Hiding in plain sight !!!

[maximan]

I've noticed that a number of registered users choose to remain hidden when browsing TLF and was wondering why that would be.

Could it be that they wish to keep hidden from their other half just how much time they devote to this wonderful meeting place or do they owe money and wish to keep a low profile [ very tongue in cheek ].

Anyway anyone care to comment ?

[bungeejumper]

I didn't know it was possible to do that by choice. Although I've sometimes noticed, while I've been lurking to see what comes up on a forum, that not even my own name is appearing on the bottom of the page, and nor is the blue "online" flash beside my moniker. Even though I'm definitely there, honestly.

It's a little bit like looking in the mirror and not seeing your reflection. You start to doubt your own sanity. A good job, then, that I got used to that sensation many years ago.

BJ

[AleisterCrowley]

It'll only show user names when you are logged in, which you don't need to do until you want to respond to a post. I think.

[redsturgeon]

On the login screen there are two tick boxes, one to remember you next time and one to hide you from view.

As to why you might want to do that, I have no idea.

John

[maximan]

It'll only show user names when you are logged in, which you don't need to do until you want to respond to a post. I think.

I seem to stay logged in for weeks and only occasionally get logged out by the system. I believe when I last logged in I could have opted to be anonymous but not sure.

[AleisterCrowley]

I log out of everything (and avoid 'keep me logged in' options) for security reasons. Its a habit.

[didds]

It's a little bit like looking in the mirror and not seeing your reflection. You start to doubt your own sanity.

BJ

You are a vampire and I claim my £5.

didds

[panamagold]

Dropdown menu: (next to user name.)
User Control panel:
Board Preferrences:
Edit Global Settings:
Hide my online status:
Changing this setting won’t become effective until your next visit to the board.

[PinkDalek]

On the login screen there are two tick boxes, one to remember you next time and one to hide you from view.

As to why you might want to do that, I have no idea.

John

Yours, like mine, has been set to Last Active not shown (noting you said you, rather than one, so maybe deliberate):

memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=64
memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=259

I must have set mine such that others don't know I'm lurking (quite so often).

It also means one shouldn't be visible to others at "Who is online" viewonline.php nor at the foot of the index/home page index.php

[vrdiver]

I set my show status to "hidden" as I often leave the LF page open but may be away from my computer or doing other things, so not looking at LF posts: I don't want anybody who posts a reply to me to think that I'm ignoring them if they see I'm online but not responding.

Probably says more about my own sense of self-importance than it does about the number of people hanging on my every post!

VRD

[XFool]

I log out of everything (and avoid 'keep me logged in' options) for security reasons. Its a habit.

Me too.

When I once disclosed this on the old TMF Computer board I remember being regarded by some as some kind of Vampire Squid.

[AleisterCrowley]

It's probably overdoing it, but until I fully understand the threat vectors I'm playing safe.
(I thought Goldman Sachs were the Vampire Squids?)

[DiamondEcho]

I've noticed that a number of registered users choose to remain hidden when browsing TLF and was wondering why that would be.
Anyway anyone care to comment ?

Why identify yourself as presently online? What's the point, so some randomers can leap in and try and start PMing in real-time, and to what ends? No idea, but I see nil virtue in being currently identifiable at 'currently online'.

[swill453]

Why identify yourself as presently online? What's the point, so some randomers can leap in and try and start PMing in real-time, and to what ends? No idea, but I see nil virtue in being currently identifiable at 'currently online'.

The "stateless" nature of HTML means that it's only a guess anyway. If someone closes their browser and/or switches off their computer then no message is transmitted to the site, so their status won't change unless something times them out.

Scott.

[PinkDalek]

Why identify yourself as presently online? What's the point, so some randomers can leap in and try and start PMing in real-time, and to what ends? No idea, but I see nil virtue in being currently identifiable at 'currently online'.

That's quite a coincidence. Earlier today I was reading an old topic where yours was the last post. I looked at your profile and noticed you hadn't posted recently, until now.

Did you get prompted?

[ten0rman]

Similar to others here, I always set things such that I have to deliberately logon in order to post. Otherwise I just lurk. And this applies everywhere. I do it on the grounds that it's got nothing at all to do with anyone else what I read, and when I read it.

ten0rman

[PinkDalek]

Similar to others here, I always set things such that I have to deliberately logon in order to post. Otherwise I just lurk. And this applies everywhere. I do it on the grounds that it's got nothing at all to do with anyone else what I read, and when I read it.

ten0rman

Most aren’t talking about logging on or off. Rather it about the settings as to whether you want to be visible when logged in. For example, I can see what you were doing a few minutes ago on TLF, whereas you shouldn’t be able to see my username here:

viewonline.php

[DiamondEcho]

That's quite a coincidence. Earlier today I was reading an old topic where yours was the last post. I looked at your profile and noticed you hadn't posted recently, until now. Did you get prompted?

IDK what you were reading PD, but perhaps it might simply be that we've just been away/incommunicado for 3 weeks.