Jeff changed the tags on this post: they were "post, Temp" 2 years, 6 months ago.
I apprechiate that, but It was better the way it has been before…
Any reason why it was better before, or is that just a general “I don’t like change” thing?
Just a general I don’t like the change-thing. It just looked better before.
But maybe I’ll get used to it after a while…
How are things in California?
And here it is, finally get to see it in action.
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Please don’t kill me, jk.
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That’s awesome! Great work.
Hehe, it says that we’re in the Pacific Ocean.
Edit: Never mind, it looks like Jeff’s in the Pacific Ocean.
we love it! Coolzers, Jeff!
I like it, but so will the stalkers.
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It is well good
But it put me in central London
Try Luton, you should see it if you zoom in :P
This is pretty hard core!
Dude, I’m like a state away from where I really live. You have me about 8 hours away from my area. Stalkers may try but they will not find me, muhaha!
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we think it is where your internet service provider is.
Hey! That think marked my house exactely! And I am like at work, right now.
Jeff loves swimming with the sharks, looks like the stalkers already got him and threw him in the ocean.
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Uhmm..this is interesting…
Lol
My service provider?
Oh yeah.
BT Tower :P
Mine is probs the closest one, living only 33 miles away from it
In a few years there might be one where it googles your town and finds it on google maps :P
Felman, I’ll be over for dinner btw. Now I can stop guessing your street name.
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Wicked! I just changed mine!
How come Oster gets to go on top of me?
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Oh good, no one is on top of me. I’m closterphobic.
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Well, I’m letting the map read me wrong, I find it creepy and it makes me uncomfy to see my street address.
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yeah… that makes me uncomfortable. I mean… can’t we choose how far we want it to go in? some of us may have had problems with people abusing that kind of privledge
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I think, there should be an option for people to view you.
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Do you see what Finley does?! I can’t resist such easy setups like “How come Oster gets to go on top of me?” and “can’t we choose how far we want it to go in?”
Well, I just ordered a new gun, so, let them come…
Hehe, it says that we’re in the Pacific Ocean.
Yeah, I add a bit of “randomness” to each location because so many people overlap, it helps to move the icons apart a bit.
Finley and those concerned: If you are worried about people finding your exact location, don’t be. For starters, the base data we’re using only gets as close as a city. So unless you live in Hobunk, Nowhere Population 15, it’s not a huge security risk. Additionally, you can relocate the marker as you please to a comfortable distance away from yourself.
I put myself in the ocean. I want to move to cali so I may put myself there. haha!, this is a great vacation btw.
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Oh please that had no sexual implication! You had to twist that one. You know I meant zoom.
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I like the map thingy, pretty cool!
Ocean dwelling kind of totally defeats the point of the map. We’d prefer if you didn’t do that. :’(
Well, you’re no fun!
Boo!
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Not trying to be a negative Betty here, but you do know that everyone will just play with it and change their, right?
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(lol @ Chuy)
I’m, um… yeah, you may be right there, Finley.
lol stop undermining me in front of the group with your innuendos, oster.
and honestly… I don’t know if many women were a part of the decision, its just, thats creepy, and whats the point if we’re just going to have to lie about where we are?
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Oooh it had me marked at Marietta,GA LOL, but I moved me to the right location. You all know where I live anyway.
Yeah, but we don’t know your street. yet.
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I don’t need to know you state nor street to love you!
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apparently to help me you do.
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It was kind of creepy when I frist saw it, esp when I saw how far you could zoom in. I do love the changes made in the tags, though.
I can help anyone, no need for a map to tell me where they are. Helping has boarder nor labels
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If I didn’t have an absolutely massive and ferocious ball biting dog I’d be a lot more nervous about this. Can’t we take a poll about this kind of stuff? Its a well intentioned idea, but what if people come here because they need help because they’ve been stalked or whatever? It might scare them away to think everyone can see their street name.
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Finley: no once can see your street name! Why do you keep reiterating that — it’s not true!
I’ve already stated it several times, but we only get as close as centrally locating on a city.
“I can help anyone, no need for a map to tell me where they are. Helping has boarder nor labels“
To a point — however, many topics handled here do benefit from being locationally aware. Job requests, “what to do for a date”, as two obvious examples. Just last week I was able to provide a better answer to the post because I knew they lived in a cold climate thanks to the map.
