Are multiple log ins 'allowed'

[LizaTarbucksAuntie]

Can I have this cleared up once and for all please HQ?

Can a user of the talkboards have multiple user names active at the same time?

Can you clarify the rules on namechanges for me please?

If I were to go ahead and do it what would the consequences be?

What circumstances would you allow it in?

Thanks

they are allowed, of course - it's how you use them IME

so, someone creating a different log-in/username to post about something sensitive which they don't want to link to other usernames for privacy reasons, fine

someone using different log-ins/usernames to post on the same thread to cause trouble (usually backing themselves up) - not ok (sockpuppeting)

someone using different log-ins/usernames to deliberately start goading and contentious or misleading threads - not ok (trolling)

someone using a different login/username to do a one-off joke thread that is harmless and entertaining - fine

I echo what Petula says ^

Ok, so who makes the decision about what is 'goady'? Is that down to reporting?

I'm not trying to be difficult I'm genuinely interested

MNHQ - they are the ones who make the final decisions if people report threads they think are dodgy

they have ways and means beyond just reading the threads, i understand, but they can't be explicit about that as it would basically just tell people how to troll the site better. TSSDNCOP and all that

they do quite often respond on threads "thanks for flagging this one up, we have no reason to think the OP is anything other than genuine"

Right so it's up to us to report, then MNHQ make a decision - what criteria is that based on - is it listed somewhere?

Multiple log-ins for socking- not allowed
Does it happen? On a gazillion threads every day.

talk guidelines

troll policy

It's all in the Talk guidelines

'ways and means beyond just reading the threads' what do I have to do then, send cookies?

OP if you have an issue with a threads or threads, report it. Otherwise I can't really see the point of all this.

i don't know what you're trying to get at OP. if you have a suspicion about a poster, report it and let MNHQ handle it. if you don't agree with their decision, take it up with them via email

People who sock puppet to support themselves on a thread are the sadest thing.
Doesn't having to change name and pretend to be someone else to back yourself up make you die a little inside?

Is it about a thing/thread/poster then?

I'm always idly curious about this stuff because it's so weird to me.

i know pag - not only are you alone in your opinion, you don't have the courage of your conviction to continue without faking some support

To be fair, I'm not that worried worried if anyone can see the point or not of my question, I think on a public talkboard I' pretty much allowed to post the questions I want to post.

I'd like a definitive public answer from HQ, though I appreciate you taking the time to answer.

Yes Petula. I'd also be crap at it. I'd post the chat board equivalent of 'jimmy isn't coming to school because he's I'll. Signed my mum "

HQ quite rightly don't let on what processes and procedures they use to decide who is/isn't a sockie/troll/GF because it would would be like Troll 101

We do know that they like a heads-up if you spot a "pattern"/your spidey senses are a-tingling

But no, there is no list for users to look at

They must be allowed, otherwise we wouldn't have seasonal namechange competitions would we?

I have this name. I could also revert to LtEveDallas. I have a Halloween name, a Christmas name and an Easter name. I also have two other names that I used to post a sensitive question previously and could use again if I had another sensitive question.

Sock puppetry isn't allowed, but I think you need to report both posts on a thread and ask MNHQ to see if both names come from the same IP address (an amusing troll was caught out that way once, she'd posted to agree with herself, then forgot which name she was signed in as and dropped herself in it )

Oh and when I was posting my sensitive question I was also posting in my usual name on the same day - I just kept away from my sensitive question thread. It was a pain in the arse to keep logging in and out

it's sort of "ethical namechanging" isn't it

right - I get that, I've looked again at the guidelines and I cant find a bit that refers to what we should and shouldn't do.

Holden - totally get that.

it's kind of common sense isn't it?

namechanging for nefarious intentions = not acceptable

namechanging for good intentions = acceptable

but i'm sure MNHQ will tell you definitively

Aren't you actually confusing two things?

Name Changing, which is allowed, so long as not used for a 'nefarious' purpose

Different logins/emails which is almost always a troll and not allowed, especially if it's for a sock puppet.

Hmmm you might have a point Liza

Us old tymers have absored the mores via osmosis, as praxis has been evolving

Or summat