Has anyone else noticed the exhorbitant number of guests currently on? It's 7/10 at 11:30pm central. Does this raise an eyebrow with anyone else or am I being paranoid as usual?
44?

I noticed that as well. Seems odd to me also.

Some of them are members browsing in invisible mode.

Wow!Steve&kids

I've learned to be more aware of such things, that before I would not have thought about. I am much more alert and less trusting these days. I've witnessed first hand how the system works to its' advantage and will use whatever means necessary. I am sure this site is or will be of interest to them.

Just my humble opinion,

Molly

I noticed it too.

Well I am a member, but I login in invisible mode. Guests are logged on as guests, not members. When you look at the line that says # of members & guests. When I log on it will say the # of members including me as a member & the # of guests which are people that haven't become members yet.

I do agree there have been quite a few more guests on PTO lately. For myself & EJ I am going to have to be a lot more guarded just in case. I know he & I certainly don't need anymore added BS from DOC!!

What do you mean? Why is there are reason to be paranoid? Should I be careful of what I say? I mean, we only use first names of the guys we know inside. Call me naive, I guess.

There may not be any reason at all to be worried. We have discussed before that whatever we say on here is open to public view so we are careful. I had just never seen so many. Is it just that the word is getting out? Or is it the doc just peeping in? Should we really care? Probably not. I had just never seen such a large number. I watched their activity on the "who's on-line" feature. Some of the "guests" were posting or using the private messaging system. So members are listed as guests if they are in invisible mode? I probably shouldn't have even said anything. It's not a big deal!

I would like to believe that Freedom of Speech is alive and well---yet I've learned that what you say can become an issue. I would not want to see people stop expressing themselves --be it here on this forum or elsewhere. Yet, I am much more conservative in my approach these days.

A good question that I ask myself is this--"Will it help or hurt me, my husband or the situation?" I will continue to be outspoken--but I may temper how I say things. I believe that what I may say or do can and does affect other people.

cobwebqueen--I don't think you should be paranoid--rather be aware. I don't feel paranoid--just more cautious.

Molly

vnv...

No members are logged in as members when they are in invisible mode. On the top it should say the # of members w/all the log in names & if the # doesn't match up that means there are 1 or 2, etc. members that are on in invisible mode. Guests are online as how many # of guests that are looking around & reading posts.
You were right in bringing it up though. The members of PTO are such a warm bunch of people that it is very easy to "lose yourself" & possibly tell more than you were going to in the begining.

The knee- jerk reaction for me is always one of paranoia or cynicism, but the subjects we discuss here should be open to public view. Minus specific information that would leave one open to retaliation, the problems we face need to be adressed. If people see how real these problems are for us, inside and out, then it is a step towards understanding for them. Hopefully, I add.

vnv ~ you need to take .10 mg of xanax every 6 hours for paranoia :D love you!!!

Here here vnv...I agree totally!!

You know I don't think I have ever seen as many guests as I have the past 2 days online.
Makes me wonder......

Another issue is that I have had trouble logging on to the site and have to browse as a guest. This has happened on two days this week. (I still don't see a lot of guests being a result of that.) And they do seem to show up in groups and leave in close proximity to each other.

LET THEM COME AND LET THEM LOOK..... THE MAIN WAY WE WILL GET THE CHANGES WE ALL SO DESIRE IS IF SOMEONE SEES THAT THESE SITUATIONS ARE NOT ONLY HURTING THE INMATES, BUT THE COMPLETE FAMILIES OF THE INMATES.... WE HAVE IN NORTH CAROLINA ALONE 35,000 INMATES... MULTIPLY THIS BY 5 AND THAT GIVE YOU 175,000 PEOPLE WHO ARE AFFECTED BY THE INJUSTICES OF THE DOC AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.... SOMEONE NEEDS TO SEE AND LISTEN. DON'T YOU GUYS THINK IT IS TIME.

DON'T BE PARANOID.... THERE IS NOT TOO MUCH ANYONE CAN DO ABOUT OUT COMMENTS. NONE OF US HAVE SAID ANYTHING EXCEPT THE TRUTH.... IF THE TRUTH HURTS, THEN SO BE IT...

LOVE YOU ALL BUT LOOSE THE PARANOYA...

DONNA

For me personally it really isn't paranoia. It's more like being put on my guard when I notice things don't seem too right. It comes from being hurt & taken advantage of in the past.
I haven't given out my fiancee's name, address or his # so I believe there would be no way someone could find him if they wanted to. I just talk about the rotten prison he is in & my experiences w/him, so I guess that is ok.

Take Care!

DJohnson--you should do what you are comfortable with--no one could fault you for being a bit cautious.

The best thing you can do is to take care of yourself and your partner.

Take care,
Molly

i noticed that too.. it was weird.. what is going on???

I wasn't online last night but I have to say I was pretty shocked when I logged on today and saw the line
"Most users ever online was 55 on 07-10-2002 at 11:30 PM."
I was wondering what was going on...I can't believe that most were guests...hopefully it's just the word getting out about PTO!

I HAD NOT NOTICED, BUT I WILL NOW!

