In about 20 minutes I will be live on the web with Tracy Repchuk, author of the bestselling book 31 Days to Millionaire Marketing Miracles and host of the “Today’s Guest” on blog talk radio.

From her website:

The “TodaysGuest” FAB-5 Radio Team provides a like-minded community for entrepreneurs and those seeking an empowered and enlightened lifestyle, and introduces you to people making that happen.

We are going to be talking Top Affiliate Challenge with some interesting behind the scenes information that has never been shared before. As this interview is being conducted, the voting system at the Top Affiliate Challenge website is under a complete audit.

The top 10 is shifting as we speak, and if you want to know why, you should listen to the live show or the podcast

About a week or so ago I was interviewed for a podcast that is currently up on Podnutz.com. The interview was originally supposed to be about techie computer stuff, but it kind of morphed into an interview about starting a business and learning your marketplace.

We talked about how my computer repair company Schrock Innovations was started, some of the common pitfalls a new computer repair company should be careful to avoid, and how one of my local competitors in Lincoln is making a decision right now about his business that he will regret later.

This is a lot different than what you will hear on Compute This every week, but if you are an aspiring entrepreneur or an experienced business owner you will probably enjoy this one.

I was very impressed by Steve’s interview style. A lot of people on the radio (myself included) tend to draw out questions sometimes. Steve was sharp, to the point, and his questions cut through the BS and asked what his listeners were probably thinking.

In fact, one of his listeners even started a thread in the Podnutz Forums about the episode. Thanks for the interview Steve and I look forward to talking with you again in the future

If you have ever wondered how data recover works when your poor backup habits come back to bite you, you should watch this video. It pretty much says it all.

I am always interested in new ways to monetize my blog and make money online. Yesterday I received an email that peeked my interest. It appeared to be highly personalized, specific to my blog, and was very complimentary about my writing and traffic levels. A lesser person might have been suckered.

Yes, the email could have been spam, but they said I could have up to $4,800 a month for my content. That’s a heck of a lot better than the $1.04 I have earned this week with TextLinkAds. A lesser person might have succumb to temptation.

Here is the email that attempted to capitalize on my vanity, pride, and plain old greed:

We’ve seen your website at http://www.thorschrock.com
and we love it! We are very impressed with
your content and would like to work with you.

We see that your traffic rank is 240557
and your link popularity is 12.
Also, you have been online since 26/11/2002.

With that kind of traffic, we will pay you up to $4,800/month
to advertise our links on your website.

As my feet settled back down to Earth I looked at the email from a coding perspective. I could imagine each bit of “personal” information looking less like “we see your traffic rank as 240557″ and more like “we see your traffic traffic rank as $alexa_rank”.

I decided to do some searching and see if I could find anything more about where this email came from that toyed with my basic human emotions.

I tracked the email all the way back to its evil source. It turns out that a guy named Stephan Ducharme (pronounced douche-are-me) has a software package that scrapes information off the web and then blasts unsuspecting webmasters and bloggers with dreams of *up-to* a gagjillian dollars.

So I decided to see how far this Douche-are-me fan would go. Here is what I emailed back to the spammer:

Thank you so much for your kind words! I have been working hard to get my Alexa numbers up and it is nice that people are noticing!

Let me know what kind of ads you want to place on my website and what kind of performance would be required to sustain a long-term advertising commitment.

I am looking forward to hearing from you!

Its only fair I guess… They wasted my time, so I suppose I should waste a little of theirs as well

Another lesson learned in blog maintenance…  Upgraded to the latest version of Wordpress and the comment problem was resolved.  I posted a test comment just to be certain.

So here is your chance!  Post a comment now to win a FREE copy of Parallels for Mac!  This is the software that allows you to run Windows software on your Mac.

If you missed out on this prize, next week you can win a free copy of Norton Internet Security just by subscribing to this blog’s RSS or subscribing by email!