Maps aren’t necessary, I can agree, but they add something extra that can definitely be beneficial.
we love it, chuy! Good job!
Why don’t we make them country or regional or state maps? Why even see the city?
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There are three girls already scared to death, is that a good thing?
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“In step 2 you reveal your IP Address to the website you visited”
To the webmaster, not the whole site.
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I don’t see the point of the map. Who cares where someone else lives? This sight is for help, not to see where someone else lives. I don’t like it for that reason.
I can understand their fear, but it is completely unfounded. At least, the ire should not be directed at us. Here’s why:
Here’s the tech details of how this works:
1) You type in a url to a site and press enter
2) You computer contacts that site and gives it a return address
3) The website puts together a page and returns the page to you.
In step 2 you reveal your IP Address to the website you visited. This IP address is typically Geolocateable — every IP address belongs to a company, and each company typically only serves a given area. This information of what IP Address maps to what general location is publicly available.
Are you afraid of stalkers finding your location through MySpace? How about any other website your frequent? Yahoo groups? Your IP address can even be gathered through the simple act of you opening an email from someone. No joke, it happens all the time.
My intent is not to scare you, but to make you realize, nothing we’re displaying here is hidden from anyone. If you are worried about your location being revealed on our site or any site you visit on the internet, there is only one real option: stay off the internet. Seriously. Every single site you visit knows what city you are from.
What DoubleO says is true. I don’t mind if my location is on the map. I just don’t want to be distracted while I’m reading by a map thats moving in my side vision….lol….
Its a cool addition, like I said. There are many people on here who haven’t traveled at all or done too much traveling. This new feature will help them see who is from different countries cuz sometimes we give a reply to someone from Europe but the reply is based on American customs.
I think its a good feature ChuySkyWalker.
The map isn’t right for where I live. It says I live in Kansas when I live hundreds of miles from there.
lol….I was writing this in the other post that was just closed & my reply came here. DoubleO was in that post…
Well thanks for closing my post Jeff, I guess us users have no right to express our votes and concerns.
I’m sure if myspace had a nice little map, they would lose half of the population of teens, perhaps that’s what you want.
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To the webmaster, not the whole site. - Q.E.
And any person who wants to run their own site. I guess I’m not making it clear how easy it is for a potential stalker to grab your geo-location without you even knowing. Let me example:
I can sign up for a completely free web host. Free. I can put a funny image up on the site, like say:
Now, when you load that page I’ve immediately got your IP address. You wouldn’t even know that I just did that. (Point-and-case, every person who loads this page will now have their IP address revealed to “bubba1982.jumbahost.com”)
How funny but I’m in a totally different post. I guess when Chuy closed Q.E.’s post the map actually relocated me here….lol…
What I said in the other post is I turned off my map feature cuz I just come here to help & I’m not into all of the add on features. They’re all good for other people though.
“I guess us users have no right to express our votes and concerns.“
My intention, as stated, was not to quash your post, but to make my life easier in discussing this single topic in one place instead of having to carry on the same conversation twice.
I’m confused about the street thing, does it just give us the wrong information? It shows me that F.Peralta is on 16th and church street.
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If it gives you the wrong info and people are changing the state, then why have it?
Seems silly to me.
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That’s only because you can zoom in that far — however, where the marker falls is randomly inside the city you reside it. It is not accurate to a street level. Refresh and find F.P again — he’ll be somewhere else.
As I said, it’s not at all accurate to a street level. We only get as “close” as the city.
We looked up ours and it is the street location of our internet provider. our real location is about ten miles away.
Well you can all get to know me from another state.
I’ll be in Cali this week, then maybe Japan, next.
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Then whats the point of getting that close at all? I’d rather have just the state or region shown, and maybe we could bring back the who’s helping list… 2 other people’s images are on top of mine so nobody can see im involved with the post. It doesn’t seem to be a good substitute for what it replaced.
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“If it gives you the wrong info and people are changing the state, then why have it?“
Wrong != Approximate
The markers are approximate, specifically because of the issue of “e-stalker prevention”, not too mention data that granular simply isn’t available.
As for the wrong location being displayed, a person’s choice to lie is their own and we can’t account for that in location anymore than we could account for a person lying when they make a post.
Yes, I’d like for the Who’s Helping list to be put on here somewhere. I don’t care to see who’s online when I come on, but I always like to see who’s helping in a post.
You better get to working on the option feature, get those hands to typing code because I and I’m sure others want off the map.
