Google directly targets spammers and fraudsters

Finally there is light at the end of the tunnel. Google is to be congratulated for devising a new method to clean up and level the advertising playing field.

Local search is one of the more important features of online search. Yet in recent years, spammers and fraudsters have penetrated the local search features of Google Maps, by loading their names with keywords (a.k.a. Keyword Stuffing) .

The quantity of complaints, and obviously the dwindling advertising revenues, have made the search engine leader wake up and take notice, because they have apparently been working hard behind the scenes to clean up Google Maps, by introducing Business Listing Quality Guidelines.

Effectively, these measures will put pave to the rediculous advertising tactics, employed by non-local service providers, who, for many years, have been misleading consumers, by advertising false address locations, postal box addresses, local telephone numbers etc, in attempt to deceive the consumer into believing they are calling a local merchant.

You have seen these tactics used by locksmiths too, for many years (many legitimate companies too). The Yellow Pages directories have previously (and I believe, some still do) printed advertisements by companies that list different telephone numbers, with suburb/city names included, yet those companies are not physically located there.

I for one, am glad that Google have taken the time and effort to clean up this messy area of advertising. For many years I have seen the proliferation of businesses, capitalising on these loopholes, to the detriment of legitimate goods and services providers.

Yes, some of these new policies may hurt the many legitimate businesses that felt it necessary to participate in the loophole schemes, but this newfound attitude of honesty in advertising will add certain credibility to the search engine leader and those companies that choose to comply.

The ethical will survive. The new millennium is upon us.

Special thanks to Larry Friburg of Legallocksmiths.com for pointing out this article.

Yale

Yale, by name, is one of, if not, the most well known name worldwide as a lock and key manufacturer.

Linus Yale Sr. was a successful inventor who specialized in locks and mechanical engineering, and who held eight patents for locks and another half dozen for threshing machines, sawmill head blocks, and millstone dressers. (source...)

Linus Yale, Jr. became more involved with his father’s lock company in 1858 after his father's death.

In 1851 Yale invented what he referred to as the “Yale Magic Infallible Bank Lock,” for safes and vaults. This design allowed the owner to change its combination and would also allow the key to secure the lock while being hidden away from the exterior of the door by a hardened steel plate, which covered the key-hole behind it.

Yale stated 9 peculiarities for his Yale Magic Infallible Bank Lock that separated it from its peers: [1] 1. Being without springs, there are none to fail; it is impossible to damage by fire, dampness, or neglect. The design rid itself of the vices of the springs that become rusty or softening by heat or moisture. 2. The lock has a head that is detached from its key-bits, thus leaving a space between the head and the key-hole, making it virtually impossible to be picked. 3. When the key is withdrawn, all print or record of its action is obliterated, and no tell-tale left for duplicate keys to be made 4. Powder proof. No powder can possible be introduced into the lock itself, which eliminates the threat of gunpowder explosions. 5. Permutation lock has the ability to rearrange new key combinations. 6. In the event of a lost key, a duplicate key can be set up to unlock the lock, and upon changing the arrangement of the lock, the lost key will be powerless to open the lock. 7. The portability of the key conveys a vast advantage over traditional bank locks’. 8. Every motion of the lock is derived from movement of the hands rather than elements beyond the operator’s control, such as dirt, rust, or memory. 9. The lock is not liable to get out of order, having been made by first class machinists. (source...)

Patented in 1863, the pin-tumbler design is also known as the cylinder design, and plays significant roles in today’s locks and safes. Yale had previously harbored the practical implementation of the tumbler lock for decades, and had sketched the idea in 1844. Yale was convinced that key holes in traditional locks made the locks susceptible to thieves who could use picks, gunpowder explosives, and heat to thwart the locks. This led him to employ permanent dial and shaft designs in his inventions, known as “combination locks” today. Yale’s best-known lock design, the cylinder pin-tumbler lock, utilized a key-operated lock concept first conceived in ancient Egypt over 4,000 years ago. (source...)

