Don't hate me. I have to do it.

[DeMericka]

This isn't really because the program's a scam. As far as I can tell from the posts here Hillbilly-Hangout pays when it's supposed to and is an all around fun site. However, I got a Trojan virus from the site. (Yes, I'm sure it was from HH in an email.) This could be deemed an honest mistake EXCEPT for the fact that it has been reported in their forum and the moderators replied with this comment:

"Contaminated emails? You didn't get any trojan from emails sent by HH...
Perhaps that webpage you referred to is the culprit but perhaps not, it could be it just set off what you picked up elsewhere.
Funny though that yours is the only complaint as far as I know... what do you use for protection? "

Instead of specifically stating that this did not come from Hillbilly Hangout, wouldn't the best business move here have been to investigate the claim and correct it?

"Ack, I've tested and tested and tested the links you've referred to and not one of my alarms have gone off ( and I have many), so I dunno what else to do except tell ya to avoid those links your clicking. "

Hmmm...if I have to worry about getting a virus because the company doesn't care enough to check for the reported line in the emails they send, how about I just avoid clicking at the site at all.

"It's not from HH its from the search engines themselves TRUST ME. I've had my registry crash due to search trojans being on my computer and its all because some of the search engines have them embedded when you click. The spyware I got almost destroyed my computer."

Perhaps, in order to increase the safety of its members, Hillbilly Hangout should eliminate searches from the program since this is what they claim is causing people to get viruses at their site.

"Ack, I've tested and tested and tested the links you've referred to and not one of my alarms have gone off ( and I have many), so I dunno what else to do except tell ya to avoid those links your clicking."

As for this comment, I'm a marketing major and a customer service representative for a very successful office products firm, I have learned very quickly that making a comment like this without even offering further investigation is bad business practice. If this keeps happening, how does HH plan to keep its member base? Again, if I have to worry about getting a virus because the company doesn't care enough to check for the reported line in the emails they send, how about I just avoid clicking at the site at all.

I am leaving HH because of this issue. I feel that the company's failure to properly address this issue indicates a lack of interest in the safety of its members and I can't risk the viruses. If you can handle the risk, go ahead and continue using the program. My computer is worth more than the 1/4 cent they offer in their emails.

[mastermv]

Well, they could be correct that the virus did not come from HH.

But then they still don't need to answer like that indeed ...

[DeMericka]

I'm sure it had to do with the download that popped up that I couldn't refuse. (I'm going to make you an offer you can't refuse. It's the Godfather virus! :laugh: ) I also know that they don't deliberately put the virus into their emails, although that would be a good way to deter cheaters.

They have also been courteous in their responses, which after reading some of the posts is pretty stellar in the PTR industry. (my selections may have left out their friendly manner. they really are nice hillbillies.)

My problem comes from the fact that I am so totally immersed in the ways to run a business (both in school and in my job) that I see areas where they could truly improve their PR, win those who have been affected by the viruses back (I really hated to leave, but since my education is dependant on my computer I can't take any risks) and get comments on this site that attest to their business savvy and their concern for their members.

Of course, my experience and education aren't being put to the test here. I just hate to see such a fun site compromised by a virus transmitted through one of their advertisers.

[Reallybarb]

You should do what you feel is right but doing GPTR is dangerous, viruses and trojans are just part of the risk you take, not getting paid is another part and IMO boycotting a site that pays doesn't make sense. Keep your anti-virus up to date use Trend and a couple of good spyware programs and keep your fingers crossed scumware etc. is everywhere.

[mymoneymachine]

"Ack, I've tested and tested and tested the links you've referred to and not one of my alarms have gone off ( and I have many), so I dunno what else to do except tell ya to avoid those links your clicking. "

wouldn't the best business move here have been to investigate the claim and correct it?

Looks like it was tested/investigated? Wouldn't you say??

[Esperanza]

I'm a marketing major and a customer service representative for a very successful office products firm, I have learned very quickly that making a comment like this without even offering further investigation is bad business practice.

