Update Your Office

It's been five months, give or take, since we moved into the new apartment. With something akin to desperation, we managed to arrange and organize our piles of stuff and mounds of furniture into a functional system. There would be no more stubbed toes and banged shins. Then, Frankie moved back in.

Don't get me wrong - it is absolutely wonderful having him home. But, our interior design plan didn't leave a lot of room for more stuff. (It takes an act of Congress to get into my dresser these days.) The monster of a computer desk, which we have banged into and stumbled over for years, (the one that I keep threatening to replace) is eating up space that we could really use for other things. Like it or not, I really think it's time to rethink our office furniture set-up.

Frankly, I think that we would do better with a much (much) smaller desk and a 4-drawer filing cabinet. Maybe, a desk with a 2-drawer filing cabinet on each side. Then, we could shift everything else we own around and make room in my closet! Hey, I like that idea!

Just one - not so small - problem: Everything I like is bigger that what we have now! Oh, boy. Back to the drawing board - oooh, I need one of those, too!

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
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at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Order Now to Guarantee Christmas Delivery

Just a quick reminder that JMark Afghans, etc. doesn't crochet your afghan - or hat, scarf, or shawl - until you order it.

For some of the larger, more involved designs, that means that it takes at least a couple of weeks to finish your order.

If you've been thinking of a special, one-of-a-kind gift for your loved ones - please be sure to order now.

All of our items ship second-day, but - the closer we get to Christmas Day - even the USPS can't guarantee timely delivery.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
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at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Employee Background Checks

Being a one-person operation has its drawbacks. I have no one to blame if something goes wrong, for example; except myself. And, if I'm feeling particularly lazy, I have no one to whom I can pass the workload.

At the same time, I don't have to worry about pre-employment screening, background checks, employee theft, or dealing with someone who refuses to do the work for which they were hired. After 20-plus years in corporate America, I have seen some amazing (and I don't mean that in a good way) employee behavior. Ranging from TVs on their desk and sleeping on the job, to coming to work higher than a space shuttle in orbit, to disappearing for hours a day at the local movie theater - nothing is surprising to me anymore. Under the right conditions (or wrong conditions) everyone is capable of making poor choices. Everyone.

Having spent time on both sides of the interview table, I can see the necessity for independent evaluation of potential employees. Everyone I interviewed seemed fine to me. Great people; lots of energy. Would love to work with them. But, very few were actually as 'terrific' as they seemed. In the end, skills and personality were almost always at odds.

And, truthfully, how many people are completely honest about their histories? I know that - naturally - I'm going to put the best face on everything I tell a potential employer. Short of out-and-out lying, which I never would do, it's in my best interest to present myself as the best possible employee for any company at which I want to work.

Would a search of my background agree with what I say? Probably. What about the next person sitting in that interview chair? Don't guess; make sure.

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God Bless!

Jules

Insurance For Your Business

Well, here is something I didn't think about. Probably because I have no employees, no actual store-front, no company cars, and don't need to be bonded. But business insurance is a critical purchase decision for anyone whose enterprise is more than one person.

There are so many types of coverage that have to be considered, it boggles my mind. At the very least, General Liability coverage is a must-have. This will protect against most of the basic risks of having a brick-and-mortar store. It doesn't cover transportation of goods or people, but it will offer protection if someone slips and falls walking into the store.

Or if they're beaned by falling inventory, climbing up the display racks to get to the last 'color-me-silly' doll on the top shelf. (Hey, people do crazy things in the name of shopping and saving money.)

Whatever the type of business, it's foolish to operate it in these litigious times without adequate protection.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
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You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
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God Bless!

Jules

Barcode Scanners

The history of barcodes and the barcode scanner goes back much further than most people realize. I was recently reminded that my kids (born in the late 70s) are younger than barcodes and scanners. But what truly shocked me is that I, too, am younger than this technology. And I'm barely younger than dirt!

It was in 1948 that the owner of a local food chain in Philadelphia approached the Drexel Institute of Technology, asking about a method of reading product information automatically during check-out. In October 1949, the first patent was filed for a "Classifying Apparatus and Method." The new-and-improved version of the barcode holds U.S. Patent 2,162,994, issued October 7, 1952.(Quite amazing, when you consider that the store where I buy my chips and cigarettes has only started scanning products in the last year or so.)

