If Googling for your nick pulls up more information about you than you would want certain people (co-workers, clients, family) to know, then the friends-lock is probably the right thing for you.
that's a big part of the reason for my heavy use of friendslock, right there.

Of course, you can email me personally
only works if we know your e-mail address...

LJ is oriented around meeting strangers.
rilly? i got an lj mostly to keep in touch with people i already know. perhaps i'm perverting its use to further my own ends... {evil cackle follows}