If it's on the forums, it's on Google

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Replies

  • theladyy
    theladyy Posts: 176
    I just Googled my most used 'screen name', and my Cracked.com account is the first result :laugh:

    I'll have to try some others if I can remember them!
  • IndyInk
    IndyInk Posts: 212
    That's why I make a point not to post anything that would be problem. Yea, some of my before and after pictures are a little embarrassing but it wouldn't be the end of the world if someone found it.

    This.

    The internet is open. It's not private. I mean, did you have to go through a background check to join? Did you have to wait for an invitation? No? Then it's open to everybody on the planet. As such, it's fair game for Google. It wouldn't make sense for MFP to try to opt out of Google searches (if they even can, which I don't think is possible) because a lot of times that's how people find the site in the first place. They go searching for "can I eat more and still lose weight if I exercise?" and up pops a forum thread from MFP. Bingo, new user.

    Bottom line: if you don't want to be found on the internet, don't use the internet. Or only go by an alias, and don't put identifying information about yourself on the internet. That includes Facebook.

    Since an increasing number of employers search for prospective employees online, post applications online, hire employees and request that they do work online, file various benefit documents online, bank and pay you via the internet, etc.... it's certainly more difficult to avoid the internet if you want to get anything done, especially if you want to be gainfully employed in my line of work. If you call a phone company's customer service line, they tell you to go online. I just renewed my license plates online, and all of my work... except the paper I print invoices on... is done online. An applicant who isn't extremely familiar with the internet wouldn't even make it into the door at most of the places I've worked.

    That said, I don't accept the "you have to use the internet so we get to take all your information and can exploit it for any reason" line, and I have a right as a consumer to use the word "No," even if other users think it won't change anything.

    My original post said "use discretion," and called attention to something of which most MFP users are unaware. That's why I posted it.
  • impyimpyaj
    impyimpyaj Posts: 1,073 Member
    That's why I make a point not to post anything that would be problem. Yea, some of my before and after pictures are a little embarrassing but it wouldn't be the end of the world if someone found it.

    This.

    The internet is open. It's not private. I mean, did you have to go through a background check to join? Did you have to wait for an invitation? No? Then it's open to everybody on the planet. As such, it's fair game for Google. It wouldn't make sense for MFP to try to opt out of Google searches (if they even can, which I don't think is possible) because a lot of times that's how people find the site in the first place. They go searching for "can I eat more and still lose weight if I exercise?" and up pops a forum thread from MFP. Bingo, new user.

    Bottom line: if you don't want to be found on the internet, don't use the internet. Or only go by an alias, and don't put identifying information about yourself on the internet. That includes Facebook.

    Since an increasing number of employers search for prospective employees online, post applications online, hire employees and request that they do work online, file various benefit documents online, bank and pay you via the internet, etc.... it's certainly more difficult to avoid the internet if you want to get anything done, especially if you want to be gainfully employed in my line of work. If you call a phone company's customer service line, they tell you to go online. I just renewed my license plates online, and all of my work... except the paper I print invoices on... is done online. An applicant who isn't extremely familiar with the internet wouldn't even make it into the door at most of the places I've worked.

    That said, I don't accept the "you have to use the internet so we get to take all your information and can exploit it for any reason" line, and I have a right as a consumer to use the word "No," even if other users think it won't change anything.

    My original post said "use discretion," and called attention to something of which most MFP users are unaware. That's why I posted it.

    I don't know of a single employer who requires its employees to use MFP and type out their life stories on the forums. I don't know of an employer who requires its employees to post underwear photos of themselves on the internet (well, I'm sure there are SOME employers, but those folks aren't worried about losing their jobs over it then).

    Yes, the internet is part of our lives. But the internet is not private. It never has been. Especially on a site like this, where ANYBODY can join. If you didn't have to jump through hoops to join this site, why would you think it was private? Why would you think other people can't search the site or read the site, if you could search and read it before you joined? And as I said, Google is essential for driving traffic to MFP. Why would they want to hide from Google, when Google helps them make the money to keep the site running?
  • jaxandmaksmom
    jaxandmaksmom Posts: 262 Member
    wow thanks for telling us that... i just never thought.. wow crazy..


    i dont like that much .. but whatever
  • IndyInk
    IndyInk Posts: 212
    That's why I make a point not to post anything that would be problem. Yea, some of my before and after pictures are a little embarrassing but it wouldn't be the end of the world if someone found it.

    This.

