I'm not going to gunk up this post with a bunch of jargon - all I'm going to say is that if you participate in Entrecard, RUN - do not walk - over to ENTREPOD. It delves much deeper into my original post regarding ECs virus problem, which originally came from Laane.
If those who run EC don't wake up soon, they are going to lose a lot of really good bloggers...and what will be left? The clickfarmers. Is that what EC is all about?
The next few weeks will tell everyone whether the new management team wants to really make EC great...or if a clickfarm (and money) is what they're all about. Hello, wanting more free space on blogs with the new referral widget.
If you're tired of getting viruses from those you drop on, tired of droppers just driving up your bounce rate, tired of the problems with EC being down and widgets acting up...and really want some positive change with EC, please point others to the Entrepod post. Just like everyone did with the paid ads debacle, we can get EC turned around.
If we make enough noise.
![](http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/queenkatherine/katherine-sig-pink.png)
18 Royal Responses:
Okay, I'm makin' noise! I am sooo burned out trying to drop 300 cards a day to get EC points to advertise. Now I am just visiting my favorite blogs as often as I can. Hey...I'm commenting on YOUR BLOG so guess who is on my FAVORITES list?!
Sadly, I have to agree with your comments. I just recently joined Entrecard. They have driven up my visitors but just about killed my bounce rate. I'm not sure what the issue was with the paid EC stuff but I see a lot of sites saying no to paid EC. Funny, I'm more ticked off with the guys who automate their EC dropping. I'd like to ban them off my site if I could more than any paying EC types.
I wonder if the problem Laane is having is the same issue I've been having since about January. Which is when I signed up with EC, so wonder if there is a connection. Also, I hope that I haven't been spreading it. Either way it is something that I have been TRYING to get rid of and all I can find is info on how to uninstall the program which I never installed. I have to say I'm getting so frustrated with it and all everyone wants to do is charge me money to "clean" my computer, even Norton who I have as my internet security...it's their damn fault the stuff is on my computer since THEIR crap security software didn't stop it...and then they want to charge me $100 to clean it out!! GRRRR
Awwww, How Nice. You really know how to make a girl feel good.
@Theresa Please stop by and get the tools you need to clean up your machine YOURSELF. You don't need to spend money, but you do need to get a few tools and spend a lil time doing it.
Queen Katherine I am so grateful for friends like you. Entrecard needs to understand that this is the best part of being in EC - Friends. This is the REAL BENEFIT.
Just think if they put my post on their blog what hoopla it would cause, making folks ask them what they plan to do to clean it all up.
I'm going to work on my second part post tonite for post on Tuesday.
Thanks Again for All the Linky Love and Push.
XOXO
You know, Theresa that's a good question. I don't know. I've heard all sorts of stories since I originally published this post. I didn't expect the response to be what it has!
I don't have Norton (I use McAfee) - so I don't know what's up with that one. I just know that following the advice on the Entrepod is free - and it works! I've used the 3 programs she recommends for years, and I depend on those more than McAfee. Have you tried using those to clean up the mess?
I hope whatever it is, goes back to where ever it came from! xx
Thanks for letting us know about the Entrepod post. It really is a helpful article - especially to newcomers to EC like me who are still trying to figure out the best way to use it.
Cheers,
Wendy C (Daily Art Fixx)
Thanks for the heads up. I have been using EC for about a year and so far (touch wood), I haven't encountered any problems YET!! But then again, I don't make that many drops.
I just don't get it why other bloggers (??) or other anybodys would mess around to find ways to mess up the computers of total strangers...it baffles me. I never got viruses until I began with EC--that is, viruses that got THROUGH my security (AVG). It's a big problem, for sure. Thanks for helping spread the word Mrs. Queen!
Hi Kathy,
perhaps you should publish it in the EntreCard forum as a suggestion. There you will get "heard" and read by other members which will discuss about it and EntreCard will see what other members write about these problems (bounce rate, clickfarming, virus spreading).