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1. It helps me understand when I need to avoid colloquialisms.
2. It helps me find help for others based on their location.
3. It helps me feel I really am part of a global community.
4. It helps me see people who may have something in common with me based on location.
Now, I know, despite the reality of whether the map presents information that could be used by stalkers or creditors, that the impression that it does will outweigh the reality.
So, it behooves help.com to build in an opt-in feature which clearly states the visitor’s city/state will only be shown on the map if they choose. Many people will not realizes that the location shown is based on IP, so it’s pointless to allay fears with an explanation about IP addresses.
Mine was 33 miles south, so I put it right.
For example.
Mine showed up in London, not Luton.
If someone went looking for me before I corrected it, they would not have found me.
So maybe just move it to the wrong city, but someone in the general area of you.
“We only get as “close” as the city.”
Then you said
“The markers are approximate”
I’m confused?
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If some stalker is going to come find me they are going to have a pretty hard time finding me in kansas.
Wowowowowh! Now, wait a minute there, chuy!
I find that now nearly blackmailing! You just came up with that map, telling people that their exact locations won’t be revealed. The thing is, that you put the mark on random, which gives wrong information about peoples destination. And that leads that you are lying in that guys name, imho. SO, where is a choice? give your exact location or be a liar. Not much of a choice, when you made for yourself a boundary to the truth.
If we made it opt-in we might as well kill it off all together. Not that people wouldn’t *want* to opt in, but they’d simply be to lazy to do so.
Additionally, it will be most useful on posts by new people. A few examples:
“I’ve lost my job and need help finding a new one” — Know the general city? You can help by looking up their unemployment office
“I want to travel out of the country!” — Point them to their local US customs office.
“Where can I find a good place to rent?” — Give them a link to the correct craigslist locale based on their location.
“that you put the mark on random,“
No. As I said “I add a bit of “randomness” to each location” simply to move people a bit apart when they overlap. It only ends up being < 50 miles off where you leave the marker.
I’m lonely over here in the UK :(
ɐʇɐɯɹǝɟ.Suc invited 3 users to read this post 2 years, 6 months ago.
If they wanted that info, I just asked them where they live and they answer.
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How do I get to the current view thing from somewhere other than this post page?
Seriously, it should be volunteered information. Why can’t we check off when we sign up if we want people to see that? And my marker was quite close to my house, random or not.
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If I ask and they don’t feel comfy telling then I don’t invade then and let them help themselves.
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I swear you can turn the maps off…
But now you can skip a whole step, not too mention other benefits mentions previously.
“Seriously, it should be volunteered information.“
I’m having a hard time explaining this, but you “volunteer” this information simply by visiting a website. Any website. Ever.
Such: no, there’s no other link. But the url is pretty easy to remember “help.com/current”
I’m going to be open minded for like 3 seconds, I’m going to put it at the right location and see how close it is to my house.
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Chuy, thanks for answering my question, I appreciate that.
ah cool Chuy
Maybe you should consider putting one on the front page if theres a little bit of space anyway
I think I know why this is so hard to explain:
You think you are anonymous on the internet.
You. Are. Not. Anonymous.
I think it’s really cool Chuy, thanks for adding this feature.
Okay, everyone laugh at me but how do I find my url address. I’m not super computer literate but I know we all have one. The onlysite I visit is here on my computer or on Gary’s computer which I use at times so I don’t know much about the technology side of a computer. How is everyone finding their locations by street on the maps.
I can’t see what the fuss is all about. As Jeff already explained, this information is freely available to all sites that you visit. It’s never going to be accurate because it’s based on your IP address and not your physical address. We don’t even ask for your physical address anywhere on the site.
Ah, I’m getting close, I’m about 20 min’s away from my house.
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Okay, chuy, I realize that you “volunteer” this information by simply visiting a website but not everyone visiting the webiste can see the info. While on help.com, everyone that is visiting the site can see where you live.
Sabre: The objection, however, is that a stalker will get access to this information. My point is this: a stalker could just as easily come by this information, so why punish us (help.com) for using it in a productive manner?
But your average user can’t obtain someones ip adress.
We are going in circles, okay, consumer concerns are always right, etc, etc.
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Mine is about 30 seconds away from my house. I might move it.
(I did put it there - the IP was about 1 and a half hours away)
I’ll say hello, just to make it an inter-continental discussion.
