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2000 Guestbook Entries
I don't read a lot, and I
spend more time online. I was at the library, and I saw this book,
Katie.Com. I checked it out, not excpecting it to be so good, or so
meaningful to me. It was excellent, good work Katie! I couldn't put it
down half the time, it really drew you in. It is actually kinda scary to
realize what could be on the other end of the computer you are chatting
to. Thank-you for writing such a great book, it is something everyone
should read, I can't wait for your next book! Hi katie! I just finished
your book 10 minutes ago and I think it's one of the best stories I ever
readed. It's really a good book! When I readed it in the evening I
couldn't stop, because it was so good!!!! When you readed it, it seems
like I was there to. I think many teenage girls can learn about your
story. And I want to say that I admire that you've wrote up your story,
because I think that's very difficult. At least I want to apologize for my
terrible english. (english isn't one of my favourite subjects) sorry!!
Lots of love, chantal I saw the book, Katie.com,
in a magazine so that's why I checked out Katie.com. Katie.com belongs to
Katie Jones. Katie Tarbox shouldn't have used Katie J's domain name as her
book's title. People are agruing who's right and who's wrong. I think all
of this should stop. In my opinion, I think Katie T is both right AND
wrong. She wrote this book to tell teenagers to be careful meeting people
in the internet-she might saved a lot of teens' lives. She's wrong because
she shouldn't have used Katie J's domain name as a title. Katie T, I just
hope you can give Katie J an apology. She deserved one. I think Katie J
will accept it. Hopefully I'll see Katie Tarbox's apology soon!
Bye...thanks for reading... Hey i just finished
reading your book i have to say that was a really good book, i really
enjoyed reading it. One night i couldn't put it down for about 3 hours.
The book was really cool love Emilly.. :) HI-wellz i just got ur
book for christmas and i'm excited to read it!I really don't read much but
ur book looks really good and i can't wait to read it.I'm sorry about what
happened to u! but i guess some good cam out of ur experience! bye! Katie, I have read your
story in numerous magazines and a teacher even related it to my class once
in school. I have not read your book but I may borrow it from the library
in the near future. Your story is fascinating and should be relayed to
everyone as a lesson in Internet safety. hey whats up gurl! hey i
havent read your book yet and to tell u the truth i dont know much about
your story but from what i can imagine its pretty scary and im sorry u had
to go through that ....nance! Katie I think your book
was really good I understand how you could get so involved with someone
who shared so many interests with you. I couldn't believe something like
that would have really happened to you in real life good luck with your
writing ¿?Ami¿? I havent read your book
but i think your story is scary. May God bless you hello Katie, I have not
read your book, but I think it is wonderfull that you have put one out for
other to read and I thank you very much for doing so. I am 14/f and I have
met many poeple online that I know are lying and because of my own peronal
choice of my spiritual path I have let my self be intuitive in different
things. So I can kinda tell when poeple are lying. but I think it is GREAT
that you did put a book out ( like I said) to warn other teens and
pre-teens and I thank you so much, if you ever need a friend or just
someone to talk to, email me and we could chat sometime if you'd like.
sincerly, A Friend Hey Katie! I'm from
belgium and I'm a 13 years old girl. Sorry about my English. I've just
read your book and I think it's one of my favo(u)rits! I'ts just a litle
bit to (dificult)for me. I hope you understand what I'm writing. If you
read this?!? I'm not SO good in English so I hope....... ok,I say it
again,sorry! Your book was alright, I
mean it wasnt a book that id choose to read again, cause honestly it didnt
catch my interest that much. I mean I was waiting for this guy to do
something a little worse to you throughout the whole book, and then it
seemed as if he didnt do anything. But I mean I understand all that you
went through, I just think you need to understand that your parents were
pretty weird, and not supportive. like why woudl they make you tell your
whole swim team that? what the hell? I think thats what led you to go and
meet some guy off the internet, you didnt have a very normal family life.
I therefore, blame that. I dont blame the internet, and there is not way
you can stop this from happening. Its a matter of common sense; whether
you have it or not. And about this whole "stealing website thing" get over
it people, is it that big of a deal? Wow, some girl was sent a lot of
e-mail, because peopel thought seh was katie tarbox BOO HOO! Who really
cares, does it matter that much? leave katie tarbox alone on that matter,
her title for the book was creative, so cut the shit. Alright well im
interested in what you have in store next, literature wise, just dont talk
about popping pimples and applying makeup for pages at a time, or no one
is goign to read the whole book!!! Hi. I have never read the
book Katie.Com but I am a frequent visitor to
the website katie.com. I hadn't heard of this story until recently; but
since I have been following it. I am completely appalled at what Katie
Tarbox and Penguin has done. Their acts were very immature and
disrespectful. Katie.com is very desirable name, as are all -yourname-.com
domains. It's a shame after putting so much time and effort into a site
like that, Katie Jones has to cancel it. I definately agree 100% with
Katie Jones! I personally think she should sue, sue, SUE!!! I am very
sorry for what has happened to Katie Tarbox, but I feel much more sympathy
for Katie Jones! I've read many of the other entries on this questbook,
and would like to comment on some of them: To the Katie that said Katie
Jones shouldn't have made her domain name so obvious: Perhaps you don't
know to much about domain names, but obvious domains are the most desired!
Katie Jones had every right to make her name that. However, Katie Tarbox
and Penguin did NOT have ANY right to make the book title that! Did you
know that the original title was to be girl.com? Well, Penguin changed
that because girl.com is a porn site. If they looked at that, they should
have looked at katie.com! I would like to make more comments to other
posted messages in this book, but I haven't the time. I agree with so many
of you in saying that KATIE TARBOX AND PENGUIN WERE WRONG IN WHAT THEY
DID! I hope many of you listen to what I am saying and what Katie Jones is
saying! You should definately visit her site and think twice before you
buy another penguin book! I just dont understand why Katie Tarbox used
Katie.com instead of Katiet.com? I guess it's too late to change it. I
would just love to see Penguin and Katie Tarbox give a good solid apology
to Katie Jones. Thank you! Katie Rogers Katie, I really really
love your book. I got it 2 days ago and read it all in less then 2 days...
i felt like i was reading a book about myself. i feel like i know exactly
how you felt when you were involved with "mark." i cried the whole time i
read it and i circled paragraphs that descrived the exact way i used to
feel. thank you for creating such a beautiful book, and for reminding
everybody that things do get better. i really respect you for telling
every personal, painful word of your own story to everyone and anyone.
you're a great writer, and a great person! ~leah~ hi, i've only satrted to
read the book and i have to say it is a really good book, but i can't
undersatnd how you didn't relise that he was so kinda weirdo, i mean if a
guy asked me weird questions like r u virgin and rang me in the middle of
the night, i'd have some kind of a sense,(you can't say i would of thought
the same thing becasue i'm the same age) but i suppose sometimes you don't
think like that,but i am learning something from the book, so bye katy
dear Katie, I have read
your book and I found it a really good book!! Hey Katie and anyone else
that reads this! I found your book really interesting and informative. I
myself have met some internet people but luckily nothing has happened to
me because i never meet them by myself. Your book makes me think twice
about meeting people on the internet. Thanks alot Katie and all the best
for the future! i just finished reading
your book. it was so good. i couldn't put it down. it's so horrific what
happened, and i'm so thankful that you made it through it all to let
everyone know about it. keep on keeping on. Katie, your book is very
informative & has taught me a lot. I think it is great. Thank you.
:) I have wanted to read your
book ever since i heard about your expierience. When i was about 9 i
started the whole chatting thing, but i was never 9 yrs old, i was always
a 16 yr old model from CA, I now know wat u have felt and the pain and u
have overcome. I am 12 years old now, and i literally finished your book
about 15 miniutes ago, and i recieved it a few hours ago for X-Mas,
Thankyou for wat u have tought me, i am truly inspired. I just finished reading
your book, and it really held my interest. I felt your pain and your
guilt...you overcame it...and you are a survivor! Congratulations on your
publication and good luck in the future. Hey Katie, I've read your
book, and I loved it. It really opened my eyes to what some people could
be like on the internet. My Grandmother also loved the book. Congrats on
the book and getting though that part of your life. Hey Katie and everyone
else. Mum bought me your book for X-mas and I've read a few chapters and
it looks interesting so far. Congratulations on your book. My initial reaction to
your ad was to visit Katie.com, I was confused when I found the other
Katie's website. I think it was wrong to use the name Katie.com but I
don't blame Katie Tarbox. I read the first few chapters and I liked it.
