Sick Sites Stories

Stop the iPhone 5 Rumor Insanity

Last week, some idiot sent us a ginned-up fake Web page advertising a Sprint iPhone 4S. We weren't gullible enough to be suckered by his awful Photoshop job, but how do any of us know some less experienced blogger didn't transmute him into one of those "reliable sources," to be repeated credulously all over the Net?

Several times in the past year, I've thought of inventing a fictitious analyst group and posting plausible, totally made-up reports about Apple on their invented Web site to see which blogs pick them up without vetting them. Now I've ruined the idea by telling you, or maybe I've planted the seed of doubt that any of these analysts could be doing this.

Let's add to this mix stories based on "iPhone 5G" items seen on Chinese Web sites , stories based on patent filings without any evidence of an actual product, and stories based on random photos people find on the Internet without knowing who posted them. (I have seen all of these in the past few months.) When I went to the Shenzhen electronics markets , there were plenty of booths with "iPhone 5G accessories." None of them were actually iPhone 5G accessories.

Then there are the rumors based on things that analysts feel should happen, reported as fact. Here we get Deutsche Bank's Chris Whitmore asserting Apple needs to make a cheaper iPhone (just because he thinks so) and Piper Jaffray's Chris Larsen saying the iPhone should come to Sprint and T-Mobile (because he says it's a good idea.) Somehow, when ground through the rumor mill, these suggestions read as predictions.

Suggestions vs. Predictions vs. Rumors
I make suggestions, too (for instance, calling for Nokia to not drop MeeGo for Windows Phone ), but at least my suggestions don't appear to be predictions. Or at least they shouldn't. But unlike my jabber-jawing self, stock analysts actually get people to bet money based on their suggestions/predictions, so they have to appear much more confident than I do.

There's a place for stories based on anonymous sources. When I was a baby journalist, my mentors gave me a rule that if I could assemble three anonymous sources for a story, I could run that story. It's better to get the information out there, even if the sources aren't willing to be quoted. My reputation would ride on the result.

But the Internet's link culture has turned this into empty rumormongering. Maybe analyst so-and-so has two good sources for his info. He can run with the story. But everyone else who then links to and cites and digests his story doesn't know who his sources are. We're taking bald assertions on faith, which is exactly what journalists aren't supposed to do. That's not just about our pride: our whole job is to tell people what's true, which we can't do if we can't verify the sources.

Online Dating Advice For Women- Are You Sick of Losers? | free ...

Generally, women can feel more awkward about the choice of online dating than men might. This usually due to the amount of poor stories related to internet dating sites, which often make women feel more vulnerable for considering the site. There are actually a number of sites that are more secure than you would expect. The following online dating advice for women should be considered for counteracting the negative stories that have been heard.

You shouldn’t let the stories that you have heard on the news about online dating sites keep you from trying it out for yourself. In actuality, there are a lot of success stories about women that have found their ideal man from using sites like these. If you are not sure about how you can find a companion or even someone new in your area, then you might want to try out a dating site.

For some women, online dating sites can be bothersome because of how they feel it may reflect on their self esteem. You should never feel ashamed or embarrassed that you are using a dating site to help you find someone. Instead, try to view it as a positive experience that can help you find a man that you will be more compatible with.

Choosing to internet date can be just as safe as other dates you would go on. There are number of safe and respectful men that can be found on these sites. Despite what you might hear, internet dating sites are not completely the dangerous choice that many people think them to be. However, there is a certain amount of discretion and caution that you should approach any date with.

If you feel a bit shy about your choice to use internet dating sites, it’s alright to feel that way. You might even want to express it to your date. More than likely, they might be feeling a little awkward or shy about the situation also. If you can both communicate about your feelings, you will be more likely to have better date with each other.

Don’t let yourself feel disappointed if your first dates aren’t completely what you thought they would be. It is important to understand that sometimes people interact and express themselves differently than they do on the internet. You will find some people that you will have some impressive chemistry with instantly as well. Every date is separate and different, so don’t let one date reflect on your entire internet dating experience.

In addition to this, it is still going to take time for you to find someone that might be your life partner. It is important to realize this and know that you are going to still have to take your time finding someone. The site will make it easier for you to locate this person, but it doesn’t mean that you might find them instantly.

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