I Am Buraot

These days, things at entrecard are beginning to feel different. I think most users would agree that indeed, things are a-changin.

Back when Entrecard founder Graham Langdon was at the helm,  despite criticisms on the effects of the system like bounce rates and such, still, one could feel the sense of community there.

The way the business operate may not be populist (as is on most business models) but at least I found it somehow democratic. When something needs to change, proposals would be presented for everybody to see, reflect, and discuss.

Of course at the end of the day, the site owner had the final say.  But at least inputs, opinions and concerns from other members can be forwarded for everybody to see and be considered. Now it’s being run like your typical business where you just had no choice but to follow the bosses who own the company.

Like when the time majority didn’t like the paid ads, he gave the individual users the option NOT to accept such. I think we’re heading back that way.

Remember when the whole system was being plagued by quickdrop pages? These are pages with nothing but the entrecard widget on it and a lot of bloggers and users either create a whole blog or a separate page on their blog just for the purposes of quick-dropping. Everybody then was so addcited to quickdropping their entrecard credits that they had to do it too to keep up.

Of course, it defeats the purpose of trying to network and market other blogs so they had to be taken down. Still, entrecard gave a warning to everybody before actually taking them down and deleting their accounts. That gives everybody a chance to clean up after themselves and keep their credits.

The whole system also did its own house-cleaning. Issues of sites with too-much pop-ups, music playing that are intrusive, and sites that are semi-porn are taken out as well. Again, warnings were given to give the users and site owners to clean up after themselves.

I used to have another site with entrecard. But after a while, I got too busy to update it and now I no longer update it really. So the site was taken down from entrecard due to its inactivity. But you know what, they were kind enough to give me my entrecard credits from that site to my other site that is still active with entrecard.

Here’s my current situation with the NEW entrecard… they deleted my account for this site because, according from the email I got, they don’t allow this site’s Entredropper.

Why I don’t think it is right?

First, my Entredropper system is a script yes, but it is no way contrary to entrecard rules.  I think the problem with this system is this: If I use Entredropper, I will be quickdropping my way to a lot of sites which according to their rules, a “drop and go” no longer is allowed.  But knowing this beforehand, I could still use the Entredropper system but to avoid the problem, I will try not to go away from the page as soon as I make my drop.

I see no problem there. If there ever would be a problem, it will be the users who will try to “drop and run” using my Entredropper system. The system that I have here then, is just a coincidental part of the real problem.

But hey, it’s their site and their rules, and they can always update the rules to take down this entrepreneurial and smart system. And if they deleted my site from entrecard, I can do nothing about it.

Second, no warning was given. They just decided to delete it. They did sent me an email letting me know they deleted it. I said fine, but at least give me my more than 14,000 credits back. I worked for those credits, and I deserved it. I sent 3 messages but up to now, no reply was given.

Third, there are three sites who currently have pretty much the same script that the Entredropper has. One does not have an entrecard widget, which means that site is no longer with entrecard. Another had an active widget on its page, which means, it’s entrecard membership is still active despite the presence of a script very similar to mine.

So what is this about? Special treatment? Rules apply only to those they wanted it to be applied? To hell I care now. 

Just a reminder to everyone using my Entredropper System, this does not affect you guys and gals and the way you do business with entrecard. I don’t have to be with entrecard for others to use my system. Even if I no longer with them, the system is still in place for everybody to use.

If they don’t want me at entrecard, it’s totally fine. I  just want my credits back.