Trying to take the Spotlight

Yesterday a wonderful resourceful site and facebook page were headlined in a prominent manner.

(Full article can be found here)

Gary James and A4CWSN somehow think that by having the a4 page literally scrolled over, and shown for a grand total of about two seconds, that it's been featured or was in the spotlight as well.

Sorry James, you weren't featured, or in the spotlight.  Though I know you seem to think otherwise.

The a4cwsn website will never, ever come close to being that of the website that was featured. There's a big difference between helping special needs families and taking their last ten dollars. I'm pretty sure most can figure out which is which. 

He couldn't just let this wonderful site and owner bask in their glory for actually being featured in this. Nope, he knows himself that he's in a sinking ship. Grasping at straws to say he was featured and in the spotlight of this article.  

Technology in Education is an amazing, wonderful resource for parents, therapists, and well, everyone.  

Here's the link to their facebook page where the most amazing Appy Parties are hosted, and the link to their website. 

Don't worry Mr James, I'm sure you'll make headlines, someday soon too. Though I doubt they'll be similar in nature to this wonderful site that was featured!

Yep, he went there, again.

The other day on twitter got interesting again.
A4CWSN decided to post more personal information. Albeit not all correct information, personal information that wasn't out there on the internet before, is now out there.

The following pictures are a series of tweets that A4CWSN sent out. I opened each tweet and you can see what he's replying too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, I have no problem if someone wants to use someone's name online when it's readily available.  Aside from one of these tweeters, their names are NOT public on twitter. Most likely for a reason. Probably a damn good reason.  For him to then turn it around and blame it on the "hatters" for having to do that? To think that it's perfectly a-ok to post personal information, it just baffles my mind.

What shocks me is that his 'supporters' see absolutely nothing wrong with these actions, and neither does he. In fact he excuses the actions easily. He says we pushed him to sink to this level? No.  Everyone has free will. What they personally decide to do is their own choice. No one is forcing him to do anything.

I also find it interesting that he's been thanking Twitter, Facebook, etc for their assistance but when he posted his 'proof' of information, he posted links for Spokeo.  Which in my opinion, isn't the most reliable source for information. Hey, whatever floats your boat though!
(Hey, did you know you can opt out of Spokeo creating a profile for you? Click on their privacy link at the bottom of the page and follow their easy directions!)

If he does have a lawyer, don't you think they would be telling him to stop typing? To step away from the keyboard? To let the legal system deal with these issues?

Of course, this isn't the first time that he's posted personal information. I  highly suspect it won't be the last.  I am always surprised at the new levels of low that he'll sink to, I know I shouldn't be, but I am.
All in the name of intimidation.

I promise you...

 

 

I wasn't an a4cwsn 'follower' or 'supporter' during this time. However, I have gone back to the absolute very beginning of a4cwsn being on facebook, and read every single post a4cwsn ever made. Well, minus the deleted ones, of course! (Yep, it took a while to read, don't worry though my kids are well taken care of - yep, I have that post from the 50/50/50 room too!) This however did make for interesting reading.

I came across a lot of what can only be considered empty and broken promises that a4cwsn made. What's most surprising to me is that this was all just forgotten.  This surprises me because I know these parents aren't stupid. These are smart folks we're talking about. 

I know that most of the current supporters didn't see these happen (or for that matter, not happen), or many other "promises" made. 

His biggest and loudest supporters are now gone. (We're the 'hatters').  At one time, when he'd ask for a show of who was on the page and reading, he would get well over 150 likes, closer to 200. 

It always baffles me that he gets away with this. When I stop and think about it though, it makes sense. 

It's a wash, rinse, repeat cycle. 

He gains followers, he makes promises, then he breaks them, just doesn't follow through on them, or changes the rules completely for them.  Followers leave, new ones replace them. 

If someone dares asks where something is/or at, depending on his mood and how he reads it, you'll get one of two answers:

1. I'm only one man and one computer.
2. How dare you question me!!

There never really seems to be a straight answer though.  

It's so frustrating to sit back and watch this happen from the outside now. 

Knowing that parents will get their hopes up. Only for the realization to strike.. it was all a lie. 

