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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 3 to 27 of 27. Go back in thread:
Posted by Ted on April 18, 2003, at 9:55:30
In reply to Is Krissy OK?, posted by Alara on April 18, 2003, at 7:29:27
Posted by ayuda on April 18, 2003, at 11:44:57
In reply to Is Krissy OK?, posted by Alara on April 18, 2003, at 7:29:27
> I haven't been around for a while. Is Krissy OK? She seems to be missing from the boards.
Do you mean Kristen? She's been blocked for a couple of weeks here, and she's had some very disturbing ups and downs, but she seems to be coming out of it. She has recently posted on Jay's site -- http://mentalhealth.board.dk3.com/2/
Posted by Alara on April 18, 2003, at 19:50:57
In reply to Re: Is Krissy OK? » Alara, posted by ayuda on April 18, 2003, at 11:44:57
Posted by BekkaH on April 19, 2003, at 1:17:53
In reply to Re: Is Krissy OK? » Alara, posted by ayuda on April 18, 2003, at 11:44:57
Ayuda, is that the site that is using Spyware? I think it would be a good idea to mention that whenever that link is posted here. Not everyone has the latest security software on their computers to protect against unsolicited invasions of privacy. Is Jay the one who is a social worker? I do not understand why a professional social worker would run a website that uses spyware. Is Jay his real name? Does he post his last name? What are his credentials? Where did he receive his social work degree? What mental health organization/hospital/medical center is he affiliated with? Certainly that information is important for us to know. Anyone who runs a mental health website should provide that information, and that information is even more important for us to know since his website is apparently gathering information about visitors to that site.
Posted by ayuda on April 19, 2003, at 10:42:42
In reply to Is that the site that uses spyware? - ayuda, posted by BekkaH on April 19, 2003, at 1:17:53
I don't say that it uses spyware when I mention it because all I know is that it has pop-up ads, so I'm not going to say something I don't personally know as a fact. Others have experienced it using spyware, so be aware of that.
Unfortunately, I do have all the latest protection software on my computer, and it works without letting me know, so I never know if or when those things are occuring. And the reason I have all that software is searching the internet in general adds spyware and other bugs to your computer -- the site that Jay uses isn't the only one out there that people are using that surreptitiously adds spyware, so people have to be careful EVERYWHERE on the internet. Especially BEWARE of pop-up ads, they are not just annoyances, they can be dangerous.
In order for Jay to get a totally FREE site that will allow for posting, he had to agree to pop-up ads -- he makes that clear in the permanent postings that users are required to read. The advertisements pay for the use of the site. Otherwise, there would have to be payment for use of the site and who's going to pay? Jay didn't set it up for himself. HE isn't running spyware, the host of his site does the ads so that no one has to pay to use the site. Internet sites cost money, and a lot of it -- I'm sure Dr. Bob doesn't get this one for free! But no one ever really knows that unless they have their own site.
As for Jay's credentials, Jay started the site so that PB people could chat and NOT have to be civil or worry about being blocked, that's all. He has several permanent entries on the site that give all the information as to the reason the site exists and what his role is. So he isn't doing it as a social worker, he did it as a person who has met a lot of people on PB that he wants to have more open conversations with, under the assumption that there are more of us who also want to do the same, on a website instead of trying to coordinate a group chat session. So I don't think that his credentials come into play at all -- his site is not an experimental site or even HIS site at all, he just set it up mainly for chatting, with or by other people.
The mental health aspects of it are just that we are all PB users, yet can chat without fear of being uncivil, and if we want to talk about our medications, he makes it clear in his permanent posts (that everyone is required to read) that there is no doctor monitoring the posts, if you want REAL information you go see a doctor, you don't ask the other kids on the playground. That should be common sense. I may tell my doctor that I heard that such-and-so med is working well for someone I chat with online, but he has enough backbone that if he doesn't think it fits into my therapy, he will tell me so. I can't make my own prescriptions, and I'm assuming that most of the people who use that site can't, either, so any information we exchange is purely chatting. But most of the posts are being able to kvetch in what has been deemed an "uncivil" manner here, and Jay has warnings up outside the kvetch "room" that it can be brutal, enter at your own risk.