A few readers have pointed out that they are unable to place comments on my posts since we installed the Feedburner Email Subscription code on the blog.

We have a ton of maintenance to do on the blog today and we are working on the comment problem as we speak. Normally I would have drawn for the Parallels card this afternoon, but with no one able to comment, that wouldn’t be too smart

Stay tuned…

Windows XP Service Pack 3 is coming out on the 29th and NASA is working on computers that can fix themselves! We have a lot to talk about and of course, your calls and emails!

We will have a new Top Affiliate Challenge update for you with new sponsors and new developments in Lincoln’s own reality show as well.

Tune into the show at 10:00 CST on KFOR 1240 Am, or online at kfor1240.com You can call in at 489-1240 or #1240 on your Alltel wireless. We also have an 800 number available at 1-866-TALK-UNL.

We will talk to you then!

Have you ever seen something on the news that just made your blood boil? I actually thought about not posting this today because it will just feed the story and help these tasteless opportunists make more money. In the end the story needs to be told, and I am going to do something about it.

You might have heard the “Bush Lied They Died” anti-war catch phrase over the past five years. This is not a post that supports or opposes the Iraq war in any way. This is not a political post. This is a post based in human decency.

The website carryabigsticker.com is selling a T-Shirt that has the names of almost 4,000 fallen US soldiers on it with the words Bush Lied They Died superimposed over the names. There are also other variations of the shirts available including “When they ask why we died tell them it was because our fathers lied.”

Ok, I get it. You are against the war and want to express your free speech and sell T-Shirts that have anti-war slogans on them. That’s cool. No problem. But it crosses a line when you start using the names of the men and women who died fighting that war to pad your company’s bank account.

The parents of one of those soldiers politely asked the company to stop using their son’s name on the T-Shirts. Spc. Brandon Michael Reed was killed by an IED while on patrol in Iraq in 2004. Put yourself in the place of this company. A mother and father whose son gave the greatest sacrifice to his country ask you to stop using his name. What would you do?

I would stop using the soldier’s name. But that’s not what Carry a Big Sticker did. They refused, and now the parents are suing the company to get them to stop. In the meantime, the company is printing even more shirts sighting the increased demand caused by media coverage.

Dan Frazier, the owner of the website, confidently claims that he will continue to print the shirts until demand dries up or “they throw me in jail.”

I am no lawyer, but I don’t think Frazier is looking at any jail time. However, no decent person could argue that this man’s entrepreneurial activities are distasteful and seek to profit on the death of U.S. Soldiers.

I have decided to do something about the situation. I have pulled my lead graphic designer off of his current projects to design a T-Shirt of our own. I have placed calls to several T-Shirt shops asking them to heavily discount the shirts or provide them for free. I am going to sell these shirts on the web and through my local computer repair service centers and donate every penny of the money I make to the Freedom Alliance.

Unlike Mr. Frazier, I am not going to presume to use the names of fallen soldiers to sell T-Shirts without the permission of their families.

Everyone I spoke to today thinks I am over reacting to this story. But I just can’t help to think about how I would feel if my son’s name was used like this. This guy may have a right to print things in bad taste, but that doesn’t mean that decent people can’t show him that there is a better way to do things.

What do you think?

Ok, so the famed “Big Thor” HDX Computer from HP died today. Hard drive crash completely unrecoverable. I called HP and experienced some of their “quality” support.
I was getting pretty upset with this guy named “Pierce” so I decided to start quoting song lyrics to see if he recognized them. Lets just say he was not in the US. How many songs can you name from the conversation?

