Surprising results to own name web search

[VP1957]

I just happened to google my name and what came up was somewhat surprising. One of my postings from this website shows up under a search of my name. Is there anyway I can get it deleted? I deleted all my messages from my profile but was wondering if there anything else I can do to get that particular posting removed and doesn't show up randomly under my name?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

[Doug Mager]

Valerie, I am NOT a moderator on this site, but I might offer this suggestion. IF your privacy is that important to you, I'd advise you NOT to post ANYTHING anywhere on the internet because it might leave some sort of trail leading back to you. I'm not advising LEAVING this or any site, just be careful what/where you post anything.

... I hope I'm not stepping on anyones toes with this reply.

[VP1957]

Originally Posted by Doug Mager

Valerie, I am NOT a moderator on this site, but I might offer this suggestion. IF your privacy is that important to you, I'd advise you NOT to post ANYTHING anywhere on the internet because it might leave some sort of trail leading back to you. I'm not advising LEAVING this or any site, just be careful what/where you post anything.

... I hope I'm not stepping on anyones toes with this reply.

Hi Doug. I understand what you are saying and I agree that is why I was surprised to see my posting out there. I was under the impression that because I was communicating within the fiberglass rv site that what I was posting would remain within this site.

[VP1957]

Originally Posted by VP1957

Hi Doug. I understand what you are saying and I agree that is why I was surprised to see my posting out there. I was under the impression that because I was communicating within the fiberglass rv site that what I was posting would remain within this site.

I guess what I want to know is how to I delete any previous postings on this site that have my name attached to them?

[Greg H]

That's exactly why I closed my Facebook account.

[Darwin Maring]

It was said on TV that once you post something on the internet, it is there forever.

[Donna D.]

Valerie, send a message to the moderators at the link below. They can change your profile name to Valerie P. (or whatever) and every single post you have will automatically change. It may take a while for Google to reindex the site, but eventually Valerie (last name) will cease to exist here.

Contact Us

[Janet H]

Valerie - The first thing we can do is change your username to something less identifying. In time, google will reset it's search results to that new username. Your posts will be relabeled with that new name. You can send me a Pm about what name you would like and I can facilitate this.

Frankly, I would not use my real name on the internet unless I wanted to be found.

[pbraunton]

who uses their real name on the internet anyways???

there are horror stories of I.D. theft and the like, so why would anyone in their right mind use their full real name????

[Greg H]

I think everyone on Facebook uses their real name, be very careful with that Facebook.

[VP1957]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Valerie, send a message to the moderators at the link below. They can change your profile name to Valerie P. (or whatever) and every single post you have will automatically change. It may take a while for Google to reindex the site, but eventually Valerie (last name) will cease to exist here.

Contact Us

Hi Donna. I sent a message to the moderators at the link you provided and requested a profile name change. Thank you for your help. Thank you to everyone who provided a reply.

[pbraunton]

well except facebook i guess, ....good point

but i bet if the OP is concerned about a google name search that they are not on Facebook

[VP1957]

Originally Posted by pbraunton

well except facebook i guess, ....good point

but i bet if the OP is concerned about a google name search that they are not on Facebook

I know the does and don'ts of the internet, no really I do. What happened was I posted my name and phone number in a reply message on the forum, (in my never ending search for a trailer ) INSTEAD of sending my reply using the "private message" mode. Never gave it a thought until I was doing some legal research at work and I thought, for fun, I would google my name. There was my reply message containing my name and phone number. Lesson learned.

[Bill K]

You could always change you name and phone number

Bill K

[VP1957]

Originally Posted by Bill K

You could always change you name and phone number

Bill K

That could be appealing on many levels

[Mary F]

Valerie, if you will send me the link to that message (or tell me how to find it), I will remove your name and phone number from it.

I did find a couple with your email address, which I removed.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by VP1957

What happened was I posted my name and phone number in a reply message on the forum, (in my never ending search for a trailer ) INSTEAD of sending my reply using the "private message" mode. Never gave it a thought until I was doing some legal research at work and I thought, for fun, I would google my name. There was my reply message containing my name and phone number. Lesson learned.

This is why we have "sticky" instructions to never post those identifiers but to use the built-in links to send and receive messages privately.

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by pbraunton

who uses their real name on the internet anyways???

there are horror stories of I.D. theft and the like, so why would anyone in their right mind use their full real name????

Because it's the polite thing to do.
Besides, I always have Sister Mary Agnes of The Cross from 5th grade whispering in my ear:
"Never say anything that you don't want to be held responsible for."
An alias would never pass muster with such a strict mentor.
My biggest "real name on the net"- related problem is that there's a porn star with the same name, and I can't decide which one of us should be more insulted.

Francesca

[Janet H]

Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles

Because it's the polite thing to do.
Besides, I always have Sister Mary Agnes of The Cross from 5th grade whispering in my ear:
"Never say anything that you don't want to be held responsible for."
An alias would never pass muster with such a strict mentor.


Francesca

While I agree in principle, in practice for most folks, it's about privacy rather than politeness. As an example, prospective employers routinely google applicants names. Is it really their business to know that you may like to camp, post to a vegan food site, or prefer country music to classical? What if they found a picture of you holding a beer around a campfire? What assumptions might they draw based on your internet presence that could impact your future employment?

IMHO putting your name, e-mail address or phone number out there is just tempting fate. We can still be polite in the absence of full disclosure of personal info. Think of it as being on a first name basis (only)