[menageriemanor (OP)]

I am SO computer illiterate & my brain just fuses at the word COMPUTER.

I've heard that smartphones identify photo's by time & place.  Is that true? Is that able to be accessed by people online & if my phone is old & delightfully stupid, ie not smart, does that mean it can't kiss & tell, because it's just happy to be on an outing?

Sorry, for sad humour attempt, but I really need BASIC, non technical reply. I'd like to understand the technicalities, but I know I won't.

Also, I want to get a website? for keeping people up on animal rescues (esp not having to retell stories), AND I am also a bit worried about my health. I have a lot of animals & want to try to find more people who treat their animals as I do, so that worst case scenario, I can find homes that won't eat my sheep, etc., if I'm on the way out. I'd like to start now, & have time to feel I can trust people, but HOW do you pick who to go with, that 'hosts?' your site? I'm told there are free sites, but that some people end up having problems with them.

What sort of questions should I ask, what answers do I want? Who do I avoid? Any warnings you can share? Happy to have you PM me.

I am such a technophobe I only use my old simple phone for photo's. I don't think I've ever made a call on a mobile phone without someone dialling for me - which is fair enough, because I would be borrowing the use of it for an emergency call, as mine has never been connected. I have a very basic laptop & have no idea how to even upload? a photo, & to be truthful, I think the plug in bit you need to do it was lost YEARS ago. I had the phone YEARS before the computer, tho probably 15ish years after most people bought first mobiles.

I explain this so you know to use 1 syllable words & type VERY slowly, for me...

[RD]

I've heard that smartphones identify photo's by time & place.  Is that true? Is that able to be accessed by people online

Some phone-cameras embed the date and location in the image-file : ( aka "Geotagging" which is a form of metadata ), the digital equivalent of writing on the back of photograph where and when it was taken.

There are free programs, e.g. "RIOT", which will remove metadata from photos , e.g. if you intend to post them on the internet but do not want the date & location and information which may identify you, publicly known.

http://luci.criosweb.ro/riot/

http://lifehacker.com/5149327/jpeg--png-stripper-removes-the-metadata-from-your-images

[ I've used RIOT as a plug-in for the free photo-editing programs IrfanView and GIMP, but I haven't used the   "jpeg--png-stripper" mentioned above ].

[David Cooper]

This is a serious security risk which ought to be addressed by Facebook and the like - if they don't already, they should offer to remove the positioning data from photos when you upload them. It's too much to expect everyone to run all their photos through a program to remove them before using them.

[RD]

This is a serious security risk which ought to be addressed by Facebook and the like - if they don't already, they should offer to remove the positioning data from photos when you upload them...

I believe the "Flickr" photo-hosting-website gives you the option to block everyone from reading the EXIF data , but access is permitted by default.

[evan_au]

If you have a very old phone, it will be able to note the time and date that the photo was taken (and the type of phone).
However, including a GPS location in the phone was only done with the introduction of "smartphones". On my smartphone, you can enable or disable certain programs from accessing GPS data.

If you would like to upload some photos to your computer, you should be able to enter a search like "photo upload" and enter the brand and model number of your phone. This should give instructions on how to do it, and maybe a program you can download to your computer. However, this will probably require the long-lost cable. You can probably buy a replacement cable on ebay.

It is probably easier to shop for a new camera, which will come with the right cable. But it is probably best to take your laptop to the store (when it's not busy), and ask them to show you how to upload from this camera to this laptop. They will need to check that the laptop has the right connector type or WIFi settings.

PS: We can help with science and technology questions, but this is probably not the best site for finding good homes for your domestic animals.

[syhprum]

It is quite possible that your phone has a Bluetooth facility that would enable you to download pictures without the need for a cable, if your computer is not equipped with Bluetooth receivers are very cheaply available and would come with instrutions and driver.

[menageriemanor (OP)]

Thank you 4 replies. Sorry I couldn't get back sooner. I can't print out pages to go through, addressing each reply, & I didn't write down the answers.

I very much doubt my phone has Bluetooth access. At the time I obtained it, (I THINK a good 5? years ago), I was told it was prehistoric, but I never intended to access computers from it, OR use it, unless I broke down on a deserted road.  In the end, I never connected it to a phone company, & only used it to take photos of dogs, sheep, rescued kittens & cats.

