Spock is a blast. I think its the way of the future. At first, I
reeled at the idea -- oh no, identity theft, here we come. But
then I remembered when Google archived the ancient usenet
postings (well, got them from alta vista), when infospace (I
think it is them) figured out a few people I was related to (and
a few that I'm not related to as well, alas) - and thought,
"Hell, why not?" So, I've been having fun with it. I think it's
fantastic resource. And, if nothing else, it will help show to
those that think their myspace is immune from the www, that it
AIN'T. If you don't want it to be public, don't make it public.
[of course, getting out of phone directories is a trickier
endevour, but if it's something you want to do, just contact
each of the websites you find yourself unwittingly on and ask to
be taken off. Believe it or not, most do oblige. Is it right
that it's there in the first place? That's an issue for the
ethics of privacy (as if there ever WAS such a thing of privacy
-- privacy is really a modern concept that's unfortunately built
on a fantasy we all used to share). But if its here, at least
make the representation of yourself as good as possible. Put up
a good picture of yourself. Add a few things about who you are
and who you are not, and pray that you don't have any enemies
just waiting to smear your good name. And who knows? Maybe it'll
land you a job you otherwise might not have gotten, or help you
get in contact with old friends. [I found an old classmate who
once complimented my piano playing in high school in the
PHILLIPINES - he runs a night club there -- THAT'S the power of
the Internet - right there.] Kenneth Udut
