Step one: Blame the user. Step two: See step one.

Welcome to Gateway Chat. My name and badge number are Diana_GWPR###. I am looking at your account and the information you submitted. I will begin troubleshooting with you in just a moment.

Hello Chris.

Howdy.

According to your submission and my data, the serial number for your Gateway system is ————-, a Gateway FX510XT with 2048 MB and the limited warranty expiration date is 5/23/2009. Is this correct?

That is correct.

Thank you for verifying your information. I see some opportunity here to enhance your computer experience. Let’s resolve the issue first and then discuss these options.

I’ve read your issue description from the submission form. I understand that you are having issue with your video card. Do you have any more details that may help us?

Not really. It’s not working. I spilled coffee onto my system and the only hardware that seemed to be affected was one of my video cards. after removing the problematic card (and cable… things seem to be in working order with the system. you will see that the card has coffee stains in the fan cage (internally, on the video card itself)

Alright Chris. I would recommend to send the system in for service.

Not the system, the card. The system, itself, is fine. It works fine without this video card… it’s the video card that’s messed up at this point - and quite possibly the cable connecting it to the second video card. If I send the entire system in, not only is it overkill - but I also run the risk of having the data on my hard drives wiped out.

Yes. I understand. But as I have checked you have the ADP warranty. And that is the warranty that we are going to use. The issue is customer induced damage and you need to send the whole system in for sevrice.

But I paid for on-site service? Why would I have to send it in?

Yes, that is correct Chris. All your data will be wiped out. But that is what your warranty states.

Whoa. You’re telling me that when there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the hard drive, I still have to send the entire system in - DESPITE having paid for on-site service - and that you’re guaranteeing me that all the data on the drive(s) will be wiped out?!

Seriously?!

Is this April 1st?

Alright. allow me a moment to check this if I can send the part to you.

The problem is with the hardware that I removed - customer induced or not.

Yes I understand. Let me check Chris.

Thank you for holding Chris.

I have read the policy regarding the warranty. As I have read, the ADp warranty ids for the system and not for the part. Therefore, since you accidentally damaged the part, in order to replace it, you need to purchase a new one. I apologize for the wrong information I gave you before.

…why did I buy the extended warranty?

Can you tell me?

The extended warranty you are referring is for the whole system. Now, your issue is a customer induced so you need to purchase a new one.

But why does the extended warranty not cover it?

What makes it so “extended”?

Because the issue was induced by you Chris.

I understand, it was my coffee - and that I accidentally spilled it.

Yes. I understand Chris. But the ADP warranty is for the whole system and not on the parts.

But I also believed that the extended warranty was worth something more than just being called an “Extended Warranty.”

Without parts, there is no system.

Yes I understand. I apologize Chris, but you really need to purchase the part.

I can not process any replacement or process anything because this was caused by the customer.

Good to know. I promise not to use the computer again, lest I run the risk of inducing something else.

It’s ALWAYS the user’s fault. I shouldn’t have been drinking coffee in the same room as my computer, and I should’ve gone to law school to properly interpret the warranty issued by said OEM. Their position is completely understandable - it WAS all my fault. I’m to blame for purchasing the system, I’m to blame for not understanding their definition of ‘ADP,’ and I’m to blame for the accident. I induced everything. But I also thought I had my ass covered.

And lest you think I’m being an absolute brat about this situation, you might know that I (indeed) purchased ADP - which is an “Accidental Damage Plan” (as defined by Gateway). In fact, it seems I purchased damn near every freakin’ kind of warranty possible from Gateway for this system:

• 3yr Accidental Damage Stand-alone
• 3yr Factory Labor
• 3yr Parts Exch/Replace
• C_3yr_Onsite_DT - Acctg 1Yr Std.
• C_3yr_Tech_DT - 1Yr Std.
• C_3yr_ValuePlus_DTHigh1Yr
• C&B_3yr_ADPonly_Desktop_within365

Now, let’s step through a live shopping cart on Gateway.com - exactly like I would have done when I origianlly purchased the system and its extra warranties. We get to the “Protect Your Investment” page (sounds all official, doesn’t it). Here’s a direct citation from the Accidental Damage Plan section. Bulletpoints for ADP in the shopping cart indicate:

• Coverage for accidental drops, spills & power surges
• Duration must match the duration of your warranty above

The three year Accidental Damage Plan is listed as active in my account on Gateway.com, with 754 days remaining. ADP is only valid if I send the entire system in for inspection, according to Diana. However, if I decide to return the PC, as instructed by the TSR, I’m informed that all of my data would be erased (per the original agreement, apparently).

