Tuesday Sweep: 20 March 2018
Your weekly reminder to back up your data, update software and otherwise pay attention to your digital environment. (Oh, and I hope you’re already at the CRASH Space meeting…)
On the repo: https://crashspace.github.io/tuesday/tuesdaysweep/2018/03/20/tuesday-sweep.html
Jump in Here
- Welcome. If you haven’t been following along, it’s okay. You’re not behind, you’re just where you are.
- The coach tool at the Crash Override Network has a great step by step break down that makes it really easy to start.
- If that site doesn’t fit your needs or you want more, that’s okay, there are more recommendations under Start Here on the repo.
- Feeling more ambitious? Review the list of OneThing articles and pick one to catch up on.
Sweep
The basics slightly revised and with a printable checklist.
- Updated software recently? Pick a new device to check on today.
- Backups still up and running? When was the last time you made a clean disk image? Here’s a new great article on how to design a backup system.
- App, Password Gardening: Delete a low quality app from your phone or delete an account that you don’t need that doesn’t make you happy. Digital cruft builds up. Delete it. If you’re keeping it, can you move the password to your password manager (delete it from everywhere else) and add two factor authentication?
- Stored WiFi networks can be used to profile your computer and find out places you’ve been. Weed them out.
- Move to offline archive & delete your histories where you can find them.
- Double check privacy settings on your phone, social media accounts. The folks running the companies can change the TOS and add “features” before you notice them.
Learn
Where do you scan for news?
- I’m shocked! Shocked I say!
- Palantir
- And have you called your Federal reps about the Could Act yet? Seems timely.
- While you’re at it call Attorney General Xavier Becerra (Los Angeles office phone number is (213) 269-6000) and ask what state laws empower him to do? Call your State Assembly/Senate reps and ask them to help California lead the way on privacy like it’s done on Net Neutrality.
Oh.. if you want something else very good and less soul sucking to look at try try idea-instructions “An ongoing series of nonverbal algorithm assembly instructions.” in the style of ikea instructions via @stacksmashing
Reflect
Feeling dumb or stupid about how not-l33t you are? Angsting over some silly thing you “know better than to do.” Stop. That isn’t useful. Regret is only of use if it prompts an actual change in behavior. Maybe it’s NOT you that sucks. Could be it’s the technology and you could come up with a fix that would help lots of people. Look forward and make a plan.
Engage
We are a community. You are a welcome part of it.
- Did you learn something cool in your sweep? Make something? Share it!
- Speak up
- Give (New!! The Signal Foundation)
- Like going to conferences? Maybe one is coming up!
- Show up at CRASH Space… now.
Relax
I give you “Nothing’s Gonna Hurt You Baby” by Cigarettes After Sex
