Some appreciate the convenience and customized feel that cookies bring to web browsing. Others prefer a more anonymous existence; foregoing the personalization of their experience –being recognized at favorite destinations– in order to limit the collection of data about their online habits. If your key ring is a fistful of shopper loyalty fobs, you probably don’t care about online tracking. If you fear paper trails, change passwords constantly, keep cash in your mattress, know what an onion proxy is, and avoid daylight’s revealing glare, you’re probably more than a little concerned about privacy (and that knock on the door may be Homeland Security with a demonstration of real tracking). If you’re like most, you rest somewhere in between.

Who’s keeping tabs on you? Continue Reading »

If I had my way, every person who picked up the cam-du-jour to add to the tubeness of the world would hear echoes of dear old dad saying, “Uh… wait a minute there. What EXACTLY do you think you’re about to do with my [choose one: power tool, Hustler magazine, bottle of gin, lacy red bra]?” and when reaching for the red button their finger would twitch as a frayed synapse recoiled in memory of daddy’s [choose one: misfiring berreta, stinging backhand, profuse obscenities, lacy red bra].

“And you may ask yourself, ‘How do I work this?’”

Better yet, ask yourself, “Why video?” Continue Reading »