Privacy on the Forum

Discussion in 'Technical & Help' started by charlie, Apr 21, 2014.

  1. charlie

    charlie Registered Users

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    I wonder if a technical person can help with this question. I was shocked to see that my posts about our "Trainer" is accessible via google search, so maybe Annette has been able to read my threads which I thought were private to forum members and a way to get things out for discussion and gain advise. I would never want to offend her and merely wanted to vent my frustrations to you guys.

    I am guessing it's on google because I used her business name HH so can my thread title be changed and will that remove it from a google search?

    I am absolutely moritifed and had no idea this could happen :(

    Thanks x
     
  2. UncleBob

    UncleBob Supporting Member Forum Supporter

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    Re: Privacy on the Forum

    Hi Helen,

    To the best of my knowledge, all posts in the forum will be viewable by anybody unless an Administrator or Moderator designates the particular sub-forum to be for Members Only (I believe that the Photos and Videos section is like this).

    The idea of all forums is generally to share knowledge and so it would be counter-productive to make all of the sections Members Only. If you are concerned about the thread that you have started I suggest that you send a PM to Pippa or one of the Moderators and see if they will delete it.

    In fact, thinking about, the usefulness of the thread could be maintained by simply making all of the references to the trainer anonymous. Are you still able to edit your posts? If so, perhaps amend them all so that you simply refer to 'Trainer A'. If not, again perhaps and Admin or Mod could make the changes for you.
     
  3. pippa@labforumHQ

    pippa@labforumHQ Administrator

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    Re: Privacy on the Forum

    Thanks, UncleBob for that useful post. Helen I am sorry that are concerned about your posts, and I have moved them to a board viewable only be the moderators to give you chance to think what you want to do.

    A couple of points to emphasise here for everyone's benefit is that nothing on the internet is truly private. And that whilst we have some boards that are members only, there is no way for me to verify the identity of our members.

    So in effect, you all need to be aware that there is the potential for anyone to view anything you post here, or on any other internet forum. Even in private boards, there are always ways to get around security protocols so it is best to assume that anything you post could be viewed by anyone.

    I would like to add though, that I don't think you have anything to be embarrassed about Helen. You were not rude about your encounters with this trainer. If you had been, I would have removed your posts. You gave an honest account of your experiences and how you felt about them.
     
  4. charlie

    charlie Registered Users

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    Re: Privacy on the Forum

    Thanks UB, I haven't a clue how to edit the posts or I would :( As you have observed I am not in the least bit technically minded and truely thought that everything that was discussed on the forum stayed on the forum. By doing this would it remove them from a google search?

    Hi Pippa, thank you so much for moving the posts and as UB said maybe my posts could be edited to just refer to her as the "Trainer" that way they can remain posted for me to check back on all the good advise and how to move forward with Charlie.

    I just don't like to think of my comments being viewable by possibly the "trainer" or anyone else, very naive of me I know, I just though the forum were the only viewers :-[

    So sorry to be a pain everyone :(
     
  5. Stacia

    Stacia Registered Users

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    Re: Privacy on the Forum

    You aren't a pain at all. I wouldn't worry about it, it is highly unlikely that the trainer looked on Google, probably far too busy, perhaps she guessed how you were both feeling from your body language and questioning her on your last two visits?
     
  6. cheddar-caveman

    cheddar-caveman Registered Users

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    Re: Privacy on the Forum

    This topic comes up on just about every forum I'm on. Remember, all forums are in the PUBLIC DOMAIN, no matter what you do, so expect ANYBODY to be able read ANYTHING you post and post accordingly!
    I've had a couple of bad experiences of with this so am now very careful what and how I post!
     

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