An early version of barcodes were used at a Cincinnati Kroger store in 1966. They were not printed on product labels, but applied manually by store employees. The industry realized that, without standardized coding, this was impractical and would never be approved for widescale use.

By 1970, a company called Logicon Inc had been asked to develop an industry-wide system. They came up with the Universal Grocery Products Identification Code (UGPIC), which would evolve into the UPC (Universal Product Code). That same year, Monarch Marking in the United States and Plessy Telecommunications in Britain developed barcode equipment for retail and industrial use, respectively. By 1973, an IBM employee - George J. Laurer - had developed the UPC system and the rest, as they say, is history.

By way of interesting trivia: In June 1974, the first barcode scanner (made by NCR Corp.) was installed at Marsh's Supermarket in Troy, Ohio. On June 26th, the first barcoded product was scanned during checkout. It was a 10-pack of Wrigley chewing gum (the first item the shopper removed from the cart) and is on display at the Smithsonian.

I was also reminded that, when these codes and scanners started becoming more prevalent, there was a segment of society (as always) preaching doom and gloom. We were all going to end up barcoded and our every movement would be recorded with scanners! Big Brother had arrived!

I think I'll just skip that little tattoo shop, if it's all the same to you.


Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
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at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Identity Theft Advice

I recently received the following advice in an email. Not all of the advice is 100% valid, so I have added some caveats or suggestions, where applicable:

1. The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but your bank will know how you sign your checks.
   • (This was actually listed on the Illinois Legal Aid website.) Bank employees are highly unlikely, given the volume they process, to verify checks against a signature card. And, many businesses may require that the information on your checks matches the information on your ID.
2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED".
   • I like this one. Although, I haven't had anyone check the back of a card - or ask me for ID - in a very, very long time. (Perhaps retailers need to reeducate their employees?)
3. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.
   • Better to leave this line blank and simply remember to include the payment slip from your statement. (Anyone processing your payment at the bank or credit card company, already has access to your account information anyway - truth be told.)
4. Put your work phone number on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address.
   • Is there, truly, a need to have a phone number printed on your checks? (Not to mention, what if you change jobs?) I haven't written a check in many years, but I don't recall being required to provide that information.
   • As far as addresses versus PO Boxes: If I recall correctly, there used to be issues with POBs on checks. Then, there's the issue of check information matching your ID. And using a work address takes us back to - What if you change jobs?
5. Never have your Social Security number printed on your checks. You can add it, if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
   • Again - why would anyone ever provide this information on every check they write? Leave it off.
6. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopies safe.
   • Admittedly, this isn't a bad idea. Though you can get the numbers from your credit card statements and the local DMV is in the phonebook. Social Security cards can be replaced online.

If your wallet is stolen:

1. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.
2. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
3. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number.

Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, etc., has been stolen:

1. Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
   • The actual SSA information, from their website: (The Social Security Administration will issue a new card, but they will not file a report or take any action regarding a stolen card.)
     • File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (1-877-ID-THEFT or 1-877-438-4338);
     • File an online complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at http://www.ic3.gov;
     • Check your Social Security records (call toll-free 1-800-772-1213; TTY 1-800-325-0778) to ensure your income is calculated correctly; and
     • Monitor your credit reports.
2. Equifax: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241 1-800-685-1111
   • Report Fraud:
     * Phone number: (800) 525-6285
     * Mail: Equifax Fraud Division, P.O. Box 740250, Atlanta, GA 30374
3. Experian (formerly TRW): P.O. Box 2002, Allen, TX 75013 1-888-397-3742
   • Report Fraud:
     * Phone number: (888) 397-3742
     * Mail: Experian National Consumer Assistance Center, P.O. Box 9530, Allen, TX 75013
4. TransUnion: P.O. Box 1000 2000, Chester, PA 19022 1-800-888-4213
   • Report Fraud or Identity Theft:
     * Online
     * Phone number: (800) 680-7289
     * Mail: TransUnion Fraud Victim Assistance Department, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

The Importance of Security in Difficult Times

One recurring theme these days, on TV and on the Internet, is the need for security. In tough economic times, it's not surprising to hear that crime is on the rise. Crime against businesses and crime against individuals now make the news several times a day. (I know that we've heard the police helicopter, searching the neighborhood, a lot more in the last few months.)

