March 18, 2013
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If I leave here tomorrow
If I leave here tomorrow …. would you still remember me?
Seriously now, Xanga is all about those of us who write blogs and those of us who comment on them. We are very discussion and relationship oriented. We live for new blood here. We are not Facebook, where only your real world “friends” are allowed to see your stuff. As if any of us have 500 real friends
We on Xanga are a community of people who want to interact with each other. But we are letting ourselves be chased into our own little walled gardens. Where we will slowly die from a lack of new blood
Unless you really are only posting private stuff, to your real world friends, take your site off of friends lock. The trolls want you to do lock your sites up, stop running from them. When you go on friends lock, you take yourself off of the top blogs. And you lose the ability to meet new people. As go sign in lock, that also takes you off of top blogs. Xanga wants those coming to xanga for the first time to be able to read the top blog. No one can rate your site if they do not sign in anyway, so there is little reason to use sign in lock, unless you do not want someone you have blocked to read your blog. You can make it so those not signed in can not comment. That hurts nothing at all and lets you block the creeps out there, one at a time.
If Xanga stops being a good place for discussion and meeting new people. I will go to a bigger and better blogging site. I have had a little success on on blogger in the past. If Xanga is going to be a walled garden, I would rather go there than stay here with just a handful of people talking to each other from behind their block walls.
If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?
Are you going let the trolls win?
Comments (76)
Good point
Pepperidge Farm remembers…
Seriously though, I will.
Seems like just the other day I was thinking how long it had been since you had been around, and then all of a sudden you were back! Yes, I remember. I still remember many who have since gone. I just haven’t had the guts to move on I guess. I found my little cave, why leave?
@Hunt4Truth - If you know why you want them . But lately people are doing it out of fear of trolls and EX ratings. For that it is overkill
Ratings of Ex is what set off the latest move by xangans to turn on Friends Lock. Before that there were impostors as well. Impostors are people that steal profile information to set up an account that they control but one that looks like someone else. Ex ratings cause other xangans not to be able to access a blog. If a blog gets an Ex rating then only a few xangans can access that blog. If you’d want to gain access to an Ex blog then you’d have to send an application with an id to Xanga (see: https://register.xanga.com/verify/ageverificationform.aspx ).
If someone impersonates a blog owner, they can use the same profile and picture of the real blog owner. They can of course create all manner of chaos this way. Ultimately, there is no way to prevent this. I don’t plan to detail for anyone how to do this, but trust me, I’ve figured it out that there is ultimately no way to prevent it. Friends Lock even cannot ultimately prevent it.
However, privacy settings, in general do allow the user to decide how Xanga members can use their blog. I’ll give you (Paige and all) some instance examples.
Include me in Weblog, Photo, Video, & Audio Search
How is this of value to me? I don’t want everyone in this world to find my Xanga content. I wouldn’t click NO though unless I’ve thought about it–it blocks search engines like google from indexing my blog. If I care to be found, it makes a dilemma for me to turn it off. If I don’t want to be found, I’ll turn this off (select NO).
Include me in Users Search
If selecting NO, then the id is not going to be found here by a user search. Say, maybe someone from FB or another blog is a friend. They get here, and they think since Xanga isn’t sending them possible friends lists, maybe search for FB names… sure, let’s hook up at Xanga with friends we already know at other sites. Or, maybe not… how about not wanting some users to find a Xanga id… that can happen. In fact, I’ve read Xanga blogs that state that they hide from stalkers.
Allow only signed in Xanga users to view my site
You don’t want to be in top blogs or you don’t want people to browse you pages without leaving a trace of who looked at your pages… this works.
Allow only Xanga users with Footprints to view my site
Again, this helps block some of the search engines; but not all. It prevent anyone that isn’t using footprints. A user can be signed in and still be invisible by selection of invisibility (Browse Xanga anonymously).
My new favorite is Friends Lock
Allow only my Friends to view my site
I’ve never gotten so many requests for friends as since I turned it on. It gives me better control of who is accessing my blog. It prevents me from getting into top blogs — oh well, who wanted to see me there anyway? Pretty much nobody — so nothing is lost.
Paige (and all). Some appreciate privacy settings. I know I do.
