our messages showing up all over the web

[Art Bensheimer]

:nono:I just googled my name on AOL and Yahoo to see what was there because of a job change. I was very surprised to see every post I've made on this sight listed. I find that somewhat disturbing since it tells the world what we have and what were interested in. Just thought this might be the right place for this discussion. Anyway to stop our posts from being listed for the world to see or is that just the price for being on the site???

[Dean Romig]

There is no way to stop it. The only thing you can do is change your name to a nickname or alias as many of us have done. Once you change your name I think that stuff disappears when you search your name.

I may be wrong. I see you have changed your name - when did you change it?

[Robin Lewis]

That is the way the web works, not just here but everywhere. This why you hear the statement that anything posted on the web is there forever. The web is very public.

[John Dunkle]

This may help:

http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=2862

My Best Always,

John D.

[King Brown]

What's available on me on this site is a gnat's eyelash compared to what's on record with government and industry---even before the Internet.

[Art Bensheimer]

I did the name change last night. Of course I figured it out after all this info was posted. Just didn't think everyone needed to know all my business !!!!!

[edward mccay]

This whole post makes me laugh..

[Christopher Lien]

JohnD made several positive changes related to this subject in the later part of 2010 that were very helpful and also made this site a much better place than it was before...

There is still an obvious loophole in the system that often identifies people by their real names when they post and participate on all the PGCA forums. It's also very easy for non-members and thousands of non-registered surfing Guests to see and obtain someone's real name in a matter of seconds here without being logged in. Even if you use an alias ID, your real name may still be publicly displayed in many gun related conversations on this web site, which also comes up in Google type searches... As always, use common sense when posting on the PGCA forums, because an alias ID provides very little in the way of privacy protection here...

Thanks again JohnD for your continued efforts with the PGCA site...

Best, CSL
___________________________
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[John Dunkle]

Thanks CSL..!

As well - if folks want to see what the "rest of the world" can see.... Just "Log Out" (see picture below to find out which button to press) and start reading threads...

You'll see exactly what the search BOTS and site visitors can see. As well, while logged out, you'll notice you have very few capabilities.

Best to all,

John

[Greg Baehman]

John D., after logging out I see that when you're quoted, give thanks or are thanked your real name is shown. Is there a way to prevent that?

[John Dunkle]

Yep - those would be the problems... To be honest - I had to whack a lot of code to even get it to work the way it does - and the problem is, to change all the rest (quotes/thanks) I have to whack the SQL queries that deliver those..??

I'm not saying I can't do it -but, it's just time and code on my end..?? Anyway - let me take another look and see what I can come up with, OK?

Best to you!

John

[Chris Travinski]

Unfortunately this is the nature of internet forums, there are certain risks and rewards to participating. My personal opinion is that there is a certain amount of paranoia related to putting any personal information on the internet, but I think you are just as likely to be scammed through all of your other daily non internet public interactions. I think we have a pretty honest group of characters here looking out for each other, we can take that into consideration.

[Art Bensheimer]

Looks like I shook a hornets nest with this one!!!!!

[Dean Romig]

Not at all Art... these questions have come up before - as you can see - and John has always done the best that he can to protect the PGCA community. If it can be done John is the guy to do it... time allowing.

This site is not his only occupation... (hmmm, that almost sounds like he's getting paid for this...) :biglaugh:

[Destry L. Hoffard]

The bottom line is, if you don't want people to know your business, stay off the internet. Dunkle does what he can for us, but it's the internet, so it's mostly public on forums like this.

Destry