Sounds easy doesn’t it? Not so simple. You go to that URL and you can find nothing at all about where you enter your code. If you happen to try SpeedWay.com you do see a image to click. But if you click it you are forwarded to the same website that has no real way to enter the code.

If you happen to use Google to try to find out how to enter this code, “Speedway gas giveaway”. The first link is a URL that looks like it might work. But no, it just forwards you to the same place that has no real way to enter the code. No information on the so-called giveaway.

I have been around for some time now, I haven’t found something so hard to do as find a place to enter this code. I’m not the only one. This thread about the gas for a year giveaway has many people having the same issues.

It is to late for me to do more testing. But I don’t think there should be this many issues with playing a giveaway. This is another problem with poor website management. The company should of had the site fully tested with all major browsers and operating systems. There is really no excuse.

If I can find some people today to try to get to the code entry box, then I will give them my codes. But I’m sure they will have the same issues.

The thread has several that say they have no issues, but they could easily work for the company or the web management company or it works sometimes. Anyway, there is still no excuse for the poor layout.

Today I decided to place an order at Barnes & Noble for a book called Professional Search Engine Optimization with PHP. The book mentions my web hosting company GotWebHost.com on page 25. I tried adding my member card a few times at Barnes & Noble’s website, but it wasn’t taking it. The FAQ’s made it sound like you put it in the coupon code spot. That is what I was trying to do. I called them, and the customer service rep was very helpful and prepared to take the order. As soon as she said sometimes the membership number box doesn’t show up for some people I knew what the problem was. I opened Internet Explorer and had no problems order and seeing the membership number box. I told her she should let her the technical department know they are having issues with Firefox.

Both companies were having issues during checkout when a consumer (myself) was using Firefox. Most consumers would of probably gave up. I can’t image how many sales they have lost. Sales they should of never lost. With all the advertising these big companies do, I would think they would have someone on staff in their technical departments that checks for browser issues. Since these sites may be updated often, they should be checked often. Firefox may not be as popular as IE, but it is a well known browser. It is a strict browser as well. So if the development teams build and test in Firefox, most likely it will work in IE as well.

Now if a website could just track how many sales are lost because of browser issues, even if you knew a percentage of sales lost. You could track how much advertising money was wasted because the website wasn’t prepared to do business with all users.

New Project
I have worked about 9 months on my newest project and looking forward to being a part of this website as it grows. Over the last 9 years, I have learned everything from servers to graphics to scripts and so much more. And throughout that time I have had many friends help me and have had the chance to help many friends. I have found that helping others has always been a big part of what I enjoy doing. So helping people is a big part of this newest project. Do you want to know more?

Introducing Digital-Boards.com
Digital-Boards.com is a unique consumer network. The consumer network provides consumers with articles on consumer issues like spamming, secure websites, phishing and more. Advertisers that are listed in our directory will have to pass our scoring system to become an Ad Sponsor. Our scoring system is consumer friendly. Digital-Boards.com gives consumers many opportunities to become a part of this community with blogs and a forum. Digital-Boards.com will have tons of articles added to it in 2007. But even better, all these articles can be listen to directly on our website via podcasts. Our Consumer Forum will have many prizes for consumers that become a member of our forum and participate in discussions.

What do Ad Sponsors Get?
Ad Sponsors will get a position on our jumpstation, full page listing in our hand built directory, podcasting of their listing which is fed to itunes and other podcasting websites, and so much more. For more information on advertising with Digital-Boards.com visit DigitalBoardAds.com.

Thank You
I must say Thank You to both my partners. They both have taken care of so much in the last year while I was working hard on this new project. They both have also done so much and helped me so much in the past 3 years while I have been sick. Thank you Debbie and Lloyd.

Over The Mark’s directories continue to grow. For those looking for fast and affordable links, our directories give you that.

Personally, I have worked hard to improve my health. In 2006 I gave up coffee, I gave up soda, I gave up smoking, I improved my eating habits and I added supplements to my diet. This along with simply walking has helped me get back to 100%. Which is where I plan on staying.

I missed doing this year end post. I have been pretty busy on our newest project. You will hear about that in my next post.

The HBO documentary follows Seattle grandmother and writer Bev Harris on the adventure of the Hacking Democracy. Bev Harris has a website called Black Box Voting. At this site you can find many others who are also concerned with the computer systems running our polls.

