Good question, Eddie.  I'm often curious and check only to find it missing.

Why?

If you want to find out, PM somebody.

rex desilets posted:

Why?

Because I'm curious and nosey.

You can only PM digital subscribers.

rex desilets posted:

Why?

If you want to find out, PM somebody.

If they don't have any location, they probably don't have any eMail address in their profile either. Thus, how would trying to PM someone work?

Eddie,

I agree.

I'd also like to see posts signed with at least a first name, I just think that would be friendlier and allow more personalized responses

The concern for privacy in an age with cameras everywhere and internet security generally non-existant is understandable. 

I don't have to be reminded, John, I just really, really, like seeing the number of days going down!

I noticed recently that the state location and some other “personal” info which used to appear in profiles is no longer displayed. I assume most folks didn’t go in an delete their info, so I have to assume that it was a new “feature” of the forum software.

Brer Bear, dey is layin' low.

Privacy.  Pure and simple.

No one wants to risk some bad guy finding out where you live.....only to have your Greenberg Price Guides stolen.

I'd have to check if that is even a crime any more.........

Good question.  I think APPLES55 answered it.  The address info in your profile is private.

Eddie poses a legitimate question. Actually, I noticed this after a recent forum update. I don't think this is something that people have chosen to do. I would like to see it go back to the way it was.

Some of you are asking, why? I just like to know where people I'm talking to online live. Doesn't need to be an actual address, just a city will do. Say you are planning to travel, you can contact the ones near where you are going. 

Last year my wife and I had planned a five week long road trip. Unfortunately, I stepped on a nail, and we had to cancel the trip. I had at least a half dozen forum members on my list to visit as we traveled east and south. I only had them on my radar because I looked in their profiles. Can't do that anymore.

Could someone please check mine? It should say Stillwater, MN, if you can see it. I can't check it myself, because when I look I see everything.

Um Eddie...your profile doesn't say where you live.  You may want to add it to your signature as it doesn't appear to be an option for the profile anymore.

Eliot, only your email is showing for me.

You would need to put it in your bio or in your signature as noted above.

I see it from the other aspect. I would much rather have more information listed as private to mitigate potential issues in the future. Part of that is because I am pursuing a Bachelor's degree in IT and one of the things they mention the most is security. One thing I have seen mentioned quite often is Security through Obscurity. Which could be translated to have the least amount of information available and as needed relax some settings.

I would agree at least city and state. I moved two years ago and saw a posting on this forum and when I look at the posters city and state he was near me and I reached out and now have a new train friend which has led into several additional train buddies. I think it was great and I think this forum is a great way to meet like minded train buddies. Just my 2 cents worth.

MartyE posted:

Um Eddie...your profile doesn't say where you live.  You may want to add it to your signature as it doesn't appear to be an option for the profile anymore.

While he's adding his city & state, why add the full address, when you are home or not, and where you keep the rope and cleaning supplies so you can welcome lots of friendly visitors. 

Whether for internet security, privacy or any other reason, I think the question is less what information is safe or should be a users profile than who should be making that decision. I would maintain it is the individual's choice to make, not to be dictated by what others think is safe or would like to be seen. It is another matter if the rules of a specific forum dictate basic location info. 

That is strange, when I look at my profile I see my name and address and a lot more.?????

eddie g posted:

That is strange, when I look at my profile I see my name and address and a lot more.?????

This is what I see.

eddie g posted:

That is strange, when I look at my profile I see my name and address and a lot more.?????

Go to "Edit Profile".  Scroll down towards the bottom and there is a field "Biography".  Whatever you add to that field is public.  Your contact information is not.

Berkshire President posted:

Privacy.  Pure and simple...

Right there, in four words, is the answer to the OP's question.

If you're not careful, you will have no "privacy" on the internet. An example...

Yesterday my daughter sent me an email with a link to a video on Facebook. Since it was from my daughter and the video was about one of her former teachers, I figured I would go and take a look. I clicked on the link, which took me to a Facebook page that required a login to see the video. I do not have a Facebook profile (and never will) so I just closed that tab on my browser. However, I know Facebook uses cookies to track people on the web, so I did a check for Facebook cookies in my browser. In the 3 or 4 seconds I was on that page in Facebook, they set THREE TRACKING COOKIES on my computer! I immediately deleted them, of course.

eddie g posted:

That is strange, when I look at my profile I see my name and address and a lot more.?????

You can see your own information, but others cannot. The last forum software upgrade made all your address information private and viewable only by forum admins. That is a GOOD thing. As Berkshire President said, it's all about privacy. Pure and simple.

I'm going to close this thread now.

Thanks.