Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Private or Public: That is the Question.
I've seen a lot of talk on the blogs lately about going private. Read some scary, creepy stories. I have always hated private blogs--because I've relished reconnecting with old friends through blogs in the past year--but I think that subconsciously I've been considering it. Every time I've gone to post in the past few weeks I've hesitated. I've heard too many stories about blog identity theft and stalkers. Have you been hearing stories, too?
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11 comments:
I haven't been hearing that many weird stories. I think the important thing is to be cautious and mindful of what is posted. We are careful about photos, and using words that might be found in a search by someone searching for something they shouldn't be.
I guess I've come out of lurking. (I don't know if you even remember us....Blaine & Monica...Wymount??? )I love learning from your outlook on life. You have a talent for shedding light on maternal turmoil. So, my vote is stay public. I , too, love running across old friends.
I haven't heard weird stories of actual people, so you need to fill me in. But I've had the same dilemma too, what to do what to do?
It's hard to know what to do...clearly you know what I've already opted to do, but I don't know that it's necessary. I am just a cautious person and felt more comfortable doing it. If you do decide to go private, you can always e-mail people when you've posted. All of us mamas can learn so much from each other if our blogs are available for others to read...I just don't know the best answer. Good luck in deciding.
I agree with what Dan said also.... If you post safe I think your safe...I always go back and forth on the issue also.. Patrick mentioned the same thought as you, goodbye to old friends reconnecting if I did go private.. And that has been such a wonderful thing about blogs. And I think you can only have so many invites if your private..Hard choice.
Sorry it's Natalie Hall not Rach....
One more thing...on your basic settings on your dashboard page, you can choose to not let search engines find your blog and you can choose to not have google add your blog to its list of recommended blogs for people, just to cut down on some of the traffic.
I do not like private blogs either. Blogging for me is entirely about reconnecting. Also, I like that the most recently posted public blogs automatically scroll to the top on my blog list. I can only do that with public blogs. I tend to forget about the private ones because they do not come to the top.
I have heard of a couple of stories, but nothing serious (someone used a picture of a woman's son who had happened to get a mohawk on their website-it was a neo nazi website-the Mom understandably got upset).
Just don't post pictures of your house with the address in front of it. That was the suggestion in the article I read.
Also, one thing that you have against you, is that you are so bright, cute, and kind. I can imagine some poor guy from your past, who might get a little stalky.
Ack! I don't have a blog and Candice's comments shook me. I use a picture of Queen Elizabeth for privacy and discretion. People who know me understand that chuckle.
I'm someone who linked through links and more links (friend of NieNie to Reachel to you). I have found each of the blogs and the people behind them that I have enjoyed reading to be kind and delightful. Being a mother myself, I always appreciate a good recipe, ideas for family fun shared and kind insights to motherhood.
My motives for reading blogs of people I do not know is innocent. It would be nice to think all are, but I'm sure that is not the case. Any decisions you reach are for what gives you the most comfort and joy.
You always have my best wishes.
Becky, I went private because I was getting comments from people I didn't know.. and Jason was getting nervous. I'd been really careful to not give details on where we live, our last name, etc., but still we chose to go private. It really isn't that bad, as you can have up to 100 reades, and all you have to do is input their email address into the permissions page. I've been private for awhile now, and I only have like 70 some odd readers.
I don't know... it's a toughie.
Hi Monica!! Yes I remember you and Blaine! You lived right over top of me and my crying twin babies as I recall!
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