Sideswipe: July 1 - Bad Photoshop and chicken scammers

Photos / Supplied

A local body in China has been caught out for digitally manipulating three officials on to a picture of a new road they were supposed to be inspecting. In the doctored picture (above), the officials looked like they were "floating" over the road. China's net citizens accused officials on national forums and the pictures went viral. According to the Huili County Government, the leaders did inspect the new road but a staffer thought the road in the original photo didn't look good and cropped the leaders on to a better picture of the road. Government officials issued an apology but they couldn't stop Chinese internet users mocking their mistake with their own efforts, such as the one seen in the expanded photo at right.

Really gutted by scammer's call

"Today I had a 'You are owed a $3000 refund by your bank' scammer's call," says Nigel from Sandringham. "And not for the first time. After his usual opening gambit, I gave my usual response: 'I've just one question for you. Does your mother know you tell lies for a living?' After a bit more banter between us in which I used the words 'crook' and 'criminal', he said. 'I've just one question for you. Do you want me to cut your body like a chicken?' Wow! Not nice! I must learn to be more pleasant on the phone."

Clever ploy, not a spelling cock-up

Our reader Peter confirms that Pfizer is not selling Avigra because of a spelling cock-up. "With the Viagra patent expiring this is a very clever attempt by Pfizer to dominate the generic as well as the premium-branded markets. Smart guys."