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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Mark H. on March 14, 2000, at 14:03:40
I began posting to this list a few days ago, but I haven't used my real email address yet (I usually put in something like "notyet@nowhere.com"). I am concerned by DejaNews and other services that track and index list participation. How do others handle the issue of security on this list? Is there a good reason to list your real email address? Does anonymity promote more honesty and openness? I would like to hear from more experienced posters. Thank you for your consideration.
Posted by ChrisK on March 14, 2000, at 14:51:30
In reply to Site Security Your Email Address?, posted by Mark H. on March 14, 2000, at 14:03:40
When I post something that is in direct response to someone's question I usaully put my real address in just in case they may have followup questions that they don't want to pursue in an open forum. I think some people respond better when it is one to one rather than in a large group. If I sense that that may be the case I will put my address in.
Posted by Noa on March 14, 2000, at 14:55:53
In reply to Re: Site Security Your Email Address?, posted by ChrisK on March 14, 2000, at 14:51:30
You mentioned a sleep forum online, and I have visited there too, where you are required to put an email address, but are allowed to put a bogus one . Here you can just leave the address line blank.
Posted by bob on March 16, 2000, at 18:59:50
In reply to Re: Site Security Your Email Address?, posted by Mark H. on March 14, 2000, at 15:38:46
The participant base here poses some real issues wrt diversity and being open and welcoming ... thankfully, the way Dr. Bob runs the board this is never and issue.
More specifically, what I mean is that while the purpose and function of this board is, in part, communication and social involvement, some of us here have those sorts of issues as the primary problem that we face. Quite a little Catch-22, isn't it?
Then again, there are some of us [gulp! blush] who have no problem being as loud as they want to be, and occasionally forget about those with a bit more social anxiety.
Back last fall we had a Babblefest f2f as part of the Dr. Bob World Tour '99 here in NYC. The turnout was lower than expected, tho, in part due to Your Friendly Cruise Director, yours truly, announcing photos and all other sorts of coverage for the non-NYC crowd. A few folks let me know that just put too much pressure on them to show.
My point here's not self-flagelation (been there, done that) ... it's just to point out that no one should feel compelled to put in their real email address -- or to ever even post a single word, for that matter -- out of some sense of guilt, some concern over "honesty", or any other self-deprecating slap we may give ourselves.
Just please pardon me if I try to hog any bandwidth surrendered by those who choose to stay behind the scenes. If you want, email me and I'll say it for ya.
=^)
bob
Posted by bob on March 16, 2000, at 19:08:25
In reply to Re: Site Security Your Email Address?, posted by Mark H. on March 14, 2000, at 15:38:46
Isn't anonymity what Hotmail is really all about (for those who have figured this out)? How many "free email" services are there out there that give you an address if you can provide the connection? How "sterile" can you keep yourself from them?
So, for those who've got the itch to connect but don't want to blow their cover, what are the best free email services? Why use your own name? Why even stick with your own gender? Always wanted to have some sexy-sounded Mediterranean name? Go for it!
And if things get weird at this free, sterile email address -- just drop it in the virtual biohazard bin ... bada boom, bada bing, you're anonymity is intact. Fuggedabowdit!
bob
Posted by Mark H. on March 16, 2000, at 23:42:20
In reply to ... oh, and another thing..., posted by bob on March 16, 2000, at 19:08:25
I'm becoming very fond of you Bob -- your over-the-topness is delightful!
Posted by harry b. on March 17, 2000, at 5:00:50
In reply to ... oh, and another thing..., posted by bob on March 16, 2000, at 19:08:25
> Isn't anonymity what Hotmail is really all about (for those who have figured this out)? How many "free email" services are there out there that give you an address if you can provide the connection? How "sterile" can you keep yourself from them?
>
> So, for those who've got the itch to connect but don't want to blow their cover, what are the best free email services? Why use your own name? Why even stick with your own gender? Always wanted to have some sexy-sounded Mediterranean name? Go for it!
>
> And if things get weird at this free, sterile email address -- just drop it in the virtual biohazard bin ... bada boom, bada bing, you're anonymity is intact. Fuggedabowdit!
>
> bob
**************************************************There are a few other things to have in your arsenal
to protect your identity.1) use a proxy server. I have a hotmail address,
but I always go to hotmail from a proxy. This
should help 'cover your tracks' as they never
see my ISP address, only the proxie's.2) I use Anonymous cookies.
3) In Netscape, choose Edit, choose Preferences,
be sure the box for 'Send Email Address as
Anonymous FTP Password' is NOT CHECKED. If it
is checked, your email address & name will
be available to be seen by any web site you
visit.4) There are many more security actions that can
be taken. My favorite source is Ultimate
Anonymity. There is a small one time fee to
join, but I've found it very helpful.
Posted by bob on March 18, 2000, at 7:01:06
In reply to Re: ... oh, and another thing..., posted by Mark H. on March 16, 2000, at 23:42:20
> I'm becoming very fond of you Bob -- your over-the-topness is delightful!
Hey, takes one to know one, Mark, and after that bio of yours I'd say you're one, too. ;^)
"Once more unto the breach" ... someone's gotta be the first out of the trench and over the top.
cheers,
bob[yeah, I know, different "over the top", but then again, not really]
This is the end of the thread.
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