by Firebrand on August 27th, 2009

Question

Help answer this question below.

I have just read an answer from a user admitting they have five (5) Sockpuppet accounts and profiles , can anyone beat that or do you feel it is extremely dishonest?

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Answers. 31 helpful answers below.

by Babycakes on August 28th, 2009
There are 2 reasons why I haven't been on much, this is one of them. I have seen on threads where others admit the same thing and brag about it. Some of them were on my friends list so it's pretty obvious I don't know *my friends* very well. They made me look foolish pretending they are new to AB. I am giving them help in navigating the site and the whole time they must have had a good laugh at how naive I was.

There are a handful of AB'ers I will keep forever as friends and I am grateful they are who they say they are but AB has lost it's luster for me. Yes, this is just a website and I should accept the fact that there will be those who are dishonest but it irks me that I have been duped.

So making new friends here is not an option for me. I guess I am too sensitive and should just let it roll off my back but trust is a big deal with me and AB has left me jaded. The staff knows about some of the sockpuppets because I have sent them feedback giving them proof. If AB'ers are stupid enough to brag about it then don't blame me for reporting you. What has staff done about it....nothing. That tells me everything. Carry on sockpuppets, you have the upper hand.
Comments
- Hello my dear friend. I wish I could give you hundreds of points for having the guts to come out and be honest on this point . So many are afraid to comment because of DRs or popularity.
  
  I dislike being cursed at and slated by a user and five minutes later having another of their alta egos telling me how they admire me. It is annoyimg and I hate the duplicity. I think it is time AB made the policy on Sockpuppets clear one and for all. At least we have a close group of friends who we know are real. I just find myself watching accents very closely these days but that removes the fun from the site.
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
- The -5 Sockpuppets are on the march they do not like to be brought to attention, but they are willing to boast.:)
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
- I too feel as you do Babycakes.
  I admit I naively tried sockpuppeteering, with the best intentions of mainly anti-terrorism aimed at those who systematically abuse the ability to control several accounts for nefarious selfish purposes.
  Sadly when the subject of my opinions and beliefs is on trial, who I am and what I stand for comes blurting out of me in a style unique enough to me that I can only fool utter fools for any length of time at all.
  My socks are stowed for good. Perhaps SANDALS could catch on as the new chic for the honest?
  
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  by Capt. Jack Sparrow GALCIY on August 28th, 2009
- Thank you for commenting Capn. I am nauseated by how many are afraid to say anything. Or maybe they are a part of the problem so prefer to stay unser the radar even after boasting about their alleged cleverness.
  
  The one I chanllenged is on site Babycakes but has ignored my question.:) :) as i thought she would. I have taken a copy of that thread to make sure if it is changed I have the original.
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
- Hello Captain! It's so good to see you again:)
  
  Firebrand...she isn't ignoring your question, go check out all your downrates. It's the only way she/they will communicate with you. Sad huh?
  
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  by Babycakes on August 29th, 2009
- Good to see you as well Babycakes, yer smile in yer avatar always did warm my heart.
  Blessings to both of you fair ladies.
  ;-{D~
  
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  by Capt. Jack Sparrow GALCIY on August 30th, 2009
- Thank you Capt. :)
  
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  by Firebrand on August 30th, 2009
- Babycakes, you said the whole truth!! Sockpuppets are Trolls in hiding, and should be delt with accordingly. It's really hard for me to make friends as well, so I'm very guarded and have a few that are really nice to me that I converse with on AB... I'm glad they're here as friends.+5
  
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  by Pistachio on September 7th, 2009
- I entirely agree with you Pistachio, so few are brave enough to comment on this subject. They feel they have to pander to popularity . It is sad when we have to worry about whom we make friends with.:)
  
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  by Firebrand on September 9th, 2009
- A friend once said, "In order to have friends, you must first show yourself friendly...cautiously.
  
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  by Pistachio on September 9th, 2009
- The thing that troubles me the most is, thanks to the underhanded dealings of just one psychotic multiple personality disorder case I've encountered on here, let's just call her "Sybil", I've been playing things CONSIDERABLY closer to the vest these days, as they say.
  Where as in the past I was much more open to everyone here, from making and accepting friends requests, to being more active in supporting great questions and answers and so forth.
  Now I see a new "face" and I always end up suspecting it's Sybil the wolf in yet another sheep frock.
  That's not in ANY way fair to the decent people that just want to use this site as it was intended, the exchange of knowledge and a bit of decent social networking.
  