<rock>Me</hardplace>

Diana adds insult to injury, seemingly changing the rules midstream: “Since you accidentally damaged the part, in order to replace it, you need to purchase a new one.” So, she’s saying that the ADP is basically a POS - and that I wasted $50 on it. Actually, she’s saying that I wasted $5,000+ on the entire system. She says it again:

“Now, your issue is a customer induced so you need to purchase a new one.” Which begs the question: What the hell kind of spills are NOT customer induced?!

Un-fucking-believable. Go out of business already, Gateway. I may not have any legal ground to stand on - but that doesn’t make me feel any less swindled.

From one of the better Web designers on the planet comes this question:

Been following your work for years, and totally digging the new live stuff you’re doing. Very entertaining. I was hoping you might have any clues for me as to a problem I’m having, as I have a feeling you’ve come across this situation before in your work.

I’m looking for a codec or some kind of application that will allow me to take a stream of my Windows desktop and turn it into a video source that’s usable for input in other apps. To explain, what I’m trying to do is create a live uStream feed of my desktop, namely for applications like Second Life that I’d like to stream to friends. I know I could just use FRAPs or another screen recording app, archive it and then share it that way, but I’m looking for something a little more real time.

You could go with the free VH Screen Capture Driver - which only gets a mention because of its pricetag, not because of its power. There’s the robust Camtasia Studio with Live Output [disclaimer: they’re one of my sponsors]. A gawdy WebcamMax (with PIP possibilities) offers the most flexibility. NOTE: the much-ballyhooed SuperWebcam has been known to dog even the fastest systems, so it remains on my “not recommended” list.

It’s actually a sad state of affairs with Windows-based webcam software these days. Just about every webcam app for Windows pales by comparison to OS X equivalents. Camtasia Studio is likely overkill for what you’re trying to do here, leaving WebcamMax as your best option (even with its kludgey interface). Maybe we could convince Camtasia to create a watered-down (read: free) app to help jumpstart the livestreaming scene on the Windows platform? It honestly shouldn’t take much to create something fun, functional, clean, and easy to use.

A few minutes ago, one of my cousins called and asked for my opinion on when the best time to buy a new computer happens to be. There is no right answer, but he had a few parameters which helped me narrow it down to the perfect season:

• No tremendous rush to buy something immediately
• Will be used by his son at school
• Doesn’t need to be the latest and greatest

My suggestion for him is to wait until “Back to School” specials start later this year. I have no doubt he (or anybody) could find a good desktop for less than $500 and get tons of free software and hardware to boot. Honestly, I can’t imagine a better season to buy a computer for a student - as it certainly wouldn’t be in the middle of summer.

I would have killed to have a portable (laptop, notebook) computer in my school daze. Then again, we’re still not at the point where powerful hardware can run all day on a single charge. Perhaps by the time Ponzi and I decide to have children, batteries will suck less (in more way than one).

Here’s a simple summer question for you: What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? Personally, I’m in love with either Spumoni or Neapolitan. Then again, I’m equally as happy with plain Vanilla or Sweet Cream. Bonus question: What are the more unique ice cream flavors you’ve had (only full scoops qualify here). In the past, I can remember surviving:

• Wasabi ice cream (Blowfish Sushi)
• Garlic ice cream (Stinking Rose)
• Avocado ice cream (Mitchell’s)
• Sesame Seed (documented)

I’ll try just about any kind of “offbeat” ice cream once. Wasabi was a bit much after the third spoon, but Sesame Seed tasted an awful lot like peanut butter. What about you?

Last week, when I was out of town, Ponzi had a slumber party with a couple of friends. We encouraged them to stream their cooking live, and the chat room went berserk. Everyone was asking her about all her favorite tips, tools, brands, etc. They whipped up a nice “casserole” of leftovers - which Ponzi always does well. I’d go as far as to say that (often) her leftover mashups taste better than the originals after she’s done with ‘em.