I never wanted to rehome rescues, etc on this forum. To start with, most are Brits? Chunk of U S? V few Ozzies, to throw a wide net. I didn't ask that, did I?  Sorry if I wasn't clear. 

I wanted advice about setting up a website? A Blog? & asked for advice about where to go, what is important to ask before starting.  I've heard stories of people starting blogs or whatever is correct term, being very unhappy with  hosts? is that the term? & having problems leaving, or taking their writing with them. I don't know the definite terms I should be using, even to ask for info. I wondered if people who had such things, could advise me. One person said, in a conversation with someone else, that they didn't go with a free site, but paid monthly, but I don't know why or if it would effect me. I was hoping to tell individual animal's stories, hoping, at some point, someone would leave a message with similar views, even similar animals, & keeping in touch, at some point, they may be happy to take a rescue or two from me. I don't have friends/family that are in a position OR have the inclination to take a pet sheep or a rescued cat/dog.

I am haunted by worry over what would happen to my animals if I died & PLEASE don't advise me to send/leave them to the RSPCA. I have been in rescue for 30 years & distraught as I would be, I would rather put them down myself, if that was my only option. I would like to OVERSEE the rehoming of half my animals, slowly, with great care, before major health problems, BUT I'm not young or well, & I live in fear of dying in the night, with no warning, so I want to have people lined up to take the best suited AND WANTED individuals.

OH! I've only just realised your replies are at the bottom!

My trouble is, half the time, the instructions on how to do things are beyond my ken. I know the individual words, I just have no idea what I'm supposed to do. eg I don't know what a refresh button is, so telling me to press it to do something, leaves me frozen & inactive. 

That is how little I know. I live in rural isolation. I can't do courses & it is as tho I am allergic to computerspeak.  I'm not stupid or uneducated, just pre computer & my brain just refuses to hold one bit of useful computer info. Finally, I KNOW how the slower children in class felt. Everyone excitedly talking in words I've known for years, but using them in a way that, (sorry), does not compute... I just sit, with mouth half open, watching people turn my known words upside down, & looking at me, in exasperation, when I don't respond knowingly. Probably the only reason I regret not breeding - to have a technoliterate child to do/explain.

Thank you Mr Cooper, for confirming it IS a genuine worry, evan_au is probably closest to the level of my phone. I appreciate the links? to info, but I fear the advice for beginners will leave me still unable to comprehend. You see, because I am SO isolated, SO ignorant, I am terrified of attempting much, (anything), because I don't know how to reverse the process if I cock up.  The only comp shop within 50 kms has no opposition & tons of work, & have a minimum service fee of 1 1/2 hours fee, even if they fix it in 10 mins & that is close to - over $200.  On principle, I refuse to deal with them - & can't afford to...

Took an hour to find. My phone is a NOKIA.  I've lost ALL paperwork, years ago. 2 megapixel camera. Can't find a serial no, have never dared open it. It only has 1 to 0 numbers & letters for texting, which I can't/never do & it has 2 more keys, either side of 0,with 3 symbols on each, which means NOTHING to me.  It has a red & green button and a dash each side of a central button. That has a pressable silver rounded edge square rim, around it.  I use it so rarely, I often take 10 mins 2 work out what I have 2 do, to get access to photo's. Some photos have gone somewhere different to the rest & often I find them by chance, having no idea HOW I found them & often I look for them & don't find them.

I know I sound SUCH a thicko, but I'm not. I just have a Teflon brain when it comes to computers.

[David Cooper]

Poachers are using tourists' geo-tagged photos to target rhinos and other endangered species:-

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2623304/How-poachers-use-INSTAGRAM-prey-Geo-tagged-photos-help-hunters-track-injure-kill-tigers-elephants-rhinos.html

[RD]

I wanted advice about setting up a website? A Blog? & asked for advice about where to go ... I was hoping to tell individual animal's stories, hoping, at some point, someone would leave a message with similar views, even similar animals, & keeping in touch, at some point, they may be happy to take a rescue or two from me. ... I don't have friends/family that are in a position OR have the inclination to take a pet sheep or a rescued cat/dog. ... I'm not young or well ... I live in rural isolation ... Probably the only reason I regret not breeding - to have a technoliterate child to do/explain.