00Here’s the transcript:

Thor Schrock: ok
Pierce: Could you please let me know was the Notebook sealed in a box or open condition?
Thor Schrock: sealed
Thor Schrock: booted 1 time then nothing
Thor Schrock: no system disk
Thor Schrock: is the error i get
Pierce: Thank you for confirming the same.
Pierce: May I know which Operating System (Windows Vista or Windows XP) is installed on your Notebook?
Pierce: Am I clear with the above quiery regarding the Operating System, Thor?
Thor Schrock: Vista Home Premium
Pierce: Thank you.
Pierce: Thank you.
Pierce: To assist you better, could you please provide me the serial and product number of the notebook (eg: Serial :-CNS34915MC), (eg:Product :-DS542U) which are specified on the sticker underneath the Notebok
Thor Schrock: SN=cnu8115dt
Thor Schrock: pn=gw473av
Pierce: Thank you for confirming the product information details.
Pierce: Let us start some troubleshooting steps to isolate the issue.
Thor Schrock: k
Pierce: Thor, as the issue could be due to the hard disk not being detected or malfunctioning, we need to check its working condition.
Thor Schrock: ok
Pierce: So we can perform hard drive self test to check its working status.
Thor Schrock: what do i need to fo?
Thor Schrock: dio
Thor Schrock: omg i cant type
Thor Schrock: what do i need to do
Thor Schrock: hello?
Pierce: Yes, I am with you.
Pierce: Just to confirm, you are not chatting from the same Notebook which is not booting. Am I correct?
Thor Schrock: uh, yes that is correct
Thor Schrock: different notebook
Thor Schrock: new notebook thatt was to replace this one is dead
Thor Schrock: DOA
Thor Schrock: Still with me ‘Pierce’?
Thor Schrock: this is not the kind of service I expect with a $2000+ retail cost notebook
Pierce: Yes, I am with you.
Pierce: I apologize for the long delay in response due to technical issue I am expereinceing at my end.
Pierce: I realize how trying the situation is, and I certainly hope we can help.
Thor Schrock: I am not trying to be rude, I just have other things to do this afternoon
Pierce: I can understand your concern.
Thor Schrock: I was actually writing a blog post about the new HP notebook that HP sent me to review
Thor Schrock: that is the notebook I am having problems with’
Pierce: I will provide you the steps to perform the hard drive selft test.
Pierce: Here are the steps:-
Pierce: Please try below steps to check the condition of the hard drive using the built-in hard drive test on HP notebook PCs:

1. Turn on or Restart the computer.
2. Press and hold down the F10 key before anything is displayed on the screen.
3. Use the arrow keys to highlight the TOOLS tab in the setup menu.
4. Use the arrow keys to select Hard Drive Self Test from the menu.
5. Press the ENTER key to start the test.
Thor Schrock: Entering Setup
Thor Schrock: I am in the computer setup screen
Thor Schrock: my options are file, security, diagnostics, and system configuration
Thor Schrock: diagnostics i assume?
Thor Schrock: Under diagnostic, the HDD self-test option is greyed out
Thor Schrock: can not select it
Pierce: Okay..
Pierce: Let me check for the other options how we can proceed.
Pierce: I am still searching.
Thor Schrock: ok
Pierce: Thank you for your time and patience.
Pierce: Could you please let me know does the Notebook unable to boot only on battery or even using AC adapter?
Thor Schrock: i have tried both
Thor Schrock: battery doesn’t work alone, ac doesn’t work alone, and when hooked up tother its a no go
Thor Schrock: hard drive is seated properly, power drain already done,
Thor Schrock: either a bad bios or bad hdd
Thor Schrock: but i did the power drain again so we can check that one off
Thor Schrock: still has a badd hdd after the power drain
Pierce: It is good to hear that you are a technically sound person.
Pierce: Please let me know does the power lights glow or power button.
Thor Schrock: the power ligt is solid
Thor Schrock: so is the hdd indicator and the AC light
Thor Schrock: some time i just think live and let die, you know hat i mean man?
Thor Schrock: seriously every rose has its thorn
Thor Schrock: just like every night has its dawn
Thor Schrock: i gues every cowboy has a sad sad song
Thor Schrock: but i digress
Thor Schrock: still non-system disk
Pierce: I realize the gravity of the situation and I certainly would like to assure you of our best services as your satisfaction is our primary goal.
Pierce: Could you please let me know have you connected any external device or inserted any disc into optical drive?
Thor Schrock: no
Thor Schrock: no discs or drives
Pierce: Allright..
Pierce: In this regard, I recommend you to once reset the BIOS.
Pierce: Shall I proceed with the steps?
Thor Schrock: please
Pierce: Here are the steps to reset BIOS:-
Pierce: 1. Turn on or restart the notebook.
2. Press the F10 key when the “HP Invent” logo appears on the screen.
3. Under Exit menu, select “Load Setup Defaults.”
4. Make sure the ‘Yes’ is highlighted and hit enter.
5. Press F10 to save the changes.
6. Make sure the ‘Yes’ is highlighted and hit enter.
7. The computer should then shut down and reboot.
Thor Schrock: done
Thor Schrock: rebooting
Thor Schrock: just one of those days
Thor Schrock: one of those he said she said things
Thor Schrock: no boot
Thor Schrock: take me to the other side
Thor Schrock: like th devil and teh deep blue sea
Thor Schrock: still with me?
Thor Schrock: put me in coah
Thor Schrock: im ready to play
Thor Schrock: today
Pierce: Yes, I am with you.
Thor Schrock: cool
Thor Schrock: im ready to play center field
Thor Schrock: any other iadeas?
Pierce: I understand that the Notebook does not boot even now. Am I correct?
Thor Schrock: you are syill correct
Pierce: Thank you.
Thor Schrock: when you dream dream big
Thor Schrock: big as the ocean blue
Thor Schrock: and when you dream it might come true
Thor Schrock: i dream my notebook boots
Pierce: I too wish the Notebook booted after going through these troubleshooting steps.
Pierce: Could you please re-confirm the serial and product number?
Thor Schrock: sn=cnu81125dt
Thor Schrock: pn=gw473av
Pierce: Thank you.
Thor Schrock: im a slave for you
Pierce: Could you please confirm the shipping information along with the contact number?
Thor Schrock: no doubt about it
Thor Schrock: my shipping address and phone number?
Thor Schrock: 3477 S. 16th Street
Thor Schrock: Omaha Ne 68108
Thor Schrock: 402-212-5393
Thor Schrock: is there anybody out there?
Thor Schrock: and im thinking how small the world seems now
Pierce: Could you please also confirm the order number?
Thor Schrock: ok
Thor Schrock: jas
Thor Schrock: H102903069
Thor Schrock: love potion #9
Thor Schrock: so just out of curiosity, where are you located?
Pierce: We are not authorized to reveal any personal information as it is beyond our limitations.
Pierce: I apologize for the inconvenience caused to you in this regard
Thor Schrock: Im just curious
Pierce: Thor, I am directing the case over to the phone support.
Thor Schrock: not in the US then>
Pierce: Shall I arrange a call for you right now for further processing?
Thor Schrock: please
Thor Schrock: I am at my phone here in the US
Pierce: Thank you.
Thor Schrock: np
Pierce: Please provide me the correct phone number?
Thor Schrock: 402-212-5393
Pierce: I recommend you provide the phone number which you used while ordering the notebook
.
Thor Schrock: that should be the number
Thor Schrock: try one more time
Thor Schrock: i just edited it inmy hp account
Thor Schrock: 867-5349
Thor Schrock: j/k
Thor Schrock: 402-212-5393
Pierce: Thor, the phone number which you provided is seems to be incorrect.
Thor Schrock: the numbe rthat was provided was 402-423-9595
Thor Schrock: but i am not at that number right now
Pierce: Please provide me the alternate /mobile number on which we can all you right now.
Thor Schrock: and time goes by so sloly and time can do so much
Thor Schrock: 402-212-5393
Pierce: Thor, we are trying to reach you but the call is going in voice mail.
Thor Schrock: please try again
Thor Schrock: i as on the line temporarily
Thor Schrock: 402-212-5393
Pierce: Do you want to receive the call at 402-212-5393?
Thor Schrock: yes
Pierce: Please wait while the concerned department is busy trying to reach your number.
Thor Schrock: i just got the call
Thor Schrock: man his accent is think!
Thor Schrock: thick
Thor Schrock: he is transferrring me somewhere
Thor Schrock: couldn’t understand where but i guess they can help me
Pierce: Please continue. They will take care of further process.
Pierce: Is there anything else I can assist you today ?
Thor Schrock: i guess not
Thor Schrock: its been nice talking to you tho
Thor Schrock: I feel like we have gottent o kno each other
Thor Schrock: what are you doing on Friday?
Thor Schrock: I have a huge blog and I would love to have a HP tech onn it
Thor Schrock: you could be huge
Thor Schrock: a guest blogger
Thor Schrock: i bet you have lots f stories about people
Thor Schrock: saying stupid song lyrics and such
Pierce: It is great to hear that you are into blogs.
Pierce: It was my pleasure assisting you today.
Thor Schrock: so is that a no?
Thor Schrock: you could be famous…
Pierce: Thank you for using HP Total Care and giving us an opportunity to serve you through Real-Time Chat.
Thor Schrock: ouch
Thor Schrock: that must be f10
Thor Schrock: macro
Pierce: I wish I could be a part of your bloggs.
Thor Schrock: np
Thor Schrock: thanks anyway
Pierce: You are welcome.
Thor Schrock: youre prolly not cool enough any way
Pierce: Have nice time ahead.
Thor Schrock: have a great day!
Pierce: Good bye.
Pierce: Please contact us again if you require any further assistance. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For information on keeping your HP and Compaq products up and running, please visit our Web site at:
http://www.hp.com/go/totalcare