Things that make you go hmm....

http://groovin-hillbilly.com/index.php?showtopic=4485

Why not read up on what really took place in that thread?

[Tmarie99]

They should NOT be boycotted because someone is uninformed about how things really work...
A trojan is an executable file. It cannot install itself. Either your settings are too low or you allowed a download from a website. It is very unfair to blindly blame them for your mistake.
As to the "best business move"... You didn't get it from them.

NEVER download blindly from people or sites which you aren't 100% sure about. In other words, as the old saying goes, don't accept candy from strangers. If you do a lot of file downloading, it's often just a matter of time before you fall victim to a trojan.
Even if the file comes from a friend, you still must be sure what the file is before opening it, because many trojans will automatically try to spread themselves to friends in an email address book or on an IRC channel. There is seldom reason for a friend to send you a file that you didn't ask for. When in doubt, ask them first, and scan the attachment with a fully updated anti-virus program.
Beware of hidden file extensions! Windows by default hides the last extension of a file, so that innocuous-looking "susie.jpg" might really be "susie.jpg.exe" - an executable trojan! To reduce the chances of being tricked, unhide those pesky extensions.
NEVER use features in your programs that automatically get or preview files. Those features may seem convenient, but they let anybody send you anything which is extremely reckless. For example, never turn on "auto DCC get" in mIRC, instead ALWAYS screen every single file you get manually. Likewise, disable the preview mode in Outlook and other email programs.
Never blindly type commands that others tell you to type, or go to web addresses mentioned by strangers, or run pre-fabricated programs or scripts (not even popular ones). If you do so, you are potentially trusting a stranger with control over your computer, which can lead to trojan infection or other serious harm.
Don't be lulled into a false sense of security just because you run anti-virus programs. Those do not protect perfectly against many viruses and trojans, even when fully up to date. Anti-virus programs should not be your front line of security, but instead they serve as a backup in case something sneaks onto your computer.
Finally, don't download an executable program just to "check it out" - if it's a trojan, the first time you run it, you're already infected!


How to NOT hide extensions in Windows
In Windows 2000 (and more recent):
- select Start | Settings | Control Panels | Folder Options
- select the View tab
- check "show hidden files and folders"
- UNcheck "hide file extensions for known file types"
- Click OK to finish

[scotian]

Wow...this really is the icing on the cake...

I have been doing GPTR for almost 3 years now...I'm very active in all of the programs I belong too...I also surf for traffic in quite a few programs as well...my husband is also very active in GPTR as well...I would dare say my computer is online on the internet about 18 out of 24 hours/day 7 days a week...because we are making ourselves "vulnerable" by being on the internet (even if it was only 1 hour a day) we have taken it in OUR hands to protect the computer...we have several programs installed on the pc to help protect us from these nasty situations...I have been a VERY active member of Hillbilly Hangout for "almost 1 year" now and I can honestly say that I have NEVER, to this day, had a problem with a virus from them...but, then again, as I just mentioned, I am VERY well protected...

The admin of Hillbilly Hangout work VERY hard on checking all the links before sending them out in the email (banners, whatever form)...I believe they have thoroughly investigated this matter a few times already...

I cannot understand what would justify this program to be boycotted?? They have great admin support, they have a forum that offers a wide variety of support there as well, they payout within 24 hours of requesting MOST of the time (rarely are there any payouts waiting ahead of yours)...

It is my belief that the admin of Hillbilly Hangout has handled this situation in a professional manner...one of the mods even investigated it on her own and STILL wasn't able to get "infected" with this virus!!!

Therefore, in closing, I would like to remind you that YOU being the owner of a pc (sort of like maintaining a car if you know what I mean)...you NEED to protect your pc...you NEED to put your guards up...remember, what goes on your pc is what YOU have allowed to go on your pc...if you're not protected against these things, yes, you will get burned...

