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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by corafree on July 12, 2006, at 0:45:08
Hi Dr. Bob or appointed answeree!
There isn't any law protecting our confidentiality here, as I understand it.
So, which is the safer way for us to connect with one another from places of work?
Or, did I not research this enough (as usual) and has someone already brought up this concern and have you addressed it?
Thank you very much, cf
Posted by curtm on July 12, 2006, at 11:45:29
In reply to Dr. Bob ? Safer to 'post' or 'babble' from work??, posted by corafree on July 12, 2006, at 0:45:08
>> There isn't any law protecting our confidentiality here, as I understand it.
What exactly do you mean? Here on Babble? Where?
Confidentiality with respect to what? No one knows our identities...
Posted by corafree on July 12, 2006, at 12:51:38
In reply to Re: Dr. Bob ? Safer to 'post' or 'babble' from work??, posted by curtm on July 12, 2006, at 11:45:29
I mean that an employer, by some ways and means, can or could gain access to exactly who is who here and what is said by that person here, if it is necessary, say ... in a large law suit.
cf
Posted by Dinah on July 12, 2006, at 13:23:57
In reply to Dr. Bob ? Safer to 'post' or 'babble' from work??, posted by corafree on July 12, 2006, at 0:45:08
Many, myself included, have found it imprudent to post from work. Many companies log their employees internet useage, and there's the issue of histories remaining on the computer.
Not to mention having to suddenly minimize the screen when someone walks in.
Is this what you mean?
Posted by corafree on July 12, 2006, at 13:44:35
In reply to Re: Dr. Bob ? Safer to 'post' or 'babble' from wo » corafree, posted by Dinah on July 12, 2006, at 13:23:57
Not really. I understand using computers from work and minimizing screen, etc.
I don't see what's so confusing here.
I'm sorry Dinah. I'm not feeling well and can't say it any clearer.
I'll answer my own question.
In my opinion, it would be safer to post as you need to move into an area requiring a password, than to babble as that could be opened by anyone.
I asked this because I wished to respond to someone who posts from work and wanted to reply in the best way. If my answer to my question is right, I did it wrong.
sorry..migraine, cf
Posted by 10derHeart on July 12, 2006, at 15:10:51
In reply to Re: Dr. Bob ? Safer to 'post' or 'babble'? » Dinah, posted by corafree on July 12, 2006, at 13:44:35
hi cora,
I'm thinking you mean posting vs. Babble*mail* ?
Yes?
Because to read a posted reply, you have to be on the PB website, where you've signed in. But a Babblemail ends up in the inbox of the receiver's regular email, where it could be more easily read?
If that's not it, I'm sorry. Hope your migraine gets better - I know they are h&ll! If you try again, I think we're maybe a bit confused by the terms *post* and *babble* - as many people use them to mean exactly the same thing.
I guess in the case of more or less safety in receiving an email (through Babblemail), it might depend what email provider a person uses. The trouble is, company/work email would likely have NO expectation of privacy, as it's not intended for personal stuff. Personal email, accessed from work, *might* be treated differntly under the law, but it also might as well *not* be. Problem is with using work time, work PC, work software to send/receive emails of any kind. That may negate a person's privacy rights.
Please understand these are just my general musings - I have a background as a paralegal - but NOT in that type of law - and I'm not in that profession any more. Also, laws would likely vary state by state (or federal, if it came down to a law suit.
It is frustrating trying to communicate here sometimes, isn't it?
Posted by corafree on July 12, 2006, at 15:55:12
In reply to Re: Dr. Bob ? Safer to 'post' or 'babble'? » corafree, posted by 10derHeart on July 12, 2006, at 15:10:51
Yes it's difficult to be clear ... but you've hit the nail on the head. Thank you.
Yes, I meant posting a followup on the site versus responding through the babblemail feature.
I don't know much about a person's ISP and how that would work for or against them though.
Wonder if some ISPs have privacy laws that others don't, or if it is just a case of some ISPs requiring a password upon each access to your email.
I was just concerned that someone could possibly be hurt by their employer by something said in a private, even 'break time', email, at their work.
tkslots, cf
Posted by Phillipa on July 13, 2006, at 21:47:15
In reply to Privacy - Following up by posting v. babblemail » 10derHeart, posted by corafree on July 12, 2006, at 15:55:12
My Daughter works for an attorney and will not allow me to send her anything to do with pbabble. As others can access their mail. Love Phillipa
Posted by octopusprime on July 15, 2006, at 12:41:20
In reply to Re: Privacy - Following up by posting v. babblemail » corafree, posted by Phillipa on July 13, 2006, at 21:47:15
Assume everything you post from work is readable by your employer.
Many companies use what is called a "proxy server" to access the WWW. This proxy server logs requests from clients (ie, you), fetches pages from the WWW, and returns them to you. Personally identifiable information (such as your network address) can be logged by the proxy server. Because the URLs on Dr. Bob's site refer to indivudal posts, it would then be fairly simple to tie you to your posts by reading the proxy server logs.