Re your idea to use a blog to find suitable new owners for your pets. Personally I would not advertise to all-and-sundry on the Internet that I was a female, with no adult children, living alone in a remote area , and invite multiple complete-strangers to visit me. That sounds like a recipe for disaster.

If for some reason your don’t like the RSPCA , ( they seem like the ideal solution to me ),
have a look on Facebook for local  animal re-homer , e.g.
http://www.google.com/search?q=+animal+rehoming+site%3Afacebook.com

NB: anyone can set up FaceBook page for free , e.g. you, but also so can scam-artists ...
https://www.facebook.com/pages/STOP-Animal-Rescue-Scams/159300140803307?id=159300140803307&sk=info

But personally I’d contact a well-established  well-resourced animal re-homing charity like the RSPCA : they have plenty of experience vetting prospective pet owners and visit their homes before and after adoption to check the animal is being properly cared-for.

[evan_au]

I agree that creating a Facebook account is your best option for setting up a web page. Find some people in your town who currently use Facebook, and can show you how to use it (it's pretty easy).

Note that Facebook today is using a lot more pictures, which can take a lot of time to download and upload if you are in remote NSW, on a dialup modem. An "ADSL2+" broadband connection will work better, if you are within 3km of your local telephone exchange (or National Broadband Network, if that is available in your town).

[menageriemanor (OP)]

I operate this comp with a dongle. I don't have a normal phone. I can only afford a minimum of Internet per month, tho., due to animals. Can't watch ANY video, etc., even a song or brief funny/educ., things, anymore.

As I said, I have been in RESCUE for all my life, really, but SERIOUSLY, for approaching 30 years & I have yet to find a REALLY serious animal rescuer, that knows ALL the stuff that goes on behind closed doors, that would ALLOW their animals NEAR an RSPCA in UK OR OZ.  This is NOT a sweeping statement for effect. I did not include the US SPCA, because I haven't gone into it with my most trusted US rescue contacts, BUT I would be very surprised if it wasn't worse there, as it is, with attitudes to animals across the GENERALISED US public.  I CAN say that the heartbreakingly committed US rescue people I deal with, have nothing to do with promoting the SPCA, only trying to get dogs OUT of there, to SAFE NO KILL rescues.

Sorry to be sidetracked. I tried to prevent this explanation, by diplomatically shutting down the RSPCA suggestion, early on...

To start with, IF U R rehoming an animal U care about, the MINIMUM U do is find a COMMITTED NO KILL rescue. The RSPCA never has been.  Even then, you can't just accept that banner headline.  SOME large NO KILL rescues, have a suspicious number of female animals who qualify to die, due to, 'get out' clauses for exceptions to be able to kill, whilst claiming NO KILL. These include dogs deemed dangerous, ill, 'suffering' without hope of recovery, mentally or physically.  Why is this suspicious?  It costs a great deal more to desex females, than males.

ALMOST all offer same price adoptions of dogs, male/female. They clear more money per male, than female, in adoption fee, for running costs. Often, because people, (I think insanely), prefer v young dogs/cats, there may be a premium on pups/kittens but to be seen to not make it unfair to females, the adoption fee is same. There is certainly a very large rescue in Oz, not RSPCA, that is SO infamous for their female killing, I believe whilst claiming NO KILL status, that there are internet warnings & I believe a few newspaper articles were published. Your loved pet will be FAR safer & happier with a committed, well run, small PRIVATE NO KILL rescue. The best way to rehome, tho, is DIRECTLY to KNOWN perm home. Ironically, if I was in UK, I would have some brilliant homes, immediately, but not in OZ.

I mix with people online, UK & OZ, with DECADES of RESCUE experience. SERIOUS, devoted, expert, self sacrificing rescue people & NONE would hand over their animals to RSPCA, when there were other options. MANY would prefer to PTS their beloved pets themselves, if faced with no other choice than the RSPCA.

RD  You can do as you like.  You can believe what you like - but I have said, to save your waste of time & my annoyance, that the RSPCA is NOT an option for me. 

