Anonymous Internet Postings: Blessing or Curse

I have been asked to answer the question as to whether anonymity on the Internet is a blessing or a curse. In answering this question I must consider how the Internet might change if there were no anonymity. Another consideration would be how anonymity affects participation and outlook on the Internet as a whole.

Anonymity on Internet forums enables us to be open, honest, and say what we really think and feel. It allows us the freedom to express our opinions, thoughts, and discuss personal issues that are interesting that we might have kept to ourselves. An example might be the freedom to discuss a medical or mental disease that we have personally experienced that we wouldn't feel comfortable discussing without anonymity.

If everyone new who you were in a forum discussions might become a little bland. Personal topics and issues would only be discussed in general terms. Several posts that people find interesting and honest would probably be gone. A non-anonymous forum could lead to stalking, pornography, or other antisocial behavior as dishonest people would know and could track down who they were talking to.

I feel that forums should remain anonymous. While there will always be dishonest people who's intent is to be hurtful and rude, most of the comments made by these people are easy to ignore. I feel that the valuable interaction we receive through others thoughts and comments would be lost without anonymity. Reading others comments on a subject can be very informative and helpful allowing us to broaden our own insights on a particular subject. The freedom of being nameless allows us to be honest and forthcoming.

Smoking Banned from Kansas Retaurants, Bars and Workplaces

This is an article posted on The FindLaw Crime & Criminals Blog by Kamika Dunlap on March 15, 2010. Kansas bring the state involved on a smoking ban total to over 30. This blog also discusses Michigan's recently approved state smoking ban.

This law could result in thousand of lost jobs as smokers may frequent bars and restaurant less often. Although I prefer a non smoking restaurant I feel it should be a decision of the owner of the establishment rather than by government.

The governor of Kansas is also proposing an increase sales and cigarette tax to help solve a $400 million budget dept. With more and more people kicking the habit every day and the laws preventing smoking in public places this doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

I enjoy and find several blogs on this site very interesting as you can find the answers to many legal questions in the stories. They cover topics in the criminal justice system that are not only newsworthy but also sometimes weird and notorious.

Microsoft Office 2007 for Students - Cheap!

Microsoft is running an offer especially for college students called The Ultimate Steal. For a limited time, students can obtain a copy of Microsoft 2007 Ultimate Edition for only $59.95. To qualify for this offer, you must be enrolled at a US educational institution and have a valid e-mail address that ends in the edu domain. Considering this package is available at retail for around $500, this is a fantastic deal for students. So check it out and save some $$$ today!

Even though you can download the software from the Web site, you should also consider purchasing (for an additional fee) the software on DVD. This will make reinstalling the software much easier in the future in case you have a problem (such as your hard drive fails).