Being thirteen isn't easy and knowing that you are not alone is
comforting. I think it is awful what happend to Katie Tarbox, but the
truth is that it could've happend anywhere... not just online. The
internet can be dangerous though because an insecure girl can become
anything she wants to be. I am nineteen now and looking back on middle
school gives me the creeps! I remember elementary school better than I do
middle school because I subconsciously must have blocked it so much. In
conclusion, coming forward was a corageous thing... yes it happens all the
time and most women do nothing about it. I think reading this book
concludes that society (magazines, models, etc) makes it difficult for
young teens. I would also like to add that the new book coming out is not
necessary. Applying for college is a hard thing and knowing someone else
feels your pain is also comforting, but I feel it's worth focusing on the
initial problem of Katie Tarbox. The second book is just more money in the
pocket of Penguin. This book has a sweet
unpretensious honest voice and I liked it and I think you all suck for
critising her. She was brave and painted a very clear picture of the way
lonely naive up young girls think. So what if you guys have never been
innocent and naive enough and sweet enough to think like Katie. It is
important that the sweet young teens out there ARE warned about these
things. Just because she was a sweet innocent teen doesn't make her
stupid. I wish she had made it more clear what things Frank said that made
her love him. Her mother and step father were pathetic. The worst thing
about the book was that it didn't have enough sex in it. OK, wow I think this is
not Katie T's fault at all! That idiot who had the website Katie.com
shouldn't had made her website so obvious. As another Katie I have visited
that website numerous times to watch all the different "Katie's" fly up on
the screen and even had the link on my homepage so my friends could watch
the beautiful name fly up. if I were in Katie T's shoes and I had written
that book I wouldn't have checked the address either. This is totally not
her fault, she can obviously name her book that if she wants to and it's
completely the other Katie's fault because she could of had a different
kind of website. I'm sure many other people with the name of Katiehave
been putting in random web addresses with their name and gotten hers..F*CK
Katie JOnes or whatever the hell her name is and have a nice day. As a
result of this I'm going to purchase the Katie.com book and I'll enjoy
reading it too. hi, iread something about
you in teen magazine i was wondering what it was about so if you can write
back and hook me up with the details thanx I have read the news
articles & the (Now Ruined) site www.katie.com. I am sure your book is
of good value but I wonder why the h___ you would use a name that was
obviously already taken by a sweet person when it would have been very
easy to change it to one you owned to use for promoting your book. I for
one would not buy your book and now will also boycott Penguin books for
their response in this matter. I did read the comments,
and if you notice there are also quite a few people disgusted with the
book, just as I am. I have no complaint about the public awareness issue
being raised, and if it did help anyone, good for them. It is so disturbing to see
comments such as the one written by "Polaryzed". Thank heavens that some
victims such as Katie speak out. If "P" had spent any time reading the
comments in Katie's guestbook, "P" would realize how many people have been
helped from Katie's efforts, and I believe that was the major purpose of
Katie's writings. I think it's a shame that
someone decided to try to make a profit after their experiences. Sure I
sympathize that Katie was a victim, I won't take that or her situation
away from her, however, this does happen ALL the time, it's not a unique
situation. Only because it happened in the web environment, and the big
boom was on for the Internet related material/books/sites/stocks, it
degrades the situation. Because you happened to approach a major publisher
with the resources to publish your book, knowingly to make a profit on
this, what is any different than the other thousands (if not more) of
women/girls getting abused everyday in every country in the world. Lack of
resources, lack of the profiteering & greedy methodology behind this
shameful situation. I think you degrade the other women who are also
subjected to the same situation you are in, and while you proclaim that it
raises "awareness", this situation HAS been happening for hundreds of
years. Humankind is aware of it... it just took a profiteering,
self-centered person such as yourself to take it to the next level. Hi I have only just bought
ur book and i am going 2 start reading it tonight i have heard of it and
it seems as if it is a great book. I just in the past fifteen
minutes finished reading your book and I thought it was great. Not many
books interest me enough to keep me reading till the very end, but yours
did. Throughout the book I kept thinking what it would be like to be in
your shoes and how, in all my years of being online, it was very possible.
For all those people who are being really bitchy about this Katie Jones
thing, I think its stupid. You just chose a different URL because the one
that happened to be the same name as your book was taken. What's the big
deal? Well, I just wanted to tell you that your book was great, and I wish
you well in all you do. ~a fellow teenager I love ur book so
far! I happen to have a Masters
Degree in English Lit and I think Katie is a good writer. She has an
unpretensious style that is appealing. She's not a GREAT writer but she's
a good writer and I enjoyed her book and felt touched by parts of it. I
was silly and naive as a young teen too. And the book is not just about
the internet it's about kids not being given enough attention by their
families. It's about the dangers that can happen anywhere to lonely
kids. Katies doesn't even run
this site I bet. The publicity department of her publishing company does I
bet. I think her book is like a teen novel. But it has a sweet
unpretensious honest voice and I liked it and I think you all suck for
critising her. She was brave and painted a very clear picture of the way
lonely naive up young girls think. So what if you guys have never been
innocent and naive enough and sweet enough to think like Katie. It is
important that the sweet young teens out there ARE warned about these
things. Just because she was a sweet innocent teen doesn't make her
stupid. I wish she had made it more clear what things Frank said that made
her love him. Her mother and step father were pathetic. The worst thing
about the book was that it didn't have enough sex in it. Again after reading more
messages in the guestbook I just have to say how disgusted I am with all
the stupid people blaming Katie Tarbox for the title of the book and
saying nasty stuff about her making money out of her experience. What do
you want to bet she got thoughly ripped off and the only people making
money are Penguine and they have her in a legal bind preventing her from
discussing the Katie Jones issue with anyone or mentioning it on her
website. And I'm quite positive she didn't choose the name. It was
obviously chosen by someone who knows very little about the internet since
the book had nothing to do with "dot.coms." Katie on Line or something
would have made more sense. After just finishing this
book and reading Katie Jones letter and the guestboook here, I find it
quite ironic that Katie is once again being blamed when she is probably a
victim. As someone else said she probably had no say at all in the title
and it is ridiculous that people rush to judge HER when the publishing
company is obviously at fault just like it was ridiculous when they judged
her when it was the pedophile Frank's fault and her parents fault (not
because they didn't monitor her,they understandably did not know the power
of the internet in 1995, BUT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T TALK TO HER or show her
much love. I kept wondering throughout the book how her family felt about
the portrayal of them in the book. Are they just too dense to realising
how much the book damns them. More importantly I want to say that this
book is very important for young girls to read. I know if the internet had
been around when I was Katie's age I would have done the same thing and
been very vulnerable to it. I'm thirty now with a baby boy and I think
that this book has a very important message for all parents about what can
happen if they don't make time to talk their children and show their love.
I think Katie's mother should have dumped David when she heard what he
said to Katie on the way home from the court house. What a dumb
ass.
I am 15 year old teenager,
who likes to spend most of my time on the net. Myself and my bestfriend
chat on ICQ, i have noticed australian arn't as keen to meet as much as
Americans or Canadians but it is just as dangerious, Katie i respect you
for who you are and who you have become ! I do not understand why your
friends would talk about you behind your back if yu have just been
molested, i would like to think my friends would comfort me more than ever
in this situation. Katie dont worry about the whole katie.com thing, i am
sure this lady will get over it, and i am sure if she really ment what she
said in her letter "that she felt sorry for you, for what you had to go
through" then she wouldnt be ding this. Human only belive what they want
ot belive, they often dont belive the truth, God bless you Katie
Tarbox Completely agree with
ANONYMOUS in every phrase yeap. Katie is very nice i
thank. A few words: the subject
matter in this book is important. People feel too safe behind their
computers and SHOULD be totally aware of the risks involved in meeting
strangers off the Internet. HOWEVER!! People can lie to you anywhere in
the world, not just over a computer on the Internet. Just because you've
met someone face to face in a bar or restaurant does NOT mean that they
will not hurt you or lie to you. We all need to take care about who we
meet, who we give personal information to ... you wouldn't give your
telephone number to someone you met on the street, would you?? Exercise
your judgement and some common sense. Katie: PLEASE please please do
something about Katie.com's domain. You've stolen her intellectual
property. The idiots insulting you and swearing at you will go away when
you've done SOMETHING about it, even just a public apology to start with.
