Re: Online portfolios and viewing source (was RE: Other handshakes?)

[Thom Randolph <thom -at- tctrandolph -dot- com>]

Steve:

Well, first I'd keep a cache of samples that I don't give to ANYONE. Not 
even leave with the interviewers. And watch to make sure they don't make 
copies or scan it.

Then, for those you keep on the net, change things just a little, like 
using unusual words that are not quite obvious, but that you can point out. 
Indeed, if there is some factual "thing" that these talk about, use other 
nouns or verbs than what is true, and point that out in your interview if 
you get challenged again. Bring copies of the "correct" content with your. 
For example, say you're writing about bicycle wheels, and you call what 
everyone knows is an "axle" a "spindle". Now, someone who really did the 
work would know that the pedal cranks connect to the bottom-bracket 
spindle, but a lamer who stole your stuff probably doesn't have the wits or 
knowledge to know that wheels have axles. Likely your stuff is more, well, 
technical.

Then there's the age-old fun of writing your name in the first letters of 
sentences in a paragraph, or the first letters of the words in a seemingly 
appropriate sentence that. "Last,  lubricate outside yellow dropouts to 
ensure smooth operation. See how easy that was? Can you guess my middle 
name? Hint: Lloyd. Might seem perfectly sensible in a topic on bicycles, 
but it's utter nonsense in reality, and also spells out my middle name.

On your web site, be sure to embed several hidden (HTML comment or SCRIPT 
comments) notices that cleverly claim the content as your own. For example 
<script>//I have blue underarm hair, and you will smell it forever if you 
steal my samples.</script>. The browser will hide the tag contents on 
normal viewing, the source will show it, but someone looking at it might 
not notice it. Okay, maybe not such an outrageous statement as that ;-).

If your writing has to contain pictures or screen shots, blithely include 
your name, or your dog's name in the screen text. Now, most companies frown 
on this, so you might have to work up a "special edition" for the purposes 
of your sample. Yes, Yes, Yes, GET PERMISSION to use the work as a SAMPLE!

Those are just a few. There are many ways to tie material to you personally 
without others knowing it. On all my books, there is a small blue dot on 
page 100 that identifies it as mine. No need to worry about someone 
removing my signature from the inside cover; they'll never even know the 
dot is there. But, I can go to any of my books and it'll be there. Well, 
those that are over 100 pages ;-).

One thing: be sure that the information you put in there isn't something 
that is officially personally identifiable, like your Social Security 
Number, or a credit card number!

Thom


At 07:05 PM 2/10/2002 -0800, Steve Arrants wrote: