Sunday, September 30, 2012
Missing Web Pages and Missing Children
Deborah Netburn writes in the Los Angeles Times about how 404 error pages can become helpful in finding kidnapped or runaway children in the article, "404 Error Being Used to Find Missing Children" dated September 28, 2012. Everybody has seen the 404 error pages that pop up on their page when they visit a website that does not exist, or is no longer working. It is just a blank, white page that says "404 error - page not found" in big, black letters. Notfound.org has come up with an ingenious idea to make these pages much more useful. Instead of just saying "404 error - page not found" the web page will display pictures of missing children and right above it, will state: "Page not found, and nether is this person". This initiative was introduced by a Belgian advertising agency called Famous and Missing Children Europe, an organization that focuses on missing and sexually exploited children. Any website can sign up to have pictures of the missing children presented on their error pages by visiting the Notfound.org webpage. Hopefully, this project will have a positive outcome and truly help in finding missing children all over the world. Four hundred eighty websites have already accepted the initiative and support the cause.
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This is a very innovative technique to help find lost children. All those 404 error pages were blank and pointless, but now it will have some sort of use. Even if most of these pages go unrecognized at least one child is bound to be found. That is better than nothing at all and websites have nothing to lose.
ReplyDeleteYour thoughts are well organized Sam, and your article is an eye catching one. An example of how creative and brilliant a human mind can be, is this innovation the Belgian advertising agency is promoting on every 404 error page. When a page does not exist, or does not load up onto the screen, a 404 error pops up. These tend to be annoying for most people, and they usually close the tab instantly, to try refreshing the page or find the correct website. 404 pages will now be productive in one way or another. Although they pop up because of an error in the domain name or inadequate internet connection, the pictures of missing children will give people something to think about. The type of pictures that will be posted more likely than not awaken the sympathy in a person viewing the 404 page error. Instead of closing the tab instantaneously, they would give it some thought and try to make a difference. Whether they repost the picture elsewhere to raise awareness of the missing child, or make a rescue team to find these missing children, either one would be more beneficial than a regular 404 page error.
ReplyDeleteThis technique is truly ingenious. notfound.org has has found something useless and turned it into a method of finding missing children. If this method saves one child, then its existence will already be worth it.
ReplyDeleteThis method of "raising awareness" is brilliant. People always receive 404 Error pages, and with this way they can "advertise" amber alerts and find missing children. What other way of taking the matter to the web would be as useful as this? If people do not manually click on pages made for missing children, then make a page that people will visit unintentionally.
ReplyDeleteThis idea is truly spectacular. Billions of people use the internet each day, and will tend to come across one of these 404 Error pages. If those people took three seconds out of their lives to read the information on the screen, it will be likely that they have seen the missing child. The concept will be such a useful technique in finding these missing children. The world is slowly beginning to evolve to relying on technology for every aspect in our daily lives, and in my opinion, 404 Error pages has managed to be the leader of that evolution.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting idea and I think it is a very clever way to tell the people about the children that are missing in the world. Many people receive 404 error pages and if there is a picture of a missing person, then people will have a better chance of being aware of the people that are missing. The world is not aware of how fast children get abducted and who they are, therefore this idea will help spread the news about each individual that is missing within each 404 error page.
ReplyDeleteThis is truly an astonishing idea. This will save many lost children and return them to their rightful homes. Many people will start relying more and more on technology to find their children. Also, the plain "404 error - page not found" pages will actually be put to use rather than absolutely doing nothing, except waste our time. Hopefully many children will be found and sent to their homes and make their parents and make them feel ecstatic.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea because it brings use to something useless. I have doubts though that people will pay attention to what is posted on a error website, but it is a step towards making use of something useless. If this website can help, then it should gladly be done.
