Everyone should be well forewarned that as of present time, Google has indexed what seems to be many if not all the "private" postings of members on this site, in these forums.  Moderator I strongly encourage you to make the postings PRIVATE and only accessible to people who have been verified and who have accounts with GYE.  I don't think this was every adequately disclosed, at least to me, as a member; or alternatively, this is a major oversight that requires immediate attention.  Fellow members: If someone Googles your username, all your postings are at risk of being exposed to the public (i.e. to anyone, addict or not, friend, family member, or stranger) who wants to Google your handle.

It is possible for the owner of the site to block search engine spiders from indexing the site, question is, is it that bad?  I suspect that most of us found GYE by searching on Google, let the debate begin.    Regardless, it is never a good idea to post anything identifying.

I agree that the post details should not be on Google, but I don't think the forums should be made private.

Most of us, myself included, began by reading posts as a "guest" until we got comfortable enough to register and begin to participate. Without being able to see what the forum has to offer, I never would have joined, and I would never have made it to where I am today B"H.

Of course it goes without saying that we need to be careful about what we reveal.... And we should not share our username with anyone we would not want to read our posts.

Just my 2 cents....

Gevura!

Agree with Gevura.
The forum needs to be open to guests.  This means google has access to it.  It's nothing you can't see or do already by coming here.  The married section should remain limited access for a number of reasons.

ADVICE:
_{(If I may)}

Click on your name & then click on the left side of the screen on the words "Show Posts".

That will bring up ALL the posts that you wrote. Reread them all & modify any which you think may be divulging too much personal info.





P.S. This is why I ardently OPPOSE my dear friend Dov's suggestion then we use our 'real' names on this open forum......

I don't think this is anything new, and I'm not sure I understand the problem.  This is an anonymous forum.  Even those who use their real first names, do not use their real last names.

Yosef Hatzadik wrote on 08 Nov 2011 16:32:

I don't think he ever said to use your real name on this forum.  He said that using this forum alone with a fake name AKA username is not a useful recovery tool.  You must open up to someone in real life with your real name.  He never said to do it here on this forum.

Dov, correct me if I'm wrong.

Kedusha wrote on 08 Nov 2011 17:17:


It is only as anonymous as we keep it.

For those who feel that using their real name (think Dov ) it is fine, go right ahead;

For those who feel that using their real name (think Kedusha  :o ) is too risky, PROTECT YOUR ANONYMITY!!!

;D Yosef! U GAVE ME BIG(!!) SMILES W/THAT POST!

Just for the record Dov's real name is actually {CENSORED}.

Me3 wrote on 08 Nov 2011 18:25:



WHAT?!?!?!


David/Rage is Dov??

Now I know why he is 'The Bear Man'.......    ;D ;D ;D

ontheedgeman wrote on 08 Nov 2011 20:33:

Again, anonymity to the outside world.  Full disclosure to safe people, generallly other recovering addicts.  That doesn't mean using a last name.  It just means using a first name and being totally honest with real people.

gibbor120 wrote on 08 Nov 2011 20:41:



WELL SAID!!!!


Being totally honest does not need to include divulging my social security number! It means not holding back any information due to shame or because I am embarrassed to admit to my failing & Falling etc. (Yes, if the reason I don't want to release my ssn is because it will somehow allow me to enjoy lust, then I MUST say that info too!)

Interesting discussion here. For sure everyone here should not share their username to any and all people in their real life that they would not want them to know all the info shared here. However that's why I chose a name like nebulamud, since I was aware from the beginning that searching nebulamud would display all my posts (and an assortment of astronomy enthusiast sites haha), since nothing about my username would identify my identity. As far as first names go, how would revealing ones first name reveal their whole identity?

I do not understand dov as saying that we should divulge our real names.I think his point is that thinking that you have total honesty on the forums is a mistake.