[chibicricket]

I have a computer monitoring system installed to my computer because I have a cable modem, and my internet is always running. My computer is the main source for info and entertainment in my house hold, so it is also never turned off. Everytime I start going through my PTR mail, I the system gives me the exact IP address (and sometimes a phone number) that the trojan or bad file is coming from. I have called the phone numbers a few times only to get the runaround. Also, I have found that a few of the sites actually try to install a tracking file into my computer without me knowing, and I have a list of company names that have done so. If it wasn't for the firewall and security system that runs all the time, they might have just done so.
It's a scary thing, but it is happening with the PTR business. I have narrowed my PTRs down to 4 that I haven't had any problems with, and I had to get rid of over 20 that I actually had been paid by.

[DeMericka]

For the record, I have windows XP Professional installed on my computer with TWO killer firewalls and Norton and McAfee virus sheilds.

Look at it this way: Imagine you went to www.officemax.com to buy a toner for your printer and a pop-up box flew in your face that asked you to download something. You immediately hit cancel on the pop-up box, but IT CONTINUED TO DOWNLOAD. The download contained a virus that was brand new so your completely updated virus protection programs missed it. Because the program enters into your registry, you have to completely reformat your hard drive, losing valuable information and time spent reinstalling the programs.

Tell me, would you continue to shop at officemax.com after having something like that happen? Would you continue to shop at officemax.com if the company told you that you got it somewhere else and it was your fault and they are not going to look into it because you should have been better protected? If you would, (This is an entirely hypothetical situation based on what I experienced. I work for Officemax Contract, nee Boise Office Supplies, which is why the website came to mind. I know that technical support for Officemax Contract would take a claim such of this seriously and investigate it fully.)

If you wouldn't continue to shop at a major online business after that, why on earth would you continue to risk your computer, your data, and your time for emails that are only worth .25 cents per click.

I no longer to any PTR because of this. As this site shows, PTR sites are notoriously dishonest and unprofessional. The industry sucks in people who want to make easy money and exposes them to threats that aren't worth it. With so many scams and viruses out there, I wonder about the sanity of people who continue to click on sites that refuse to take responsibility for the safety of their members.

Professional businesses would fully investigate any claim of this magnitude. I KNOW that the virus came from Hillbilly Hangout. I have NEVER had a virus from other PTR sites and I never will again, because I am not stupid enough to continue with an activity that demonstrates the continual greed and lack of concern of the Internet community. Remember, I'm not the only one who had this complaint.

The responses to my thread show how misled people can be by a few cents. When the virus hits you, remember that I tried to warn you. As far as this site is concerned, I really think that the people who are in this forum ought to think twice before doing anymore clicking. After all, is .25 cents really worth losing a machine that costs anywhere from $400 - $2500. How long would you have to be with Hillbilly Hangout to earn that kind of dough?

[mlev]

Hello DeMericka,
if I may suggest:

I personaly installed Firefox, much safer then any Internet Explorer from Microsoft.

I also have always turned on the following free programs (good memory usage too):
- SpySweeper,
- AVG anti-virus and shield,
- Spybot resident,

And I regularly run:
- Ad-Aware,
- CWShredder,

I also have SpywareBlaster to help me with settings to protect me.

With these, I rarely ever have any types of malware, scumware, adware, virus.

It's not just GPT, any visit on the NET, you are susceptible to attack from any of these nuisances. Protection is the key !

[scotian]

Well, #1 I wouldn't brag about having Windows XP, nor would I brag about having Norton OR McAfee installed on my pc!!

Again...I am a very active member in Hillbilly Hangout and have been for just about a year...have never had ANY problems, and I repeat, NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS, clicking on ANY of their links...

And they HAVE already dealt with the issue...they investigated the complaint! They test all their links a few times before sending them out...some of the search engines have POP UPS that come up...some of these are on site rotators which Hillbilly-Hangout would NOT be aware of...these sites "rotate" and you can see one site when you click on the link and I will see a different site than you saw, and so on and so on...so, therefore, HOW can that be Hillbilly-Hangout's fault??? They have checked the link that was sent for advertising...it did NOT sound any alarms...

In closing, protect your pc better, obviously you have settings that are off as your permitting these virii onto YOUR pc...

