My Writings. My Thoughts.

Excessive Celebration: Never Gets Old

// July 8th, 2009 // No Comments » // Funny

Steve McNair: 1973-2009

// July 5th, 2009 // No Comments » // life

2004-02-16-ins-mcnairI love the Titans.  It’s no secret.  One of the reasons I fell in love with the Titans was because of Steve “Air” McNair and Eddie George.  Steve McNair was found dead today in Nashville and I’m just sick.

McNair had a huge heart, he was a huge contributor to the Nashville community and to others as well.  He didn’t know the word “quit”. He played through more injuries, aches and pains than any other player I’ve ever seen.  He was a warrior.

Just wanted to give you a shout out my friend.  You were an amazing human being and a pretty dang good football player.  You will be missed.

My Twitter Suspension; Can We Depend On Twitter?

// July 4th, 2009 // 9 Comments » // Technology

suspendedsucksThe answer currently is… no.

Let me be the first to say that I’m a fan of Twitter.  Twitter has revolutionized the way we communicate and connect with others.  It’s an amazing tool.  However, I discovered a pretty big snag last week with Twitter, one that made me look silly for depending on a free communication tool.

Let me also say that I’m not bashing Twitter, I’m simply offering some constructive criticism to help Twitter become that dependable and even “critical” application.  Enough build up… Here are the details.

On Wed, June 23rd I wrapped up my day with a simple Tweet about the day being long or something along those lines.  The next morning I grabbed my phone to see what was happening in Twitter world.  Uh, oh.  It wouldn’t take my password.  I panicked and immediately thought my account had been hacked.  Crap.  I tried to get a password reset and that process worked but when I saw my actual account on Twitter.com it said the account had been suspended.  Not only did I think my account had been hacked but it had been hacked and someone used it to spam the Twitterati. Great I’m suspended.  Hasn’t happened since high school.

No worries.  I would email Twitter support and get this taken care of immediately.  After all, I’ve been using Twitter over a year, have a pretty healthy group of friends (followers sounds so cultish!) and was very vocal against spam and all the crappy auto direct messaging that has been going on.  Easy fix, so I thought.

I went to the help desk and submitted a request.  I was given this <a href=”http://twitter.zendesk.com/forums/26257/entries/15790″ target=”_blank”>link</a> and continued to read that my account could be held for 30 days for “research”.  30 days?  Not me, I use Twitter to communicate with clients and to stay on top of the happenings in my area of work!  I NEED Twitter.  This is where the problem comes in.  I needed Twitter.  I had just successfully landed a new client and was a Twitter evangelist only for them to see that I was actually a suspended evangelist.  Talk about looking silly.

Here’s where the kicker comes in.  I have never been told exactly why my account was suspended.  I was sent an automated response saying it could be one of many things.  After reading the list I’ve determined that my account was suspended because my personal blog site had been hacked.  My blog.  Not Twitter, my blog. After connecting some dots I’m pretty sure that when my blog was hacked the hacker put a piece of code on my site that linked to malware/spyware.  Twitter saw this link in my bio and thought I was distributing the malware/spyware.  Technically they were right, but I had no clue this was going on.  Thankfully it was brought to my attention and cleared up quickly.  Google had put notice on my site that is was a malware site, however I contacted and updated them and was taken off that list in less than 24 hours.

While I’m happy that Twitter is watching out for this sort of thing and keeping us all clear from the crap that floats the internet, that is NOT why I think they are not dependable.  My problem was the communication and the customer service. This is what I had to figure out on my own.

  • Account suspended
  • No notice of account suspension except red box on twitter.com (I use Seesmic and don’t go to Twitter.com so it makes it tough to see that)
  • No explanation of suspension
  • Request from help offered no information immediately
  • 30 day estimated resolve time

Again, I’m glad that Twitter is taking the time to protect us from the crap that is floating the web on some sites.  I believe there is a better way to handle these issues and the contact from customer support. Some simple ideas to help Twitter out:

  • Send email to address on file notifying of suspension
  • Give exact reason of suspension
  • Suggest ways to correct/fix the issue
  • Automate the research process- It’s easy to read and see if a user is a participating asset to the Twitter community
  • Setup @helpusers to assist suspended/questionable accounts
  • Don’t put up that it takes 30 days to “research”.  That sends users into an immediate panic.
  • Create an automated process that users can use to “protest” their suspension.  With my problem I could have easily taken off the link to my blog,  submitted a ticket to re-check my account and been back up and running in minutes.
  • Listen to other users in the community.  I had multiple friends contact the Twitter help users on Twitter to see how to get help with no response.

