Is there already a thread about the Sparklebox website news story?

[Caz10]

Apologies if so, I did search but couldn't find one.

So, what's this all about then??

[Goblinchild]

The site has been blocked by my school. It had a lot of useful and colourful resourcea that have been downloaded, used and laminated by many of the staff.
We are waiting to find out if there will be a ceremonial bonfire to destroy all extant materials.

[SecretSlattern]

Apparently he was a primary teacher who was into pictures of kids. He faked his own death, changed his name by deed poll and then set up sparklebox.

It's been going on for a little while now, this story but I can't remember the ins and outs. Have come across something which might help. Let me see if I can find it, and post back.

[SecretSlattern]

here

[LauraIngallsWilder]

I have just started another one.......... probably seconds after you started this!

[LauraIngallsWilder]

bbcnews

[mrz]

I'm concerned by the number of teachers who think the convenience of his site over rules what he has done and are still willing to use the site (which generates income for him at each visit) because it is free and saves them work.

[Goblinchild]

Sorry mrz, was that a dig at me?
I don't use sparklebox because I'm not particularly keen on generic resource sites and prefer to tailor materials to my class.
And I'm of the generation who never bought South African, banked with Barclays or shopped unethically, because I do care what the point of origin is.

[mrz]

Hardly Goblinchild! Have you said whether you intend to use the site or not, if so I missed your post.

[Goblinchild]

Apologies then, I have teenagers.
One doesn't care much as long as what she buys is what she needs and is a bargain. She doesn't mind having a hippy weirdo for a mother, but finds my attitude incomprehensible (child labour, animal testing, rainforest exploitation, intensive farming etc)
My other one has Asperger's, sees the logic of the argument and is very interested in where materials come from and any ethical dilemmas that they pose. And won't use stuff from sources he disapproves of.

[mrz]

I took the decision not to have Sparklebox materials in my classroom a couple of years ago when I became aware of his first conviction and I'm afraid I feel very strongly that visiting his site is supporting him while he serves his second sentence. My post wasn't aimed at anyone (as far as I know no one on MN has said they will still use his site) just a general rant. Sorry...

[pantomimecow]

I don't see what he has done has any bearing on the matter.If it is a good resource, then that is what counts .
Sparklebox is a limited company which means it has a seperate legal identity to that of its shareholders.Do you check out the credentials of all the shareholders and directors of every company you buy from ?

[nancydrewrocks]

pantomime I find that a shockingly shortsighted view.

[mrz]

No I don't check out the shareholders but if it came to my attention that there was an issue I would stop supporting the company financially. If you feel happy supporting a twice convicted paedophile that is your choice.
There are also major concerns regarding the toolbar which potentially gives Sparklebox control of your computer and isn't as easy to remove as the site suggests.

[pantomimecow]

I visit the site and download the free resources which children enjoy and benefit from.Who would benefit from me not using the site ?
If I was giving money I could see your point.

[mrz]

for anyone who downloaded the toolbar you may want/need mikemcsharry.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/completely-remove-sparklebox-toolbar.pdf

information from another site (I can't confirm if this is true as my IT knowledge is basic)

"The toolbar COULD be used to access information on your computer. It COULD act as a Trojan or worm - a type of virus that logs information you enter or access, for example, the keystrokes you enter when you access online banking, to allow the provider to commit fraud by accessing your bank account.

It COULD also access the internet via your bandwidth e.g. to download porn via your internet connection making it traceable to you, not him.

Basically software such as the toolbar may change your internet security settings allowing the provider to piggy back your internet connection or log the information you enter online. "

but then I wouldn't want to risk it being correct ...

[mrz]

pantomimecow everytime you visit the site you are generating income for him that is why he was able to offer resources at no charge! He earns more from each visit than he could charge for the resource.

[chimchar]

hats horrible...i didn't know about this story until now...i've been telling all the teachers how great it is...will gladly go in tomorrow and tell them of this case...

glad i know about it now.

[gingernutlover]

I am a teacher in Kent and have a few SB resources in my room, flashcards for phonics mainly. And banners for areas of the room. Not so keen on some of the other stuff for reasons others have said

However, I had decided that I would no longer visit the website and download materials since that would generate income for a paedophile and . Me and my TA decided that we will not bin the existing resources but will replace them as and when we can with our own stuff.

I think its very sad that some people would arther save themselves 10 minutes making something than take a stand about someone who has comitted disgusting crimes.

[nancydrewrocks]

pantomimecow are you a teacher? I ask because you naivety astounds me.

Everytime you visit his website he earns money. In the first instance I do not want to financially support a paedophile, secondly it is not beyond the realms of possibility that, as a twice convicted paedophile, the income with which you provide him is used to purchase abusive images online.

You stop using the site those abused children benefit.

[Caz10]

I am pretty sure that no-one in my school knows this, and there has certainly been nothing from the authority (I'm in SCotland, and as far as I know all the LEAs that have blocked it have been English). Certainly won't be downloading anymore stuff.

I don't doubt that visiting his sight earns him money, but can anyone enlighten me on how? Always been curious re that in terms of websites. Thanks!

[mrz]

The advertisements (popups) are one source of income but the toolbar generates most income
storage.conduit.com/MediaKit/Case_Sparkle_FIN.pdf

"Dependable Revenue Stream Keeps Teaching Resources Free
Samuel King was a teacher for a short time and started Sparklebox because he saw that
teachers need access to free teaching materials. With time and increasing popularity,
Sparklebox became a significant source of revenue for King. With the addition of ads on
his site and revenue from his Conduit toolbar, King not only has a staff, but can now
continue to offer his site for free. "I wouldn?t be able to keep everything free without the
income from the toolbar. Almost half my visitors are toolbar users. The same people who
are addicted to my toolbar are the ones who drove the income on my site. My community
toolbar is 100% integral to Sparklebox."

We warn children about internet grooming but how many teachers have fallen into the trap?

[pantomimecow]

But its not money coming from me ,its coming from advertisers so its up to them to decide whether they want to be associated with this company.
If I get free resources how is that a bad thing for me.I'm not going to cut off my nose to spite my face.
The tool bar thing sounds worrying but i don't really understand all the techy stuff..My firewall tells me if someone is trying to access my computer

[Wonderstuff]

Thanks for highlighting this, I had no idea. Shame, has got some nice things, the nursery dd goes to also use it.. I won't be using it again. Don't see the point in binning existing stuff though?

[Caz10]

How how how though??! I am being really thick here. Say I download the SB toolbar, use it to check SB alerts...it costs me nothing how does he get money from that?
Just because there are ads on it? That article seemed to say he got money from advertisers AND the toolbar

[mrz]

pantomimecow your firewall won't tell you anything because you have installed it as part of you system and the Conduit toolbar setup integrates itself with your computer....