Not trying to be rude...don't really care who you work for and what "anal-ogy" you give, what it ALL comes down to is the owner of the pc NOT protecting his/her computer enough...

Did you know that Norton has been KNOWN to by-pass virii and trojans in the past? Did you know that McAfee has been known to analyze some that actually weren't???

For further information on that, you MAY just want to go to tech rooms in forums on the internet and inquire a bit more about it...I used to work in a tech room and this is where I got my knowledge, this is also where I learned to protect my pc and with which programs...but be careful as you may be vulnerable to these situations by visiting forums or programs offering tech help!!

I would also suggest not to use programs like Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, mIRC, ICQ, AIM as these programs have been KNOWN to give virii too!!!! I got a worm off MSN Messenger once...Got a trojan from ICQ once too! I can just see myself now suing MSN over this and putting up a stink over it! They sure would laugh at me!!!! I was the one responsible for it as I made MYSELF vulnerable to it...so THAT is when I decided to look into it more, study about it a little more and protect MY pc a LOT more...

Have a great day...

Ohhhh...you may want to think about completely staying off the internet as really, you NEVER know when you'll visit a site that contains a trojan or virus or worm...could even be a site that you're visiting to do research for some paper you're working on...

[Esperanza]

Well, well, well, DeMericka, there we have it - finally!!! Ignorance, plain ignorance... Anyone relying on a few firewalls, Norton and McAfee alone for protection is just plain ignorant.

Boasting about being a marketing major AND repeatedly giving a false representation of facts doesn't exactly add to your credibility. Nor is being stubborn and refusing to take advice from people who know what they are talking about. And YOU have something to say about this whole business being dishonest? Roflmao....

So you left PTR now huh? Well good luck out there and have fun with the next trojan you pick up!

[freebiesite]

I never cease to be amazed at how people who are 'into" ptr direct others to lock down their computers, and take all sorts of above and beyond precautions...

sorry but there is something 'wrong" in this sort of thinking...kind of like saying "we know we are going to wade in nasty/dirty/smelly shark infested water and this is what we have to do to stay safe"...

JMO....ptr and sites should be decent/safe for a newbie..for an aol member LOL....whatever...I have been in the "freebie" and tightwad area for years, and we did not usually have all these problems..I have managed to own and run websites since 96 without ever resorting to popups and downloads..

and..the funny thing is that all these so called ptr peeps like to yap and dream about 'affiliate' stuff...here is the truth...with all the crap floating around in the 'world of ptr" any affiliate link you put out there is very easily overwritten by the scumware that has infested many computers...there are workarounds...but frankly i am NOT in the business of educating people any longer...

I guess “Caveat Emptor" on all sides huh?? And while I can applaud the defense of the hillybilly site, there is no proof they did anything wrong after all, I do wonder at the vitrol directed at someone who dares to say the truth..there is a LOT of junk being downloaded and put on people's computers...some of it is really sneaky lately....no need to jump on someone for stating the truth...

Just a thought...is there any one page/resource that all of you "experts" reccomend that provides comprehensive info on ptr surfing "security" issues?? If not.. why doesn't someone make one or maybe I will??

[Tmarie99]

So... Who ya gonna blame the next time you pick up a trojan? And you WILL pick up another one, because you are too busy trying to blame someone else and not busy enough FIXING the problem on your end.
It's not the ptr site's responsibility to make sure you have good security it is YOURS. You must look out for yourself, no one else will. Perhaps you should change your major from Marketing to Computer common sense.

[freecashspace]

I can understand that sometimes there's not a lot a site can do about these kinds of "scumware" problems. Especially since in many cases they're done in a way that they don't pop up, or download, or infect everybody. So 100 people can all visit the site, and only 1 has a problem. Not a lot of consolation if you're the 1.

