@sandlot1959: Yeah, a technology free 2 1/2 days! It was actually pretty cool!! Did you miss me?

Apparently I missed a lot of DRAMA!!

It's funny how those who think that they have things all figured out, are actually the most clueless!

Tupelo23 - I am with you...I don't have a dog in this hunt either and think it is all a little unecessary in this type of forum. However, I do think it is hilarious that someone with an ax to grind would create two different screen names for the sole purpose of degrading the Journal at every opportunity. In fact, looking back at previous postings, I see where he even referenced posts by the other screen name like they're two different people. That all seems pretty pathetic if you ask me.

dude you taking a vacation?

Don't really have a dog in this fight, but all I can say is, "wow." Take out the names and this would have all the trappings of a cat fight. Some folks just need to sit back, breathe a little fresh air, and realize that some things in life really aren't worth getting so worked up over. Think about how much time it took you to type up your responses -- and from this perspective they were personal attacks -- and then think about the myriad of ways you could have used your precious time in a much more productive manner. Don't know Josh. Don't know Bill. Just know it's sad to see this kind of thing happen. In the end this isn't discussion or debate. This is second-grade playground fighting. And it does no one any good.

It's just amazing to me that anyone who's on the ball enough to own and run a business feels the need to have to pay someone else to learn how to market themselves via Twitter, Facebook, et al. I guess there really IS a sucker born every minute.

What I also don't understand is why they would choose Mabus who is a graphic designer, to teach social networks which is totally unrelated to his field. Odd...

@JoshMabus: I had a couple of additional thoughts on your unfounded accusations/attack on me.

First, if using my OWN INITIALS, and my real name and email address are some attempt to somehow be anonymous, I'm obviously not very good at it. :)

I guess I'll have to give up my dream of being a spy, huh?

I could use my full name as my userID, but then I'd have to type my full name every time I log in and I'd much rather type 3 characters than 14.

Besides, it's moot. Unlike you, I'm not well known in the area and have no desire to be. So, putting my full name is no more enlightening to anyone than "WLJ" or any other string of characters.

So, using "WLJ" is strictly a convenience thing, not an attempt to remain anonymous, as I pretty much already am and that's just fine with me. I don't equate my success in life with how well known I am, etc. So, I have no desire to be well known and I have nothing to prove to anyone.

Also, those who know me know that I don't "hate" anything or anyone. Hate is an emotion that gives the things/people one hates power over them and I don't give people power over me.

So, since I've not said anything derogatory about you or your company and was merely expressing surprise at a Journal Inc. action in my previous comment, all I can think of as to why you'd make such accusations/attacks upon me is that you're upset that I didn't accept your facebook friend invitation. :)

I'm sorry, if I'd have known declining it would invoke such hurt and prompt such an attack, I'd have just accepted it and moved on.

I had no idea that my virtual friendship meant so much to you! :)

Please forgive me! Resend the friend request and I promise to approve it this time! :)

I've repeatedly violated the Lance Armstrong "No man over 30 will ever use emoticons" rule in this post!

DARN!!

typo: sweet-talk to ;-)

I've taught at ICC during few summers ago with kids. I know how teaching classes work.

But I see that the cost of class is $55 which means Josh Mabus would be receiving $55 per person..give or take.

My god! $55 is too high and he will be overpaid from teaching the easiest social networks- Twitter and Facebook. Any person can do this at home..there is no class needed, unless there's old people that Josh Mabus can talk-sweet to.

Oh and yes, Mabus Agency receives too much publicity. They never once took the time to interview me for a job..bunch of wads!

@JoshMabus: My ONLY comment on this topic was in expressing surprise that Journal Inc. was giving your agency so much publicity.

And contrary to your opinion, the fact is that I have not been spurned by, nor do I have hatred for, any organization or town.

Bottom line is that I didn't say anything derogatory about you on this topic.

