Google Bowling a Googly! Is this Bye-Bye to the Barred Window?

Very soon (as from March 23rd) the only way you, my loyal readership, will be able to access my blog with its extensive archive (reaching way back to Aug 2008) and hear about my new and upcoming work will be by being explicitly invited. And I guess the only way that is going to happen is by you making yourself known to me via email (toyntanen@googlemail.com).

Obviously you can make up a alternative name for yourself if you want to keep your true identity hidden from me – and I have no problem with that; the best way is probably to start up an alternative Google or Yahoo account or whatever for yourself in a fictious name (as I have – Garth Toyntanen is not my real name). 

Alternatively I shall try to keep you updated via my Tumblr account and I shall endevour to transfer the entire Behind The Barred Window back catalogue to Wordpress and / or some section of The Original Institute website and carry on regardless there. 

 

Meanwhile, please feel free to mine and download as much of the archive as you want - and QUICKLY, before it's gone.  I ask only that you share it around a bit and pass on my alternative contact arrangements via your favourite form of social media.

Please believe me when I say non of this is of my making – see message reproduced below (sent me via email 23^rd Feb) 

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Dear Blogger User,

We're writing to tell you about an upcoming change to the Blogger Content Policy that may affect your account.

In the coming weeks, we'll no longer allow blogs that contain sexually explicit or graphic nude images or video. We'll still allow nudity presented in artistic, educational, documentary or scientific contexts, or where there are other substantial benefits to the public from not taking action on the content.

The new policy will take effect on 23 March 2015. After this policy comes into force, Google will restrict access to any blog identified as being in violation of our revised policy. No content will be deleted, but only blog authors and those with whom they have expressly shared the blog will be able to see the content that we've made private.

Our records indicate that your account may be affected by this policy change. Please refrain from creating new content that would violate this policy. We would also ask you to make any necessary changes to your existing blog to comply as soon as possible so that you won't experience any interruptions in service