    The internet is open. It's not private. I mean, did you have to go through a background check to join? Did you have to wait for an invitation? No? Then it's open to everybody on the planet. As such, it's fair game for Google. It wouldn't make sense for MFP to try to opt out of Google searches (if they even can, which I don't think is possible) because a lot of times that's how people find the site in the first place. They go searching for "can I eat more and still lose weight if I exercise?" and up pops a forum thread from MFP. Bingo, new user.

    Bottom line: if you don't want to be found on the internet, don't use the internet. Or only go by an alias, and don't put identifying information about yourself on the internet. That includes Facebook.

    Since an increasing number of employers search for prospective employees online, post applications online, hire employees and request that they do work online, file various benefit documents online, bank and pay you via the internet, etc.... it's certainly more difficult to avoid the internet if you want to get anything done, especially if you want to be gainfully employed in my line of work. If you call a phone company's customer service line, they tell you to go online. I just renewed my license plates online, and all of my work... except the paper I print invoices on... is done online. An applicant who isn't extremely familiar with the internet wouldn't even make it into the door at most of the places I've worked.

    That said, I don't accept the "you have to use the internet so we get to take all your information and can exploit it for any reason" line, and I have a right as a consumer to use the word "No," even if other users think it won't change anything.

    My original post said "use discretion," and called attention to something of which most MFP users are unaware. That's why I posted it.

    I don't know of a single employer who requires its employees to use MFP and type out their life stories on the forums. I don't know of an employer who requires its employees to post underwear photos of themselves on the internet (well, I'm sure there are SOME employers, but those folks aren't worried about losing their jobs over it then).

    Yes, the internet is part of our lives. But the internet is not private. It never has been. Especially on a site like this, where ANYBODY can join. If you didn't have to jump through hoops to join this site, why would you think it was private? Why would you think other people can't search the site or read the site, if you could search and read it before you joined? And as I said, Google is essential for driving traffic to MFP. Why would they want to hide from Google, when Google helps them make the money to keep the site running?

    I don't think you understood what I said. I never said employers require employees to use MFP. I basically said internet users should have a choice--as consumers--to be able to hide certain information on certain sites. And as far as hiding from Google, my OP suggested an option where certain users could hide what they post in the forums, versus hiding everything.

    Again, I don't accept the "you have to use the internet so we get to take all your information and can exploit it for any reason" line, and I have a right as a consumer to use the word "No," even if other users think it won't change anything.

    And again, my original post said "use discretion," and called attention to something of which most MFP users are unaware. That's why I posted it.
  • impyimpyaj
    impyimpyaj Posts: 1,073 Member

    I don't think you understood what I said. I never said employers require employees to use MFP. I basically said internet users should have a choice--as consumers--to be able to hide certain information on certain sites. And as far as hiding from Google, my OP suggested an option where certain users could hide what they post in the forums, versus hiding everything.

    Again, I don't accept the "you have to use the internet so we get to take all your information and can exploit it for any reason" line, and I have a right as a consumer to use the word "No," even if other users think it won't change anything.

    And again, my original post said "use discretion," and called attention to something of which most MFP users are unaware. That's why I posted it.

    I did understand what you said. All I was saying was, you can still limit your online life, even if you have to be online somewhat for your job or whatever. And in your original post, and your other thread, you called for MFP to take the forums out of the Google search results. I'm simply explaining why I wouldn't think they would want to do that. If they eventually do, then great! But I know of a lot of folks who have ended up here because they were searching for something and found the answer on the MFP forums via Google. Since pageviews pay the bills, I wouldn't think it would be in MFP's best interest to opt out of Google searches. I did see where someone said that another forum hides usernames from people who aren't registered members, and I think THAT is a phenomenal idea.

    Yes, people should use discretion online. I totally agree with you. I've just never understood why people have any expectation of privacy on a public website with thousands of users. It's not a gated community. It's a public website. *ETA: And I really am not saying this with any snark. My writing style often comes across as blunt. Unintentional.
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    I just assume that anything I do on the internet will be around forever. Some of it is easy to find (like these forums and Facebook - which I don't use, though I do have an account), others would be hard for people to search and find (like emails).

    I would NEVER use my full name as a username on a forum or public website - in my opinion, that is just asking for trouble somewhere down the line. I'm contantly amazed at people who set themselves up with a username of firstnamelastname - don't you want to keep anything private? And can anyone NOT be aware that that makes everything they type very public?
  • IndyInk
    IndyInk Posts: 212

    I did understand what you said. All I was saying was, you can still limit your online life, even if you have to be online somewhat for your job or whatever. And in your original post, and your other thread, you called for MFP to take the forums out of the Google search results. I'm simply explaining why I wouldn't think they would want to do that. If they eventually do, then great! But I know of a lot of folks who have ended up here because they were searching for something and found the answer on the MFP forums via Google. Since pageviews pay the bills, I wouldn't think it would be in MFP's best interest to opt out of Google searches. I did see where someone said that another forum hides usernames from people who aren't registered members, and I think THAT is a phenomenal idea.