ReplyDeleteThere are different solutions to any type of problem, and this idea that has been presented, has potential to be extremely helpful. Children are kidnapped much more frequently than people may believe. This error report, that will now include pictures of missing children, will help spread awareness of the latest missing child or children and embed an image in the viewers' minds. Therefore, when a person sees a child that looks familiar, they can connect it to the image they saw online and help the unfortunate child return to his or her rightful parent or guardian. Intriguing ideas are always presented and certain ones can gradually change the world.
ReplyDeleteThis is a magnificent idea. There is not a single person that has not seen this 404 error page. The belgian advertising agency's idea might come in handy, because what better way is there to advertise, than on the internet. It is not like those spam advertisements, it is a time of advertisement that any internet user will come across, and is a useful advertisement. It makes it easier because the internet and the 404 errors exist in all parts of the world, and it will make it easier to find the children if possible, on all corners of the world. I hope this idea goes far, and helps many parents their children reunite and have their whole family together and in safety.
ReplyDeleteThis is indeed an extremely useful method of them attempting to find missing children. The second people see the error page, they close it. However, if they add these images of missing children, people will wait to see what is going to load onto the screen, but a few might think the page is a scam. To prevent people from thinking such things, this should be announced on the news for people to actually pay attention to what is being shown on their laptop or computer screen. Hopefully, one day, this will become a successful method of finding children.
ReplyDeleteThis idea is a giant step taken for finding those missing children. The Internet is open to everyone, and as millions of people view these "missing" pages, the chances are, that those children will be found. This would be great news to all American citizens by making our community safer than before. I hope that these people who came up with this brilliant idea can make it happen. Once again, its a great idea, and it should be made.
ReplyDeleteThe Belgian advertising agency has discovered a fascinating and diverse method of allowing the public to receive news of missing children. Technology has advanced and made a positive impact on people’s lives. Through this smart and creative mechanism, technique, people are able to interact with the agency and notify if one has seen a missing child. I am pleased to read that several company networks have signed and agreed to post these images of the missing children onto their website.
ReplyDeleteThis is an amazing idea and I think it will be very helpful for finding missing children. Instead of advertising for products, websites should put more and more advertisements about missing children so that people can be more involved in helping each other, rather than only themselves. I enjoyed reading your post. This is one of the smartest ideas I have ever heard of.
ReplyDeleteThis is a tremendous idea that should be used as much as possible to help find missing children. Reading your blog post really made me happy because I always wonder what happens to those children who are never found, and with this smart idea the chances of finding missing children will increase. Everyone should put the time to help people in need, especially when one is experiencing the loss of a child or loved one. The error pages will be put to use once and for all, and hopefully everyone will stop and pay attention to the important message. This is a great way to spread awareness.
ReplyDeleteThis idea is truly one of the best ideas out there! Those blank "page not found" links have irritated me ever since I can remember. Finally, one has thought of a life changing and useful plan to make pointless pages on the website into useful methods of aiding the public. This will make a difference in the world, by making mankind one step closer to world wide communication access. Now, when a child is missing their faces will be seen throughout the internet. Also, I must say, their slogan,"Page not found, and nether is this person" is extremely straight to the point and catchy. Great choice, Sam! This article sure captured my attention.
ReplyDeleteThe newly established idea of including a missing persons profile on the useless 404 error pages could be incredibly helpful. In today's society using the internet is the most efficient method for almost anything. Once missing persons profiles begin to appear on 404 error pages I believe many people will be reunited with their missing loved ones. This method is highly capable of resulting in success. There are hundreds of millions of people using the internet daily,which will be an enormous contribution to finding kidnapped or lost people in the world.
ReplyDeleteThis is an extremely substantial idea. As long as I can remember, those "page not found" pages have seriously annoyed me. Your article proved that humankind can be caring for one another, especially in situations like this, where innocent children are kidnapped. Having those children's faces all over the internet raises awareness and can save numerous lives. If every person becomes compassionate and helps those in need, the world will definitely be a better place. I am truely happy that I heard of this successful aid, which can save society. This will benefit not only the children who have been abducted, but also society as a whole because humans will communicate with one another for help assisting purposes.
ReplyDelete