Bits And Bites

Oh, my. Groaning and drooling over the sammich.

witchypoo’s last blog post..Best Comment Award

Oooh do I get to be first? (or will somebody beat me to it?)
Love the thumbs and I’m drooling over your food pics
Obviously I’m pretty relaxed about using my real name too. I figure the vast majority of people in Aust who read my blog already know me in real life, and those overseas are going to have to be pretty commited to come over here to get me! Besides we don’t have a listed phone number and I tend to be obscure with the exact details of where we live so I’m not worried.
Have a great day!

Robyn’s last blog post..“Only Happy”

YAY FOR CUTE KID PICTURES! My last name is my site name - ish. I think that if someone wanted to stalk you, it wouln’t be too hard to find your last name anyway. I’ve panicked when people have left my hometown name in my comments, but really, who is going to come way out here to stalk me? Um, I think nobody. (So stop thinking about it because I know you are.)

Disjointed posts are okay! They’re still posts! I like posts!!

Mrs. Wilson’s last blog post..Over the river and through the woods, into the ditch we go

On blogger I had my last name in the URL. I try now and keep my last name private, though “most” of my readers know it, I only do it for hubby’s job. That is the only reason I do though. But I think it’s fine if people do. I mean, it’s not like us bloggers are taking a picture of our house and showing our full address and home phone numbers. Ya know?

It never hurts to be safe and smart with the Internet, but you should not always live with worry and fear when you’re sharing a bit of your world on your blog.

Randi’s last blog post..Out Of The Mouths Of Babes?

You are a smart girl, I never once questioned your use of your last name on your watermark in fact it occurred to me that it was probably necessary for copyright. Wow, am I intuitive or what?!

Love the photos… Graham’s smile had me cracking up. I know the cheesy smile so well - it is a boy thing!

Kami’s last blog post..Our trip to Paradise

Basically, if you use your last name or not; someone will eventually figure out who you are. I don’t worry about revealing too much because if anyone has read my bio - I’m an excellent shot.

Anyone who wanted to figure out your last name would be able to without much effort! Heck, people who “know stuff” can probably figure out your address and phone number using the internet (if they were so inclined). Obviously I’m not worried about the last name thing, it’s part of my blog name!
Nice of your readers to be concerned for your privacy though.

The bread looks yummy!

Hannah’s last blog post..Ode to Grandparents

Oh, and I’m not sure that I have mentioned your last name on my blog. I know I have mentioned your home town, but I don’t remember using your surname … ?

Hannah’s last blog post..Ode to Grandparents

Fixed

I like that my first and last name are on everything. Because? There are so many Heather Sanders on the internet I might really look better than I would otherwise.

For instance, I’m a dancer, professor, bio-chemist AND a realtor. You only thought you were supermom - I AM. Well, Heather SANDERS anyway.

OMSH’s last blog post..Tomorrow a visitor comes.

I guess I’m the first to chime in on “remaining (semi-)anonymous”. I’ve been able to keep the existence of my blog pretty hush-hush and being that I live in the states and 99% of my readership is from Canada, I’m pretty sure I won’t have any stalkers crossing the border, flailing my profile photo aboooot and asking strangers, “Have you seen this nerdy looking woman??? Where does she live???”

Keeping my last name and location out of the blog allows me to feel more free to spew uncensoredly (a real word as I’ve now added it to the Microsoft Office Word Dictionary) to my heart’s content. I know it’s a false sense of security, but I never said I was reasonable.

Also, since you called me “Michele at The Over-Thinker” in one of your posts, I feel even more clandestine being that Michele is not my name–Just kiddin’ ya….but I’ll probably remind you of this from time to time

Hope you have a fun week,
Not Michele

The Over-Thinker’s last blog post..I don’t get it. I sort of want to get it. But I don’t get it.

I hear ya, Michele.

I mean, AMY.

Nyuck nyuck
The Over-Thinker’s last blog post..I don’t get it. I sort of want to get it. But I don’t get it.

People forget that you cannot hide on the internet. So even without your last name, they’d find it somehow. I know. I got found by a job and got fired.

That sammich looks SO tasty!

