Annoyance or Invasion?

November 25, 2001 7:33 PM

Annoyance or Invasion? Sure, most of this information is available when you do a WHOIS search on someone, but does anyone else think that this site is putting a little bit too much information out in the open?
posted by almostcool (20 comments total)

Yes, you're not the only one who thinks that Alexa's a little bit creepy.
posted by jheiz at 7:48 PM on November 25, 2001

It's already out in the open. That's how those spammers and junk-mailers keep finding me.
posted by websavvy at 7:49 PM on November 25, 2001

Alexa has been around in one form or another for something like 5 years now. Their browser toolbar has been showing people this information for years.

Nothing new about this really.
posted by faith at 7:57 PM on November 25, 2001

Showing people what information, exactly? I typed in my own domains... all they seemed to know was how many links pointed in.
posted by delmoi at 8:05 PM on November 25, 2001

>It's already out in the open. That's how those spammers and junk-mailers keep finding me.

Is that how they do it? I always thought they found me by the chip lodged in my brain.
posted by jheiz at 8:15 PM on November 25, 2001

Via MetaTalk?!
posted by NortonDC at 8:27 PM on November 25, 2001

almostcool, what exactly is your issue with this site? i couldn't find any potentially troublesome information.
posted by dgeiser13 at 8:47 PM on November 25, 2001

For many sites it gives the home address of the owner. (example as mentioned here) as well as a map right to their doorstep. Whee! Let's start stalking!
posted by jheiz at 8:55 PM on November 25, 2001

jheiz: In other words they combine whois and mapquest. Not exactly revolutionary

It was intresting to read reviews of mefi by the bitter and burned (apperantly).
posted by delmoi at 9:13 PM on November 25, 2001

In other words they combine whois and mapquest. Not exactly revolutionary

No, not at all revolutionary. I think people take issue with the fact that it makes it all quite so convenient.
But it's nothing new.
posted by jheiz at 9:34 PM on November 25, 2001

Now if they combined whois, mapquest and some affiliate links to stores selling sharp sticks, butcher knives or AK-47s, then they'd be onto something...
posted by websavvy at 12:10 AM on November 26, 2001

Didn't people already have this freak-out over Google having this kind of functionality?
posted by webmutant at 12:42 AM on November 26, 2001

Yes, I had this freak-out several months ago. Does anyone know what the current freak-out is supposed to be? I don't think I'm getting the memos.
posted by luser at 6:03 AM on November 26, 2001

Whee! Let's start stalking!

Yeah, after being available for years, raping and killing are just gonna start all of a sudden.
posted by mischief at 6:58 AM on November 26, 2001

Actually, since the info they had on my site was almost entirely wrong, I'd have to say... wow, when's the IPO?
posted by spilon at 7:44 AM on November 26, 2001

Yeah, after being available for years, raping and killing are just gonna start all of a sudden.

What, you didn't get that memo?
posted by jheiz at 8:07 AM on November 26, 2001

Information is not scary, people...quit cowering.
posted by rushmc at 8:39 AM on November 26, 2001

ROFLMAO, did anyone else read stavrosthewonderchicken's comment about metafilter?
posted by patrickje at 12:26 PM on November 26, 2001

I try not to. Or those of his mutual admiration society.
posted by websavvy at 9:00 AM on November 27, 2001

What possible legitimate use could anyone have for a map to the registrant's house? :P

I'm just glad WHOIS has my old address.
posted by Foosnark at 10:40 AM on November 29, 2001