Tonight, once more, we convinced my wife to stream her cooking prowess to the hungry digital masses. I dubbed her the “sexy chef” (since “naked chef” was already taken, and we’re not too hip on sharing THAT much of our lives with the world). The results speak for themselves - she made quite the tasty Friday night snack. It’s too bad you couldn’t join us in person!

I saved the recording (but forgot to stop the recording, so if the Q&A gets too long winded for you, don’t feel pressured to watch the entire thing). We had fun. I’d do it again. Anytime. Interactive programming is much better than dead tape (read: podcasts). I wish ustream had better achiving and cross-posting options. [If you can’t see the video below, try the cooking video page]

I hope she’ll post the recipe to her blog before too long. Maybe she’ll just Twitter it?

• Save 10% at GoDaddy by using Coupon Code CHRIS1
• This video was edited on an AMD QuadFX computer
• Dell 3007WFP-HC monitors assisted in production
• Screencasting through TechSmith Camtasia Studio
• [Insert one intelligent sponsor into this line]

I send my picks to 140,000 subscribers every day - join them by sending an email to picks@lockergnome.com. If you blog and encourage others to subscribe to the list, your site will be placed in the queue to be featured in an upcoming Pirillo’s Picks!

• [SIMPLE] Turn Off The Interweb
  (tags: power, interweb, internet, fun, funny, prank, joke)
• [TOOLS] Desktop Widgets @ Widgipedia
  (tags: dashboard, Software, gadgets, widget, widgets, web2.0, tools, utilities, tutorials)
• [HELP] DropMyRights and Computer Security
  (tags: malware, freeware, dropmyrights, security, prevention, disclaimer)
• [IMAGE] $10 Off Morpheus Photo Morpher
  (tags: photo, photomorph, morph, morphing, photography)
• [WIFI] WEP / WPA Random Key Generator
  (tags: software, wpa, wifi, wep, key, security)
• [HARDWARE] Card Readers in Windows Vista
  (tags: windows, smartmedia, vista, removable, compactflash)
• [WRITE] Dark Room Text Editor
  (tags: software, writing, windows, tools, freeware, editor, text)
• [REMIX] Computer Game Music Archive
  (tags: music, games, remix, mp3, videogames, game, gaming)
• [RANT] I’m Tired of Social Networks
  (tags: social, network, friends, friendship, community)
• [FREEWARE] UltraExplorer for Microsoft Windows
  (tags: software, windows, Freeware, download, file, XP, manager)
• [MEDIA] Playing with PFCPro 2007
  (tags: powerpoint, media, movies, tools, pfcpro)
• [PEERS] Wiki-Based Software Guide
  (tags: Software, OpenSource, wiki, reviews, tools, technology, freeware)
• [PROTECT] Make a Laptop Sleeve
  (tags: laptop, sleeve, notebook, case, diy, how-to, recycle)
• [DOWNLOAD] Ultimate List of SMART Software
  (tags: smart, hardware, utilities, tools, freeware, software, harddrive)
• [MUSIC] Beating The Snot Out Of DRM
  (tags: drm, music, legal, action, lawsuit, freedom)
• [TRIBUTE] In Honor of the Virginia Tech Victims
  (tags: virginiatech, tribute, honor)

Okay, it’s been a while since I’ve bothered to mention it - but PikSpot has finally released into public beta their community content platform. It’s certainly evolved since I first looked at it a few months ago. Before you fade out and assume this is just another network, let me give you a few of the more unique features these guys have offered the ol’ TechTV community-at-large:

• Vetted talent can have pre-defined RSS feeds consumed and included in the player automatically.
• You can place comments in an embedded piece of media - so long as you’re logged in.
• If you’re not logged in, you can do so from within the embedded media.
• If you don’t have an account, you can sign up for one from within the embedded media.
• Comments automatically show up wherever that media is visible - on the site, or through any embed!
• You can jump to any point in an audio / video file with little-to-no wait time (instant scrubbing).
• When jumping to a point in the timeline, you can set a Marker description (not unique to the Pikspot platform, but awesome nonetheless).
• Tags can be added by the community to any piece of media from within the embed.
• You can ea… oh, just look at the darn thing already:

That’s one of my favorite sessions from Gnomedex 6.0 (and as a reminder, registrations for the next Gnomedex in August are open - and seats are filling up quickly). Not sure I’m completely sold on the information architecture of the site or embed (in general), but that’s not going to keep me from really helping these guys with feedback and support. This is less about becoming a YouTube and more about enabling communities to create and organize original content.

