Privacy?

[T-Rex]

Originally Posted by 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)

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

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by June

Okay -- We just did a test.

In addition to being a Moderator, I am also a paid Sentinel member. I never use the invisible thing, but we created a new test member and I went invisible.

I visited that profile three times, and Medusa (as the test member) could see three visits, but not by who.

So, if you are a Sentinel member and another Sentinel member visits your profile, you can see they were there.

If you are a non-paid member, or at the BFP Supporter I or II (And we appreciate you all equally!) if a Sentinel member visits your profile, you will not be able to see it.

Moderators or Admins, regardless if they have a paid membership can see who has been in your profile, even if you can't.

out of curiosity can the mods and admins see how often someone visits the profile or just that they have visited it?

[T-Rex]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

out of curiosity can the mods and admins see how often someone visits the profile or just that they have visited it?

That's classified.

Please insert another quarter.

[suebee]

Canadian currency at par I presume?

[T-Rex]

I actually prefer GB Currency due to the exchange rate.

[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

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by June

That's classified.

Please insert another quarter.

i'm not that curious!

[Point~Of~No~Return]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

i'm not that curious!

LMAO!

Ok i'll give you 50cents

[Ginger]

Wow, I had no idea that different membership levels have different privacy levels, that the "higher" up you are, the less able others are, to see where you visit on the site, if I'm understanding correctly.

Heightened invisibility, then, becomes a kind of reward? That's intriguing. In the city where I live, class differences determine levels of privacy. Having private outdoor space is a luxury beyond what most people can dream of. Even having yoru own room, in many families, is both an experience of privacy and a determinate of class status.

Privacy, exposure—really interesting things to think about.

[T-Rex]

Originally Posted by IslandScout

Wow, I had no idea that different membership levels have different privacy levels, that the "higher" up you are, the less able others are, to see where you visit on the site, if I'm understanding correctly.

Heightened invisibility, then, becomes a kind of reward? That's intriguing. In the city where I live, class differences determine levels of privacy. Having private outdoor space is a luxury beyond what most people can dream of. Even having yoru own room, in many families, is both an experience of privacy and a determinate of class status.

Privacy, exposure—really interesting things to think about.

Speaking just for myself, IS -- At this time, I am able to contribute financially to the site at the Sentinel level of $100. I choose not to use the invisible feature, as do many others I know of.

I am sure there are people who purchase Sentinel memberships solely so they can be invisible to other members.

Speaking for the Planet, all members are valued equally, regardless of their ability to pay. A Sentinel member is no less likely to be given a timeout for bad behavior than a non-paying member.

For free, everyone is able to access all areas of the Forum, post a few gallery photos, send private messages, use chat and interact with community members from all over the world.

People who are able or choose to also contribute financially can do all of that, plus, depending on the level of financial support, can have more photos, send more private messages and if they choose, be invisible to other members.

We (The Admin/Mod Team) have had the class discussion many times in private and in person. We do not solicit funds from the membership, we do not post threads threatening to take the site down if $xxx.xx doesn't come in immediately.

No salaries are taken by anyone on the site. Funds beyond the cost of operating this site (paying server fees, taxes, postage, etc.) are disbursed via donations or scholarships.

I think of it like this: We choose to come here and participate. Some people are able to pay, and some aren't. Some are able to pay and choose not to. Those that are able or choose to contribute financially get additional "services" which they may choose to use, or not. Regardless, everyone who follows the TOS is welcome to sign up and use the resources here for free.

[Apocalipstic]

I did not realize it bothered anyone if members were invisible, now that I know...I will remain visible.

[dixie]

Hmm...I'm a sentinel. I keep myself set on invisible simply because I'm a nerd like that.

I never really thought about it as being "private" though, because I am fully aware that at least SOMEONE (actually multiple folks) can see anything I do at any time.

Whether it be admin, mods or other sentinel members, I am truly *not* invisible.

The minute I post, it's viewable to everyone.

I am exposed the minute I log on to this site, and any other site I visit.

The only way anything will ever be truly private, is if it's kept in your head.

[dixie]

Originally Posted by Apocalipstic

I did not realize it bothered anyone if members were invisible, now that I know...I will remain visible.

Now see, I'm a little different.

