Perhaps we should all be able to see the IP numbers on these forums. There have been some posters using alias names recently. to back up their posts. They post under one name and then pretend there are other posters backing up their argument but really it is them all along.
In fact you could have a long conversation with yourself on here and no one would know.
I have nothing to hide. Will meet anyone in Taipei. I am quite happy to have my IP shown on this forum. I always use the same PC. Does anyone else think this is a good idea. Yes posters could move computers if they were really determined to be two people at the same time, but in general it would cut down on people hiding behind their computers and being afraid to be identified. As it would be a hassle. Perhaps posters should only be able to use their posting name with one IP address.
However this is just a thought and maybe a bad idea. But just an idea.
The site administrators have the ability to check on IP addresses. And they do often check when they suspect unauthorized smurfing. Appropriate action is then taken. A typical action would be that the person with two accounts is asked which one he/she would like to keep.
Fenlander, if you see anyone doing that, just PM the moderator of the forum in question; the mod can check the IPs. If anyone is found to be smurfing, it will then be raised for action by the admins.
Who cares anyway? If you don’t notice it, then it isn’t a problem. If you do notice it, then… you know it’s a smerf anyway.
The only reason where it might be unfair is towards none native speakers who may not be able to pick up on the repeated grammar/usage patterns as easily as native speakers.
Layers and complexities add to the fun of the site. Sanitising it makes it less organic and less interesting.
Wouldn’t work anyhow since many IP addresses are dynamically allocated, so it keeps on changing and different people may end up with the same address by coincidence (if they use the same ISP).
Just being silly. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with your IP address at all. Don’t listen to what others say; you have nothing to be ashamed of.
If someone has to use a second ID to back-up his own message, than the OP was probaly not convining enough. Think twice before you write and you do not need a ghost ID.
anyone typing in from an office location, like me now, and a reverse DNS lookup is performed on the IP would reveal my location , phone numbers and a bit more information than I would feel comfortable disclosing to everyone on the internet. I consider this trusted and confidential information that the webmasters of forumosa have an obligation not to disclose.
[quote=“Buttercup”]If you do notice it, then… you know it’s a smerf anyway.
[/quote]True, but you won’t necessarily know who it is, and that’s the problem.
For some of us who are not anonymous on the boards, I find it somewhat disrespectful, especially if the smerfs accounts are to be used to discredit non-anonymous folks in the midst of heated debates that are linked to IRL situations.
There are special circumstances where people need alternate identities, and I can understand that. Pranks like that linsen dude/Tash are also fine(although a waste of mods time) as they are not malicious but more to have fun. I have no problem with that. What I have a problem with is the ones who smerf with the intention of harming other’s integrity, especially if the people they are trying to harm are not anonymous on the boards; posters such as myself, Stray Dog, Taipei Bob, etc. That’s plain malicious and a coward thing to do, IMO. If you have an opinion about a controversial subject, say it, or shut up, but do not use a smerf account to achieve your ill-advised intentions of discrediting others. (not talking to you in particular, buttercup, of course) Gladly, cases like that are very rare. In fact, and gladly, I have yet to see any such case.
Like I said above, there are special cases where an alternate handle is needed,(posting health issues in the health forum, etc.) and having IP’s made public would make that impossible. Better leave that to mods and admins, IMO.
[quote=“bobepine”][quote=“Buttercup”]If you do notice it, then… you know it’s a smerf anyway.
[/quote]True, but you won’t necessarily know who it is, and that’s the problem.
For some of us who are not anonymous on the boards, I find it somewhat disrespectful, especially if the smerfs accounts are to be used to discredit non-anonymous folks in the midst of heated debates that are linked to IRL situations.
There are special circumstances where people need alternate identities, and I can understand that. Pranks like that linsen dude/Tash are also fine(although a waste of mods time) as they are not malicious but more to have fun. I have no problem with that. What I have a problem with is the ones who smerf with the intention of harming other’s integrity, especially if the people they are trying to harm are not anonymous on the boards; posters such as myself, Stray Dog, Taipei Bob, etc. That’s plain malicious and a coward thing to do, IMO. If you have an opinion about a controversial subject, say it, or shut up, but do not use a smerf account to achieve your ill-advised intentions of discrediting others. (not talking to you in particular, buttercup, of course) Gladly, cases like that are very rare. In fact, and gladly, I have yet to see any such case.
Like I said above, there are special cases where an alternate handle is needed,(posting health issues in the health forum, etc.) and having IP’s made public would make that impossible. Better leave that to mods and admins, IMO.[/quote]
I agree completely. Why don’t we have an option where we can even choose to have our own ip’s displayed? I think it goes on more that is pointed out. The recent Almond/cookie lies fiaisco is a good example. “Dating and relationships” fortunately we have an excellent moderator on the forum that decided to sort it out. It was surprising how many posts were from smerfs (trolls). Well done to that moderator for sorting out the double named loonies.
Sure, I agree with you bobepine. My point was, that having multiple (or two, anyway) accounts is not always a cut and dried no-no.
For the record, I don’t smerf but I don’t disapprove of it. Malicious posting is not good, however many accounts you have. And if you think no-one (admins and mods) can’t figure it out, then stupid as well.
(Also, really dumbass PMs are also not good, those of you who have public and private personas in that sense. When writing them, you should take as much care over them if one person is reading, as if the whole board were. Not you, bobepine)
[quote=“Buttercup”]Sure, I agree with you bobepine. My point was, that having multiple (or two, anyway) accounts is not always a cut and dried no-no.
For the record, I don’t smerf but I don’t disapprove of it. Malicious posting is not good, however many accounts you have. And if you think no-one (admins and mods) can’t figure it out, then stupid as well.
(Also, really dumbass PMs are also not good, those of you who have public and private personas in that sense. When writing them, you should take as much care over them if one person is reading, as if the whole board were. Not you, bobepine)[/quote]
Why don’t you dissaprove of smerfing ? What is positive about it ? How does smerfing contribute to the site ?
