I think I'm offended

Author: jawapro
Date: Tue 09/10/2007 07:08 PM





Ebay Australia has started a new campaign to train the brainless masses how to stop being caught in scammers webs. Just simple things like "Use a good password", "Use a recent browser", and "dont give your identity away".

You can see the videos here http://pages.ebay.com.au/protectyourself/. They are supposed to be amuzing - because the 'heroes' of the videos are classic 'bad guys' from Dracula to Ned Kelly to a parking inspector.

All rather simple - but a good idea. And I'd appreciate it - except for one thing.

In one of the banner ads (shown here) a scammer makes an appearance using a laptop.

But why go to the trouble of pointing out that it's a Linux machine?

As a Linux fan myself - I think that's rather insulting.

Are they saying that all scammers using Linux? Or that Linux users are a bad lot? Or what?

It may well be that most scammers do use Linux - because it's more powerfull - but I'm sure that not all do. And why go to the trouble of including the Linux penguin anyway? The ad would have been just as good without it.

And instead of being a clever way of sending out helpfull anti-scam messages - it's just ended up making me annoyed. Not the smartest marketing approach there ebay...




















Comments: 5

 

Comment: 1

Author: turkeybrain
Date: Tue 09/10/2007 09:06 PM




As an avid Gentoo user (a reasonably hard core flavour of Linux), and not to mention proud, and also a non-phisher/scammer/hacker/insert-Internet-crime-here, I am also totally disgusted that they had to point that one out. And this isn't the only instance either! If you go to that link, you will find an image that looks like this:



Now, I have an issue if they are happy to support the mafia, witches, and even Dracula, and yet want to use a nice little stereotype and cut off a community of millions. ONLY A MINORITY WILL EVER DO SOMETHING THIS STUPUD!!!!! MOST PEOPLE, INCLUDING PRETTY MUCH ALL LINUX USERS, WON'T!!!!

That is just so frustrating! And thanks for bringing that one to my attention, I may send them an email about it.

 

Comment: 2

Author: jawapro
Date: Tue 09/10/2007 09:38 PM




I missed that one - that's even worse!

 

Comment: 3

Author: Nifen
Date: Tue 09/10/2007 11:23 PM




what are you talking about, i didn't see anything that would mention linux in those videos

Then again i didn't read it, maybe it has it in the reading part

great adds though!!

 

Comment: 4

Author: jawapro
Date: Wed 10/10/2007 08:20 AM




If you look at the picture I posted (which is one that ebay inserts in auctions - not sure if it's actually on the page I mentioned) there is an arrow. It's pointing to a Linux logo (the Penguin).

And if you look at the picture Turkey posted - the scammer has a 'Tux' penguin on his shirt.

Now, either ebay is saying that scammers are huge penguin fans (which happen to look exactly like Tux - pose and everything) or are associating Linux with scammers.

And as a Linux user - I find that rather offensive.

 

Comment: 5

Author: Nifen
Date: Wed 10/10/2007 09:49 AM




ohhh oops, see didn't see those pictures at all. i just was confused what it was all about...
I aggree that is negitive.

Oh on brighter note, i bought 2 games today. FEAR and Farcry. I know not new games and yes i've finished both, but there is some good mods out, and i liked the games quite a bit, so i bought them.

I have quite an empire of dvd's now. I have more, but i don't think i'll see some of them again, lent them out, and never saw the guy again :(
boo hoo ho.
Ok im going to bed. Good luck fighting the ebirates.