Used to be, when it came to "stalker net," you were either all there or nowhere to be found. But recent changes to Penn State's online directory -- known as the PH server, because of its Web address -- are a notable improvement.

Members of the university community listed on this server now can pick and choose what info they want to be visible.

The previous situation was more than a little disconcerting for some people who didn't want their names and addresses to be so easily accessible over the Internet. And if students or faculty were worried about having even just some of their local information available, they had to become entirely invisible on the PH server.

Removing your name from the online directory altogether often seemed unnecessary and more inconvenient. It made for difficulties when trying to prove your enrollment at Penn State. Many prospective employers, for example, want an easy way to check the most basic parts of a resume.

It was about time we had another option. The events that in part motivated the change were reason enough.

Threatening e-mail messages were being sent to black students and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The senders had used the online directory to access their e-mail addresses. We hope this won't be an issue in the future.

The Daily Collegian has supported such changes in the past, as have many student leaders on campus.

It was a safety concern that's been easily remedied, thus eliminating complaints about minor inconveniences, while protecting potential victims from harassment or worse.