Originally posted by wander at 4-6-2016 10:02
Hmm, does this mean a simple google search will link to threads?
Very likely once all the search engine bots get through it.
Google has always been able to search the index pages and category pages but had no access to the actual post text due to the member-only access wall. If someone google searched a screen name it might point only the heading of your article. Now they will soon be able to search for specific text.
The biggest problem is the exposure of incriminating posts originally made with an expected level of confidence. These old posts were
made with the understanding and confidence that there would be member-only protection from search bots. Now the posts are exposed to the search bots and that, as Wander mentioned, is now the big concern. References and activities of a specific member, especially those associated with location, time and date, can now soon be searched thereby exposing a member to possible discovery by a clever SO or employer. Right now there is no recourse and no way to hide those posts and believe me that is scary.
Perhaps part of the compromise should have included the members ability to delete old incriminating posts or at least be allowed to retroactively change them to RA10. The other alternative compromise would have been for all old posts to retain their member-only protection and only new posts be exposed leaving us the option of RA10 or restricted.
I agree with Wander that it is this lack of forethought regarding the confidentiality and expected privacy (within which the member-only original posts were made) that has many of us concerned about future contributions to this forum. Hopefully this can be remedied soon because once the search bots hit, it is all over. The owner's noble attempt to expand this forum could backfire especially with those who have been posting a long time.
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Last edited by dooper at 4-6-2016 17:32 ]