Your book is good. It
makes you aware of everything that has happened. I was in an online
relationship but then the guy started suggesting we meet, so I ended it. I
didn't want to get into any trouble. I am so sorry for everything that has
happened to you. I also am sorry for your mistake (if you can call it
that) about using Katie Jones' domain name and getting in even more
trouble. Please, suggest to Penguin that you change the name. Not just for
Katie Jones. The rude comments about you taking Katie Jones' name may stop
if you make an effort to do something about it. Good work and I look
forward to reading your next book. I have read it more than once and will
continue to do so. Don't you think that was
totally screwed up to use somebody else's domain name? I don't know the
lady at Katie.com, but I can tell you that I would have sued you if you
had used my domain name. I am sorry for what
happened to you, i hope all people who decide to meet other people from
the internet think about taking an adult, i found out abaut your book off
the madazine "Dolly" I really want to get out your book, well i would like
to be friends with you, emails me, cherry_sweetheart_of_heaven@hotmail.com
, well cya Cherry The reason the author is
not reacting to the barb´s thrown at her for illegally using a registered
domain name is that her publishers have said that any litigation that
would arise from this "faux pas" on their part is negligible and that the
adverse publicity is adding to the book`s notoriety. Sadly, instead of
doing a little research you have subjected a poor woman to something worst
than what happened to you. Hopelessness. Your experience couldn´t have
happened to a more deserving person. Shame. What makes any of you
morons think that Katie Tarbox had any say over the title of the book? She
is a first-time author, I think. Frequently, publishing houses do as they
wish once they own the manuscript, particularly first time authors with no
clout. Please tell of the horrors that this caused Katie Jones. I read her
website and I don't get it. You had to now katie.com
was a web site, and one that you didn't own! I think you shouldn't get a
dime of money from your book and it should all go to the owner of
katie.com for the crap you have put her through by stealing her domain
name for your book title!!!!! Hi Katie, I like your book
very much. hey- your book was really,
really good. i found myself reading it tons more than i usually read. yea,
it was probably wrong to use katie.com as your book, but it's wrong for
all these people to badmouth you about the title of your book. i think
that if katie jones is that miserable then she should just sell the site
to you. is email really that huge of a deal?? well, good luck in the
future. i admire your courageness. thanks for writing such an
inspirational book. Katies book showed how
something seemingly small can upturn your whole life. Congratulations to
her on being so brave and strong. I hope she has an amazing future. I think Katie is a great
person! Any of you haters are just mean YALL ARE ALL SO STUPID IF
YOU HATE THIS BOOK IT IS SO GOOD I THINK KATIE IS SO COOL BUT...I KNOW HOW
SHE FEELS WELL I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD GIVE HER A CHANCE!!!!!!!!!! I read about u through
www.to2.com (spanish site) they gave the url www.katie.com , but oh
surprise! I read Katie Jones' letter... I'm agree with her, you and your
publishers have damaged her too much using her real url to title your
book. She's the legal owner of the site... and you and them are so
prepotent... I was looking for a place in your page with some kind of
apology to this lady and NOTHING!!!!!!!! both, you and the publishers,
ignores her fair request. I'm disappointed... Can u explain us why u r so
silent about this???? or maybe u r right now writing a book about how do u
feel abusing others stealing and cheating about their urls domains.
Adios! Great site! but i have a
quick q, katie if ur reading this, are you the katie that appeared in YM
magazine w/ britney spears on the cover? HI KATIE I LOVE WHAT YOU
ARE DOING BY SENDING YOUR STORY OUT TO OTHER PEOPLE.IT WILL MAKE THEM
AWARE OF THE DANGERS.KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!! I can't believe that
people are actually slamming something that has been done to help people.
I believe that you honestly weren't aware that katie.com was a webpage in
existence. You deserve a pat on the back for telling your story. I for one
will make sure my ten year old daughter reads your book. As for the other
idiots saying disgusting things on your guestbook they need to get a life.
You go girl! I just read Katie Jones'
letter on her website. You took her domain name and used it on a book to
tell about your molesting. Actually, you weren't really molested! He
grabbed your boob and tried to make you have sex. And you let him kiss
you! I think you should give Katie Jones her privacy and freedom! I read your story in a
Dolly or Girlfriend mag this yr and it said about your book i am now
reading your book (nearly half way) and its great for you to be so open
about your experiance it would have been frighting! Im from
australia! Thank you Katie for
showing all women that speaking out and speaking up for ourselves is the
best way to go. It is okay not to fit the norm of all things, be yourself
no matter what. "In a world where you can be anything, BE YOURSELF."
Katie, its sad when one
has to read about an online pervert like this. I am a regular chatter, on
IRC. These creeps are not the norm, they make us regular people look
really bad. I'm sorry for you, that you had to go through everything that
happened. Its a sad day when you cant trust a person you think is perfect.
As for the Katie.com thing, yes that was bad, KatieT.com DOES have a good
ring to it. Best Wishes. Katie, I just finished
reading your book, and I wanted to thank you for the valuable contribution
you have to our world. There are so many children, teenagers, and even
adults who are having a hard time fitting their identities in with what
our culture dictates. The insights you give in youru book amaze me, and I
am so glad you were brave enough to write them. Your work is going to have
a tremendous impact in the Western world... hello Katie, I'm going to
ask your book for Christmas.I think I will enjoy your book, and hope to
learn something too.Because what you have going throw wasn't easy.I think
is very good that you had written this book. loves Sanne. so before i had even heard
of u i had ventured onto katie.com cuz i wanted to see what the site was
like (my name also being a katie, i was curious). then in like every teen
magazine i bought i saw an article about you. and i saw "katie.com" all
over the place. and i was shocked to read that you were the girl who's
site i had been at. so i went to katie.com again. and saw the big letter
and all that and i was shocked. how could u take someones domain name and
use it as the title of your book?!?! It confused me for one, and sop many
others. thats not fair. i wouldn't like everyone to go to my site and
think ythat i was you. some ppl have signed your guestbook sayin that
Katie Jones should have been thankful for the traffic on her site. as if!!
i so do not agree with that. You had something done to that was unfair.
you should be someone who wouldnt want to hurt and harm others. whats up
with that?!? man. people really can be a piss off cant they?!? Katie Tarbox, I think that
it was very brave of you to publish your story and I sympathize with you.
However, it was not right of you to use Katie Jones' domain, katie.com, as
the title for your book. And that you were originally going to use
girl.com, but didn't because it was a porn sight, just goes to show that
you knew that katie.com was a personal webpage. I think you should have
least asked (even if that meant you wouldn't be able to use it). True,
katie.com is more catchy than katieT.com, but that's just too bad. I'm
sure that there are plenty of other catchy titles, too. As for the people
who are saying that Katie Jones should be thankful for increased traffic,
the increased traffic was all for the wrong reasons. It is also disturbing
to get hundreds of personal stories of people with similar experiences of
that of Katie Tarbox. OMG - she's writing
another book? Better get my web site domains trademarked before she tries
to use them for the book title... shame on you Miss Tarbox - any pity I
might have ever felt for you disappeared when you chose to make a fast
buck from your "story". I hope your money brings you comfort. Katie Jones
has been the real victim in this sad story. Just in case you thought it
was only paedophiles who enjoy shafting little girls, have a look at:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/15324.html I read your article in a
doctors office and decided to use it as an example to my 13 yr old
daughter however, your page was not what I expected. She needs to see
proof of the bad stuff and without buying your book I dont see how I can
do this. I think your experience was bad but your website is totally to
promote your book and I will not be visiting again. You led me to believe
that this site was a warning. Shame on you. Your guestbook still shows
katie.com instead of katiet.com, but it is hosted on katiet.com The name
of your book should also be change to KatieT.com If feel that You and your
Publisher have little to no respect to other people, like to Katie Jones,
the REAL owner of katie.com ! I will advise my friends and relations NOT
to buy your book. I just finished your book
and thought It was great. Good on you for having the courage to write a
book, especially at such a young age. I also think that some of the people
who have made comments in this guestbook are absolute dickheads, should
get a life and take a look at what idiots they are by what they have
written. I thought the first few
chapters were boring all the hair stuff etc but when u got passed all that
its a good read,,I however agree with others in that u should change the
book name i have no idea who Katie Jones is so i have no personal
connection, i thought it just might have been coincidence that u named ur
book the same as the website, but after reading that u changed it from
girl.com coz u found out it was a porno site makes me think that u knew
there was already a Katie.com website, I'am not going to attack u and call
u names like others but why can;t u just do the right thing and change the
name or better yet why on earth did u use the name in the first place? and
iam not going to believe u if u say u had no idea that there was a website
called Katie.com, i so dont; believe that. Hi Katie, I just finished
reading your book. I think your book is a great example for everybody who
is chatting with strange boys. I chat a lot to but now a read your book, I
be very carefull with what I am saying to them. I met one boy from
inteernet and we were dating but he lives miles away so we broke up. But
we are calling each other everyday. So it also can turn out at a positif
way. But in some things in your book you are a little bit over reacted.
But I enyoed reading your book and for me is that the most important
thing. I wish you good luck with everything you will ever do in your life.
Love Tiffany Hi Katie, I just read your
book. I think it's very good that you read a book about that subject. Ik
had 2 boyfriends who I met at the internet. One boy is a real big ashole
(Í'm sorry that I used that word)He did the same thing Frank/Mark did to
you. So I know how it feels. But I really like your book. A lot of greetz
from Tai from Holland. People don't seem to
understand that a domain name is in fact a de facto trademark. As for the
comments that Katie Jones should be grateful for the web traffic, believe
it or not, there are in fact some people who are NOT concerned with
getting millions of hits on their personal sites nor making money from it.
