Common sense isn't.

I respect your privacy, but can't do much about protecting it, other than my small part.

As for the Google logo, their standard setup uses a link to a logo file on Google's server. The same is true for some other logos. (Whether intentionally or not) This way they log a file request, including Referer page, every time someone views a page with their logo on it. This way they can track activity of many sites other than their own. I store logos locally, or don't use logos at all, and change the links, to avoid that tracking. Of course if you actually use the Google search, or follow my off-site links, then they will follow your comings and goings at their sites (a small price for searching, etc.). I initially signed up for Google's affiliate program to get a penny per search, but I decided the obligation to cooperate with their (potential) tracking was not worth it. I decided to go with the free search link with the logo modification described above.

I signed up for Amazon referral links, but those only track you if you follow them (like any other off-site links).

Visits are logged by my web host's servers to monitor site activity in a general way. Although the log contains IP addresses, I make no attempt to match the address to any particular individual, except on very rare occasions (There's always an exception to the general rule) such as abuse of our site. The bulletin board script does use cookies, but I make no attempt to use cookies for any other purpose than for board function (login, etc.).

I have no intention of ever sharing any collected information with anyone for anything. I also have no intention of ever sending unsolicited mass email (spam) to anyone about anything. That said, I have no control over several things, which could possibly affect your privacy. My logs are controlled by, protected by, and available to my web host's company. I think they'll protect the information, but it's beyond my control.

If you have concerns over your privacy, it's up to you to find and use an anonymizer or a proxy server, or other means. Freedom.net (firewall, banner removal, cookie jar, and form filler, pseudo-nym and encrypted email and anonymous browsing with premium version) is no more. I also recommend PGP encrypted email.

You could also try one of many VPN services. Here's a rating site (no endorsement).

As they say, use at your own risk.

Quote of the moment

In looking back over the college careers of those who for various reasons have been prominent in undergraduate life ... one cannot help noticing that these men have nearly always shown from the start an interest in the lives of their fellow students. A large acquaintance means that many persons are dependent on a man and conversely that he himself is dependent on many. Success necessarily means larger responsibilities, and responsibilities mean many friends.

~ Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945), U.S. president. editorial, Jan. 26, 1904, by FDR, Harvard Crimson. Ted Morgan, FDR: A Biography, pp. 86-87, Simon & Schuster (1985). This was an early manifestation of FDR’s political and social concept that leaders had of necessity to be people who served and made friends with their fellows. To make oneself popular was a part of leadership, as people who liked you followed you. One suspects that this belief underlay Roosevelt’s approach to such things as his Fireside Chats, which allowed the public to think of him as a friend and confidant. ~

Common sense isn't.

Images stored locally for protection of your privacy (unless/until you search with Google).

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I last touched this page on Saturday, 2007-11-17 at 05:09:08 UTC.