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Just wondering how others feel on the topic. I often will review a poster's profile to see *if* they have registered an e-mail address. Since Patrick put the 'Member's access only' restriction in place - the last major legitimate reason for someone to NOT post an e-mail address has evaporated (I *think*) - that is, the spammers can no longer easily harvest e-mail addresses from this site.

To me, the inclusion of an e-mail address - even if it is a free address such as Hotmail or Yahoo (as mine is --smile--) - speaks to the credibility of the poster and when it is absent, I often question the motives and credibility of the person behind the post.

Further, the number of people that have contacted me off-board with sensitive topics or requesting confidentiality is pretty amazing. It would not have been possible if I hadn't posted a means for them to get to me.

I have to confess that the recent post by John LV is one that prompted this long-standing question (of mine) to surface again. While I am not accusing him of anything - I do find my thoughts gravitating towards, "If I were a troll and had an interest is stirring up some FUD (Fear - Uncertainty - Doubt), it would be my first post and it would not contain any identifying information (such as an e-mail address)."

The other reason that comes to mind for someone intentionally leaving the e-mail blank - and this doesn't apply necessarily to trolls - is they are paranoid about their identity and/or wish to use the board for their own warped agenda.

Ya Know - this whole business of MOB that we're all engaged with is mighty sensitive to some. So much so that reputations and social standing can be impacted - deleteriously so. We've seen stories and reports of it time and time again. Further, the inherent risks of the process contribute to social stigma that we often face. I don't know - it just seems to me that it is important to know that people are mentally-balanced, well-intended and willing to be (or become) a part of the virtual 'community' that has formed-up here. And the simple inclusion of an e-mail is only one small piece of evidence that helps me (at least) feel a bit more comfortable.

What do y'all think? Particularly those who have chosen to withhold an e-mail contact?

- Dan

As my first comment - I want to be clear that I sincerely was NOT accusing John LV of being a troll. I am content to take it on face value that he is truly in need of some advice and support for his situation. Having said that - it is true that I found my thoughts, at times, retrograding back to some of the historical problems we've had on this board and there seemed to be some similarities with John's post. Still, I hope he is able to get whatever input he needs to satisfactorily and equitably resolve his dilemna.

Next - as for the problems with virii and spam and malicious e-mails. Yes, it is true that some warped people can harvest an e-mail and try to do damage through various forms of e-mail assault. Fortunately, Yahoo (the e-mail provider I use) has both a virus-detection mechanism, and the ability to block senders. I've endured quite a number of attacks from vicious malcontents that were very easily quashed through Yahoo's services. I suppose a qualifier should be to encourage people to make use of these services *if* they elect to identify their e-mail address in their profile.

LP noted that the simple inclusion of an e-mail addy does not make the poster any more mentally-balanced than one who does not include it. True. In evaluating patterns, however, it seems pretty clear (to me) that the posters most often coming aboard with the intention of causing disruption are most likely to NOT post an e-mail address. While the e-mail addy is no guarantee - it is one of the only bits of semi-tangible evidence that may be reviewed about a poster.

To each his own I guess. I appreciate the arguments offered and respect the need some feel for privacy protection. Still, I'd like to see more e-mail addresses posted. I feel it contributes to an overall sense of trust and 'community' and the negatives are able to be overcome through use of some good filtering software.

Cheers!!

- Dan

In my case, the answer to your question comes from my previous RWL experience.  Several of the emails I received were unpleasant beratings and tirades about things that I had said--things that were not argumentative, or even controversial.

They included arguments about how to do the visa process from people who hadn't completed it and advice about how to deal with my Russian wife from people who were never married.

By not posting an email, anyone who thinks what I have said is a crock can still say so publically, and others are free to agree or disagree.  But I don't have to get a stream of stuff from someone who is free from the Board's constraints on behavior.

Steve M.

One of my friends has a friend married to a russian woman and they did not get along for almost a year.  He says she is finally coming around and starting to become a good wife.  I hope his next year gets much better.

Patrick,  Dit wad Eady!  Danks.  Bob

I looked at the profile and it seems the e-mail address is a tad screwy. [No Bob - I mean the *system* bolluxed things up a bit --smile--]. Right now it says "robobond" in the E-mail field and it *should* say "Available (members only)".

Maybe Patrick'll be able to set things straight.

- Dan

While you make valid points as to the reasons why someone might or might not post an email address in their profile, there are some holes in your theories... When I first joined PL, I had a public email address posted to my profile... I welcomed unsolicited email from members of this board... As time progressed and certain personalities surfaced on all three forums that took diametrically apposed views to the norm, I started receiving odd-ball email from out of the blue... Usually after a flame battle...  Many of these email messages I received were laced with viruses... Coincidence, no... Intentional, YES... Not to mention an increase in unsolicited email pertaining to everything from HGH to porn... Once I removed the email address from my profile, there was a significant reduction in the SPAM / viruses I receive...

Yes, this MOB business is a pretty touchy subject and yes, there may be some people who want to stir things up here to place doubt in our minds... But, I fail to understand what these people's motives may be... Yeah, some people just like to stir things up, but I think John LV has probably been a lurker here for awhile and as his situation developed, joined the forum to get advice... Trolls are usually pretty easy to spot... I think John LV is on the up-and-up...

When someone wants to contact me from the board, I will post my email addy briefly, then remove it again... No harm, no foul...

Just my opinion...

wizard

I don't think that I want to get into prolonged off-board exchanges for a start, I may not even open my mailbox for extended periods unless I'm expecting something, It is possible for anyone to contact any of us, all they have to do is register and post on this board, as for confidentiality dosen't this board offer this? All anyone has to do is ask me, just like markinTX did recently.

pordzhik@inbox.ru

BTW If anybody is wondering why I have a Russian mailbox in England, it's because it handles Russian and Ukrainian text, AOL don't.

Frankly, I'm amazed at how easily many accepted JohnLV's post as fact. The way hs stroy is written and it being his first post is more suspious than the lack of an email. Even if he's legit they ought to be asking questions about how they can avoid his problem rather than only offering advice on how to solve it. Of course, they all think it'll never happen to them. Bet 'ol John didn't either.

Yes, some are paranoid about their identities and rightly so. The Net is fraught with security issues and is a double edged sword. Besides, some of us are simply less trusting than others due to life experience or work related issues. And being somewhat skilled at machinating, I fully understand the dangers of being too upfront with personal information of any kind. ;-)

As for stigma, social standing, and reputations being affected, tell me about it. I suffered through some of this and learned a valuable lesson. There are those who will say so what, that what others think is umimportant. Well, they clearly aren't considering the myriad of scenarios that can be applied and it's effects on one's personal life.

In addition there are those of us who, depending on the choosen career paths, have had our backgrounds probed and our reasoning, pyschodynamics, problem solving and risk assessment abilitites repeatably tested during our lives. Not to mention having to randomly pee in a cup and poked and probed medically for all sorts of conditions that, while minor to others, will drasticaly change our lives in a hearbeat.

All this leaves some of us with an increased awareness of how invasive society can be and a desire for more privacy. This sometimes carries over into simple things like a seemingly "harmless" internet BB. Call it paraniod if you wish. (lol, I wouldn't be paraniod if everyone wasn't out to get me.) Besides, one's business is just that.

Lastly my friend, I have some news for you. Some here are far from mentally-balanced and well-intended, regardless of posting an email or not.

....Yoey's just yankin my chain. Yoey and me...well, we sort of have an understanding about chain yankin.

Yoey, don't make me come down there. ;-)