Many people also have to pay for the extra traffic that hits their site,
as Ms Jones has had to. It was highly irresponsible to name a book after a
domain name that had nothing to do with the book, and shows a lack of
netizenship, poor marketing, and a general selfishness that really is
quite appalling. Ms Tarbox, you know what unwanted attention feels like.
Give Ms Jones some relief - appeal to Penguin to change the name of your
book to your own domain name. How would you like it if a pornography
publisher made a book or magazine called "KatieT.com" and you were
inundated, but the publisher claimed that it was "just a name"? The longer
it remains, the more selfish you appear. I will not be reading, buying or
recommending your book nor any book published by Penguin, and asking my
friends and family to do the same. Corporate greed SUCKS. to katie Ive read your
book Im sorry what happened to you it has taught me the does and donts of
chat my friend is really into chat and really wants to read your book she
doesnt know about the internet chat Tash dear Katie! i'm stiil
reading youre book and it's really interesting! i have met a lot of boys
true the net and now i have found a boyfriend! i think it's very sad for
you that Frank (mark) has lied to you! and hasent been honest! But i have
a question! Do you ever think of mark or do you have the need to see him
once again? i hope you anser my question. love mascha Safe Sites and Internet
Safety are indeed important. We hope many will understand this without
learning the hard way. People with attitudes such
as Beth's set back the struggle that women and victims of crimes have in
helping the rest of us understand the serious and longlasting effects on
victims. For Beth to say that victims should quietly sit by is nonsense.
Katie did a great service in helping others to understand the damage and
in preventing other similar crimes. Congratulations, Katie, and shame on
you, Beth. Also, that whining KJ should have trademarked the
name"Katie.com" if it would be so devastating to her to have guests to her
worldwide website. Most websites owners would be thrilled to have the
traffic that Katie T.'s book brought her. It is impossible to understand
what her problem might be. Katie Tarbox you are
nothing more than a foolish little girl. I am disgusted, sickened, by you
and your book - I am a victim of an attempted date rape and I feel very
strongly about increasing awareness amongst young women about the dangers
of strange men. It is a good thing that you are donating some money to
RAINN - it is definately a worthwhile campaign. I understand what you went
through and I am sympathetic but I feel very strongly that you are
enjoying this too much. Its just so 'business' for you - I cant talk to
anyone about my ordeal - and you are brave for speaking out but the manner
in which you have went about it. I cannot understand any woman who would
want to share with the world such a traumatic ordeal - yes it increases
awareness but surely there are other ways to do that? My ordeal has made
me stronger, more aware, less niave but I have bad feelings about how it
has affected you - would you have considered doing an English degree
before you're ordeal? To be honest your book is not particularly well
written - to say going to Penn University is a perfect choice for you is
just wrong. I have a friend who has the ability to put her feelings into a
beautiful poem in minutes - it would be perfect for her. You aren't a good
writer - you think you are - people buy the book for its topic, which I
feel you have only managed to lower the seriousness of. To release a book
- say "This is my book - I went through this - learn from this" is a
decent thing - but the rest is nonsense. And I dont even want to begin on
my disgust at your negligence in choosing the title for your book - I feel
for the owner of Katie.com. I would like to see you sued for defamation -
you have lessoned the respect that should be given to Katie Jones for the
work that could have been used on her site (which, dont forget, she pays
for). As a right thinking member of society - if logged into
www.katie.com, and found work on her internet interests - I doubt I would
would take it seriously if I had reason to believe she published a book
warning of the dangers of using the internet. Yes Katie.com sounds more
personal but KatieT.com sounds even more so - get over yourself. Katie: I have started to
read your book and have found it completely BORING! I thought this was
about the internet? Not The Gap or your hair! It seems as though you were
trying to reassure yourself, but then again I don't think you were as
self-conscious as you want your readers to beleive. Another thing, is that
I don't understand how you felt that you were too young to date (let alone
someone your own age), but then again you felt that it was okay to give
your phone number to someone who claimed to be 23?!?! Maybe you just
couldn't get a date, and you want others to feel as if you felt that you
were too young (to cover that fact up). Come on READERS! This book so far
is crappy. You should've saved some time and just went on Oprah and had
your story told. Give me a break! Your site is just beaut -
a real model that I for one will try to emulate. It's also refreshing to
see somebody demonstrating caring about web content and safety. Good
fortune in your future endeavours - TM. (Looking at you from
Aussie) ok, katie, the site is
cool, but people take everything way too seriously, i've never had to deal
with anything like that, but i hope that the stupid f**ks that write all
that crap are stupid Dear Katie, Its sad that
people want to do this to young kids. It makes me so sick. I read your
story and it taught me a lot. Thank you for writing it. Katie, i read your book
this weekend and thought it was a good book with a sad story. it had to
have taken alot of guts to write that book and publish it. i dont think i
could've done it. i just wanted to say thanks for being an inspiration.
Katie, I sat down and read
this book in one day (today), and felt your pain. I was molested by an
extended family member from the time I was 12 to the age of 14. I didn't
have the nerve to tell my mother until 10 yrs after the fact. She wondered
why I didn't come to her sooner. Needless to say, there was alot of
healing and understanding that came out of that phone call. And to the
individual that got pissy about the blanks for City and State....READ A
LITTLE CLOSER!!!! THE BLANKS YOU ONLY HAVE TO FILL IN ARE THE COMMENTS AND
THE NAME SECTION!!!! Get a grip and read the page CLOSER next time! Back
to you, Katie. Continued success with all you continue to do with your
life. I'll be stopping into your site every so often to see how you are
doing. :) You have shown tremendous courage where other young women would
have probably crumbled. All the best! Ms Nadia. Your comments
about Katie Jones's web site are stupid. Someone who previously owned a
domain name cannot be called a cybersqatter. KJ's web site says she's
owned it for 5 years. Also, so what if she had little content on there.
How do you know what else she used it for? Just because she didn't publish
much information on there doesn't mean she didn't use the domain daily for
email or have other hidden sub-levels of the site for other purposes. I
myself have a domain name which I don't put up web pages for, but I use
the email address and everyone knows me as that person. If 100,000 people
suddenly started mailing me saying they were sorry I was molested, but
that I deserve the mail because I didn't have any content on my site &
I should just give it up - I'd be pretty pissed off - wouldn't you? Dear Miss Nadia: Katie
Tarbox has no legal grounds to use a site registered by Katie Jones. Let's
say that Katie had been molested at a Holiday Inn. And wanted to put
Holiday Inn in the title or even name it Holiday Inn.com. She would be
sued tout de suite. Company names are trademarked. You just can't use them
willy-nilly as you see fit. You have to ask permission. Website domains
are the same thing. It doesn't matter how stupid you think the real
Katie.com website is...the fact of the matter is, it belongs to someone
else. I guess, to put it in perspective--what if you had to do an essay
for a big grade. And someone copied your essay and turned it in too. And
what if it were YOU who got in trouble for cheating? You'd be pretty mad
because a) someone cheated off of the hard work you did in the first
place, and b) that the wrong person was getting in trouble. And what if
then, you found out who did it and in the hallway you asked, "How could
you have done this? I worked really hard on that paper and it's MINE!" And
what if this person looked at you and said, "So, what? You had a stupid
paper anyway so I took it and made it better and turned it in as mine. You
didn't deserve to have that paper." I can't imagine your response being
anything other than, "THAT DOESN'T MATTER BECAUSE IT WAS MY WORK AND MY
TITLE AND MY PAPER! YOU CHEATED! AND I EVEN GOT IN TROUBLE FOR IT INSTEAD
OF YOU! IT'S NOT FAIR!" That's what's happening now. Katie Jones is
"getting in trouble" because people think she's now Katie Tarbox and they
are asking her tons and tons of questions that don't even make sense for
her life. You can't decide to use a website that isn't yours. You have to
register your website and the registration companies don't allow
duplicates. Katie's title of her book is VERY misleading. Normal people
would assume the title of the book matches the title of her website. If
this were Holiday Inn, Katie Tarbox would be in a bunch of
trouble--because they'd sue, sue, sue. Katie Jones doesn't have the legal
power or money to do so. I realize you are 11. What is neat about your
letter is that you appreciated Katie's story so much that you are willing
to defend her. That's great. I really like the story, too. But liking the
story and agreeing with her title are two separate issues. I can think
that Katie did the wrong thing by making her title Katie.com but still
think she did the right thing by writing her story. Just because she made
a mistake doesn't mean that I have to hate her story or her all of a
sudden. It doesn't mean that at all. Anyone who is mad at her domain
mistake shouldn't call her names and say that they automatically hate her
book or think she's lying or stupid or whatever. They should keep the
issues separate. You should too. And you should do a bit of homework about
trademark names, domain names, and what's legal and what's not. why does it ask for our
city and state if were not 'posed to give out info on the net!! HUH HUH!!!
well i havent read the book yet but i will but i read the first 2 parts
and it kinda dragged cuz u talked about yer hair and whatever, it was
kinda bring but ill read the book anyways. good job on this site welldone Katie, Im not a
great reader of books but something made me want to buy yours! very sad
experience you encounted and great you had the ability to be able to share
your story. I have a 14 year old sister I will be passing this story on
to! thankyou for making us aware! Hey Katie! I just finished
reading your book a few hours ago, and I think you're very, very brave for
having gone through this, although it was probably not at all pleasant. I
have been to the Harvey Hotel before; did it really happen there? No,
Texans don't have accents, and I haven't seen many people bearin' their
bellies either. I had a "sort of" online relationship, I was 9, but I am
smart enough never to give out my phone number or address. (and when I
need to send someone something, I use my dad's P.O. Box.. LOL) Your book
really helped remind what can happen! Ellie, age 12 PS...we do NOT fill up
hairspray bottles at the gas pump nor have many of us ever said "yee-haw."
