Take a look at your image in the Internet mirror; Google Search your name, FR screen name

The Dallas Morning News ^ | April 16, 2004 | By TOM MAURSTAD / The Dallas Morning News

[MeekOneGOP]

Take a look at your image in the Internet mirror

07:42 PM CDT on Friday, April 16, 2004

By TOM MAURSTAD / The Dallas Morning News

Have you ever googled yourself, maybe late at night, when nobody else was around? It's OK, you can admit it – everybody does it.

It's called "self-googling" – entering your name into the popular search engine to see what hits come up. And thanks to a communications professor at the University of Buffalo who researches online behavior and relationships, self-googling has become the latest mini-craze to sweep through the media and over the Internet.

It all started with an article in the university's student newspaper on April 8 in which Alexander Halavais, the aforementioned communications professor, asserted that "self-googling" wasn't merely an act of vanity or boredom but really an increasingly important act of image maintenance in our Internet age.

In the days since, follow-up articles and accounts have been pinging around the electronic universe. See for yourself: Google the phrase "self-googling."

"It's been a strange kind of fun to be at the center of this," says Mr. Halavais. "One, because this behavior is nothing new; it's known on the Web as 'ego surfing.' And, two, because this is not really the focus of my research."

Whatever you want to call it, checking out who you are and what's being said about you on the Internet is rapidly becoming a common-sense practice in a wired world. Think of it as the digital equivalent of looking at your reflection as you pass by a mirror, checking to make sure your hair is unmussed and there's nothing stuck between your teeth.

"It's truer for some than others, but more and more you need to be aware of and manage your online image and reputation. I talk to a lot of students who are applying for jobs, and they take for granted that a Web search is part of the process."

So, go ahead. Google yourself. Who knows what you'll find out?

Of course, Alexander Halavais knows exactly what he's going to find next time he gets the urge to self-google.

"That's it, I'm branded. From now on, I'm the self-google guy."

E-mail tmaurstad@dallasnews.com

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Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/041704dnartselfgoogle.310f4.html

[Lady Jag]

I'm a multi-lingual treat!

[GretchenEE]

It speaks poorly of my s/name if it was so quick to come to mind. ;-) What it has gotten me is a bunch of razzing, which is why I put a disclaimer near the top of my FR home page. Adding that has actually saved me a lot of typing.

Hmmmm. Maybe I'll become the FReeper formerly known as ....

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

My FR name is a website - www.godblessronaldreagan.com. I want royalties!

I got a few hits by my real name, thanks to the various bands I've played in over the years - and an incident where I was called onstage to sing "Louie Louie" with an unnamed-for-their-sake band whilst I was in the throes of alcohol. Somehow that made a R&R bulletin board. Ah, my misspent youth!

[lowbridge]

Turn that frown upside down. :-)

[NewRomeTacitus]

I had no idea.

Concieved here? Saving up to buy?

The infamous town of New Rome. Population 60, but with the crookedest mayor/police force per capita in Ohio. Noted speed trap, legislation in the statehouse is aimed at making New Rome no more. (photo from June, 2003)

[MozarkDawg]

I found a street named after me in the lovely town of Grass Valley, Ca.

I lived in that beautiful lil town for three years before I got married, moved to MS. How I miss the great four-season weather and wonderful people who maintain the small-town, *homey* feel. A definite throw-back -- anyone visiting NoCal, do NOT miss a visit to the Heart of the Gold Country.

[VadeRetro]

That's what you get with "hope?" I get kites. French kites sold in Russia.

[meowmeow]

Found this along with many great kitty pics and a dance club in Oregon. My real name turns up a "naturalpathic" doctor in Canada and an artist who creates "sacred spaces." Maybe I need a web presense to rescue my good name.

[VadeRetro]

Knew there's a reason I like Yahoo! better than Google. I'm number two on Yahoo!

[cyborg]

*LOL* Wow a whole town named after you!

[Rockpile]

Regarding post 46

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Man you need a beating for that!!

[EllaMinnow]

When I do a google image search using "redlipstick" as one word, in addition to the expected photos, I found this:

which linked to my "in forum" FR page!

[meowmeow]

presense = presence

meow!

[GretchenM]

SP, note my new FR ID.

[MeekOneGOP]

LOL !

[MeekOneGOP]

haha ! That is great! ;^)

[MeekOneGOP]

;^)

[NYC GOP Chick]

and the first image for my screen name got me "The History of Homosexuality" from Columbia edu. I don't like this game.

Oh yeah? Well, look what's the first image that comes up with *my* screen name! :(

[Jonah Hex]

I googled my picture and got this.

Pretty close to accurate, if I say so myself!