So I think that he has covered all the ground for informing and warning people who use the site, and the rest should be common sense.
I think that these things have been discussed here enough that it does not need to be repeated every single time we mention the site. As I said above, everywhere you go on the internet there is the potential for spyware, adware, cookies, trojan horses, worms -- my "pest control" software lists about 30 different things that can affect a computer by using internet sites where you send and receive information, or that implant these "pests" just through your use of the site. And many are more dangerous than spyware, some can steal passwords or encryption codes on your computer.
So I would say in general BE CAREFUL, especially when you use an internet site that allows for sending and receiving information, it's all dangerous unless it tells you it's a secure connection (like when I use my bank or credit card websites). And the vast majority of websites are NOT secure. People should not feel comfortable surfing the 'net, they should always be on guard. That's why I bought all the spyware and anti-pop-up ad and cache cleaning software I did, and yes it cost about $120 total, but it gives me a peace of mind, because I have a DSL, so my computer is always connected to the internet, which is good in many ways but I have to be careful that it remains a good thing.
Sorry I am sooooooo wordy, my pain doc just put me on percodan 3x a day (up from vicodin) this week, and it makes me soooooo talkative (and that obviously carries over to typing). But I hope that I answered all of your concerns and questions, and also anyone else who is interested in Jay's site but wanted to explore this issue further. I wish I could share my software with everyone so that no one has to worry about the things that attack computers, but that would be illegal.
Posted by ayuda on April 19, 2003, at 11:53:18
In reply to Jay's site, the net and spyware -- info for all » BekkaH, posted by ayuda on April 19, 2003, at 10:42:42
For more info on spyware, see:
http://pestpatrol.com/Support/About/About_Spyware.asp
Posted by fayeroe on April 19, 2003, at 11:56:00
In reply to Is that the site that uses spyware? - ayuda, posted by BekkaH on April 19, 2003, at 1:17:53
> Ayuda, is that the site that is using Spyware? I think it would be a good idea to mention that whenever that link is posted here. Not everyone has the latest security software on their computers to protect against unsolicited invasions of privacy. Is Jay the one who is a social worker? I do not understand why a professional social worker would run a website that uses spyware. Is Jay his real name? Does he post his last name? What are his credentials? Where did he receive his social work degree? What mental health organization/hospital/medical center is he affiliated with? Certainly that information is important for us to know. Anyone who runs a mental health website should provide that information, and that information is even more important for us to know since his website is apparently gathering information about visitors to that site.
I will not repeat everything that Ayuda said in her post as I feel that she answered the questions civilly and openly. We don't have a university backing the site and paying for it. As Ayuda said...pop-ups allow it to be paid for.
And how do you know that his website is apparently gathering information about visitors to that site? I think you should tell us how you know that. I know Jay would appreciate your telling your information and how you got it.
He has gone to a tremendous amount of work, all on his own, to give us a site where we can talk without being censored and put down. And so far, no one has ever had to clarify a single post. And yes, I'm testy about it. You seem to know an awful lot about the site but aren't giving us any of your information resources. So, please, as I asked you before, tell us what you know. Thanks, Pat
Posted by NikkiT2 on April 19, 2003, at 12:44:39
About 50% of the time I visit Jays site, I get a box open asking if I wish to downlaod Gator. Gator is spyware, and it collects information on your internet activity.
I have suspicions that I am getting other spyware from the pop ups at Jays, but haven't had the time to prove this yet (by running a spyware capturing programme, before and after visiting the site and comparing the results).fayeroe - For you information, I am pretty certain that Dr Bob pays for this out fo his own pocket. So your comments about University backing are pretty unfair.