We do however, all own boots and, of course, my daughter rides a horse to
school. ;-) :-) Point 4 of 4: My Own
Response: I bought the book because I thought it would be a more
interesting and powerful way for my teenage daughter and I to discuss the
dangers of the internet--all of the perceived dangers: those you cause
yourself by making silly and stupid decisions all the way to those caused
by others to you whose intentions are truly monstrous. I invested my money
wisely because I have all of the elements of a good lesson to share:
motivations, actions, and consequences. And real people.~~~~~~~~~~~I sat
last night in a crowded school auditorium waiting for my daughter’s dance
program to begin, and I was reading Katie.com as I passed the time. I read
on page 101: “…my mom got into bed with me. She just came over and wrapped
her arms around me. I knew she was hurt very badly, and it was only then
that I could sense the pain that I had caused her. She kissed my cheek.
She smelled my hair. At that moment, I knew she really loved me….” And I
began to cry in the middle of this crowded venue. I wanted so badly to
find my own daughter and hug her. I cried for Katie’s mother and the very
real very deep pain that she was feeling--not the arrogant shame or
shallow mortification she felt as a person way too wrapped up in what an
already shallow society thinks--but the intense and intimate pain that a
mother feels when her child is in danger or in pain and the reasons for it
all no longer matter. I cried for Katie that she understood her mom’s
pain. I cried for the pain I caused my own mother because of the dangers
in my own life over the years. And I cried for the moment I know will
probably come one day when my daughter will be somehow in danger and I
will want desperately to smell her hair and wrap my arms around her to
reaffirm her presence.~~~~~~~~~~ I believe one of Katie’s sisters
commented about how stupid it was to meet people on the internet—and she
wondered why a person would be so pathetic rather than just going out and
meet people the regular way. I disagree. There is no normal way to meet
people. There is danger everywhere. Can people lie on the internet? Sure.
Can they put on their best clothes and lie to you out at a club, too, or
at the grocery store? You bet. People can assume identities and scam and
prey on people for every reason imaginable and in every sort of
circumstance. I met someone on the internet and I am going to marry him.
We were both single parents for years and not dating because we were
afraid of what was out there. We were swamped with work and family and no
real opportunities to consistently get “out there” to begin with. I became
hooked on this man for his sense of humor, his convictions, his life. I
met him in a public place for coffee. We discovered that we lived but a
few streets away from each other and that our kids were at the same
school. I felt like I had known him for years. We wondered how many times
we stood in the same lines at the grocery store and movie theater or how
often we passed each other as we biked along the bayou—lost in our own
lonely thoughts and overwhelming responsibilities. We thought it
bewildering that we sent our hearts’ desire through servers around the
world—only to meet each other living but a few streets away. We thought
the internet was a pretty wonderful thing. I’ve met his parents, he’s met
mine. Our kids like each other and both of us. My parents are thrilled
that I’ve finally got a social life again and with a good man to boot. He
IS a good man. And I am a good woman. And we are both “regular” folk. I
know mine is not everyone’s story—but neither is Katie’s.~~~~~~~~~~I do
not agree with the comments I’ve read about how Katie could have so stupid
to get sucked into this. Hindsight is 20/20. It didn’t seem so stupid THEN
to think the world was flat or to swaddle babies so tightly that sometimes
they died during the Victorian age or to microwave lunch while wearing a
pacemaker (and the list goes on.) Point is, 1996 is ancient history in the
Internet world. It was a brand spanking new thing for Joe Moe Citizen.
Katie was not an adult. She was a kid. Making kid-based decisions using a
new technology that many parents still do not completely understand.
Although many of us are much more savvy about it now—in part, thanks to
the trials and errors described in Katie’s story. A hammer is a tool. You
can build a house with it or pound your own thumb. The Internet is a tool,
too, that can be used to help you or hurt you. It can open your mind or
completely waste your time. You’ve got to be an educated consumer and
critical thinker about all things.~~~~~~~~~~The time I have invested to
read Katie's story and website and to respond has been well worth it for
me and will help me a great deal in teaching my daughter about the how the
Internet can be a faulty tool if not used correctly by both the sender and
reciever players. Point 3 of 4 – Katie’s
Message/Intent: If you want to get a message out, writing a book is a good
way to do it. Publishers are in business to make money; they do not give
their services away in most instances. Even nonprofits wishing to publish
books have to fundraise to pay for publishing services. Therefore, it
costs money to send out a message via a book, and the money has to be
recouped—by charging for the book. Katie mentions that most of the
proceeds from the book are being donated. I imagine that the un-donated
amount is paying for costs related to the publishing of the book and costs
incurred by Katie's family during the last few years. I'm OK with that.
People write autobiographies ALL OF THE TIME to share their stories. Some
do it because they really feel that they have something of substance to
say. Others do it blatantly for the buck factor. It doesn’t matter on the
one hand because people still buy these books, regardless of the author’s
motivation. People like to know about other people. In Katie's case, she
actually has something of substance to say. And you can interpret what
that something is for yourself--be it that Katie's an innocent fallen prey
to a monster or Katie's a complete idiot or some truth in between. At some
level, how you judge Katie’s life doesn't matter, because you are still
being taught a lesson through Katie's experiences that can make you a bit
more informed about why people do what they do and how it affects
themselves and the world around them. And another person can come away
with a different interpretation, and all of that is OK. Also, Katie's
hosting a website is no different than her posting a PO Box to which one
can forward a response or pose a question or whatever. The website is just
a more accessible and current means of allowing responses. If you are a
person who is not interested in reading about other people's lives, then
why did you waste your money to read the book and why did you waste your
time visiting the website? Those were actions under your control that
Katie is neither responsible for nor should she apologize for. Point 2 of 4 – Katie’s
Writing Style: At times I felt the writing was lofty and stilted--not
befitting of a 17-year-old student. I was reading along, listening to the
voice of a 17-year old remembering herself at 13/14, and then it would
seem like I was listening to the voice of a 30-year-old woman remember
those same events and feelings. It wasn't consistent. I am OK with Katie's
writing about the self-absorbed goofiness of hair, boys, weight, clothes,
etc. because that IS the world of a typical teenager. That is certainly my
daughter's world, and for Katie to have written about anything other than
what her world was, at the time, would not have been accurate and would
have compromised her message. Have I seen better writing? Certainly. But
they’re not 17-year-old authors. If Katie had waited until she was 30 to
write this book, it wouldn’t have packed the same punch. Katie's book has
appeal to a youth audience because she is writing about her life nearly
“in the now.” She remains among her teenage peers—not looking down at them
from a divide of a decade or two. I have four topic points
that I will send in several postings. Each has nothing to do with the
other: Point 1 of 4 - The Domain Name: I am concerned, disappointed, and
frustrated at the use of katie.com in the title. From my research, I
conclude that using the katie.com domain name was not ethically wrong--it
was also just in bad form--careless and rude. Your story sells the
book--not the title. I would have bought the book if it were named
KatieT.com. Dear Katherine Tarbox, I
would just like to start off by saying that I really enjoyed your book.
