Activity+1++Google+Account

=**Activity #1: Set up an anonymous Gmail account using an alias**=

The first activity is to establish a new, anonymous, web-based email account specifically for this course. Your Gmail account will give you access to a wide variety of other Google products and services including those that we will use throughout the course.

Confidentiality and online security are considerations when working in an online environment. While many of the risks and hazards tend to be sensationalized in the mainstream media, it is important to be aware of "web-proofing" strategies to avoid problems. One of the most basic principles is "security through obscurity" and the use of anonymous accounts.

When you set up your Gmail account for this course do not use your real name. Use an generic alias that does not give clues about your name, age or gender and one that will not attract the attention of web search engines. You could use a series of letters and numbers in combination, for example, "xxx222@gmail.com" or a code name that has meaning to you, for example "buntepbird@gmail.com". We will be using a number of online applications that will require a user name, a password and an active email account. Please select an alias for your user name and a password that you will be able to use in multiple accounts.

You can set up multiple Gmail accounts for other purposes and use your real name later if you like, but for the purpose of this course we will only use anonymous Gmail accounts set up with an alias.

To set up a Gmail account, go to this this link and fill in the form and follow the instructions. On the form you will use your alias in the field that asks for your "Desired Logon Name. (You can also view a You Tube video Set up a Google Gmail Account that will guide you through the steps of setting up a Gmail account.)


 * Submit: Once you have set up a Gmail account, please send me a message at buntepbird2@gmail.com from your new Gmail account and indicate your real name in the body of the message. **
 * This would be a good time to tell me anything you feel I should know about you. Do you have medical appointments scheduled during class time? Do you have any pertinent concerns that I need to know but you do not wish to mention in the Hopes and Fears discussion? **