Now, you should also know that PikSpot is working on:

• PodTrac integration
• a way to link off to vetted talent from within the embedded flash
• a way to surface more data through the embeds
• a way for original authors to edit metadata from within the embed
• ways to surface usable stats to media authors

Seems as though Blip is the only network capable of handling “HD” video streams at this point? Won’t be too long before everyone does - or should - support that type of media. Of course, I’m also under the dillusion that people will starting consuming more new media on-demand through affinity searches rather than through specific subscriptions.

And I’ll tell you right now, with all of these various networks and embeds and services and… zOMG! What I think the world really needs at this point is a single embed to share on their own terms. That is to say, a Flash embed within which you might be able to embed anything you wish (which isn’t quite the SplashCast model, but close to it). We’re having an absolute blast with our live video efforts - and I hope to have the more interesting moments and interviews archived and pushed out to all these video networks (and on our own site) within a relatively short amount of time.

Yeah, I’ve really been liking live lately. Really.

Apparently, we made quite an impression with the dedication. This morning, we found this message from Katie Gruver, Marketing Manager for Unitus (Innovative Solutions to Global Poverty ) flaoting in our respective inboxes:

On behalf of the Unitus team… I just wanted to say a HUGE thanks for lighting a fire on our Empowering Women site. Your post on twitter and on your blog has driven a ton of traffic to our site. In fact, I just checked our metrics and Pirillo-related traffic has sent us no less than 15% of our total traffic yesterday/today and marks the 3rd, 7th, 9th, 10th, 15th, 16th highest drivers to our site (only behind internal links and Seth Godin). You Rock!

Thanks for being our first video posting as well… it turned out great. We’re hopeful that other people will follow in step. And what a great tribute you wrote and filmed… literally, our whole office has been shooting emails back and forth about how fun it is to see the comments coming in.

Ponzi… You’ve generated a windfall! I wanted to let you know that I’ve put Chris’s tribute to you as our “Featured Tribute” on our homepage and throughout the Empowering Women site for the rest of the day. Enjoy!

As noted by the dozens of comments on your tribute page, you obviously have a loyal fan club. If you have any interest in getting more involved with the campaign, we’d love to invite you (and Chris, if he’s interested) to become one of our Empowering Women Ambassadors – these are folks who are helping us spread the word about this opportunity to through their networks, the blogosphere and beyond. I can send more details if you’re interested, but we’d certainly love to leverage your expertise in the online world and any other thoughts you have on how we can help other people take advantage of this opportunity to celebrate the women in their lives and help empower women around the world with microfinance.

I’m not quite sure I’m worthy of being anything more than I already am, but I’d certainly be happy to spread the word. Consider it spread. ;)

A few days ago, my friend Dave Shappell (not Dave Chappelle) sent me a simple email:

Not sure if I told you how Dave McClure & I met… but it was thru an microfinance-enabling/poverty-fighting organization called Unitus – it was started by a former Microsoftie (Mike Murray), who was the same guy who was running Apple Marketing for the original Apple 1984 commercial.

Anyway, Unitus has developed a coordinated Mother’s Day/Microfinance-education campaign (formal description below), with a pretty easy premise: You can honor your mom, Ponzi or some other empowering women in your life with a tribute page on Unitus. In addition, they’re looking for folks to submit video tributes (which I thought might be right up your alley…).

So, this afternoon, I did just that - and created a Tribute page to my soul mate. This video accompanies the post:

They say that behind every smart man, there is an even smarter woman - and Ponzi is a living example of that statement. Okay, even if “they” never said that - I’m saying it now.

I consider myself lucky that my wife, Ponzi, is both a life and business partner. While we don’t always agree on direction, I can say that my entire existence (and the lives of those around me) has been enhanced by her presence.

For Ponzi, “enough” is never enough; she always goes the extra mile to make sure that everyone is comfortable in any given situation. She has an innate ability to read the room and light it up at the same time.

Before we met, my conference brand was on the brink of failure - but within one short year, Ponzi had turned it around to be one of the blogosphere’s most lauded annual events. She’s intelligent, attractive, and savvy.

