I prefer to remain anonymous on here. I've never revealed my name, DS's name, or where we live. I'm not FB friends or anything like that with anyone on here. This isn't a safe place.
Post by SallySparrow on Aug 23, 2014 21:00:33 GMT -5
I don't worry about posting her first name. Her first and middle would probably Maher it easy for Google searching to help someone figure out who I am just because it's not a common combination. But I think I've posted her middle name here before too, so clearly I'm not too worried about it. lol
Post by Velar Fricative on Aug 23, 2014 21:02:09 GMT -5
Given how almighty Google is, I am surprised the periods trip it up.
As for BB's question, I assume people just have their reasons. Maybe the names are uncommon, maybe they have multiple kids so the naming of names narrows down their identity, maybe they actually do know some IRL people who lurk here (at least one poster who shall remain nameless mentioned an estranged family member finding their posts). DD does not have an uncommon name but I don't love posting it here often, though I occasionally do post it (and did in that big thread).
I lurked for quite a while before I started posting here because I was nervous about having people I know IRL being here and discovering me on here as well. I just started posting here and have revealed my DD's name, but nothing else too revealing. I just try not to say anything here that I wouldn't want people I know IRL to see. I can see why others would rather be anonymous so they can be free to post whatever they want though.
Post by ilikedonuts on Aug 23, 2014 21:14:46 GMT -5
I was messaged twice on FB because IRL people found me on TN/TB just based on a picture of my dog in my signature. So I can definitely see people googling names and stuff and potentially coming across GBCN.
Post by countthestars on Aug 23, 2014 21:15:43 GMT -5
I think the periods are dumb. DD's first and middle are uncommon and googling them does not bring up GBCN. And if someone stumbles upon GBCN the periods won't do anything to make them not realize it's you.
Post by timorousbeastie on Aug 23, 2014 21:16:31 GMT -5
I doubt anyone is googling DD's name (side note: I just googled her first and middle, and all I got was lots of obituaries for 80+ year old women - yep, she officially has an old lady name). I'm more concerned that someone I know might lurk here and put DD's relatively uncommon name together with other things I've posted about. I'd rather people I know IRL don't know I post here (not that I've ever posted anything that embarrassing or controversial, it just makes me uncomfortable).
Of course, I have mentioned or alluded to her name a couple times, so I guess I'm not that paranoid.
I don't post my name, DD's name, our location, or post pictures. I'm selectively friends with IGers though but if I'm stalked, it's a pretty small pool SO I'LL KNOW. lol
I don't think anyone is googling DD's name, but I just don't want anyone IRL to stumble here and connect the dots. Which has happened many many times on these boards so it's not like this is a crazy concern.
I lol'd when I read this. Even tho I know it's not you...for some reason I always picture you being your avatar. So when you said you don't post pictures my first thought was huh. Idk why...you're the only one who had a fake real person as an avatar who I think is them.
I just googled Bas's first + middle and came up with a fantasy novel character with one letter changed and a vampire novel character. No results for his full name. Googling Bas + my username comes up with several posts from here. *nervous chuckle*
Oooooh I just googled my oldest first + middle and the #1 result was a post on here. never thought about that!
I laugh at the periods, especially when they are for some fairly common name a la j.en. I understand wanting to protect privacy, but the thread frustrated me because I really wanted to hear the discussion in context of the names.
I'm fairly careful about what info, pictures, etc I share here. C's name gets nothing on Google, and apparently there are other glitzy07 people in other places on the internet that aren't me.
That said, I am friends with a few select people from here on IG, where my user name is much less discreet. I worry about it sometimes, but not enough to change user names just yet.
Like ilikedonuts, I've been meeting people online for years. I'm still FB friends with someone I met in an AOL Nsync chat room. Lol
@vicmo pugz I had to PM @this to find out who recently friended me on IG, because I could see they were friends with her. Turns out it was TamiTaylor. Keeping track is hard, yo!
I've been meeting people I met on the internet since I was 13.... I'm surprised I'm still alive.
Hell, I married a creepy weirdo I met online.
Me too!! Haha
As for the searches, both my kids have kind of unique names -especially for the US- but I've never put their middle names because that is super unique. Although when I google my username and their names I get this place.. Eh, whatevs.
Inspired by this thread I googled my screen name here and C's name. Which brought to some HP fan fiction in which Hermione has a twin sister with C's name. WEIRD.
I'm not really paranoid, I'll occasionally post their names. But I'd be much more so if I was GBCN from work or wrote really personal or scandalous stuff.
I googled DD4s name (Adrienne Francine) & find it hilarious that it's in a book..
I don't want to come up in Google searches. I work for a hated government entity and had 3 kids in less than 2 years making me easier to google. So while I want to be open about things I also need to be a little cautious. I delete pics of the kids because I don't want them out there forever.