Thread: Why I find "Top tool list" websites amusing.... and confusing.

Every angle grinder in that review shows:


Good breathable material
Machine washable
Many different colours


I note the author claims to be studying for a Phd - enough said!

The Wally with the orange grinder near the end of reveiws chooses not to use a dsic guard, a no no in my books

hope the DIYer's dont think its the accepted thing

cash for comment, 'nuf said.

Unfortunately, they have worked out how to make these garbage websites, often put together by an algorithm, and get them high on google search rankings, all to make a few bucks in ad revenue.

The internet is completely polluted by them. Hard to find decent content. Very hard to find real honest info, not paid reviews.

The glory days of the internet as a way to share information are long gone. Mostly if you are not paying, then you are the commodity (viewing ads).

There are some limited exceptions, like this forum.

It depresses me that many great forums of old have died. Now people use Facebook groups instead of forums - bloody terrible interface / way of accessing information.

Hi All,

I agree (more or less) to much of what has been said here. Can I tell you a tale that might amuse?

Ok, so I'm not a fan of social media. In fact, my college friends actually created my Facebook account on my behalf way back when... and I might have checked it once or twice a year, maybe. As an IT guy, security is important to me, and as the influence of Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, etc grew... so did the number of breaches, and security concerns, not to mention the increasing prevalence of dubious data-harvesting policies. Even if you are a paying customer!

Case in point:

I was "road-testing" a new firewall back in September, and found some disturbing network traffic coming from my TV! It not only sent what I was watching, it actually sent the file names of all USB-connected videos/photos too. Thanks LG! It's all buried in the "Terms and Conditions" of agreeing to use the TV you paid serious money for. So that somehow makes it legal.

So I nipped that in the bud by blocking every tracked IP range/URL (there were several being contacted by the TV) on my firewall. Also, while I'm here, I will never buy a fitbit (Owned by Google, known for their robust privacy breaching policies) for the same reason.

WARNING: DARK SENSE OF HUMOUR AHEAD:

Remember folks, parents who give their children fitbits to encourage health, are like farmers tagging cattle with GPS locators, and releasing them to the surrounding area to monitor the environmental damage and notify them when the meat has just the right amount of intramuscular fat for slaughter. Only farmers don't share that with the Internet at large. The cattle makes money, and children cost money... coincidence? You decide.

It's no longer the case that "if you're paying, you're secure".

With that in mind, I and all forms of social media drifted apart. Of course, forgetting my password because of the bizarre (and surprisingly weak) password policies of Facebook meant it was just another password I had to make up, and rarely use. (Always a winning combination) Moving from the jobs that the backup contact details were attached to didn't help. Ultimately, I found that if my friends don't call, write an email, or visit... and exclusively chose Facebook out of sheer laziness for any and all contact/cyber stalking.... I ask: Are they friends at all?

So Covid rolls around (yeah, that old chestnut) and people isolate from one another for any number of reasons. Many people resort to social media for contact, but I'm not one of them. I tell people not to use social media to talk to me. They have my other contact info.

Detox is great!

I found that I actually don't miss the inane "Liking of choc-chip cookies" or who's in an "It's complicated" relationship. It's none of my business. So unlike so many millions or billions of social media addicts, I let all forms of social media slide. So, many of my... "Facebook friends" who long since went "radio silent" start talking to me through an account I can no longer access. Naturally, I'm blissfully unaware of anything happening. No notifications, no pinging, no propaganda, just some much needed peace and quiet in a world gone mad. I take more interest in woodworking and DIY stuff in general. You know, doing stuff that's actually useful.

In that time, people note my lack of responsiveness. Somewhere along the line... I'm apparently declared dead. No official notice (for or against my living status is provided... I guess I'm Schrödinger's cat... or undead). Imagine when you finally run into someone you know at the shops post Covid lock downs, and the first thing they say is "Jesus Christ, you're ALIVE!?") To which they get a confused look. I think I'm alive... well... as sure as I can be.

First thing they do, is pull out the phone and snap a pic of me, and post it online... <cue disgust here> I asked them not to, in no uncertain terms. They willfully ignore me. Strangely, I don't get any new contacts. I still can't access my Facebook account, so it's not like I can do much. Here I was, standing in front of them, and they're too busy tapping away on their phone to actually ask any pertinent questions... after a minute, I walk off, and I don't think they noticed.

