Why so many blank profiles?

[rexhea]

QUOTE: Originally posted by NZRMac

Just updated mine, put my picture on there too (and my 8 mnth old daughter)

Love these forums, can't stay away!!!!

Ken

Great talking with you on the telephone, Ken. What a pleasant surprise!

It couldn't hurt anything to at least post your scale, experience, layout information, goals, and etc... As has already been said, there are many other more sophisticated methods of obtaining personal information than scanning a MRR forum. Yes, with a name, region, and a "White Pages" search, a person could zero in on your location. But, stop and think just how many people in your area already know where you live and that you are an MRR. Big Deal!

REX

[twhite]

Actually, being among the Compute Illiterate--as you may know from some of my double answers (wandering little finger hitting that #@^% TAB Key in the middle of a discussion)--I didn't even know there was a PROFILE spot until I was on the net for about a month. Haven't checked it lately, I don't think there's much to update.
Tom

[AggroJones]

QUOTE: Originally posted by fec153

Does Aggro mean aggrovator or aggrovated?
The picture is of a badger? or a wolverine? Either one has a bad &ss rep.
Hope Santa was nice to you. Have a happy and healthy new year.
Flip

Aggrovated. Wolverine.

[Anonymous]

I have information of myself here because it is good to read a little bit about who is posting to you. Shoot If someone wants to steal my infor and steal my identity that would be their biggest mistake. They will be in a worse position than their credit could ever be. Shoot I am a black guy. LOL JK In all It is nice to know a little bit about us just to know. Very cool.

[AggroJones]

QUOTE: Originally posted by PARKERLEGEND

I have information of myself here because it is good to read a little bit about who is posting to you. Shoot If someone wants to steal my infor and steal my identity that would be their biggest mistake. They will be in a worse position than their credit could ever be. Shoot I am a black guy. LOL JK In all It is nice to know a little bit about us just to know. Very cool.

[(-D] [(-D]

[camarokid]

I'm with Jennifer RR on this one. I did click on update profile and added some things that tell just a little more about me, although not everyone needs to know so much about us. And just for clarification, what is that 2d question that asks if you want to get a copy of everything you do here? Is that right? And I have no clue what all those words and initials are for on the right side. I might have to edit this in a bit. I went back to look and forgot it again. But you know what I'm talking about.
Archie

[mcouvillion]

I guess these folks are trying to remain unanimous (in being anonymous). I've got some stuff in mine but other fields don't seem to want to propogate. Eventually, I'll fill more in.

Mark C.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by DeSchane

This right to privacy thing seems sorta weak to me. Privacy allows you to be a jerk without consequence! Stand up and have some courage about whom you are. I'm not asking for a phone number or address. I also wonder why the majority of you use a handle and not a real name?!?

It's not always a question of courage, but one of discretion. Yes, I do use a "handle," for the reasons that "emeraldisle" spoke of. But I absolutely agree with you that using a "handle" doesn't give me, or anyone else, permission to be a jerk.

By the way, Trummy and Ella are my dogs.

Happy New Year to all!

TrummyandElla

[Anonymous]

I don't see anything wrong with giving a name and area, some hobbies, your pets name. Hell, if you're that paranoid, maybe you shouldn't have internet access. I can send you a spy program and watch you, and you won't ever know it's there!! I can track your car and you won't know. Relax, enjoy yourself, and stop worrying so much. Some things you can prevent. The rest is not worth worrying about.

[Anonymous]

Aye captain! [4:-)] I've juiced up my profile some.

[grayfox1119]

With the new SP2 update to Xp, you don't have to worry about SPAM. I have not had any problems since upgrading to SP2.
As for personal data, I have worked with computers since the way back in 1950's. Anyone can get public info about you regarding your name, phone number, address, even your court records. As almost everything is a matter of public record, stop worrying about your profile in this forum. I like to see where people live, to chat with them in the coffee shop, or, as I found out a few weeks ago, another member shared the same favorite vacation spot in the mountains. Life is far too short to be so paranoid, lighten up, you'll live longer, type "A" people die of heart attacks.

