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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by starlight on October 3, 2003, at 12:22:49
Dr. Bob,
I know it's probably a little late to ask this, but I'm always paranoid about discussing these issues.Are we completely safe discussing this stuff here? Can anyone find out who or where we are?
I love this forum and think it's great to be able to share with others on these topics, but just want to make sure that our anonimity is protected.
Thanks,
STarlight
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 3, 2003, at 18:35:44
In reply to Question for Dr. Bob!, posted by starlight on October 3, 2003, at 12:22:49
> I know it's probably a little late to ask this, but I'm always paranoid about discussing these issues.
>
> Are we completely safe discussing this stuff here? Can anyone find out who or where we are?Better late than never... Have you looked at the FAQ?
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#anonymous
I'd say it's in between "completely safe" and "anyone can find out who and where you are"...
Bob
Posted by Tony P on October 6, 2003, at 11:11:06
In reply to Re: safe discussing this stuff here?, posted by Dr. Bob on October 3, 2003, at 18:35:44
A year or so ago on the main PB board, I posted a series of long rambling messsages, with lots of explicit data, because I had taken an A/D mixture that wouldn't let me sleep. I needed to talk it out, whethere anyone else was awake and listening or not.
I was mortified the next day when I simply typed into Google the two meds I was having trouble with - Wellbutrin & Serzone - and found my stream-of-consciousness ruminations at the top of the list! Since then, they have happily sunk into obscurity.
Mostly, I post here signed on to my home PC as an MS (XP) user identified only by my first name and initial, same for my email. Those who know me well enough to recognize my handle & my style already know the problems I have -- rest of the world doesn't give a darn!
That being said - there could be confidentiality issues. A counselor I saw for a while used to say, "Go ahead and tell me you robbed banks when when you were using - just don't tell me it was you held up the Main Branch of Bank of Xxxx last Oct. 13!". I think the same goes here.
I am not expert on the ways of web search engines - I know in many cases your domain has to be registered with the particular Search Site for anything to show up, but I'm not sure if that's so for engines like WebCrawler -- anyone else know?
Dr. Bob, if you're reading this, is this particular subsite registered with the major search engines?
Tony
Posted by kara lynne on October 6, 2003, at 14:36:44
In reply to Question for Dr. Bob!, posted by starlight on October 3, 2003, at 12:22:49
Hi Star,
I just wanted to say I have the same issue; there have been many times I've wanted to post something but stopped myself just "in case". And like Tony (although not necessarily med induced) I've posted personal things, searched for something on google and found a link to a thread from 'kara lynne' right at the top! That really made me retreat, but like he says they did slip mercifully away into oblivion after a few days.As usual, no answers--just more questions.
Posted by starlight on October 6, 2003, at 21:31:24
In reply to Star/ Tony, posted by kara lynne on October 6, 2003, at 14:36:44
That's unfortunate, as it would be so nice to be able to discuss this stuff in complete confidence knowing that it was a sort of safe haven without the chance of repercussions. I discuss things with my pdoc but even then sometimes worry that things will slip, especially because he practices in the same place where I work - just different departments. It's tough, because I want to be honest - I think it's the only way you can really work on things, but am scared of the backlash of being honest.
star
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 6, 2003, at 23:01:50
In reply to Re: safe discussing this stuff here?, posted by Tony P on October 6, 2003, at 11:11:06
> is this particular subsite registered with the major search engines?
Registering sometimes gets a site included faster, but for a long time I've just relied on them updating themselves automatically...
Bob
Posted by yabba on October 8, 2003, at 3:17:43
In reply to Re: safe discussing this stuff here?, posted by Tony P on October 6, 2003, at 11:11:06
I found this website when I was doing a search for "joe schmoe". I was searching with google for the Joe Schmoe Show's website and happened to find the post of someone with the nickname of joe schmoe and since I was depressed at the time I decided to check these message boards out. His post was like the 3rd or 4th link from the top of the search results page.
Posted by stjames on October 13, 2003, at 15:26:53
In reply to Re: safe discussing this stuff here?, posted by Tony P on October 6, 2003, at 11:11:06
That being said - there could be confidentiality issues.
A user should consider this before they
post on a ***public web site****
Posted by TonyIreland on October 15, 2003, at 17:57:35
In reply to Re: registered with the major search engines?, posted by Dr. Bob on October 6, 2003, at 23:01:50
Dr Bob,
I am in the internet industry and know the search engine mechanics inside out. There is a simple way to keep your site on the search engines without disclosing alll the users posts. I think it is very unfair that users posts are broadcast on search engines. You can inform your web designer to add this before the head of the opening page to your website:
<META NAME="ROBOTS" CONTENT="NOARCHIVE">
<meta name="robots" content="index,nofollow">Hope this helps.
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 16, 2003, at 8:19:41
In reply to Advice to DR BOB regarding this issue, posted by TonyIreland on October 15, 2003, at 17:57:35
> I think it is very unfair that users posts are broadcast on search engines.
Thanks for your note. I've responded at Psycho-Babble Administration. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20031008/msgs/269930.html
Bob
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