If I make my profile private, does it affect my notebook as well?  I did a google search on my user name.  When I click on the link to my profile I get the message that my profile is private.  But, when I click on the link to my notebook, it comes up just fine.  Not sure if I like that or not.

That's a good question. I don't know the answer.  I have trouble with my notebook.  I have lots of trouble editing and trying to delete.  There doesn't seem to be a way to delete.  So I rarely use the notebook. I wish I could figure it out since it would be a nice thing.  I debated about making my profile private - but I like to see a little something about other users.  So my profile is now minimal.  What I like to see is the state they are in.  If I can see their bookshelf and WL, I can usually deduce how long they've been a member, and all I care about that is if they are in a position to understand the rules.

Ruth

I honestly think that hiding your profile is kind of silly.  If someone wants to find you they will find you and a minimal profile on PBS isn't going to help them much in that search. 

I haven't figured out why everyone is so paranoid about having a profile showing when they can limit what is there. 

when I googled myself all I find in the first 2 pages is a link to my HS class website, nothing to PBS and I have a profile up (that is for full name and city/state).  with just my name it shows a link to facebook, linkedin and classmates but still no PBS

I can't find a link to click on for your notebook, so it is essentially hidden/private from me.

Since my nic is Philly, you'd have to go through tons of google pages to even get a hint of anything I post.  My user name in other sites is there for the reading, but there's nothing personal in them. 

Do you have to make someone your buddy in order to view the bookshelf of someone who has his/her profile set to private?

Phyllis, you can go to settings and then the privacy control and allow either the Public (everyone), Buddies (all, full or partial) or no one to view your bookshelf.

the logical thing is to have your shelf put on public so that people can browse your shelf and see if you have anything they like

I don't get the whole private profile thing either. You don't have to put anything personal in there.  Having a public profile makes you easier to find if there's a problem transaction or something.  But people can't access your email address unless you check that they can.  They can't access your last name or address unless you order a book from them.  Or they order one from you and wait to see your return address.  You can just ignore PMs from people or report them if somone is bothering you.

Thanks Leslie,  

I don't have my profile on private.  I like having my bookshelf available for folks to browse if they wish.

I just realized that if your profile is set to private you can't even click and ask them to be your buddy.  Sad - yes I know you can PM but before you could just click by a name and the request was sent.  You can still do this as long as the profile isn't private.

Leslie, the issue for me is I used my screenname for other business type purposes.  I do not necessarily want those people to know about what I write and do on PBS.  If I had enough brains to think into the future, I would have never used the same name on a forum where I am so active and then use it elsewhere.

A search for my screenname brings up things from years gone by.

Melody, couldn't you ask TPTB to change your nickname if you don't want them to find you here?

I use mine for everything personal (nothing business) and of course it will pull up my blog and everything else, but someone would have to know that I am hugbandit7 and search for me that way. 

Just a few weeks ago, I thought everyone was being very paranoid about the public viewing thing.  I still recognize that the only thing that has really changed is that the forums are now public.  (You could still google your user name and come up with stuff from pbs)

The thing that has made me feel differently about this is that things HAVE happened to members because of information gathered from PBS.  Since I've been here, I've heard of 3 instances.   I'm a lot more diligent about what I post here.  I've locked my profile down as much as I can.  I deleted any forum references to where I'm from.  I only use this screenname at PBS. 

Melody, If I were you, I wouldn't even use the notebook feature.