***

[Roadtrp]

If you want to know anything about me, just ask. If I figure it is any of your danged business, I will answer. I'm not putting ANYTHING out there for everyone to see. I work as an Information Technology Supervisor, and I've seen enough things in my line of work to want to keep as much private as I can.

It's not being paranoid if the danger is real.

[8D]

[Anonymous]

I think the capability to download photos directly to the post should be added. Having to download to another site, then link to that site, is just more complication. Myself, if I have to go to all that trouble I'm not posting any pics at all. I('ve been using computers since 1976, can program in a couple of languages, and can still not get links to work most of the time. Storage space has gotten very cheap now days, so that can't be used as a reasonable excuse. 120 gigs at $100 or less would hold anything that anyone could or normally would post.

[grayfox1119]

I would agree with those who live in fear "if" no one could get this info any other way, but having worked in industry for 45 years, your name, your address, etc is all public record of course. But, it is all personal choice, and I repect that guys. But I honestly cannot see what some of you are afraid of, Spam? Extra email? ( If you don't check off the email box, you don't get any, so what's the big deal? Tell me, I'm curious what I am may be missing here security wise!!


***

[Roadtrp]

QUOTE: Originally posted by grayfox1119

I would agree with those who live in fear "if" no one could get this info any other way, but having worked in industry for 45 years, your name, your address, etc is all public record of course. But, it is all personal choice, and I repect that guys. But I honestly cannot see what some of you are afraid of, Spam? Extra email? ( If you don't check off the email box, you don't get any, so what's the big deal? Tell me, I'm curious what I am may be missing here security wise!!


***

Name and address information of course is readily obtainable for almost anyone. The difference is there are no details of a person's life associated with it.

A person may mention things in posts here that they would not want open to the world. I'm thinking of things like illnesses, divorces, children's names and ages, times when you will be on vacation, etc. I may feel comfortable sharing information like that here, but would not want the whole world to be able to associate it with my real name.

[:)]

[grayfox1119]

"A person may mention things in posts here that they would not want open to the world. I'm thinking of things like illnesses, divorces, children's names and ages, times when you will be on vacation, etc. I may feel comfortable sharing information like that here, but would not want the whole world to be able to associate it with my real name"

I completely agree with those reasons Roadtrp, and I see no reason at all to post the items that you listed. But if you look at many profiles, they don't even have the most basic info, that would only be of use to us in the hobby, nothing at all that personal. Like my screen name is grayfox1119, but my real name is Richard ( *** ,for nickname). I live in a little section of the town of Leicester, Ma, called Cherry Valley...no big deal to this info, it is available to everyone in the world without wasting their time to look at forum online. I am a personable person ( I think anyways) so I like to call people by their first name. I like to know where they live so I can get an idea of RR's are intheir area, and at times to share a laugh or two over the weather in our areas, etc. Or maybe I am interested in RR Hotspots in their area and might want 1st hand info of just how good the spot is, and best times to view for pistures/videos. So as you can see, we both lose if people do not share at least the very basics.

***

[MAbruce]

Hey folks, it should be up to each person how much information they are willing to share in their profiles. To ask for more is fine, but I think making suggestive remarks about those who wi***o be anonymous is going too far. This is only a hobby forum, and (as with hobbies) is meant for enjoyment. So lighten up!

Personally I prefer not to share my life story in my profile. Maybe I’m a privacy nut, or maybe a jerk that doesn’t wan anyone to know who I am. Nahh, I’m just a big name actor who likes to poke his head in here from time to time… [:-,]

Gotta go, that’s Spielberg on the phone again begging me to take a part. I’m really trying to hold out for a decent screenplay with a train theme.

[Roadtrp]

QUOTE: Originally posted by grayfox1119


I completely agree with those reasons Roadtrp, and I see no reason at all to post the items that you listed. But if you look at many profiles, they don't even have the most basic info, that would only be of use to us in the hobby, nothing at all that personal.

No, you would not list personal items like that in your profile. But you would very possibly make mention of items like that in your posts. I know quite a few people here have posted about illnesses, injuries, difficult times in their lives, etc.

If it's RoadTrip sharing, that's OK. I can express my thoughts and feelings without giving them to the world. But if people can click on my profile and see my real name and where I live, all of a sudden I HAVE shared it with the world.