My mom is retiring on May 1st. It is a day that will live in infamy. I asked her what she planned on doing, and she wrote back (not on company time, mind you):

1st, travel, we leave for the Missouri rally the next day
2nd, work out at the Campus whenever I want to, instead of having to cram it into my schedule
3rd, travel, we have a State campout the first weekend in June
4th, go for bike rides (sometimes with G-pa)
5th, travel, we go to Montana for a rally in July
6th, get a part-time job
7th, travel, I come to Gnomedex in August (if I can figure out a direct flight)
8th, do some volunteer work
9th, travel, we leave for Alaska late August
10th, travel to visit my darling sons and daughter-in-laws in WA and TX !!!

What else should my mom be considering in her retirement? :)

Every day, I seem to receive at least one email or invitation to a new “social network” of sorts - and just about every one of these networks are networks unto themselves. That is to say: they’re community silos, not community expanders.

This is frustrating - and I don’t see the trend changing anytime soon. As someone who has always had a community (or network) of friends, both real and virtual, the last thing I want or need to do is split them up. I don’t need another proprietary chat room - I don’t need another proprietary commenting system.

So, each of these “Web 2.0″ efforts wants to be the next success story - right? Why, then, do they not understand that the “Holy Grail” of social networking is in eliminating the walls between social networks? It’s not just about doing yet another mashup - it’s about bridging existing gaps.

Chat (active interactive) and Comments (static interactive) seem to be communication devices that some people already have (but not everyone, admittedly). Still, for those of us who already have solutions in place - why make yet another silo for us? Why not break down that barrier and allow us to use the tools we already have in our stable?

Dunno. I’m not down on the whole idea of social networking - but I am down on the idea of creating yet another social network to get to the people who are already in my social network. Gawd, that phrase means absolutely nothing to me anymore (I’ve said and heard it enough times).

I understand the validity of creating rich, live chatting experiences - but not at the expense of abandoning (read: ignoring) my existing IRC channels at irc.wyldryde.org. IRC has been around forever - imperfect, but widely adopted. The only reason Twitter “works” for me is that it allows me to receive updates via my IM network of choice. Imperfect, but already running on my desktop.

If you decide to integrate some kind of live chat within your service, at least let people choose to use their own instead of yours. If security is an issue, then you shouldn’t be doing chat in the first place. Live chat, of any kind, is only as strong as the room’s active members and moderators.

Stop creating community (communication) silos, please? Please?

A few hours ago (yes, in the middle of the night), I set up and played Halo 2 on Windows Vista. Yes, I received permission from one of the PR folks. Ask everybody in the live community - installation was quite troublesome. No matter, I’ll play Halo 2 again (live on camera) at some point today.

The entertainment phenomenon that conquered the digital universe is once again out to save the planet as the award-winning, best-selling “Halo 2″ is coming to the Windows Vista platform on May 8th. Optimized for the advanced gaming features in Windows Vista, “Halo 2″ promises to revolutionize the first-person shooter experience for Windows gamers, as it did for consoles. With its classic story, enhanced visual presentation, multiplayer excitement and all-new Map Editor, “Halo 2″ for Windows Vista offers more new content and game customization than ever before.

My initial verdict? Disappointed with a few setup quirks (UAC needs to be enabled, having to enter and re-enter my Xbox Live account, rebooting a couple of times, etc.) - but blown away with the quality of graphics and gameplay. These textures look amazing on a Dell UltraSharp 3007WFP monitor (2560×1600, though I couldn’t get Halo 2 to go quite that high). I set the webcam on my head and the chat room on the secondary monitor - they were giving me hints instead of trash-talking.

Yeah, well… I didn’t play online. Maybe later today? If we set up a time, do you think we could get a few anxious Halo 2 fanatics to tune in? Fine. 2pm PST. Be there or be square. Might wanna spread the word to all your favorite gaming communities, too. Maybe we can survive another deluge? See for yourself. Live.

I should compose all of my blog entries full screen like this, eh? Then you can see how fast I type and how many typos I make in real-time. If I stop winging it? Move to the left?

Maybe if I sit back a bit, it’ll work better. Wow. This isn’t perfect, but I can definitely see how I could get used to typing up simple stuff so that everyone can see what I’m doing - if I want them to see what I’m doing.

Now, if I bother to post this text as a blog entry itself, nobody will have any idea what I’m talking about (without context). We’re working on ways to archive the live video stream and chat, actually.