I REHOME and AM EXPERIENCED but I know U can ALWAYS be misled & the SAFEST way to find someone is to establish a longer term relationship with someone. THESE animals are MY personal pets. MY family, but out of my care, they have ALMOST NO rights/protection. I am taking the same care U would if U were dying, your grandmother needed a new home & there was NO pension OR guarantee of minimum quality of life,  OR LIFE, at all, for her.  My closest friends are dead. Other general friends are travelling or overseas.  I am looking to establish a relationship, OVER TIME, with animal lovers WITHOUT necessarily or immediately divulging my relationship status. I also don't want to rehome my personal pets NOW.  I am planning ahead.  I have NO INTENTION of telling my address OR inviting strangers to my home.  Plz inform me WHERE I said that was my plan?  I explained my situation here, to explain WHY & WHAT I am trying to establish & my inability to ask family, etc here, to SAVE people suggesting I ask them.

My pets are all desexed, but my dogs are elderly, most on heart meds. They would have very little hope of ANY interest from strangers. I want to tell their stories, the extraordinary things in their past, to have people - REAL, committed dog/animal lovers, to care about them & WANT to volunteer to see they are safe, if anything happens to me & most importantly, that will offer the sort of home I want for them. If U think dogs/cats are hard, try finding PET homes for sheep!

I don't want AN offer of a home from someone who doesn't let their dogs inside OR that dresses them up, or is 2nd rate TO MY STANDARDS.

It will take time to find the RIGHT PEOPLE AND have them ABLE to offer. So I need to start. ASAP.

I HAVE learned 2 twt, to help animal causes & my old formal writing is SUFFERING terribly! I notice as I have got upset, my additions are pure compressed English twtring! Don't know if I will get back to formalise, this is already too long.

The drones & tagging going on & being investigated are fascinating & give such hope, but it is a bleak future, nevertheless, on the poacher front. Many poacher groups are now being linked to African Islamic Terrorist Organisations, using ivory for weapons purchases.  I do a lot of twting for wildlife, inc African rescues & poacher news. I also promote dogs on death row, private rescues, world wide. I have been a fan of the Sheldrick's elephant interests/rescue for DECADES, going back to before Iain's death, LONG before the internet! Grief! Hope it's Iain! Been SO long!  For a long time, his widow, Daphne has run the rescue. Or that might have been Iain Douglas-Hamilton. He was mad on elephants, but his wife was Oria?  Joys of old age.

Is FACEBOOK really THAT much easier?  I took a dislike to it, long ago. (You'll notice my date of joining, but was offline for a large chunk, between then & now).  I have tried 2 avoid it wherever possible.  I thought I'd just be in normal internet.  I'm also worried that Fb has tricked me into joining, signing up for something. Trouble is, because I know SO little about security, I have always used fake names & early on, had so many clever little/large passwords/usernames. Trouble is, they were SO tricky, I only remember a couple.  IF I am somehow recorded on Fb already & I don't remember my USERNAME, let alone password, can I become a NEW person on Fb, with a username & password I have a hope of remembering?

Do I REALLY have 2 go to Fb?

Thank U all, for attempting to help with replies.

The few people near me, that I could ask, either don't have a computer at all, OR are as bad as I am.  I am not popular here, in general. Only know the old people.

I vote green & was told, very kindly, by one of the old ladies here, that if this lot had to choose between a COMMIE green voter & a paedophile, she genuinely believed they'd far prefer the latter. I'm not communist but am socialist by nature. The difference is of no interest here.

Thank you to those understanding I don't need advice about animals, in this situation, or how to choose homes but understand that I NEED practical advice about finding out how to work & use this blasted machine & the internet, to reach the people I KNOW are out there, but I haven't met & have to find.

I think my town is SO small - in Brit, it would be a village, I don't think NBN was ever coming here.  I think we would only really qualify as a hamlet.

[MGrigorj]

Is that able to be accessed by people online & if my phone is old & delightfully stupid, ie not smart, does that mean it can't kiss & tell, because it's just happy to be on an outing?

[nicephotog]

Effectively the repeater a phone is listening to is somewhat logged, so if there was no EXIF data or GPS on your smartphone it would be within a few 100 meters in a city to a couple of Km in the country areas.