Is there a way to curb this? There is another horse forum where one cannot post on OT until a certain level/ number of posts reached.
Most of the “new” posters come across as being familiar with the format and other long time members, so I think some may be new alters of previously banned people. shrug
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I expect some may just be.
As long as a poster follows the rules …
It is possible and it’s an option we’ve considered (particularly when considering reopening CE, which isn’t happening anytime soon).
If one of these accounts is breaking the rules, please report (and make a note of your suspicions). We have had significant IP search powers restored, so we’re better able to manage issues with possible alters.
Thanks,
Mod 1
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Why?
I would be against this. So many people make alters to ask legitimate questions about their personal lives and/or work life that, if they used their main account, could incriminate people as they are easily identifiable.
Just curious, why does this need to be curbed?
So many posters have made alters so they could ask real questions, about their personal lives, work, etc, without incriminating their employers, friends, or whatever - as many of us “Frequent posters” are a known enough quantity that someone clever could put two and two together and know exactly who that poster was talking about in their threads.
I would be against it, as it would have unintended consequences elsewhere in OT, such as “WWYD husband cheated on me” or “WWYD employer wont offer health benefits”, etc…
As far as new posters coming along and being familiar with the format… COTH is not the only BB… and many people that are joining now are very familiar with bulletin formats. Not like it was 10 yrs ago, where a BB was a new and relatively unexplored thing on the internet.
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