Is it time for sock puppets to go?

Is it time for sock puppets to go? (Full Version)

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[Poll]

Yes

25% (15)

15% (9)

It should be kept within reason

34% (20)

No opinion/don't care

24% (14)

Other - please explain

0% (0)

Total Votes : 58

(last vote on : 9/15/2011 7:15:29 PM)
(Poll will run till: -- )

Message

LadyPact -> Is it time for sock puppets to go? (9/13/2011 9:11:08 AM)
The topic of sock puppets/multiple profiles has come up on various threads lately and I'm curious how folks feel about this. The poll is only allowing one selection. If during the course of this thread, you vote one way, but your opinion changes due to the discussion, I would be very appreciative if you would comment on that. I'm actually not against having multiple profiles. I think there are a lot of situations out there that are perfectly legitimate reasons to have more than one. If you are a pro sub or domme and want one profile for your professional interests and one for your personal interests. If you are a part of a couple (or poly situation) and want to have a couple's profile as well as a single profile, I understand that. If you're a switch, I can see the reasoning behind having a D profile and an s profile, and maybe even have a switch profile on top of that. Same goes for sexual orientation if you want one straight, one gay, and one bi profile. It's a little early for Me, but at best, if you are a bi switch who is part of a couple (or poly) who also happens to be a professional, I'm coming up with ten. (I have no clue of who could keep up with that many, but let's roll with it.) That's a pretty big stretch. I understand other reasons for having multiple profiles. For some reason, you can't access your account and create another in order to contact support. There's some kind of name change involved due to a relationship that starts or ends or you just feel that you want to recreate yourself because the profile that you started here just doesn't reflect who you are anymore in some way. Sometimes, old accounts don't close. The above is about as lenient as I can get on possible reasons. To follow through, what about when none of that applies? Let's say we have a straight male sub who is not involved in a relationship, is also not a professional, and who has never had a technical issue that warranted contacting support? Is it really legitimate for that person to have six (or more) different active profiles? Could that person be using those various profiles to harass other members, send messages from multiple accounts because people have blocked them, or even to sway polls like this one? What about things like attempting to avoid moderation or having various screen names to jump into threads to support an original that they, themselves, have written to make it look like six different people to demean another poster? I'd like to hear your thoughts on the multiple account issue.

GreedyTop -> RE: Is it time for sock puppets to go? (9/13/2011 9:19:49 AM)
I agree with what you said (dammit, woman. get outta my brain, at least until we meet, would ya?? LOL) I'd also like to offer MY reason for my socks (even if I dont use them).. I have been reclaiming nicks that I have had for YEARS!!!!!! before my ex grabs them (as he has done elsewhere) s that there is no confusion for folks I used to know that may search for me under those names. There was also an incident of someone snagging a primary name of mine from elsewhere that had been grabbed here at about the same time I tried to join..same stats, same locale, etc.. I just hate the idea of someone who has known me under any of those other nicks contacting someone else who may have hijacked the name and my acquaintaces going WHAT/WHO the fuck is THAT??? I voted within reason..

tolovetolaugh -> RE: Is it time for sock puppets to go? (9/13/2011 9:28:09 AM)
I voted within reason. Harassment is bad and all, but there are to many perks to being able to have more than one account. I went through a phase after a bad relationship where I decided I still wanted my kink but I wanted to be in charge for once- created a different profile to try it out, and was able to determine it's not for me. Another time I had a question, but was very embarrassed about it and didn't want it connected with "me" on here. So I created a sock puppet to ask something I would not have had the nerve to otherwise. I can see where some people would say this would cut down on stupid questions if you strip away their ability to do it anonymously, but it's the internet, and we already have that to a large extent. There is no way to idiot/asshole proof anything.

gungadin09 -> RE: Is it time for sock puppets to go? (9/13/2011 9:34:46 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: LadyPact Let's say we have a straight male sub who is not involved in a relationship, is also not a professional, and who has never had a technical issue that warranted contacting support? Is it really legitimate for that person to have six (or more) different active profiles? Could that person be using those various profiles to harass other members, send messages from multiple accounts because people have blocked them, or even to sway polls like this one? What about things like attempting to avoid moderation or having various screen names to jump into threads to support an original that they, themselves, have written to make it look like six different people to demean another poster? Are You asking from curiosity or to advocate a change in TOS? My first concern is it might be hard for admin to really know who is one. Then again, i'm not a computer geek, so maybe there is a way. How many sock puppets is "within reason"? Also, You left out the joke factor. i'm undecided at this point. pam

stef -> RE: Is it time for sock puppets to go? (9/13/2011 9:35:54 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: GreedyTop I'd also like to offer MY reason for my socks (even if I dont use them).. I have been reclaiming nicks that I have had for YEARS!!!!!! before my ex grabs them (as he has done elsewhere) s that there is no confusion for folks I used to know that may search for me under those names. I wouldn't categorize that as sockpuppetry. You're not using those accounts to surreptitiously provide support to anything you've said or to attack others. Protecting yourself from a douchetard ex's behavior makes perfect sense.

