Seriousness Why do people hide their location? - Page 2

DixieGal · 12-13-2010, 07:25 AM

I believe that I would hesitate to join if personal data were required. I've got nothing to hide, but I can understand why people might choose to remain anonymous. You know all of the new members who "Introduce Yourself" and you never hear from them again? They are here and lurking. Click the "Quick Links" above and the spy link "Who's Online". At any given time, there are a handful of us posting and 200 silent lurkers. The only reason for some people to join at all is that the content changes when you log in. For instance, you can not got to the MR download library without logging in.

I'm just saying that if someone chooses not to reveal their location, shouldn't we respect their privacy?

desertblues · 12-13-2010, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DixieGal

Click the "Quick Links" above and the spy link "Who's Online". At any given time, there are a handful of us posting and 200 silent lurkers.

Indeed; I am a fool

Never, ever saw that link.

thanks for sharing.

Edit: just hit the button FASCINATING: Stichawl is online.No, offline now

kindlekitten · 12-13-2010, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DixieGal

I believe that I would hesitate to join if personal data were required. I've got nothing to hide, but I can understand why people might choose to remain anonymous. You know all of the new members who "Introduce Yourself" and you never hear from them again? They are here and lurking. Click the "Quick Links" above and the spy link "Who's Online". At any given time, there are a handful of us posting and 200 silent lurkers. The only reason for some people to join at all is that the content changes when you log in. For instance, you can not got to the MR download library without logging in.

I'm just saying that if someone chooses not to reveal their location, shouldn't we respect their privacy?

yes, but it can be VERY generic;

US
Europe
Asia
Africa
South America
Central America
Upside Down

Sweetpea · 12-13-2010, 07:35 AM

Big Brother sees all!

Bilbo1967 · 12-13-2010, 10:49 AM

I always prefer to know where people are from, but if they don't want to say (for whatever reason), then I think we must respect this.

The only difficulty is when somebody asks a question like, "What's the best e-reader for me?" or, "Is this book available as an e-book?". Questions like these (and they must be two of the most asked questions on this site) can only really be answered by knowing the person's location (country at least).

jehane · 12-13-2010, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DixieGal

I believe that I would hesitate to join if personal data were required. I've got nothing to hide, but I can understand why people might choose to remain anonymous. You know all of the new members who "Introduce Yourself" and you never hear from them again? They are here and lurking. Click the "Quick Links" above and the spy link "Who's Online". At any given time, there are a handful of us posting and 200 silent lurkers. The only reason for some people to join at all is that the content changes when you log in. For instance, you can not got to the MR download library without logging in.

I'm just saying that if someone chooses not to reveal their location, shouldn't we respect their privacy?

I agree. This is an open forum, never mind the silent members, there's also all the unregistered people who might be reading. I know that I followed the forums for at least a couple of months before I joined, and I'm not a particularly active member. There's at least one forum elsewhere that I read regularly and have never joined.

I've also seen a real life example of enough information being drawn from the public internet to identify an individual who might be a good mark for a foreign intelligence service. So I am fairly wary of what and how much information I give out. Having said that, I can usually be identified by people who already know me, although I like to think that anyone who doesn't, couldn't identify me.

Donnageddon · 12-13-2010, 12:13 PM

I shot a man in Reno... just to watch him die.

And the statute of limitations are never expired.

Salgueiros · 12-13-2010, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fbone

At times it is helpful to know where members live when answering questions or offering advice. Or even to better understand their viewpoints. Some comments appear strange or off-color without allowing cultural differences.

Why not list your location? Is it for safety and/or security? General apathy? None-of-your-business sentiment? Fear?

I don't believe anyone expects precise GPS coordinates. However, is revealing your country of residence too much to ask?

And this also applies to the moderators.

I agree completely. Internet forums are generally so anonymous, since we do not put our names and faces in here, so why not at least give the rest of the world a small reference point so we can better see where your views, or opinions come from. In some cases that can be useful.

ProfCrash · 12-13-2010, 01:30 PM

It took me a long time to figure out that the User CP was a control panel where I could edit stuff. I was baffelled as to who was giving me Karma until about two months ago.

