GNHQ please make it clear that these forums are public!

I was surprised to find a quote from one of my posts on the fb GN page a while back - with a nasty comment from someone - no one commenting on here took it in a bad way - I think taking things out of context is not usually a good idea.

So when they put these threads on FB do they use yoour name from here or your REAL name?

They put up a link to the thread, paddyann so unless you have a facebook account and actually post on Gransnet's page, nobody will know your real name.

Your username will obviously appear on the thread (they're highlighted now) and that's what members are objecting to.

Catching up after a busy day with DGCs so would like to pick up on Lauragransnet ' comment.
We've already had the answer to the multiple names issue but once again you have ignored the main thrust of my post.
Highly apropriate that trust is seen as important but no comment on the significant lack of trust shown by so many posters who are clearly feeling let down by GN.
Yes people were aware that it's a public forum but many were not aware of the FB link and (I reiterate) are disappointed.
More and more are saying that their input will now be restricted. That the support they've sought on GN will no longer be available to them. That threads will become so bland that posters and GNHQ alike will struggle to find anything more interesting than 'the colour of the marigolds'!!

The thing for me was that I was naive. The thread I posted was quite specific, I was desperate for help and some lovely posts were placed so that I started to feel less desperate and alone. It then appeared on Facebook. OK, I should have been prepared for that, but, and its a big but in my innocence I thought GNHQ would be selective and not put something so personal on there. You could say it was my fault and I couldn't dispute that too much. The Facebook post has caused no end of damage and as I said previously I can no longer ask you fellow gransnetters for support. All I can really add is to reiterate the advice given and do not post anything of a personal nature.

I've seen a site which is public, but has the option to use an 'anonymous' feature when posting personal stuff.
Or, there could be a closed forum for more sensitive issues, which is guaranteed not to be put elsewhere.
I'm surprised gransnet haven't set up some sort of option.

Other forums I've been on do have some closed member only threads - I would prefer that as I too am unlikely to offer support to others again in terms where I cite my own experiences despite seeing how much this helps posters when they realise others have suffered/experienced similar to their issue. My whole extended family is on Facebook and it's a great way to keep connected through the generations.

I'll be backing off from here ,I have shared things which only close family know BECAUSE I assumed it was private..I know... my own fault .But I wont be doing it again.I use FB to keep in touch with friends and family accross the world and some of them wont know about stuff I posted here ,and I didn't want then to know .

I know how you feel, paddy.
There are things that I would share with some people and not others. Considering almost everyone I know is on Facebook or has connections with it, it feels like I would be sharing everything with everyone; even things which aren't really my business to share
I had considered talking about a family members illness, and how it has affected me/us, but its not my business to do so, when its something she doesn't broadcast.

I'm really sorry to hear that notoveryet.
It shows that the bland assurances we're now getting from GN can't be relied upon.
They still have absolute right to do as they wish with our posts and, however careful they are being at the moment, it just takes one lapse of attention or one failure to notice that there are identifying details in a post and there we'd be in the same situation again.

I have noticed today as I am browsing GN on the right hand page adds appear... it has only just struck me that the adds that are appearing..are websites I have googled today!

Must admit I have noticed them before..n thought hmmm funny! I looked at that! website today!! it never clicked until now that everything seems to be tracked.

Presume nothing to do with GN the adds appearing more to do from google search engine I don't know?

Sad isn't it?
I've raised this very point several times and not once has GNHQ addressed it. Maybe when all they have is the bland and the boring they'll realise why.
Dozens of posters have said what we're saying and have been ignored.

It says this on the Gransnet Tips for First-timers page: "Remember that anyone, anywhere, can Google everything posted, so it's not a good idea to post identifying info or email addresses."

Could hardly be clearer.

I think anyone on facebook who knows me will know my gransnet name now. They've put the vegetarian thread on it.
Not many people had vegetarian guest houses in York and then moved to Durham.

Thank you mcem you are saying exactly what I am thinking . Excellent posts .

dj you could quickly post to that thread saying how surprised you were to meet several people who had also done those things.

Baggs agree. But the current system isn't fully working, possibly because many people go straight to the Forums page and start posting. So IMHO that note should at least be on the Forums page too.

As for GN reposting the "family drama" posts, it's a bit gossipy, isn't it?

People like gossip. Gransnet is a business.

So what do we do stay on here and talk about rice pudding and ignore anything with any umph in it .....
Warn every new person that arrives so again it will resort to mundane chat which is pleasant but bland
We have asked GNHQ for a private area for more personal problems have we had an answer ? I haven't seen one
I see no reason why fb Twitter and this general site could not be kept seperate with the option and a link to join the others if wanted Its laziness to use the same subjects on three different sites cant GN be arsed to moderate different sites
They think if they keep quiet long enough it will all go away and we ll forget ( after all we re old) and start posting more interesting subjects again

I don't think it's a case of can't be arsed, bb. I think they made a business decision (like Mumsnet) to do things the way they do with regard to FB and Twitter. It's about increasing the size of Gransnet's reach.

I think what we do is not say anything we wouldn't want to go viral or that we wouldn't want to identify us. That's a good basic rule to stick to on the internet anyway.

Mumsnet has the option of changing one's username if one wants to discuss something too personal. I think Gransnet not having that is a sad lack.

durhamjen your relatives or friends can look on this site at any of the posts but would they bother looking on Gransnet, likewise Gransnet Facebook would they bother to search out Gransnet on Facebook why would they be anymore interested by the Facebook site than this site.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

I once asked for a post of mine to be removed because it related to a family member who might be a member of GN.
But at the time I didn't realise the general risk of things I write on forums being transplanted wholesale onto Facebook, DM etc.
Thinking of changing my username too - if that's possible.

Good heavens, Elegran, you do keep track of people, don't you? Thanks for putting everything so succinctly in the one place for anyone on facebook to see.

HQ have informed me that they have removed that link from facebook, so thank you, HQ. They have more common sense than you, Elegran.

When I first started on GN, there was no link to fcebook or twitter. I assumed that only grans and grandads would be interested in GN.

Now GN is using itself as clickbait to get numbers up.
I get a lot of stick for using links to skwawkbox, but he refuses to have advertising on his site, as he does not want to be used as clickbait.

I don't want any old facebook user to know all about my grandson, so you'll be pleased I won't be mentioning him any more on GN.
If I don't feel like I can mention my grandchildren for fear of being recognised and getting hatemail for having EU daughters in law, what's the point of being on Gransnet?

I refuse to go on games threads. I am interested in politics, which includes anything to do with Brexit and my European family.
I don't expect complete anonimity, but I don't expect to be able to be followed by anyone in the wide world on facebook who does not agree with my views.