The PB Is NOT An Obscure Corner of the Internet!!!

BobVigneault · #1 (**permalink**) 07-06-2007, 08:26 AM

I love the PB because it makes available a treasure trove of reformed related information and commentary on everything from movies to missiology, food to fellowship and wonkery to worship. But this ready availability also comes with a liability - you lessen your privacy and anonymity in the 'cyberworld'.

With this writing my post count becomes 3,115. That's a lot of posts, not near as many as some, but enough to insure that a google search of my name will quickly return more than a casual view into my identity and convictions. My blog sites add to the impossibility that I can hide under a bushel.

Please remember that the PB is NOT an obscure corner of the internet. We have thousands of info stealing 'spiders' each day but also real human beings who read with interest who and what is written here. Senior and associate pastors, employers, seminary staff, doctors and professors, publishers, relatives all will be reading these posts at one time or another.

Also remember that there are forums that can be seen by members only and those viewable by anyone passing through - please plan your post according. Our Lords warning from Luke 12 may have an application to us on this point -

Quote:

2 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.

reformedman · #2 (**permalink**) 07-06-2007, 08:46 AM

This is one reason that I can't understand why this board would require us to publicly post our real name. Even though most of us have nothing to hide, it can in the minutest way, place some minor danger at most, or open us to cyber insult at minimum but at any rate, there truly is no valid reason for our requirement to post our real name. Think of it this way, what would happen if all these years, it turns out I have been using a pseudoname(not sure if that's the word which authors and writers use to preserve their identity). If I did, would it have changed absolutely anything? Would my posts in the theological or the covenental areas make any difference? I can't imagine they would. I truly think that the true name should be a 'request' but not 'mandatory', so that people have the option and the responsibility then more clearly falls on the visitor. Some visitors don't realize that as soon as you sign your John Hancock on the registration, you are in Google in about 4 days time.
Just a thought and a suggestion.

turmeric · #3 (**permalink**) 07-06-2007, 08:46 AM

Yes, let's try to keep our posts temperate, and private stuff private, for everyone's sake.

One can request to post less information than required if one has reason to be concerned about having one's identity out there in public. I think the reason for the requirement is that people post differently if required to be accountable for what they say than they do when they are completely anonymous.

Semper Fidelis · #4 (**permalink**) 07-06-2007, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reformedman

This is one reason that I can't understand why this board would require us to publicly post our real name. Even though most of us have nothing to hide, it can in the minutest way, place some minor danger at most, or open us to cyber insult at minimum but at any rate, there truly is no valid reason for our requirement to post our real name. Think of it this way, what would happen if all these years, it turns out I have been using a pseudoname(not sure if that's the word which authors and writers use to preserve their identity). If I did, would it have changed absolutely anything? Would my posts in the theological or the covenental areas make any difference? I can't imagine they would. I truly think that the true name should be a 'request' but not 'mandatory', so that people have the option and the responsibility then more clearly falls on the visitor. Some visitors don't realize that as soon as you sign your John Hancock on the registration, you are in Google in about 4 days time.
Just a thought and a suggestion.

Let me take that into consideration.

Civbert · #5 (**permalink**) 07-06-2007, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reformedman

This is one reason that I can't understand why this board would require us to publicly post our real name.

I think the most important reason for giving your real name - and your church - is accountability. You won't write something on this board that you wouldn't want your mother or pastor to read. When you put your name to what you write, you are taking responsibility for what you say.

Since I've become a member of this site, and a moderator at the Christian Logic Discussion Board, I've had to let everyone know my real name. And since then, I've made that my personal policy. Any website or board I join or post one, will have my real name, if only in my signature.

I also try to post under the user name Civbert when my real name can not be used - which is a better way good way to Google me. But if you follow a link to a Civbert post somewhere, you will often find my real name on the post in the signature.

Do I worry about my privacy? Some.

Do I stay up at night worrying about it? Not at all.

I'd rather be accountable for what I post then feel a sense of anonymity that can temp me to saying something I'd be embarrassed about if my daughter or a church member read it and knew it was me.