Kristabella’s last blog post..It’s Bacon!

You and your dinner have done a sister proud!!!!!

Cute photos!

I had my last name on my blogger page, and for a variety of reasons (privacy being a small one of them) I switched to Wordpress so I wouldn’t have to have my last name so out there. Everyone (or mostly everyone) who reads my site knows me personally, so I don’t care so much. I just like not having my full name out there, and a higher degree of anonymity.

Sharon’s last blog post..Going to the Dr. [UPDATED]

I all ready have a nut after me! He’s sent me bacterial powder, poison candies and some other treats. He found me through my business, which of course requires an address. I figure I already have “my very own psycho” … I probably don’t deserve two … so I won’t worry too much! I’ve got the RCMP, FBI and Interpol all keeping an eye on me!

mommyknows’s last blog post..Watercolors

I love those two little thumb suckers!!!! What an adorable picture! The second picture of your kids is so cute! It looks like they’ve just done something they weren’t supposed to…Nathan especially!

I loved this post.

I have thought about this a LOT. When I changed to a URL, I really thought about changing my blog name because my first name is in it. However, the title is perfectly descriptive of the random, humorous and wacky thing that is my life and blog, so I really didn’t want to.

The public use of last name has bitten me in the butt before. For example? I had a HORRIFIC, criminally libelous troll on the blog of our local paper. He found my blog, my flickr account, my youtube account EVERYTHING. Fortunately I have everything moderated so his MANY attempts to post on them were thwarted, but he also told me that I was responsible for his hideous behavior because I used my real, full name.

(Yes, the “She asked for it” argument. I would LOVE to see his testimony in a rape case.)

It is one of many reasons why I have thought and thought about the use of my last name.

Here is what I ultimately came up with:

I could not have an anonymous blog. I do not have the dedication to stick to pseudonyms.

I also believe in being accountable for what I write. I do not judge those who are anonymous, I just believe in taking personal responsibility for my blog.

And?

A LOT of bloggers use their last names. Tons and Tons.

Finally?

Dude.

MY FIRST NAME IS LORALEE.

There are not many other Loralee’s in the world. (I actually think most of them have emailed me!) Let alone Loralee’s that live in UTAH. And yes, my geographic location is brought up a lot in my writing.

SO?

It’s kind of silly to think leaving my LAST name off is going to protect me.

I just decided to let it go and hope for the best.

Loralee’s last blog post..This just in: Hell has frozen over

I am of the “I am me and I can’t post anonymously” camp. I know people that can, and do, very well in fact, but it’s just not my cup of posting tea, so to speak. Well, and there’s the fact that I use most of my name for my actual domain. I TRIED to think of something else at the time, for far too many days and hours upon hours, but ultimately I like that my site, is, well, ME.

(It’s also been awesome to reconnect with old friends that I hadn’t spoken to in years, who found me and my site by googling my name. Completely random, but fun. Random! is the best kind of fun. Mostly.) : )

kerrianne’s last blog post..Talk Is Cheap, Baby; Wine’s Expensive

Dinner was awesome!!

Annnnnd, Trav had gas all day too. Too much info? sorry.

Karen’s last blog post..My kidlets.

I’m too lazy to watermark. Do you have a solution for me?
Love those latest pictures of your kids.

Elizabeth’s last blog post..Ummm? not so much

I’ve never used my last name on my website. It is soooo common that it wouldn’t matter. But I do use a nickname instead of my real first name. It’s an uncommon first name. It’s not that I’m worried about stalkers. I’m more concerned about the people I used to know. I don’t want them to find me because I’m a big old grouch and don’t want to talk to them.

(Ok I’m sure I have a more rational comment in my head but it’s late and I’m tired and I’ve written and erased this comment soooo many times trying to make it make sense. I give up. I’m hitting the button.)

Kuky’s last blog post..Daily Comic: I Love Alan

I agree with you and the whole last name, privacy thing. If someone wants to track you down, they will. It’s a risk we take when you use pratically anything on the internet. But I blog, facebook, online bank, online shop, ect ect ect…. with no worries. Good for you!