Helloo.
The normal person isn’t gonna stalk you though.
The people that will can already get the info.
“The normal person isn’t gonna stalk you though.
The people that will can already get the info.”
Mauri: I’m in Europe!
lol
Oh right Suchuaato.. I didn’t see you
This is cool !
hehehe
my brother has been to Holland before
Well, to allay immediate fears for this discussion, IPs are only marginally accurate indicators of visitor locations. AOL users, for example, are routed through different state servers, and there location will be shown base on the AOL server location. Anyone using an anonymous browsing method will show as coming from that server’s location.
Most of us have revealed more about ourselves through profile and posts.
Chuy, I agree with QE, here; IP is revealed to the host server, and to put it on a map for all to see is definitely different. The IMPRESSION that anyone can see your post and learn where you live when you did not wish to have, or even know, that information was going to be made public will overwhelm the reality that someone has to have more than just the IP location to find you.
Oh, I was two streets away from my house, that was creepy.
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I was on the belt highway, come kill me now!
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But even a stalker will find it hard. Severs don’t give out that info freely.
Internet abuse like I have gone trough is on the increase, you should make those who wish to gome for advise feel safe, this does not to me.
To the stalkers, it is ALREADY on a map.
True…but there is a lot of young users on this website also, like myself. I believe that the map is unnecessary. If someone would like to know where a person lives, they simply ask them.
oster: but only if you have unjustifiable fears of being located.
angel: no, usually they don’t, However as I exampled, getting a new server of your very own is not hard at all — any stalker could do it.
I’m not just worried about myself, I volunteer info to you in post and profile, but new users and their parents will not like this at all. 100% guaranteed.
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Come and get me, guys! i am at post road, in southport, ct!!! come and kill me!
Wait, chuy. Some people do have justifiable fears of being located.
Well, tbh, I think Chuy put a reveal toggle on/off button to stop all of this pointless argument. I still think that the map doesn’t make a difference to stalkers and stuff.
I think I phrased that wrong, just a tick.
There is no set profile for a stalker, anyone can be one. Why make it easier? Just let us choose if we want our city shown.
Seven, have you ever been stalked before?
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But this isue is about your sever not a server that has been setup by a pervert ect.
By unjustafiable, I simply mean that it is unreasonable to think that simply because your location isn’t revealed on Help.com that you are protected. Whether we use the location data or not does not cause it to stop existing.
Also, everyone knows it isn’t accurate.
So even if it is a couple of streets away, people could just think that you are just near there.
Right, but that doesn’t mean we should make it any easier for anyone. That’s our risk to take.
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Finley: Does that matter?
That’s true, Finley, and some people will stalk on opportunity — information is revealed and they think, “I wonder if I could find that person’s address and phone.”
I agree, Chuy, but that’s only because you and I know what goes on behind the monitors — that’s not generally true of the public.
But that’s my point: by simply being on the internet at all you make it easier. You are no less locateable if we use these maps or not.
Mine said London first before I moved it.
So people knew I was in the general area of London. I don’t think they are going to search of of the London area.
But if they were stalkers, wouldn’t they go find a socialite at town, and stalk them?
By the way your coding for this map will make it easyer for a haker to gain access to that info.
You need to back that statement up, Angel, otherwise you’re creating unfounded fear.
Angel: not sure what you mean, but at face value that statement is simply untrue.
Nope. I think. I’m not an expert.
But if they were a hacker, they would be able to get it from anyway.
Yes, the web masters, the service providers, they know where everyone is, but thats totally different than having the general public know.
I think if you’ve never been stalked you have no idea how it feels and how suddenly your fears become justifyiable. I really don’t care if they’re worthy fears to anyone else, they are to me because I know how it feels. And yes, I take my own risks every time I get on, but that’s my choice to make.
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“Yes, the web masters, the service providers, they know where everyone is, but thats totally different than having the general public know.“
True, but it would take very little for a stalker to *become* a webmaster to obtain this data. And any one determined enough to locate you certainly could.
Yes, but it would still take more effort to become one. I can’t fathom what could justify making it easier.
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Who says that the IP server is one your doorstep?
If you really want, then just move it to Antarctica
We shouldn’t have to lie about it.
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Finley: do you live IN a road in Nashville?
You’re trying to vilify a technology, which is inherently flawed. The technology is not bad or good, on it’s merits alone, but in the way that people use it.
