I looked up my name too... Kind of funny... First was my MB thread about the letter to the parents...then some one who used this name for some stripper site and then on the last page was it on an old site that talked about the chat room I met my H in. It had both of our screen names next to each other... Must have been done years ago... Brought back some memories.

Sorry, double post

<small>[ January 24, 2005, 01:28 AM: Message edited by: Suzet* ]</small>

I have just discovered something very interesting – maybe this will be some solution to the problem!

My first screen name was Suzet. After I lost my password and registered again last year, I started posting under the screen name Suzet*. By just putting an asterisk (*) after my original screen name, members could still recognize me as the original poster.

After I’ve done a search on my current handle, Google only throw out my profile and posts under my previous screen name. NOT ANY of the post under my current screen name appeared on Google!

I don't think this will work if you just change your screen name without re-registering again. It seems you'll have to re-register and put an asterisk (or any other symbol) after you original screen name. Just make sure you include your previous member number in your signature. This way other members will still be able to keep track of your history, but google won’t be able to track your new posts.

Suzet

Suzet*, I had the same experience...my old name popping up. But if I clicked on the search result that had my maddyk profile, what showed was aislinn.

So if anyone knows your original MB name and it's not a common name, they'll easily figure out who you are, even if you've changed your name. Now if you create a whole new profile, that's a different story.

To me this is not a huge deal. I'm not "hiding" though I'd prefer it not be easy to find me.

GG, I kind of like ducktape, but since I already have Mr. E I did a search and there were 10,055,350 hits. Every thing from graphic design to exotic dancing, heck I even had my own photo blog, not this MR. E of course.

Anyway, I have nothing to hide but it seems that I've done a pretty good job of it anyway.

Always remember that IT'S A GREAT DAY TO BE ALIVE!!!!

heheheehehehe.. "Restarting" = very safe name -- nothing but a lot of computer stuff!!

I'm w/ WAT: DDay I gave up my privacy regarding this issue....

Restarting

Luckily with a name like Fraggles, all you get are FraggleRock sites! I searched the first 15 pgs. and still no MB posts....

Google appears to ignore the second Lor and even adding marriage builders brought up many more "Lord" matches, not to mention Lord of the Rings. 10 pages and I didn't find myself.

So do you think if we resign on like: MBorchid or (orchid), that google will not find us?

I used to like google.... until now <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="images/icons/mad.gif" />

L.

Justuss -- I'm not a techie, but you could look at http://www.google.com/intl/en/webmasters/faq.html#nocrawl

for information that appears to deal with how to prevent them from indexing the forums.

I used to like google.... until now
There is nothing sinister about it. Google is simply an "index" of web pages.

Put your phone number (512) 555-1212 in it and search.

I was ac2ally amazed 2 find just how common a name "2long" is (967 hits). I knew that my other moniker, "Qfwfq" is well-known, because of the character in Italo Calvino's short stories (7670 hits).

When I did a search for 2long, I got an MB hit on the first page, because I'd recently posted it. Qfwfq, I gave up looking after about the 5th page.

It would be far easier for someone that knows me 2 log in 2 MB forums (if they know I come here, even OM could do this), and look for posts with titles that might ring familiar 2 them. And you guys know how criptic my titles can be! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> But that would definitely be the easiest way 2 find me.

I had a lot more, but I think I'll point people 2 my other thread and paste it there.

-ol' 2long

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by Chris -CA123:
<strong> I used to like google.... until now
There is nothing sinister about it. Google is simply an "index" of web pages.

Put your phone number (512) 555-1212 in it and search. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Chris,

I know.... gotta be frustrated at something... whole lot of other stuff going on and don't want to vent those things. The google issue is a covenient non-feeling entity that helped me release some tension. LOL!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

BTW, how are you doing?

L.

Hi,
Well, when U first read this, the conspiracist (sp?) in me got upset.

I had just recenyly changed my sign on, as it had family members' initials in it, even tho' it meant anything only to me.

And, also I, as I am sure is the case of everyone here, have only told the truth here.

But, still it does seem yucky.

Anyway, I found 'hits' on my old sign on on PAGE 1 on the Google search. No hits found on the new name, but there is a song 'After All', and much is devoted to websites dealing with the song.

I still don't like this, but as others have pointed out, there is no real privacy or anonymity on the Internet, even tho' it gives that impression.

Orchid - I'm having difficulty understanding the sensitivity of this. Perhaps I'm naive.

What, exactly, is the problem? What am I missing? What should I be concerned about?

I googled my real name some time ago and got a bunch of hits - my name is pretty common (I'm even on the terrorist list! A real hassle every time I fly). I did, though, find some hits specific to me (for published writing that I have done or was named in) and was a little surprised that this internet gizmo was so thorough. That said, nothing was inaccurate.

So, help me understand? Why should I or anyone on a publically accessible forum be concerned by having our posts retrievable via another mechanism that likely isn't as good as the one (search) already available here?

WAT

WAT,

Orchid is a very common flower.....the google site is filled with MB stuff. Not just flower stuff. In time my stuff will fiter to the bottom.

I am just concerned. I will do what I need to protect my posting here. It will be safer for all.

Don't worry, I still love orchids and will be around for a while (I think). <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />