This page is to outline my privacy policy and for anyone who wants to view, register or communicate on my blog. I do not share your email or any other information about you with anybody or any entity. First, I want to introduce the privacy policies of my hosting provider and my content management system:

DreamHost

I am using DreamHost as my hosting provider. Upon my request on December 18, 2024 on whether they collect viewers or subscribers information their response was:

“Thanks for contacting DreamHost Support! My name is Toby and I will be
happy to help with this.

We do not collect any information related to your website or subscribers.”

In my reading of the DreamHost privacy policy, it only pertains to clients, which would be me, and not the guests on my website, which would be you. You can see a copy of their privacy policy, which is pretty clearly written, using the link provided below:

WordPress

My content management system (CMS) is WordPress. They collect emails and register information. They have two tools which allow some control and mitigation of this activity. One is an export tool which allows you to request an account from me of all information collected regarding your activity which arrives in the form of a zip file . The other is an erasure tool which erases your activity. You can request via email to me either or both of these actions. The erasure may not be a complete process, as archive files may be kept by WordPress. I am not using third party plugins so data keeping by WordPress should be at a minimum. You can see a copy of their privacy policy, which is pretty clearly written, using the link provided below:

Privacy Policy re: Registration & Comment

You don’t have to register to comment. If you want to register I just need your email address and a user name you generate, no other information is required. I do not share your email or any other information about you with anybody or any entity. If you receive unwanted emails somehow linked through, or from this site other than updates about this blog and personal communications between us, please let me know.

If you register, let me know if you want to be included in my contact list which I will use to announce the publishing of new posts and pages or other updates or news that I think is pertinent to this blog. I am NOT using a third party email mass mailing service such as Constant Contact.

I would, at your request, add your name to my emailing contact list directly on the email I am using for my blog: blackpowderyard@gmail.com. You can email me or you can request it in your comment. If you don’t opt in to be on the mass mailing list, I will keep your email separate from the contact list strictly for individual communications initiated by you. At your request I will immediately remove your email from my contacts and/or register lists.

If you do request updates, emails sent to you as part of a mass emailing will likely end up in your spam folder, one of the drawbacks of not using a third party emailer. I want to exercise as much control as possible to prevent you from receiving unwanted messages or sharing of your email address if I can so prevent it. Again, please let me know if any unwanted activity occurs. I am learning, but I promise to be diligent in respecting your privacy and your time.

To Summarize:

• You don’t have to register to comment
• To register you only supply your email & a user name
• You can indicate that you want mass email updates (opt in only)
• I don’t share your email or any other personal or usage data
• I don’t use third party plug-ins which will minimize data collection
• I will delete your email & registration from my site immediately upon request
• My host, DreamHost, does not collect any user or subscriber data
• My CMS, WordPress, does collect data
• WordPress has two tools which inform about and mitigate this collection
• You can request my use of those tools which I will immediately grant
• Please check your spam file as my messages may end up there

Register

If you wish to register, please provide user name and an email. Look for the “Create an account” link at the top right of the page.

Conclusion

I look forward to interacting with you and will attempt to keep those interactions in keeping with your wishes as much as possible. Please let me know if you have any issues in regard to any unwanted communication or any other concerns. Thank you.