There’s a lot of very immediate, positive, and useful reasons to have maps. Simply saying we can’t have them because they would be “bad” is no reason to say no to them.
If we had a case of someone using this site and its maps to stalk someone, there’s no doubt in my mind that we would immediately remove them, but we believe that the likely hood of this is so far from happening that the mere possibility of it is not worth the trade-off of not having it.
Anonymous
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2 years, 6 months ago (3 hours, 6 minutes after post)
or not put your picture as your avatar
Well done, Chuy and Anonymous!
Yeah chuy - remove them after they obtained the information and are able to misuse them. What difference would that make?
Chuy: Is the help.com server easy to hack?
If it is, then make it harder.
Nope, but I had to say I did. I-40 is my home now. And I’m not saying to just disable it, but let us have the CHOICE of it. I shouldn’t have to lie about my location.
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Well leaving it as the default IP wouldn’t be lieing. It would just be not telling the truth.
You don’t have to! Just put it somewhere in your city and you’re good to go.
I’d challenge anyone to find my simply by the merit that I live in San Francisco. Not exactly going to be an easy task.
id rather have someone go through the hoop (a simple hoop, but a hoop nonetheless) of getting the webhost, post an image from here, then analyzing their ip logs, checking timestamps and trying to real time monitor help, to determine which user is corresponds to which IP.
“Everytime you visit a website, the website you are visiting has a record of your IP address logged with it. This address is a machine coded number that helps uniquely identify your computer on the internet. Using a freely available database, Help.com can translate IP addresses to rough geographic areas (usually the nearest major metropoliton area).
Additionally, every user is given the option to “place themselves” using the provided account tools so they can change their geographic location. We appreciate it when users stay close to reality. If you really live in the Antarctic, that’s pretty cool, but otherwise please don’t place yourself too far from where you really live.”
And if I don’t want my city shown?
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Rook: Might I quote your profile:
“Where do you live now?
Berkeley“
Why, when you obviously so easily give up this information, do you so strongly object to it simply being auto-discovered?
Um *cough* I doubt a stalker is going to search for one person in a whole city.
And what Chuy said.
Finley: then put it in the middle of your state. Heck, some of the IP address mappings we use only get as specific as the *country*. In cases of city, state, or country, it simply puts the location marker in the center.
I’d challenge anyone to find my simply by the merit that I live in San Francisco. Not exactly going to be an easy task.
Yeah, but locating a kraut emigrant in a city like Southport, CT might be a lot easier, or not?
Ahh thats why mine went to Neasden instead of “Central” London. And I think BT Tower is in Neasden…
Yes, but that is lying about my location, which I shouldn’t have to do. And I do live in the middle of my state.
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It’s not lying, it is approximation. Saying “I live in the USA” isn’t a lie.
Chuy, I applaud both the skill and ingenuity it took to make this map work. Now the map has to fit the community standards — the technology has to be made to fit help.com users.
I can easily imagine a woman running from an abusive spouse coming to this site looking for help on how to escape, and then be absolutely wracked with fear when they see their city/state is revealed on the map.
I think a good solution is to have an opt-in, the idea of using something more anonymous than the picture icon (which I thought was ingenious coding) could be good, possibly only locating by state, or even more generally by country.
POOR POOR JEFF…are you banging you cyper-head against the cyper-wall yet??
any of us can be found by much easier methods than the internet, and ip addresses. With a little info about you, my Uncle the Skip tracer cna find you in about 2 days…………
again,,poor poor Jeff….and i am the most paranoid of all, and i am not concerned by this.
I think road, or area of city, yes, that is bad. But that is kind of only optional.
Right but the marker has to sit in some city, and any city but mine would be a lie. What is wrong with giving us the choice?
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Um, maybe he is working on that?
Oh and I don’t think creating and maintaining a website is easy.
for goodness sake…really guys, come on. This is just a visual of something that has been around since the beggining of the internet.
heck, there is a program from msn that lets you ping someone to find them…TO FIND THERE ADDRESS EXACTLY. your over reacting.
actually the ping thing only finds their IP…
Well, there are others who are expressing their concern and fears. If it is valid or invalid fears is not for us to decide.
While it is quite simple to obtain IP’s if you wanted them, the user would have to visit your post, then you’d have to analyze logs.
Now, just because a person has the freedom or option of doing that, doesnt mean we should give it away. Its like thinking “They’re just going to do that anyways, so we should just give what they were seeking to begin with.”
