Thanks for your expressions of concern. I put that stuff in my resume because it means I can print it off anywhere, anytime – which is handy if, like me, you have six or seven part-time jobs. And I wasn’t worried about identity theft, because I don’t have a credit card. Anyone wanting to sue me for wads of cash would soon find that they had picked the wrong person, I can assure you. Finally, I’m not employed in any capacity that would be jeopardised if my Internet postings were to become known.

Still, your posts have given me food for thought, and I might review some of the information I have put up on the Net, over the next couple of days. Thanks again.

As somebody who works in IT I have some awareness of the potential dangers of revealing personal information on the Internet, and am therefore doubly cautious. Remember that information on the Internet is often indelible and what is once loose cannot be put back in the bottle.

My personal take is that Vincent has revealed far too much; but perhaps because he lives outside the USA he will be less at risk, I’m not sure.

In your case as a professional journalist writing on this blog is part of your trade – for many of here though this is only a sideline interest; and for that reason many of us do wish to remain anonymous and keep our professional and amateur lives apart. ANd it is a common practice for many nowadays to blog on their companies time and indeed using company computers, so another reason to be cautious. computers and time). Sorry you don’t respect that, but there are some very solid reasons for using avatars.

I know of two competing theories about personal information on the Internet:

1. Tell ‘em everything (if it is anyone’s business). Generally, public records are public business. But there is a LOT that that doesn’t include.

2. Tell ‘em nothing. Be an avatar.

As a traditional journalist, I tend to respect avatars less.

But my view dates back to the days when news hounds covered local controversies. We wanted to make clear that we were normal local people who live in the community and pay taxes and pull weeds and give to charity, and so forth.

We didn’t give ourselves names like “Lucifer’s Pit Bull” or “Everyone But Me Is A Complete Idiot.”

We didn’t even think that way.

Sometimes, we reported news people didn’t like to hear, other times news that they did. Can’t help that.

Personally, I put on the ‘Net what anyone can find out about me by a minimal search effort.

However, I would strongly advise you not to allow your personal information to be so easily accessible on the Internet!

Thanks very much. I’m glad you liked my post. If you have a look at my Web page, http://www.angelfire.com/linux/vjtorley/index.html and click on the Resume link, you’ll find the information you need.

Best wishes,

Vincent