Why is there a sock puppet thread?

[ToSeek]

As a general rule, trolls, socks, stalkers, spammers and the like are not documented in the banned posters log. Only posters who have established a presence here and then violated the rules are listed. We get many spammers and such who show up just to leave a few objectionable posts (usually ads). These posts are removed and the user banned without any notice since they'll never be missed. (And I can assure you that if we did document such users, the banned posters thread would be ten or twenty times as long as it is.)

Your concern is appreciated, but I think the general feeling is that if someone who has established a presence here is banned, it's worthwhile letting the members know that it's happened and the reason for it. Else there'd be a bunch of threads here titled "Whatever happened to....?"

[01101001]

Originally Posted by siliconshrew

Why is there a sock puppet thread?

To what thread do you refer? The BAUT Banned Posters Log? It's not just for people who register more than once (and become sock puppets).

It's a log of banned posters in general, because people are always wondering what happened to someone they were interacting with.

It doesn't log all banned posters. Spammers and others quick to go aren't mentioned. Sock puppets who exist for a very short time sometimes aren't noted. It's not like an honor role. It serves a purpose. If a member is gone so fast that there is little interaction, that members banishment might be neglected.

Originally Posted by siliconshrew

Do you realise that the banned members thread is the most prominent topic here since it resides at the very top of the topmost forum? I was going to post a reply myself but the thread is now closed.

I'm sure the operators are aware. It's sitting right there. Easy to find. Sometimes very active. You probably find it locked because it's for mods and admins to log actions. It's purpose is not for discussion of banning actions.

Edit: Listen to ToSeek the moderator above. He's more authoritative. I may be prettier, but he finishes faster.

[peter eldergill]

Just so you know, the banned posters thread is only accessable to moderators, so current members can't have a 2 page discussion about personality conflicts after they've gone (mind you, that is fun "Can you believe he said that??" etc)

It also keeps a public record as to why members are banned and for what reason

Pete

**It would appear that I'm even slower, but prettier than both of the above combined...times 10

[01101001]

Originally Posted by siliconshrew

Isn't that a just a little bit tyrranical? I mean this is a big board. I often start threads at forums and then completely forget about them.

I suggest re-reading topic Rules For Posting To This Board, to appreciate who must defend their ideas -- or admit they cannot -- and where, why, how.

[HenrikOlsen]

The bannings for not answering questions where because of the special rules governing the Against the Mainstram subforum, they are there because of the nature of the threads where people suggest a theory that runs counter to the established theories and try to defend it.
Not answering questions about the weak parts of the theory was an often used arguing technique, hence the rule that all pertinent questions must be answered, in that subforum.
So simply, if you can't follow up on your post, don't start a thread in ATM.

Politics (and religion) are strongly discouraged subjects because they tend to degenerate very fast into party politics and personal attacks
That such a thread can last surprisingly long before degenerating is a testament to our members, but someone will make a bad comment and then it's down fast.
An example of one that lasted a while, despite being started by a troll is this one, but it's an exception and it still ended as then normally do.

[01101001]

Originally Posted by siliconshrew

So the not answering direct questions rule only applies to one forum?

Yeah. One forum. Against the Mainstream. And, Conspiracy Theories. Two forums.

It changed. Note the title of the rule: "13. Alternative Concepts and Conspiracy Theories".

[01101001]

Originally Posted by siliconshrew

What do all those ones and zeros say? I don't speak Borg.

No need to speak Borg. The meaning depends on one's decoding method, and can be just about anything, but my favorite, the simplest, yields the beginning of the infinite non-repeating Thue-Morse Sequence.

[hhEb09'1]

Originally Posted by siliconshrew

You have some interesting rules.

Every politician in the world must be banned from this forum then.

Politicians don't usually have ATM ideas.

OK, maybe on school boards in Kansas

Isn't that a just a little bit tyrranical?

Why do you think they call him Bad? or Fraser?

I mean this is a big board. I often start threads at forums and then completely forget about them. Or sometimes I have so many discussions happening it just takes me a long time to get around to answering. Orrrrrrrr....... I just don't know the answer and so I skip that persons post and answer another one. What's the point in replying to something when you have nothing to contribute?

The point would be to say you don't know. Lot of value in that.

Also.... I have to travel quite a bit and can't always find time or immediate internet access.

The board is tyrranical, not procrustean.

[Kaptain K]

siliconshrew,
You come breezin' in here and immediately start asking a lot of questions that are answered in the forum rules. You even admitted that you haven't bothered to read the rules! Do yourself (and us) a favor and take the time to read the rules and the FAQ. The rules are simple and most of the can be boiled down to "be nice"!

