Public or private

The web server at Griffin uses somewhat sophisticated access control mechanism. Certain web pages can be completely public (like certain teaching related pages) while some can be completely private, hidden from general public. Some can be open to only a few selected users.

The forum site is an important component of Griffin. At the time of this writing (April 16, 2026), I am beginning to employ a more private setting for the forum. While questions can be listed by any one, accessing questions is possible only by a registered user.

If you do not like to be identified…

This would be an issue when you like to actively engage in forum discussions, but you do not like to be identified by your classmates.

I understand that this can be your preference. If this is the case for you, then I recommend you to do the following. Create a user name (like "slug1973") that has nothing to do with you, and post your messages with that user name.

In this case, you must let me know your real identity, however. This is necessary for my management. If your email address registered along with your account is a ucsc.edu email address, then I automatically know who you are. Your email address will not be, or should not be, readable by other users. If you use a pseudonym and a private email address, then you must notify me who you are. If you do not, then your account may be diabled.

-  ⇤ ← Revision 7 as of 10:21AM, Jan 08, 2013 → 
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  Editor: Sam
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+   ← Revision 8 as of 11:56AM, Jan 08, 2013 → ⇥
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-Deletions are marked like this.
+Additions are marked like this.
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-At the time of this writing (<<Date()>>), this web site is to be considered to be public, if you are accessing it in connection with your course taking.
+The web server at Griffin uses somewhat sophisticated access control mechanism.  Certain web pages can be completely public (like certain teaching related pages) while some can be completely private, hidden from general public.  Some can be open to only a few selected users.
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-What does it mean "public"?  It means that, when you use the forum site, by posting messages or comments, those contents are viewable by general public.  (However, note that your voting records are not public.)  This will be the case even after the course has been closed.
+The forum site is an important component of Griffin.  At the time of this writing (<<Date()>>), I am beginning to employ a more private setting for the forum.  While questions can be listed by any one, accessing questions is possible only by a registered user.
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-This policy may change in time.  For example, it may be set up in the near future so that only registered users can read the forum discussions.  Whether this change will be made or not depends on any feedback that I may get.
+= If you do not like to be identified... =
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-= If you do not like the (current) public nature of the forum contents ... =
+This would be an issue when you like to actively engage in forum discussions, but you do not like to be identified by your classmates.
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-This would be an issue when you like to actively engage in forum discussions, but you do not like to be identified in public.  [Perhaps, you might like an anonymity, even when the discussion contents are viewable only by your classmates, assuming that the access control policy is changed in the near future.]

I understand that this can be the preference.  If this is the case for you, then I recommend you to do the following.  Create a user name (like "slug1973") that has nothing to do with you, and post your messages with that user name.
+I understand that this can be your preference.  If this is the case for you, then I recommend you to do the following.  Create a user name (like "slug1973") that has nothing to do with you, and post your messages with that user name.