The only thing I can think of is that people don't realize they have it turned off????

I think some people just feel like the more privacy they have, the better.  Probably if they are ever given the option to keep something private, even if it's seemingly unimportant, they choose to keep it private. 

Also, the notebook entries are part of the public profile.  I use my notebook to keep a list of the books I've read this year.  Maybe some members want to use that function, but don't want any of their personal info public. 

Maybe they just buy credits and order books.  Or maybe they don't know it's turned off.  It is odd tho.

I think Robin is probably right, the member does not know the profile is not public!   As a Tour Guide, I have had a few questions from new members who did not know their profile was not public and wanted to know how to fix it. 

I hadn't thought that they might not realize it's private. Have profiles always been private by default? I don't remember having to make mine public when I set mine up.

Well, considering I'm dealing with an online stalker right now, I w ouldn't mind having my profile private.  I've removed as much 'personal' info as I can to date and am statisfied with that.  I don't think he's found me here yet - but he has elsewhere.  I just hate that my city/state show up on the Top 50 list -- when I specifically shut it off on my profile.  *sigh* 

Didn't realise you could make it private - off to check that out.

Many people do this so they can use the nickname for referring new members to PBS. By using the nickname they do not have to give out their email address.

Robert

Marci, that is creepy, and freaky, and nuts, and WTH?!  I'm so sorry!!

Many people do this so they can use the nickname for referring new members to PBS. By using the nickname they do not have to give out their email address.

I can understand not wanting to give out email addresses but I'm still not understanding keeping your profile so private that no one can see what books you have to offer. This was an issue in the Book Bazaar a couple of weeks ago. The poster offered a deal, but you couldn't see their bookshelf to order anything. As soon as this was pointed out to them they set their profile to public. Being a FIFO site, maybe this is mostly a non-issue to many, but I do occasionally order directly from others' bookshelves.

marci,

what is an 'online stalker'... what does he do?

Definition from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_stalker

Working to Halt Online Abuse - http://www.haltabuse.org/

Check out their statistics - and these are just people who reported to THEM - http://www.haltabuse.org/resources/stats/index.shtml

(Not Marci, but unfortunately I can empathize)

I tried to look at the WL of a swap buddy a week or so ago and her profile kept coming up Not public. I pm'd her and asked her about it because I had been able to read her profile before then. She said she was updating and probably disabled something she shouldn't have.

I'd say it could be for any of the above mentioned reasons.