EPIC Reports: “WhiteHouse.gov to Track Users for Two Years”
From the EPIC Blog: "The White House modified its privacy policy for WhiteHouse.gov on June 3, 2011. The new policy is more than twice as long as the old policy. The new policy states the White House web site now uses persistent Google Analytics cookies that track users for up to two years. Previously the site employed only single-session cookies, which were automatically deleted when users closed their browsers. The site does not provide a means for visitors to opt out of receiving cookies." The EPIC blog post includes links to old and new privacy policies and a couple of other relevant links. Continue reading
(Update) Official: Google Shuts Down Uncle Sam and GovSearch.Google.com
A quick update to a post from Monday that mentioned Google's specialty search tools (including Uncle Sam and GovSearch.Google.com) were offline. It's now official both of these sites as well as four other specialty search tools that Google offered for at least a decade are NO LONGER AVAILABLE. Search Engine Land has posted a brief article* (written by your truly) with info and a couple of quotes from Google about the end of the services. The article is linked to from INFOdocket or you can go to the article directly. Continue reading
Disappeared: Google’s U.S. Government Search Sites and Other Special Search Interfaces Gone
Greetings. On our INFOdocket site we've posted about what appears to be either a glitch (that has gone one since at least last Thursday), the elimination of, or something else because Google's Uncle Sam and USgov.Google.com government search tool now takes users to the Google homepage. You can find the post here. Two final points: 1. We have sent an email to Google a few hours ago asking for a comment. If/when we do hear back from them I'll update this post. 2. In our INFOdocket post we point out that Google is free to do as they see fit just as users are free to go elsewhere or come up with new search tactics. However, we would hope that Google would at least let users know before or as they make changes to their web search products and services. Continue reading
Social Security Administration Releases New iPhone App With Baby Name Info
You just never know when and when and where U.S. baby name info might be needed. Now, iOS users who need the info can access SSA material using a new app. In the past couple of days the Social Security Administration has introduced a new iPhone app (it should also work on iPad and iTouch devices) that provides access to 130 years of SSA info that you can browse or search. A "surprise me" button is available and you can also shake the iOS device to get info about a random name. According to the iTunes App Store here's what the the free app includes: + "Browse or search over 130 years of baby name data — over 45,000 unique names!" + "Save your own favorite names list and share them on Facebook, Twitter, or via an email." + "View baby name popularity trends" + "A Trivia game to test your baby name knowledge" + "View government-approved baby and family related services and information" Direct to App Store: http://bit.ly/INFOdocket5 -Gary Price and Shirl Kennedy We're Now at INFOdocket.com and FullTextReports.com Also, available on Twitter Continue reading
“Librarian” Legislation Introduced in U.S. Congress, The LIBRARIAN Act
Over on our ResourceShelf site, my colleague, Shirl Kennedy, offers a bunch of links to the recently introduced: S. 1121 and H.R. 1877. News Release:
The legislation co-sponsored by Senators Jack Reed and (D-RI) and Thad Cochran (R-MS), "to address the shortage of librarians in low-income areas across the country."Track the Legislation as it Moves through Congress with GovTrack Bill #'s: S. 1121 ||| RSS Feed H.R. 1877 ||| RSS Feed Continue reading
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