One benefit of living where we do is the cctv security system. A few years ago, when Mark's daughter and son-in-law were visiting, someone ran into their car in the parking lot. Happily, it took no time at all to get the make, model, and license number of the vehicle that sideswiped the new SUV. Sadly, it was one of our neighbors who, as we saw in the tape, hit the car - not once, but twice.

These days, our complex is also gated. People attempt to climb over the gates on a regular basis and are caught on the security cameras, on a regular basis. Personally, we don't wait for the cameras to catch these trespassers. After all, once they're over the gate, we aren't that many steps away.

In addition to wooden blocks in the windows, for the last several months, we've kept a chair shoved under the front door. We know that it won't stop a determined intruder. It will slow them down and, hopefully, encourage them to bother someone else.

Our neighborhood is not the best. And - honestly? - our neighbors are not the most law-abiding. With a little attention to security, we do sleep pretty well at night.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Order Fulfillment

One critical part of running a retail / product-based business is order fulfillment. In my case, that's been pretty straightforward: customers order, I crochet. After the crocheting is done, I wrap the afghan / scarf / hat in pretty paper and add care instructions, tied up with a ribbon made from matching yarn. This goes in a box and out the door.

No muss. No fuss. But, could it be better? Probably.

Recently, I've been thinking about something called branding. Ensuring that the packaging, for instance, leaves no doubt that this is a JMark Afghans, etc. product. This is where, I think, there could be room for improvement.

The care instructions are printed, individually, on the back of a business card. So far so good. However, the wrapping paper isn't unique and the mailing labels could be from any business.

Guess it's time to put my marketing hat on and get to work.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

New Mugs from JMark Afghans at Zazzle

Just a quick reminder: JMark Afghans has designed a new series of Grand Canyon Mugs through Zazzle.com. Please stop by and see all of our "Grand" products.

Grand Canyon Mug 001:
"Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona. Not all holes, or games, are created equal." ~~ George Will

Grand Canyon Mug 002:
"You cannot see the Grand Canyon in one view, as if it were a changeless spectacle from which a curtain might be lifted, but to see it you have to toil from month to month through its labyrinths." ~ John Wesley Powell

Grand Canyon Mug 003:
"The Grand Canyon is carven deep by the master hand; it is the gulf of silence, widened in the desert; it is all time inscribing the naked rock; it is the book of earth." ~ Donald Culross Peattie

Grand Canyon Mug 004:
"To stand upon the edge of this stupendous gorge, as it receives its earliest greeting from the god of day, is to enjoy in a moment compensation for long years of ordinary uneventful life." ~ John Stoddard, 1898

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
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You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
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God Bless!

Jules

Comodo Internet Security Pro

JMark Afghans, etc. is proud to announce that we are now affiliated with:

In this day of worms, trojans, viruses, and the armies of morons who troll the Internet looking to cause trouble and damage, it's not just important to have protection. It is critical. Trust me on that one.

Starting with a solid, reliable firewall, Comodo protection adds anti-virus and wi-fi coverage to the package. Top that with live, expert support and you've got security that will help you surf happy and sleep peacefully.

Don't risk your data, your personal information, or the computer on which you depend. Take a look at Comodo. You'll be amazed!

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
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You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

HID Kits

Today, I learned something new; a situation that I just love.

Looking for something entirely unrelated, I found a site offering hid kits. Obviously, just looking at the webpage, I could see that HID kits have something to do with vehicle headlights. But, what? And what does HID stand for?

First, HID stands for High Intensity Discharge. I immediately thought of the cool, really bright headlights that you see periodically on cars and trucks. Assuming these were halogen, I read on and found that I was (again) in need of more information.

Then, I found the comparison image. Just look at the difference between halogen lights and HID xenon lights. Which would you prefer?

Me, too!

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God Bless!