Lets just say I’m not a book worm, but with your book Katie.com, I could
not put it down. I was reading it in between classes and during lunch
until I was finished, which was the day after I started it. Thank- you for
sharing your experience with the world because as you wrote in the book
you had a hard time admitting to your self what happened to you; so I know
it was not easy for you to put your deepest feelings, emotions, and
secrets down on paper. This book had impacted my life just as much as it
did to all the other people who read it. It has given me a totally new
perspective on the Internet. I know longer see the Internet as a fun way
to meet new people, because I know longer trust anyone one the Internet
except the people who I know in real life. The amount of time I spend on
the Internet has dramatically decreased since I read your book. I really
value the lesson you have taught me. When I read this book, I totally now
what you mean when you were talking about how you felt you did not fit-in
in New Canaan. I go to school in Bedford which is a perfect movie town. So
when you say that your imperfect and that you don’t fit in I really
understand what you were trying to say. That point you made was a really
good one that needed to be said and get out in the open. I hate how our
society looks at Christina Aguilera who is really skinny and say, “Oh my
god I am so fat!” “I don’t weight 95 pounds,” I think your book was a good
lesson to learn, just because your not perfect on the outside gives people
the right to be mean to you and judge you by that. I would like to ask you
a question, what was going trough your head the night you were at the
hotel? I know that you don’t like to talk about it but how did it make you
feel? Has writing this book changed of effected your life in anyway? If so
how? I would like to conclude this letter by saying how much I admire you
for writing this book. You are truly my role model because you are only 17
years old and you have been through so much and you have managed to get
through all of it and come out with your head you high and ready to change
the world. So thank-you for putting your story on the line. I think that
everyone who reads your book will have a much higher opinion of you then
you have of your self. You really are a very intelligent person and all my
friends are no bothering me because I told them about your book and now
they just have to read it. How does it feel to have to many people look up
to you? Thank-you for taking the time to read this. Great book, Katie! By the
way, that other Katie should be thrilled to be getting the web traffic
from you. If she had half the brains of you, she would have been able to
figure out how to make lemonade out of lemons. Where do you get off
calling your book Katie.com?!? You don't own that site. The book should
have been called KatieT.com, which would have saved everyone a lot of
trouble. You and the publishers
should be ashamed of yourselves, just to earn a few pennies from your
plight you have hurt the feelings and caused TONS of problems for the REAL
Katie.com owner. Pathetic is what I call it. -Some who is so disgusted
that he will boycott all your future books as well a s books from your
publishers. Boo! Go to www.katie.com.
look what u have done I have met several people
online without any trouble except to deal with paranoid parents on both
ends sure the other was a killer or a rapist or some other ridiculous
thing. I'm tired of the message sites like this are spreading, because
I've made some of my best friendships through meeting people online. It's
right to be cautious about the Internet and teach today's children how
best to handle themselves, but swearing off meeting people through the
Internet stifles a great opportunity - a web of long-lasting friends that
defies geographical bounds. Be smart, and open-minded. how do you get to talk to
any one until you give your email address sherry Hello Katie! I must say, I
do feel terrible for your misfortune, but I must say, you do not deserve
money for something you didn't think through properly. Its not your fault
that any of this happened to you, I completly understand that, but you
also have to think, why did you do it if you even had the slightest hint
in your heart it was wrong/dangerous? You cannot deny that you didn't once
think that. I also feel that your use of the title, Katie.com, is
misleading, and unfair to your readers. So what if KatieT.com isn't
catchy, but your only in it for the money anyways if thats what really
mattered when naming the book. Once again, I am glad you are so brave, but
next time, think things through with your heart and not your
stupidity. i met this guy over the
internet we talked about for a year untill he lied to me about his
age...last summer he came to my house and raped me. Now i have to live
know who he was only throuht lies with his baby I haven't yet read your
book, but I have really enjoyed your site and I think you are extremely
brave. Thanks! Hi Katie, I just finished
your book today. I found it a heartbreaking story because of the lack of
support you had from family and friends. I'm glad you were able to work
things out with your family and put the incident behind you. You have a
lot of courage and intelligence and I applaud you for it. Keep up your
writing, you are very talented. God bless. well i have been chatting
on the net now for 3 years, and i understand how u can met someone u have
never met face 2 face and feel as if they care for you and u can open up
to them. Lucky im smart and i dont go and talk to just anyone or open up
just to anyone. but i have made a few good friends from the net and i have
met them face 2 face but this was after knowing them for 1 year. and they
have been all girls around my age. i think younger kids that are chatting
on the net should read this book just so they can open up and know what
could be out there. Kaite, i have read your book and now i will be passing
it on too other ppl that i know who chat on the net. thank you 4 telling
us ur story. you have a good
site Hi Katie. I just read your
book and its wonderful. I admire your courage and strength to get through
what you have gone through. You are so lucky to have have a great family
to support you. Thanks to you, it opened my eyes to the whole world of
internet. Keep up the great work and i look forward to more of your books!
Best Of Luck to you. Katie: May you become
stronger and wiser because of your experiences. I applaud your courage.
I read your book and I
thought it was wonderful. I used to go online all the time and chat with
guys that i've never seen before but meet them through a chat room but
since I read your book, i've been more cautious as to who I am talking
to. Thankyou so much for
sharing your story with us. I've become more awear of the dangers involved
with the internet. You proberly already know, but your book would have
save many young girls from pedophiles. Thankyou so much, I can't wait for
your second book. Katie, I had read a
section of your book through DOLLY and I was intreged, so I bought it and
after I read the book. I then did an oral book review dueing class. I
acctually became more aware of what people are in the world now that I've
read a book/novel about what happened to someone of my own age and I
relayed the story onto my fellow class mates and we have all become more a
aware of what dangers face teenagers and (mostly teenage girls). I thank
you greatly for opening up the minds of so many people it's just a pitty
that there are people out there that don't apperisiate what you've been
through and what you've done in order to tell the world and help many
teenagers. you may have even been able to help other victims come open
know that they know that there is someone else that feels the same as they
do. I thank you greatly. You've done a great job with the book and I would
love to hear about your next book. I find that when people of the same age
as myself write I acctually take the information in more. THANK YOU. your
a great insperation. I just read this book and
its great. I can't believe how scary that would be for you, Katie. good site I didn't actually READ it
but I skimmed through it today and WOW, what a scary story, it would teach
you to be cautious unless you know the person REALLY well....and I mean
REALLY, like you've seen their pic and...you don't get in "that"
sintuation...well...it taught me a lesson I'm sure! I would just like to say,
that Katie's book is very inspiring in a way that she telling her story to
help other people and for this i think she should be thanked greatly, by
everyone. i cant believe that
happened to you who would do such a thing. Katherine Tarbox did
nothing wrong in the naming of her book. Her website may not be Katie.com,
but she isn't claiming that it is. Would the title of the book be as
catchy if it were KatieT.com? No, that's too many syllables. I think the
name is a good one. I feel bad that the owner of the original website is
having such problems because of the book, but maybe she should use it to
her advantage and start an online business. Katherine Tarbox is giving her
free press! Anyways, I haven't read the book, but I probably will in the
future. I just wanted to comment on the situation of the domain name. It
isn't illegal to name a book after a web site you don't own. I like the
name of the book and probably wouldn't like it as much if it were
"Girl.com" it's just not as catchy. Just my two cents Katie, One thing I can say
is I am sorry that this happened to you, you are or were naive. However I
do not intend to purchase your book, or anything published by penguin EVER
again, you should not be able to use your stupidity to get rich. I agree
that maybe it would help others like you when tempted to do something that
stupid, but you and your publishing company owe ms. jones an apology, and
restitution for what you have caused her, even if you did not intend to do
it, it was still done. thank you for your time. Angela I'll have to second the
notion of: "might have bought the book but then i went to katie.com, read
about how you and your publishers might have used 'girl.com', thought
better of it and instead used katie.com when you could've used your actual
url of katieT.com". being that you are actually aware of the significance
of the internet and urls, don't you think you shouldn't have stolen
someone else's url? Not buying the book now. -Laura I would like to read your
book it sounds interesting. I heard about it in a magazine...geez you are
brave! I don't know what I would do if I had to go through something like
that. and whats all this about badmouthing? why would any one want to get
on your case about your book! You're very brave to tell
your story, and I know how annoying it can get to repeat the same story
over and over, and how uncomfortable you feel when someone asks you to
tell them what happened in a bad situation for whatever reason. I've been
molested before by my ex friend's father, and the sad thing is, when I
pressed charges, my friend stuck by her dad, and he never even got
punished. No one believed me, and I can totally relate to what you went
through. It really sucks to know that there are people out there who do
shit like that. yeah hi, umm...PEOPLE
SHOULD ACTUALLY VISIT THE REAL WEBSITE...WWW.KATIE.COM and read that
women's letter, i dont think that is fair to her. You should have used
your own website...KATIET.COM this is a great book and i
am sick of people bad mouthing u for it. it takes alot of effort to
overcome what happened to u and its great that u could share with the
world about your story. Hi,Katie.I got your
book"Katie.com" at last by amazon.com.I'm trying to translate it into
Japanese just as a thesis.Your story has alot of things we could learn
from.And there are many parts that I feel sympathies.Thought I have'nt
actually met anyone online, I could feel how your experience were
hard(especially the relationship with your friends or people around you)
from your each sentences.I think there are no useless things in our
experiences. Your story helps alot of peple! Thanks! You know, I think everyone
here should go visit the ACTUAL Katie.com. I was thinking about buying the book
but then I visited that website on accident when trying to get to this one
and I am now very angry with Penguin Publishers and also Katie and do not
want to buy the book. They should do something about that and at least buy
the name from that woman, or change the name of the book. What they are
doing is not nice. I read about your book in
a magazine and I'm really happy I found the website. It was by accident
cause I'm doing a project and the dangers of chatting on the the web.