Theoretical · #6 (**permalink**) 07-06-2007, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Civbert

I think the most important reason for giving your real name - and your church - is accountability. You won't write something on this board that you wouldn't want your mother or pastor to read. When you put your name to what you write, you are taking responsibility for what you say.

Since I've become a member of this site, and a moderator at the Christian Logic Discussion Board, I've had to let everyone know my real name. And since then, I've made that my personal policy. Any website or board I join or post one, will have my real name, if only in my signature.

I also try to post under the user name Civbert when my real name can not be used - which is a better way good way to Google me. But if you follow a link to a Civbert post somewhere, you will often find my real name on the post in the signature.

Do I worry about my privacy? Some.

Do I stay up at night worrying about it? Not at all.

I'd rather be accountable for what I post then feel a sense of anonymity that can temp me to saying something I'd be embarrassed about if my daughter or a church member read it and knew it was me.

Well said, Anthony. Having my real name attached has made me think where I should put various posts, especially since I link to the board fairly often. I know friends and some others read my posts, so it also suppresses the impulse to use the board as a gossiping outlet. Even what I post about others when I'm asking for advice in interactions with them and I'm using the private forums, I try to use discretion because my name is attached.

This btw, was the main reason I'd suggested the coffee shop awhile back - since Google pops up PB posts like crazy, and since most of us link others to the PB from time to time.

NaphtaliPress · #7 (**permalink**) 07-06-2007, 10:12 AM

The Internet generally doesn't allow much obscurity if you use your name; I just heard from someone I hadn't corresponded with in 10 or 15 years due to GreenBaggins mentioning my work with The Confessional Presbyterian over on his blog. I think for the most part and as a general rule membership should be transparent here on PB, but I can see there may be a need for some occasional alias status. However, we need the reminder that this is an open forum for the most part and heavily Googled, usually with PB getting prominent listing on hits. We had two situations within a day that have brought this to the surface; just everyone be prudent. On the open forums, consider that the world is indeed watching.

wsw201 · #8 (**permalink**) 07-06-2007, 10:16 AM

There are ways to hide your name from a google search. This question was raised years ago. That why I put a ~ before and after my name.

Plus everyone should be circumspect about what they post either here or anywhere on the internet because what goes on the internet stays on the internet!

fredtgreco · #9 (**permalink**) 07-06-2007, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reformedman

This is one reason that I can't understand why this board would require us to publicly post our real name. Even though most of us have nothing to hide, it can in the minutest way, place some minor danger at most, or open us to cyber insult at minimum but at any rate, there truly is no valid reason for our requirement to post our real name. Think of it this way, what would happen if all these years, it turns out I have been using a pseudoname(not sure if that's the word which authors and writers use to preserve their identity). If I did, would it have changed absolutely anything? Would my posts in the theological or the covenental areas make any difference? I can't imagine they would. I truly think that the true name should be a 'request' but not 'mandatory', so that people have the option and the responsibility then more clearly falls on the visitor. Some visitors don't realize that as soon as you sign your John Hancock on the registration, you are in Google in about 4 days time.
Just a thought and a suggestion.

As the one who drafted the rule requiring non-anonymity, let me say that anonymous writing on the internet is the source of no end of problems. Those who feel that they can speak with impunity are overwhelmingly more likely to insult, demean and injure others. I have seen it time and time again. The level of discourse here is much better than on other boards precisely because of the name rules.

This has been confirmed by the lack of charity and civility by the few persons here who refused to give their name or lied about their identity.

5solasmom · #10 (**permalink**) 07-06-2007, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredtgreco

As the one who drafted the rule requiring non-anonymity, let me say that anonymous writing on the internet is the source of no end of problems. Those who feel that they can speak with impunity are overwhelmingly more likely to insult, demean and injure others. I have seen it time and time again. The level of discourse here is much better than on other boards precisely because of the name rules.

This has been confirmed by the lack of charity and civility by the few persons here who refused to give their name or lied about their identity.