I can see where it is helpful for people to know where you are from but I am in the habit of limiting what information I give out. (shrugs)

beppe · 12-13-2010, 03:08 PM

No mystery that I am Italian, a Milanese as a matter of fact, and live in Italy, where more or less exactly I had it up some time ago, than a guy became fresh about it (he has been banned BTW) and i took a step back. Myself, being by profession an educator, I would be embarrassed if my educated (those that I actually educate or have been educated by me in the past) found out that their educator is so silly. So I appreciate a bit of unknown. It does not really matter a dried fig, as soon, I will stop working probably. Either they throw me out for indignity (that would be my dream, but I still have to find the right scheme by which my family (enlarged) would be evenly divided in favorable or contrary) or I reach the age limit, whichever come first.

boxcorner · 12-13-2010, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fbone

... However, is revealing your country of residence too much to ask? ...

Is NJ now a country?

kindlekitten · 12-13-2010, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxcorner

Is NJ now a country?

it's an entire separate universe with its own alien race. you only have to glimpse the cast from the Jersey Shore to know that!

thinkpad · 12-13-2010, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

yes, but it can be VERY generic;

US
Europe
Asia
Africa
South America
Central America
Upside Down

Good suggestion. Just knowing which region someone is from is very helpful. On a personal note I feel more connected with the members who do share this information but I respect the decision of the members who choose not to disclose this information.

boxcorner · 12-13-2010, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

it's an entire separate universe with its own alien race. you only have to glimpse the cast from the Jersey Shore to know that!

Shucks. I thought the US was the centre of the Universe. Now I've got to consider parallel ones, too?

kindlekitten · 12-13-2010, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxcorner

Shucks. I thought the US was the centre of the Universe. Now I've got to consider parallel ones, too?

especially when dealing with the aforementioned location! seriously! have you seen them! they MUST be an alien race! no other explanation exists!

12-13-2010, 10:49 AM	#20
Bilbo1967 Not scared! Posts: 13,424 Karma: 81011643 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Midlands, UK Device: Kindle Paperwhite 10, Huawei M5 10	I always prefer to know where people are from, but if they don't want to say (for whatever reason), then I think we must respect this. The only difficulty is when somebody asks a question like, "What's the best e-reader for me?" or, "Is this book available as an e-book?". Questions like these (and they must be two of the most asked questions on this site) can only really be answered by knowing the person's location (country at least). Last edited by Bilbo1967; 12-13-2010 at 11:51 AM.

12-13-2010, 12:13 PM	#22
Donnageddon Now you lishen here... Posts: 2,494 Karma: 479498 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Seattle-ish Device: Sony PRS-650. Kobo Touch, Kindle Fire	Why do people hide their location? I shot a man in Reno... just to watch him die. And the statute of limitations are never expired.

12-13-2010, 03:08 PM	#25
beppe Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,161 Karma: 81026524 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Italy Device: Kindle3, Ipod4, IPad2	No mystery that I am Italian, a Milanese as a matter of fact, and live in Italy, where more or less exactly I had it up some time ago, than a guy became fresh about it (he has been banned BTW) and i took a step back. Myself, being by profession an educator, I would be embarrassed if my educated (those that I actually educate or have been educated by me in the past) found out that their educator is so silly. So I appreciate a bit of unknown. It does not really matter a dried fig, as soon, I will stop working probably. Either they throw me out for indignity (that would be my dream, but I still have to find the right scheme by which my family (enlarged) would be evenly divided in favorable or contrary) or I reach the age limit, whichever come first. Last edited by beppe; 12-13-2010 at 04:23 PM.

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12-13-2010, 07:25 AM	#16
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	I believe that I would hesitate to join if personal data were required. I've got nothing to hide, but I can understand why people might choose to remain anonymous. You know all of the new members who "Introduce Yourself" and you never hear from them again? They are here and lurking. Click the "Quick Links" above and the spy link "Who's Online". At any given time, there are a handful of us posting and 200 silent lurkers. The only reason for some people to join at all is that the content changes when you log in. For instance, you can not got to the MR download library without logging in. I'm just saying that if someone chooses not to reveal their location, shouldn't we respect their privacy?

12-13-2010, 07:35 AM	#19
Sweetpea Grand Sorcerer Posts: 9,707 Karma: 32763414 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Krewerd Device: Pocketbook Inkpad 4 Color; Samsung Galaxy Tab S6	Big Brother sees all!

12-13-2010, 01:30 PM	#24
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	It took me a long time to figure out that the User CP was a control panel where I could edit stuff. I was baffelled as to who was giving me Karma until about two months ago. I can see where it is helpful for people to know where you are from but I am in the habit of limiting what information I give out. (shrugs)