    Yes, people should use discretion online. I totally agree with you. I've just never understood why people have any expectation of privacy on a public website with thousands of users. It's not a gated community. It's a public website. *ETA: And I really am not saying this with any snark. My writing style often comes across as blunt. Unintentional.


    I totally feel your pain on the harsh writing thing. I have the same problem... And I'm a professional writer! :-0
  • impyimpyaj
    impyimpyaj Posts: 1,073 Member

    I don't think you understood what I said. I never said employers require employees to use MFP. I basically said internet users should have a choice--as consumers--to be able to hide certain information on certain sites. And as far as hiding from Google, my OP suggested an option where certain users could hide what they post in the forums, versus hiding everything.

    Again, I don't accept the "you have to use the internet so we get to take all your information and can exploit it for any reason" line, and I have a right as a consumer to use the word "No," even if other users think it won't change anything.

    And again, my original post said "use discretion," and called attention to something of which most MFP users are unaware. That's why I posted it.

    I did understand what you said. All I was saying was, you can still limit your online life, even if you have to be online somewhat for your job or whatever. And in your original post, and your other thread, you called for MFP to take the forums out of the Google search results. I'm simply explaining why I wouldn't think they would want to do that. If they eventually do, then great! But I know of a lot of folks who have ended up here because they were searching for something and found the answer on the MFP forums via Google. Since pageviews pay the bills, I wouldn't think it would be in MFP's best interest to opt out of Google searches. I did see where someone said that another forum hides usernames from people who aren't registered members, and I think THAT is a phenomenal idea.

    Yes, people should use discretion online. I totally agree with you. I've just never understood why people have any expectation of privacy on a public website with thousands of users. It's not a gated community. It's a public website. *ETA: And I really am not saying this with any snark. My writing style often comes across as blunt. Unintentional.

    please copy and paste where indyink said "we have expectation of privacy." She's just saying be careful that's all.

    She didn't. But in the other thread about it, and in threads that I've seen before about this same topic, people have been like "Whaaa? I thought this site was private!" So in my way first post, I didn't quote IndyInk. I quoted someone with whom I agreed, and added my own thoughts, namely that there is no expectation of privacy on the internet. And then Indy and I were discussing it.
  • impyimpyaj
    impyimpyaj Posts: 1,073 Member
    <
    Jealous! :)

    I totally feel your pain on the harsh writing thing. I have the same problem... And I'm a professional writer! :-0
  • myofibril
    myofibril Posts: 4,500 Member
    I'm just waiting for the mainstream to start hearing about the Deep Web.

    The reaction should be interesting...
  • impyimpyaj
    impyimpyaj Posts: 1,073 Member
    I'm just waiting for the mainstream to start hearing about the Deep Web.

    The reaction should be interesting...

    Ok, but could anybody seriously think that MFP is part of the Deep Web?
  • myofibril
    myofibril Posts: 4,500 Member
    I'm just waiting for the mainstream to start hearing about the Deep Web.

    The reaction should be interesting...

    Ok, but could anybody seriously think that MFP is part of the Deep Web?

    No, you're right that they wouldn't as it is indexable. However, asking to limit information that is shown on here does not guarantee any kind of anonymity and is a moot point.

    If it's done online it can be found, Google or no Google. That's a risk you take by being online.
  • impyimpyaj
    impyimpyaj Posts: 1,073 Member
    I'm just waiting for the mainstream to start hearing about the Deep Web.

    The reaction should be interesting...

    Ok, but could anybody seriously think that MFP is part of the Deep Web?

    No, you're right that they wouldn't as it is indexable. However, asking to limit information that is shown on here does not guarantee any kind of anonymity and is a moot point.

    If it's done online it can be found, Google or no Google. That's a risk you take by being online.

    Absolutely.
  • mommy2AR
    mommy2AR Posts: 2,796 Member
    Mine is something I have never used before :) lol but even if it were not I am sure i would be ok :P
  • impyimpyaj
    impyimpyaj Posts: 1,073 Member
    Mine is something I have never used before :) lol but even if it were not I am sure i would be ok :P

    Yeah, same here. I don't say or do anything online that I wouldn't say or do in real life.

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