No, but at a most basic level it’s an argument about stifling useful innovation because of the simple fear of misuse. And I’m not on the side of fear.
Oster.gar said I can easily imagine a woman running from an abusive spouse coming to this site looking for help on how to escape, and then be absolutely wracked with fear when they see their city/state is revealed on the map.
I would like to see a response to this.
HEY, HERE IS A GOOD TEST
find me, akslogistic, useing this site and its features….good luck.
by the way, my first name is Brian
I ask again, what is wrong with giving us the choice? I have absolutely no problem showing my state. But I don’t want any information volunteered for me. I know what I risk when I get online, that’s my problem, as is whatever I tell other people. I’m just asking for a choice here.
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anyone?? anyone at all? prove to ME the dangers of this feature, please
I will try
I am just going to see who is right
I will use legal methods
I know that feature alone can’t locate people, but giving them the city, plus whatever someone puts on their profile, plus any posts hinting at it, it really wouldn’t be that difficult to find someone. And I can’t see why we should have to refrain from putting things on our profile or answering posts.
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It doesn’t matter if people can prove there are dangers, or not. Why force everyone to do this? The girls are clearly expressing their doubts and then those doubts are being cast off as a “simple fear”.
Aks’ profile says Florida. The map says Canada.
I conclude:
Aks is somewhere in the vicinity of North America.
oh, i am there all right…
rookandpawn, why do we have to give our address when we sign up for a cell phone?
i agree with you,to a point, but this is really blown far out of perportion…
like i said, prove the risk, and i am sure we can get the changes made then…
isn’t this better than just bickering???
I’m not saying they shouldn’t have fears, rook, I am trying to explain that they should not assume they are safe even with this data hidden, which is the general gist of their argument. “If Help.com hides this data, I’ll be safer.” which is not true.
Apparently (this was on bbc news ages ago) you have like a virtual footprint
And it requires expert hacker skills to destroy the virtual footprint.
I personally already knew that, but how does that validate not letting us choose? Just answer it. Why can’t we have a choice?
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Okay, let me make up a reasonable number (Assuming a 50/50 split in male female). Say a little more or a little less than half of all the females who use help are distresed by the map. Thats 25% of the users right there.
This immediately affects the content, tendency, and freqeuency of Help users and contributors. In short, the risk is already proven.
We need not denounce their fears as that is incorrect, or by saying
“Well your stalker simply could have just gottena free webhoster, had the technical comptence to analyze logs, then tricked you into clicking on a post which displayed an image linked to that free webhoster, so we’re just gonna give it to him and save him from all that work!”
you know what i mean chuy.
but what do you mean by theres a difference between destroy and leave no trace.
“In short, the risk is already proven.”
No, a potential for a abuse is demonstrated — not proven. Not that it even speaks to the wild assumption of the numbers you quote.
Also, is it not more insulting to let these users wallow in their false assumptions of anonymity? Is it any more fair to let these people continue to erroneously believe that simply because their data is not plotted at one site they are safe on the internet?
@such: destroying entails going back and erasing your paths, which is near impossible — leaving none is a “from right now” measure.
And I ask again, why can’t we have a choice?
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We’re not talking about web hosters, content providers, or personal logs.
We’re talking about implementing a policy that affects privacy concerns for all users. That it is technically possible to obtain location information is not relevant to the issue of what the users may WANT. Just because it is technically possible to obtain such location information doesn’t warrant the dispensing of that information!
Chuy said: Also, is it not more insulting to let these users wallow in their false assumptions of anonymity?
That is *not* for us to decide.
so, no proof…was just trying to help..
also, just so we all are on the same page. Cnet and Help.com are businesses, not democracies..(as i have been forced to face on more than one occasion) with several thousand users.
The site is set up a certain way, and in the terms of use, it is within the site admins ability (given with your concent at sign-up) to change the nature, function, usability, anything about this site without prior notification, with the exeption of revealing or selling personal info without consent.
now, the admins are not powrr mad monsters, but they do as they see fit, which is their right.
among thousands of users on this site, i estimate around 15-20 involved in this debate..that is not 25%. The reason i asked for proof of risk was to have a reasonable, logical reason for them to change something on this site, not just an emotional reason.
there are ways and ways to approach something like this, and emotionally might not be the best wya, for either side.
