And I thought that the debate between what is private and what is public on the internet has been settled now! I was wondering if someone wanted to use data from this list for their research (no I am not planning to do it and if I were, I would bend over backwards to get permission). That said, I have used data from tourism message boards for a few papers. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this thread, and I am one of the lurkers here. Regards, Mridula http://gdgwi.gdgoenka.com/ http://www.gonomad.com/traveltalesfromindia/
If anything, I'd argue that it's actually *private* spaces where the "right" to have detailed information about other people's identities and backgrounds is more likely to come into play. If you surprise me by showing up unexpectedly in my kitchen, for example, I don't think I'm out of line to demand to know who you are and why you're rummaging through my freezer. But if you surprise me by showing up unexpectedly (from my perspective, anyway) at the corner of Washington and Cedar Avenues, I've got no inherent right to demand that you identify yourself and explain your presence. :)
cheers gil