Networking & Community Tip of the Week!

[gee4]

Exactly my point Cathy.  This is not like any of the regular networking sites, and I have liked using DD over the years for the very reason, it can be private without divulging too much.

A couple of years ago I entered one of DD's competitions and as a winner my full name was printed.  Out of the blue a work colleague at the time (for some unknown reason), "googled" me and lo and behold the search engine revealed my name along with the competition details as well as a link to the DD site.

I asked Susan at the time if this information could be removed to prevent others searching online for this kind of thing.  I didn't think there was any need to post competition winners, let alone their full names.

Given the topics and issues we post on here, I do think members have the right to privacy.  Since I did not give permission to post my full name as a DD competition winner, is this an infringement?

[Cathy S]

I am unable to view profiles when I am logged on. 

This is a bug that is under investigation Cathy

I have been thinking tho - by making too much available to others, this could identify you which given some of the discussions on the boards, is not always a good thing.  Some of the issues discussed about companies or individuals within companies can be quite sensitive, who is to say they would not log on and recognise what is being said and work out who is posting?

Maybe I am just being over cautious.

One can never be over cautious on the Internet and the rule we should employ is "if I am not comfortable anyone else knowing this and identifying it with me I shouldn't post it"

As I said earlier in this topic I use my real name on here because it is a professional forum and I have a professional reputation, which I am proud of and which I see no reason to hide - I think about what I am posting and if there are controversial things I have posted it is because I am comfortable that I would say those things within my workplace publicly so there is no reason not to include them on here if they may help others who cannot speak out as readily.

If you do an online search on me you will find me linked to the job I do - but you will also find a much better known namesake who is something legal in the US ... I have no problem if anyone wishes to search online about me because they will find out very little.

Every other forum/membership site I am on I use a name which is not my own and I only ever provide my first name and general location, I avoid providing my date of birth and am careful which security questions I use for password reminders.

We should all be sensible about what we post online and take good care not to jeopardise ourselves.  If we are sensible there should be no need to worry.

Cathy

[gee4]

We should all be sensible about what we post online and take good care not to jeopardise ourselves.  If we are sensible there should be no need to worry.

Cathy if you read my posting, I was careful, it was DD who overstepped the mark and caused an infringement by posting information about me that I did not give permission for.

[Cathy S]

I appreciate that Gee, but I was responding mainly to Cathy's realisation of the risks of what we choose to post, which we do each have a control over.

I understand your concerns about the situation you describe, however, not having been party to the situation at the time I didn't feel it was particulalry appropriate for me to comment further; (that does not mean that I don't care though) and I am sure that lessons were learned and new policies put in place?

Cathy

[gee4]

I think as part of this online discussion it is relevant and members need to be aware.

As for policies put in place, I have no idea.  I got no explanation, no apology and no investigation took place.  This is exactly why I feel strongly about uploading personal information as well as photos and why the pitfalls need to be highlighted.

[officepa]

I beleive I have been careful in that I have not divulged any information that I do not wish others to know about. For that reason, I have never stated the exact place (in the public domain) where I work, date of birth and such like on my profile.  What is there is very basic but suits me.  In private messages, I would be more forthcoming.

However, what I think I am trying to get across is that if I write about a situation in my office and detail situations, happenings etc and ask for advice on the forum, 'Flossy' who sits down the other end of my office could also be a member of DD (but I would not be aware of this) and she could then link my ramblings to me (given that I also (possibly ) use my real name by what I am saying (as she may be aware of the situation I am talking about).

I think that if I could I would change my user name (is this posible?) this would help with identifying me.

It's not that I write things on DD that I would mind others reading but sometimes I may be asking for advice on a situation that I don't want others who work with me to know I am asking - does that make sense?  

I am sure in my current/previous office there are other PAs who use DD but do not know that Cathy17 works with them.  If anyone in my office asked if I was Cathy17 - not sure if I would deny it or not  

I always say to my teenage son who texts/emails friends - never write anything in these that if a parent got hold of, you would mind. Also, never say anything nasty about others as you never know if they will be sent on - things such as this will always come back to haunt you.  Hopefully he has listened

I feel if anyone I work with knew I was Cathy17 - I would be post wary as I don't want people to know my concerns but I would be happy to help others.

Think I have confused myself now ..........

[officepa]

Excuse spelling mistake in my previous posting - I really do know how to spell 'believe' - but I couldn't work out how to amend - the icon I used previously to amend is not there.

[Cathy S]

Editing posts - so do you not see a little 'pen and paper' on the right hand side of your post or 'pen and paper' at the top with the word modify?

We already had this reported as a bug  - has it been resolved for you Gee or can you still not always see the edit icon?

Cathy

[gee4]

Cathy(17) I think you can change your username, one of the Moderators will confirm no doubt.

I have no issues about what I post on here because as far as I am concerned I have not used my real name or published personal details.

However, what I object to is, when other parties use that information and post it without my permission and prior knowledge.  I checked the online T's and C's on this site and can't seem to find any.

[gee4]

Cathy,

It varies.  I do not see the modify button every time I post, so sometimes it's there, sometimes it's not.

[officepa]

Cathy - no, no pen and paper.  I have seen and used this on other posts but they are not showing today to me - has the bug returned?!

Thanks, Cathy17 (now in disguise )

[gee4]

Finally there is someone else who is experiencing the same bugs as I am.  Cheers Cathy! (in disguise) 

[Cathy S]

Thank you both that is useful feedback for the technical team backoffice to know.

Can you each let me know what versions of Internet software you are using (IE, Firefox, etc with the version no) - feel free to PM me the details if you prefer.

Cathy

[Atlanta Z3]

Just to bounce in here - I picked my avatar out of the sample pics on my computer.  But I like Monet and recently visited his house and the water lily pond -absolutely lovely.  So, when I seen the water lilies...

[gee4]

In work - IE6 - no control over what is installed.

At home - IE7 or 8.