I was seriously considering posting links on this blog post to other pages where you can find love and support. Links to other avenues to get an iPad for your child.  But, I'm not going to.  Not because they aren't fantastic resources. I'm not going to post them because I don't want A4CWSN going to them and spewing crap. (It's been done before). 

You know, it absolutely drives me nuts that he gets away with it too.  I will be the first to raise my hand and take ownership for any and all actions I've done. Have I been in contact with developers? You're sure as shit I have been.  Have I explained to them how to file a complaint? Damn straight I have! Have I read their emails and cried because of the harsh words he's spewed at them for no other reason than they didn't agree with him? Yep. Done that too. 

So I'll end with this. 

If you're looking for some wonderful communities to join, to get honest reviews (ya know, the type that are honest and sincere, even if they were paid for- this means the good, the bad and the ugly), please contact me. At these pages you'll have a chance to win codes for your iPads, or just some resources to search and learn more about how to get an iPad. Contact me.  I will point you in the right direction.  No one begs for you to donate, everything is transparent and fair. None of this, let me pick the prettiest profile picture. No million hoops to jump through, no give me all your personal details, no post your story. No bullshit. Just honest, sincere people who want to help other special needs parents. That's it. That's all. 

Bells & Whistles

Recently, A4cwsn has been tweeting and posting on facebook information about a give away for a "loaded (used) iPad1".

 

 

 

 

Of course, my very smart friends took to twitter and responded with proper information that even though the iPad is "loaded" with apps,

1. If there were ever any issues with the iPad, one of the first steps Apple recommends is to SYNC the iPad with your computer and the attached iTunes account. 
2. When apps become updated you need the account name and password to update the apps.
3. That yes, the iPad could come with the apps, but they would lose the apps if they wanted to sync their own iTunes accounts to the iPad. 

In order to retain all the apps that came preloaded on the iPad that a4cwsn is giving away, the new owner would need the login name and password to the a4cwsn's iTunes account to sync or update the apps and the iOS (if/when there is a new update) on the device.

 

 

 

 

 

(Pics that a4cwsn uploaded to showcase the apps that would be preloaded on the iPad)

Without being able to update the apps as the developers update them they basically become obsolete.  There are sometimes glitches, making it so that you cannot access the app, there is updated information you won't have access to, etc. 

Initially a4cwsn replied that of course, we're wrong. That you just simply need to use iCloud.

Which is all fine and dandy, but you still need login information to get into iCloud.

Since we took to twitter to discuss this, suddenly a4cwsn wants to offer up a "year of access" to his iTunes account. 

Which is great, don't get me wrong, but what happens when that year is done?  Suddenly you're in the same spot you were, where you won't be able to update the apps, or if you have any issues with the iPad you would still need to sync it to your own account, losing all of those wonderful apps a4cwsn originally preloaded onto the iPad.

What about when developers stop making apps that are compatible with the iPad1? The iPad3 is rumoured to be releasing very, very soon.
The apps started with the touch screen iPod. Some apps you cannot download onto older generation iPods.  Some apps you cannot use to their full potential on an iPad1 because of the difference between an iPad1 and an iPad2.

Hey, while we're talking about long term promises, what happened to that a4 member that was supposed to get assistance from a4cwsn for a year? 

 

 

There were a few posts for about three weeks to followup, and nothing since. Not a word of an update. I bet most of the active followers on a4cwsn right now, don't even have a clue who the person who "won" is. Or even knew that it happened. 

Or, how about those folks who were supposed to get apps for a year. Yes, a few got half of the year, but as far as I'm aware, there are still some who got nothing. 

(I have screen shots of all the promised dates they would get the apps, but this post is already getting pic heavy, if you need to see them, though, let me know and I'll edit and post them!) 

But hey, most of you weren't there to see all of that right, so it doesn't matter? It's all a lie too, right? 

Shhh.. it's a secret!

Shhh, don't tell anyone!

I'm in private groups! On facebook! And just about everyone else I know is too! OMGZ! OH NOZ!

Yes, there are several people who have come together in a "secret, private group" on facebook. (Actually, there are several groups! *gasp!*)
We came together because we all saw what was happening. We were fortunate, I guess you could say, enough to see all the venom that had been spewed, and all the deleted posts.
2+2 was adding up to 4.