I’m using something one of our community members recommended - an anonymous community member, at that! It’s a free program for Windows called “Dark Room” which enables you to enter text full-screen. Normally, I wouldn’t think of using it - but I’m actually typing up this particular post inside the application so that my live followers can see what I’m doing. I even rested the webcam atop my head for easier “remote viewing.” The font is set to Arial Black 96pt. You have to see it to appreciate it, so… in true live fashion, I’m going to ask someone to take a screen shot of their screen and post it to a Web photo (Flickr?) account so I can link to it directly before this post is completed. ;)

Bingo.

Heh… and who was it that said live Internet video was a waste of time and resources? I think we’re proving them wrong every single day.

The perfect title of this post would be: “Watch This.” Wouldn’t you agree?

The following came to me (BCC) via Jason Matt Kibby. The good news is, the spirit of TechTV lives on in various sites and new communities. Here’s what Jason had to say to G4’s suits:

G4 Media:

I’m a father of four and have spent the last fifteen years as a local radio morning show host (Rock/Top 40) in Tennessee. My background is in computer science, and I used to spend more time on your channel back when it was Tech TV. Today I tuned in just to check it out, and saw your “420 Special” on “Attack of the Show.”

After watching for about 30 minutes, what I believe I was seeing was a half-hearted commercial for pot use.

I have interviewed Tommy Chong and find him fascinating, and can somewhat appreciate your partial attempt to provide reasonably useful information and facts within the program. It was easily understood by anyone with a pulse that such “information” was provided only as necessary cover.

Overall, the 420 Special on “Attack of the Show” was irresponsible promotion and glamorization of marijuana use. Tossing in classic PSA’s was almost as questionable as your various selection of advertisers. You’re so hip and cool. I was embarrassed for Tommy Chong to see him in such ignoble, squalid context.

Purposely, I went to www.tvfreexbox.com to see what hoops were necessary to jump prior to receiving a “free” XBox as advertised. (I knew the answer beforehand, as these scams are all over the place.) All the offer options were automatically selected “yes”, which only begins to hint at how irresponsible the offer really is. Then the “Earn $10,000 per month” ad came on, and I knew I was swimming in BS. This was before the “Best buzz for the buck” segment, my particular least favorite.

G4 is an unfocused mess filled with WB leftovers, suspicious content and dubious advertising. Sadly, I’m in the target demo and so are two of my sons. I don’t shelter my kids, but I can certainly direct them away from a network populated with misinformation and fishy marketing.

I’m neither a religious zealot nor interested in restricting your right to broadcast whatever you want. I’m mostly sad that you took an outstanding product and replaced it with a low grade pop-culture Cuisinart. The “420″ episode simply encapsulates your race to the bottom.

G4 is simply a network for cheesy reruns, degenerate thugs and purveyors of snake oil. I know very well there are dollars to be had on the low road, and G4 seems to be taking it with abandon.

n case your programming staff missed a few of the words in my letter, I can summarize by simply stating “G4 sucks wretched ass.” Arrested Development is, however, one of the best shows of the last decade. I’ll end with that positive note, but I can get reruns anywhere.

You traded Chris Pirillo and John Dvorak for this?

Congratulations.

Jason Matt Kibby

Again, I didn’t write this letter - but I attained permission from Jason to republish it here (if only because a boatload of ex-TechTV community members still watch what I’m up to). I can pretty much guarantee you’ll never, EVER see another type of TechTV network on traditional television again. Your best bet is to build bonds for the community online - leave the idiot box for the idiots.

Just got another email pitch this morning:

I thought you might be interested in this new click-to-call service that Ccube will launch next week. Ccube lets you connect with friends and business prospects on sites like MySpace and eBay with the click of a button. Members can search for and talk to anyone for free. The service lets users link a Ccube username to their favorite connectivity device, including mobile and landline phones or VoIP services, thereby keeping personal phone numbers private. Ccube.com is more than just another social networking site. Ccube is a community that lets you search for and talk to the right person anytime and anywhere using your phone. The online network and services like click-to-call will launch on May 2. Please note that this news is embargoed until then. I am happy to arrange a quick phone briefing with Ccube CEO, Mahesh Lalwani, or provide further details - just let me know.

I can understand wanting to contact someone on eBay, but wanting to contact someone on MySpace?! No way!