www.CostaRicaTicas.com

An ap for smart phones, for the most part is very handy in Costa Rica (not to mention all over the world). Read all about it here:

https://accounts.google.com/ServiceLogi ... 3Den&hl=en

If you are on a mobile device, check it out here: http://m.google.com/latitude

Very excellent to for easy "keeping track" of "associates" when you're on the road and such. Works just fine from a home based pc and with the "ping for location" request, it works even better.

Use your smart phone......(Remember to turn the thing off when you don't want to be tracked.....however, YOU do CONTROL how is allowed to view your travels; your locations, etc.; and, you control within that environment how much the permitted viewer can see......

_________________
"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

You put a Google app on your phone?
Forget any illusions of privacy.

You control it EXCEPT when Google wants the data.

_________________
It is cheaper to pay now and get it over with.
It is also easier to get them to leave.

Only if you don't know how to control Google and disable aspects of all apps. *shrug*

You think them other "apps" ain't mining and harvesting data every bit as strongly as Google? One has to be a stoned fool to own and use a "smartphone" for anything important anyway. The ONLY one out there that is even 1/2 way decent is the Blackberry and the rollout for it's most mackdaddy gear isn't until into 2013. *shrug*

Me? I don't own a smartphone because....well.......I'm smart..... For Costa Rica, Nokia 1100a is just fine.....

_________________
"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

Do you really believe you can turn off Googles' 'harmless' (their words) collection of data?
I don't mean that box you can un-check, I mean the reality of what Google can and does do.

Since you mention Blackberry; I don't need or want a big screen phone, so my BB Style is perfect for me..
BB is definitely miles behind Apple and Android in functionality.

_________________
It is cheaper to pay now and get it over with.
It is also easier to get them to leave.

YES. I do and have (disabled aspects of Google. It isn't particularly difficult).

Google isn't the monster you're making it out to be although there is no question they harvest data....but not nearly on the level Facebook or even Linkdin does for starters. When one becomes afraid of their own shadow, one best go nowhere.

Google latitude is a harmless application that allows groups of people to keep track of each others location. Works well; performs well; and is "fun".

Simply turning on a cell phone in the USA alerts the NSA and Homeland Security as to YOUR whereabouts. Were I you, I'd be a bit more concerned about that "application" which cannot be "controlled"....well....not so easily....it can be confused; and certainly walking around with the phone NOT turned on is the simpliest form of confusion; but Uncle Sugar knows where ya bees.....and if you think there isn't a room in this building in Rohrmoser that is set up JUST to track "in country" Yankees (some much more so than others)....I've a bridge to sell you that spans San Jose to Miami.

_________________
"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

Yes, they are.

I have been noting examples of their unreasonable invasions in direct violation of a stated policy. Some are quite surprising in their method.
Do a search for the last few years and you will find a dozen egregious violations they have been caught doing.

My (least) favorite was when the cars doing the Google Earth Mapping photos also collected WiFi passwords, emails, photos and web usage from every WiFi they passed.
I can give you many more examples , which are well documented - and one by one, admitted to by Google. I admire their ingenuity and despise their integrity.

Is Google evil? I don't think so.
I do want transparency from companies that harvest my data.
Google still has a way to go.

I am well aware of what can be done by the NSA, and am in favor of it.
I have nothing to hide and want the Gov't to have every advantage.
On the other hand, I want private businesses to pay me for my data or I will make a maximum effort to deny them.

_________________
It is cheaper to pay now and get it over with.
It is also easier to get them to leave.

Any simpleton with an iota of brainage can do just what Google was and is doing! It's fun! I'm thinking maybe a good ole boy from Texas, Vegas, and Florida who wants to give his info out to the NSA has a different idea of "fun" than me! To each his own!

I have several roof mounted antennas which exist just for the purpose of snatching the very data Google Earth was doing given the hoodlums (university frat boys and their cuunt counter parts [exception, they're FUNNNNNNNNNNN to fuuckkkk.....the cuunts that is.....] ) don't act correctly 90% of the time. Blanking out blocks such that cell phones won't work is not legal in the USA and is nothing I would ever do. Never. It's just wrong. Rooting boxes takes on a totally different meaning when one shifts to the Australian slang use of the word "root"; but perhaps not really since the Australian's use the term conjointly with "fuuck"! Hearing the jibber jabber about how Netflix streaming is up and down.....goes out at crucial moments during various movies is very troublesome in the neighborhood where I have one residence......; funny, never happens with my stuff....but I'm off wifi 1000% percent and copper 100% and plugged full on into fiber streaming 1gig up and down. NO BURPS. Fiber is the future. But I digress......

Ok, buddy boy......I get the picture....you don't like Google and you believe all the other cookies planted on your computer or smart phone by all the other things on the net are all just harmless; same with all them apps....even the one's you purchase. Tracking is tracking in my book....they all do it....it's part of the game. But I do understand you got it in for Google. Me? I don't use Google Chrome. *shrug*

As I noted earlier, when we become afraid of our own shadow, maybe best to stay inside.