Jules

Quesos Mi Pueblito, LLC Recalls Cheese Products

Due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, the following products, with a Sell-by Date from February 2, 2009 to present, have been recalled by Quesos Mi Pueblito, LLC of Passaic, NJ:

La Fe Oaxaca String Cheese
El Viejito Oaxaca Cheese
Mi Pueblito Cotija/Añejo
Mi Pueblito Cuajada Fresca
Mi Pueblito Queso Colombiano de Arriero
Mi Pueblito Queso Molido
Mi Pueblito Queso Cotija Triangulo
Mi Pueblito Queso Fresco
Mi Pueblito Queso Fresco de Rancho
Mi Pueblito Queso Casero
Mi Pueblito Queso Oaxaca
Mi Pueblito Requeson
Mi Pueblito Serrano

The recalled cheese was distributed in New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia through Puebla Foods, Inc., Passaic, N.J. to retail stores and wholesalers.

(Click on company name (above) for chart containing brand name, USP/Size, and packaging details.)

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God Bless!

Jules

Organizational Leadership Degree

To be perfectly honest, when I was asked to look at the Organizational Leadership Masters degree program at Gonzaga University, I had never heard of such a degree. Already familiar with the quality of the education provided at Gonzaga University, a Jesuit institution located in Spokane, Washington, I needed to find out just what a Masters in organizational development or organizational leadership entails. Similar in intent, they are not the same; although many educational institutions seem to use the terms interchangably.

Generally, Organizational Development seems to get pigeon-holed as a Human Resources specialization, with a focus on diagnosing and improving processes within an organization. In contrast, Organizational Leadership involves skill sets that include and extend beyond that scope into areas such as diversity, team building, ethics, and group behavior. The leadership programs also emphasize practical application of learned skills, in terms of creative thinking, communication, and problem solving.

As I understand it, Organizational Development has improvement of the organization as its primary goal, while Organizational Leadership advances the individual's ability to be an instrument of motivation and change within and beyond a specific discipline. In fact, many traditional fields are developing leadership specializations, understanding the benefit of adding sociology, philosophy, psychology, and management skills to their core training. Such an expanded knowledge base, as presented in the program at Gonzaga University, naturally presents a wider range of career options to the individual possessing these additional competencies.

Personally, if I'm going to invest my time and money in furthering my education, I want to be able to take that education anywhere.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
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God Bless!

Jules

Spoofing Emails ... Again! and Again!

Like most people I know, I love getting mail. No longer! I now hate - with a passion - looking in my inbox.

Thanks to these spammers/ spoofers/ friggin' jerks, I wake up every day to at least 200 new delivery failure notifications. And, despite reporting the IP address, they just keep creating new websites, with dozens of subdomains - all pretending to be JMark Afghans. In the words of Queen Victoria: "We are NOT amused!"

If I weren't so busy trying to quantify and report all of this, I think I'd just sit down and cry. Or perhaps screaming would be more effective.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
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God Bless!

Jules

Spoofing Emails ... Again!

Once again, JMark Afghans, etc. has been spoofed! If you don't know what that means, in a nutshell - someone (in this case, many someones) sent spam/junk email out with a fake jmarkafghans.com email address as the sender and/or reply-to. It appears that the message came from JMark Afghans, etc., when in fact it didn't. To give you an idea of how busy these little )*@&$% miscreants were this weekend:

As of 10:00am today, we have received more than 750 - yup seven-hundred-fifty - delivery-failure notices for emails that we did not send. Apparently, there is a lovely new scam being perpetrated at IP address 119.67.72.151. Heaven only knows how many emails made it through, since many of the failure notices we received contained more than one addressee!

All of the websites to which these messages send recipients are exactly the same. Diamond Replicas is the title on the three that I was able to trace back. The IP address hosts over 70 domains, so I guess we were lucky to only get hit by 3 of them.

According to what I read, when you access the checkout / shopping cart, you are giving all of your credit card and identifying information out over an unsecure connection. You can imagine the damage they can and will do, once they get that information.

I reported everything I could and, hopefully, the IP and related sites will get taken down soon. In the meantime ...

• If you didn't subscribe to our mailing list and/or newsletter, you will never receive email from JMark Afghans, etc.
• If you did subscribe to our mailing list and/or newsletter, but didn't respond to the opt-in email message, you will never receive email from JMark Afghans, etc.
• If you ever receive a plain-text message from an individual at JMark Afghans, etc., it wasn't us!

We never, ever send plain-text messages and never have. There are absolutely no, none, zip, nada, zilch individual email addresses associated with our business. There never have been and, because of this sort of fraudulent behavior by no-goodniks, there never will be.