I guess they were never a friend to begin with.

So the morals here are:

1. The Internet is a reflection of the world... and people who use it. If it's degrading, it's not just companies who are responsible, but all people (both the good and bad). Laziness and blind acceptance of legal agreements is at least part of why we have the Internet we have.
2. Metrics (number of friends) can distract from meaningful relationships. Don't be afraid to "unfriend". If a relationship has run its course, there's no shame or insult in acknowledging that. It may even help in allowing one to focus on the relationships that should matter.
3. Privacy is never guaranteed by anyone. Nor should it be assumed.
4. As long as people do right by one another, even if you don't agree with others beliefs/way of life, I find it's better to be effective than "right" or "morally superior". We all have to live on this ball of rock, afterall.

From someone who's apparently risen from the dead. Perhaps I can get a public holiday for others falsely declared deceased?

One last chain of thoughts....

Is it the Internet itself impacting real world social interactions? Is technology, and near constant connectivity merely providing an "easy out" of doing anything that inconveniences us? When people wrote letters, stating they'd come to visit in a few weeks once the horses were conditioned, they couldn't just cancel at the last minute. Are people actually avoiding one another, in favour of vacuous, superficial online "friendships?" Does technology actually make people's social lives better? Were the good ol' days better? Or did people just stand people up?

Thoughts?

Ham.

Originally Posted by harmo

Bosch.jpg

Also, green Bosch's come in "many different colours"?

Originally Posted by harmo

... Ok, so I'm not a fan of social media. ...

Don't you mean anti-social media?

What that pippin88 bloke said. Search engines are increasingly pointless, which is such a pity.

Even some once-half-decent review sites play the game now. Typically, they'll do a 'best angle grinder' review, and then list the best angle grinder for each and every situation, such that they end up listing almost all available grinders, with an affiliate link. Best 'pro' angle grinder. Best 'diy' angle grinder. Best 'yellow' angle grinder...

Thing is, even those algorithmically-generated websites just need you to click on one amazon affiliate link: Once you've entered amazon via a link, whatever you then buy generates an affiliate $ reward to the original affiliate. So even if you don't buy that machine-washable angle grinder, as long as you don't close the amazon webpage, whatever you then buy will reward the referrer. More disturbingly, affiliates can access data and details about their referral rewards. So, buy that Interesting and Innovative bedroom toy, and the referrer will know about it.

It's because of this privacy issue that I don't buy through affiliate links - even if I think the referrer deserves it. I don't like to risk my privacy.

Originally Posted by Bernmc

... So, buy that Interesting and Innovative bedroom toy, and the referrer will know about it. ...

So, will we get an honest review from you, Bern?

Originally Posted by GraemeCook

So, will we get an honest review from you, Bern?

Only if you promise to click the link...

Originally Posted by GraemeCook

Also, green Bosch's come in "many different colours"?

Don't you mean anti-social media?

Hi Graeme,

Sorry for the belated response. I can't be too anti social media (I'm on a forum right now, after all). I think there's an important difference between gently reminding people about the traps of social media, and demonizing them across the board. I understand that it's a tool, and like all tools they can be useful if carefully used for good. I think in times of crisis like major bush fires around Canberra they were a great tool for "getting the word out". Hmmm... speaking of tools....

How about a wood working analogy?

I don't use an oscillating spindle sander (mostly because I don't own one), but if I said, hey they can do some real damage to your work piece/wedding ring if you don't pay attention... it would probably be considered "stating the bleeding obvious" yet no one would say that "I'm anti spindle-sander" (although I suddenly want a T-shirt that says that... purely for amusement sake).

However, if you want to build a house, I'd probably be discouraging the promotion of buying a spindle sander ahead of saws, drills, painting gear and maybe a nail gun.. because they're likely to be more useful to general construction activities. Yet social media has become so pervasive, that it's almost implied that it's the way to communicate with others... when we have so many alternatives like email, phone, letters, or (just going crazy here) talking face to face. Old school, I know. Also, unlike tools, social media doesn't come with pretty warning labels, and buries any risks deep in terms and conditions.

Anyway, I hope you use social media (and other tools) in a way where it is useful, and most of all in ways that mitigate the risks involved.

Kind Regards,
Harmo.