When sparks fly.
May 30, 2008 Sponsored
Some of you might already know that I’m a member of Payperpost.com. Payperpost.com is a company which connects bloggers and advertisers together, helping both sides make a little pocket change. Bloggers get paid to review websites and promote products, advertisers…well, they get advertised.
Some time ago, the company behind Payperpost decided to come out with SocialSpark. On the surface, SocialSpark appears to be exactly what Payperpost is. Advertisers and fellow bloggers can pay you to review and write about products and sites. But that’s just the surface, SocialSpark is a vast improvement on Payperpost’s original idea.
The focus has turned greatly toward building and creating a sense of community within users. User’s can comment on profiles, visit blogs through profiles, see recent posts from blogs, thumb up and give props to their favorite users, send private messaging and so, so, so much more.
Here, I’ve chosen to link to my own personal profile on SocialSpark to give you a taste of what things look like: SocialSpark: MPence.
As a PPP blogger, I really dig the new 2.0 look to it as well.
The only cons between Socialspark and Payperpost that I can see is the difference of Terms of Use. If you are a member of Payperpost and getting away with more risqué blog writings that may include strong language or adult subjects, SocialSpark is not as accepting. If you co-blog with some one, co-authors blogs are not accepted by SSpark as they are with PPP.
I am a member of SocialSpark, despite the fact that 2phatgeeks is ineligible for taking any opportunities and I remain a member because I think the tools SocialSpark offer can still create a great sense of fellowship with your brethren bloggers. SSpark offers us chances to connect and get to know one another giving a greater sense of ‘net family that PPP sometimes misses.
Obviously, the one thing I can’t tell you about SSpark is payments, whether they are on time or reliable. However, if you look at member numbers I am sure that’s a positive in that direction.
I can tell you that I have written four sponsored posts (this one makes it five as it pends) for PPP, haven’t had them rejected and they have never been late with payment. If SSpark is as alike as PPP, I imagine they are as prompt there as they are with Payperpost. Customer service from Izea, the company behind both sites had been prompt, polite and to the point whenever I have had contact with them or questions.
Most of the good things I could say about Payperpost and SocialSpark have been covered in my first foray into paid blogging, but I’d like to reiterate that I’ve really enjoyed my time so far with both sites.
In spite of the fact that I am, of course, getting paid to write this article– I wholly recommend them to anyone looking to practice their writing skills and make a little cash on the sides. I’m not writing this just because someone is paying me too, I’m writing it because I believe in what I am saying and I like the company. Try it out, tell them elf_fu sentcha. I bet you won’t be disappointed.
Tags: payperpost, SocialSpark
Stop playing games with your crotch.
May 30, 2008 Video Blogs
A video plea to those female gamers in MMORPG’s. You know the ones; we’ve all passed them stripped naked in towns begging for gold.
Chocolate is the best; anyone who likes vanilla is dumb.
May 29, 2008 Rants
“I like using XP.”
“Well, I like Vista, and anyone who likes XP is an inbred cross eyed pterodactyl.”
“World of Warcraft is alright for some, it just wasn’t for me.”
“FRAK U. WORLD OF WARCRAFT IS THE AWESOMEST SAUCE ON THE FACE OF THE PLANET AND U SUCK FOR NOT LIKING IT N UR MOM SUCKS N UR FACE SUCKS.”
“Age of Conan is pretty awesome.”
“I’ve had nothing but problems with the game since I started. Therefore, the game is awful and you’re stupid for liking it.”
“I like Dooce.”
“Omg, Dooce does things in a manner I don’t agree with so that makes her the DEVIL.”
Can you spot the pattern in all of these pretend conversations that are almost-but-not-quite like a few I’ve read online lately?
In almost every conversation that boils down to people expressing their opinions on what they do or do not like, those who have opposing sides belittle and shoot down the other person simply because…well—their viewpoint differs.
Vista users mock those still using XP, Gamers from other MMORPG’s mock those who play WoW (look, I know there’s a stereo type stuck to WoW players but some of them are sane, really. I know a few of them!) and people are generally being arsehats to one another over the smallest things. When it comes to someone liking something that you do not, I beg a question of you:
So long as it isn’t illegal, harming anyone, mentally scarring or life threatening—what does it really matter?