Susie’s last blog post..The new Banner

I don’t use my real name at all on my blog. I refrain from using my kid’s name (aka The Kid) or my boyfriend’s (aka The Boyfriend…aren’t I creative). I don’t think I’ve slipped. I might have.

On the other hand, I have put pictures of The Kid up. And well, my location is rather obvious. I have no doubt that if someone wanted to find me, it wouldn’t be an issue.

On the other other hand, I have a readership of about..um..5. The majority of which know my real name anyway.

Meh. Whatever. It’s a matter of personal comfort. I fully believe privacy is an illusion anyway now days.

Oh. The one precaution I DO take…I never talk about my job. At least not with ANY details.

Indygirl’s last blog post..Trip Summary

The best addition to grilled veg sandwiches- EGGPLANT! I make those all the time.

Oops- that last comment was from me! I’m at my mom’s house.

I think a blend of mystique is good. And really, if somebody REALLY wants to find someone, they can. No matter how covert we all try to be.

(cute thumb-sucking picture)

LVGurl’s last blog post..Triathlon Tuesday, Week 4: Things I’m Learning

i don’t keep my last name a secret. i feel like if someone really wants to find me….he’s going to find me. it’s not THAT hard to figure that kind of stuff out.
ps. the kids are so delish
ali’s last blog post..It’s the Monday Boo/Yay Game!!

One more thing to be a little careful about - if you look up the web address under “whois” on the internet you can also find phone numbers and addresses of the website owners. But you probably already know that (?) I agree with you - we can only stress about it so much…

It’s easy for people to say they can remain anonymous, by not sharing certain information but c’mon, it’s the internet. We are being watched everywhere no matter what we do. I for one don’t want stalkers and people showing up at my house, but if they want to find me, there is nothing I can do about it no matter what level of privacy I have online. My true belief.

I am in the beginning phases of my own photography business so of course my last name will be out there - it’s part of my business name. In order to drum up business I link to the photo-site from my personal blog. Again…. privacy down. And, the whole issue of last name on watermarks make sense.

lol about the dooce thing. true. very true.

Holly’s last blog post..Why I Write

I know I’m such a geek for even setting it up, but that Google Alert has turned up so much interesting stuff over the years. And last year they started including results from Google Blog Alerts, which are mostly junk, but occasionally there are cool tidbits in there too.

Agreed with the reasoning here (in the post and most comments): if bad people want to find you, they will anyway. The day anyone starts a blog, they’re basically saying out loud to the world, “I want to be known”. If we didn’t, we’d keep our writing in locked diaries and your photos safely tucked away in albums. Of course we only want to be known by nice kind people who think we’re awesome, but if we’re actually willing to put ourselves out there, it’s out of our control.

Maybe I’m naive, but I’ve never really worried about stalkers, creeplors or other baddies of the web when I’ve posted about my kids. More recently, as they’ve gotten older and starting heading off to school, I worry about more local concerns — will they be teased or mocked for things their classmates can find online about them? Grownups generally have better things to do, but I remember junior high clearly enough to wonder just how bad that could get.

Maybe a little naive but I don’t think my life is interesting enough for a complete stranger to care about it.
Also…Can you out that recipe on yours and Karen’s recipe blog? Or have you already. It look dileeeeeesh.

christy’s last blog post..le kitchen….c’est fini!….almost.

Yummm, so hungry now and it’s only 11am.

Those food photos are making me VERY hungry. Did you take those with the macros lens or the extension tube? Very sweet!

And I agree with you on the last name thing.

dana’s last blog post..A Broken Heart

I have always struggled witht the name thing on the internet, too.
And how cute are the kiddos? Oh, and what is this google alert thing you speak of (maybe I’m making myself sound dumb?)???

Vicki’s last blog post..Common Sense

I might have to try that receipe. It looks wonderful.

SouthernBelle’s last blog post..When I am Queen

Love the photo of Emily and her buddy. They look too cute!

Ashley’s last blog post..The Stone “Smart” Car

Your points are valid and you are so right, you have to do what is best for YOU. You’re a smart woman… you would only make choices you had thought through and choices that worked for you and yours.

She Likes Purple’s last blog post..I hope the Universe doesn’t have a Google Reader account