by Julia Schrenkler
Member since:
August 31, 2005

Are you taking charge of your Internet presence?

October 11, 2007 09:58 AM UTC
views: 0 | comments: 20

"I hate that my Internet self is slow and lame." - Julie Siple, from Taking charge of your Internet tail:

In some ways, you are what Google says you are. Anyone can throw your name into a search engine -- potential employers, potential dates, anybody -- and think they know you, even if you've never met.

Do you care what turns up on your name in an Internet search? Is there something you wish wouldn't appear?

_____________________
Julia Schrenkler
Minnesota Public Radio Interactive Producer

 

Resources:
Minnesota Public Radio program In the Loop
http://intheloop.gather.com/

Comments: 20

Diana Raabe Oct 11, 2007, 10:03am UTC
Good question. It almost seems that if you're not totally off the grid, it's difficult to keep up with your online self.
I just Googled myself and just found out I'm a CIO of a major healthcare company. And that one of my houses was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Why didn't I know this earlier? Nobody told me. I've been living a lie.

I'm pretty safe in real life. Googling my online moniker is another story. Oy Vey.
Julia Schrenkler Oct 11, 2007, 10:38am UTC
Note to those that are reading this and thinking of searching on their name, quotes will reduce or make the results more accurate. example: "Firstname Surname"

Right, Diana, and as indicated in the article...some things have a life all their own. Siple had no idea that survey would end up on the Internet. Can you imagine?

Frick, if you're not living in your Frank Lloyd Wright house, who is?! Hmm
"Frick®...forging the future of refrigeration from 150 years of expertise in the diversified design and manufacture of industrial cold. ..." I never knew.
♯ ♪ Oct 11, 2007, 10:52am UTC
Since I use my real name, I'm out there. But the way I figure it, if I wasn't all the way out there, people would be able to find me anyway. I mean, really. Every Huspek on the planet is related to each other, from the Czech Republic by way of Minnesota. It wouldn't take a Rhodes scholar to find anyone online.
Julia Schrenkler Oct 11, 2007, 10:59am UTC
Honestly, Joanne, I don't think I'd seen your surname before Gather. Isn't it amazing how much of our Gather activity shows up?
I apparently also run a very impressive Art Gallery as well.
Richard B. Oct 11, 2007, 11:19am UTC
Gee, I just did a search with my name in Google and there are two (only two) hits from others that have the same name as I. One died who was born the same year as I and the other is still alive I think. Me nada.

The sign on I use in Gather (rickbb) has many hits as others also use that same id for various log-ons. But I think the best in the one at Club 540 a global traveler site. Some 19 year old dude. My Gather profile is also in there.
Peter Joseph Swanson Oct 11, 2007, 12:46pm UTC
All my Gather posts are there.
Peter Joseph Swanson Oct 11, 2007, 12:47pm UTC
I included my middle name so I can be found. Otherwise there two zillions "Peter Swanson's" on the web (and in my bank, and at the local cemetery)
Julia Schrenkler Oct 11, 2007, 12:51pm UTC
Melinda, you're married to Mike Love?! Wow.

The navigation says it all, Frick: "Entertaining at The Frick | Travel with The Frick" ohhhh really?

Frankly Richard, and please take this as a compliment or I wouldn't say it, but despite any search engine results you are one of a kind. And I like that, you're cool by me. Think you'd ever want to meet your "googlegangers?"
Julia Schrenkler Oct 11, 2007, 12:52pm UTC
Two zillions, Peter? My goodness. Does that make you feel somewhat anonymous on the Internet, even with your own name?
Gary Fischbach Oct 11, 2007, 1:38pm UTC
Julia, how does stuff from Gather get reported to Google or Yahoo? Enter your name or my name and you get tons of stuff from Gather.
Julia Schrenkler Oct 11, 2007, 2:23pm UTC
Google and Yahoo "crawl" or run site searches of purt near everything on the Web. Site owners can tell search engines not to run across their sites, but honestly, some spiders do not obey. (Learn more! Web crawler on Wikipedia)

You didn't mention if you had any "googlegangers", Gary :-)
Richard B. Oct 11, 2007, 2:59pm UTC
Julia, anyone that thinks that instant coffee latte, heated up in the microwave and a toasted bagel with butter, peanut butter and honey is a good breakfast, is alright in my book also.
Bob Collins Oct 11, 2007, 3:21pm UTC
I was killed in a plane crash near Chicago.
Julia Schrenkler Oct 11, 2007, 3:29pm UTC
Rick, I raise my coffee mug to you.

How do you feel about Brian Wilson as a husband, Melinda? You must be mobbed by fans.

Bob you're certainly looking remarkably well. Does that ever cause confusion in aviation circles?
Susan Budig - Mindful Poet Oct 12, 2007, 12:50am UTC
What I find interesting (and I've used that feature) is to input my telephone number. My husband shows up. :-)

What's on Google about me is fine. I like to see where my articles end up and Google is a good way to track them. Some of my stuff from six or seven years ago might make me cringe a bit, but c'est la vie.

I do participate in a few on-line message boards/cybercommunities. Now if those showed up, I've have to go into witness protection.
Julia Schrenkler Oct 22, 2007, 11:06am UTC
Some online communities do show up, which either makes or breaks the case for employing one username that is associated with you but isn't your legal name.

"Some of my stuff from six or seven years ago might make me cringe a bit, but c'est la vie." - Susan Man, I know that feeling with my own stuff all too well!

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