The absolute falsehood that humans are causing the climate of the planet to change because of our carbon-emitting habits is beginning to get on my nerves.

Last year I was repairing a computer at one of my customer’s homes. My customer had a 12 year old son who just came home from school. As I worked he was telling me what he learned in school that day. His teachers told him that global warming was caused by humans and all of their wasteful habits. He was told that the fossil fuels we burn were going to destroy the planet unless something is done soon.

I really felt sorry for the poor kid. Students should be able to trust the information they receive from their teachers, yet this child was obviously the victim of environmental propoganda.

I asked him to explain to me how burning fossil fuels was destroying the earth. He replied that its all of the carbon we pump into the atmosphere and that is bad. I asked him if it was possible that volcanoes, or just human breathing could be emitting more carbon than any human source. He was adamant. No, it was OUR fault and we are all bad for doing it.

Anyone who tells you that human induced global warming is a consensus in the scientific community is flat out lying. One very prominent scientist named William Gray has been speaking out for years about the false claim that humans cause global warming. He concedes that the globe is in fact warming and he also admits that humans emit chemicals that might contribute to global warming (albeit .3 degrees Celsius over 30 years). Has anyone ever heard of the Little Ice Age?

Global warming and cooling is a cyclical process that has more to do with solar activity than human carbon emissions. Of course, its is hard for people who base decisions on emotion to step back and see that.

A great example was the propaganda I was exposed to when I was in grade school about how humans were destroying the ozone layer. I remember insisting that my mom use a pump bottle of hairspray instead of the evil CFCs in the aerosol cans of the 1980’s.

It is now established science that the ozone layer depletes and heals cyclically. The CFC’s of the 1980s definitely had the ability to help the depletion cycle, but no one ever mentions that the ozone layer would wax and wane regardless of anything humans can do.

The Global Warming cult movement is rapidly moving away from science and moving toward an eco-religion.

To Al Gore and anyone who subscribes to his dogma, thanks anyway but I already have a God.