LadyHibiscus -> RE: Is it time for sock puppets to go? (9/13/2011 9:40:49 AM)
I really don't care. On the other side, I have...three?...profiles, only one is active, and I hide that half the time. Here on the boards, I am amused by some of the socks--remember when LaM had one? I really don't keep track of who is a sock of who else, I leave that to others to point out. I have to wonder WHY the need to say the same damn opinions over and over with different names, is it some kind of virtual claque? (which is NOT the same as a clique, kthx). I am more interested in the content of the post than whether it is written by someone "hiding out". We're all essentially anonymous to each other, unless we've spoken on the phone or met in realtime. If the person is "harassing" someone, there are options for the harassed person to take, starting with BLOCK. After that, it becomes an admin issue.

MissImmortalPain -> RE: Is it time for sock puppets to go? (9/13/2011 9:54:36 AM)
This may make me look foolish but I have to ask. Who decides what is a sock and what isn't. On the boards(for the most part) it is obvious when someone does it to back up what they are saying. And they only look like idiots when they do it(imo) But if it is just a tracked ip how do we know if it is the same person or not. My pet rarely posts but when he does it is from my computer so it will come up as the same ip. On the other side, LadyHibi said it, there are ways to take care of it. So I am not sure why it matters. If anyone wants to clear it up for me I would be greatlful, thanks.

WinsomeDefiance -> RE: Is it time for sock puppets to go? (9/13/2011 10:05:26 AM)
I think some of the sock puppets have been hilarious. Odious Toad comes to mind. There was one about Greedy's Cat when Sci Fi was visiting Greedy (probably one of the funniest threads EVER.) Arpig has an amusing sock puppet, that's he's upfront about. Sometimes, socks are fun. Besides, I'd been wondering for years where my socks go - I wish whoever took my striped knee high sock with the toes would return it though. On the other hand, it is pretty ridiculous when someone makes a sock puppet just to support themselves, or hide behind their assinocity. Who the hell really needs to do that? It is pretty pathetic really. For those who are compelled to do weird stuff like that, I don't think there's much hope in curtailing it. They just get more creative in their assinocity. As for multiple profiles. I think limiting the number of profiles a person can create would cause more problems than it corrected. What would be a reasonable number? I have more than one profile, but I only post on the forums under this one. I've thought about bringing out my other profile just to let my more caustic side some freedom, but really couldn't be bothered. The people I know personally in life- friends, munch and party acquaintances, ex Dominants, etc., know me under this profile, I have a certain accountability under it. I think a little accountability keeps a person honest. WinD

HeatherMcLeather -> RE: Is it time for sock puppets to go? (9/13/2011 10:14:05 AM)
I don't care really. If a sock is posting regularly then it is just another poster in my mind. I don't know for a fact that Greedy and LadyP aren't the same person, and it really doesn't matter. They present different personalities and different opinions and that is what matters to me on here. There are people on here who think that all 4 of us are one person, one of whom we are friendly with on the boards. We could be, and Greedy & LP could be some pimply high school kid posting on his iPhone from the back room of a McDonald's in Des Moines for all I know. Pam could be Artie's sock, and Awareness could be a bored housewife in Norway. NS could be Hanners for all you know. Who cares? It's the person presented on here that I interact with, and that is all that matters. I can see a point to disapproving of it on the other side, but not on the boards. This is a place to exchange ideas and opinions, and I personally don't care who actually has a given idea, it's the idea that matters. So, I personally don't waste any time or effort worrying about it.

GreedyTop -> RE: Is it time for sock puppets to go? (9/13/2011 10:24:21 AM)
just for the record.. I wish I coud be half as informed/skilled/invested as LadyP but since I could be her sock.. it doesnt matter..LOL

mnottertail -> RE: Is it time for sock puppets to go? (9/13/2011 10:25:58 AM)
If I understand her avatar right, you could be her pantyhose.

WinsomeDefiance -> RE: Is it time for sock puppets to go? (9/13/2011 10:30:13 AM)
I wouldn't mind being her corset.