You are one of my favorites here Paige… I’ll probably remember for a while. I’m getting old, but no sign of dementia yet.
@trunthepaige - agreed — think about it is my opinion too!
Hello I am an evil fake person coming to EX you. I am told I cant do that because I am a new site. Lets see if that is true. But I will make it an A
its me seeing if i can rate myslef.
Xanga is so bad off that even the trolls have departed.
I have been tempted to put Friends Lock on to avoid a few haters and trolls. But I always told myself I wouldn’t do that, because then what’s the point of my blog? It’s not hard to block somebody if they repeatedly spam your site.
I actually have not seen any trolls on here anymore! There’s no point for Friendslock unless you are hiding from family members for some reason. Xangans are a friendly bunch. Well… other than the recent EX rating debacle.
Too many that were fun bloggers have left for many reasons, but the main one has been harrasement from trolls.
Yeah I’d remember…heck I’d miss you and your thought provoking, controversy starting and AA-Team aggravating entries.
@ShimmerBodyCream - What I like is that they have hidden themselves behind friends lock. Poor guys are not getting the attention they adore hidden like that
@buddy71 - That bothers me most. The hard nosed people like me almost like a fight. But most of xanga was nice fun people. The family blogs used to make the top 20 as did the comic ones. They are all gone,.
If you leave here tomorrow I won’t remember what you said, but only how you made me feel.
Good point. I used to be public, and enjoyed getting way more comments. But I started blogging about a lot of private things, and wanted it to be a safe place, where I don’t have to worry about hurtful comments. So, the locks are on. But I do hope that new xangans continue to find your site.
Nope.
I’m sorry, who are you again?
i would remember you. i would be sad too if you leave. you are my friend. i will check my site. i went FL to avoid any ex ratings.
You’re right.
I am on sign-in lock, not so much because I am worried about what I write or comment (every now and then I post really personal blogs but dont want to make them private every time I want to vent).. but because I am friends (or a reader) of many blogs, that sadly in religious circles would be frowned upon and might even cost me employment. Right now I cant afford that. but I do agree about friends lock. I hate when I see a comment, click the name, and it is on friend lock. I cant read your post.
@ShimmerBodyCream - What about sign-in lock? How do you feel about that?
I’d miss your fun. For me, I am resigned to not making top-blogs; I use sign-in lock and (attempt to) prevent myself from showing up in off xanga searches. It’s a control/equality thing for me… I want to know my readers and to be able to easily interact with them. If I was more professional on my blog and wanted to pimp it to the masses I’d remove the security.
I would remember you. I don’t read all your posts, but I have been reading some for more than 5 years. I first “met” you through Random Neaural Firings whom I know personally, but not well, as he is very shy and quiet in person. We went to the same church before he moved.
@ata_grandma - he is a very nice guy
Hugs. I’m sorry someone as beautiful as you has not reached xanga fame. You can send me a friend invite on fb. I def don’t want to lose touch with such a kind hearted compassionate soul.
I’ll never forget you Paige! I always block trolls first, and so far it has worked well. Be proactive take the buzzards out or they’ll take a shot at you.
Should I publish the address to my Blogger account do you think? Everything I put there has been here first, and I don’t post there very often.
@Such_are_you - You should your work should not be lost if something happens here
I think some of my best xanga friends could have been called trolls! They harassed me horribly. They teased me then blocked me from their sites! It was horrible! I loved it! They are my best friends now.
When are you going to start trolling me? Huh?!?
You can’t go anywhere yet! I don’t know you yet!
Umm.. Have you seen any chocolate?
@Donkey_Guy_10 - Some trolls are funny, some are fun, and some are seriously mean. These guys are just a pain in the ass
Hey Paige, it’s me Lonnie, Such_are_you. I want to see for myself if I can rate sites from a completely new site. Here comes another “A”
Yeah… I’m staying on friends lock. Not because of the trolls though. I’m sure you understand, Paige. Good points made.
And, yes, I would remember you. You’ve made yourself quite distinguished around here.
Well, as it happens I could give a rating but it didn’t change the number at all on your ratings chart, so it seems it doesn’t work for new sites to rate existing sites. I’ll shut this site down now.