Today, the Yale name is synonomous with one of America's greatest institutions, Yale University, named for the great benefactor and relative Elihu Yale.

Yale, as a company has changed significantly in recent years. Not as widely known today for their lock manufacturing, they still are involved with locks and locking mechanisms.

Many of their lock products today, conform to the modern accepted aesthetic pleasing form and functions.

We hope to showcase some of their products in future articles.

Pictured above is a modern style of their one-sided deadbolt, manufactured to provide beauty, form, function and reliability.

Nexion - Next Generation Door Locks

Lockwood Australia, part of the worldwide Assa-Abloy group of companies recently released a stylish new addition to their range of modern entry door hardware.

The Nexion range is a sensational and functional product that combines the highly sought after modern keyless functionality, with a key over-ride function, in modern, aesthetically pleasing designs.

Using similar technology to automotive rolling code remote control systems, you are assured that your remote can only be programmed by a specialist locksmith service provider.

The product is available in double cylinder, single cylinder and safety release models. The lockset provides both audible and visual indication of electronic activation.

It is designed to retro-fit in place of most standard residential or commercial door applications.

Will it come to the USA?

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BBB Accreditation

Master Key Systems America LLC, proudly announces our BBB accreditation. We have fulfilled the strict requirements of compliance with the policy, organization and rules of the Better Business Bureau.

Residents and businesses can be re-assured that we are a pro-active business maintaining the highest ethics and principles in honest business dealings.

We welcome any and all checks as to our credibility and encourage all consumers to confirm their chosen service providers are also BBB accreditted.

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Licensing for trades

In the great state of Missouri, licensing is not required for many trades including locksmiths. It seems as if the government has adopted a policy of licensing only trades that can affect consumers on a personal (i.e. > bodily) level.

Watching advertising practises online, provides many examples of misleading messages. None more-so than the quantity of websites and online advertisements that state "Licensed, Bonded and Insured".

How can one be licensed if licensing does not exist?

If an advertiser is lying to you in print, how can you trust them for real?

Perhaps the consumer doesnt really care whether the tradesperson that answers their query, is licensed or bonded or not?

Bilock Deadbolts - Special December 2009

We have 2 only Bilock deadbolts in Polished Brass (Gold) available for the very special price of $72.00 each.

This unheard of price will probably never be repeated.

2 Keys included.

* Terms on application

EDIT 03/08/2010: All Bilock Prices from now on will be quoted at the Manufacturers Recommended Prices Online (in accordance with Bilock USA's terms). For discounted pricing, please contact us directly by voice or email.

Falcon Automatic Operator

The Falcon Automatic Operator is the latest addition to the Falcon range of superior quality door closers and operators. This amazing product follows closely with Falcon's industry leading range of door hardware products.

This new addition to the Falcon portfolio of door hardware is the most cost-effective solution in the industry for automating entrances. Designed for the commercial market, the Falcon Operator is ideal for assisted living communities, low traffic store front entrances, or automating interior doors for added assistance. An integrated intelligent power boost graduates additional closing assist when door nears latch. This feature helps to ensure secure closing to overcome external conditions and pressure differentials. The control box demonstrates its intelligence by detecting obstructions and will temporarily reprogram opening degree to avoid abuse to the door. The Falcon Operator comes with an easy to install line of accessories including a wireless transmitter and receiver.

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Strikemaster II Pro

This video shows exactly how and why the Strikemaster 11 product is essential to securing homes and residences. This particular video is almost 4 years old and the price displayed there is incorrect.

The new Strikemaster 11 Pro product is an improvement to the design of this fantastic product and is available now. Whether you decide to order it direct from the manufacturer or through any of their dealers, the price is identical.

We expect stocks of the newer model in about 3 weeks time.

We previously talked about the Strikemaster 11 in March 2008.

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