Privacy Policy
Updated 29 April 2019
As a private person, I value my privacy. I’m sure you do, too. That’s why I will do everything I can to keep your personal information private. This website uses SSL (secure socket layer) encryption to protect your data when you are coming to or leaving this site. We have heavy duty security software to protect the integrity of this site and your data. In fact this site is scanned daily for malware that might dilute the integrity of this site.
Newsletters and Books
The only information we collect is what you provide us willingly. Generally that boils down to name and email address for correspondence or perhaps a newsletter in the near future.
You will always have the option to unsubscribe at the bottom of every newsletter.
Newsletters will send a message back to my wesite when they are opened. This will help me know what my readers are interested in so I can provide more of that kind of information.
Your email address will be checked by an anti-spam program (CleanTalk) to verify that you are a real person and not a spammer.
If you order a physical book from this site, we will need a shipping address to get it to you. That address will be deleted immediately after your product is delivered.
Comments
Comments will be welcome on the blog page of this website. The information we collect when you comment is your name, email address, ip address, and your comment. If you ever wish to have a comment removed, please send me a note through the contact form, and your comment will be removed post-haste.
CleanTalk is the third party that checks comments for me. Information is only stored there for a few days. If I discover they’ve thrown out someone who isn’t a spammer, I can open the door for you and welcome you in again.
Website Activity Tracking
My website host provides me with basic data on people who access my site. This data is not traceable to an individual. It is purposely generic. It gives me the country of origin of the visitor, how much time they spent with me, and what browser they are using.
Also, Google and other search engines track website visitors. It happens whenever you use the internet. However, you have the option of using a private browser window. (If your browser doesn’t give you this option, change browsers fast.)
I do not store this information (it’s totally generic and not traceable to an individual), but sometimes I look at it. That way I know what people are searching for when they visit me here.
I also use Google Analytics to find out why people come to my site. How did they get here? Do they like me? Google has a wealth of information to help me improve my site. I’d be silly not to take advantage of it.
If you don’t want Google Analytics (and me) to know these things, you still have the option of that private browser.
Cookies
Everyone uses cookies, me included. They ensure the integrity of our registration process and help personalize the site. A cookie is a small text file that is placed on your hard disk by a Web page server. Cookies cannot be used to run programs or deliver viruses to your computer. Cookies are uniquely assigned to you, and can only be read by a Web server in the domain that issued the cookie to you. One of the primary purposes of cookies is to provide a convenience feature to save you time. For example, if you personalize a web page, or navigate within a site, a cookie helps the site to recall your specific information on subsequent visits. This simplifies the process of delivering relevant content, eases site navigation, and so on. When you return to the Web site, the information you previously provided can be retrieved, so you can easily use the site’s features that you customized.
Web beacons, also known as clear gif technology, or action tags, may be used to assist in delivering the cookie. This technology is a tool used to compile aggregated statistics about web site usage, such as how many visitors clicked on key elements (such as links or graphics) on a Web page, blog or a newsletter. I may share aggregated site statistics with partner companies who have provided customization software for use on my site. No private or personal information is transferred in this way.
In your browser, you have the option to accept or decline cookies. Your browser may automatically accept cookies, but there is a place where you can change the settings to decline cookies. Personally, I usually accept cookies. They are not generally a liability, and they make life easier by getting you directly back to where you just visited. In short, they make my life easier. And I’m all for easier.
Links to Other Websites
Sometimes you may see a link to another website. If you do, you will know that it is a place I have personally visited and can recommend.
If you find a link that does not work or that gives you a suspicious result, please contact me through my contact form and let me know. Things do happen, and I want them corrected as soon as possible.
Changes to this Statement
From time to time, circumstances may warrant changes in this privacy statement. That will most likely happen if I change a third party service supplier. If I make those changes, I will notify you by putting an update notice on the home page.
Your continued use of this service constitutes your agreement to this privacy statement and any updates.
Attention: International Users!
If you are accessing the Site from outside the United States, by providing your information to the Site, you are consenting to the transfer of your information to the United States for processing and maintenance in accordance with this Privacy Notice. You are also consenting to the application of United States law in all matters concerning the Site.
Want to Opt-Out?
Send a note through my contact page and your data will be removed from this website.