Google Latitude is a functional tool, free, and won't harm a thing on your phone or your computer. Great tool for tracking those one wants to track while they're mobile and when one themselves wants to be tracked. The End.

_________________
"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

Here, I think you are trying to be offensive.
Sweetcakes 1: I am not your buddy boy.
That is putting words in my mouth that are not true.
FWIW I control my cookies very effectively, including the Super Cookies, web bugs, etc.
I am not fearful, or fear mongering. I enjoy the challenge.

Are you a paid Google shill?
You sure sound like it.

_________________
It is cheaper to pay now and get it over with.
It is also easier to get them to leave.

Bot going to get into the Google debate but I found this statement a bit chilling.



If you are not familiar with just how intrusive "Big Brother" has become you might find this interesting and perhaps enlightening.

http://www.fredoneverything.net/Saurons_Eye.shtml

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

I always enjoy Fred.
I accept there is very little real privacy. I worked for Uncle Sugar, am biased, and unlikely to change.

_________________
It is cheaper to pay now and get it over with.
It is also easier to get them to leave.

Perhaps. Perhaps not. A you a paid shill for Uncle Sugar with retirement benefits and other "perks"?

Aw....gee whiz Texas&Vegas....."buddy boy" is no fag term in my part of the world or an expression of disdain.....you're pretty hyper-sensitivo about that stuff. Lay off the estrogen, eh?

And heck....I thought you was going to remark on my exploits with the cuunts......

No, I'm not a "shill" for Google. I just get a "consultant fee" or three from that company to "fix" stuff!! Sometimes the fixin' is for breakin' and sometimes the fixin' is to unbreak.....but it's all fixin' and it's all good. (For those not wanting to be overly inundated with data but who do use google as a search engine or other google products......just be sure to log out of your gmail account or your youtube account or whatever google "product" you're logged into (Google voice? I dunno...) before you do any web surfing or web searches and you'll be just fine....if you remain logged into anything google, they're tracking your every mouse click .....and how....; just log out....it's that simple).

Google ain't the enemy. By the way, were you able to get in on the ipo of that outfit, or were you a smart guy and bought in 2008? Now THAT'S some serious data mining....knowing when's the right time

_________________
"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

Yes, I do get generous benefits from Uncle Sugar
Nor do I care if others try to protect their data from his intrusion.
I don't have a dog in that fight. I don't care enough about it to argue it.
That whole subject is just an attempt to distract from my message.

Since you admit to being on the Google payroll that does make you a paid shill.
A common dictionary definition:
SHILL (noun)
a person who publicizes or praises something or someone for reasons of self-interest, personal profit, or friendship or loyalty.

I really don't hate Google. I am just surprised at the naivety of its many users.

Regarding the buddy boy, you used it as a put-down. That is bad form.
Ditto the estrogen comment.

_________________
It is cheaper to pay now and get it over with.
It is also easier to get them to leave.

Wrong. The buddy-boy is the very term my dead daddy used with me. Wrong. The estrogen remark was a joke.

Also, it is well known I stretch the truth a might relative to what I do or where my "benefits" come from. Disinformation. The key to everything.

If you didn't "....have a dog in that fight...." why you keepin' it up? I can do this all day long.

The google latitude application is a harmless application that hacks a smart phone or a computer as much as a cookie does from the CRT web site when you log in and check mark the box "keep me logged in" or whatever it is so you don't have to keep inputting your password. Jesus wept.....paranoia strikes deep.....and this from a member who wants the NSA and HSA to follow him around with a drone

_________________
"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

That statement was in reference to Government mining of data.
I am OK with it, and am also OK with anyone opposing it.
That is the fight lacking my 'dog'.

Regarding Google, you are a paid shill.
Every time you post something pro I will post something con.
I don't care how long this thread stays at the top.
Your shill status will be noted each time.

_________________
It is cheaper to pay now and get it over with.
It is also easier to get them to leave.

As I noted, I am well known for stretching what others call the truth when it comes to any discussion of where my money comes from. I have what you call a "seperate reality"..... I'm happy, actually, that you believe me. It furthers the function of disinformation. Whether I get money from Google or not for IT stuff is not the issue....the application is the issue. Further, IF I purchashed Google in 2008 and IF I get dividend income from Google, that makes me a paid shill too, I recon....but them's be from your eyes. I'm just what you call a "job creator".

Oh, the inability of the aged to see the forest for the trees.....and that includes me because I'm just a little old man and that's all you are as well, Texas&Vegas ifin you is "retired". But, I'm smelling military with every sortie, however, and that leaves a really bad taste in my mouth. I didn't like 'em in '71 and '72 and I don't like 'em now. Uncle Sugar indeed. I do admit he pays really nicely....even to independent contractors in the telecommunications, telemetry, satellite, HF, VHF, UHF, and IT arena. Oh, and you are aware just how closely aligned Google is with the NSA, right??? *shrug* (Affiant further sayeth naught).

_________________
"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16