Thank you for all the info and for sharing your story! HI, I have only read the
part of the book that is on the web site, but I think I am going to put
the boo on my Christmas list, because it sounds really good, from all the
reveiws, I have to go now, bye Its weird that I was just
almost in the same place that you have been. What had happened was I met
some kid on AOL and we met him at Acme and it happened to be that he had a
bad temper and chased all of my friends and I out of our wits. I saw you
on the Chnnel 10 news on the WB the other night and I wanted to say that I
am so sorry for what had happened to you. I totally understand how you
feel...I may only be 14 but I can still feel your pain. I know how hard it
is for you and I think its great that you are writing a book about what
had happened to you. Rape is something that can not be stopped and I wish
we could stop it but I now know that we may not know eachother but i can
sure as hell say that I feel like I have known you my whole life. Truly
Lauren Hi. My name is Katie too.
Cool. Lots of Katie's in the world. Have you ever been to the accual site,
Katie.com? It is a place you should really go to. I read the book. It was
a good book. Hi, I have read your story
and saw many things on what has happend to you in the past. I think its
great that you are a strong person to overcome such hardships. The only
thing that bothers me is that you titled your book after another Katie's
web site. I went to her site (which I believe I would have enjoyed more
had it not been for the mistake) and this wonderful site has all but been
shut down because you used her Domain site. On your website you don't even
mention an apology or anything about it. That is so sad. Your making money
off what has happend to you, but you are invading her space and she is not
getting anything but harrassment. Seems unfair to me. I would have bought
your book but I don't think I want to now. Good luck and I hope you can
come to some type of resolve about your book. Hi Katie! I haven't read
your book yet, but I read an article about it in a magazine, and I plan to
buy it theses holidays. I think it was really strong of you to publish a
whole book about your terrifying experience - I am sure that a lot of
people will learn from your mistake. And to all those people dissing Katie
for meeting the guy - what is wrong with you?! Duh, can't you see Katie
learnt from her mistake? That was the point of publishing Katie.com! She
learnt, and now she wants to help others too. So Kudos for that Katie.
However, I would like to talk about another Katie.. Katie.com - the
original owner. Although I dont feel I have the right to go banging you
because of your amazing book, but I do personally think calling your book
KatieT.com would not have been so hard, as it seems you have caused the
other Katie a bit of strife. But apart from that, well done! Lots of luck
for the future, James I almost met someone from
the net. We exchanged phone numbers and talked on the phone for almost a
year but the phone calls grew very scarce and then stopped. I sent him a
letter a few months back but never received one back. We also exchanged
pictures. We were going to meet this spring break (2000) but he never
called me back and it ended like that. We never did meet and I think our
phone relationship (and any other relationship) is ended. Katie, I love your book!
I'm never going on a chat room again!!!!!! good on ya katie Hello Katie. I was bored
one day so I was reading a magazine and I saw your article. I think it is
very inspirational for young people to hear that it's not all that safe in
the I actually thought I can trust those people in the chatrooms. I came
to my senses and I never went in those chatrooms again. The thing I wanted
to also say was that KATIE.COM is in a bad condition because your book
used her domain name as your title. I think you should have talked to her
about it because she seems very upset by this fact. But anyway, i hope to
buy your book soon. Bye dear katie, i would just
like to say that all the more power to you. i too went through very hard
times(none like yours), but i can sympathize. i know the emotional tramas
faced by emtionally ravaging situations. in one day read about your story
in my kid sister's ym magazine, and felt you deserved to be commende for
your bravery. hi i agree with ADNORMOS
!!!!!!1 I want someone to talkl
to. (My age.) i want to know what the
hell is wrong with an apology to katie jones? youve messed up her domain
name and site that she worked so hard on for al those years. not to
mention you understood the circumstances about domain names (you changed
the name from girl.com b/c its a porno site) obviously you dumb ass
"pretty people" done in the god damned "perfect" town of new caanon or
whatever dont care what you do as long as you look good. litterally. ive
never heard of such a gay, messed up town in my life. i mean what does it
matter if you have different clothes for 365 days a year?? and dissing
your self about being chubby makes chubby people realize that if a person
of the same frame admits that about THEMSELVES they must be same. the
first 3 chapters are really, really, low man. i thought this book was
sapposed to be a lesson learned. its ore like a put down. hi, what up i like your
story but i dont think everbody u meet on like is bad do u? g2g love ya
While your story is
compelling and certainly works as a cautionary tale to young boys and
girls getting involved in the wide world of the internet, I have much
little sympathy you because of the hellish experience your book has
foisted upon Katie Jones, the real owner of "Katie.com." You AND your
parents AND your publisher should have been more careful about this
matter. It seems likely the lot of you will be sued and will probably have
to pay restitution to Ms. Jones. I certainly hope so. Shame on you for
using your victim status to wreak havoc another young woman using the very
same Internet that brought so much grief into your own life. Shame on your
parents for allowing this to happen. And shame on your publisher doing
nothing to rectify the situation. A pox on all your houses. hi... your book seriosly
inspired me. i was having a relationship w/ someone online at the time. i
read your book and i woke up one day and noticed the same thing was
happening to me. i told the boy to get lost and my life has been better
ever since! i thank you katie tarbox! your a great inspiration to me and
many others! I'm halfway through the
book and I think you are a very strong person but I believe you should
have told someone about what he did to you. I couldn't believe that you
still had feelings for the guy. I have a friend who meets people all the
time, she never thinks anything of it. If I were her I would never ever do
what she does! I'm really enjoying the book though! i love your site! it
inspired me. my Mom is nagging me about me in chats, so this kinda helped
:) well my other friend katie
told me about this site and so i went to it to see what it was all
about...i think that its pretty darn phat I think if you are going
into a chatroom, be prepared to meet a lot of guys or girls who aren't who
they really say they are. You've got to be careful of who you talk
to. I read the story about you
cyber stacker in a mag and thought it was a great story to tell kids to be
aluret to who you talk to and know all the detalles on who you are talking
to and not to meet any ware unless you know them or meant them before.luv
ya all I just happen to fall on
this site. I don't really get what the big deal is with "katie.com" the
site. Maybe I just need to read the book and then decide my opinion on
this. Hey Katie, I am reading
Katie.com at this moment and I am about half way through. I just wanted to
say that it is an awesome book. I can't put it down- its so good and
interesting. You are one brave girl! Girl Power Katie! Keep Writing!! Love
ya! Holly katie, i agree you're very
brave. i have a question. when you met him in ur hotel room, couldn't you
tell he was like 40 as opposed to 23? did he look young? these questions i
have, can u answer?? <3, a fellow katie (we goz to stick 2gether) j/k,
ttyl Hey Katie. I loved. your
book, and your story in the magazine. Your very brave after all that
happened to you, and I admire your courage. However, I encourage you to
consider contacting Katie Jones (katie@katie.com), because, as you know,
the title of your book has caused her a lot of trouble with her domain
name, which now she had to pretty much close down. Thanks, pSyChO. I just want to have a talk
with someone hey katie! I loved the
book. they asked me to read it to put it on the quick picks reading list
and I said YES! It is very educational, and every teen can reflect/relate
to it by either the base running, or the internet obbessing. I even bought
the book cause it is so good. can't wait to see the new one that comes
out! IM me sometime...(InsanityGurl or HatchersHussy) TTYL! Good bye, and
good luck with ur next book! I feel that you are a
strong person for going through all of this. I also think that your book
title chould have been "KatieT.com" as opposed to "Katie.com." You are
brave for telling the world about what happened(in detail, may I add, in
Twist Magazine). In your sequal, I here you inculde a passage about
Katie.com, the real URL. I hope that you have a long passage in it. I
realize that this may not be your fault. But if Girl.com is porn, so you
couldn't use it, why could you use Katie.com, Katie Jones's personal site?
Please consider a long apology in the sequal. I'm not saying I hope she
sues and wins, because I never wish money loss on anyone, but that is sort
of illegal, and consider talking this through with Katie Jones and
Penquin. KatieT You have stolen the
name of someone else's domain - that makes you little better than the
person who took away your innocence which YOUR PARENTS failed to protect.
An apology and recompense is in order here - you will be making money at
the expense of someone else. Surely you recognise that naming your book
with Katie's domain name is a crime? I got your site out of a
teen magazine, too... I heard about your web
site in a teen magizine when I was looking at some hair styles. Then it
said that u met the person that u talked to on the internet. I just want
to know what happend after that? I thought this was a very
interesting book. It is rather disgraceful
that you have NO press releases or statement in regards to your shameful
use of the katie.com's domain name in your title. I also notice that
guestbook entries regarding this issue were removed. I wonder if mine will
be too? I'll be checking. Anyone interested... go to http://www.katie.com
and read for yourself what injustice has been done to a private
citizen!! Give Katie Jones back her
domain! I hope she sues you and wins! I just wanted to thank you
from the bottom of my heart. After reading the article in "Teen" I looked
at my freindship with a guy over the net. He displayed a lot of signs that
he isnt who he said he is. He had been pressuring me to meet him and
talking about all this stupid stuff like "we are meant to be together". If
not for your article, I may not have learned in time the cinsequenses my
actions could have had. Thank you again. Jaci Why do all you people talk
smack about Katie??? If that happened to you people, what would you do???