There are a hell of alot of places on the net that you can get free forum boards, exactly the same as at Jays place, that are customisable, and have one hell of alot less pop ups than at jays. Jay has more than even the porn sites I visit.
I have addresssed this with Jay also. I was told to simply set my IE security options to high, but that isn't possible for me. I also have reasons for not wanting to use a pop up stopper, though this may change in the next couple of months when I have my own laptop, not just a borrowed one.I'm not trying to run Jays site down - as you know I have been posting there. I'm just stating the facts.
Nikki
Posted by Dinah on April 19, 2003, at 12:46:57
In reply to Re: Is that the site that uses spyware? - ayuda » BekkaH, posted by fayeroe on April 19, 2003, at 11:56:00
Neither does Dr. Bob have university funding for this site. He pays for it out of his pocket. The donations we send to help support the site go through the university, but the university does not support this site. Dr. Bob does with his own money and his own time.
Posted by Janelle on April 19, 2003, at 14:02:21
In reply to Re: Is that the site that uses spyware? » fayeroe, posted by Dinah on April 19, 2003, at 12:46:57
Posted by fayeroe on April 19, 2003, at 14:15:14
In reply to Dumb question, but does THIS site use spyware? (nm) » Dinah, posted by Janelle on April 19, 2003, at 14:02:21
Posted by Dinah on April 19, 2003, at 14:24:26
In reply to Dumb question, but does THIS site use spyware? (nm) » Dinah, posted by Janelle on April 19, 2003, at 14:02:21
To my knowledge, no. Dr. Bob greatly respects our desire for privacy. And he has deliberately chosen not to have ads on the site. I think it's the ad generator that wants the info on the sites you visit, not Jay. Why don't you ask on admin, but I'm pretty sure the answer is no.
(Besides, it was posters to this site who discovered the problem at the other site. Wouldn't they have said so if anything tried to download from here?)
Posted by NikkiT2 on April 19, 2003, at 14:28:30
In reply to Re: Dumb question, but does THIS site use spyware? » Janelle, posted by Dinah on April 19, 2003, at 14:24:26
I'm pretty sure this site doesn't... I'm trying to pin down which site I use which keeps infecting me you see.. so what I have done, is use Ad-Aware to clear all my spy ware, visit a site, and then run a scan again to see if any has been installed on my machine. So far I have done this for 3 sites (it takes an hour to run a scan & remove, and another hour to run the scan again ya see, so its taking time!), and PB was one of them. It came out clear.
OK, so I'm a little spyware obessed at the moment, after running my first spyware scan a few weeks ago.. It was scary!!
Nikki
Posted by fayeroe on April 19, 2003, at 14:48:40
In reply to Re: Dumb question, but does THIS site use spyware? » Janelle, posted by Dinah on April 19, 2003, at 14:24:26
> To my knowledge, no. Dr. Bob greatly respects our desire for privacy. And he has deliberately chosen not to have ads on the site. I think it's the ad generator that wants the info on the sites you visit, not Jay. Why don't you ask on admin, but I'm pretty sure the answer is no.
>
> (Besides, it was posters to this site who discovered the problem at the other site. Wouldn't they have said so if anything tried to download from here?)the posters at the other site were the first to discover the pop-ups because we were posting there before anyone else.....and we addressed that. just don't use the site, that seems to be the answer for your concern, dinah.
Posted by leeran on April 19, 2003, at 15:07:54
In reply to Jay's site, the net and spyware -- info for all » BekkaH, posted by ayuda on April 19, 2003, at 10:42:42
Ayuda,
Am I breaking any rules* by asking what spyware you use?
I'm thinking of installing some type of "computer condom" as well. It sounds like you've done the research and found something you trust/like.
Thanks!
Lee
*RE: rules. I used to post on another message board where it was "against the rules" to mention or complain about pop-up ads and doing so constituted just cause for the host company to pull the message board. I suppose Dr. Bob doesn't care if we endorse/recommend products, right? I know recommending a book is okay.
