When I was a boy...... a 'Yelp' was a bark from a hurt or surprised dog....

Once again, Partners, I find that in the world of social communication on the Internet.... I am one of the dimmer bulbs on the porch...

As proof, I offer the admission that until this morning I had not the foggiest idea of what a 'Yelp' was or that they even existed.  I am much wiser now that I have researched a little.

Apparently some young entrepreneurs created 'yelp.com' as a money making machine which solicits and shares reviews of local restaurants.  At least originally -- now they have expanded and solicit and share reviews of everything from restaurants to bus lines and even prisons. Hey, want to rate your local hoosegow?

All kidding aside, what brought 'Yelp' to my attention was this article in the Washington Post  regarding small family owned bid'ness in Scottsdale AZ, called 'Amy's Baking Company. Apparently Yelp's review numbers are driving customers away.  There are now lawsuits pending accusing Yelp of filtering reviews and thus skewing results, depending on whether the restaurant buys advertising with them.  

I know nothing of the truthiness of this - nor of Yelp's reports..... but I have one more good reason to be proud and happy that I neither Twitter, Tweet, or Facebook.  

Life is much simpler that way....   by the way, just in case you thought I was kidding about the prison 'yelps'.... just click here ---

Have a nice day and don't yell, yikes, or yelp!!