Hello everyone,

 

I know I've always been using the name "Arjen Vandervelde". Well, this is, more or less, my real name. But, Vandervelde is the last name of my mother's side but it's not my actual last name that is present on my identification and it's not the name as the people know me. Usually, of course, you always get your father's name as a last name. But there is a reason why I'm not using my actual last name here, and I'm sorry I have to admit this now, and please don't ban me for this, but I'm extremely reluctant of posting my personal information on websites. Why? Well, when you're my age, being active on websites like flightsim websites, is something that is not considered as "cool" by your friends and classmates, and considering how easy it is to find out what somebody is doing on the internet, playing flight sims is not something you want everybody to find out about you. I just don't like people to find out what websites I'm on, and what (private) hobbies I have. I just hate the fact that nowadays you can't have any privacy anymore.

 

You are probably thinking, why is this a problem if you don't use the last name people know you? Well, unfortunately I have accidently signed my posts and topics with my actual full name a few times. And now, if you search my actual name on Google, it comes up with maybe 2 or 3 results from AVSIM, all on top, meaning that these pages are being viewed the most when my name is being Googled. Some people I know already confronted me with what I'm doing online. Not necessarily "strange things", but just things that are not considered as "cool" for your friends and classmates, as I said. And all this is extremely embarrassing.

 

Problem is, I cannot edit nor delete very old posts I made on the forums. Or is there a way I can actually do this? Is it also possible the AVSIM staff could delete those 2 topics for me as they are very old weren't so important anyway... I know this whole topic might seem a bit pathetic to some of you, but if you're my age (18), you can probably understand it.

 

Thanks a lot,

Here's a few solutions.

 

1). PM me the URL's and I will edit them.

2). Make your signature a JPG so search engines don't index your name

3). Lets consider changing your username--your choice. Let me know via PM.

4). I wouldn't admit that in the PMDG forum

 

Once we remove your name from the posts, within a couple days they will no longer show on google. We get indexed daily I believe. There's a way to expedite this via google, search remove personal information. Something along those lines. It basically adds a high priority to index just that specific URL.

Chase I am going to PM you now, give me a minute please. Love you man. THank you so much!

I might add that just googling "Arjen FSX" gives me 2 or 3 (full) names which could be yours, including several which can be linked to social networking sites quite easily. Removing your digital footprint is going to be very difficult, but I would suggest you start by googling yourself and looking through all the results, contacting website administrators if you find something you don't like.

 

As an interesting side note, I just googled myself and found this little gem: http://pilots-airmen.findthedata.org/q/811048/42/What-FAA-ratings-does-the-pilot-Frank-Grivel-have Talk about creepy...

Here's a few solutions.

 

1). PM me the URL's and I will edit them.

2). Make your signature a JPG so search engines don't index your name

3). Lets consider changing your username--your choice. Let me know via PM.

4). I wouldn't admit that in the PMDG forum

 

Once we remove your name from the posts, within a couple days they will no longer show on google. We get indexed daily I believe. There's a way to expedite this via google, search remove personal information. Something along those lines. It basically adds a high priority to index just that specific URL.

 

I've just sent you PM, I hope you can sort this out for me and I would really appreciate that.

Very cool of Chase to go to so much work so quickly to help someone out!

I might add that just googling "Arjen FSX" gives me 2 or 3 (full) names which could be yours, including several which can be linked to social networking sites quite easily. Removing your digital footprint is going to be very difficult, but I would suggest you start by googling yourself and looking through all the results, contacting website administrators if you find something you don't like.

 

As an interesting side note, I just googled myself and found this little gem: http://pilots-airmen.findthedata.org/q/811048/42/What-FAA-ratings-does-the-pilot-Frank-Grivel-have Talk about creepy...

 

If you search that name "Arjen FSX" it won't come up with the results I am referring to. There are plenty of guys called "Arjen" from my country so there are also plenty of flightsim enthusiasts called Arjen. Arjen is my actual first name, but Vandervelde is my mother's last name, my father's last name is my actual last name, and it's the know people me from. Therefore, I am reluctant to use my actual last name on internet sites, and especially internet sites I don't want people to find out I'm visiting. I am not saying I'm on porn sites or whatever, but as I said I don't like people to find out flight simming is my hobby as an 18 year old. Usual reactions from friends and classmates will be "Get a life!", if you know what i mean. Unfortunately as I said in my original post, I did sign that actual last name a few times without being aware of it and now if you search my actual name on Google those topics will appear, and evem top of the list.

 

Very cool of Chase to go to so much work so quickly to help someone out!

Yes agreed! I appreciate this a lot.

 

EDIT: He already sorted it out for me, thanks man, kudos to you!

Alright Arjen, you're all set at AVSIM at least. Good luck with the other sites. If anything comes up later that you find on our servers, you know how to reach me!

I just googled myself and found this little gem

 

Pretty cool, huh?

 

I used to use my full real name as a user name on several forums. Google and Yahoo searches would come up with 90-150 matches at one time or another. The most interesting was a site in Russian, talking about a map and scenario editor I made for M1 Tank Platoon 2, which was also usable in the Gunship! game.

 

Arjen, as far as your friends are concerned, you'll have the last laugh when you're an airline pilot. Tell 'em you're practicing for when you take flying lessons. Admit you're a simmer. Be proud of it! (And maybe look for some new friends.)

 

Hook

<br />Arjen, as far as your friends are concerned, you'll have the last laugh when you're an airline pilot.    Tell 'em you're practicing for when you take flying lessons.  Admit you're a simmer.  Be proud of it!  (And maybe look for some new friends.)<br /><br />

 

I wish you were right. But infortunately I only have a very small chance of becoming an airline pilot. My vision is not 20/20, but only 16/20 (80% in European measurements), in other words, not enough. Still, I will try it though. If not, let's hope I can still get my PPL.

In the U.S. at least, anyone who holds any type of government license or registration will find their information publically available...

 

The airman's database is easily searchable:

http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/interactive_airmen_inquiry/

 

Likewise anyone who holds any form of radio license, whether commercial or amateur:

http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchLicense.jsp

The issue discussed within this thread has been resolved. If you experience a similar issue, please make a new post referencing this issue so we may better assist you.