Web servers routinely record information about everyone's visits to web sites. The information helps web masters know how many people look at their sites, which pages are popular, where the visitors come from, and whether there were any problems. Some web servers gather more information than others. And every web master can use it in a different way. You are quite right to wonder what web masters know about you. I can only speak for myself.

First of all, I don't care who you are. You can tell me if you want to. But even if you use the comments page to send me a message, you can omit your name and email address or use false information if it makes you feel better. There's no reason for you to provide me with any information you consider private and personal. Second, if you do tell me your name or are so possessed to tell me personal things about you, I won't share the information with anyone except in cooperation with a criminal investigation. So unless you're up to no good, you have an expectation of privacy and I'll respect that. I can see the headline now. EMBEZZLER READ ONLINE COMIC STRIP BETWEEN THEFTS.

If I choose to build a profile on each visitor, I'll learn more about their computers and Internet services than the people themselves.

That seems like a lot of information to gather about one person, but it can't be readily used against you without your name. You have more to worry about giving your name and credit card number to an online store or posting a Usenet message with your real name on it. I feel I've answered your privacy questions. If you still have more, you may contact me.