OT - Why the aversion to filling out profile info

[2flamingos]

I have noticed (not only here but other sites/forums that I visit), that a lot of folks do not fill out profile information. What's up with that? Whats the big deal about gender, age, location, interests, etc? I think it helps give some insight into the individual - and may help someone to better understand what and/or why something is being said or a position taken. All of those factor into making each of us who we are.

[xenablue]

I think some people are just more private than others and aren't comfortable putting information for all the world to see, some of which they don't even divulge to IRL people they are familiar with.

It seems that the internet expects people to be forthcoming with everything about. I've been online for around 16 years, and still guard some information about myself - and I met my DH online almost that long ago.

Yes, it seems innocent enough on a forum, but IMHO it's the perogative of the individual what, and how much they divulge of themselves online - I don't believe they are being secretive, just cautious and/or protective.

Cheers,
xena

[jnk]

Giving more information might violate the terms of my participation in the USMS federal Witness Security Program.

[n0hardmask]

I second Xena's suggestion about privacy.. and offer myself as an example. I'm a computer-savvy 60-yr-old who only got on FB maybe 2 years ago. When I did, and refused to "Friend" distant relatives, I found myself offering the following reason, (& I'm glad I was so stingy with my personal info on FB).

"My refusal to friend you, --name-- is due to my distrust not of you but of the sites like FB. Putting too much info out there is a poor idea, IMO, and consequently, I have only friended close relatives, primarily to keep track of the grandchildren".

Needless to say, I'm SOO glad I was stingy over what I put on FB.. their recent privacy issues, and those of other very visible sites, has supported my concerns about security of personal info online (and thus ID Theft). As you can tell, I've been cagy about the details I put on this site, and I feel relatively comfortable here.

[Tino2You]

Giving more information might violate the terms of my participation in the USMS federal Witness Security Program.

oops too late

[DoriC]

Giving more information might violate the terms of my participation in the USMS federal Witness Security Program.

Jeff, I love your new avatar!

[avi123]

IMO, it's stupidity that there are posters who ask for medical help and don't reveal their ages, genders, underlying medical conditions, etc., that are important to know while dealing with Sleep Disorders.

[greatunclebill]

I think some people are just more private than others and aren't comfortable putting information for all the world to see, some of which they don't even divulge to IRL people they are familiar with.

It seems that the internet expects people to be forthcoming with everything about. I've been online for around 16 years, and still guard some information about myself - and I met my DH online almost that long ago.

Yes, it seems innocent enough on a forum, but IMHO it's the perogative of the individual what, and how much they divulge of themselves online - I don't believe they are being secretive, just cautious and/or protective.

Cheers,
xena

this is Spot-On...... nobody has a duty to divulge any personal information, nor should they have to explain it to any other poster. If you think it should be mandatory, pay for your own forum and make personal information mandatory. tell us how that works for you. meanwhile, if you don't want to reply to people without personal info, feel free not to reply.

[kteague]

I wish that when I started using a forum (this was my first active involvement) I had known to be more discreet. Knowing what I know now I would have made up some catchy user name, and made other info available on a need-to-know basis only. I have recently become more aware of inherent problems. My 14 year old grandson has a rather large online following due to his music, and he already has imposters on Twitter and Facebook who are contacting the little girls who are his fans pretending to be him. I shudder to think that they could be predators. No matter how many times he states his official sites, someone falls for the ruse. We try to warn them when we see it, but we can't have eyes on everything.

As far as this site, when I first came here I didn't know I'd want to hang around, and at that point couldn't yet see the value in some disclosure to better address my issues. Everyone arrives at forums in a different head space. It all works out in the end.

[DreamStalker]

There are malicious people in the world, and it is just a statistical fact that some will find their way onto this forum as easily as any other.

Give only the information that is absolutely necessary and remove any links to personal ID info and be safe rather than sorry.

[jnk]

. . . your new avatar . . .

Thanks, DoriC. The fun part was cutting out all the other band members from the photo!

That shot was taken at a scenic overlook on the way to a gig in Canada. I don't remember much about that trip other than the interrogation by the Canadian border guards. I guess we all should have got our stories straight before they took each of us into separate rooms.

But maybe that is revealing too much personal information?

[DreamStalker]

Giving more information might violate the terms of my participation in the USMS federal Witness Security Program.

So they put you in a park did they?

[ekubaskie]

Posting your info is only part of it. Out there in the real world, many would call us in here stupid, stupid, stupid...

On the pages of this forum, with completely honorable intentions of helping others with an insidious medical condition - or intentions of FINDING help with an insidious...

What we have done is to state, beyond doubt, that we HAVE an insidious...

Lose your job tomorrow, get a new one in a few months, then your S9 sends smoke down your climateline hose, and the new insurance company says... NO. Pre-existing condition. See all these posts about how awful it is, from 6 years ago? Open your checkbook.

Applying for another job. Driving cabs? NO. You fall asleep at the wheel. EVERYBODY KNOWS that everybody who has OSA does that, you liar! You should have your license cancelled.

Lots of folks have been bitten in the hindquarters by what they posted on Facebook. Many of extreme political views don't think for a second about spouting beliefs that, if they were actually CORRECT, will lead to events like police crashing through their front door some day, to pry from their cold, dead, fingers... but they spout anyway. I hope they're not correct. I don't want their fingers to be cold. Or that other way...

And aren't you glad we're we live someplace where stuff like that doesn't happen? We do, right?

Wait, what's that outside? Oh, this is hilarious! Kids in the elementary school playground next door are blowing bubbles. It's pretty windy, so the bubbles are going everywhere. Meanwhile, this time of year there are a number of seagulls hanging around - the bluff down to Turnagain Arm is only about 200 yards past the school - and they're going for the bubbles, screeching away. Remember "Finding Nemo", where the gull's cries are "Mine! Mine! Mine?" LOL!!

OK, anyway - there have been times that I've hesitated about trying to answer somebody's questions here with observations from personal experience/history. Good thing I'm still a noob and there are so many folks here who know it all a lot better than I do!

BTW, if you think *I* sound kinda paranoid, you haven't been out on the web much

[jnk]

Giving more information might violate the terms of my participation in the USMS federal Witness Security Program.

So they put you in a park did they?

That's the location of the new emergency heliport in between the OEM building and the federal building.

[KellyinTN]

That's the first thing I did just now. I'm new. This is my first post. Hello!