Privacy?

[Point~Of~No~Return]

awesome to know!

[Passionaria]

I am confused about some terminology that comes up at times regarding some of the "privacy issues".

With the internet being public domain, anything you write on a public forum as I understand it becomes public information. Just Google your screen name and put in butch femme lol it's out there. I google myself frequently because of the nature of my work, and believe me it's all out there. So while this is a group unto it's self, because it's the internet I think we need to keep in mind that once we hit submit, our sharing's are now recorded public information. HMMM makes one think, right?

So participating on the internet is not private. Reading can be, but written information is not, this includes profiles, forum posts, anything written down. I believe images as well.

My next thought in this convo is the loose usage of the word "stalking". This being a public forum, we all wonder who is on here, and what they are about. That's why we read each others posts, look at profiles, comment etc. There are some eloquent writers and really funny people on here. People with strong opinions as well as those looking for love or new friends. It's all part of the online community experience. So if someone is interesting in their online presence, it may attract onlookers, followers even. This is not stalking, in my mind. LOL look at my profile all you want follow my posts, it's a compliment isn't it? I know there are people on here who's expressions interest me, and at times I will go see what they have been up to. Isn't that part of what an online community is all about?

Where we cross the line in my mind is when a member is being verbally attacked, or contacted PERSONALLY via forum or PM by someone who's behavior is bothersome or threatening. I think this is where stalking comes in. And intervention may be necessary. I think it's important to be clear about this. We all joke about who's stalking who today, and I always understood that to mean they were interested in what you are saying or doing, like it's a fun thing.

I guess my point in all of this is if a person is not contacting you personally, harassing you directly or indirectly, take a deep breath and enjoy the public sharing. The question then becomes does one feel safe sharing themselves in a public place, where what is written and shared can and will be seen by others basically when ever they want. I understand some people have reasons for being private, and needing to feel safe, so you have to know you are ready for all this.....

Anyway,
xoxox Pashi (who knows this can be google-ed)

[Chancie]

So I did a search on 'chancie', 'butch', and 'femme', and an archived birthday thread from the old site came up, and boy, was that bittersweet.

[aishah]

re: the actual thread topic,

i'm glad someone brought this up. personally i'd be a lot more comfortable if people had to register to be able to read here. i run a forum where people have to register to see posts - the main site is still indexed and searchable by google if you search on the forum topic, but you can't find specific information or posts by/about people through google. i like this space so i post here anyway. i don't have a huge expectation of privacy. but i'd be a lot more comfortable if only registered members could read posts. i don't really give a fuck who's looking at my profile.

edited because i meant to say if people had to register to READ here, not post here, hehehe! thanks for bringing that to my attention corkey.

[girl_dee]

i was the one who pushed for only registered members to be able to access forums on the Dance site, i caught flack for it from a few who wanted to peruse without being logged in, but i still preferred it that way. Banned members no longer had access to the site, honestly i don't really care anymore.

There were no *unregistered guests*, but some of those could be a good thing from what i hear.

[Point~Of~No~Return]

Originally Posted by June

I think these are really good examples, Pashi. Just looking at someones profile or posts is not "stalking" them. If you have a bad relationship with them, or they are your estranged ex, then while I don't necessarily think it's stalking (but could be) it is at the very least, creepy. Why do you care what someone you don't like has to say unless you are actively trying to find fault, mock them or make them feel uncomfortable?

If we choose to post something here, it can be read. Do I think it's okay to post it elsewhere without asking permission? No. That's creepy too. We can either decide to put ourselves out there with a good heart and the hope that folks reading it will have good hearts and no malicious agenda, or hide our sunny little hearts under a rock

^5

we can all hope that there is no malicious intentions of another

it's just nice to know that the forum takes their terms of service seriously it gives a very comforting feeling

but the main question was for the being invisible