We never formed any group until we had all been black listed and banned though, just for the record (And hey, a thanks for that, because I've been able to make some amazing friends thanks to this AND I found a love for blogging!!).  All those months that he claimed there was a group trying to bring a4cwsn down? I have no clue about any of that. Neither does anyone I chat with.

Yep, we compared notes so to speak, and still do, actually.
Really, though, the only way you know you've been lied to is to compare stories with someone who's talked to the same person about the same thing.

We will never stop trying to piece the puzzle together that is a4cwsn.

And yep, we have all spent countless hours on google after our kids have gone to bed, or are taking a nap.
Heck, some of us have spent countless hours on the phone too!

Really though, when you're curious about something important, you research it.
To us, it's important to highlight the half truths and misrepresentations that have taken place.  As we've said, we don't want people to be scammed, or hurt.  Of course, your opinion of this, is yours to make. It's your opinion.  I'm also not going to sit here all day and try to convince you.

I will promise you however, I will search all that I can, and I will share it with the investigator, and I will share here on this blog.

And yep, that conversation Gary James posted on my blog this morning, absolutely did take place.
The 50/50/50 tour ended at the end of November. We hadn't contacted any developers then.
We also never told developers not to follow through on commitments made.
We did not contact developers until long after he had posted (numerous times) that he had secured apps for the iPads.
We haven't exactly been quiet about contacting developers though have we??

And really, how many developers does a4cwsn follow on twitter? Lots, right? They can easily see the storm that's been going on for months in their twitter feed.

I do have to say, that seeing a private conversation that took place on facebook posted on my blog is a little strange.  It's kind of like going out for dinner with a group of friends, only to realize someone recorded your entire conversation and posted it all over the interwebz.

Do I really care? No.  He's been using the same lines from that conversation for months to try and intimidate us all on twitter.

So yes.  There are several secret, private groups on facebook.  And yes, they're secret so that they are not searchable on facebook.
So what?

I bet even a couple of you who are reading this blog, will go to some secret group somewhere and discuss this post. Oh Noz! How scandalous!

Dear App Developers- An Update

First I'd like to take this opportunity to send a huge 

THANK YOU!!!!!!

To the Developers who took time to contact me. 

Secondly, to the update piece.  I had a member of the 50/50/50 iPad group get in touch with me. She wishes to remain anon and I need to respect that. 

She sent me screen shots of all the apps & app codes.  Far too many for me to edit and include in one post. It would be overwhelmingly pic heavy. 

So, what I did was crop out the name of the apps, and put them all together in one picture.  I will include several of the edited pics from the group with the codes as well just to back up what I'm saying is true.  

Please note the sections that are blacked out are done so for privacy reasons. 

  

Linky-do for previous post. 

Dear App Developers

Dear App Developers,

Recently a facebook page & website, A4CWSN, completed a 50/50/50 tour.  50 iPads, 50 children, 50 states. Well, this turned out to be 48 iPads, 48 children and 48 states (Utah & South Dakota do not have children who got iPads).

Before this tour started, you were approached.  You were asked to donate to the cause.  You were asked to donate money (and were urged to donate at least $100 if not more) and you were asked to donate codes for your apps so that these iPads could be "loaded" for these special children. Some of you went above and beyond and even donated iPad(s).

A4CWSN created a private group for the winners of these iPads, so that the codes could be given out.  If codes were not used within the group, they were quickly given out on the main A4CWSN facebook page.
Some people had children in hospital when codes were given out, and some just aren't online much. Some didn't check the group often enough.

The following photo, A4CWSN boasts about how awesome and amazing these iPads will be for our special children.

The following series of photos are of shout outs with thank you's from A4CWSN for donating codes to the campaign.

