Was just on FB today. Connected with a cousin that moved to New Zealand 25 years ago. Would never have gotten ahold of him so easily.

FB is a very nice tool as long as you control it and it does not control you.

Best of luck with that...

Control is an illusion. BTW, I am in charge. :cool:

Being on FB is like owning a cell phone... if you own it no problem... if it owns you, problem.

Or like anything on the Internet... like, say, PPOT... taking it too seriously is just silly IMHO.

And if you think the guberment needs FB to track your info, well your just not paying attention.

My statement about NOT having a FB page is "I would rather be tested for VD with a pipe cleaner than be on FB".

Why would anyone want to give up their privacy so willingly?

If you are on the internet in any form... you are already giving up your privacy.

I know, but not in wholesale form. I'm on Pelican Parts and two other car forums, but you don't know my last name, where I live (exactly), my age, what I look like, pictures of my friends, where I went to high school, etc, etc.

But on Facebook......it's all out there. And most kids are too young and stupid to know once they've given it up, you can't get it back.

If you do not enter personal info there, then its not going to send it out.

As well I have taken many of the photos that I had up there at one time off. They might have copies of them somewhere but not out for the public that I know of.

These idiots who put their full birthday on their profile, as well as other personal data are just asking for it. I do not even put the correct date on mine...

The thing that amazes me the most about FB is the public photos and info that people have about their children on their profile. If you want to share this with friends and family...that's all good, but keep that stuff private and secure.

Joe, you don't seem to understand my issue. It isn't about anything *I* put on there. For some reason FB decided to email people on my friends list about some FB group (that I don't even remember clicking on, and was not a member of).

Sure, but there are various levels of privacy given up.

For example, you can post stuff here under a handle, like 99.99% of people do. You don't really give up any privacy or private information. Yes, Pelican knows your IP, and could probably ultimately track down where the computer you used is located. Even a third party, if they were interested enough, could eventually get that information (it would take a lot of effort and expense, though)

But, that's not a lot of info, pretty useless.

I'm amazed at the real info people post on FB. Their full name, birthdate, pictures of themselves and their family, their location, their activities, relatives, etc. It's quite a bit of personal info. Who knows where it is being sent, who has access to it, where it is being stored, and how it may be used in the future.

The thing about FB is, you kind of have to use your real name. Otherwise, the purpose is seemingly defeated, your "long lost friends" can't find you if your real name isn't used.

The thing that got me was FB asking for users' email passwords to "clickthrough"(or whatever that function is).
Really, now. Give a networking website access to your online conversations with your doctor, lawyer, or signifigant other? Might as well throw in a spare house key.

Yep and if that happened would be pissed as well. Just gotta be careful on what you click on and what it does. I accept almost none of this crap that is sent out from other users.

A little cow has wandered onto your property. Please help someone find a home for him...

Moved to New Zealand! I probably know him, only about 6 people live here. Well, 6 people and a whole lota sheep.

Bill,

He is one of only 4 people in Auckland, or the two who used to live on Weiheke Island! :)

I see a difference between "identifying" information and "personal" information. Here on PPOT we post personal information, but usually not identifying information, and this seems okay.

It seems like you could do the same, by having two accounts on FB.

Account A has your real name and enough identifying information to allow people to find and contact you (home town, etc). But nothing more.

Account B has a false name and no identifying information. Here is where you post personal information - pictures, likes, kids, what you're doing, etc. But nothing that allows you to be identified.

Critiques please. Would this work? I'm thinking of trying this.

Why do you want people to find you? Maybe I'm weird, but I have no real interest in reconnecting with people from my past. The only reason I was on FB was to keep in the loop with work people, a few friends who are in different towns, and some musicians. FB actually isn't bad as a promotional tool for gigs.

I like to keep in touch with my local friends, as well as my family and racer and music friends.

It works for me.



KT

Agree with NS.

The past is the past for a reason. I'm concerned about the here and now, not anyone from my past.