John's Space

After being on Windows Live Spaces since it started, the time has come to move my blog to a dedicated blog platform.  I chose WordPress, signed up with a web host, and used a domain I registered for a while back: forawesome.net.  So check out my new blog and let me know what you think.  I think it will encourage me to post more, hack around more, and in general be a bit more active.

That said, I'm still using Windows Live Writer to post the entries.  Even on my Mac.  It's just too good.  I wish there were a Mac blog program this sweet.

I've been craigslisting some stuff recently in order to clear out the basement.  For the most part, it's going pretty well.  The Audi has been slow going and still isn't sold yet, but I probably just need to lower the price.  The 27" Sony TV, 32" Sony TV, PC Sound Card, Zune 30GB, etc. have sold quickly, and I've got someone interested in my Yamaha receiver, etc.

But what's funny is that the 12" PowerBook G4 that I listed has so far attracted 2 scams.  They're hilarious.

The first one came from an "Elizabeth Moses":

From: Elizabeth Moses <dhlee88@msn.com>
Date: Fri, Apr 11, 2008 at 9:03PM
Subject: RE: 12" PowerBook G4 - $400
To: John Holmes

Dear seller,
    I have made the payment for your item and i just got a mail from
PayPal customer service that the money has already been
deducted from my account..And i know PayPal would have send
the confirmation to you also.So, kindly get the item ship
immediately you receive confirmation mail from PayPal Via
8-10days Global Express International Mail(EMS) and get back to
me with the proof of shipping.Thanks.Nice doing business with
you.
Here is the shipping address once again.
OLOWOPOSI TAIWO
No 6 ABIDOGUN CLOSE POLICE POST
IBADAN,
OYO STATE,
NIGERIA.
23402.
NO:+234207527313

From: Elizabeth Moses <dhlee88@msn.com>
Date: Fri, Apr 11, 2008 at 8:22 PM
Subject: RE: 12" PowerBook G4 - $400
To: John Holmes

Thanks for your quick respond am located in Maryland but presently am out state , am in  spain as election observer agent
i will made the payment now
Thanks...............................

From: John Holmes
To: dhlee88@msn.com
Subject: Re: 12" PowerBook G4 - $400
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:56:55 -0700

Hi.  Where is your daughter located?
The account I'm sending this mail from works for paypal.

On Apr 11, 2008, at 7:54 PM, Elizabeth Moses wrote:

Dear seller,
    Thanks for getting back to me.Just get back to me
with your PayPal Email id for the instant payment and
i will include $200 for the shipping cost down to my daughter
schooling oversea as a BIRTHDAY Gift because this is
what she want as her birthday gift and I would have
love to receive the item by my self but am also out of
state.and i will prefer you shipping this item to my daughter
Via 8-10 Days Global Express International Mail (EMS) so get
back to me now so i can make the Instant Payment Via PayPal
to your account.

From: John Holmes
To: dhlee88@msn.com
Subject: Re: 12" PowerBook G4 - $400
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:28:31 -0700
Yep.  It's still available.

On Apr 11, 2008, at 6:37 PM, Elizabeth Moses wrote:

** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY --- AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html

Hi,
I just browse through your item and like know to maybe is
still available. Please get back to me.............
Thanks

Separately, I got this pretty weak attempt at paypal spoofing (notice the oh so tricky email address in the from field):

From: service@paypal.com®shipment.info_hepline@consultant.com
Date: Fri, Apr 11, 2008 at 8:55 PM
Subject: 'Elizabeth Moses'' has sent you an Auction Payment with PayPal (Routing Code: C840-L001-Q999-T5365)
To: John Holmes

Dear John Holmes ,
      You have an Instant Payment of  $600.00 USD from Elizabeth Moses (dhlee88@msn.com)

---

Payment Details
Transaction ID: 5KN40511FK640701J
Item Number Not Specify
Item Title 12" PowerBook G4
Quantity 1
Price $ 400.00USD
Subtotal $600.00USD
Postage & Packing via Global  International Mail(EMS): 
(includes any seller packing fees)
   $ 200.00
Postage Insurance (not offered):
-----
Total: $600.00 USD

---

Delivery Information
Address:
OLOWOPOSI TAIWO
No 6 ABIDOGUN CLOSE POLICE POST CHALLENGE,
IBADAN,
OYO STATE,
NIGERIA.
23402.
NO:+234207527313

Address Status:
Confirmed

---

The payment made by " Elizabeth Moses" has been APPROVED but the funds can only be credited into your account immediately we confirm that you have ship the Item to the Buyers specify address.

