I don't want to derail the topic from the subject here, which is "a modest proposal for a FReepers "instant alert network". Perhaps somebody might be so kind as to send me a private message explaining just exactly why so many people here seem so dang paranoid.
Well, the 'silent calls' with "----" on the caller ID, for one thing. You sometimes get the silent calls when you start sticking your nose into something that someone out there wishes you wouldn't. I used to think it was just coincidence until I talked to a few other FReepers who've experienced the same thing. I have an unlisted number that we guard stronger than Fort Knox, so go figure.
My comments are not based at all on your length of time at FR. I would express the same note of caution to someone/anyone who has been here as long or longer than I have. Some of us have been, shall we say, burrs under the saddle to various powers that be, and we tend to try to develop a certain level of trust with others before we share all that much personal information. In point of fact, I wasn't even thinking of you when I commented to Nita earlier.
You can call it paranoia if you like, but there have been one or two who seemed overly interested in who I am in "real life" - and quite, frankly, I'm one of the more "open" FReepers around.
Your idea is a good one. I've even toyed with something like it myself. But whereas I'd be willing to share with some here, others I wouldn't be. I noted that you were not asking for numbers yet, but I also noted that if and when you do, your plan will make it necessary that you share those numbers with at least a limited number of other folks.
[And if you must know, there are one or two folks who were already here when I arrived who I wouldn't share that information with on a bet. :-)]