Posted by ayuda on April 19, 2003, at 15:15:36
In reply to Re: Jay's site, the net and spyware -- info for all » ayuda, posted by leeran on April 19, 2003, at 15:07:54
> Ayuda,
>
> Am I breaking any rules* by asking what spyware you use?
>
> I'm thinking of installing some type of "computer condom" as well. It sounds like you've done the research and found something you trust/like.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Lee
>
>
> *RE: rules. I used to post on another message board where it was "against the rules" to mention or complain about pop-up ads and doing so constituted just cause for the host company to pull the message board. I suppose Dr. Bob doesn't care if we endorse/recommend products, right? I know recommending a book is okay.I also hope this doesn't violate any rules. I mainly use 2 programs, Pop-Up Stopper by Panicware, and PestPatrol. The url's for finding them are:
Pop-Up Stopper: http://www.panicware.com/
PestPatrol: http://pestpatrol.com/
I am also trying out a cache-cleaning program, also from Panicware, called SureClean, but it isn't as important as those other two.
Posted by Dinah on April 19, 2003, at 16:03:17
In reply to Re: Dumb question, but does THIS site use spyware? » Dinah, posted by fayeroe on April 19, 2003, at 14:48:40
Chuckle. I don't use the other site, faye. I visited once or twice, and was mainly extra impressed with Dr. Bob for allowing links to a site that is (or was at the time, it may have changed) pretty negative to him. I can't quite imagine, for example, a site saying things like that about Bill Gates to be linked on the Microsoft website. So I think it makes Dr. Bob a pretty cool guy. I like civility rules, and I like Dr. Bob, so this is the site for me.
I was responding to concerns stated by another poster, who may or may not use that site. I don't know. But does use this site and was asking about this site.
I admire your passion for Jay's website, but there is no need to defend it to me. Or to invite me not to join, for that matter.
Posted by noa on April 20, 2003, at 1:36:33
In reply to Jay's site, the net and spyware -- info for all » BekkaH, posted by ayuda on April 19, 2003, at 10:42:42
how do I know if it has affected my computer and what do I do about it if it has?
Posted by leeran on April 20, 2003, at 1:42:27
In reply to Re: Please--what IS Spyware and..., posted by noa on April 20, 2003, at 1:36:33
I downloaded that program Ayuda mentioned and I had something like 400 FILES of nonsense that had been downloaded without my knowledge!
The program I downloaded was Ad Aware (free). It doesn't work in the background, but it does clean house whenever you start the program.
Wish I could download something that would sort out all the nonsense in my own (mental) operating system that quick! I felt like I had done spring house cleaning when I hit the "delete" button and saw all those files disappear.
Some programs even had notes that said things like "tried to hijack browser."
Here's one link to the program (or at least the link I used) when I looked up "Ad Aware" -
http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/
Posted by noa on April 20, 2003, at 11:07:15
In reply to I downloaded that program Ayuda mentioned, posted by leeran on April 20, 2003, at 1:42:27
Lee, thanks for the info.
Questions:
About how long does the down load take?
About how long did it take to clean up all those files, Lee?
Does it clean up routinely when you shut down or start up the computer? And about how long does that usually take?
Does it matter which of the sites listed at the lavasoft link you gave me one should use to download the adaware?
If a protection program stops pop-ups, does that include pop up windows that are desireable, like the separate windows that open at this site when you click on a link?
Thanks
Posted by leeran on April 20, 2003, at 11:51:58
In reply to Re: Questions for anyone who knows, posted by noa on April 20, 2003, at 11:07:15
Questions:
"About how long does the down load take?"
It was an amazingly quick download; however, we have DSL so I'm sure that made a difference. My husband works in the IT profession so I always run all my "computer needs/questions" by him for a blessing before doing anything rash like downloading a program. I asked him about Ad Aware before I downloaded it and he said "Oh yeah, I have that on my computer - you should definitely download it." Just thought I would add that if you're like me when it comes to just downloading free programs from the internet.