I am curious too. When I was on yesterday it had 6 members and 20 guests. That's kinda odd to me.

Geez 44 guests? I'm usually not on a night since that's my busiest time of the day (I'm a night owl!). I know sometimes I log off and remain on the page as if I'm a guest. Maybe it's a couple of members.

I'm hoping that's all it is. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. Maybe just some lurkers too.

Of course, I didn't notice it.. :p
Yeah, it makes me happy to see that the site is being used more & more but the blast to 67? members at one time is a little far fetched..
Anyone want an answer to what that was about? I would have to say it was AOL's search engine indexing parts of the site and adding it to their own internal search engine... Almost all of the "guests" were aol.proxy addresses.. (I can see defined IP addresses for everyone, even those who choose to be "invisible") They were not stagnant - they were moving in different directions, not sitting still..
There are quite a few other discussion forums (unrelated to prisoner support) that have had high loads on them from what is suspected as AOL's search engines (supposively) allowing discussion forums to now be indexed.. I'm not sure how true this is but it is not an assualt on PTO or anyone else..

Hope this clears it up....

David

Oh, well! We are here to be heard anyway!
Build it and they will come, David! ;)

Thanks for the info. David!

Thanks David!

thanks for the heads up..

I noticed the BIG jump since the middle of July, when I came back from visiting Vic...I wondered what had gone on while I was away to get so many more people here!!! Ummmmmm???

Leave it to David to always have the answers. You're the greatest kid. (and I mean that in the most affectionate, motherly way)

I haven't been on at night for a while, but I do think I saw a definate pattern among the guests. They came & went in groups and they browsed the same subject areas while they were on the site. Have they still been here at night or has the intrigue worn off? (OK so the intrigue was on my part, David LOL)

Actually, I think out membership is really picking up lately.. 10-30 is normal.. :) Also, when I announce chats there seems to be a lot more people showing up and new registrations.

David

It has been difficult to keep up with the "welcomes" lately!
A wonderful sign for the site!
I promise to take off my commando gear, dearest Fed-x!
Meaning, I will try to curb my paranoia!! :rolleyes:

VNVDVC


YEA, I AM PROUD OF YOU HON..... SOMETIMES ITS NOT EASY TO DO THAT ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN USED SO MANY TIMES, BUT..... I REALLY THINK THAT ITS BEST NOT TO WORRY.


LOVE YA
DONNA

Thank you! I wonder at how comfortable I have become during my visits here.

vnv...you were right in wondering about the guests girl! I was thinking that myself...gut reactions & all, you know?

I guess though from the new members we have had the past couple days all the guests were a good thing!

How about 88 at one time? :) I can deal with that when we get 21 new members in one night..

Yah I noticed........SUPER!

It's wonderful!!!!

I noticed that too, I think its great, the more people we are the more support we have for each other

Fed X: If this keeps up we won'tbe a website anymore.

We'll be a POLITICAL MOVEMENT!

Are you READY????

Menolly

We always have room to grow.. It's just getting to be a larger community.. And I am going to need more help from everyone.. :) (I'll be discussing that soon)

I'm SURE I'm speaking for everyone, when I say you can count on us FED-X....Just let us know!! *smiles*

Thanks a bunch, Pamela :)

Yep, I agree. This site has given so much to me, and it is time to give some back. So, anything you need help with, just ask! :)

You can count me in with any kind of help you need David!

Thanks! It's great knowing I have all of you behind me. :)
For the moment, just spread the word to everyone you know about PTO.. I am thrilled we have over 650 members here (with over 54% of you actively posting) but there are 100's of thousands more out there that don't know about this wonderful place.. We need to reach all of them and let them know they are not alone, that there are others out here that care and will do what we can to help them. We each have a great deal of reach.. In visitation.. Online.. Through our family and friends on the inside.. Lets flex it and spread the word..

Thanks you all,
David

i joined in june and haven't been on in a while because i've been sick and just had surgery. but, after i found pto, within 1 week, i had told 5 people. i know 2 of the five have joined. one of the others looks in from time to time but hasn't joined because she only has computer access from work. :)

Cheryl:

Whatever that surgery was for, I'm glad it's worked out well enough that you are back again!

Now get your bum back here more often now, you hear?

P.S: You know we're having a conference in Texas in March right?...

Love,
Menolly

BOY OH BOY, WHAT HAPPENS IN A WEEK.... I AM THRILLED THAT WE HAVE GROWN SO MUCH.... WE ARE A SPECIAL GROUP OF PEOPLE AND ARE BEGINNING TO GET NOTICED. WE HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE A LOT OF THINGS IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE....

KEEP ON KEEPING ON.. THANK YOU PRECIOUS DAVID...

I GO TONIGHT TO INTERVIEW WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF THE CHURCH ABOUT MY SUPPORT GROUP FOR FAMILIES OF INMATES.

WISH ME LUCK AND PRAY FOR ME. I REALLY WANT THIS TO HAPPEN.

LOVE YA ALL
DONNA

Oh Donna!

Best of luck, for sure. And prayers too!

Does this mean that if the Church agrees, you will run it? I can't imagine any better hands that should steer such a group!

Love,
Menolly