Here's a list of apps that actually went out and the number of codes that were given.
(It should be known, I have had this list confirmed by members still in the group. There is also a previous blog post about these app codes- Linky-do, she has since been removed from this group, because of the exchange that took place. I have listed the app, the # of codes and the value of the app if purchased, you will however find, that the value does not come close to what was promoted by A4CWSN)

• Smart Apps 4 Kids.com 
• Look in my Eyes Steam Train 2 or Restaurant or House 
• 2.99/app
• Ocean House Media
• The Berenstain Bears Play a Good Game 
•  5 codes -- 3.99/app
• The Berenstain Bears Faithful Friends 
•  5 codes -- 3.99/app
• Just for You 
•  10 codes -- .99c/app
• If I Ran the Zoo 
•  9 codes -- 1.99/app
• When I Get Bigger 
•  10 codes -- .99c/app
• The Foot Book 
•  10 codes -- 1.99/app
• PictureBook 
•  46 codes -- .99c/app
• ChoiceWorks 
•  23 codes --  14.99/app
• Puzzingo 
•  10 codes -- 1.99/app
• ABC Shakedown Plus 
•  4 codes -- Free
• ABC on the Go 
•  4 codes -- 1.99/app
• Let's Bead Friends 
•  4 codes-- .99/app
• Tap Times Table 
•  8 codes -- 1.99/app
• Math Plus Minus 
•  8 codes -- 1.99/app
• iLiveMath Farm Fresh 
•  5 codes -- 4.99/app
• iLiveMath Animals of Asia 
•  5 codes -- 4.99/app
• iLiveMath Botany 
•  5 codes -- 4.99/app
• iLiveMath Winter 
•  5 codes -- 4.99/app
• iLiveMath Animals of Africa 
•  5 codes -- 4.99/app
• iLiveSpelling Mammal 
•  5 codes -- 4.99/app
• iLive Math Ford Cars 
•  5 codes -- 4.99/app
• My PlayHome 
•  46 codes -- 2.99/app
• Mary's Little Lamb or Jack & Jill 
•  23 codes of each -- 1.99/app
• PicPocket Books - Dinosaurs 
•  15 codes-- .99/app
• Sonoflex 
• 3 codes -- Was gifted when on sale for .99c
• iBaby Button
•  was made as a free app for one day
• Puzzingo 
•  was made as a free app for one day

Unfortunately, we have come to find out that all that has been promised has not happened. There is a long history of half truths and misrepresentation's that has taken place here. 

Not every single person of this 50/50/50 group would have gotten each app, as you can see, there were limited numbers of each app code. Let's pretend for a minute that they did though.  That would make a grand total of $82.76 in app value.  Add in the cost of the 16gb iPad2 (no 3G) ($499 + tax = approx $528) and you have a grand total of $82.76 + $528 = $610.78. (The total would be different if Sonoflex hadn't been bought on sale, the total app value would be $181.77, and the total iPad value would be $709.77, which is still a significant difference from the value given and quoted & promoted by A4CWSN)

I recently spoke with Lois Annette Smith. She very graciously donated 3 iPads for this tour.  This is what she had to say when we talked about the apps that were to go on the iPads.

"I remember when I donated those iPads, feeling good that they were getting all those apps, because if a family cannot afford the iPad, there is a good chance that they cannot afford the apps. It really breaks my heart."

I am urging you, the app developers, to make good on your word to those who missed out on being able to get these apps that were promised to these parents and children.

They are not greedy for seeking what was promised to them (as has been implied, and said by a4cwsn when people have asked about promised "prizes").
Also, I hope you understand, that no one is faulting the developers here. You are a bystander caught in the crossfires unfortunately.
You were told one thing, and sadly, something else altogether has taken place.

In future, it might be wise for developers, and organizers to create an email database and have developers contact winners directly with the codes for their wonderful apps, so that hopefully a situation like this can be avoided.

If you would like to right this wrong that has been done, please contact me, and I will put you in touch with those who did not get their promised apps. If you do contact me, please know that it will be done with 100% complete confidence. No one except you, myself and the iPad recipient will know.

UPDATE:

Earlier today I was contacted by a member in the 50/50/50 iPad group.  She sent me some really great screen shots.  Too many for me to post.  I have from those screen shots created one picture that lists all the apps that the 50/50/50 iPad recipients got.  Of course, the fact remains that not everyone got every app. There were limited number of codes available and only a few of the apps were there enough for everyone to get the app.  In this photo you will find the complete list.