The ethical spy
Along with starting the Tumblr account for icanhastofu, I also set up a Google Analytics account, so I can track my traffic spy on fandom boost my ego with gratuitous details. A few days ago, I enabled it on the LOLMac journal here on LJ as well, which is giving me a lovely lesson in international geography, a few giggles (someone ended up on LOLMac after Googling 'lolita', which must have been a disappointment) and a lot of squees. I mean, wow! There's someone in Romania who likes RDA and (presumably) enjoys the jokes! Is that cool or what?
At the same time, the main section of my brain immediately starts fretting at the privacy implications. Yeah, yeah, Google Analytics and web traffic tracking are ubiquitous. You're tracked everywhere you go. I opted into the Guest Tracking on LJ when it was first enabled -- but that's a two-way option: if you want to see, you must allow yourself to be seen, and you know it's happening because you accepted it. But still. LOLMac is a great joy in my life, and it's a place where a lot of my friends hang out, and I don't want to squick anyone out by spying on them, as it were.
So I'm making this announcement, and an offer: I can exclude a given IP address from GA; I've done so with my own, so I won't pad my own numbers with maintenance (or navel-gazing). There are various Java script blockers, including a Firefox add-on called NoScript, which I use at work; these will block GA (and a lot of other stuff). If you dislike the thought of being tracked, and you're willing to PM me your IP address, I will add it to the filters. Poof! Invizibul fan! (If you don't know your IP address, enter 'what's my ip address' in Google, and poof! Informed fan!)
Alternately, if there's interest, I can do a tech support post here on how to install and use the NoScript add-on. It's a bit complicated to manage until you get used to it, but it's very effective.
Or I can put on my long trenchcoat and dark glasses and skulk around in the shadows waiting for the Inevitable Sexy Counter-Spy to attempt an overly complicated assassination plot, presumably involving explosives.
At the same time, the main section of my brain immediately starts fretting at the privacy implications. Yeah, yeah, Google Analytics and web traffic tracking are ubiquitous. You're tracked everywhere you go. I opted into the Guest Tracking on LJ when it was first enabled -- but that's a two-way option: if you want to see, you must allow yourself to be seen, and you know it's happening because you accepted it. But still. LOLMac is a great joy in my life, and it's a place where a lot of my friends hang out, and I don't want to squick anyone out by spying on them, as it were.
So I'm making this announcement, and an offer: I can exclude a given IP address from GA; I've done so with my own, so I won't pad my own numbers with maintenance (or navel-gazing). There are various Java script blockers, including a Firefox add-on called NoScript, which I use at work; these will block GA (and a lot of other stuff). If you dislike the thought of being tracked, and you're willing to PM me your IP address, I will add it to the filters. Poof! Invizibul fan! (If you don't know your IP address, enter 'what's my ip address' in Google, and poof! Informed fan!)
Alternately, if there's interest, I can do a tech support post here on how to install and use the NoScript add-on. It's a bit complicated to manage until you get used to it, but it's very effective.
Or I can put on my long trenchcoat and dark glasses and skulk around in the shadows waiting for the Inevitable Sexy Counter-Spy to attempt an overly complicated assassination plot, presumably involving explosives.