LadyHibiscus -> RE: Is it time for sock puppets to go? (9/13/2011 10:35:46 AM)
I can tell you that Ronne, Winnie, Greeds, and LadyP are ALL different people! No comment on who else they may be impersonating. [8D]

Hillwilliam -> RE: Is it time for sock puppets to go? (9/13/2011 10:59:40 AM)
I think Mine are all in that other dimension that has a clothes dryer for a portal.

VirginPotty -> RE: Is it time for sock puppets to go? (9/13/2011 11:00:00 AM)
I voted "Kept within reason". This profile (VP) was created when I couldn't get into my previous profile and the VP name was said several times in jest to me so that's the name that I used so folks would know who I was. BIG mistake! Mama always did accuse me of acting first THEN thinking but I'm a rebel so this is the cross that I bear. I was a switch with VP but once I realized that dominance makes me happier & more my calling I realized that I can't very well look for a girl/or boy with "Potty" in the name[&o] so I created MCLady. Now I just sound like an extension of McDonald's.[8\|] I use VP on the boards because that's how I'm known & I'd hate to see all the posts that I created under this acct. go to waste! [;)] I don't use the VP acct. on the other side, only on the boards & sometimes when I'm checking my MCLady email I'll come to the boards & forget to sign on as VP and post as MCLady[>:]. In the beginning I used to delete the post then repost as VP but after awhile it looked like I was trying to hide something so I just let folks know it was me.

LadyHibiscus -> RE: Is it time for sock puppets to go? (9/13/2011 11:01:30 AM)
Yes, both DontBoreMe and AuntStrict have something like "Hib by any other name" in the sig, in case I see something scrolling and pop over.

LadyPact -> RE: Is it time for sock puppets to go? (9/13/2011 11:07:17 AM)
For those who can not see the current results because they haven't voted, we're currently sitting at 12 votes total. 5 yes, 4 within reason, and three folks that don't care. Also, I'd like to take a moment to address questions/concerns. There are some situations that I didn't include in the original. I hadn't thought of the angry ex or assuming a name to ask a question perspective. I'm not sure if either of those cases would apply as sock puppetry (as stef pointed out) as I would think it's highly unlikely that there would be continued use on the forums in either of those situations. It's My curiosity, pam. I don't know anything about the bells and whistles of this place, either, so I'm the last person to know if it's even possible for such a change to be implemented. What is a reasonable number, win? It is hard to say. I would have to think that it would be entirely dependent on how those various profiles contribute to the forums in some way (even the comedy factor) and how they are being used. It took Me a minute to get the pantyhose joke, but I promise they are thigh highs. [8D] Nope, GT and I are not the same person. (That would have been one weird @ssed phone call.) There are some members of the forums who have met us both, on different occasions.

LadyHibiscus -> RE: Is it time for sock puppets to go? (9/13/2011 11:11:34 AM)
I have seen the fallout of the angry ex, and the person feeding their own threads with comments of support. To me, that's underhanded, nasty, and pointless. Really, I don't see the point of socks at all. I have one on Fetl, that I started when I ran contentious groups, so I could check on those who had blocked me. (fyi, if you are gonna run a Fet group, "Dont block the mods" is a good rule)

SternSkipper -> RE: Is it time for sock puppets to go? (9/13/2011 11:21:37 AM)
quote: I'd also like to offer MY reason for my socks (even if I dont use them).. I have been reclaiming nicks that I have had for YEARS!!!!!! before my ex grabs them (as he has done elsewhere) s that there is no confusion for folks I used to know that may search for me under those names. Just for the record folks... while he doesn't use a sock-puppet. He DOES use an expended condom puppet. And it's messy.

WinsomeDefiance -> RE: Is it time for sock puppets to go? (9/13/2011 11:28:34 AM)
I think I've said that I've not posted under a hidden identity before, but I just remembered that I did once. When I first joined the site. It was about a question I had regarding a specific reaction I had during a scene with my (at the time) Master. Out of respect for the rule (even if it is that unwritten rule) that you don't discuss what goes on at a party, except with those who were in attendance, and because at that time people who attended had a high likelihood of reading my post and connecting the dots; I posted under an alternate name. I didn't, personally, care about hiding who I was, just in not betraying the trust or anonymity of those who had invited me to the party. There are valid reasons, or individual reasons, why a person might not want to be easily identified on the boards. While the average person reading the forums won't know who you are, if you have any presence offline associated with your online identity - those people will. I may not care about Jane or John Don't online, I do care about the opinions of people I've come to know over the years and care about.

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