I think all of you that talk smack are jerks and should shut your f***ing
mouths!!! I noticed that Penquin
published another book from a New Canaan author about walking around
labyrinths or something to meditate and ncome to terms with yourself. It
seems like you have a lot of spiritual support right there in New Canaan.
Have you ever met with that labyrinth author and walked around with her on
that sacred path? I think that it would do you good. Katie, recently I saw you
and your mother on the Montel Williams Show. You were both great. I
thought that your mom was particularly brave to endure all the bad press
that she had gotten. She seems to be a great mom. I bet that you are
really glad to have her and her support. When will the 2 of you be
appearing again? Hey Katie. howz it goin?
well i just want to say that I have met a really kind, sweet, caring guy
on the net and I want to meet him. I am also 13yrs old and in year 8 at
school. I am very scared bout meeting this guy cause he is 16 and after i
read ur book... well im scared that i will have the same experence as u. I
really admire you for ur courage and for being able to have the strength
to actually write ur horrif experence down and make it into a book. My
friends are all so worried bout me meeting this guy but i can understand
why though. I hope u r enjoying ur life now and u dont enter those teen
chat room anymore. well thanx for making such a great book Luv always
Sally xxx I have not read your book,
now do I intend to. Why do you refuse to take responsibility for your
actions and make ammends? You used someone else's domain name for your
title. How hard could it really be to apologize? At the very least you
could reference the problem you created on your own site. Your publisher
can well afford to back you to make a statement on the issue. You have
raped, and show no remorse. Puts you in the same class as your attacker as
far as I am concerned. when i read the artical
about you in Teen i felt like i could relate because i like to talk to
people over the net because they cant judge you for what you look like.I
have met many nice people over the net and i thought i would come to your
site to check things out thats all Kristina Hey,yea welli read like
ALL the articles read the book and everything and i I juss wanna say if i
were you katie i probly would friggen hate my step dad cuz hes an asshole
and be pissed at my mom still cuz her tellin you you ruined your family is
bitchy and that i met someone ova the internet in real person and wasnt
some child molestin freak like "mark". i also keep in touch wit 2 people
over the phone and im not that stupid to KIT w/ 23 yr old guys when they
act so freakin perfect i would no right off hand that they were sum kinda
screwed up person,im not tryin to diss u or anything katie but its "common
sense" you shoulda taken that into consideration before goin into that
freaks hotel room. Dear Katie, Although I no
longer live in the United States, I am continually shocked when I here
stories such as yours. I always used to think that the U.S. was a forward,
morally balanced nation. But when I read stories like yours, where those
who are taken advantage of are portrayed as the "instigators" - it
confirms that the U.S. has a long ways to go (more so then most western
nations) in addressing the rights of women and children who have been
physically or mentally abused. There is nothing new about older men
preying on women and children. The internet simply offers them more access
to their victims. And quite obviously, in America, the old rules about
ostrasizing victims is alive and well. Too bad that hasn't evolved at the
same rate as the internet. i think it was pretty
stuoid of you to meet someone you never met before! I Thought that your book
was great!proably because i can relate to it in the fact that i do gym
nearly every day while all my friends are out having fun and it really
ticks me off. i am also obsesed with my hair Dear Katie, I am not
fussed about your book, whether it is well written or not, whether it's
somebody elses domain name or what. What i do believe is that you have
been hurt by the responses to your novel, and your were hurt by a man whom
you trusted on the net. From this i can see that you trusted the readers
of your book to give you positive comments, just like you trusted the man
ever the net. clearly YOU were hurt once due to the INTERNET and YOU have
been hurt AGAIN due to your assciation with the world wide web. I feel
that you should have leanrt from your first experience NOT to TRUST the
INTERNET or the uses on it unless you want to open yourself up for
riddicule. Yours Sincerely, Lucy Well Katie, I haven't
actually read you book but all my friends have and i have to say that they
think it is pretty bad. I can't say what i think because i haven't read it
although from one of your messages you wrote in this i book i think if
ayou are going to be so mean to your criticts then they shouldn't be
particualary nice to you. You have the right to write a book on whatever
you want, your hair or your swimteam but it is another thing to ruin
another persons webpage in the process. I also believe that if your rape
was that devestating to you that you would have written a book, but
certainly not made a WEB PAGE about it. It seems you need to learn
somthing from your book!!!! I read an article on you
and your experience from a magazine. It is a real inspiration, with a
moral and warning to others. Thank you for doing that, in future, I myself
will be more careful, and will read your book! Thanks for sharing with us
about your life. I got your book out at th
e library today and started reading it.I feel the same way you did.All the
the best Katie!!!!! Hi Katie, I LOVE YOUR
BOOK! It has taught me to be careful on the net and now to think of it I
have met 2 guys off of the internet one was really 17 and he was nice and
he respected me and stuff and the other guy was really 19 and I did some
things with him that I really regret doing because he dumped me and I
found out he was engaged to some girl in NY. I am going to recommend this
book to all my friends. GOod luck in your writing career if you choose to
write stories! I hope to get a book of mine published too. stop ignore those
messages! you no what you did to the rightful owner of katie.com! dont
ignore it and dont let your stupid publishing company ignore it. If u fix
this mess youve gotten your self into by a public apology and changing the
name of your book to katiet.com or whatever. you think ur so good, you
dont care about messing up other people on your train to stardom. it
really pisses me off. I have read your book 3
times and it really has taught me to be so careful on the net, i'm not on
chat that much now, which i think is better. Thanks Katie for making me
realise to be careful on the net! Goodluck with the future Katie! Luv ya!
Arabella Hi, I would like to thank
everyone for posting these messages on this site. I am very glad to be
sharing my experience with all of you. I just can't believe how naive some
teens are. I was like that and now I regret so many things and wish I had
been more careful. So please, please, please be careful when you're
talking to strangers!! Sincerely, Katie Tarbox yeah, the story was very
compelling... I'm very sorry that all
this happened to u but it doesn't mean you have to ruin somebody else's
site! Go take a look at it, and then apologise. P.s. Ummm, hello! All that
info your askin' us 4, are you actually that worried?sure you are
sane? I admire you for your
persistance and striving on telling others about this tragic thing that
happened to you. I can only imagine how painful this is for you. I just
wanted to say that I saw your article in YM magazine and that I really
admire you and appreciate what you are trying to do. I would like to say
thankyou very much for writing your book Katie.com as a regular user on
chatrooms I always get carried away with who I talk to to and after
reading your book I am more careful about what I say and who I talk to. my
friend on the other hand is a differnet story she always lies about her
age, what she looks like but she says where she really lives and she gives
out her real name and her address to people who she doesn't even know. I
have tried to explain to her what can happen but it doesn't sink in to her
so hopefully she will take my advise on buying a copy of Katie.com and
reading it so she can hopefully see then what can happen. Thanks again for
such a great book Why is everyone being such
a bitch to katie? She was stalked by a pedophile, attacked and raped in a
hotel room. I am quite certain that if this happened to any of you people
out there that are calling katie a *slut* would also try to get her point
across and warn young girls that some people arnt always what they seem.
She made a mistake, and now she is fixing it by helping other people. So
would you please, just leave the poor girl alone? She has been through
enough hell without all you losers out there tormenting her. Grow up and
get a life! i beleive you to be a girl
of hugh strength and applaud you for the job you have done in writing your
book, however, i do feel that an apologie is in order from yourself and
your publisher to katie jones who, as an innocent woman, has been put
throgh hell because of your own bad expience, after having thought you
were so strong dont you think it is about time you said sorry to the
innocent katie. Katie: Shame on you for
exploiting someone else's domain name for personal gain. Do the right
thing and rename your book KatieT.com. ILOVE YOUR BOOK The experiences you
suffered are very sad and horrific. However, your hijacking of Katie Jones
domain name is just as bad and the attitude of your and your publishers is
appalling. You have shown no consideration whatsoever for the rightful
owner of the Katie.com domain name. You should all be ashamed of
yourselves By the way, katie, those
who knock your book and say they hated it etc.... they simply don't have
enough maturity to deal with your situation, what you have gone through
and, basically, such a serious matter! So, if you get down about these
people, "Turn that frown up-side-down" because there are people, such as
myself, who adore your obvious strength and courage!!! :) Dear Katie, I saw your
book promoted in Dolly. I saw it in my school library so I decided to read
it because I chat alot. I think it was amazing how you dealt with your
problem. I got alot out of that book. Thank-you, Katie! Katie, you are a true
inspiration. Your courage is to be admired. The good you have done is
immeasurable. Thanks! |