@onlyatrolltest - I already checked that and you can. And the new account has rather good weight
@trunthepaige - I rated “A” but the number on your ratings chart didn’t change. Even if I removed it the number does not change, so I’m a bit cornfused.
I have never gone to friends lock(except when I tried to pull a prank on a used to be friend and it was ignored) and I don’t care to go on sign in lock either.I’ve tried coming back now for the umpteenth time ad this time I just can’t get into it.Sure,I’m busy and the upcoming back surgery has me scrambling,but I just can’t seem to get into posting here.I like it,but right now it just isn’t working for me.Maybe sometime after the surgery,since I’ll be off work for a month or longer.I guess when I want to keep it serious and leave the goofiness behind,I have trouble expressing myself.I need Goofy!
I’ll leave this site up regardless if I ever use it much or not. Cool song by the way. Tuesday’s Gone is one of my favs of Skynyrd
My blog is open to the public, feel free to visit. I even make top blogs sometimes! I will not forget you Paige.
I would remember you. I’d be sad if you left, too.
I’ve never been on Friends Lock. Never will be.
I hope you’re not thinking of closing your blog.
The only reason I still have a Xanga is so that people I DONT know can read it. God help me if worlds collide.
Touche.
It seems that people are here then they disappear for a while and then come back. Yes, I remember them and all that have crossed my path.
I was on anther site that was suppose to stop blogging so 90% of the people left. But they lied to people and the place does still have blogging. But I remember all that have crossed by path, because I believe people cross my path for a reason. I count each person that comes across my path as a friend. Not just a person on a page, but my friend. I don’t know you well, but in time the more I read, and when you left you would be missed and not forgotten. Bro. Doc
Agreed. And I love that song
You are quite unforgettable and what I do not understand is why someone on friends lock sends out friends invite. I have found no need for friends lock thanks to the block button.
There was a time I was on friends lock to stop harassment but that person and her buddies have been long gone for a while now.
Good post.
Well said! God speed, ~ Pete
You are right. But I’m afraid to open my page up.
it’s not the trolls, it’s the relatives. Some ppl need a place to get away from all that, sign in lock comes in handy for that.
I am off friends lock. Hi
I am not new blood here but rarely anybody comes my way; this renders Xanga the moon I howl at.
I am fairly new here and I would have to agree with you. Many times I have tried to go read a blog that sounds interesting only to find it on friends lock. It’s sad really because I was under the impression that a blogging community was exactly that, interacting with different people. Thanks for leaving your page open.
i rarely forgot hot girls
(didn’t meant to say that out loud)
I like footprint lock. Then I can see who came by my page. I don’t care about being on top blogs. I have some friends who often make it there, but It can be easily skewed to those who willy nilly except every invite even if there’s nothing in common, as if saying they have hundreds of “friends” validates them. More friends equals more views and comments and so they get on there but it’s not necessarily that they have the best writing skills or informative blogs always. Also, Ive seen ones on there that have in excess of 1000 reads but less than 50 comments. that’s 950 views that people DONT comment, and though I agree that not everyone has to comment on every blog they read. I dont think I’d want hundreds doing so. I might then wonder why they didn’t. I’m paranoid enough. Footprint lock still lets others read, as long as they are not hiding their user name from me. I get suspicious of people who have to hide that they visited.
I used to chat in ROOMS where a whole bunch of invisible people were typing away about a certain topic, one topic for each ROOM. But I stopped that because it was too chaotic…conversations would break apart, and become hard to follow. There were other problems about it too that I didn’t like, so I stopped. But I did like the excitement of LIVE CHAT, and would like to get back to something like that online…I guess that’s why I used to run a coffeehouse!! I am a party person – I love everybody UNTIL I GET TO KNOW THEM! Now, I feel like what’s the use, everyone is so polarized, the lines for the issues are clearly drawn. Unless you are planning a major crime or start a revolution, people are only interested in meeting people like themselves. TRUTH doesn’t really matter to people anymore. Hey, the nuclear bomb is cool, right? Got AIDS? wanna f___? Let’s do drugs! That’s how depressed people are now. Sucks, so who really wants to talk to other people anymore? What kind of make-up do you use? YIKES.
really good thoughts I just wanna say one thing that Fake is becoming a new trend these days … I’m amazed by your points
Visit my blog Online Leather Jackets
no locks over at my place either, my life is a big old boring open book. People come and people go – some I remember and some are forgotten like a dream you can’t quite remember …
You can block then delete the troll. No messy troll drool left. No troll shall keep me from the bridge. Bravo!