With that said, should you ever receive any unsolicited email claiming to be from JMark Afghans, etc., please forward it immediately to me. My email address is at the bottom of every page of the website.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
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God Bless!

Jules

Preparing for the GMAT

We 'talked' recently about getting a Masters degree in Business Administration and the requirements that must be met in order to enroll in a degree-granting program. One prerequisite for virtually all MBA programs is the GMAT®, the Graduate Management Admission Test®.

Designed to predict academic performance in applicants to an MBA program, the GMAT® is neither easy nor inexpensive. This makes GMAT prep a critical step in the process. So, why not go to the organization that employs the people who designed the adaptive testing algorithms behind the GMAT®?

What I really like about the Knewton program is that you can, basically, test-drive before you buy. There is a free 7-day trial offer that allows prospective applicants access to online classes, a full-length sample GMAT®, and practice problems and tests. If that weren't enough, they also provide explanations and test tips.

If you're considering an MBA, why not start here?

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God Bless!

Jules

BugZip.com

I can't think of anything worse than a bug infestation. We had a problem for months, after a new tenant moved into the apartment next to ours. We shared a common kitchen wall and, in a very short time, we found ourselves sharing something much more unpleasant. It started with a bug here and there; nothing overwhelming. But that soon changed. Before long, we were infested and, even though the neighbor moved, the bugs stayed.

Coincidentally, about the time we were moving to our new apartment, I was asked to test and review a bed bug encasement product from BugZip.com. I couldn't wait for the bags to arrive! We didn't have bed bugs, but I was excited to try something non-toxic that would put a barrier between my blankets, comforters, pillows and our creepy-crawly roommates. (Little did I know that the new apartment had spiders, so I seriously needed some help.)

Suffice it to say, I am impressed. The quality is solid - the vinyl is more substantial than anything I've used before and the zippers wrap securely around three sides for easy access. My only concern quickly evaporated. The bags are big enough for everything I needed to cover, and then some.

As mentioned on the packaging, it does take a little care to zip them, initially; especially around the corners. Unfolding the larger bags was quite a job, too. But once they're open and carefully zipped the first time, they are a breeze to use. Now, I have everything washed, dried, and safely stored.

I was even able to treat an area along the wall we share with our old unit, without contaminating the stored items. This, needless to say, thrilled me. With the storage bags I had been using, everything permiated the flimsy plastic. It didn't matter the condition when I put things away; to use them again, they had to be laundered.

Nothing gets through BugZip's bags - not smells, not chemicals, and not bugs. And, unlike plastic bags, my closet looks neat and organized. I'm sold!


Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
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God Bless!

Jules

The University of Scranton Online MBA

The world of online education, like any other product or service on the Internet, is filled with wannabes. Filled with organizations that are very happy to take your money, for a lengthy period of time, at the end of which you have (if you're lucky) a frameable piece of paper that is too often more effective at the bottom of a birdcage than it is on a resume. Getting an MBA online is no different; although, from what I can tell, MBAs are extremely popular and, therefore, possibly more prone to abuse.

Before you even look at an MBA program, especially online, research the accreditation. I learned, from a woman I worked with, that in the business marketplace a degree is only as good as the accrediting institution. While she was knowledgable and had 'that piece of paper,' management did not recognize the school that she attended (online) as an accredited college / university. They, therefore, were not appreciative of her degree when it came time for raises and promotions. It was, in essence, a waste of her time and money.

The University of Scranton's online MBA program is accredited by the AACSB (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), a specialized agency that grants accreditation for business administration and accounting programs. It is the only 100% online program to receive this accreditation. During my research, I discovered that many accredited universities (e.g., Colorado State, University of Colorado, Michigan State, University of Michigan) have business and accounting programs that are also accredited by AACSB. This indicated to me that AACSB is not a rubber-stamp accreditation agency. Schools and programs earn the seals that they proudly display.

Not to mention, unlike many programs, The University of Scranton doesn't provide a 'degree-lite' online curriculum. The courses, faculty, standards, and diploma are the same for students who log in from hundreds, or thousands, of miles away as they are for those who occupy a seat in a classroom in a building in Scranton, Pennsylvania. To me, that is a major (pardon the pun) selling point. I would hate to spend 2 years, working my tail off, only to receive a diploma that, somehow, was less - online MBA - than what someone else received for the same effort, simply because they were able to physically attend class.

