Profile hidden?

[Jean Bolger]

I'm running across some posters who have their profile hidden. Is this a new thing in the "new BP"? I'm curious as to what it's about. Why would a person choose this?

I'll often click on a person's profile before answering one of their threads. It's helpful to know a little bit about who I'm talking to; I don't want to be giving simplistic advice/comments to someone who has been investing for years or talking way over someones head who has yet to buy a house. It's also nice to know where someone is located, since that can factor in the advice one might give as well. 

I think people will get more value from the site if they are open about their level of expertise and their goals. 

just my two cents

[Joshua Dorkin]

@Jean Bolger - To be honest, I don't fully understand the motivations, but we've always provided some means for users to hide their profiles.  The value that a place like BP brings is in the networking, and if you're hiding who you are, that value is nonexistent.  

That said, a lot of people use BP just to read and learn -- I do hope they realize that this place gets REALLY cool once you start to come out of the shadows and engage.