Here’s the “skinny” on computer cookies (aka browser cookies)
Lets Talk Cookies: If the first thing that comes to mind when you think of cookies is chocolate chip you aren't alone. Even among many well versed in the use of computers and the internet aren't familiar with the computer kind of cookies. Essentially they're little tiny bits of information passed from a website to your browser and stored there while you are checking out whatever site has your attention at the moment. Then whenever you pass that way again the website can retrieve that information and access it.
For decades horn honking has been used as a way to communicate. Much like email and attempted humor in tweets this social media message can easily be miscommunicated and misunderstood.
How to Speak Horn - A Social Language
As a language, deciphering horn honks can be challenging. When someone honks their horn, you don't really know if they are honking at you at all—and if they are -- what exactly they are trying to say. To make it more of a conundrum, a honk in your city can be different than a horn honk you might hear while visiting your aunt across the country.
Until the complete etiquette of horn honking is more formalized, I’ve prepared some horn honking basics to prepare you for your next road trip.
Tap
A "tap" is a light application of pressure on the horn. It is really the most genial kind of horn honking (you didn't know there was such a thing, did you?) Here are two different types of horn taps and what they mean: - A tap while at a light: “I don't want to be rude, but the light has changed. Do you think you might go now?” - A tap while on the freeway: “I see your signal and will let you in this lane…if you hurry and acknowledge this courtesy with a hand wave.”
Toot
Taps and toots are often difficult to distinguish. However, as the amusing word "toot" signifies, toots are friendly honks. You might hear a toot from your college roommate, who spots you while you are driving on the other side of the road. Perhaps you haven't seen him or her in years; perhaps you are driving the same car you were in college, and it is now held together with duct tape, while they are driving their brand new BMW, and the whole incident makes you reevaluate your whole life and how you've spent the last 20 years.
Sigh. Anyway, that's what a toot can mean.
Honk
This is more serious than a tap or a toot. Honks are rarely friendly greetings. They are much more likely to be sounds of “Watch out!” or “Pay attention!” The noise duration is longer. The sound decibels are louder and more intense. A honk may mean, “The light has been green for 15 seconds already, so finish your text later.” Just as with a tap or a toot, everyone within ear shot is startled and the momentary stress relief is only experienced by the “honker.”
If you hope to keep anything private, it is probably better to stay off the Internet altogether. If a “bunker” isn’t your best life style choice, you need to know that both Facebook and Google+ are making changes to their privacy settings.
Facebook is making it nearly impossible to hide from crazy acquaintances, ex-bosses, and that bully that tormented you in the 4th grade. Whereas before you could choose whether or not you wanted to show up in search results, the new policy allows anyone to be found using the site's search function. If you are a parent, be sure and check impact on your kids’ privacy on Facebook.
The company said they made the change because they have had complaints that two people might be in the same Facebook Group, but still can't find each other with a search. They also said that people were "confused" when they tried to find a friend, but couldn't find them in search results, (ignoring the fact that this was the whole purpose of the privacy setting in the first place.)
How to Check Your New Public Face on Facebook
If you are curious as to what others are seeing when they find your Facebook page, use the "View As" feature, which you can find on your profile page’s "Activity Log" drop down menu. Google+ Google+ recently sent out an email specifying changes regarding what information it shares about you. It will allow you to opt out of "Shared Endorsements," meaning if your Google+ page follows another page publicly, you can choose whether or not you want your name and photo to appear in ads that are on that page. This means that, in theory, if you don't pay attention to your settings, you could see your name and face “hawking” products in ads without being paid a single cent.