[Halcyon Dayz]

Originally Posted by siliconshrew

You might be scaring off legitimate users. Do you have a lot of lurkers at this board by any chance? People who never join up.

On the bottom of the front page you can see the number of active users, guests, and members.
At the moment the ratio is about 10 to 1.
So yes, very many lurkers. People usually come here to find find some specific information. Education is the primary mission of this board.
Some people stick around. Like me.

Originally Posted by siliconshrew

So who is the very worst most notorious troll here?

Trolls usually don't last long enough here to build up a reputation.

[quasimoro]

Originally Posted by 01101001

If a member is gone so fast that there is little interaction, that members banishment might be neglected.

this happens a lot. antoniseb just banned rubber ducky without a word.

[antoniseb]

Originally Posted by siliconshrew

How do you know about it then?

He *could* know about it if he was a sock puppet of Rubber Ducky, or in communication with the person who posted as Rubber Ducky. Suspended and banned members get a message with a very terse statement about why they can't log in to the forum.

[Gillianren]

Originally Posted by siliconshrew

ATM? Cash machines?

In the FAQ thread, there's a meticulously-maintained list of abbreviations that may come in handy; one of our members put a fair amount of work into it. The one you're looking for here is "against the mainstream."

No offence mate but you aren't really making any sense. Either that or you are being a bit vague. Who is being Bad? Fraser the TV show? I used to watch that but I haven't seen it in years.

Um . . . our adminstrators and benevolent dictators are the Bad Astronomer and Fraser. (The TV show is Frasier.) This is important information for you, a new member, to have--it's also in the FAQ thread.

Banning people if they don't admit their ignorance on a topic. Ok. Thats interesting. Not sure everybody would be comfortable with that setup though. I myself tend to keep my mouth shut when I have nothing I want to say. Thats just me. Many people will never admit to a mistake. Not because they are bad people. Simply because they were just made that way. They might be highly intelligent and informed individuals. Not being able to confess to or accept personal error is only a sign of stubborness. Actually a very positive trait. Churchill had it. Many of the greatest entrepreneurs and inventors had it. If Einstein had stopped rewriting Newtons work then we wouldn't have nuclear bombs today.

If you present a new idea in either ATM or CT (that's Conspiracy Theories), you will be expected to answer questions about it, because it's your idea. If you don't, the rule doesn't apply to you. It's in the rules.

I don't know what that word means. Pro- Krusty the Clown?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procrustes

Is that against the rules too?

No, but it's a very foolish idea. Ignorance of the rules is no excuse, after all.

[antoniseb]

Originally Posted by siliconshrew

ATM? Cash machines?

ATM refers to "Against The Mainstream", which is a section of the forum with some special rules for people suggesting/proposing scientific explanations that differ from the convention views.

You'd know this if you read the rules and FAQ.

I'm getting a sense from your posts that you have more interest in forum procedure than about astronomy and spaceflight. Am I misreading the situation?

[Kaptain K]

siliconshrew,
It may be just me, but your silly and inane questions (that you wouldn't have to ask if you bothered to read the rules and FAQ) are quickly wearing my patience thin!

[Van Rijn]

Originally Posted by siliconshrew

Thats fair enough. Why start something you can't finish. But what about people who have limited internet access? Those who can't answer every question because they simply don't have the time available in this hectic modern age? People who start a topic just before going off on a holiday? Do they get a warning and an opportunity to explain before getting the boot?

My experience is that alternate theory promoters have to work very hard to get banned for not answering questions. If they keep posting to their thread (so it's clear there is no access issue), they ignore straightforward questions over and over again, and this goes on so long that a moderator notices and directs them to start answering questions, and they still don't get the hint, they might get banned.

Oh, by the way, answers can be "I don't know" or "I'll need a few days to answer."

Most of the time someone gets banned, it's for something else. For instance, insulting rants are pretty popular.

Rules inhibit thinking and I'd rather not wade through them. I'm one of those people who always ticks and signs terms of service agreements without reading them. Who has the time nowadays?

If you've spent this much time reading and responding to posts on this thread, you've had plenty of time to read the rules. But hey, it's your choice.

[Kaptain K]

I've already lost patience with you. If you don't like me then don't talk to me. Nobody is forcing you to reply.

Does this mean that if I keep replying to your inane drivel you'll take your ball and go home?

I'm cursed with an IQ of 149...

I'm blessed with an IQ of 161, but I don't use it as an excuse to make a fool of myself on a board I've just joined!

[Paul Beardsley]

Originally Posted by Kaptain K

siliconshrew,
It may be just me, but your silly and inane questions (that you wouldn't have to ask if you bothered to read the rules and FAQ) are quickly wearing my patience thin!