I got "the letter" too. For those actually interested, here it is:
"The State of Ohio has confirmed that your name and social security number was contained on a computer back-up device that was stolen. It is unlikely that someone can access the data contained in the device without specialized knowledge and equipment. Because we have no information to date that the data has been accessed, everything we are doing, or suggesting that you consider doing, is preventative.
The State of Ohio is doing everything possible to recover the stolen device and protect the personal information that was on the device. We regret that the loss of this sensitive data may place an undue burden of concern on you.
To assist you in the protection against the potential, though unlikely, misuse of personal information, the state has arranged for identity theft prevention and protection services through Debix to be available for one year at no cost to you. If you would like to take advantage of the Debix coverage, there are two ways to register: on line at www.debix.com/stateofohio or by mail using the attached form. This service will be valid for one year from the date you register for it. Please provide the activation code located at the top of this notification letter under your address when you are registering. Please note that part of the sign-up process includes receiving a phone call from Debix soon after you initiate the registration process. You will also need and email address to complete the process. If you have questions about Debix or its coverage, please contact them directly at (888) 332-4963.
For additional information including suggestions on things you can do on your own, please refer to www.ohio.gov/idprotect. If you have additional questions, call 1-800-267-4474 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sincerely,
Hugh Quill, Director
Ohio Department of Administrative Services
State of Ohio"
Nothing like poo-pooing the importance or potential amount of risk involved with identity theft. Having that data leave the premises overnight is about as safe as sticking it in an 8 year old's backpack and expecting it to come home in one piece. The intern wasn't a moron...that classification falls squarely on the shoulders of the Great State of Ohio.
Yeah, but this is Slashdot. Few slashdotters are familiar with such esoteric concepts as girls. Fewer still are familiar with how girls are shaped.
I beg to differ! Most if not *all* slashdotters are familiar with the concept of girls...probably MORE than most. HOWEVER...going past concept into the realm of actually *touching* one is a concept so frightening that it causes caffeine to ooze
from their pores in massive amounts. Thank goodness duct tape is moisture resistant.
I don't think that anybody has the time to familiarize themselves with hundreds of candidates to make the choices they make actually meaningful. Or do people just scan down the list of ballots, and choose democrat/republican all the way down? Because if that's the case, you might as well be voting once.
You are absolutely 100% dead on with that one. My Canadian partner-in-crime and I have had this discussion on several occasions, usually right around voting time. While I *do* feel it is my responsibility to either vote or stfu, I have a hard time with it since I don't feel informed enough to make responsible choices when there are so many people/issues being voted on. There is no possible way to gather enough information on *everything* that's on the ballot to make strong informed choices. As a result, there *are* a lot of people who do the all-democrat or all-republican vote...and a lot of horrid politicians voted into office. We've managed to make things way too complicated for our own good. Throw those damned machines into the mix and you're BEGGING for disaster.
The EXACT same thing could be said for the "self-absorbed, I MUST take this call, Pick up a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread" call recipient. 99.999% of the time you just ain't that freaking important...SHUT THE GD THING OFF. The world doesn't revolve around YOU either.
No complaints here either. I've had very few minor problems with the system as a whole and when dealing with customer service, the problems were resolved quickly and painlessly. I make what some might consider a huge amount of calls from the US to Canada and the amount of money I've saved in about a year of use is astronomical. It's been convenient and reliable and I've no intentions of leaving the service. It even travels well when I'm out of town, giving me the choice of either forwarding my calls to my cell phone or taking everything with me and setting up at a different location so that I don't miss important business or personal calls.
Don't put too much stock in smoke detectors either. While it's essential to have the proper number installed in the proper places in our homes and to test them regularly, it's also essential to remember that they sometimes fail. In a new home with more than the recommended number of detectors hardwired into the electrical system, I had a fire that caused $15,000 in damage and not one of the smoke detectors ever went off, and the power was not interrupted during the fire. Yeah...they *do* go off...when I make toast...but I've lost the sense of security I had before. Just because they go off now and then when we're making burnt offerings isn't a guarantee that they'll work when *we're* about to be made burnt offerings.
"Really hot female" at a geek trade show means breathing (with or without assistance), boobs and hips. Any other qualifiers and you'd better hope there's a portable defibrillator on the premises.
Slashdot Mirror
I don't recall saying it would kill you. I *did* say on the way out, it's not (sterile). If someone's gonna make the statement, qualify it correctly.