@Jaynebug - I agree I find a simple delete with no comment made, as if the fool never existed, works best. They crave attention, my seeming not noticing them, then making them invisible, is the best punishment. Do I talk to a gnat before I swat it?
@mlbncsga - Your blog is rather nice. Its gentle and friendly, by modern Xanga standards it is fairly well read. Your blog is the type of blog that Xanga has lost a lot of.
@mortimerZilch - Someone long ago found out the best way to deal with your opposition when they have the facts behind them and a better argument. Is to stop talking to them and attack them personally. Then make stuff up to deal with their better facts. Us vs them, we lie, they must lie even more because we are the better people. We care, they don’t, they are evil. Divide and conquer
@Crystalinne - As long as you are doing what you do for real reasons. Some have truly personal blogs. Some are basically journaling for their own therapeutic reasons. There are a lot of good reasons to lock up you site and limit its readers. SO long as that reason is not the fear of trolls, all is well.
I personally do that craziest of things. I try to influence peoples thoughts, make them think and I hope everyone enjoys doing it. I am not very worried about stalkers. if you come to my site to stalk me. I will likely leave you bored and uninformed. I do write about personal things at times. But you would need to read a lot of my blog entries to learn much. But some people really write a personal blog. We all do this for different reasons
@maniacsicko - Crazy cave man
you have been here forever
@Journal2myself - I have some friends who write beautiful stuff. Ut few can read it behind the friends locked wall. I see that as sad
@adrianhuggett - but howling at the moon makes us feel better, dose it not ?
@lovealways_arizona - That is the spirit
@strawberryfieldsgirl - I understand that reason. and it is a very good one.
@Evangelist_Guy - Thank you
@Grannys_Place - delete and block works great. Friends lock is for ether very personal sites or emergencies. I just like meeting new people myself. I have a lot of real world friends but we all tend to be alike. Here I run into very different sorts. And I like it
@crazy2love - Its an old favorite of mine. even though its a sad subject.
@BroDoc - we cant know everyone on Xanga. was time there were millions here. Even now its still far too many people to know personally. But some here are very close I would hate to see Xanga go away
@nightprowler579 - En garde!
@TheGiantSlayer - Exactly.
@Celestial_Teapot - NO but if it became a walled garden it might bore me to death. Slowly drift away sort of thing
@firetyger - Yay … I hope I never lose touch of you
@Thatslifekid - When your mask if off I am like who is that? But only for a sort time.
@Rescued_by_grace - Just read its interesting. You are not obligated to do anything you do not what to do. Be careful after back surgery. You will not want to sit at a computer, its bad for you back. but the internet is great when you are laid up. I hope you have a tablet you can lay in bed and use it
@SlickRick297 - I know why you lock it up. That is a good thing. But you have many sides to you and one of them works out best in puplic
I thought I was still the new xangan?
@BoulderChristina - Oh you are. To me you are
Terrific post Paige. Well done. Well said.
@Bricker59 - Thank you I am more than a bit shocked that this has pissed some people off. I would understand it if they were prison guards who thought I was unfair. But that has not been the case
That’s the reason why I’m staying in xanga for soo long time. I am keeping my facebook to keep in touch with people who live miles away from me. But I could really say that I am more real here on xanga. i can be myself because people will judge you based on that you blog and makes xangans real. I am trying to separate my facebook life from xanga life because those sites are different from each other in terms of the people and the concept as well.. =)
By the way, I keep my xanga open to public to meet people and get more opinions..=) But I avoid connecting my xanga to my facebook to protect myself from the people on facebook who might use my xanga to take gossips or issues against me=)
You have given a good point. But because of all the EX rating. many are scared and have friend’s lock on. And is uncomfortable.
I don’t even remember what status my journal is in, as far as that stuff goes. haha. Guess I should find out, eh?
And I’d remember you. I like stumbling across your blogs randomly. 
@xxMissforbiddenfruitxx - Agreed!