X-Message-Number: 15555
Date: 4 Feb 2001 23:37:25 -0000
From: "Kevin Q. Brown" <>
Subject: Re: Everything you say here is open to the whole web

In message #15535 Marty Kardon expressed surprise that
some of his CryoNet postings were catalogued by a Web
search engine.  I was surprised that he was surprised,
but it was useful to hear him because other people may
have expectations that differ from mine.

For many years, perhaps since the beginning of the list,
the welcome message for new subscribers has included a
warning that CryoNet cannot control redistribution of
the messages.  The welcome message:
  http://www.cryonet.org/info.txt
currently words that warning as:

  REDISTRIBUTION: CryoNet messages may be redistributed
  electronically to other people not on the mailing list.
  (Once the messages get distributed to hundreds of people
  via email, CryoNet has no control over what people do
  with them.)  Also, since the archives are accessible
  via WWW, anyone with WWW access can retrieve messages
  years after they have been posted to the mailing list.

This does not mention web search engines explicitly.
Perhaps it should, not just once in the welcome message
but periodically in CryoNet digests, to drive home an
important point about the Internet:

  You should assume that everything you post to any
  Internet mailing list or news group will be readily
  accessible to everyone in perpetuity.  Potential
  future employers, friends, and enemies will know
  everything you have said on-line.  For your own sake,
  make certain that you are willing to stand behind
  your words.

I will add a brief reminder of this in the "Administrivia"
section of the Monday and Thursday CryoNet digests.

    Kevin Q. Brown
    

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