These aren’t the answers to all of Twitter’s customer support problems but this is a start for some one who depends on and uses Twitter daily.  And just for the record my account was offline for 7 days not 30.

As Twitter moves into being a critical app for business I hope they will take the time to realize that most users are legit and want to be a part of their community.

This Sucks. Still Suspended. Twitter? Hello?

// June 27th, 2009 // 6 Comments » // Technology, life

Yeah, day three of no response from Twitter.  Anyone care to help me?  Let Twitter know I’m a legit and contributing friend and follower?  I don’t spam, I don’t even DM 99% of you guys, right!?

Oh, Twitter.  I’m going to help you re-write your suspension guidelines and more importantly your appeal and re-instatement guidelines.

Frustration.

Michael Jackson, Thanks.

// June 26th, 2009 // No Comments » // Music & Entertainment, life

michaeljLike many folks I’m shocked at the death of Michael Jackson.  I think what I’m more shocked at is the news coverage… These are the same vultures who were ready to skin him alive and let him waste away in Neverland.

The news coverage has now jumped on the band wagon of loving MJ.  It’s sad to think he thought many in the world hated him and only thought of him as a joke…  he died thinking that.

I’m not without fault.  The dude went off the deep end with some of the stuff he pulled and the way he acted, but when it comes down to it, he had a child, he had a mom, he had a dad, he had brothers and he had sisters.

Michael Jackson, thanks for recording your life.  Thanks for making some of the best records ever.  You truly were Off The Wall.

Check out this collection of Michael Jackson Music…  Lot’s of amazing stuff, you’ll be surprised.

Server Move Complete… Sort Of.

// June 26th, 2009 // No Comments » // life

serversWell, I’ve moved my site to a new server but unfortunately not all the data came with it.  Ugh.

Please don’t make fun of me while I figure out my theme/design fiasco.  My last site was customized and now I’m without it.

I’ll be back in a few days… hopefully.

:)

Moving Sucks

// June 25th, 2009 // Comments Off // Uncategorized

Twitter, I love you but what the hell?

// June 25th, 2009 // Comments Off // Technology

twitter suspendedMy twitter account has been suspended because of illegal use. I have no idea what the illegal use is and I can’t find out for possibly 30 Days. What?

You guys know that I’m an avid Twitter user. You know that I am very much against spam and really hate the auto DM wars that continue. I use Twitter daily for communication with my clients, friends, family and people with similar interests. I have grown dependent on it which I now know is not a smart move especially for businesses.

Twitter, I have a suggestion. Investigate the people you think are abusing the system and then contact them or give them a suggestion/warning regarding the usage. If that’s too hard then how about have a way for users to verify and update their account in the event it was an accident or a hacking.

Twitter, don’t make us wait 30 days! You have created a great tool that many of us do business with and communicate critically with! There has to be a way to weed out the legitimate users from the others…

I love Twitter but I have to believe there are some ways to improve this issue. We’ve come so far Twitter and to just let me fade away hurts.