I didn't comment on your imagination, creativity, originality, or fashion sense, or lack thereof, whichever the case may be. :)

Rather, I expressed surprise that Journal Inc. was giving you and your company so much publicity -- nothing more, nothing less.

BTW, the last day to sign up for the class is Wednesday, September 8.

HAHAHAHA. I find this conversation stimulating. A man (Bill Johnson, former New Media Director) uses two anonymous accounts (WLJ and WTFdude) to spew toxic mess, personal derogatory attacks and an overall "bah-humbug" spirit. Your excuse is to stir up discussion. I'm personally sick of it. You represent everything that actually is wrong with this town -- hiding behind anonymity and rumor to spread malice and hatred for the organization and town that spurned you for lack of imagination, creativity, originality, and fashion sense.

I have have no idea why you've chosen me and other people who are trying to make a difference to harangue.

As far as the class, if someone wants to take it, fine. If not, fine. I don't know that I'm the best person in the world to teach it, but ICC asked me to. And I'm going to do the best job I can to continue to help this region -- actively, in person. As far as my blog being updated, I'm sure most folks can read between the lines and know why.

My question to you, Bill(s), is are you willing to do this? Are you willing to come out of the shadows of anonymity? I'd like to see the passion you've put into running me and others down put to good use. I don't know...maybe knowing that I took enough time to respond to your comments is enough to fuel your day. If not, let's meet for a public discussion, debate or something that might actually stimulate the community? I personally think people would pay to finally see WTFdude in person...and I'll let you keep all the proceeds ;)

Actually I AM surprised at how much exposure Journal Inc. is giving the Mabus Agency.

Given the Mabuses history with Journal Inc., I'm pretty surprised that The Mabus Agency would be getting so much free publicity, and apparent support; especially from the New Media group.

Thanks. But you already did by your passive-aggressive "It's easy to be negative. It's much harder to do something and try to make a difference." comment.

BTW, the only "difference" that trying to be made here is a "difference" in this hack's bank account.

You're right, we're both entitled to our opinions, and you know what they say about those. :)

You're entitled to your opinion WTF that is fine I won't attack you for it. I'll stand by mine that I'm glad to see folks in our local community making efforts to improve social media in the area. Glad to see that going on.

Todd Vinyard

Online Editor

BTW, it's also easy to have no backbone and just agree with everyone.

It's much harder to face/state reality call things as you see them.

Using Twitter to get people to an event (cookout in this case) to promote your business?!! BRILLIANT!! Wow!! What an innovative use of Twitter!!! How did they ever come up with that?!!

Meetups, by Twitter or other means, are no innovation. In fact they've been around as long as Twitter has been online.

And please stop trying to act as if this is some philanthropic action for the community. It's not. WE are not that stupid.

It's about getting people to pay him to promote his own company, PERIOD!!

Look, if this were some "thought leader" or really innovative marketing person teaching this course, it would have legitimacy.

But a class taught by some local hack holds no value.

Not surprising to see Journal Inc. aligning with Mabus.

Mediocrity attracts mediocrity.

Birds of a feather as they say.

And how about that brilliant logo design for the football in Fairpark thing?!!

Any 6th grader with a computer could have come up with something better.

Yeah, people should be lining up to learn from such an innovator!

I'm glad to see someone willing to share experiences and talk about social media like Josh. It is also nice to see ICC offering this type of class. I thought the cookout get togethers that Josh and The Mabus Agency did through Twitter was a great idea to have fun through social media and they had a large turnout. It was one of the most creative uses of social media I've seen in the area or other places. I think people will learn a great deal if they take the class. I'm glad to see something like this going on in our community and thank Josh and ICC for doing it. It is easy to be negative. It is harder to do something and try to make a difference.

Todd Vinyard

Online Editor

It would probably be a great course taught by someone whose own blog on their website had been updated since May 9th! :)

In other words, an instructor with demonstrated success at what they're trying to get others to pay them to teach them to do.

Sounds like a good course to me. Hope folks take advantage of it.

Todd Vinyard

Online Editor