Some Forums are Now Members Only

[Sally]

Crystal recently made some changes to the forum, in response to members' requests. Some members were concerned that their photos in the 'Faces to the Name' topic were open to the general public, since ours is not a closed forum.

So now the Off-topic forum is closed to the public, only visible to members, as is the Introductions forum. Many newbies tell quite a bit about themselves in the Introductions forum, and this way, only other members will be able to read about them.

We hope everyone enjoys these new changes.

[debbie276]

Good news, you guys are always coming up with little things to help protect us Though I have to say there are over 2200 members on here, that's a lot of people that lurk
thanks

[finchandlovebird]

Thanks Sally; that is a PERFECT solution.

[Musetta]

Thanks, guys!

[Sally]

Good news, you guys are always coming up with little things to help protect us Though I have to say there are over 2200 members on here, that's a lot of people that lurk
thanks

Very true, Debbie, we have a lot of members. But, something that the members don't see is how many nonmembers lurk. For instance, right now there are 6 registered members, 2 hidden members, and 16 guests viewing the forum. So twice as many nonmembers as members. It is not unusual to have 20-something guests at any time. The FINCHforum is very popular!

[debbie276]

The FINCHforum is very popular!

Cause we're all one big happy family here! But seriously there is very little drama here compare to other forums and I think that's what appeals to most.

[skyjump100]

Thanks for the update and for keeping us a secure as possible. It is very much appreciated!!!!

[EyesofFreedom]

Crystal recently made some changes to the forum, in response to members' requests. Some members were concerned that their photos in the 'Faces to the Name' topic were open to the general public, since ours is not a closed forum.

For all the Mods, Admins and regular members please don't post anything online you wouldn't want the entire world including your worst enemies to see.

I am in now way saying or implying the changes are bad or shouldn't have been done. I applaud their concern. I just want to remind everyone that even though this is a bird hobby related site that anyone can access a lot of information even here.

Look at it like this. Sally I hope you don't mind if I use you as an example.

You can watch and even search for a post where someone lives... now in her profile it says she lives in DFW Texas... and it gives me an option to search all her posts... I could search for job or home and see if her occupation or home area pops up. Then all I would have to do is read through her posts for important info like say she complains about having to be at work at 6am.

Ok well then I would know about where she lives, where she works and when she leaves for work... Hopefully everyone sees where I am going with this... If people will dig through your trash to steal your identity don't think they wont sit on a laptop and do some research to rob you blind

Now like I said I am not implying anything about anyone here and I do like the member only changes but remember anyone can join this or any other forum or even facebook at anytime. Be careful what you post people!

[Sally]

Thanks for that reminder, Will! It is true that it is very easy for people to join this forum, there is no way to keep out those who are up to no good. And your admonition to be careful with what we post is so true, on here as well as other social media. It is shocking to me how much information is available to anyone, we have little to no privacy today. Isn't it sad, though, that the criminals seem to be able to find out anything about us, but the authorities still cannot find/prosecute so many criminals?

[EyesofFreedom]

It truly is sad. And then you add in government monitoring...

Ugh!

You know if I was to pull that stuff they have a word for it... its called STALKING!

I was a victim of identity theft... I don't know how but someone got a visa card in my name and then a paypal account and run up over $1500 in debt... sad thing is that during that time I was still married to the psycho and our credit was so bad I could get a loan for a cup of sugar lol

Now I am more cautious about things... When I bought my house I knew at first it would be unattended a lot... So when I met my neighbors I told them I had just got out of the Pen for murdering my cheating wife... needless to say NO ONE came near this house and people still don't bwahahahahaha!

Even the Jehovahs witnesses skip by

[skyjump100]

lol Will, like your style

[EyesofFreedom]

Simon thank you...

Some people say I am a jerk (mostly my ex's ) but I just speak my mind on how I see it...

[30 Seconds to Bob]

. So when I met my neighbors I told them I had just got out of the Pen for murdering my cheating wife...

You mean you DIDN'T murder your cheating wife? In my state we call that "justifiable homicide". Bob

[lovezebs]

Just happened to hit on this post by mistake. I know its older, but had to respond with a heehahahaha... I'll have to come up with something like that to keep undesireables away from my door. Absolutely loved it!

[Nerien]

Yesterday I got our umpteenth call starting with: (stilted foreign accent, tons of call center background noise)

"Hello, This is Kevin calling from Microsoft Service..."

And I launched into this dramatic hysterical shrieking of "OMIGOD!!!! You're going to TELL me that my COMPUTER is sending you MESSAGES about all the VIRUSES it's CAU-AUGHT and how YOU are going to SAAA-AAVE MEEEEEE from it....."

Dead silence.

Click.

Bet I don't get another of THOSE calls again for a while...