Personally I don't consider this incident to be serious enough for me to submit a complaint. But after reading some of the responses from some of the moderators over in the Hillbilly member support forum , I think I'll start paying more attention to how members are treated over there. And at other forums as well. :\

Cheers,

Wil

[scotian]

But after reading some of the responses from some of the moderators over in the Hillbilly member support forum , I think I'll start paying more attention to how members are treated over there. And at other forums as well. :\

Cheers,

Wil

Hey...this is NOT the HH forum...I try to answer all posts at the HH forum in a polite and professional manner...I am ALSO a member of Hillbilly-Hangout and am ALSO allowed to answer AS a member...in the HH forum, I'm a moderator and I answer my post there as a "moderator" of the forum...

Have you noticed that at NO time did I specify in THIS forum in THIS thread that I was a moderator there???? And if I did, I certainly don't recall it!!!

I also have opinions and can voice them, just as you did...and I was replying to this person's thread as a MEMBER of Hillbilly Hangout...please don't start attacking on the way I may have handled the situations here...

Remember, you play with fire, you get burned and being on the internet is NOT a safe place to be...and no, I don't have time to put a page together for the newbies...I share whatever information I have WHEN I have the time to...it is NOT my duty or responsibility to "inform and educate" them on how to guard themselves against these nasty situations...nor is it the WM's duty or responsibility to do so either...we put suggestions together to help them and if they choose not to follow up on these, there's nothing we can do!! This person is obviously not protecting his pc very well...I see no mention of programs like Search and Destroy, SpyBot, Adaware, etc...firewalls and anti virus programs is NOT enough...

Hey...here in Canada we have to bring our vehicles in for yearly safety inspections and if MY car doesn't pass the test and gets rejected, it's taken off the road...WHO'S responsibility is it to get the car "road safe" again??? The Ministry of Transportation? The Insurance Company??? NOT, it is MINE...my car, MY responsibility...my computer, MY responsibility...

[freecashspace]

My concern isn't with the trojan issue. I agree that people have a responsibility to protect their own computers. I also think that the software companies should accept more responsibility (safety regulations for software just like for cars and other products). And I think website owners have to accept some responsibility, too.

I've had problems with 3rd party advertisers on some of my websites. When I got a complaint, I didn't email back saying "Hey, screw you, it's your problem if you're too stooopid to protect your computer, not mine!" I pulled the ad, or in some cases pulled the whole site until I could find out what was causing the problem.

As I said before, I understand the problems are different for PTR and other kinds of sites. When the problem isn't on your site, or on a site you're directly linking to, there may not be a lot you can do about it. And even if it is coming through your site from a 3rd party banner or whatever, it can still be very hard to find.

My concerns were with the responses of the Hillbilly Forum Mods. And yes, I do hold POs and Admins and Mods and "helpers" etc. responsible for their posts or actions anywhere online or offline. I don't pay much attention to whether they've got their "PO hat" or "Mod hat" on or off. The same as out here in the "real world." If Bob the Butcher (or his assistant Jane) is a jerk at the pub (or at church), I might decide to take my business to another butcher shop.

Cheers,

Wil

[SAS-Rod]

I have added a public service page to the specialpromo page. It will display 50% of the time while the normal specialpromo displays the other 50% of the time.

It has virus protector links, adaware and other browsers besides IE.

Yes, members will STILL get paid the normal specialpromo amount regardless of which page will display.

Hopefully, this will spread the word more.

Rod

PS...and yes, I am running ads on this page to recoup the expense I am paying the members to promote it but NO popups ;)

[Tmarie99]

But after reading some of the responses from some of the moderators over in the Hillbilly member support forum , I think I'll start paying more attention to how members are treated over there.

So, free, what are they supposed to do? Fall down and grovel for forgiveness that someone, who has not protected himself appropriately, has a problem? Their replies were not rude. What, exactly, do you want? They COULD have come out and said, "It's YOUR fault because you don't have the sense to have your computer settings set to protect you. So, shut up."
Exactly how are they treated that warrants that type of remark? I thought they were rather sane and helpful.
You don't seriously expect anyone to say, "I'm so sorry. You're right we're wrong, we're ignorant, not you, about computer safety. We lied we don't check anything.".... Do you? What do you want them to say? They've done their job, they checked the links before they sent them.

