My middle name is Lenoard, after my father. Up until I was sixteen or so and applying for jobs I always spelled it "Leonard" in the traditional sense. It wasn't until my father pointed out my error after reviewing an application that I had filled out that I came to know the true spelling of my name.
"Why Lenoard?" I asked, "why the variation?" He shook it off and gave me a "just because" style answer. That was how his name was spelled and as such that was how mine was spelled as well.
It bothered me for a really long time, long enough that I remembered to mention it to my grandfather on our pretty much bi-annual visit. He explained to me that he had intentionally spelled my father's name in an odd fashion so that if anyone ever attempted to steal his identity they might make a spelling error and thus void their efforts of thievery. When I told this to my mom she laughed and told me it was more likely the medications administered to my grandmother during child labor that led to the misspelling. To this day I am uncertain, but had some sense of security in the odd spelling of my middle name. My data mining efforts have now made me feel much less secure.
I began with a simple google search. All I found on the first few pages was a football player, a politician, and a few other random people. Even with the inclusion of my oddly spelled middle name I didn't find anything.
Following that I went to instant check mate. I was disappointed after waiting through several load screens to get to page that wanted me to pay for a full report but along the way I was able to find the following information: All of my immediate family members names (except for my children), my address, and date of birth.
Next I went to Intelius. They too wanted me to pay for extensive reports but the free report showed my wife's name and the city we live in.
On Blockshopper I found info on the home that I purchased the summer before last. It included accurate information including the seller's name, our sale price, and taxes.
On Peekyou I had no information.
On Pipl I found my name, age, immediate family members names, and location.
On social mention my name yielded many results, but since I have no definitive social networking ID it would've been difficult to pinpoint myself.
After that I went to payroll data on bettergov.org. I have not made the cut yet in that database...
"Why Lenoard?" I asked, "why the variation?" He shook it off and gave me a "just because" style answer. That was how his name was spelled and as such that was how mine was spelled as well.
It bothered me for a really long time, long enough that I remembered to mention it to my grandfather on our pretty much bi-annual visit. He explained to me that he had intentionally spelled my father's name in an odd fashion so that if anyone ever attempted to steal his identity they might make a spelling error and thus void their efforts of thievery. When I told this to my mom she laughed and told me it was more likely the medications administered to my grandmother during child labor that led to the misspelling. To this day I am uncertain, but had some sense of security in the odd spelling of my middle name. My data mining efforts have now made me feel much less secure.
I began with a simple google search. All I found on the first few pages was a football player, a politician, and a few other random people. Even with the inclusion of my oddly spelled middle name I didn't find anything.
Following that I went to instant check mate. I was disappointed after waiting through several load screens to get to page that wanted me to pay for a full report but along the way I was able to find the following information: All of my immediate family members names (except for my children), my address, and date of birth.
Next I went to Intelius. They too wanted me to pay for extensive reports but the free report showed my wife's name and the city we live in.
On Blockshopper I found info on the home that I purchased the summer before last. It included accurate information including the seller's name, our sale price, and taxes.
On Peekyou I had no information.
On Pipl I found my name, age, immediate family members names, and location.
On social mention my name yielded many results, but since I have no definitive social networking ID it would've been difficult to pinpoint myself.
After that I went to payroll data on bettergov.org. I have not made the cut yet in that database...
Great opening analogy! What did you think of this process? Do you feel this is something we should be speaking to our students about?
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