the Wildlife Conservation Society:
Wildlife Conservation Society Website

Watch this video that was produced by the WCS:

The video stars a Bronx Zoo porcupine that is being laid off from its job, the WCS has no intention of getting rid of any of these animals, but the cuts do make the future bleak and far from secure.

The zoo does not only keep animals and plants alive, but also adds to our local economy. The Bronx Zoo and NY Aquarium had more than 2.7 million visitors last year that generated more than $290 million dollars in economic activity. The Zoo and Aquarium have 819 full time staff and 251 seasonal workers. Imagine the impact on our communities if these institutions were to close.

Please take the time and click the email link above or call the Governor at 518-474-8390.

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UPDATE 1/26/2009 -

Visit: iPetitions.com, savecfcinhalers.org

- – - – - – - – - -

In case you didn’t know as of December 31, 2008 you can no longer buy any prescription inhalers that use CFCs to eject the medicine. The FDA is also expected to phase out the over the counter (OTC) asthma medicine that uses CFC’s as well.

What does this mean? No more rescue inhalers will be sold over the counter like Primatene Mist unless they change their ejection method to not use CFCs.

What the heck? CFCs in my inhaler are that much of a detriment to the ozone layer that they need to ban all sales of Primatene? I for one (and I am not alone) do not like the HFA inhalers, which are the supposed replacement to the CFC ones.

I have had many prescriptions for different inhalers including some steroid ones and not one of them work as well as the Primatene one. Of course doctors don’t want you to use OTC drugs because then you are treating yourself without a doctor’s supervision. All I can say about this is I have had doctors write me prescriptions for all different drugs and none of them worked, except for Singulair which is a miracle drug, at least for me.

According to the FDA’s website,  they are implementing the ban by the end of 2010.  Also according to their website;

Epinephrine MDIs are the only devices currently marketed over the counter. Should this rule become final, epinephrine MDI users will have to obtain a prescription for alternative drug products if a non-CFC epinephrine inhaler still does not exist.

Seems to me it is the drug companies at work here, a $15 product that treats my asthma is being removed so that I now have to obtain a prescription for a drug that costs $200? What if I don’t have insurance? This is absurd.

Something else mentioned was the fact that Primatene is not an optimal treatment for asthma;

But some of the physicians on the F.D.A. advisory committee had little sympathy. They said that despite Primatene’s long history of use, there was little evidence of the drug’s safety and effectiveness. Epinephrine is a synthetic version of the human hormone adrenaline.

These doctors said Primatene could even harm patients because of side effects or because users might forgo better treatments. Removing it from the market, they said, could be an opportunity to switch asthma patients to better medications.

“It is clearly not optimum therapy and I think suboptimal therapy is a disservice to our patients,” said Dr. Mark L. Brantly, a pulmonary physician at the University of Florida.

Not optimum therapy? Try telling that to me when my airway is closed and Primatene opens it almost instantly! Their version of HFA-Alburterol does not have the same immediate effect.

Side effects? What about the side effects of the cortiosteroids that they prescribe to inhale? I tried one of them (on a doctor’s recommendation) for a week and my throat started to bleed, now that is a nice side effect!

Another issue as brought up in this NY Times article, what happens when my prescription inhaler runs out, or I forget it at home and I am out and about? If I ever had an asthma attack while out, I could stop in any pharmacy and pick up a Primatene inhaler, this new ruling will make it impossible to do and putting my life at risk.

Primatene has been on the market for over 40 years, now the FDA finally decides that it is time to remove it from the market? How much CFCs can my one little inhaler contain?

My last thought that I will leave you with, if Primatene is banned and there is no other substitute OTC medicine that is affordable and also effective, then people suffering from asthma will certainly die!

A couple of links to other blogs:

• A New Look, Feel, & Taste for Your Rescue Inhaler On the Way
• Over the Counter Asthma Inhalers Being Phased Out

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