not to understand why some people reveal such a large amount of personal info on here?

[ChateauDeLaShite]

It's not so much the fact that they are revealing it but the fact that they don't namechange! Writing intimate details about family, relationships etc. and coupling this with photographs on their profile which make them easily identifiable... isn't it just asking for trouble? Some people on here are very easily traceable in real life, and have posted things about how horrible their husband is, sex life, child issues, money issues - all under the same name!

I just think it's not very sensible and leaves you vulnerable to people either just winding you up or setting out to do something truly malicious. Or do people really not mind strangers knowing more about them than most of their friends?

It's hard to post without revealing something of one's personal life, but I do tend to carefully screen what I say about myself. As you can see, my profile is as bare as Old Mother Hubbard's cupboard.

I didn't even know I had a profile! Just looked and its all blank. How do you look at someone's profile then?

I'm always hesitant in telling some of the more outrageous stories of my life as they are sooo outrageous I think people are sure to know its me! I did have an odd experience on netmums wherein I'd posted some information on child mental health and then later, put in a nearly new items for sale posting and realised that the buyer would be able to link me with the information I'd revealed about my children, and have my telephone number and real name etc., (netmums were very kind they removed all my posts after I explained) so it was a bit of a wake up. But then I was on a local board, and here on mumsnet I feel its more anonymous. And everyone seems to have even more outrageous stories than me! (sorry for the over-use of "outrageous". 4 times now)

While wipeing my bottom today after a poo my finger went through the toilet paper

(how is that for personal info?)

I wouldn't post if I had a profile. I never actually look at anyone's profile anyway-it never occurs to me.

Outrageous, MrsNS. Outrageous.

Some people can't shut up.

YANBU

I think there is WAAAAY too much personal info in a lot of threads that don't really ask for it. Its largely a forum for folks who want to bang on about themselves ad nauseum.

anonymosity meow

Now animosity has someone upset you? I just noticed on the Madcouple thread you sounding a bit pissed off with everyone and now this. Are you flouncing?

Actually, I agree with anonymosity that there is a lot of banging on about self ad nauseum on MN. Not everyone, and not even the majority. But yes, it does happen a fair bit.

I find it amazing not just how much people reveal but what a large proportion of their posting turns out to be bullshit when you realise who they are. It has made me a lot more wary about believing anything I read which is starting to ruin the MN experience a bit for me.

Oh no I am not pissed off or anything. I have a very unflowery style of writing (and speaking) and while I normally stick to baby names, house keeping and similar "safe" areas, if I dip my toe into more contentious areas I tend to just say what I think. Not much for towing the party line I'm afraid...

and there you go - banging on about myself - good trap!

How do you realise who they are Within?

I mind a great deal about the identification thing, and that's why I tend to stick with Chat when I start a thread. Or namechange.

That said, I've been here 4 years now and if someone put their mind to it you could probably recognise me if you happened to know me already, IYSWIM. But you'd have to wade through a lot of shite to find the facts - unlikely anyone woudl care enough. I expect most people feel the same - it's a risk, but a calculated one.

at animosity

no profile & I name change every few months.

I namechanged after being a suspicious that a RL so called 'friend' was stalking my posts.

I don't like that kind of shit.

Maybe I reveal quite a lot about myself. But if I was going to post about anything really embarrassing/contentious I would namechange.

My lifeis so fecking boring its not worth worrying about

I have a username and email account that isn't linked to my real name because I want to be able to talk about private things on here. :)

DP: What are you writing about me on the internet?
ME: It's ok, I've said your name's [fakename].
DP: Oh. Ok!

Why would anyone be interested in me ? Can't see it myself.
What do you consider personal ?
I have posted about countries I've been to and info about my kids. But i find it hard to imagine I'm that traceable. Or maybe I'm naieve.

Or even if I was, why on earth would anyone want to out me ?

I don't care.

I don't post anything on here that people in RL don't already know