Patsy Lim & Terry Smith » Internet Marketing

President Obama and Internet Censorship

Patsy Lim — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:57:47 +0000

The “Internet Kill Switch” bill, or its official name The Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act in America moves to the floor after it was approved by a key Senate Committee yesterday. Under the guise of national security (and we’ve all heard this from China before), the US government is proposing to hand President Obama the power to shut down the Internet for at least four months without Congressional oversight! What it means is that President Obama would have absolute power to close down networks, and block incoming Internet traffic from certain countries under a declared national emergency.

I don’t know about you – but this smells of Big Brother wanting to curb freedom of speech. After all, it was the Internet that helped President get elected to the Presidency. It was the independent news portal Malaysia Today and the Malaysian government’s inability to control the Internet that helped the Opposition party break the UMNO stronghold in Malaysia. For more information on this, check out Prison Planet.

Many of domains are now hosted in USA. Should we be worried … ??

Can you hide behind an “anonymous” blog?

Patsy Lim — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 02:22:21 +0000

It seems that you can no longer remain as anonymous on the Worldwide Web as you think. Google’s Blogger has now been directed by the Manhattan Supreme Court to reveal the identity of the blogger who made defamatory statements about a model Liskula Cohen. The blogger’s lawyer argued that these comments are his opinions and hyperbole – trash talk, if you will – but Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Joan Madden decided that “the thrust of the blog is that [Cohen] is a sexually promiscuous woman,” and that Cohen is entitled to sue the blogger for defamation.

As we all know, the internet is full of offensive comments and broad negative statements of all kinds. Right or wrong, this landmark decision will set a precedent for the future. On the positive side, this decision will make people think twice about posting offensive posts and comments about someone, as they’re no longer protected by the anonymity of the internet. On the downside, let’s hope it does not cause an over reaction and bring about legislation that will make life on the internet difficult.

Are you keeping up?

Patsy Lim — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:49:32 +0000

According to the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), small businesses are falling behind big businesses in getting online. Last year, 96% of big businesses have a web presence. This compares to just 27% for small businesses. Is this affecting small businesses? Very much so!

Today 9 out of 10 people start their buying decisions at a search engine. Often small businesses don’t appreciate the full value of a web presence, citing the age old “All our business comes from referrals”. Think about it – how many times have you been asked “What’s your website?”. Rightly or wrongly, a website gives you credibility. It doesn’t matter what business you’re in. Today, for most customers, no website means you’re not serious about your business.

Having said that, even if you have a website, you could be missing potential customers if you fail to have it created properly. A website should be optimised to enable search engines to find your information. The latest ABS information also confirmed that although orders received over the internet was unchanged at 24%, income generated from internet orders rose by 20% to $81 billion. Wouldn’t you like to have some of that? There are many “gurus” today who can get you a Page #1 Ranking in google … Have you noticed that those same “gurus” do not actually promise you that your internet income will actually increase? It all boils down to the keywords that you have your Page #1 Ranking for … Just think about that for a moment.

This year, the Rudd Government in Australia has decided to lend its support to small businesses to get a piece of the online pie by allocating $10m over 2 years in its Federal Budget for a Small Business Online program. The program is aimed to help equip small businesses get online and engage in e-business. However, as with all government announcements in the Budget, we are still waiting for the details of the program … So watch this space for future announcements!

Only in Australia?

Patsy Lim — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:44:02 +0000

Looks like our Corporate Watchdogs are getting a little carried away. Poor Mr Barry McMahon worte on Facebook that anyone who needed a plumber should call “Bazza” (his internet pseudonym). A Plumbers Licensing Board investigation found that the comment “Bazza” placed on Facebook was an advert and it broke the law because it failed to include “Bazza’s” licence number!!!

Which goes to show … Your “private” Facebook posting is not THAT private after all. And do we now have to be careful with our comments on the social networks (especially those of us who has a “Boss” or requires a license to operate) given the blurring of the boundaries between professional/business and personal matters. When is a personal comment on Facebook (or any other social media) not a “personal” comment and becomes a sackable offense??