[freecashspace]

So, free, what are they supposed to do? Fall down and grovel for forgiveness that someone, who has not protected himself appropriately, has a problem? Their replies were not rude. What, exactly, do you want? They COULD have come out and said, "It's YOUR fault because you don't have the sense to have your computer settings set to protect you. So, shut up."
Exactly how are they treated that warrants that type of remark? I thought they were rather sane and helpful.
You don't seriously expect anyone to say, "I'm so sorry. You're right we're wrong, we're ignorant, not you, about computer safety. We lied we don't check anything.".... Do you? What do you want them to say? They've done their job, they checked the links before they sent them.Yeah, falling down and grovelling for forgiveness is always a good way to go when dealing with a complaint.

Another approach might be to thank the person for letting you know about the problem, and assure them that you'll look into it. Then follow through and see if you can find the problem, and deal with it. Then email the person to let them know the problem's been handled. And if you can't find the source of the problem (as often happens in these cases), email the person and ask if they can give you any more details that might help you narrow it down.

Personally, I think that's better than telling the person that it's their problem, not yours. Or that since they're the only one who's complained, the complain won't be taken seriously. Telling them they're ignorant, or that they should stay off the Net isn't exactly "polite and professional" either.

Yes, you're right. They "did their job" and checked the links before the ads went out. But we all know that doesn't mean that the sites were clean once the traffic started coming in. If their policy is to check the link and then leave it up to the members to protect themselves, then that's up to them. But they should think about the messages that kind of policy sends -- especially to those that make their money by spreading scumware.

Cheers,

Wil

[AnI4AnI]

Oh, Wil! You're so cute when you talk old-fashioned to us!

Don't you know that type of business is only used for the ultra-conservative, wealthy tycoons and in remote tribal areas of the rain forests where a handshake and three taps on the bongo drum is considered perfectly trustworthy? Don't you know we've now evolved into the "me, me, me...it's all about me" era, where it's en vogue to wear huge, bright, yellow pins that scream "I detest customers"? Where employees who resign or are promoted from one position are forced to train their replacements instead of the company utilizing previously established training guides and manuals, therefore ensuring the next round of employees will enter into the work environment sufficiently diluted.

Of course, we're talking about the internet, now. The wild west. Anything goes. Where folks can easily scam, lie, cheat, boast, abuse, break laws and generally ride in and shoot up the town without so much as a slap on the wrist. Where lawyers aren't interested and federal agents are still catching up to crimes commited before the millenieum.

Yes, I think our expectations are way too high. I think we need to settle for bosses who are preparing their speeches to the parole boards or subsidizing their unemployment checks by using the trust of thousands of naive people just waiting and willing to be scammed. I think we need to considerably lower our standards to mirror the current trends. We need to be grateful that we even had the opportunity to spend hundreds of hours, spent lots of money on resources, contributed our energy and time away from our families to be able to support these program owners in their endeavers of gaining equity on their houses or leasing a new Town car each year.

Yes, we truly need to take a few moments to re-examine our priorities and our points of view and we should thank them all profusley for totally wasting weeks and months, even years of our lives.

[Tmarie99]

What you are describing would be classified as "professional"... Remember this is ptr and I got some very snide remarks when I told someone to be professional.
You CANNOT email someone and tell them that "it's fixed" if it's THEIR fault and not yours. You can't fix the errors on someone else's machine.
They handled it exactly as it should have been, up front and honest.

[SAS-Rod]

I didn't read the thread at HHs forum but the one thing I suggest in the future to be "professional" would be something like this:

We are very sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused you. We inspect all pages that our advertisers submit to us but since they could change at a moments notice, we cannot guarantee 100% that they are virus free.

What we would like to do to help protect our members is provide you links to better insure your computer from future threats from either our site or any site you may surf on the net.

The links are as follows: (add helpful links here)


What you are describing would be classified as "professional"... Remember this is ptr and I got some very snide remarks when I told someone to be professional.
You CANNOT email someone and tell them that "it's fixed" if it's THEIR fault and not yours. You can't fix the errors on someone else's machine.
They handled it exactly as it should have been, up front and honest.

