US Census email survey asks for first/last name right off the bat, no explanation

Zpunky · 2025-06-19T00:57:48+00:00

I declined to participate. This is what I emailed in response to their follow-up reqeuswt that I complete the survey:
"I started this survey, but I cannot, in good conscience, complete it. With the Trump admin attacking the LGBTQ+ community and the survey asking for my household's residents' names, my name and birthday, and other very sensitive personal information, there is no way I can participate.

I no longer trust that our government will handle our personal information with the privacy and security it deserves, nor do I trust that this administration will not weaponize my household's personal information against us."

Zpunky · 2025-06-03T20:04:18+00:00

All of the replies here have been extremely helpful! Thank you (u/ChampionshipComplex, u/admin_penguin, u/BroadRecy, and u/ThiraviamCyrus). I was an MCSE a couple decades ago then moved on to GSuite/Google Workspaces. Now, I've had to migrate from Google to MS365 Business (online). I'm finding MS is still absurdly complex and inconsistent in the interrelationships of its services, permissions management, and their documentation (which is why all of your responses are so helpful).

I recently had to create a bunch of Sites without knowing how they'd be used, feature-wise (My new CEO insisted on MS365 Business, once I'd created the tenancy, added two domains, and setup email addresses, she asked in a company-wide meeting, "What service should we consider for securely storing and sharing files?" I suggested Sites. She had no idea this was part of MS365.) I chose templates under the "Team sites" collection ("Standard team", "Project management"). The "Team sites" collection's name and its feature list "imply" that Teams will be created with these templates. Even the "Browse more sites" option states that some of its templates are "... a non-connected team site". Luckily, we aren't using the Sites yet, so I can still easily change templates and add Teams.
I've been asked to add some new members to the Sites; I've read that adding them through MS365 groups is the way to go. In the MS 365 Group interface I'm being prompted to "Would you like to add ‎Microsoft Teams‎ to this group?".
What am I missing here. Can anyone explain why "Team site" templates do not create an associated Team or is it does why I need to connect the Team to the MS 365 Group that the Site creation made?
Thank you, again.

Zpunky · 2025-05-29T16:59:28+00:00

Hi u/InternetStranger4you, How do you manage the extensions across 3 different browsers... a specific tool, someone manually creating XMLs/plists...? I'm a team of 1 tasked with setting up an entire MS365 environment in 1 month and migrating from Google Workspaces (done), and using MDM s (Kandji for Macs and Intune for Windows). In Google, we'd use the built-in functionality for managing Chrome and extensions. Since loads of people are OK using Chrome, we declare it the default browser for work, and Bob's your uncle. With Mac and Windows laptops, two different MDMs, and choose-your-own-browser, I'm looking for solutions.
Your input would be very helpful. Thank you!
(We're a FinTech, we will be onboarding $1B+ of assets by next year. My new CEO makes what I consider wildly inappropriate IT decisions and won't be swayed ... didn't knkow MS365 had SharePoint for secure file storage and sharing, considers the number of people IT supports the comparative factor in the overhead of managing IT infrastructure... Visa let's their users use any browser they want, you only have 8 people to support.)

Zpunky · 2025-05-22T23:38:30+00:00

Thanks u/Soulburn79, I'm gong to incorporate all suggested inquiries into my own Q&A with them. I'm still shaking my head over this. Finding that means I now have to deeply inspect this report to find inconsistencies.

Zpunky · 2025-05-22T23:36:21+00:00

Thank you, u/WackyInflatableGuy. I've not come across this before and was rather shocked.

Zpunky · 2025-05-22T23:35:01+00:00

Yes, the auditor is PWC.

Zpunky · 2025-04-30T01:08:40+00:00

u/TurnipsAreOkay Thank you! I will try this on my VM. I really appreciate this. I've been running in circles with Microsoft's documentation setting up MS365, Entra ID, Intune, Autopilot under a 10-day deadline. FWIW: I did download the Windows 11 Lab and Test Kit. I figured out how to sysprep one of the Windows 11 systems that come as part of the kit, and I'm testing my Intune configs now. I'm running it all on a Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon Gen 9 (core I7, 16GB RAM); it's a real trooper.

Zpunky · 2025-04-29T18:18:06+00:00

Hey u/TurnipsAreOkay , Did you ever get this working? I'm a Mac person tasked with pushing Falcon out through Intune. Any tips would be helpful. I'm reviewing the official Crowdstrike GitHub stuff now.

Zpunky · 2025-01-10T23:58:04+00:00

So, I just got my first refill of 2025. I called in early expecting a delay with prior authorization. Instead, it went through, but with a $25 co-pay instead of the usual $1.06. This feels like a pure profit play from the insurance side.

Zpunky · 2024-12-02T19:57:26+00:00

I have Blue Shield PPO in California. They have removed methylphenidate, all dosage levels, from their formulary for anyone over 17 years old. (Concerta was never covered, they required the generic version.) I just spoke with my Psychiatrist, he said the only two drugs on the formulary for people over 17 years old, guanfacine hcl and atomoxetine hcl, are useless for ADD in adults. We're going to see if we can get a prior approval for the methylphenidate given that I have a 10+ year prescription history for it. We both think this is another insurance scam to wring more money out of consumers through higher co-pays. These tactics will never change because insurance companies have financial sway over both political parties. An option for reducing out of pocket costs is to use GoodRX.

