theymos, please BAN all common IP sockpuppet accounts

[finkleshnorts]

I think this thread, and others calling for unreasonable regulation of the forum, highlights the problems inherent within current government structures.

Additional laws are often a product of misguided optimism and a general frustration with the status quo. Most of the time, the appropriate response is to do absolutely nothing. But politicians who do nothing would not be successful politicians.

[FLHippy]

theymos, please BAN all common IP sockpuppet account.

And the red heads too ban them.

* FLHippy looks around knowingly at all you ginger lovers.

[payb.tc]

Identity as a basis for trust is over rated.

[PatrickHarnett]

You realise this would affect people sharing the same house, posting from the same school/workplace/hotspot, and people whose ISPs use a common gateway.  It's also going to have limited usefulness with regard to people who have dynamic IPs (most people I know use some kind of wireless internet access).

I typically post from two differnt IPs and sometimes roaming services.  WifeofStarfish has her own computer (separate from the mining farm) as does daughterofstarfish (depending on when she's home), so the same IP would show for at least two accounts here (but different mac addresses - but I have a couple of dozen computers so meh).

But, it looks like some new sock-puppet accounts are wading into lengthy battles on various topics - maybe I'm just been here a while and don't like the repitition.

(btw - good topic Bitlane)

[ErebusBat]

You realise this would affect people sharing the same house, posting from the same school/workplace/hotspot, and people whose ISPs use a common gateway.  It's also going to have limited usefulness with regard to people who have dynamic IPs (most people I know use some kind of wireless internet access).

I typically post from two differnt IPs and sometimes roaming services.  WifeofStarfish has her own computer (separate from the mining farm) as does daughterofstarfish (depending on when she's home), so the same IP would show for at least two accounts here (but different mac addresses - but I have a couple of dozen computers so meh).

But, it looks like some new sock-puppet accounts are wading into lengthy battles on various topics - maybe I'm just been here a while and don't like the repitition.

(btw - good topic Bitlane)

MAC addresses won't help as they don't make it to the Internet.

[Duderin0]

Scamming sock puppets = bad
regular sock puppets = who cares?

I agree with this.  As long as scamming isn't involved, if people want to be anon when they give their opinions so they are not linked to their business or dealings they have on the forum or in the community in general, let them.

All voices should be heard no matter how unpopular those opinions may be.

So you're saying admins should be tasked with determining what is a scam and what isn't? 

That's a nice idea.  Maybe they should be in charge of all the coins too so they can return them when you get scammed. 

So you're saying admins should be tasked with determining who is a sockpuppet and who isn't?

That's a nice idea. Maybe they should be in charge of all the people too so they can imprison them if they are sockpuppets.

Lets open up a "Sockpuppet internment camp" Subforum. You are restrictes there until you proofe you are not a sockpuppet

I volunteer to be a prison guard in this camp, when the accusations over atrocities come I'll just say I was following orders.

[Gabi]

Guys do you realize that banning ip do not ban sockpuppets? Speaking about "sockpuppets are good or bad or if to ban them or not" is useless, since banning ip is USELESS

[PatrickHarnett]

MAC addresses won't help as they don't make it to the Internet.

Ah, right, only local network stuff, and it wouldn't get around the issue either.  Plus you've also got people running multiple virtual machines to contend with.

[Mosrite]

Maybe we can get a moderator to wipe our asses for us too.

[Vandroiy]

There are plenty of users who have lots of IPs, just as there are plenty of IPs that have lots of users. IP banning is a broken concept. I don't know how many people may have accessed Bitcointalk from the same IP(s) as I, and AFAIK none of us has used sockpuppets. Yet.

[Raize]

I have a second account that has never posted merely to prevent my OTC rating from being exploited on the forums, but aside from that, I don't have a sockpuppet. I would be against banning sockpuppets because while they are handy for scammers, I can see them being VERY handy for those of us trying to identify them as well.

[BCB]

Theymos, please ban Matthew N Wrights ip and all of his sock puppet accounts.

[myrkul]

Theymos, please ban Matthew N Wrights ip and all of his sock puppet accounts.

IP bans don't work, banning scammers doesn't work.

[BCB]

I know, I know.  Just wishful thinking....  There are so many smart people with interesting ideas on this board, yet most of the intelligent conversations get drowned out but the drama.

[yogi]

I know, I know.  Just wishful thinking....  There are so many smart people with interesting ideas on this board, yet most of the intelligent conversations get drowned out but the drama.

+1

Its hard to find the gems underneath the torrents of drivel.

How about a verified users section?