Ok so you get online and start communicating on a public forum. You are now exposing yourself to thousands/millions of strangers.
Sometimes when I'm writing a post or starting a thread, I imagine that I'm at a podium speaking to a room or auditorium filled with people.
Now in the case of aquarium forums, we might sell , give away pet fish, advertise clubs, events or sell equipment. This requires disclosing our address to thousands/millions of strangers.
How precise do you feel safe about sharing your address...How about your name?./ Will you post it under your forum name?...Or possibly only share personal details though PM?.
I'll tell you, I went from one extreme to another in this area. I went from sharing nothing to sharing my address publicially and now I think I've found more of a balance. Except when it comes to aquarium forums.
I was almost going to meet up with a player on an online game. I had become quite the inviting "social butterfly" type.Then I found out they had an issue with assaulting people. But I already shared my address with them so I started to get really nervious. Luckily they lost interest when I made my self sparse from playing the game and faded into the background.
Then on another forum, I was giving away fish. I posted my address so others would know if they were in driving distance or not as I was not shipping. I noticed "red flags" in an interested poster who was in possible driving distance. DID I ever erase my personal details fast from that forum. I quit giving fish away there. I felt that same "shiver" go up my spine as when I almost invited a person with assault issues over for a social event.
Sometimes when I'm writing a post or starting a thread, I imagine that I'm at a podium speaking to a room or auditorium filled with people.
Now in the case of aquarium forums, we might sell , give away pet fish, advertise clubs, events or sell equipment. This requires disclosing our address to thousands/millions of strangers.
How precise do you feel safe about sharing your address...How about your name?./ Will you post it under your forum name?...Or possibly only share personal details though PM?.
I'll tell you, I went from one extreme to another in this area. I went from sharing nothing to sharing my address publicially and now I think I've found more of a balance. Except when it comes to aquarium forums.
I was almost going to meet up with a player on an online game. I had become quite the inviting "social butterfly" type.Then I found out they had an issue with assaulting people. But I already shared my address with them so I started to get really nervious. Luckily they lost interest when I made my self sparse from playing the game and faded into the background.
Then on another forum, I was giving away fish. I posted my address so others would know if they were in driving distance or not as I was not shipping. I noticed "red flags" in an interested poster who was in possible driving distance. DID I ever erase my personal details fast from that forum. I quit giving fish away there. I felt that same "shiver" go up my spine as when I almost invited a person with assault issues over for a social event.
