I just had this flashback of The Net, a Sandra Bullock flick, where her identity gets stolen - literally - and gets entangled in a web of conspiracy and murder as she attempts to get her life back.
The story may seem farfetched, but it got me thinking what sort of information can be had about me from the Web. So I did a simple google search for "Nick Ballesteros". Whoa. My Blogger Profile is the top search result. From there you can view my blogger photo, age, where I am in the world, my zodiac sign, my list of blogs, interests, etc.
A yahoo! search for the same name does not reveal the Blog result (this can mean that yahoo! is indeed blocking or limiting search in Google products and services). The top results were about Nick Faldo and Seve Ballesteros, my famous golf namesakes. I always get asked by our visiting foreign business partners if I am related to this famous golfer Ballesteros guy. Sino ba sya? (who's he?) :-)
At number 6, though, is Baguio-Quezon, my other blog.
Interesting search results, especially since I was expecting more than one accurate hit. I actually have my name listed in around 5 other sites for photo sharing and internet community sites, as well as in a host of other places (alumni.net, etc), so I guess if you are really looking for someone in the Net, you are lucky if that person is actively blogging. Otherwise, it will take more than a search engine to find the information you want.
I hope this means my internet identity's safe... for the time being. whew!
At least, I also learned something new from this exercise. My good friend Dr. Watson is now version 1.5, and has expanded services to include website and link verification services. You can do a free diagnosis and syntax check of your site here. (I did a search for watson too, but the word came up with a general search result, which is just fine).
I remember that movie well. First time I think I saw Sandra Bullock in a major role, and thought she was cute, and she still is! The movie has dated as you say but a lot of it is still very relevant, I feel.
ReplyDeleteTalking about Net Identity, as you can see I am posting anonymously as The Sandman, which is obviuosly not my real name! It comes from an old song by the group "America" which was on the what we used to call the "flip or B" of an the old 45rpm singles records. The main song on the 'A' side was the more famous "Horse With No Name"Why Sandman? Don't know, one of those names, and a song that stuck in my head.
Why do I post anonymously? Long story, which will change soon!
Hello Sandman! 45RPMs! I grew up with those!
ReplyDeleteMy nieces, who are part of the CD age, were astonished when my mother told them that we had biggger CDs than theirs. Then she showed the 45s and the long-playing records. :-)
Looks like you also hava a case of the LSS! Read my previous post about it. The Sandman is also a popular song here in the Philippines, along with Horse with No Name.
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ReplyDeleteHmmm... Is our indentity at risk online? My real name and nicknames are posted on sites everywhere! My friend's responsible for this! Waaaaaahh!!
ReplyDeleteHi Ate Fionski! Try mo i-google search name mo. Pag may lumabas na photo na naka 2-piece ka, na-compromise na online identity mo hehehe.
ReplyDeleteHello Ate Fionski! Thanks for the tip in making the search more accurate!
ReplyDeleteYes the Internet is both friend and enemy when it comes to your own personal life. If you want to find someone, try Google. So easy. It is very hard not to be found these days. =)
ReplyDeleteganun ba yon. I tried typing my name at google at hindi naman lumalabas ung blog ko. I realize, it must be because I never identified my complete name in my blog. Siguro no?
ReplyDeleteTry nyo yung tip ni Ate Fionski on searching using more than 1 keyword (for example, complete names). Enclose the phrase in quotation marks! When I saw my results, mas marami ang accurate hits.
ReplyDeleteDr. Emer! You are right about that. The Internet is a double-edged sword.
ReplyDeleteHello Tito Rolly! Ma-iba ng usapan po. Malamang dahil nga wala yung real name mo sa blog kaya di sya lumalabas sa search. Pero pag "tito rolly" ang query item, blog nyo ang nasa top of the list.