The referral program will be abused in the next weeks and the inflation will come back again, thanks to 300 ECs/referral. It will be abused because it's not defined what "active" means for a new member... 1 click a day/ 1 click within 14 days.
Why don't they make a membership fee of 300 EC/month. So everyone has to visit 10 blogs a day and reduce the maximum drops to 150. Change the ad price system so that the maximum price would be capped by their popularity points. 75% of the ad price remains at EC as tax. In which Economy do we have such a high tax?? We offer for EC Adspace for other members and EC takes 75% of these earnings in their own pockets :(
Enough rant for today!
I just read mama asid's post and she offers some great advice and opinions. I have to say that I walked away feeling a little guilty though because there are blogs that I simply click on and leave without commenting. Others I comment on sometimes but not always. And yet others I comment on all the time "OMG I'm a clickfarmer" Maybe I need to rethink how I do this. Reading through your comments I must say that I aree with some of cornyman's suggestions. Either way EC does need to make some improvements.
I'm on my way there! Go Entrepod!
Hmm. I'm going to head over and check it out. I really hope that EC doesn't self destruct. It really is the best way I know to get my little blog out there.
I'm so glad there are others who are questioning ECs current practice - and that others have feelings about those who are causing huge problems for other ECers.
@ RE Ausetkmt: You know I love you...'nuff said. I'm really proud of you - and I can't tell you how appreciative I am for all you do. xx
@ Wendy & Veronica Lee: I hope this information is helpful. I don't want to scare you - but I'm glad to get the info out there...just in case.
@ WillOaks Studio: I'm sorry you've had to deal with the yuck. AVG is good and anything that gets through is meant to be nasty. Thank you for participating in this whole thing!
@ Cornyman: You bring up some really great points - and I will take this to the boards. I never think about them because I never visit them. I need to change that. Your observations about the referral program are right on - and I love your "fee" idea. I agree with you 110%!
@ Ann: You are so NOT one of the people we're talking about. There are lots of blogs I visit where I don't leave comments - because I just don't have anything to say about the subject. There are also some blogs I visit that I don't visit because I'm real interested in their content...but I figure that everyone I visit has something I can learn from. Sometimes I don't comment because someone else has said what I was going to say - and like I said, sometimes I just don't have anything to say. I wouldn't worry about how you're doing it...you seem "plugged in" to me. :)
@ Lisa & Paige: You both know I love ya to pieces...and I'm glad you're checking things out. I agree, Paige - I don't want it to self-destruct either. Then again, is having 100 clicks to your blog just for the widget (and no reading of anything) worth it, if they spend 2 seconds there? I'd rather have 10 people who are interested than 100 people who just want a credit. :)
Hugs to you all for commenting! xx
Back when it started on my computer in January I used Malwarebytes but it found nothing and then I posted a Hijack This report on their forum and no one could see anything wrong but I KNOW there is something there that needs to be eliminated! I'll try all those again and see if anything turns up this time. Fingers crossed.
I am with you...and you know I have been suffering with my computer problems!!
I am with WillOaks Studio, where I have AVG and it didn't catch anything??
I am heading over to Entrepod now to read on how I can possibly fix this mess!!
Many many thanks!!
Kat
Sic'em! And make 'em fly straight!
I am relatively new to EC, and this was the first mention of any virii that I have come across. My solution to this problem would be to remove access to the internet from anyone intending to use it for malicious or destructive purposes...
I had a read of the article you mentioned at EntrePod, and left a comment there as well.
One other thing that is worth mentioning - virus-scanners are great, but without a firewall, most virus-scanners will be knee-deep in muck and sooner or later they will trip. There are plenty of good (free) personal firewalls around that are easy to install (The firewall that comes with MS-Windows is not adequate if you are intending to be connected to the internet).
Oh, and I'll be returning to your blog - there is some interesting stuff here :-)
I just signed up!
Dropping in to say hello!
Great blog I am following:)
http://boutiquestitches.blogspot.com/
Post a Comment
Welcome! I will respond to comments here, in order to keep the discussion going. I try to return the love with a visit/comment to your blog.
Go ahead - flap your gums! What's the skinny?