"About how long did it take to clean up all those files, Lee?"
That's hard for me to say because our neighbors came over in the middle of it. I don't think it took all that long because it was finished by the time I came back down. When I walked away from the computer it had found 42. When I came back it was over 400!
"Does it clean up routinely when you shut down or start up the computer? And about how long does that usually take?"I asked my husband the same thing. I think it's user-activated (meaning, you have to run the program now and then). My guess is that the initial run takes the longest because you might have a lot of built-up junk. The program short-cut is now on my desktop so I think I'll add a little "pop-up" (lol, a legal pop-up) in my Outlook calendar to remind me to do it once a week or so.
"Does it matter which of the sites listed at the lavasoft link you gave me one should use to download the adaware?"
I used PC Software (I think that's what it was). Funny thing was, the minute I hit the link - a pop-up came up (from the site for downloading!).
"If a protection program stops pop-ups, does that include pop up windows that are desireable, like the separate windows that open at this site when you click on a link?"
I don't think this stops pop-ups. I think it clears out spy ware that various sites/pop-ups load into your hard drive unbeknownst to the user.
I NEVER agree to anything like that, yet, I had over 400 files of that nature.
I do think there are programs for eliminating pop-ups, but my husband has said the same thing you just mentioned, that those programs can't differentiate between useful pop-ups and junk pop-ups.
Posted by ayuda on April 20, 2003, at 12:07:20
In reply to Re: Questions for anyone who knows » noa, posted by leeran on April 20, 2003, at 11:51:58
> Questions:
>
>>
> "If a protection program stops pop-ups, does that include pop up windows that are desireable, like the separate windows that open at this site when you click on a link?"
>
> I don't think this stops pop-ups. I think it clears out spy ware that various sites/pop-ups load into your hard drive unbeknownst to the user.
>
> I NEVER agree to anything like that, yet, I had over 400 files of that nature.
>
> I do think there are programs for eliminating pop-ups, but my husband has said the same thing you just mentioned, that those programs can't differentiate between useful pop-ups and junk pop-ups.
>
>The Pop-Up Stopper doesn't distinguish between "good" and "bad" pop-ups, but you can override it by pressing <Ctrl> while you click on the link you want to pop-up. For instance, I've found that some replies on PB just open up, but others are considered "pop-ups," so if I click on one and it doesn't open, I just press the <Ctrl> key and click on the link again and it opens. You can do that for any pop-up you want to see, like if you use Yahoo! mail (and I do) and you try to open your address book, usually it's treated as a pop-up so you just press the <Ctrl> key as you click on it. It's a small inconvenience for otherwise not dealing with the pop-up ads that are increasing every day, I think.
Posted by leeran on April 20, 2003, at 12:16:04
In reply to Re: Questions for anyone who knows - noa » leeran, posted by ayuda on April 20, 2003, at 12:07:20
Ayuda,
I meant to say "thanks" yesterday for the links on the spyware/pop-up downloads. I got involved in other things and never returned to this thread.
So, THANKS!
I felt cleansed this morning when I woke up, like the pores of my computer had been flushed out!
In fact, I kidded my husband (IT guy - but not as bad as "Nick Burns - Computer Guy") and said "I had to learn about this on a message board when you've had it all along???" Ahhh, the cobbler's children have no shoes.
Posted by ayuda on April 20, 2003, at 12:41:16
In reply to Re: Questions for anyone who knows - Ayuda » ayuda, posted by leeran on April 20, 2003, at 12:16:04
Posted by noa on April 20, 2003, at 21:06:27
In reply to Re: Questions for anyone who knows - Ayuda » ayuda, posted by leeran on April 20, 2003, at 12:16:04
Leeran and Ayuda, Thanks for the ayuda!
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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