Uh oh... it turns out that the website that allowed you to manipulate the Christmas lights on a house was a hoax.
Companies who placed ads on the website are pissed.
I'm sure a lawsuit or two will hit the books.
Christmas Lights a hoax
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AsaJay
- pantera pilot
- Posts: 596
- Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2003 8:56 am
- Location: Greater Pacific Northwest
I think it's kind of funny actually. The site is pretty good, and he even had the neighbors in on it, to the point they even lied to reporters that came around, making the whole thing seem real.
I do think the advertising part was a bit unethical. If however, he had put up some bogus ads, or let the advertisers know it was a Christmas hoax, then maybe it would have been okay. Two problems with that idea though, first, it's harder to keep a secret as the number of in-the-know people goes up, and second, I don't think advertisers would have gone for it.
What really would have been the kicker, is if he had put some kind of disclaimer right on the front page. Or a link to another page that explained the hoax. Then wait to see if anybody would notice.
I do think the advertising part was a bit unethical. If however, he had put up some bogus ads, or let the advertisers know it was a Christmas hoax, then maybe it would have been okay. Two problems with that idea though, first, it's harder to keep a secret as the number of in-the-know people goes up, and second, I don't think advertisers would have gone for it.
What really would have been the kicker, is if he had put some kind of disclaimer right on the front page. Or a link to another page that explained the hoax. Then wait to see if anybody would notice.