For me, I have that odd, cynical conspiracy theory mind. So when someone says to me that it bothers them that I'm invisible, it makes me wonder why they feel the need to monitor the activities of others.

"I don't like that I can't see you unless you post" for example.


I can understand if folks have legitimate concerns such as stalkers or whatnot, but in general? I see no harm or no issue with folks being invisible. Yeah, I donated and have that option. That was choice. For a long time, I didn't have that option. Did it bother me that others did? Not a bit.

[Ginger]

I don't see anything wrong with invisiblity being a perk for paid members. I think people should get rewarded for membership!

I didn't even know paid membership was an option here (I just joined). I must have missed it. Someone said they don't push it and there you go; I didn't even notice it, it's so un-pushed.

It did feel kind of funny when I realized every time I visited someone's profile, I left a calling card in the form of my screen name on their "who last visited" list. I felt sort of exposed.

But on the other hand, I like seeing who has visited my profile—I guess I can't have it both ways (unless I join).

Nice to have a choice...

I have no idea where I'm going with this, just commenting, taking it in.

[Apocalipstic]

Originally Posted by dixie

Now see, I'm a little different.

For me, I have that odd, cynical conspiracy theory mind. So when someone says to me that it bothers them that I'm invisible, it makes me wonder why they feel the need to monitor the activities of others.

"I don't like that I can't see you unless you post" for example.


I can understand if folks have legitimate concerns such as stalkers or whatnot, but in general? I see no harm or no issue with folks being invisible. Yeah, I donated and have that option. That was choice. For a long time, I didn't have that option. Did it bother me that others did? Not a bit.

I could care less who sees me actually, I just thought it was so freakin cool when I won the lifetime membership and had more options!!! I love options.

I am not and have never tried to sneak around on here lol, but have heard the invisible thing mentioned by several people several times...so some people give wayyyyyyy more thought than I ever have.

[Ginger]

Originally Posted by Apocalipstic

I could care less who sees me actually, I just thought it was so freakin cool when I won the lifetime membership and had more options!!! I love options.

I am not and have never tried to sneak around on here lol, but have heard the invisible thing mentioned by several people several times...so some people give wayyyyyyy more thought than I ever have.

So now everyone is making me wonder if I would participate differently on the site, if I were invisible. Is that what we used to call "lurking"? But "lurking" has negative connotations, and I think the invisibility we're talking about here, since condoned, and consensual in that everyone knows the deal, doesn't have any ethical problems associated with "lurking."

[LaneyDoll]

Originally Posted by IslandScout

So now everyone is making me wonder if I would participate differently on the site, if I were invisible. Is that what we used to call "lurking"? But "lurking" has negative connotations, and I think the invisibility we're talking about here, since condoned, and consensual in that everyone knows the deal, doesn't have any ethical problems associated with "lurking."

I know that I would be likely to. A lot of times, I will see that someone looked at my profile so I look at theirs. Or they have something interesting to say so I want to check them out further. But, knowing that they can see me look, makes me less willing to do so. I don't want there to be any assumptions about my intent since it is more curiousity than anything else.

[Corkey]

I don't care as to who visits my profile, the only one I do care about is my wife. Folks are gonna look folks up to post on their profile page so it automatically shows up, unless one is invisible. It's just an operating feature of the site.

[dixie]

Originally Posted by IslandScout

So now everyone is making me wonder if I would participate differently on the site, if I were invisible. Is that what we used to call "lurking"? But "lurking" has negative connotations, and I think the invisibility we're talking about here, since condoned, and consensual in that everyone knows the deal, doesn't have any ethical problems associated with "lurking."

Invisibility had no effect on my participation. I lurk whether I'm invisible or not (not in a bad way, I just like the term) lol

[Toughy]

Can a Sentinel (or above) member see who is invisible? If Apocalipstic is invisible, is she invisible to everyone or just invisible to those who don't have that capability?

I always took lurking to mean following a thread without posting in it.

And then there is 'threading stalking' a person. I thread stalk June because I like to read what she writes.....I have a long standing crush on the poodle and can't help myself....meaning I click on her name and click on the see more posts and then read everything she writes in every thread.

Going to the way back machine and seeing what Toughy posted 10 years ago is an eye opening experience...........laughin.....