Which brings me to some of the other 'features' of an online MBA from The University of Scranton. Virtually all MBA programs require applicants to take the GMAT® (Graduate Management Admission Test®), a measurement of a student's qualifications for advance study and one predictor of academic performance. At The University of Scranton, the application includes a written response to a hypothetical business situation, designed to measure the applicant's writing and problem-solving skills. Based on this response, as well as the balance of the required documents, it is possible that the GMAT® will not be needed. A savings, to the qualified applicant, of at least $250.00 - plus study, prep, and test time. In the life of a business professional, time tends to be at a premium.

As a person who needs to get it done and get it done now, I also appreciate that The University of Scranton's online MBA program can be completed in two years, rather than the three that many part-time programs take. Most people I know have neither the time nor the money to invest in an extraneous year.

Do you? If not, please look at The University of Scranton. I think that you'll be happy with what they have to offer.


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You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Another Mystery Shopper Scam

When I'm not designing, crocheting, cleaning, or moving, I am a mystery shopper. It's interesting and gets me out of the house once in a while. (Many shops can be done online, which also works well for me.)

A friend recently sent me an email he received, allegedly from Shoppers' Critique. I hadn't seen this one before, although I have heard of Shoppers' Critique. (Message follows; typos are original.)

----- Original Message -----
Subject: 13/7/2009
Date: Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:24:42
From: Roland Bliss <baltimoreishe @ gmail.com>

Dear Representative,

You have been selected for an assignment as a Mystery Shopper. You will earn $400 been a mystery shopper. Your employment packet include funds for the shopping, a training assignment which will be send to you after you received payment for the assignment. Paycheck would be sent to you for the assignment by Check or money order. The paycheck would be in a certain amount, you are to deduct your salary,and the rest would be used for the evaluation at the store that would be given to you.
Your Employment packet are as follows :

Email me the below details:
Full Name:
Full Address:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Phone Number:
Nationality:
Alternative Email Address:

As a mystery shopper you work and shop together for pleasure and the pay is $400 weekly on Part time basis , You only work 2-3hours twice in aweek. Do get back to the recruiting department of Shoppers' Critique International.

N:B - HAVE YOU EVER DONE THIS OFFER FOR ANY COMPANY IF YES/NO..... IF YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE CHECKING YOUR MAILBOX,JUNK/BULK MAIL AND REPLYING THEM ON A DAILY BASIS FOR MY MESSAGES,THEN YOU ARE NOT QUALIFIED FOR THIS POSITION.

Your response would be highly appreciated.
Best Regard
Roland Bliss.
Secret Shopper®

As you can see, this message just reeks of scam/ spam/ phishing. From personal experience, I can assure you that Mystery / Secret Shopper organizations do not, ever pay in advance. That would be like giving the local tradesman $500.00 because, at some point, your sink may leak or you may need a room painted. Bad business and rather foolish.

So, with bells and whistles going off in my head, I went looking for Shoppers' Critique online. Amazingly, the first link I noticed - even before connecting to the website - was for a page titled: Scam Alert. Answered my question pretty quickly, didn't they?

I included a link to the Shoppers' Critique alert page, because the information listed there is concise, thorough, and easily applies to any message received from scammers and phishers. The links to reporting agencies are invaluable:

Federal Trade Commission
www.ftc.gov
877-382-4357

Your local FBI Field Office
www.fbi.gov
Go to the site to find local information. (You don't have to have lost money to contact them. Any information you can provide may help stop the scammers and keep someone else from getting taken to the cleaners.)

Internet Crime Complaint Center
www.ic3.gov

Be sure to notify the issuing bank, if you receive a cashier's check, so that they can alert employees and branches to not honor the checks.

For checks and scams received through the US Mail:
http://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/investigations/MailFraud/MailFraud.aspx

As always - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. And, in this day and age, it's probably highly illegal.


Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

JMark Afghans on Twitter

Well, I've been avoiding it for months, but finally caved in: JMark Afghans is now on Twitter! Please come on over and follow us!

Should be an interesting experiment. We'll see just how much we have to Tweet!

How much, by the way, is too much?


Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules