New Feature — Polls to vote your opinion

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Bill Ford, Founder

VOTE YOUR OPINION…
a new feature to serve the Morongo Basin population

I received software that will provide a simple “poll” concerning various “issues” within the sphere of influence of the general Morongo Basin region — as a public service — and have posted several on February 14, 2012. You can’t miss ‘em. They’re on the right side of the screen. These, today, are “yellow”… but I can change the color on any NEW poll created in the future.
The “Poll” is very simple. Just two (2) clicks and you’re done with that specific poll question. Click on YES, or NO, or Undecided, then click on the VOTE button. Done.

To ensure “security” against “tampering with the poll or the results”, the unique software will allow any one single computer to VOTE just ONCE. And, in this case, speaking of Joshua Tree, the software also eliminates votes from computers located outside the 92252 zip code — which is a feature in the software allowing me to  ”limit voter region” as outlined in the software. How they do that is beyond me but sure is clever. On testing a simple created “poll” I asked a friend in the Chino Hills (at 1 in the morning) to “vote” on the test poll. After he “voted” I checked the “results”. His “vote” appeared as “null”, meaning “not counted”, and his computer is prevented from “voting” again. Neat!! I then had a Joshua Tree resident “vote”. His vote “appeared” in the results, and the Chino Hills vote (null) disappeared. I was impressed with how clever the author of the software figured that out.
Also, once the “Poll” is designed and published, the text of it and voting results cannot be edited or modified !!  In fact, I had a spelling error on one, attempted to correct the error, but the software would not let me edit that error. I had to delete the entire group of polls (all seven of them) and start over. That’s a good thing. Further, if I display the Results page, then click on “Edit”, the editing page comes up “blank”. Can’t edit that either.
Want to “see” the current day’s results? Easy. Click on the text “See previous polls” found at the bottom of the poll group. Or, you can click POLL ARCHIVE at the top of the page just under the “mast-head” of the website. 
Does the Poll know who you are? There is absolutely ZERO voter identification collected. But it does collect the unique identification of the COMPUTER (IP address) used to “vote”, which is how the system prevents “that computer” from “voting a second time” on the same issue. The downside of this kind of “security” is that 3 people in a household that own just one computer will only be allowed to “vote” one-time on any “one” issue, on that computer. The security feature identifies the specific computer, not the person operating it.
This specific set of Polls, related to Joshua Tree-92252, was started Feb 14, and terminates Mar 15, 2012. I personally set the start and end dates. When the “end date” arrives, the poll(s) will disappear from the screen, but visitors can still review the RESULTS by clicking on Poll Archives which is an archived collection of “closed” polls. That link is found under the heading Special Interest Pages, and, under the Masthead at the top of the screen.

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About Bill Ford, Founder

Born in the late 30s - you do the math. Lots of life experiences in numerous endevors but not an expert in any that I know of. I'm a fan of challenging projects. When I'm told it can't be done I go ahead and do it anyway. This web site is one of 'em. How long will this web site last? Hard to say. Depends on how long I live. Film at Eleven. --bf
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13 Responses to New Feature — Polls to vote your opinion

  1. thomas says:
    February 16, 2012 at 12:54 PM

    Before voting or forming an opinion on these issues I encourage readers take a little time to educate themselves on these topics.
    Here are two great sources -
    http://thevillageofjoshuatree-nchr.org/
    https://jtbarnstormer.wordpress.com/category/dollar-general/

    Reply
    • Bill Ford, Founder says:
      February 16, 2012 at 4:24 PM

      Thank you Thomas for your comment and links. I would also suggest, for “balanced” review that a voter on any issue, from federal, state, county or other, become fully informed by seeking “both sides of the coin” — thence, choose one’s educated preference.

      –BF

      Reply
  2. Liza Kane says:
    February 16, 2012 at 1:22 PM

    We own property in Joshua Tree, but are registered voters in the city of our primary residence. Our JT views and dark night sky are important to us. The issues of development that would change our views and night sky are important to us. We would like a say in further development along HWY 62 that would spoil the unigue charm of JT, therefore I voted “Undecided” on the 92252 registered voters query. Thank you for taking the time to develop this page!

    Reply
    • Bill Ford, Founder says:
      February 16, 2012 at 4:15 PM

      Ms Kane:
      Thank you for your message. I brought up the “registered voter issue” as any “formal petition” (for or against) set unto the controlling government (in our case, the SBCO) would reject those “signatures” who are not “registered voters” within the affected area.

      As to “developing this page”, I first must thank you and other participants for… well, participating.

      I personally am trying very hard to keep “my personal opinion” out of these issues while presenting “questions” that are not laced with bias or worded in such a way as to “push” votes in one direction or another.

      I am, however, a very FIRM believer in asking for and “permitting” the majority affected population to make the final decisions on such issues.

      Best regards
      –BF

      Reply
  3. stephen scigliano says:
    February 16, 2012 at 3:45 PM

    anyway to get info to and from people is great,.,. Joshua Tree is a wonderful place. I think the people who live here should decide what happens here,.,. This is where I will make my stand.,!!!!!

    Reply
  4. Al Murdy says:
    February 16, 2012 at 4:40 PM

    Joshua Tree has this opportunity to remain a charming gateway community and decide what additions, if any, compliment it as that.

    Reply
    • Bill Ford, Founder says:
      February 16, 2012 at 9:10 PM

      Hello Al Murdy
      I agree. JT has the “opportunity” to decide on the issues that affect the overall population, as you observe. The “trick” is to somehow alert the whole of the population OF the issues to the end they can reach a majority consenses. Thank you for your participation.
      –BF

      Reply
  5. Millie V says:
    February 16, 2012 at 4:49 PM

    This new feature is GREAT! i am very pleased this website provide useful articles without personel opinions. Keep up the good work you doing Mr Ford. Millie V

    Reply
    • Bill Ford, Founder says:
      February 16, 2012 at 9:02 PM

      Hello Millie V…
      Well, I try to put up the kind of things that I believe are of serious interest to the tourist as well as the local population, but without “my” take on the issue. Thanks for the comment.

      –BF

      Reply
  6. Jason58 says:
    February 16, 2012 at 7:03 PM

    I’ve been lurking on your site for some time now. I must say it has progressed remarkably well considering you’re doing it by yourself. Good Job Bill.

    On the voting polls. Damn good idea… yes, no or undecided leaves no wiggle room! a very useful addition to your growing site.

    Best wishes – Jason

    Reply
  7. Anonymous says:
    June 7, 2012 at 5:33 PM

    Ms Kane:Thank you for your message. I bogurht up the registered voter issue as any formal petition (for or against) set unto the controlling government (in our case, the SBCO) would reject those signatures who are not registered voters within the affected area.As to developing this page , I first must thank you and other participants for well, participating.I personally am trying very hard to keep my personal opinion out of these issues while presenting questions that are not laced with bias or worded in such a way as to push votes in one direction or another.I am, however, a very FIRM believer in asking for and permitting the majority affected population to make the final decisions on such issues. Best regards BF

    ——- This “reply or comment” was generated by an individule who is attempting to “piggy-back” his/her advertising on my web site…. ain’t gonna happen… I’ve deleted your two links to Facebook and your Yahoo store.

    BF

    Reply

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