August Belly Systems

02/18/2015

At August Belly Systems we know it's exciting to see a chance on Facebook to win a sizeable gift card, free cruise from Disney, or some other amazing windfall, but a recognizable doubt likely looms near each time you click to play: "Is this contest legit?"

The quick answer? No.

It's true that companies have always thrived off of promotional giveaways. In return for a fun prize, they get attention and your personal information for further marketing; however, most of the too-good-to-be-true freebies that you see on Facebook are scams set up by people/groups who won't deliver, want to steal your personal info, or trick you into visiting a web page set up to infect your computer.

How can you tell? Below are some guidelines:

1) Check the company's page. The pages of all major companies will have a white checkmark in a blue circle next to their name to mark it as the vetted, official page. If the page lacks that identifying mark, it's not official, and has been set up to scam people.

2) Check the company's website. The marketing departments of those companies WANT the public attention, so they'll make it obvious on their website that a promotion is ongoing.

3) Look at the post history of the page. The majority of large companies have been on social media for a long while; consequently, their pages will have posts spanning years. Conversely, these scamming contest pages are frequently slapped together and taken down; so, if the post history only goes back a couple of weeks or couple of months, the page isn't legitimate.

4) Spelling and grammar. You might not give this much attention at first glance, but take a peek at how everything is written. Marketers want the public to see a polished product, so misspellings and bad grammar are a major no-no. If it looks like it's been written by a drunk frat member, it's fake.

5) If all else fails and you don't trust your own judgement, do a quick search via Google or Snopes. At Snopes.com you'll find many a mention of fake $100 gift cards from Target, Wal-Mart, Kohl's, etc...

Finally, if you still have questions, feel free to ask me. I'll be happy to help verify.

08/13/2013

Brian Gordon now likes our page and, darnit, we just like Brian right the heck back.

07/09/2012

If your computer has lost its ability to connect to web sites today, June 9th, 2012, don't be too alarmed. Your system may have been one of the 4 million PCs AND Macs around the world silently hijacked by a trojan install last year.

The good news is that the FBI broke up the bad guys late last year and put a computer in place allowing your system to continue working normally.

The bad news is that the FBI's computer was turned off today, leaving at least 300,000 computers unable to access web sites and send e-mail. If you find yourself having those problems, feel free to call August Belly Systems. The fix should be quick and painless, and you'll be back on your web-browsing feet in no time.

And if you don't web browse with your feet, don't worry. I'll still help you.

(913) 538-5553
www.augustbelly.com

12/07/2011

I love the holidays, but unfortunately so do the people who try to infect your system with malware and viruses. Because so many people are expecting packages this time of the year, there's an increased number of fake UPS, USPS and FedEx e-mails, with either links to malicious sites, or bundled with bad attachments.

You might also notice fake e-mails from various airlines indicating you've purchased a ticket. While it does pay to be cautious in researching those e-mails, keep in mind that the airlines will never send you an attachment.

If, despite your best efforts, you find your computer infected with a virus or malware, give me a call. I'll be happy to come rescue your computer.

(913) 538-5553

02/11/2011

Tomorrow I'll be headed to a local NPO to help out with their Active Directory structure and, possibly, other infrastructure projects. There's been talk about this being free of charge, but really, I think we all know I'm expecting to be paid in copious amounts of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Or, Bit O' Honey. (No one ever asks for Bit-O-Honey these days; I figure, hey, it needs the love.)

12/24/2010

I fixed a typewriter today. I thought you'd like to know that. I don't actually know much about typewriters, but a stranded refugee from the 1970s called today and, well, I just had to head over. Curiosity, somewhat, but mostly because I wanted to say "I fixed a typewriter today". Next week, I have an appointment to heal a Gutenberg press.

11/04/2010

Customer Links — August Belly Systems

Ever get an invoice from August Belly Systems? Of course you have! (Unless you haven't.) Now you can recreate the magic you felt receiving that (affordably priced) invoice by logging into my new Client Invoice Center located at the link below.
Can't sleep and it's three A.M.? Wander over to the Client Center and generate copy after copy of your invoice until you're lulled back into peaceful slumber. Generate one or a billion. It's free!Plus, all invoices now have the business logo. It's kind of like a magic totem. Only, it doesn't grant any wishes. And isn't really magic.

Customer Invoices: Click here to log in and see a record of your invoices.

10/14/2010

Alrightey, you talked me into it: instead of prorating, initial fees, calculus, quadratic equations and quite possibly what appears to be the involvement of a genie's magic, the charge for a virus removal has been simplified to a flat-rate of $100. Even if it takes a few hours. Which, they typically do because let's face it: viruses ain't one bit of polite.

10/13/2010

Would ya look at that: Google ads actually brought in a coupla calls. There just might be something to that whole advertising schtick after all. Next you'll tell me that hard work builds a business. Sure, sure... I think we all know that isn't true.

09/13/2010

You won the first round, Ma Nature, when your lightning bolt (a true e-mail in every meaning of the word) struck near the house and took out two of my routers. But. But! All that meant was I got to go to the store to buy two new toys--new routers with swanky kung-fu grips and attached parachutes. Bet you're jealous.