Personal Info

[mw3230]

I realise that I have not disclosed a great deal of personal information on my profile but I have listed a couple of items - I'm retired, I live in the vicinity of Newcastle upon Tyne. Many members exercise the option not to disclose but I often would like to know more about some of the correspondants whose posts hint at interesting lives, occupation and backgrounds. How do people feel about this - I guess the absence of info gives a clue to your views or is it that the majority have not thought about updating their profiles? I also understand that there is a need for security in matters of the internet but I don't think there is any undue risk here

[Cunobelin]

I speak only for myself here, but I have a "Profile" that I use across cycling forums that gives enough information to identify where I live to town level. I do not want to have any more available as I do not want to be subject to spam, and all the other pleasantries that giving fuller personal data would result in.

I do not "hide behind" a creation, what you get here is the real me, and I am quite happy to identify myself when I meet other forummers or members at events, such as the Isle of Wight Randonnee, I have met a number of people across these forums, and they know me as both my real and avatar identities

Also I am here as a cyclist first and foremost, I will give advice, contribute and discuss, but unless it is particularly relevant I do not see how my profession (for instance) makes me more (or less) qualified to do this.

Where I need to provide further information I will do so when it is necessary... for instance if my riding a recumbent illustrates a personal opinion.

Finally there is always the option of a personal mail, this can and often is used to respond to finer detail that is not relevant to the main thread, or would divert.

[DaveP]

Similiar thoughts -I come here to pursue one of my interests rather than to socialise generally. I dont use any of the social networking / messaging services for which there are spaces in the profile form, and I certainly wouldnt publish my email address for the obvious reason. I have disclosed my location, as I do feel that knowing where a poster is can sometimes illuminate their remarks. As for the rest, well over time you would probably learn more about me from what I might say in the forum than you would learn from a personal summary (something that I intensely dislike writing).
For example its no secret that I drive a truck - and possess a tin hat

[Mick F]

I think most people on here know me well, where I live, and my background. I make no secret of it.

I'm in the phonebook, on the electoral role, and if you visited the valley you could stop anyone in the street and they would point to where we live. I've publicised my blogs, I have a website. It wouldn't take a Sherlock Holmes to knock on my door.

So what?

[kwackers]

I think most people on here know me well, where I live, and my background. I make no secret of it.

I'm in the phonebook, on the electoral role, and if you visited the valley you could stop anyone in the street and they would point to where we live. I've publicised my blogs, I have a website. It wouldn't take a Sherlock Holmes to knock on my door.

So what?

Get the kettle on!

[byegad]

I'm retired, early, and live in a village in County Durham. Everyone in the village knows me as the man with the funny trikes. I don't post my correct name or date of birth because one of my past jobs involved dealing with potential fraud and I'm VERY aware of the need to not give fraudsters any real information on yourself.

I have other interests, wargaming, model railways, and am currently learning to look after a garden for the first time in my life, not mine (I don't have one.) but an aging relative's. After three years of retirement I now wonder how I ever found the time to go to work. My training and work background was Maths based. This results in my frustration with the current trend for society to be risk averse, but only in relation to perceived risk.

The most common question a cyclist asks me about my recumbent trikes is; 'Isn't it dangerous down there? A fine example of perceived risk, if ever there was one!

[Mick F]

.......... the current trend for society to be risk averse, but only in relation to perceived risk.

Nicely put.

"Society" is a big word. We see the problem (because I see it as a problem) everywhere. I'm surprised the price of cotton wool hasn't gone through the roof, seeing as we're all supposed to be wrapped up in it now!

[Cunobelin]

It wouldn't take a Sherlock Holmes to knock on my door.

He would probably get Watson to do it!

[Mick F]

Get the kettle on!

Hang on a sec!
It's Sunday!
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=26884

[ferrit worrier]

Get the kettle on!

Hang on a sec!
It's Sunday!
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=26884

Ok we'll bring some cakes

[661-Pete-oldversion]

Nearly all forums give you the option to enter your date-of-birth: I suppose it's nice to get the 'happy birthday' messages when your time comes around. This is something I avoid doing at all costs - my date of birth is too touchy a piece of information to go in the public domain. Having said that, though, when once considers the vast plethora of internet forums across the web, all of them with huge listings of DOBs: the chances of any potential fraudster lighting on just your name and DOB amongst all the myriad of others is remote.

Nevertheless, I don't publish it...

[thirdcrank]

Perhaps we could have a you tube type of facilty where forum members could post a clip of mime.

(I appreciate that this post discloses the personal info that I am no spring chicken - and for anybody who is and wants to know what on eath I'm on about, google 'What's my line?')

[byegad]

Nearly all forums give you the option to enter your date-of-birth: I suppose it's nice to get the 'happy birthday' messages when your time comes around. This is something I avoid doing at all costs - my date of birth is too touchy a piece of information to go in the public domain. Having said that, though, when once considers the vast plethora of internet forums across the web, all of them with huge listings of DOBs: the chances of any potential fraudster lighting on just your name and DOB amongst all the myriad of others is remote.

Nevertheless, I don't publish it...

Exactly, I use a fictional DoB for all internet purposes. Anyone using it will be disappointed.


It is nice to get so many Happy Birthday messages though. The down side is that I'm now 234 years old!

[Mick F]

It's my 100th birthday today!!

The profile system doesn't go back before 1909.

Do we have any members over 100?

[AlanD]

Happy Birthday Mick

I'm in my 50's and in a minority group, I'm a Christian and go to Church on Sundays. I may also be seen as a geek in some quarters 'cos I'm into model railways (OO gauge, BR steam), Star Trek and just started in Warhammer 40K.
I'm also a secret agent , but my cover story is far less interesting.
Two bikes, strictly on-road and concerned about cyclist safety.
I live somewhere not too far from the M4 and I have a pet cat.