Online Identity Risk Calculator

Regardless of how you implement network offensive and defensive measures, every time you access the net the risk of online identity theft can occur. There are enough horror stories out there to divert the n00biest of n00bs to avoid the INTERNET.

The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) through StaySafeOnline.org provides an Online Identity Risk Calculator. If you are the family techspert, share this site with your family members so they can conduct a self assessment by answering a few questions. Aside from banning the family from accessing the network, education and awareness are practicable options.

Some of the helpful hints that seem like common sense to the family techspert, may not seem so common to users who never delve into the 5Ws (who, what, where, why, when) of how the Internet works and risks they may be exposing themselves to every day.

Keep a clean machine
Be Web Wise
When in Doubt, Throw it Out
Play an Internet safety game like Are You Smarter than a Fraudster? or have the kids share what they learned with Phineas & Ferb and being cybersmart.

How do you keep the family safe and educated about Internet activities? What lessons learned are shared between the family users?

Comments, recommendations, +1s, and reaction box checks are appreciated.

Why the difference in ballot questions?

53WSE49H6FJD

On June 28, 2010 I emailed the GA Board of Elections because I was not satisfied with the response from our local board of elections personnel about registering with Republican or Democrat party affiliation. I wanted to register as an Independent as I did in Florida.

This is the response I received from Rhonda Brown, Operations Coordinator, SOS Elections Division:

Thank you for your email.

The State of Georgia does not register voters with any party affiliation.  During a primary election, a registered voter may cast a ballot in the Republican or Democratic Primary, but not both.  There will be no choice to make for the general election because all candidates will be on one ballot. If I may be of further assistance, please let me know.

So here we are for today's election and there are ballot questions for Republicans and Democrats but they are not the same. I see the question asked in the comments of the Augusta Chronicle article and maybe an email to the local media will provide the real answer but of course only after the election.

Republican ballot questions

1. Should Georgia have casino gambling with funds going to education?

2. Do you support ending the current practice of unlimited gifts from lobbyists to state legislators by imposing a $100 cap on such gifts?

3. Should active duty military personnel who are under the age of 21 be allowed to obtain a Georgia weapons license?

4. Should citizens who wish to vote in a primary election be required to register by their political party affiliation at least 30 days prior to such primary election?

5. Should the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to provide that the paramount right to life is vested in each innocent human being from his or her earliest biological beginning without regard to age, race, sex, health, function, or condition of dependency?

6. Should the Richmond County School Board members be limited to serve only 2 four year terms?

7. Should the sheriff, solicitor general, coroner, clerk of superior court, probate judge, tax commissioner, and civil court judges elections be non-partisan?

8. Should the Augusta-Richmond County Commission pass an ordinance banning smoking in public places?

9. Should the state of Georgia pass legislation to allow for gambling on horse racing in Georgia?

10. Should the Augusta-Richmond County Commission pay for the moving of families out of Hyde Park subdivision?

Democrat ballot questions

1. Should the Georgia Constitution be amended to allow the state to override locally elected school boards’ decisions when it comes to the creation of charter schools in your county or city?

2. Do you support ending current practice permitting unlimited gifts from lobbyists to state legislators?

3. Should Georgia  adopt an income tax credit for home energy costs to support the economic security of our families?

4. Should Georgia reduce sales taxes on made in Georgia products so as to support the growth of small businesses in our state?

5. Currently, the candidates for mayor and commissioners qualify as non-partisan. Would you like the law changed so that they qualify as partisan (Democrat or Republican)?

Just wondering, Normal Ops or SNAFU?

Other posts/sites you may be interested in:

How to become a poll worker in Augusta, GA

So you want to run for a position on the Richmond County Board of Education

My Voter Page

Comments, +1s, reaction box checks are always welcome.

Funny, Independent Voter Womens Long Sleeve T-Shirt

Power Searching with Google

While completing EDTC 7030 Web Teaching: Design and Development online with ECU, I also took the Power Searching with Google class. If you visit the Power Searching with Google site before July 25, 2012 you will see this message display:

Thank you for your interest in the Power Searching with Google class! The class is now closed. Although you will no longer be able to earn a certificate, you'll still be able to view the videos and do the online activities on your own starting July 25, 2012.

The month of July was full of learning activities, formally and informally. It was cool to revisit some operators that I haven't used in quite awhile and I enjoyed all the classes but my favorite was Class 5 on credibility. Thanks Google!

You can always visit Search Playground or Search Tips and Tricks while you wait on the course to open again for self development purposes. Comments, recommendations, reaction box checks, and +1s are always welcome.