From the category archives:

Privacy Protection

Prohibiting Sex Offenders from Attending Church

Thumbnail image for Prohibiting Sex Offenders from Attending Church by Kevin M. Wrathson October 22, 2009

According to the Associated Press,  new laws passed in the state of North Carolina last year made it illegal for a convicted sex offender named James Nichols to attend worship services at his Baptist church due to the presence of a daycare facility on the grounds.  On March 28, 2009, he was arrested at his [...]

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Is it important that lawmakers disclose their personal finances to the public?

by Joe Plumber June 25, 2009

Do you think politicians should have to disclose their personal finances? Chime in here.

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IdahoFallz.com – New Ownership Information (it’s about TIME!)

by Joe Eagle April 28, 2008

O.K., here it is, finally – Information on the sale and new owner of idahofallz.com.
Some months ago I was researching some information on the internet, and I came across a website dedicated to discussion in our home town of Idaho Falls. I was very impressed with the some of [...]

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Should Authorities be Separating Mothers from their Children in the San Angelo Polygamist Community?

by Joe Vandal April 22, 2008

(Article submitted by volunteer writer: “Local Author”)
Admin Note: IdahoFallz.com has for some time has had a “no religious discussion” policy. It is a good policy to maintain. Let’s keep this the discussion away from religion and keep in on the legal accusations and police involvement – and what should and should not take [...]

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How to not be stupid when dealing with technology

by Joe Vandal March 27, 2008

I hope to generate a meta-level discussion about wisdom and strategies when using technology. What I mean is we should discuss what technology means to us, how we need to adapt and re-orient our old frames-of-mind to the new digital world. Some things are radically different in technology, some things are the same. How to [...]

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Democratic Disinterest and Disdain

by Mike February 20, 2008

So what is the current state of our national defenses as I write this today?
The Protect America Act amended the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) that was enacted in 1978 to protect people inside the United States from being monitored by U.S. intelligence agencies without a warrant proving they were agents of a foreign government.
This [...]

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Is Idaho Tough Enough on Teacher Sex Crimes?

by Joe Vandal January 27, 2008

As a former public educator, I am shocked at the seeming abundance of teacher-pupil sex crimes lately. Fifteen other states are considering stronger penalties, and I wonder if we should also? Should Idaho preemptively change some laws to catch this problem before it becomes a problem? Is Idaho tough enough on teacher sex crimes?
Should Idaho [...]

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City-Wide Webcam Network Needed for Security

by Joe Vandal October 22, 2007

I got so mad about our not-yet-completed Equal Access Playground recently being vandalized. This is the playground with special features that enable handicapped kids to play more easily than they would at typical playgrounds. The folks involved with it spent many months raising money and driving the project forward. Some hooligans took just a short [...]

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Relinquishing Parental Control

by Mike October 19, 2007

The Portland, Maine School Committee approved a plan that allows the health center of King Middle School to provide birth control pills and patches to students in the sixth grade. Parental consent or knowledge is not required. In fact, it is outlawed. Under Maine state law, once a parent has signed a waiver allowing a [...]

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Renouncing Political Party Membership Sends Clearest Message

by Joe Vandal June 26, 2007

If someone you cared about asked you for money and support, then acted recklessly, immaturely, even criminally with your money and support, how would you respond?
If it was your teenager, what would you do?
If it was an alcoholic or drug-abusing sibling, what would you do?
If it was your political party, what would [...]

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RFID “Spychips” Threaten Consumer Privacy

by Joe Vandal June 9, 2007

This article was submitted by user Mike. When the backend security code hole is fixed, I will switch author attribution to user Mike. In the meantime, you can still get your own articles published by emailing me at idahofallz( at) gmail(dot )com.

In the coming months as you walk into your favorite store(s) without your knowledge [...]

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Identity Theft: What’s behind it all?

by FeelinLucky May 14, 2007

Identity theft is a huge problem in the US these days. It’s strange, but most Americans don’t really understand how identities are usually stolen and who, for the most part is behind it all. In this article I will shed some light on this topic, and hopefully some people will find this to [...]

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YOUR Unsecured Wireless Internet is the Dangerous Weak Link

by Joe Vandal March 27, 2007

What would you do if someone borrowed your phone to prank call innocent people, perhaps to some of your friends and family? Would you try to gain control of your phone again?
What would you do if someone borrowed your car to drive recklessly through neighborhoods and scare parents and kids, perhaps even your friends and [...]