Maybe that wouldn't bother some people, but it does me. There are certain things I might be willing to share anonymously that I would not want out on the net with my real name attached to it.

[Anonymous]

You might have a discussion with someone on a train, hit it off and exchange some personal info. The person sitting behind you however, may be a complete jerk and you have no obligation to share that same info with him. It has absolutely nothing to do with being afraid or paranoid.

In fact, we've seen here an extreme case of recklessness with personal info when a child posted his full name, age, address, parents names and places of employment , his sister's name, age and where she goes to school, etc. I was truly afraid for his safety.

No one should post any more info than they feel they should, no one owes anyone more info than they care to divulge and no one deserves criticism for not publishing any here portion of their bio online. Those who desire to post their personal info should be thankful for the opportunity. Some forums have profiles only available to forum administrators.

Why can't we just consider a member's ideas without having to know their background?

Wayne

"Just because one is paranoid, it doesen't mean someone isn't really out to get him."

[PennsyHoosier]

These are good points. A certain circumspection is appropriate. On the other hand, a certain openess is crucial for community to develop especially in cyberspace. Like all things, it's finding the medium between the two extremes.

[grayfox1119]

I agree Lawrence, I also have full respect for those who feel nervous, I can see where they are coming from.

***

[Anonymous]

Hi my name is Jeff and I am a train a holic. I have been in this forum "therapy" for only a month but I am slowly making progress. I am addicted to ATSF and UP. And by the way alis is actually spelled alias. no offense... my mother is a writing teacher for the last 20 years! Good luck!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by enduringexp

I don't see anything wrong with giving a name and area, some hobbies, your pets name. Hell, if you're that paranoid, maybe you shouldn't have internet access. I can send you a spy program and watch you, and you won't ever know it's there!! I can track your car and you won't know. Relax, enjoy yourself, and stop worrying so much. Some things you can prevent. The rest is not worth worrying about.

It's comments like the above that make folks nervous, however as I stated before, the decision to place only a minimal bit of info in ones profile may not be a matter of choice for that person, but a matter of necessity because of they're jobs security needs. These folks are Model Railroaders and only wi***o be a part of the community but must maintain an above average level of security mainly due to the times we live in and their job status. This is a situation that should be respected for the safety of that individual and their family, and I for one will never pressure anyone on here, for info beyond what they choose to place in their profile, as I fully understand the reason behind that decision. Please guys, back off the pressure, NOW.....All you're going to wind up doing, is driving these good folks away from the forum altogether and I'm sure that you don't want to do that.[:(!]

[Anonymous]

Well, I have held off replying to this thread because I didn't think it would last all that long, but since it did... I decided to go all out because i other places I already have the info posted and I also don't feel that this site is a real security risk. I try to fill out as much of my profile as I can because I don't mind people seeing what I have done or having the option of getting in touch with me. In fact, already my email has been used for model railroading help from this site, so I feel that it was worth it. I understand, however, how some people might want to conceal their real identities because they might not want the entire forum knowing where they live or who they are. I don't see the harm, though, in posting your railroading interests like what scale/era/road you like/model since, last I checked, someone can't find out where you live from that. Anyhow...
Reed

[sully57]

Not an unreasonable request. Updating my profile. tx for the reminder !

[Anonymous]

ALFRED P. MAYO
17 RUSSELL RD.
NORWICH, CT 06360


If you want to scam me and need more info stop by my house and knock on my door or just email me[:p][}:)]

I said it before if someone uses this name they will be worse off than using their own name. HEHEHEHEHE

[PennsyHoosier]

LOL Al. I found your phone number, too. Don't expect a call, though. [:D]

[AggroJones]

I noticed alot more people have self pictures now. Its bettter, cause I can link a face with the character name. This makes it easier to communicate.

[grayfox1119]

Aggro...great picture !!! Is thata wolverine? If so, that is our high school mascot, we are known as the wolverines!!

[Anonymous]

New member here and a total newbie at model railroading and I also was unaware of the profile option. Anyhow, I put some information in and I tend to agree that it's nice to know (more or less) who you're communicating with.