My fotki pictures have a password, too...

See that's something I don't understand at all. Tons of people here have password-protected photo albums, but have the password posted in their signature. Why not just make it public?

nope. Someone else whose been on this board for awhile may remember it better than I.

But for example Dia99 springs to mind. Not that I've bben tracking her but I know her, her husband's and I think her daughter's name. Unless she's been lying I think I know what state she lives in. And there's a picture of her daughter in her avatar. Just typing that out makes me uncomfortable knowing that much. I do not know this woman. But If i remember correctly there are mental health issues in her family. I think she comes originally from a southern state. She's a christian. etc.

Just trying to make a point and Dia99, if you object at all to my listing these things I will edit my post and mean no offense.

Just trying to make a point and Dia99, if you object at all to my listing these things I will edit my post and mean no offense.

I don't really get that either, which is why I just made mine public. The only thing I could think is that that way they're not out for everyone to see, just people that come on this board. Of course, this board is public, so I'm not really sure either.

Sometimes I catch myself using a poster's actual name if we've become close, but I try not to do that. Unless it's Rheanna, because she doesn't have another screen name. :P

And I'll use my first name! Jen Jen Jen Jen Jen Jen Jen! As for the picture, well, I'm an egomaniac. Not that I have any right to be, but hey.

I don't get being so private about a first name or even a picture, but I can respect peoples right to do that and their desire for privacy, especially when it comes to their kids, but I"ve never quite understood how a picture of a kid could help someone find you?

I think that over the course of time people may not realize the cumulative amount of personal information they put out about themselves on a message board. Because of that I think that those who are uncomfortable with the thought keep all or most of that information private. I see no need to ridicule that decision (not that you were Rheanna).

For example, on this board alone there is a link with a map that pinpoints people's location. I believe it even mentions hometowns. People mention their kids' names, occupations, colleges, etc. If one were inclined to do so I'm sure people could track posters' information and even track them down. A self-portrait in an avatar could turn out to be an ID card.

I think someone on this board has been stalked by a member. ( was it Burt?). I remember someone else having another member contact their job's HR department and make accusations. I may not be remembering that entirely but something like that happened.

Yes, this may all seem extreme but it is possible. In the long run and for the most part we don't know each other. And given some of the knock-down, drag-out "discussions" on this board I can see not wanting its members to be able to track me down.

So now everyone thinks I'm some message board freak

If it's any consolation, I thought you were a message board freak even before you started monitoring dia's posts.

I remember someone else having another member contact their job's HR department and make accusations. I may not be remembering that entirely but something like that happened.

That was me! It was a little different than the random stalker though. We started out as "swap" friends and would gab through emails. Then she turned psycho and tried to get me in trouble.

How many times must I apologize to you for that! :P

The question is, "Does CGE have a durned job?"