Cookies
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So, what really are cookies?
Cookies are installed on your device automatically upon visiting some sites, or most sites for that matter. They are used to track and remember you while you visit that specific website or other domains that are connected to them. Cookies basically help websites remember you, so you don't have to login every time you visit a website.
Now... You may be wondering why does this site use cookies? Well... That's a very good question and to be honest I'm not entirely sure why. I use a web hosting service that comes with a web editor. This makes it easier to manage and publish. Consequently, I have less control of the underlying mechanics of the website.
I don't allow ads on my website, but apparently a data collection service is used called "Snowplow". This may be blocked by some adblockers, which should not at least from my knowledge affect the functionality of anything, including load times. There shouldn't be any ads on this site anyway.
What data is collected? Depends on what you do. If you simply browse the site, the only thing that I can see is how many unique visitors and visits a page gets. Same with clicking on a link to my site from another site, except I see referral sites (domains that visitors have come from). If you post a comment or send a private message via "contact", your IP address is visible to me. There are ways to mask your IP address, such as using a VPN or proxy. A VPN especially can help secure your browsing habits. Regardless, I personally don't have any use for your IP address, and I'm not entirely certain why it is given to me in the first place. As far as how much it reveals about you... Well, an IP address alone only gives rather general information, like an approximate location, such as a city and who your internet service provider is. Your name, address, and other personally identifying information is not disclosed. Furthermore, your IP is likely to be dynamic, meaning it changes, so it's not like a personal ID stamp.
Who has access to this site's data? My web host, maybe some services they use for this site, and myself. Comments on journal entries are publicly visible following approval by yours truly, but private messages are not (private means private). In both cases, your IP address is kept hidden from public view. I do not sell any data to advertisers, or want anything to do with advertisers for that matter.
How long is this information stored? Indefinitely, at least for comments and private messages. I may periodically clean out private messages however.
Can you request this information to be removed? Yes, of course. You can contact me and I'll delete any of the comments and private messages you have submitted here that you no longer want submitted. No reason is needed. If your comment is still waiting approval, you can still contact me to delete it. If you use this site's private contact form to make a request, I'll delete your request after I fulfill it and send you a confirmation response (unless you state you don't want one). Otherwise, you can request me elsewhere to remove any submitted content and I'll fulfill your request all the same. Keep in mind, this site may be crawled by Internet "spiders" that may create archives of what is publicly visible. Some archives permit for removal requests, others not so much. Private messages however are not crawled by these spiders.
So, what really are cookies?
Cookies are installed on your device automatically upon visiting some sites, or most sites for that matter. They are used to track and remember you while you visit that specific website or other domains that are connected to them. Cookies basically help websites remember you, so you don't have to login every time you visit a website.
Now... You may be wondering why does this site use cookies? Well... That's a very good question and to be honest I'm not entirely sure why. I use a web hosting service that comes with a web editor. This makes it easier to manage and publish. Consequently, I have less control of the underlying mechanics of the website.
I don't allow ads on my website, but apparently a data collection service is used called "Snowplow". This may be blocked by some adblockers, which should not at least from my knowledge affect the functionality of anything, including load times. There shouldn't be any ads on this site anyway.
What data is collected? Depends on what you do. If you simply browse the site, the only thing that I can see is how many unique visitors and visits a page gets. Same with clicking on a link to my site from another site, except I see referral sites (domains that visitors have come from). If you post a comment or send a private message via "contact", your IP address is visible to me. There are ways to mask your IP address, such as using a VPN or proxy. A VPN especially can help secure your browsing habits. Regardless, I personally don't have any use for your IP address, and I'm not entirely certain why it is given to me in the first place. As far as how much it reveals about you... Well, an IP address alone only gives rather general information, like an approximate location, such as a city and who your internet service provider is. Your name, address, and other personally identifying information is not disclosed. Furthermore, your IP is likely to be dynamic, meaning it changes, so it's not like a personal ID stamp.
Who has access to this site's data? My web host, maybe some services they use for this site, and myself. Comments on journal entries are publicly visible following approval by yours truly, but private messages are not (private means private). In both cases, your IP address is kept hidden from public view. I do not sell any data to advertisers, or want anything to do with advertisers for that matter.
How long is this information stored? Indefinitely, at least for comments and private messages. I may periodically clean out private messages however.
Can you request this information to be removed? Yes, of course. You can contact me and I'll delete any of the comments and private messages you have submitted here that you no longer want submitted. No reason is needed. If your comment is still waiting approval, you can still contact me to delete it. If you use this site's private contact form to make a request, I'll delete your request after I fulfill it and send you a confirmation response (unless you state you don't want one). Otherwise, you can request me elsewhere to remove any submitted content and I'll fulfill your request all the same. Keep in mind, this site may be crawled by Internet "spiders" that may create archives of what is publicly visible. Some archives permit for removal requests, others not so much. Private messages however are not crawled by these spiders.