LifeStream Digest for June 24th

// June 24th, 2009 // No Comments » // life

twitpic (feed #6)
Shared 4 photos.
5:57pm via TwitPic
twitter (feed #9)
with my new niece Ellie! thanks for the kind notes guys!!! http://twitpic.com/7o74w [#]
5:57pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
thinking about Jolt! Cola… remember that stuff? talk about WIRED! [#]
6:35pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
working on 2nd proposal this week… brain is fried. Simple words are hard to come by… maybe sleep isn’t over-rated. [#]
8:03pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
frustrated with this 3.0 update for iPhone. 3rd try, it seems to take hours to backup!!! [#]
10:59pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
so AT&T has updated the policy for early upgrading… I’m now eligible in 2010. Yeehaw. :( [#]
11:09pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
wonder if the iphone dev team is releasing the 3.0 full jailbreak this afternoon… heard a rumor… bring it now. [#]
10:53am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
who decided that REO Speedwagon and Styx was a "MAJOR" concert announcement for Charlston??? Wow. [#]
2:18pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
borrowed a mower to cut the amazon in the front yard… think I lost 7 pounds, easy. #PleaseLordCutOnTheAC [#]
5:43pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
finished second proposal this week… now some Led Zeppelin & Palladia. [#]
7:32pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
1 & done. [#]
10:07pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
some good free music today… Ani DeFranco, David Byrne, Loudon Wainwright III — http://bit.ly/Ozncg [#]
7:08am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
way to go RIAA!!! You got her!!! sheesh. :-\ RT @toddstepp: you sure $.99 is too much for music? read this – http://tinyurl.com/n4zvr3 [#]
7:14am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
my question is how much of this money goes back to the artists? How much to lawyers? labels? That’s the # to know. http://bit.ly/bYC9n [#]
7:16am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
The Hog Highway… #BBQ Road trips for the summer sound good. http://bit.ly/qsgt8 [#]
8:21am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
RT @mountflorida: Music Careers: RIAA Shuts Down Rogue File Sharer, Saves Music Industry! http://tinyurl.com/lzsdpy [#]
8:45am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
last trip to Poe’s for a while… mmm. trying the Hopfrog burger this round… [#]
9:36am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
why guys don’t share their "feelings"… http://bit.ly/CymW8 :) [#]
11:06am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
check out the guts of an iphone 3Gs- it’s running under clocked and cam is capable of shooting 720P- good stuff. http://bit.ly/ha0u5 [#]
11:16am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
Cursebird Report: @jasonbradford swears like a Mute. Ranked: Bottom. – http://cursebird.com/jasonbradford – I’m so proper. :) [#]
11:17am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
landed second new client this week! awesome to help others navigate this ‘tough’ economy online… your turn!? http://inkeddigital.com [#]
11:42am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
this will get you a good laugh tonight.. oh my, pretty dang funny. http://manbabies.com/ – yes, it’s what it says it is. [#]
6:39pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
iphone 3.0 jailbreak finally released by the dev-team— http://bit.ly/43wGV [#]
9:11pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
this kind of heat justifies $50,000 for a pool… [#]
1:21pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
as if anyone needs further proof that Scientology is a bit on the "rich-celebrity-violent-crazy" side. Interesting read. http://bit.ly/9URah [#]
7:01am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
dl’ing True Blood… not a good addiction. I admit it. [#]
7:59pm via Twitter
lastfm (feed #7)
9:29pm via Last.fm
lastfm (feed #7)
9:33pm via Last.fm
twitter (feed #9)
woowee… hangin’ with the late birds this morning. [#]
6:12am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
we’re doing what today????? :) [#]
7:33am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
New Kids On The Block blame recession for low tix sales… riiiiight. :) http://bit.ly/fNpZF [#]
7:38am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
this is the most ridiculous PETA news ever (for now)- the band Phish asked to change name to "Sea Kittens". No joke. http://bit.ly/TTj6A [#]
7:43am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
RT – 200 new followers in a day – http://www.follow-train.info/ [#]
8:47am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
RT @reneebradford: Emma & Emerson love the water! http://yfrog.com/11naej Check out my kids playing w/out me!!! :) Cute, eh? [#]
9:01am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
RT – 250 new followers in a day – TOTALLY FREE – NO SALE – http://follow-train.info [#]
4:22pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
the visual story of Twitter (so-far) – http://bit.ly/fJbZH [#]
8:14pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
love this post… do you "Live Loud"? I like to think that I do… http://bit.ly/ASAi4 [#]
8:25pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
the UHaul has been reserved, loading starts this Sunday, back in TN by Tuesday. Busy, busy week… will I make it to Poe’s 1 more time? [#]
9:09pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
getting ready to chow down @lauraalberts – mmm. [#]
8:27am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
sad to hear that master blacksmith and Charleston/Daniel Island icon Philip Simmons passed away last night at age 97! http://bit.ly/21PcVw [#]
11:02am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
what a long and sweaty (but fun!) day… Last day @danielisland tomorrow… lots to do! [#]
6:23pm via Twitter
lastfm (feed #7)
8:58am via Last.fm