Revealing personal information without consent seems to sound quite like this situation. All I’m asking is for a choice, let us choose if we wan’t people to see that. The map device still works, many I’m sure will use it, and the one’s who want to be hidden, are. Who loses?
And fear is a powerful emotion, especially when it’s justified. Fear may be misplaced in a debate, but when it comes to personal information, I can’t see how being fearful can harm you much.
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finley, i see and respect your concerns, even if i do not agree.
but, your address is personal, not your ip location.
attacking and fighting will not only not help, but will most likely make the person deaf to what you are saying…
and please hear this…the info you are trying to hide is never hidden, he just added a visualization to an already existing thing, he did not add a locater at all…
READ THIS PART PLEASE
so what exactly are you asking for a choice in?
i mean, i moved my map to canada, and turned off the map toggle, so for me now, the r is even less info available than there was before the mao was displayed
“or you’d simply like to change your location a bit, please feel free to do so using the Map page in your Account Admin.”
I know it is never hidden, but that is my risk to take. This really isn’t because I’m paranoid of being located or something, but I want the choice to tell whoever I wish where I live, and I want the choice to not tell them. And I shouldn’t have to lie about where I live. The marker has to go in some city, why should I lie and put it somewhere else? So I can explain to everyone no, I don’t live there, and then explain why I didn’t want them seeing where I live because of a few hideous experiences that not even my closest friends know about? My town is not that big. Simply knowing what type of car someone drives is enough here. I’m not trying to start a big debate or fight, if you read all the posts, not once is my question answered. That’s the only reason I’m still asking it.
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Let’s see…
If you don’t like the map, turn it off or position yourself somewhere other than where it initially places you.
This is being blown extremely out of proportion.
From the average user’s perspective, they see the map, and, for all they know, the map does reveal their street address. To the average user city/state IS personal information. And fear and discomfort are real concerns.
A gun is just technology, and the potential for misuse of the technology is in the hands of the user, but many people want nothing to do with guns because they are afraid of that potential misuse.
Some people are saying they are afraid of how the map information might be used, and don’t know enough about the technology to feel secure. They are uncomfortable.
Is that really the response you want from anyone when they visit help.com?
Put simply; When people express fear of something appearing on your website, you damned well better do something about it.
i am sorry, you are really losing me here.
sometimes he does not answer once he feels pressured..sorry, but on a personal level, the guy worked hard to get this going, and he works real hard on this site.
sometimes people forget that insulting the site is insulting Chuyskywalker. and he does have feelings, even of he os a geek.
p.s. i looked at several posts you had replied to, and did not even see you on the map, finley…
and finley, i answered your question…did you see my answer???
“Cnet and Help.com are businesses, not democracies..(as i have been forced to face on more than one occasion) with several thousand users.
The site is set up a certain way, and in the terms of use”
I know that, and I respect him and the work he’s done on it. And he’s done a fabulous job, and I know I could never do it half as well, but that doesn’t mean I should change my opinion on it. That’s like supressing your views on the president because it might offend him. I’m asking for an additional feature, not for him to throw away all the work he’s put in on it.
And in the terms of use wasn’t it implied that personal information wouldn’t be shared without consent? And honeslty, businesses usually care to know how thier consumers feel about something.
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sure, but you have a good option (move your tag on the map) that you refuse to use, so who is really being unreasonable?
I love you, by the way.
While I vehemently defend this feature and believe that there is much to gain and absolutely nothing to fear from its use, I’m not winning an uphill battle to sway some people’s staunch opinions.
As such, you may now opt-out of your location being displayed on maps anywhere on the site. I will not make it an opt-in feature, as that would simply destroy it, but the opt-out is very easy to get to (linked right under the maps on post pages).
I hope this will be an acceptable solution for those concerned.
Jeff edited this post 2 years, 6 months ago. Read the previous text »
Help.com, The Locality Update
In an effort to humanize and contextualize Help.com, we’ve added “Map Views” in several places around the site…
The first, and most obvious, place is the Post pages. Instead of a simple list of each user participating in the post, the users will be placed on a map to show where they are contributing from. For posts which need location relevant assistance, this is a really valuable feature.
