Lost!

The internet is abound with clones. DIGG, Slashdot, MySpace, dating sites - they all have clones. If you hit up some of the popular programmer for hire sites, you will notice a huge amount of buyers that want an exact clone of a website. Forget making their own with their own features, I’m talking a new logo, slightly different text and *poof*, instant clone. Even a Google search displays all these idiots wanting cloned sites.

There are too many people out there that think the internet is fast money. Look at the blogging explosion. It really didn’t take off until AdSense was released (I mean, REALLY taking off). After AdSense got released, it blew out of perportion, especially when a few choice people leaked the amount that they where getting paid from Google. Overnight, thousands thought a simple AdSense Ad would solve their financial woes.

When that didn’t work, people started cloning sites that where making money. This is where we are right now. The newest thing to hit the market is Social Networking. It’s gotten so bad that even singers are starting their own social networking websites to try to cash in.

I can honestly say that I believe that the next rage will be Adobe Air type applications with Ads built in. We’ll soon start seeing “free” applications with ads built in with new page.

I’m tired of clones. People need to be original. People need to be creative. Stop thinking about money and do something you love.

While it wasn’t surprising to learn that someone hacked an application using the OpenSocial framework, it was surprising to learn that it had happened again, by the same individual that did it the first time. On top of this craziness, it seems that this “hacker” is a novice. While we all know it was hacked and the larger blogs are complaining and talking about it, there is another issue.

What the real question here is, should one framework rule them all? With Google spending time on other projects and releasing this one very quickly, why should OpenSocial be blindly used by companies, especially when it seems to be prone to security issues?

Some may cry fowl at this news, however, that the applications are insecure and it’s not OpenSocial’s fault. Truth be told, I’m pretty much one of those types of people, but I also blame Google on this aspect. It was released too quickly and no one really had a chance to learn about it.

This is really like a new car - you don’t go out and buy the first year of any model unless you’re ready for headaches. Same goes for software, web or not. Unless you’re willing to handle the issues that come about, don’t install it.

For any web developers that are hurting from this issue, I do not feel sorry for you one bit. You should know better than to release half-assed, bug riddled…crap.

For the fourth time, CIHost has been robbed, from what appears to be an inside job. This time, the armed robbers sawed through a wall (supposedly reinforced) and started stealing servers. When a remote employee was notified of problems inside the data center, he showed up to be tased, taped and beaten.

Currently, CIHost is upset because their image is being beaten to death with a wooden spoon. Slashdot and The Register have both run front page stories about this situation and the forum members at Web Hosting Talk are up in arms over this situation as well.

While the posting has been removed, CIHost even advertised a Security Guard position on CareerBuilder.com. While I don’t have a copy of it, I have quotes from it:

“We are seeking motivated individuals” … “Prior security experience preferred.” … “Some College is also preferred.” … “Armed Hand-gun license/permit and ability to supply own weapon a Huge Plus!” It was said that the hourly rate was around $6.50. (I’d be interesting seeing the full post or a screen shot)

What kind of crackheaded company wants a cheap security guard that brings their own gun, after they’ve been robbed 4 times? “Yes, I am stupid, yes, I do have this gun (so what if the serial number is rubbed off!?) and yes, I’m willing to die for a server! $6.50 an hour?! Look no further, I’m yours!!”

On the lighter side of things, customers that had their servers stolen are starting a lawsuit against CIHost due to Gross Negligence. Oh, the joy of the colo world.

Bad memories of cubicles flashed before my eyes as I looked through the pictures. Yes, some are worse than what I’ve been in. Still others have nothing on what I’ve been crammed in. Check it out. I only wish I took pictures of the cubes from a Verizon Online Sub-Contractor…