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Into the Woods of Anonymous Speech

by Joe Vandal March 14, 2007

I was surprised but delighted to read the local Idaho Falls Magazine blurb our IdahoFallz.com on page 10 of their March/April 2007 issue.
The piece was titled “Voices in the Wilderness”, and raised legitimate concerns about people who write anonymously. We had this discussion last summer in Our Anonymous Community, but it is a topic well [...]

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Good Sense Technology and Privacy Tips to Kick Off 2007

by Joe Vandal January 5, 2007

This article is to remind and encourage you to take care of your personal and computer business early in 2007.

Consider changing your email address. I used idahofallz@yahoo.com, but it’s been so overwhelmed that spam is all over my main folder and legitimate emails often end up in the spam folder. I switched to [...]

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How you can return to anonymity

by Joe Vandal December 1, 2006

I really enjoy the new “users online” display in our chatbox. Before, I had to run a separate script to show how many visitors we had at any time and who was on, and you had to click a link to see the information. Now we see current visitor information displayed conveniently and concisely.

However, it [...]

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Idaho Electronic Voting Considerations

by Joe Vandal November 7, 2006

I’ve read many stories the last couple years about electronic voting technology. HBO’s Special Hacking Democracy on aired Sunday and is available to watch for free on Google Video. It is a great expose of the problems with this early technology, and how the electronic voting machine companies are covering up the shortfalls.

I recently saw [...]

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Hack Grocery Discount Cards

by Joe Vandal September 18, 2006

How do you feel about those grocery store discount card programs? Albertson’s and Smith’s run these, where you get the normal deal with their card and pay a buck or two more if you don’t (yes, it is run that way not the opposite).
I never like giving my information to any companies. I refrained [...]

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Our Anonymous Community

by Joe Vandal August 9, 2006

Idaho Falls residents are starting to talk more about anonymity and privacy vs. responsibility and accountability. This is an overdue discussion.

Our local Post Register newspaper requires letters-to-the-editor submissions to include the author’s real name and contact information. If the author is unverifiable, their opinion is sent to the ’round file’. They say they are upholding [...]

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Blogmaster Perspective on Post Register Blog Article

by Joe Vandal June 2, 2006

I got excited when I read the headline Blogs are taking off in Idaho in today’s Post Register The West section. I wondered if they were finally going to acknowledge the existence of IdahoFallz.com. I saw the article was written by Corey Taule, who certainly knows about IdahoFallz.com because I tipped him off when Wikipedia [...]

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ProtecTeens tries hard to protect teens

by zeth 1337 May 16, 2006

I requested the free CD, ProtecTeens, distributed by our Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden and Idaho Secretary of State Ben Ysursa. It is meant to help Idaho parents, teachers, and teens against online sexual solicitation, exploitation, and abuse. Wasden narrates most of the 22-minute CD. I know their intentions were in the right place, [...]

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Qwest proves to be only company with backbone against NSA, Bush, and Big Brother

by Official Stench May 11, 2006

Wow! We usually only hear the bad things and grumblings about our dominant local phone company, Qwest Communications. A story published today by USA Today related to the ongoing NSA/Bush Administration secret phone surveilance of American phone calls says that Qwest was the ONLY phone company in America to refuse the government access to customer [...]

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Amazing Huge RV Scandal: ‘751′ keys unlock most outside security boxes

by Joe Vandal April 28, 2006

Our local Idaho 8 NBC ABC affiliate Local News 8 has done an awesome job uncovering a scandal in of all places, RV locks!
Reporter Josh Davis discovered that the little keys used to lock outside-accessible security boxes on RV travel trailers are nearly all the same, each stamped with the number ‘751′. He [...]

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Why password strength matters

by zeth 1337 April 23, 2006

I read an interesting article demonstrates the value of strong passwords. Many people see passwords as obstacles to what they need, rather than the security mechanisms that they really are. Treat your passwords like your front door locks, like your social security number, and like your debit card; they all deserve healthy respect.

The article demonstrates [...]

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Beware of Internet Explorer security holes

by zeth 1337 March 31, 2006

Stop using Internet Explorer for browsing! Stop right now, at least for the next few weeks, if not forever!
The reason is a major security hole that allows hackers to execute harmful code in your computer. This code is being found on numerous websites, including normally safe sites like ticket-booking or insurance sites. The reason is [...]

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