LifeStream Digest for June 17th

// June 17th, 2009 // No Comments » // life

twitter (feed #9)
the Daniel Island EMS/Fire dept rocks. thanks guys for helping us out this afternoon.. quick, professional and personal. . [#]
5:00pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
trying to decide what movie to put on while I work… Boyz In The Hood or Gattica? [#]
7:51pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
alright. good night. [#]
11:53pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
still spots open for the social media and blogging broohaha next Wednesday night– secret discount code "tweet101" http://bit.ly/pk6dk [#]
8:24am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
just because I won’t pay for the new iphone yet… i need a gift. like a free iphone from #squarespace [#]
10:48am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
if I win a new iphone from #squarespace I’ll give my current iphone to charity. What charities take iphones? We’ll find one I’m sure. [#]
10:53am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
up working on an error on a search that has me baffled and has to be fixed by the weekend… ugh. ASP/.NET peeps I may need help Friday! [#]
12:26am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
who wants to go to a database mapping/cleansing meeting? C’mon… anyone? :) Happy Friday peeps! [#]
6:22am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
I’ve slacked on Free Music Friday- So here’s a cool little freebie from the Black Lips called "Short Fuse" http://bit.ly/waz7j #freemusic [#]
6:32am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
more #freemusic : Primus fans will love this Les Claypool track Mushroom Men – http://bit.ly/1amjIt [#]
6:42am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
the words audit, database, fields all make me antsy… for the next 2 hours I will be… antsy. :) [#]
7:07am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
need an intro to social media and blogging? Join me next Wed on Daniel Island! http://bit.ly/pk6dk (won’t talk about databases, promise)#chs [#]
8:02am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
not a good day for the AC in my car to start acting up… [#]
11:15am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
you know what sucks? Fast cars with slow drivers! [#]
11:28am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
not a Pen’s fan but 100% definitely NOT a Wings fan.. congrats Pens! [#]
8:39pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
sorry.. other JasonBradford’s… I got it. :) [#]
9:01pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
so now that Facebook has been taken care of, guess I should finish this landing page before the paper comes out in the a.m. – On it! [#]
9:14pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
empty boxes and lots of tape can mean only one thing…. packing, packing, packing. Who’s bored? [#]
7:06am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
lawnmower is still broke. I have a forest in the front and back yard… I’m sure my neighbors love me. Who wants $30 to mow this crap? [#]
11:12am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
thinking about spongebob #squarespace and that iphone gift card… and eating strawberries dipped in melted chocolate cake icing. [#]
11:34am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
so I’ve managed to avoid the computer for almost a day… but of course it’s the witching hour and have to get proposal out for new client. [#]
7:34pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
not happy I don’t have HBO… missed the premier of True Blood tonight. Will be on the hunt tomorrow online! [#]
8:27pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
hit the ground running this a.m. and just coming up for air. What’s up out here? Missed me? [#]
9:00am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
Faith No More reunion footage! As of now, no plans for US tour.. sad. http://bit.ly/ka8n9 [#]
9:09am via Twitter
lastfm (feed #7)
10:38am via Last.fm
twitter (feed #9)
Vinyl is still cool and still a growing market… Niche, but growing nicely. http://bit.ly/s8zgW [#]
10:38am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
wow… kinda interesting for Bill Maher… Not a fan, interesting point of view re: Obama… http://bit.ly/g4s11 [#]
10:57am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
Trojan attack on Macs surface… no need to worry if you stay off the porn! http://bit.ly/QX7r3 [#]
11:00am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
Jaydiohead is driving me home… [#]
2:54pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
you know what? it’s a shame about ray. [#]
3:44pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
not a fan of Marilyn Manson or his dog and pony show but some of his tracks are unbelievably raw and very cool… (bring the criticism) :) [#]