Now today, my husband and I went to vote. We knew they were using computer systems now in our area, I just couldn’t remember who they were through. Micro Vote are the machines used in Jasper County Indiana. Today we were using their Infinity machines, we have used the MV-464 in the past as well. I found a nice memo on their website, just a little suggestion to their potential consumers not to buy used machines they originally sold to another state. I also found 2 user lists on their website. Micro Vote List 1 and Micro Vote List 2. If your state or county is listed, I guess we know who to contact to discuss the use of these machines in our county.

I also found an article about MicroVote system and a judgement against them for just over a million dollars. And another article about the MicroVote systems needing upgrades before the election. Doesn’t seem to me like they would of had enough time to do upgrades, and proper testing. And it is also funny that MicroVote did change the system before without telling officials? I take the time to Vote, I just wonder if it worth it.

You can find some interesting information at Voters Unite. They have a pdf document of failures with the MicroVote System.

I know a few people know I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, you can find out more about this disease at http://www.arthritis.org and I have a little on my site about what I have been through the last couple years. Currently I’m waiting to see my doctor again because the drugs I’m using stopped working.

If you know anyone with Arthritis, please let them know they can contact their representatives through http://capwiz.com/arthritis/home/ in the Action alerts section.

Thank you!

Tanya Martin

It rained several times while we were there, and my daughter Bianca lost the bottom of her shoe. We were wondering why everyone was running for the wash area’s (that have roofs and concrete floors). Well as soon as we started to try to move, we found ourselves sticking to the ground. Then it got worse when we pulled our feet up and felt about 10 lbs of dirt stuck to and around our shoes. It seems the ground has so much clay that your feet will stick into the ground. You can see the sock between the top of the shoe and the inside cloth of the shoe.

The Saturday we were there they were having their 100th anniversary of John Huddlestons 1st diamond find, it was fun. They started the day with a treasure hunt. They burried plastic bottles that are orange in the field. Each bottle contains a certificate for a major prize. They also hid orange and red rocks, that were traded for prizes as well.

They continued with many games all day, three legged race, watermelon seed spitting contest, many activities all day long. We looked for bottles but didn’t find any. There were still 2 left when we left that Sunday. They leave them out for about a month and will still give out the prizes.

Discovery Channel at Crater of Diamonds
Also, Discovery Channel was there, I think I saw them 2 days. They are doing a special on the Crater of Diamonds State park and this 100th anniversary celebration. I will be watching for information to make it to their website. I think they did get us walking around the town.

Pictures at Crater of Diamonds
The first 2 pictures are of me digging, that was at the beginning of the day. The next is me sifting through the dirt to find the pebbles and look for diamonds.

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Here are a few of the dig area:

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On Founders Day:

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Everyone getting started on our first day. This is my husband, son and daughter (who is hard at work).

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Here are pictures from the park entrance:

(ME) (My daughter Bianca)
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(My Son Calvin) (FAVORITE - My husband)
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Here are a few of my family working away:

The picture of my son ( 2nd picture - white tshirt around middle of the picture), the guy behind him had given him some tips. He said the guy was there on a 30 day dig. It was his 21st day and he had found 7 diamonds so far.
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And the last day of digging:

I managed to learn how to not get covered in dirt. Everyone else, well not so good. I’m definitely going back, there was so much we didn’t get to check out while we were there. They have serveral State Parks in that area, can’t wait to see more!

They have founders day on the 17th, with a treasure hunt and diamond digging contest. I’m sure we will have a blast. We also made our own diamond digging kit. It was fun just shopping for things to use.

When I get back, it will be back to work as usual. Currently I’m working on a new network that will be amazing for consumers, and a steal for advertisers. Nothing like this yet. Keep watch, I will reveal more about this amazing unique internet marketing opportunity.

It would be interesting to see this layout. I wonder how ppc ads look with this new layout. Will it increase clicks or decrease them? Will more people like the new layout?

I’m not noticing the ads as much in the layout they are testing. Are there less?

This magazine gives you the real data no other magazine can give you! Find out more about search engine optimization, affiliate programs and affiliate marketing in Project Black Book.

Look for my article on page 42, Affiliate Systems + SEO + Affiliates = Higher Profits.