A big problem I saw with the site was that there was no specific info regarding the
last time the page was updated nor was there a specific author or webmaster. When
I teach web eval these are some big things we look at. I don't think it is a hoax,
just a very slick looking site with an unprovable product.
"In the nonstop tsunami of global information, librarians provide us with floaties
and teach us how to swim." - Linton Weeks (Washington Post article, 13 January
2001)
Joy Millam
Library Media Goddess/Teacher
Valencia High School
500 N. Bradford Ave
Placentia, CA 92870
714-996-4970 ext-3250
http://www.vhstigers.org/library/welcome.jsp?rn=6507
-----Original Message-----
From: School Library Media & Network Communications
[mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU]On Behalf Of Mindy Doler
Sent: Friday, May 04, 2007 6:42 AM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Hit: i-doser website
Thank you to everyone who responded regarding the website i-doser. I did
not send this originally as a target however since most people reported that
it was blocked (big clue!) they wanted to hear any information I was able to
gather.
Below are the responses from others who WERE able to access the site and
sent their thoughts to me. (Thanks!)
________________
I checked a few periodical databases and got nothing. Google News did have
a few college newspaper articles about it like this one:
The Daily Collegian
http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2007/05/05-01-07tdc/05-01-07dscihealth-
06.asp
________________
If it's not real, it's one of the most elaborate hoaxes I've ever seen. If
you go to zdnet, a popular download site, you can down load stuff from them.
It looks legit from what I could see. Whether it really works, is another
story.
________________
Our site blocker won't let me look at it - pops up as "unsavory."
________________
Please post conclusion. I am skeptical because there is never a name given
of a single doctor or other authority. Pretty slick page, though, and a
great one to use with students to evaluate.-
________________
Looks to me like it's for real. Lulu, the host site, is a legitimate place
for ecommerce and they certainly seemed ready to take my money. The download
of the free software works, and if you go to cnet where the software is
hosted, there is even a user rating (although only one). That would be a
pretty elaborate hoax site in my book.
________________
http://www.download.com/I-Doser/3640-2054_4-10396010.html These are
reviews from people who have tried it.
________________
The line about "synchronizing brainwaves" out to be a BIG clue. This may not
be a hoax, but it certainly fits my definition of a scam.
I didn't click on anything on the site, because I'm running Windows here. I
might be tempted to try it tonight at home, where the computer is running
Linux, but I suspect that the files are strictly Windows stuff. They may or
may not actually be what they claim, but I don't put any faith in that sort
of stuff anyway. Most likely you will download some sort of malware with
whatever else you might get.
________________
Man,that is a tough one! Please let me know what you find out. I'm doing an
AP science class lesson on web eval in a couple weeks. I wish I could use
it, but I guess the content wouldn't really be appropriate! It sure would
keep their attention, though! (:
________________
Mindy Doler
Media Specialist
North Oconee High School
Bogart, GA
mdoler@oconee.k12.ga.us
Opportunities are never lost... someone will take the one you miss.
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