If I am enjoying my chocolate cup cake with sprinkles on top and you notice me eating my delicious sugary treat and happen to be a crusader for vanilla; why stop everything you are doing to get worked up over it? Why stoop to insults, name calling and other behavior that is no doubt unhealthy for your blood pressure? Why can’t you eat your cupcake and let me eat mine? Isn’t there something far more constructive we can all be doing with all this pent up disagreement-energy we have floating around?
If you absolutely must make your point, or share that you disagree with something, people are more apt to listen to you if you come at them calmly, keeping in mind that not everyone likes what you like. If your opening argument is rife with belittling commentary, as well as name calling, you’re probably not going to get the sort of response you were hoping for and possibly risk being named a troll. Seriously take five minutes and do your best to think of things from their side. How would you react to things if you were their shoes?
I don’t get the trend lately for mocking someone for liking something we don’t like or for being different. Isn’t that what we’re supposed to be celebrating as part of humanity; diversity and the joy of being different?
If not, then I guess I still have my chocolate. This is of course, a thousand times better than vanilla and makes me a million times better than anyone who likes vanilla, because anyone who does is obviously dumb.
He likes us! He really likes us!
May 28, 2008 Computers and Internet
No, it’s not Mikey that really likes us–but Jason from The University Kid.
It’s official ladies and gentlemen, we’ve had our first no-foolin’ review from a fellow blogger that I respect and admire.
Jason’s writing is bold, honest, to the point and stuffed full to the gills with information on how best to turn your blog into an income machine as well as bucket fulls of good advice. He also created and runs Blog Premiere, a great blog and forum for bloggers of all types interested in blogs. So, when I found out that I’d won a review from The University Kid’s massive contest run a month or so back, I admit I was a little nervous.
We’re not a big name and we don’t really have a lot of flash, bang or boom–what we do have is humor, a little bit of the everyday and enough geek to sink a few ships; I was a tad worried about our first impression.
I’m glad to say that Jason doesn’t want to kill us with fire and truly happy to see the commentary positive!
Thanks so much, Jason, for the great review and being the first! 
Tags: 2PG reviewed
For us, there is no spring. Just the wind that smells fresh before the storm.
May 27, 2008 Games
Various screen shots from the MMORPG Age of Conan. Shawn and I are having a blast playing this game together!
Tags: Age of Conan
Which witch is which? A.K.A: Web hosting, how do you pick?
May 25, 2008 Sponsored
Three years ago, I admit that I thought the blogging world began and ended with one of the many journal hosting sites such as Live Journal, Xanga, and Blogger. I’d look from the corner of my eye green with envy at self-hosted Word Press sites with their own snappy domain names that fit their niche. Then continued to tickity-tap-type away on my Live Journal wishing I could have just a little more control, just a little more SEO settings, and just over all, a little more everything.
Shawn and I realized in order to do that, we’d have to go on out into the big wide world of buying our own domain and choosing a name that best represented us–and we did. Great! Awesome! But after we grabbed the name we were faced with the larger dilemma most every-day ‘net users are faced with: web hosting and where to get it?
There are so many hosting sites out there. If you’re like us and only marginally ‘net savvy, choosing one can become a chore or a nightmare (depending on your understanding of website jargon and the likes.) How do you pick one that is right for you? How do find one that offers just the correct amount of services to fit your needs? Where can you find real, honest consumer reviews and reports on hosting companies and where can you read helpful advice on web hosting?
Behold. I bring you Web Hosting Rating. Not only will you find customer reviews, but you’ll find a plethora of helpful articles, such as Web hosting security, Can cheap hosting be good?, and much, much more. All targeted to guide you on your way toward choosing a web hosting service that’s just right for you.
If you’re stuck on the fence and wondering whether or not to self-host a blog because you don’t know which company to choose or why, I really recommend checking Web Hosting Rating out. Definitely a guide you don’t want to miss!