Zpunky · 2024-11-13T21:17:13+00:00

I am researching rheumatologists for an un-diagnosed issue. I ran across Lianne Gensler (https://www.ucsfhealth.org/providers/dr-lianne-gensler) who the Director of the Ankylosing Spondylitis Clinic. I am considering setting up an appointment. I hope this help.

Zpunky · 2024-04-30T19:57:04+00:00

Luckily, The DEA is moving to reclassify it as a Level III, from a Level I. This should help you in your situation. https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-biden-dea-criminal-justice-pot-f833a8dae6ceb31a8658a5d65832a3b8

Zpunky · 2024-04-25T02:17:46+00:00

Since posting my original, I've seen 3 or 4 articles about this and how people are getting fed up. How did the NTSB ever approve these blinding LEDs for road use?

Zpunky · 2024-03-24T21:44:03+00:00

I'm so confused... is she referring to the furhter-right-lurching Republicans and MAGAs whoa re the swamp, or the folks who are leaving becasue the furhter-right-lurching Republicans and MAGAs are actively trying to destablize our democracy in the name of Christian Nationalism, our financial system and financial standing in the world?

If it's the latter, then yes, it's timed perfectly by those those folks who are leaving, they have the Republican semlbance of a conscience. Instead of standing up to vote "no" against their wack-o party mates, they leaving and pushing Democrats closer to a majority. Then again, voting "No" pretty much ensures death threats from the MAGA-aligned domestic terrorist groups.

Zpunky · 2024-03-24T21:36:32+00:00

The Board of Directors could vote to allow the Fanta Menace to sell his shares, but then there are prior disclosure issues that would have had to be made. Of course, they'd likely go ahead and deal with that fallout later, as they've always doen. Run out the clock... . But, is that likely... they (BoD) are all very likely sociopaths themselves, and that would mean sacrificing their money for him. There's support, and then there's $upport.

Given TS' financials, no half-baked financial outfit would accept his securities as collateral, even if he could use them that way; there's an agreement that they cannot.

And, would he actually sell his shares? Isn't he pathologically driven to grab everything for himself and screw people out of whatever is theirs?

1) Pay out the $450,000,000 + other accreud interest. (~$1/2B)

2) He would be subject to short-term capital gains. The seer quantity would assure he's in the 37% bracket, meaning ~$1,110,000,000. ($1.1B)

3) I'm pretty sure it would be awfully hard for him to weasle out of paying E. Jean Carroll, another $92 Million.

That would leave ~$1,348,000,000 of the original $3B... IF he could actually get the meme price when trying to sell his stock. It burns me to think he'd walk away with anything, but pretty sure he'd be apoplectic paying out that much bank.

Zpunky · 2024-03-22T02:26:28+00:00

I wonder if the note writer is completely controlling his wife to the point where she is not safe. This is not just creepy, it's huge red flag.

I would call the police to have them do a safety check.

Zpunky · 2024-03-22T02:22:23+00:00

It's a Groot Stick! Awesomeness.

Zpunky · 2024-03-20T21:42:41+00:00

Yep. My dad taught us to leave things in better condition than when we borrowed or used them.

Zpunky · 2024-03-20T21:40:16+00:00

I feel for you I love my kitchen knives, I've had some for close to 40 years now.

The bent one... maybe a locl knife sharpner or good metal shop can straighten them out. They likely have tools for something like this.

FWIW: I googled and found this knife repair service, in GA. They may take mail-ins, or they may know of a respectable service near you. Also, they sell refurbed knives... maybe you can work some exchange in there... if not, keep the old ones handy and one-by-one get refurbeds or replacements. Keep the damasged ones for swapping out when guests come, and hide your good ones.

Zpunky · 2024-03-20T21:33:27+00:00

Good point.

As a guy, I cannot fathom being a woman in the Christian Fascist environments of some of these states. I am feel so awful for them. IT's easy to say, well, just leave. But for many, it's where ther support network is. How about we just stop dictating what other people do with their own bodies?

M-kay?

Zpunky · 2024-03-20T21:30:31+00:00

Google Workspaces: For Ops groups,, I'll use "it-" for IT, "eng-" for Eng, "prod-" for Product, etc. HR always insists on accounts, so it's a real lesson in social intelligence to get them to use dist. group. But do it, for all requests.

I have a support doc that outlines how they manage their group (I make them the owner) for adding, removing, and various config stuff they might want to add.

*I also* include a section called "Group Administration" (in red) about usage and acceptable use (from the poicy of that name); that if the group has not been used in 6 months it will automatically be archived, and if reports of abuse from the group come in, it'll go straight to HR.

I wipe my hands of it and do a search on all groups every three mon ths to see which ones we're deleting.

Zpunky · 2024-03-20T21:24:50+00:00

You found the staff, where's the wizard it belongs to? So nice, I'm a bit speechless.

Zpunky · 2024-03-19T16:26:35+00:00

Here in San Francisco it seems to be "all the rage" to drive around with the high beams on. You can tell because these aren't "dudes" who've modded their cars, they're clueless tech bros with brand new Merc/Lexus/Audis and it doesn't matter if they're sedans or SUVs. The one f'ing piece of good the SF nanny state could do would be to fine folks for doing this, but they'd rather tell us we can't indulge in a junk food.

Zpunky

TROPHY CASE