OK guys, good news for most of you, bad news for a few.
We've added something into the Friendr site to prevent people from cheating. We've noticed a lot of people are using their refereal links and just entering any old numbers to fake referals. You guys are spoiling it for everyone who is using the system properly.
You won't be able to do this any more. So class this as your final warning. We'll be checking the database today to find people who've been doing this. They will have all the points they've earned from cheating referals removed. If they're caught cheating again they'll be deleted.
For the rest of you, this means that it will be easier for you to get into the top 10.
- Friendr.net
Monday, 21 May 2007
Someone Hacked Us
Turns out someone thought it would be clever to hack us and delete all the users from the database.
Luckily it shouldn't change the amount of points you've earned. All you need to do is log in and your user account will be created again with the same amount of points as you had before.
If you signed up to be a featured user, then we're working on adding you guys again and we will credit you with an extra day because of the troubles.
We're working on fixing the site so this kind of problem won't happen again.
Sorry for any inconvenience.
Luckily it shouldn't change the amount of points you've earned. All you need to do is log in and your user account will be created again with the same amount of points as you had before.
If you signed up to be a featured user, then we're working on adding you guys again and we will credit you with an extra day because of the troubles.
We're working on fixing the site so this kind of problem won't happen again.
Sorry for any inconvenience.
Friday, 4 May 2007
MySpace Bully Boy Tactics
So the time has come. MySpace have threatened legal action if we don't shut down friendr.net. The reason given was:
Personally, I wouldn't say that friendr was automated. Users have to click to add the users and even then they still have to confirm that they want to add the user. This isn't much different than just browsing for users on MySpace and adding them that way.
If they're talking about the bulletins, even then, users still have to submit the form and verify it. This isn't what I class as automated.
Perhaps they don't like the fact that we take away precious page views from their site. Perhaps they don't like a useful tool for people who want to promote their band or profile. Who knows.
We're not sure what the future of friendr.net is going to be at the moment. We can't afford to take on Fox in court, but then again who can? It looks like, if MySpace say "jump", we have to ask how high.
For those of you how are interested in how MySpace handle such matters then here's a transcript:
The original messages I received were via MySpace to my personal account. Posted in chronological for easier reading.
These messages were sent to my email address. Again, chronological order, for reading.
So there you go, that's how things roll in MySpace land.
"any automated use of the system, such as using scripts to add friends"
Personally, I wouldn't say that friendr was automated. Users have to click to add the users and even then they still have to confirm that they want to add the user. This isn't much different than just browsing for users on MySpace and adding them that way.
If they're talking about the bulletins, even then, users still have to submit the form and verify it. This isn't what I class as automated.
Perhaps they don't like the fact that we take away precious page views from their site. Perhaps they don't like a useful tool for people who want to promote their band or profile. Who knows.
We're not sure what the future of friendr.net is going to be at the moment. We can't afford to take on Fox in court, but then again who can? It looks like, if MySpace say "jump", we have to ask how high.
For those of you how are interested in how MySpace handle such matters then here's a transcript:
The original messages I received were via MySpace to my personal account. Posted in chronological for easier reading.
From: wiley
Date: 30 Apr 2007, 14:48
Hey, are you the owner of friendr.net?
If so, my name is Jason, i'm the abuse manager for MySpace.com and we need to to shut down your site ASAP or we will be forced to pursue legal action.
I tried to call, but it appears your number is fake
if you have any questions please call me 310 969 7369
Thank you,
MySpace.com
From: K
Date: May 3, 2007 2:20 AM
Yeah I'm sure you are the abuse manager.
That's why you contacted me over MySpace rather than emailing me.
Idiot.
From: wiley
Date: 03 May 2007, 07:43
What is your email?
you can also email me
jwiley@myspace.com
From: K
Date: May 3, 2007 11:37 AM
You can contact me via the site.
From: wiley
Date: 03 May 2007, 07:51
I just deleted your account #171161388
is that confirmation enough for you?
From: K
Date: May 3, 2007 12:53 PM
Fair enough.
Could you answer a couple of questions for me?
Why do I have to shut down the site? Other similar sites such as SSFriendship.com and FriendStorm.net have been going for months without being closed down. So why do I have to shut friendr.net.
Also, for what reason was my friendr myspace profile deleted?
Could you email me, instead of using myspace as it's handier. admin@friendr.net
- Jim
These messages were sent to my email address. Again, chronological order, for reading.
Jason Wiley wrote:
We are working on shutting the others down as well.
You issued a press release that made it sound like you partnered with us, not cool.
Your account as well as the ssfriendship account were deleted for violation of terms and services
Read them sometime
Jason Wiley
Product Manager - Abuse
MySpace.com | Fox Interactive Media
jwiley@myspace.com Office: 310.969.7369
From: Admin - Friendr.net [mailto:admin@friendr.net]
Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2007 1:59 PM
To: Jason WileySubject: Re:
We didn't issue a press release at all. The only promotion we did fothe site was on digg and myspace itself. I'm aware that something was posted on mashable.com and a couple of other site's but we didn't write them.
Which part of the terms and service agreement did we validate? I'll happily have a read if you point me in the right direction.
- Jim
Jason Wiley wrote:
any automated use of the system, such as using scripts to add friends or send comments or messages;
Jason Wiley
Product Manager - Abuse
MySpace.com | Fox Interactive Media
jwiley@myspace.com Office: 310.969.7369
From: Admin - Friendr.net [mailto:admin@friendr.net]
Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2007 2:34 PM
To: Jason Wiley
Subject: Re:
Technically though, there's nothing automated about the site. User's
have to manually click the users to add them. It's just a resource for
people who want to promote their band/profile. It's nothing like the
adder robots that are around.
Jason Wiley wrote:
Look, you can shut down or I can get Fox legal to shut you down, it's
your choice
Jason Wiley
Product Manager - Abuse
MySpace.com | Fox Interactive Media
jwiley@myspace.com Office: 310.969.7369
So there you go, that's how things roll in MySpace land.
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