Would this goal (keeping people from speaking unchristlike with annonymity) still be able to be accomplished by requiring this information to be given to the PB admins and mods, but not making the signature lines display this information? It requires acountability of the members to those operating the board, but keeps their private information private, if they desire. I know I personally feel leery having my full name, church and city listed for all on the internet to see. It does feel a bit disconcerting knowing this world is full of wierdos and those who would desire to persecute the church.

Just a friendly suggestion. I appreciate the hearts of the moderators and board owner here to keep us accountable.

Thank you!

KMK · #11 (**permalink**) 07-06-2007, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wsw201

There are ways to hide your name from a google search. This question was raised years ago. That why I put a ~ before and after my name.

Check out my new signature!

jbergsing · #12 (**permalink**) 07-06-2007, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredtgreco

Those who feel that they can speak with impunity are overwhelmingly more likely to insult, demean and injure others. I have seen it time and time again.

Although I do share some minor concerns regarding my privacy, this is one of the reasons I wanted to be a member here. Accountability is the key to maintaining civility. I haven't been here that long, however, I know there have been some threads where I've really wanted to say something to or about someone I know I shouldn't but knowing everyone knows my name acted as a deterrent. (I'm just a sinful man in need of God's grace like everyone else!) And I know I'm not alone. I'm sure someone has wanted to say something to me that may have been 'out of line' but, again, the non-anonymity clause keeps us accountable. I like it!

Theoretical · #13 (**permalink**) 07-06-2007, 05:03 PM

One option might be to make the name in signature lines be optional, and require one's name to be within the profile (which is members-only) - at least for accountability within the board.

North Jersey Baptist · #14 (**permalink**) 07-06-2007, 06:09 PM

Quote:

but enough to insure that a google search of my name will quickly return more than a casual view into my identity and convictions.

God has blessed me with a name that will return so many hits on Google that they'll never find me!

theologae · #15 (**permalink**) 07-06-2007, 06:17 PM

I hate to break it to you all, but Google and other search engines will pick up search terms even if they are part of a lager word. That means that putting squiggles at the beginning and end of your sig will not keep you from being googled.

Coram Deo · #16 (**permalink**) 07-06-2007, 06:17 PM

Yeah, Me too...

I just typed in my name at google and pulled up 75000 hits on my name and none of them me until I had to type my name with +puritan...

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaptistInCrisis

God has blessed me with a name that will return so many hits on Google that they'll never find me!

JohnV · #17 (**permalink**) 07-06-2007, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theologae

I hate to break it to you all, but Google and other search engines will pick up search terms even if they are part of a lager word. That means that putting squiggles at the beginning and end of your sig will not keep you from being googled.

Well I'm going to put Bill's name in mine, instead of squiggles, and that way I'm safe too.

KMK · #18 (**permalink**) 07-06-2007, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaptistInCrisis

God has blessed me with a name that will return so many hits on Google that they'll never find me!

I had 3,500,000 responses on Google including this one:

Quote:

These are donors, subscribers, and buyers from Ken Klein Ministries, a well-known expert in Bible Prophecy who has a unique ministry and interpretation of end-time events.

Pilgrim · #19 (**permalink**) 07-06-2007, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredtgreco

As the one who drafted the rule requiring non-anonymity, let me say that anonymous writing on the internet is the source of no end of problems. Those who feel that they can speak with impunity are overwhelmingly more likely to insult, demean and injure others. I have seen it time and time again. The level of discourse here is much better than on other boards precisely because of the name rules.

This has been confirmed by the lack of charity and civility by the few persons here who refused to give their name or lied about their identity.

I am in complete agreement, Fred. I've been a member on many boards through the years and those that require members to affix their name and affiliation to every message have had the highest level of discourse. Those forums that have been private (i.e. archives not viewable by non members) and only required a first name or less identification have in my experience been the forums most characterized by insulting and at times abusive posts.

There is a great tendency to type things online that we would never say in person (at least not in the same way) and anonymous posting only increases the frequency of this phenomenon.

bookslover · #20 (**permalink**) 07-06-2007, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobVigneault

I love the PB because it makes available a treasure trove of reformed related information and commentary on everything from movies to missiology, food to fellowship and wonkery to worship. But this ready availability also comes with a liability - you lessen your pri