5:41pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
so @reneebradford just stole my heart all over. First she didn’t make me go into walmart and second, she exited with chocolate chip cookies. [#]
6:47pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
just received the final design for the Music Roasters website project. wow. Can’t wait to get this site rocking. [#]
7:13pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
PIXIES’ box set available today!!! Heard rumors, had no idea it was a reality already… YEAH!!!!! http://bit.ly/WZVi3 [#]
7:39pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
this Pixies collection is not your usual "box set" this is a definitive fan collection. Yes, I’m excited. Very excited. http://bit.ly/WZVi3 [#]
7:50pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
just got to listen of my friend Andra Moran’s new album. Will be out in July on Tone Box, good stuff! Check her here- http://bit.ly/qHb0J [#]
10:00pm via Twitter
blog (feed #1)
10:07pm via jasonbradford.com
twitter (feed #9)
new @Collective_Soul single hits today, great track. One of my favorite bands since first hearing Shine on 96Wave http://bit.ly/OMRbb [#]
10:45pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
amazing photos from the riots/protests/celebrations in Iran. Some very sad and rough photos. (from @WoodyRadio) http://bit.ly/q3ZW5 [#]
11:17pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
heading to *bucks to meet @murphy24p and drink sweet tea lemonade! Toooo hot for coffee. :) [#]
6:08am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
documentary on the electric guitar with The Edge, Jimmy Page & Jack White. Can’t wait for this one (thanks @dunagan) http://bit.ly/MlW8W [#]
8:30am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
if #squarespace gives me a phone I’ll quit tweeting and @goggans will be my friend again…. maybe? :) [#]
8:34am via Twitter
lastfm (feed #7)
8:56am via Last.fm
twitter (feed #9)
RT @danielisland: The Wallflowers are coming to Daniel island’s Family Circle Veranda Stage 9/1/09. Tix on sale 6/19, ticketmaster.com #chs [#]
11:46am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
tornado on Daniel Island? What? or maybe a cloud with a tail? :) http://twitpic.com/7k4mw [#]
12:12pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
Wish I could take credit for the funnel cloud pic! Not mine, I’m hiding in an office on the island.. pic is from @hankhanna [#]
12:41pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
RT @SMacLaughlin: Tornado / funnel cloud video from Daniel Island in Charleston. @chswx http://tr.im/oHQc [#]
12:46pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
it’s crazy but I’m determined for the the Pixies’ box set Minotaur. Good read on Wired about the band and the release http://bit.ly/14Lr50 [#]
12:55pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
just saw more pics of the funnel cloud it was hovering over the Daniel Island Club on the north side of the island.. [#]
1:02pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
landed a new client today… full web dev w/ online store. Inked Digital is getting busy quick… happy for that of course! [#]
5:58pm via Twitter
blog (feed #1)
8:13pm via jasonbradford.com
twitter (feed #9)
the story of the Beatles in 2 1/2 minutes… great opener for the Beatles’ Rock Band gig… http://bit.ly/YQBdk [#]
8:17pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
looking for some LOST news during the off season? Dr. Shepard fills us in about the conclusion next season. http://bit.ly/3ww8HS [#]
8:24pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
interesting that Stallworth kills a person by way of DUI and gets 30 Days of Jail- Vick kills/tortures dogs and gets 23 months. um, what? [#]
9:59pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
Scientology is a joke… a little cult club for actors. Now they are going "mainstream". Get out your laser guns. http://bit.ly/D9NPE [#]
10:08pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
long day. short night. [#]
10:37pm via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
crazy day. video pre-pro meeting, GIS mapping meeting then lunch with potential new client at DI Club… any funnel clouds in sight today? [#]
5:52am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
just realized that I had my 10 Year Anniversary as an Ebay member. 10 Years has passed us!!!??? [#]
6:41am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
GIS mapping is pretty dang cool… wish I knew more. great application for web mapping and marketing [#]
9:27am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
heading to lunch at the Daniel Island Club.. wish I could play a round real quick! [#]
9:57am via Twitter
twitter (feed #9)
I’m an uncle again! my sister just had her baby… baby girl named Ellie. can’t wait to go meet her!!! [#]
11:42am via Twitter