[mymoneymachine]

LOL, if you "read" the HH forum, you'll see that no one said those things and were very kind and looked into the matter. Actually several people looked into the matter and no one was rude about it at all. It just comes here and some (I won't point fingers) decide to take it to the next level and add to it..LOL Very seldom do the mods get rude or snippy with a person unless they are down right provoking them. This can be easily seen if you happen to visit the forum. Beleive it or not, no one attacks each other, belittles them or posts some mumble jumble non sense that doesn't even relate to the topic at hand. As he stated in his above post, the Hillbillies were actually nice people, so where you get off saying they were rude and pointing out someone was ignorant, I will never know....

Now, my advice... read the facts, read what's been posted (all of it), then comment. Don't jump in mid way through a conversation and start slingling insults.

[mymoneymachine]

I didn't read the thread at HHs forum but the one thing I suggest in the future to be "professional" would be something like this:


That's bascially what was said of course in different words but an apology was given after the investigation, couldn't determine the problem so the ad stayed and members and mods offered advice on how to go about protecting their computer. :) Really.. it wasn't rude at all? LOL

[freecashspace]

LOL, if you "read" the HH forum, you'll see that no one said those things and were very kind and looked into the matter.I guess people will just have to take your word for it -- the thread seems to have disappeared. :(

Very seldom do the mods get rude or snippy with a person unless they are down right provoking them. This can be easily seen if you happen to visit the forum. Beleive it or not, no one attacks each other, belittles them or posts some mumble jumble non sense that doesn't even relate to the topic at hand.Believe it or not?

http://groovin-hillbilly.com/index.php?showtopic=4005

Not. :\

As he stated in his above post, the Hillbillies were actually nice people, so where you get off saying they were rude and pointing out someone was ignorant, I will never know.... Here's a copy of the post:
Well, well, well, DeMericka, there we have it - finally!!! Ignorance, plain ignorance... Anyone relying on a few firewalls, Norton and McAfee alone for protection is just plain ignorant.

Boasting about being a marketing major AND repeatedly giving a false representation of facts doesn't exactly add to your credibility. Nor is being stubborn and refusing to take advice from people who know what they are talking about. And YOU have something to say about this whole business being dishonest? Roflmao....

So you left PTR now huh? Well good luck out there and have fun with the next trojan you pick up!

Now, my advice... read the facts, read what's been posted (all of it), then comment. Don't jump in mid way through a conversation and start slingling insults.Good advice. It's a shame that its not likely anybody will be able to follow it, now that the thread at the Hillbilly forum is no longer available.

Cheers,

Wil

[drjonah]

I guess people will just have to take your word for it -- the thread seems to have disappeared. :(

Believe it or not?

http://groovin-hillbilly.com/index.php?showtopic=4005

Not. :\

Here's a copy of the post:


Good advice. It's a shame that its not likely anybody will be able to follow it, now that the thread at the Hillbilly forum is no longer available.

Cheers,

Wil

oh i'm sure you've already taken plenty of screen shots....have tons of spread-sheets and spoken with the attourney general in Texas right? :cool:

[Tmarie99]

oh i'm sure you've already taken plenty of screen shots....have tons of spread-sheets and spoken with the attourney general in Texas right? :cool:
http://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/emoticons/LOL.GIFhttp://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/emoticons/LOL.GIFhttp://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/emoticons/LOL.GIFhttp://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/emoticons/LOL.GIF

[freecashspace]

oh i'm sure you've already taken plenty of screen shots....have tons of spread-sheets and spoken with the attourney general in Texas right? :cool:Last I heard, unprofessional service wasn't against the law....not even in Texas.

And after checking the Texas DPS website, it seems that gutless attacks against a fellow forum member aren't illegal in Texas either. As best I can tell, they are against the Hillbilly Forum rules, but since the Mods are in on it too, I guess they're pretty selective about how they enforce the rules over there.