Even if your employer does not use a proxy server, there are other ways to monitor your web use. Dr. Bob's site is unencrypted. Your IT person can place a device on the network that logs all traffic to and from your computer. Messages to unencrypted websites can be viewed in plain text as they are transmitted over the network. So your posts can be read by your network administrator and traced back to you and your computer.
That said, many employers do not actively monitor network traffic or proxy server logs, unless they already know about a performance problem and are trying to gather evidence.
The best way to communicate while at work would be to use an encrypted web mail system and/or encrypted chat. gmail offers encrypted mail and chat. An encrypted web site starts with the prefix https:// (instead of http://), and you can see a little lock icon in the browser window.
Posted by Phillipa on July 15, 2006, at 12:42:09
In reply to Re: Privacy - Following up by posting v. babblemail » corafree, posted by Phillipa on July 13, 2006, at 21:47:15
Sorry it's Houston is'nt it? Love Phillipa
Posted by corafree on July 16, 2006, at 17:10:57
In reply to Re: Privacy - Following up by posting v. babblemail, posted by Phillipa on July 15, 2006, at 12:42:09
Tks all for the info/edu re: privacy, gmail, etc.
Son suggested I switch to gmail for email. He's a computer geek, so may try to do this some time he stops by.
I worked (when I worked) always 'on' a computer, but never 'in' a computer, if ya' know what I mean ... pretty much only word processing w/ a bit of data entry. Should have taken computer programming or the like in college.
It's Sun. and 'very hot' over/down here! Can't afford to AC the room my computer is in around the clock. Hope all are well here.
cf
Posted by wacky on August 1, 2006, at 12:08:49
In reply to Re: Privacy - Following up by posting v. babblemail » Phillipa, posted by corafree on July 16, 2006, at 17:10:57
I concur with what's been said about privacy and can confirm that there is no expectation of privacy - in any use of the computer, your desk, your work space, etc. (this is California law). Once you walk into the door at work, you are there to serve your employer - and all equipment belongs to the employer. Therefore, your employer has every right to inspect every aspect of your work space (not your purse however). There remains a question whether an employer can monitor personal telephone calls made during a lunch break. My instinct says that goes too far - but you never know. So, use extreme caution, aside from the fact that most employers either forbid or frown on using work computer for personal use.
(I am a licensed attorney in California - so rules may be different in other states.)
Posted by Sunday on August 31, 2006, at 8:34:46
In reply to Re: Privacy - Following up by posting v. babblemail, posted by wacky on August 1, 2006, at 12:08:49
I concur completely with Wacky and have had a human resources department in a mid-sized company (350 employees) report to me in the state of Virginia. I would add that most states have "employment at will" laws and employers can (and do) fire staff members based on written material (even e-mail correspondence) produced on company-owned computers. There is absolutely no expectation of privacy and ergo any and all "postings" to a message/bulletin board are open to their perusal and evaluation. Employers using Employment at Will can fire you without providing any details or specificity on their rationale. A lack of confidence is quite sufficient for release from any position of significant responsibility. For most professional employees, using a work computer to post on Babble or related websites is a very bad idea.
> I concur with what's been said about privacy and can confirm that there is no expectation of privacy - in any use of the computer, your desk, your work space, etc. (this is California law). Once you walk into the door at work, you are there to serve your employer - and all equipment belongs to the employer. Therefore, your employer has every right to inspect every aspect of your work space (not your purse however). There remains a question whether an employer can monitor personal telephone calls made during a lunch break. My instinct says that goes too far - but you never know. So, use extreme caution, aside from the fact that most employers either forbid or frown on using work computer for personal use.
>
> (I am a licensed attorney in California - so rules may be different in other states.)
>
>
>
>
Posted by corafree on September 3, 2006, at 19:05:03
In reply to Re: Privacy - Following up by posting v. babblemail, posted by Sunday on August 31, 2006, at 8:34:46
TY for sharing your knowledge.
I put 'depression cause menopause, take AD, then put down whatever AD I was on at the time' on my last app, was hired by a good employer.
Could it then be an invasion of privacy if I was talking about it to a friend online while at work? I'm thinking you're shaking your head 'no', because I would actually be invading the employer's privacy, 'in a way', too.
Also, future employers(?) could learn of 'me ... yikes!' if they found me here, and not hire me.
I've had same name here a few years. Can that be, and how do I check, Dr. Bob?
I'm worried re: family/friends or possible future employers.
I like my name.
Open to babble.
love, cf
Posted by Phillipa on September 3, 2006, at 20:20:42
In reply to Re: Privacy - Following up by posting v. babblemail » Sunday, posted by corafree on September 3, 2006, at 19:05:03
Hey I just got your e-mail. Love Jan ps hope the big one comes.
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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