Next, you’ll find these maps is on the updated Tag pages. Instead of a simple boring list of posts, we’ll be scrolling around the world looking at quotes & posts by people in that tag as well as noting a few of the brave members who have claimed the tag. :)
While this is actually not new as of this revision, it is linked a little bit more: The Current View is a fun way to watch the site, it will take you around the world updating you with the most recent posts and replies as they happen. Much like the homepage scrolls in new posts, so does this page, but also includes replies!
Now, this is a pretty snazzy change, but it can be a bit of load on your machine. Therefor, we’ve also provided an option to disable the maps on post pages if they cause to much strain on your machine. Just visit your Settings page to toggle them on/off.
Finally, if you’re curious how we know where you are without even asking, we’ve written up an FAQ to answer that, but we’re also not perfect. Our database of IP -> Locations is pretty far from perfect actually, so if we guess wrong or you’d simply like to change your location a bit, please feel free to do so using the Map page in your Account Admin. You will note that we never get any more accurate than your current or nearest City — there’s no need to be more accurate and we have our own reservations about getting too specific with your location.
We’re really excited about this update as it adds a lot of really neat twists on how you can help people and connect with others — we’re very eager to find out how you like it!
awwww. You do a great job man, great job…but you caved, ha ha jk
Thanks again, Chuy! We think it is a great feature.
Perhaps Google should be notified to eliminate certain areas of the map from their satellite records…
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Yeah I don’t see what the problem is. It doesn’t bother me.=)
I love the map feature, too, but some people were bothered because it gave the impression personal information was revealed to the public without their consent. Let’s take their feelings seriously.
I still stand by what I said earlier… The map is great and I tell you all where I live anyway. I don’t worry about stalkers for the simple fact that if someone on here wants to meet me, all they have to do is let me know when they are in town and I will meet them. No big deal.
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Jeff not everyone knows the dynamics of the internet. This is something you need to remember. There are many that come in who are entering a brand new world for them & can be somewhat scary. Your not serving you. Your serving the general public.
Dont get mad because they dont see it your way. I was a bit disappointed that you would close that post although I know you work very hard at making this site be the best in can be & were probably a bit disappointed yourself hearing peoples comments.
Jeff, thanks for giving us a choice. Now it’s fair for everyone.
Thank you:D
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hmmm, i like it! Maps a little akward though
Bravo chuy! This is quite a fitting solution and I think *everyone* is pleased
I LOVE IT!!!!!!! it is soooo cool. You can see where every body is and everything. Totally cool - thank you soooo much Chuy and the rest!
I would have to agree with finley, some younger visiters may not pay attention to moving their mark and may not even know how. That is putting them in danger of wacos out there. Yes anyone can find anybody, but why make it easier for them. I dont thing the map is a good idea. My flag shows somewhere in kansas, and I live in louisiana. I guess using an air card makes it difficult to track. I’m also a guy so stalkers dont bother me infact if there are any female stalkers with out a stalkee, I will tell you where I live. Just ask.
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Cajun: this was covered a few times (I know, too many responses to read) but the data only gets City accurate, and even then that’s at it’s very, very best. This data is only useful for showing a general location — it would ultimately be no more useful than an innocent “by the way, where are you at?” question a potential stalked could get away with asking. (As evidence by profiles, almost no one has a problem answering that for the whole world.)
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heather
If you shut the map off that turns if off on your screen but not on mine
Problem is solved, I think this post should be closed.
Hide yourself, we have that as an option now, yeesh!
Perhaps, putting the option in account settings too, if not done already.
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it is in account settings
Go to the map, and look at the bottom, it says “hide yourself” that takes you off the map, hints, you can’t see me!
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and also
stalkers will just go and find a socialite or someone
they have to live near the stalker
Rabid, this could be classified as hyper paronoia. Ask your brother about it, but the same panic sets in about lots of silly things, like bird flu, mad cow, sars…
not saying you should not be vigilant and aware, but do not let the crowds panic influence you, kay buddy?
i don’t like the new map thing. i like it better the way it was before
I want it to show my address, cell phone number and my vehicle description, I want a female stalker:) I’ll even strap a gps to my *** so they can find me:)
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what if it is a very, very ugly female stalker, that smells like rotten cabbage and has running sores on her body???
Man, be dam careful what you wish for, you just might get it…
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remember this i heard on Howard Stern once…” they would not be called stalkers if they were hot”
lol I’ll be your stalker ; )
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where can I actually see where I’m shown on the map?
Why does my computer not show any of the maps just an empty space. Is it requiring Windows XP? or IE 7 (I use IE6).
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