I wonder if that's because people are allowed to carry concealed weapons in Texas? Are people generally more polite to one another when there's the chance the person they're mouthing off to is carrying a .357? :alien:

Cheers,

Wil

[moniopt]

If your using Internet Explorer as your browser, you might want to consider switching to firefox. The open source code is suppose to run independently of your operating system unlike IE. So your entire computer won’t necessarily be exposed to flaws and attacks on the browser software. There are other advantages also that makes browsing safer when using firefox. You can download the latest version here if you want. http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/

On a side note, Microsoft added a couple of critical updates the other day to plug up some holes. Those using IE may want to scan your computer to check if your configuration calls for these updates. I downloaded them and then decided to go with firefox. It’s getting dangerous out here and IE is a big target for the low life’s. http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp



This isn't really because the program's a scam. As far as I can tell from the posts here Hillbilly-Hangout pays when it's supposed to and is an all around fun site. However, I got a Trojan virus from the site. (Yes, I'm sure it was from HH in an email.) This could be deemed an honest mistake EXCEPT for the fact that it has been reported in their forum and the moderators replied with this comment:

"Contaminated emails? You didn't get any trojan from emails sent by HH...
Perhaps that webpage you referred to is the culprit but perhaps not, it could be it just set off what you picked up elsewhere.
Funny though that yours is the only complaint as far as I know... what do you use for protection? "

Instead of specifically stating that this did not come from Hillbilly Hangout, wouldn't the best business move here have been to investigate the claim and correct it?

"Ack, I've tested and tested and tested the links you've referred to and not one of my alarms have gone off ( and I have many), so I dunno what else to do except tell ya to avoid those links your clicking. "

Hmmm...if I have to worry about getting a virus because the company doesn't care enough to check for the reported line in the emails they send, how about I just avoid clicking at the site at all.

"It's not from HH its from the search engines themselves TRUST ME. I've had my registry crash due to search trojans being on my computer and its all because some of the search engines have them embedded when you click. The spyware I got almost destroyed my computer."

Perhaps, in order to increase the safety of its members, Hillbilly Hangout should eliminate searches from the program since this is what they claim is causing people to get viruses at their site.

"Ack, I've tested and tested and tested the links you've referred to and not one of my alarms have gone off ( and I have many), so I dunno what else to do except tell ya to avoid those links your clicking."

As for this comment, I'm a marketing major and a customer service representative for a very successful office products firm, I have learned very quickly that making a comment like this without even offering further investigation is bad business practice. If this keeps happening, how does HH plan to keep its member base? Again, if I have to worry about getting a virus because the company doesn't care enough to check for the reported line in the emails they send, how about I just avoid clicking at the site at all.

I am leaving HH because of this issue. I feel that the company's failure to properly address this issue indicates a lack of interest in the safety of its members and I can't risk the viruses. If you can handle the risk, go ahead and continue using the program. My computer is worth more than the 1/4 cent they offer in their emails.

[drjonah]

uh oh, looks like the Hillbilly forum is closing down.....I wonder if it's all a big conspiricy to cover up the horrible things the site is doing....boy am I glad there is a 'detective' on the case and I'll bet his first 'suspect' would be Sophie at GPF :laugh:

[Tmarie99]

Last I heard, unprofessional service wasn't against the law....not even in Texas.
Cheers,

Wil
There is no obligation for being a professional, Wil. We've had that discussion and when I said the "p" word I got snide remarks about PTR not being a "profession". So, you're professional argument holds no water.

[wagdoll]

Tmarie, weren't you talking about members being professional though? I agree with Wil's description of what a member's 'job' is. While I think members should try to remain polite I don't think they should be held to the same level of professionalism that a business owner/customer service rep should be held to.

If a member had been waiting 2 weeks over TOS for payment and sent off an email 'where the heck is my money', then the po answered back with 'stop whining, you members make me sick you lazy lot of good for nothings', I would have a Lot more sympathy with the member.

PTR isn't a 'profession' for the member, but it is for the owner and even for the helpers to an extent, so I do think those people need to act 'professionally'.