Get The Feeling the Internet is Watching You?

It’s Tech Tuesday Time.

So has this happened to you? You are searching the Internet for a present for that hard to buy for person on your list. You know, something you might never buy for yourself. After a bit of searching, you give up and check into Facebook only to find that your news feed has a weird sense of deja vu. Your search seems to have followed you to Facebook, your email interface and even future searches.

Well the simple explanation for this is when you use free sites like Facebook, Google, Bing, Amazon,  ect…they make a great deal of their operating revenue from selling advertising, and more specifically Targeted Advertising. While not a new concept, it is being noticed by more and more users, and is often unwelcome.

So what can you do?

Browser History and Cookies
First your can erase your browser history and cookies from time to time.  This will help to wipe the virtual memory clean somewhat.

Go Incognito
If you use Gmail you can use an “incognito” window, that won’t keep a browser history. This is also handy for those who have tech savvy kids who might search your history to see what they might be getting from Santa. Also great for signing into two Gmail or drive accounts at the same time.  (I can’t be the only person who manages 3 or 4 Google accounts, can I?) and finally…

Opt Out of Advertising
There is a way to opt out of some of that annoying targeted advertising through the Self-Regulatory Program for Online Behavioral Advertising.  There is a lot of really interesting info on this site if you have the time and inclination to sift through it. Before you click the next link, know that it will start a search of your browser history right away. If you want to know more before you so that, go back to the link in this paragraph to read about the program.  

To opt out,  go to the “Opt Out” page. It  will automatically search your history for participating companies. From the populated listing, you can chose all or some of the advertisers to block.  It will even tell you who can’t be.  While this won’t stop the ads completely it will help.

I guess reading those privacy notice updates from Facebook can yield something useful every now and again.  They are once again updating policies January 1, 2015 and reading through this led me to the above info.  Be sure to bookmark the site for future use. You might have to redo this as you may pick up targeted advertising from new companies.

It’s hard not to use social media and the Internet, but there are ways to help control the experience. Happy surfing!  We hope this was helpful to you.   What other kinds of tech tips would you like to see CARES research?

NFC Academic Support-Your Very Own Help Button!

A Message from the Director of Academic Support, Dr. Aimee Woznick

Hi, SUNY Empire State College students in Western New York!
I hope your schoolwork is going well. For those of you enrolled in the Fall 1 term: now is the time to start thinking about your final projects and papers! Be kind to yourself – don’t leave them until the last minute. Start developing your plan of attack now. Talk to your instructors if you need further clarification about any assignments. You might even run your paper or project ideas past your instructor before you get started. And if you don’t know where to begin – or if the mere thought of writing a paper fills you with dread – schedule an appointment with a writing coach (see below).

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, have a research question, or just want to chat, drop a line or give me a call at (716) 686-7880.  I’m here to help!

CHECK OUT THE NEW LIBRARY WEBSITE!
The Empire State College Online Library website was recently redesigned to be more user-friendly. If you have a research paper coming up, check out the fantastic subject guides developed by ESC’s talented librarians. These guides provide recommendations for the best databases for your topic and cover handy research tips that will make your work easier.

http://www.esc.edu/library/

Not finding what you’re looking for? Have a question about citations? The librarians are there for you. On the website, you’ll see ways to contact them via chat, email, or phone. Don’t be shy – that’s what they’re there for!

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AT CHEEKTOWAGA LOCATION
To register for one or more of the sessions below, write to Dr. Aimee Woznick at Aimee.Woznick@esc.edu with your name and phone number.
Remember, the workshop calendar is always accessible through the Learning Support tab on MyESC – or just bookmark this link: http://www.esc.edu/learning-support/workshops-calendar/#tabs=0

Using the Online Library – Thursday, Nov. 13, 1 – 2:30 p.m.  
Efficient Textbook Reading – Tuesday, Nov. 18, 6 – 7 p.m.
^Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) – Tuesday, Dec. 2, 5 – 6:30 p.m.
*Writing Your Rationale – Wednesday, Dec. 10, 5 – 6:30 p.m. (November workshop is full)
Academic Research Skills – Wednesday, Nov. 19. 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Tackling the College Paper – Wednesday, Nov. 19, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Success Strategies – Wednesday, Nov. 19, 4 – 5 p.m.

*This workshop is intended for students enrolled in Educational Planning. Bring a draft of your degree program and – if you have one – a draft of your Rationale essay.
^Please bring a draft of your degree program if you have one.

DROP-IN TUTORING HOURS IN CHEEKTOWAGA
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 1:30 – 6:30 p.m., Room 301
Learning Coach Kate Whalen is here every Tuesday and Thursday to assist you with writing, math, stats, time management, and general study strategies.
Appointments are not necessary, but if you’d like to make one to guarantee your spot, feel free to email me.

***Holiday Changes***
Due to the Veteran’s Day holiday, Kate will not be available on Nov. 11. Her hours will be rescheduled to Wednesday, Nov. 12.
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, Kate will not be available on Nov. 27. Her hours will be rescheduled to Wednesday, Nov. 26.

TUTORING AT THE LOCATION NEAREST YOU
There are fabulous math and writing coaches at each of our four other locations in Western New York. Call your local office to set up an appointment.

Fredonia – Sue Michales (Writing and Math) – (716) 673-1200
Jamestown/Lakewood – Anton Agafonov (Writing) and Chuck Strand (Math) – (716) 338-1508
Lockport – Karen Eichler (Writing) and Jeff Welton (Math) – (716) 434-0272
Olean – Jamie Wood (Writing) and Jillian Miller (Math) – (716) 376-7511

FALL TERM ONLINE WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
Live, Online Workshops via Blackboard Collaborate
The online workshop calendar is always accessible via the Learning Support tab on MyESC – or just bookmark this link: http://www.esc.edu/learning-support/workshops-calendar/#tabs=1

Coming up this month: workshops on thesis statements, annotated bibliographies, and statistics.

Aimee M. Woznick, Ph.D.
Director of Academic Support Services & Assistant Professor
Empire State College, The State University of New York
Niagara Frontier Center