Urine is sterile while it's on the inside. On the way out, it's not.
I got "the letter" too. For those actually interested, here it is:
"The State of Ohio has confirmed that your name and social security number was contained on a computer back-up device that was stolen. It is unlikely that someone can access the data contained in the device without specialized knowledge and equipment. Because we have no information to date that the data has been accessed, everything we are doing, or suggesting that you consider doing, is preventative.
The State of Ohio is doing everything possible to recover the stolen device and protect the personal information that was on the device. We regret that the loss of this sensitive data may place an undue burden of concern on you.
To assist you in the protection against the potential, though unlikely, misuse of personal information, the state has arranged for identity theft prevention and protection services through Debix to be available for one year at no cost to you. If you would like to take advantage of the Debix coverage, there are two ways to register: on line at www.debix.com/stateofohio or by mail using the attached form. This service will be valid for one year from the date you register for it. Please provide the activation code located at the top of this notification letter under your address when you are registering. Please note that part of the sign-up process includes receiving a phone call from Debix soon after you initiate the registration process. You will also need and email address to complete the process. If you have questions about Debix or its coverage, please contact them directly at (888) 332-4963.
For additional information including suggestions on things you can do on your own, please refer to www.ohio.gov/idprotect. If you have additional questions, call 1-800-267-4474 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sincerely,
Hugh Quill, Director
Ohio Department of Administrative Services
State of Ohio"
Nothing like poo-pooing the importance or potential amount of risk involved with identity theft. Having that data leave the premises overnight is about as safe as sticking it in an 8 year old's backpack and expecting it to come home in one piece. The intern wasn't a moron...that classification falls squarely on the shoulders of the Great State of Ohio.
I beg to differ! Most if not *all* slashdotters are familiar with the concept of girls...probably MORE than most. HOWEVER...going past concept into the realm of actually *touching* one is a concept so frightening that it causes caffeine to ooze from their pores in massive amounts. Thank goodness duct tape is moisture resistant.
You are absolutely 100% dead on with that one. My Canadian partner-in-crime and I have had this discussion on several occasions, usually right around voting time. While I *do* feel it is my responsibility to either vote or stfu, I have a hard time with it since I don't feel informed enough to make responsible choices when there are so many people/issues being voted on. There is no possible way to gather enough information on *everything* that's on the ballot to make strong informed choices. As a result, there *are* a lot of people who do the all-democrat or all-republican vote...and a lot of horrid politicians voted into office. We've managed to make things way too complicated for our own good. Throw those damned machines into the mix and you're BEGGING for disaster.
TAKE HER BACK!
(along with Anne Murray!)
Thank you kindly! pffffffffft!
ew ew ew ew EWWWWWWWW!
That is a visual I did *not* need!
I don't even wanna think about where they'd put the pocket protector...
*shiver*
A merkin is a pubic wig.
I am an American, *not* a merkin.
The EXACT same thing could be said for the "self-absorbed, I MUST take this call, Pick up a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread" call recipient. 99.999% of the time you just ain't that freaking important...SHUT THE GD THING OFF. The world doesn't revolve around YOU either.
No complaints here either. I've had very few minor problems with the system as a whole and when dealing with customer service, the problems were resolved quickly and painlessly. I make what some might consider a huge amount of calls from the US to Canada and the amount of money I've saved in about a year of use is astronomical. It's been convenient and reliable and I've no intentions of leaving the service. It even travels well when I'm out of town, giving me the choice of either forwarding my calls to my cell phone or taking everything with me and setting up at a different location so that I don't miss important business or personal calls.
All in all, I'm a *very* satisfied customer.
Don't put too much stock in smoke detectors either. While it's essential to have the proper number installed in the proper places in our homes and to test them regularly, it's also essential to remember that they sometimes fail. In a new home with more than the recommended number of detectors hardwired into the electrical system, I had a fire that caused $15,000 in damage and not one of the smoke detectors ever went off, and the power was not interrupted during the fire. Yeah...they *do* go off...when I make toast...but I've lost the sense of security I had before. Just because they go off now and then when we're making burnt offerings isn't a guarantee that they'll work when *we're* about to be made burnt offerings.
Fight or flight response?
"Run away! Run away!"
"Really hot female" at a geek trade show means breathing (with or without assistance), boobs and hips. Any other qualifiers and you'd better hope there's a portable defibrillator on the premises.