With the new little one here, we are a little more hesistant to keep it public (that's why we haven't posted his name here ... he does have a name ... if you haven't heard it then email me, or get on facebook!)
I would really like to keep it public. It's a lot easier for everyone to read and keep updated. But I don't know if I should be comfortable with putting information on here that I want to have here for journaling purposes. I don't want to have to use nicknames (although we do still call him peanut). I have a lot of friends that put all their information on their public blogs, and they are okay, right?
I worry about going private because I know I have a difficult time keeping up with friends' private blogs. If it's not on my google reader, then I don't think to even look at it. I also am not sure some of my family will be able to figure out how to get on a private blog (although I'm not sure how often those family members even look at it.)
So I am asking for two things here:
1. Your opinion. What do you think? For those of you that have a private blog, why did you go private and do you like it? For those of you that have a public blog, are you comfortable putting information on your blog?
2. If we do go private, and you want to be able to continue reading the blog, then leave a comment with your email address so I can invite you. I'm not sure yet if we will, but I figure that I should start collecting emails of those that want to be invited in case we do.
Also, while you click out of google reader to leave a comment, make sure you check out our new layout and header. Thanks to my friend Gail who designed the new look for me. She gave me lots of options, so you might see it changing every now and then.
Anyway, I would really love your opinions and advice!
This is how I feel when I think about going private.
(And why doesn't the hospital have newborn size diapers?
This was way too big!)
16 comments:
well if you go private you can just ask people to ask you if they want to view your blog.
I definitely want in if you go private, and so will Matthew. I think you have both our emails.
We thought about going private when Jacob was born and we thought about it again when we moved, but we figured too many of our family members wouldn't be able to figure it out. Matthew found a way to hide it so it doesn't come up in internet searches or in the Blogger feed. He'd have to tell you how to do it, but it's basically as good as going private. People just have to know the address to get to it. I feel relatively safe that way and people who want to can still see it.
I really have the same dilemma! I actually just made mine public again. I originally went private because of a nosy person in my life, but I'm pretty sure they don't even think about me even more so thats why I went public again. My sister uses nicknames for all her kids, if you want to go that route. I've also set mine to where it won't come up in google searches (at least it shouldn't). My sister told me to read this article for advice:
http://mommysnark.blogspot.com/2008/10/because-i-dont-want-to-be-dateline.html
I figure if you aren't posting information that would allow someone to figure out personal info you don't want strangers to know, you will be okay. (and not posting naked bum pics of the little one :) )
Good luck deciding! Its tough!
I like having my blog public; it's way easier for everyone to keep track of. I avoid using our last name and I (obviously) don't put any information about exactly where we live on the blog. And I use a nickname for our little guy. And if you make your blog non-google-able, then I don't think you have anything to worry about. Good luck! :)
I didn't think that any of my family stuff that I put on my blog could possibly be interesting to anyone but family/friends, and mine was ungoogle-able and off all the feeds. But then I got a stat counter for it and showed that I was getting over 75 hits on my blog every day! Now, I knew that there was no way that my family and friends were on my blog that often, and I did eventually start to get some weird comments. So, despite your best efforts, and for inexplicable reasons, you don't have control when it's public. I went private (sorry you forget to read my blog!) but I was shocked at my stats. I would add a stat counter (they're free) and see what kind of traffic you are getting. That may give you an idea if you are only getting family or if you are getting more than that.
I just didn't want my kid's pictures ripped off my blog, to end up who knows where. I'm private and happy that way. If they love you, they'll find the blog. Maybe I don't get as many people on my blog but I know that the ones that are there I want to be there, so that's peace of mind.
If you're questioning going private, you likely will.
Am I comfortable putting info on my blog? Yes and no. I now live in such a small community that if anyone wanted to find us, it's super duper easy. Should I be more careful? Probably. But I haven't. I really don't think I'm/we're that important.
Please keep us posted on if you do decide to go private. There have been several peeps from that ward who've gone private and not kept us in the loop (much to my chagrin)!
I went private and agree with a lot of what everyone said above. The thing about being public is that you get added to other people's blog's, on the side where they list all their friends. THAT is the problem, my friends. Because then people that don't know you, but are on your friend's blog, click on your blog to check it out and it goes from there. So even if you're not google-able and did all that stuff to privatize your public blog, its still going to get around because all your friends will list you on their blogs and everyone will link to it from there that you don't even know. Does that make sense?
I also did a stat counter when I was public and was getting hits from Germany and all sorts of random places. I don't even have kids and I like being private. So much freer. And I agree that the people who love me will make the effort.
Congratulations on your adorable new baby!!! I'm glad you are all doing well and we are so happy for you! I'm trying to decide the same thing myself which is partly why I haven't really updated my blog recently but if you do go private I would love an invite. My email is kirstencook@gmail.com
I use google analytics for my blog. You can see what city/state/country you are getting hits from, what sites they are coming from, how long they stay on the blog, which links they look at, etc. I like having it public, but I figure I will see if the traffic starts getting weird and can privatize it then.
That diaper is hilarious:) I really don't see the point in going private, hopefully nothing bad happens to us:(. But if you do add us, Sorry I don't think I can leave my info on your non private blog though:) lol
I think you know how I feel about it after going from private back to public. The whole nickname for your kid is kind of weird to me though. That's my sentiment.
Here's a good article on how to keep your blog safe while public: http://www.absolutelybananas.com/2009/04/blogging-smart-how-to-protect-yourself-and-your-family-online.html
I understand your dilemma, but I think there are ways to keep things public and keep them safe.
I totally understand the reasons for going private. But the reason I never do it is b/c no one will read your blog anymore. I know that sounds harsh, but it's true. I read all my blogs through google reader and I never think to check for updates on the private blogs. I check my private blogger friends maybe once a month or less. Anyway, that's my input. Please add me to your private list if you go that direction though!
I wanted to go private and then when I put on my blog leave your email we are going private I had more than 100 emails and you can't have more than 100:) I just try not to make my blog to personal. Just in case my email is savannahdalton@gmail.com
That picture is so funny. He is so cute and I love the diaper:)
P.S. I just read your labor story and you are amazing. I thought I was in intense labor and I was only a 3:). I am a baby.
you better let me in on private. HE is sooo cut! congrats!
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