Thanks David!

No more googling ex-boyfriends will be lurking around the corner now .

Sascha

Mmm.. I hadn't thought of that. My thoughts ran along the lines of censorious government regimes and what may be seen as subversive activities. I have been told, for instance, never to put 'writer' as an occupation if you plan to visit China, because it will immediately arouse suspicion, whereas 'teacher' will get you waved through customs with a friendly smile.

Sheila

Thanks David, I have changed mine to WW members only. Just goes to show it is worth sticking your nose into the Forums now and again.

Cheers

John

I just googled the name of my uploaded work "Last of the Sugar Gods" and it comes up...

<Added>

OK< I checked and I had set it for visibility to everyone. I've changed that now. Mea culpa...

I'm sorry, but even at £35 for the privilege, I couldn't resist coming on here to smirk that even now, after this community has existed for several years, that www paranoia continues to reign on these forums. Have people not yet learned? Google is an all-powerful internet trawling tool, and the only feasible way to stop your contributions from being picked up by such an awesome machine designed specifically to pick up everything would completely undermine the attempts of those running the site to encourage people to join.

If you still, after all this time, take issue with what you do here being available to prying eyes, I suggest you take steps to avoid the consequences, rather than continue to moan that what you post on here is available to the world. Perhaps you need reminding that this is, after all the World Wide Web. Hardly a place for insisting on so much privacy, eh?

The internet is what it is, the door swings both ways, and you can't have your cake and eat it.

I have an idea - how about deleting the recent posts section of the username profile - that way it'll be harder to track someone's forum comments.

Heyyyy IB! Welcome back.

Dee

I'm rather new here but would like to make a comment on this subject.

I am a member of an amateur writers' site that cannot be accessed unless you are a member (apart from the front page). I feel comfortable with that. I joined this site because I thought it looked rather more professional with a lot of information and members who have been published. I thought it would be helpful to be able to talk to other members about all aspects of the publishing process.

Now as I understand that anyone can access the forums here I would be rather nervous of posting anything about my current publisher. There is always the chance that someone from the publisher or connected to the publisher could read what I have said if it can be accessed so easily. I don't think that it would detract from the marketing aspect if the content of all forums were hidden from non-members. If it is a good site then it will get publicity in the right places and new members will join.

My profile is hidden (only because I hadn't worked out how to edit it yet!) but even so, if anyone who knows me read my posts they would soon know who I am!
Okay - I'm paranoid! Aren't all writers?

Pattacake

Firstly, with your profile hidden, unless your real name is Pattacake, I don't think you're in much danger of rl comeback. Secondly, who says you have to openly name names on the forums? If you have something sensitive to say, say it sensitively. I.e, via secure mediums provided by the standard site functionality (Lounge, PMs etc).

Why is it so hard?