      We therefore implore you to dispatch the item and provide the Customer Service section at  shipment.info_hepline@consultant.com an evidence of (Postage Receipt or Tracking number and the Courier Service used). Then you will then be sent a URL that will link you into your account. This is to secure both the Buyer and the Seller. Sorry for any inconveniences.

                                                        **PLEASE NOTE**
Once the shipment is confirmed, your funds will become operational in your account  and you will receive a " CONFIRMATION "email from PayPal informing you that the Money has been credited.
Thank you for using PayPal.
The PayPal Team.

---

Copyright © 1999-2008 PayPal. All rights reserved. PayPal (USA AND CANADA) Limited is authorized and regulated by the Financial Services Authority in the United States as an electronic money institution. PayPal FSA Register Number: 226056.

Gmail, by the way, didn't catch any of this even slightly.  No phishing indicator, nothing to say that an email address with "®" in it is a bit suspicious.  Nothing.  I went over to my live.com account and saw this:

Way to go, Live!

Anyway, I responded to Elizabeth Moses with "LOL.  Nice Try."

But then I got another attempt at scamming this PowerBook, which is in progress even now:

From: John Holmes
Date: Mon, Apr 14, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Subject: Re: get back to me asap
To: tonia brown <ladytonnia@hotmail.com>

Hi Tonia.  I would rather use PayPal, since I have not heard of AlertPay, but use PayPal frequently.  You can paypal the address I'm sending this from: jsholme@alum.mit.edu.

From: tonia brown <ladytonnia@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, Apr 14, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Subject: Re: get back to me asap
To: John Holmes

Hello thanks for your reply,
           I will be needing this item for my son
before the ending of the month,therefore i will be needing it as soon as possible.he is located at ohio and I am ok with the specs and will like to make an immediate payment,i will be paying you through AlertPay dispatch payment which is very clear,easy and safe method of an online payment,the money will be delivered to you at your doorstep in cash immediately the payment is made and and shiping which would handle with my shiping account has been confirmed by alertpay, reciept of confirmation would be sent to you via mail by the AlertPay,therefore you dont need to signup before getting paid.I will be offering you $500 for the item  to hasten the transaction and also get the posting off craiglist.I will be needing your full name and address and also your phone number to make the payment on your personal information as the recipient.Do mail me back with payment information if you accept my offer.Thank you and Best Regards.

Once again, Live blocked the mail and Gmail set it sail on through.

So if you're worried about internet safety and getting scammed, you might want to think about that before switching to Gmail.

Related to my last post about the Kindle, Amazon apparently has a service called Amazon Upgrade, whereby you can pay an additional charge on top of the fee you pay for the physical copy of the book to get a digital copy that you can access from "any Internet-connected computer."

But this doesn't work with Kindle.  WTF!!!!@!#!  And not only that, but all the titles available for Kindle aren't available via Amazon Upgrade.

Come on, guys.  You're so close to having exactly what I want.  Close the deal!

I've wanted a killer ebook reader for years: a decade or more.  When I first read about E Ink I was psyched and thought for sure someone would produce the device I wanted, which is basically exactly what's pictured here in Amazon's ad.

Kindle is a small device that's easy to hold, it has web access, it can wirelessly download books, it can read blogs and play podcasts.  It has a beautiful E Ink screen that you can really read for hours without fatigue.  It has enough memory to hold dozens of volumes.  It has a method for inputting notes about the book and a dictionary for looking up unfamiliar terms.

So what's the problem?  The problem is: I want to buy the freaking book!  I want to have it in my library, on the shelf, collecting dust.  I don't care about the trees.  I want my book.  There is no option on the Amazon store for me to say, "I'll pay the full price of this book.  Please send it to me.  But also, let me download it to my Kindle to read on the go."  WTF!!  This is such a logical thing to do.  But right now, the only options I have are buy the book, or download the book.  I want to download the book and have them ship me the real thing as well.  I want to have my book and read it too.

Sigh.  Amazon is one of the few companies in a real position to do this kind of thing and they let the opportunity slip.

Note to Amazon:  the day I can buy a bundle of physical book and electronic book for the same price as the physical book (or maybe $0.50 more) is the day that I will buy a Kindle.  Please!