Speaking of checking up on companies...

Frequent reader "HK" sent along a very useful clarifying note about the earlier writeup of how comparison shopping sites are only as good as the stores they work with, wherein he notes...

"Another area where you have to compare the comparers is when you're checking out the legitimacy of online businesses. Now, in addition to the Better Business Bureau, there's e Public Eye and Ripoff Report, and probably many others. You can drive yourself crazy."

I agree completely. It's ironic that the Internet has so much promise (am I the only one that remembers the tongue-twisting "disintermediation" concept?) and yet so much has gone wrong (80% of email is now spam, for example).

Ah, for a day when we only get real email, only visit legitimate Web sites, only find business opportunities where I really could make some money without being ripped off, and only have pleasant conversations with friendly folk....

... dream on.