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  by Capt. Jack Sparrow GALCIY on September 12th, 2009
- A very savvy, sharp witted and clever former member here once bravely tried to stand up to this kind of injustice in a rather ingenious way.
  Her reward for said effort was to be hunted down by "Sybil", all of her multiple-multiple "personalities" and her band of flying monkey cult following. She was E-lynched for her efforts.
  
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  by Capt. Jack Sparrow GALCIY on September 12th, 2009
- Bravo Captain! Your mirrored exactly how I feel!
  
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  by Babycakes on September 12th, 2009
- Well you DO know the powers of the Dark Side here will NO DOUBT have these comments by me scrubbed the way they have all too often in the past, thanks to the Wicked Witch of the West and her flying monkeys.
  Hell one time I came back to a rather heated comment thread full of simple fact and truth and no outright mean or malicious content, and it was so "Sanitized For Someone's Protection" it didn't even make sense or follow any rational line of thought.
  Comments were so obviously missing that it looked like the KGB had gotten a hold of it and erased it to protect their Cold War secrets.
  
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  by Capt. Jack Sparrow GALCIY on September 13th, 2009
- +6 I know of someone who brags about all the accounts she has and then plays the victim when she's taken to task.
  
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  by Marky Mark on October 26th, 2009
- Many know that witch and finally she is burning in her own limelight.
  
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  by Capt. Jack Sparrow GALCIY on October 31st, 2009
- Well I admire all of you who have the "know how" to recognise a sock, I'm not that wiley,(not that you are,)...I'm certainly trying to be more cautious...Thank you for bringing this to light for others...+6 And Answer Bag should have written into the programming, the ISP Recognition being used for mulitple accounts. Email is too easy to duplicate.
  
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  by Pistachio on November 1st, 2009
- Personally, I pick my nose with sock puppets. And trolls.
  .
  Kind of puts things into perspective, don't you think?
  .
  :):):)
  
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  by The Chief on November 24th, 2009
- rotflol, x5 !!!Oh Chief...you have earned your stripes this day !!! After we started talking about it, I started hitting on the avatar of those asking Q.'s, and found one that said she was new, but her registration with AB, said she had been with them since 2000,she just changed her profile name !!! No friend of mine !
  
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  by Pistachio on November 25th, 2009
- Heh! Bugger 'em!
  .
  :):):)
  
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  by The Chief on November 25th, 2009
- Now that I know , I'm experiencing that :db feeling in an extreem fashion". lol +4
  
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  by Pistachio on November 25th, 2009
- :):)
  
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  by The Chief on November 25th, 2009
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by Over and Out on August 28th, 2009
That's really a shame that they feel they have to go to such extremes here for whatever reason. Kind of takes the "fun" out of it here for them and others. I do think it's dishonest if they're "rewarding" themselves unjustly that way or using it to aggravate someone else.
Comments
- How does one know whom it is you are speaking to. I concur exactly with Babycakes feelings on this point. I have refused to pass on names to staff when asked in the past but it really sticks in the craw when people openly boast about cheating. Answerbag should make this policy very plain. We had one of the best ever contributors banned forlife for just such an offence . She was sorely baited too.
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
- I agree that it's a total lack of respect for the rules here and not in the spirit of fair play to hide behind sockpuppet accounts in order to circumvent the rules. Bragging about it just makes it worse. I have voiced my opinions to Admin about it and hope they enforce this so it shows that being dishonest here is not rewarded.
  
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  by Over and Out on August 28th, 2009
- I am already getting the -5s which I expected. Read Babycakes answer, it adds another dimension.
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
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by The Chief on August 27th, 2009
Not me. What you see is what you get with The Chief.

Dishonest? I guess it depends on how those other sockpuppet accounts are used.

If they are used to harrass people (trolling) or are used to uprate people's answers unfairly (other's or their own), then I'd have to say it's both dishonest and unethical.

After thinking about it, I could come up with a situation or two where I could see a sockpuppet account as legitimate. For example, a sockpuppet account could safely answer more provocative questions without fear of reprisal to one's main account.

Personally, I could care less if people feel they have to do that in response to anything I may post. But I could see someone doing that to keep it from happening.
Comments
- I will not give the details of this account/accounts but they act as different people and different sexes. One to fight etc.
  
  Thank you for your reply Chief. Oh to have the time and the duplicity.:) It amazes me how so many Abers are afraid to answer this type of question because they are afraid to be DRd or unpopular.
  In my opinion the only reason it can be condoned is if it is to ask personal questions they find embarrassing.
  
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  by Firebrand on August 27th, 2009
- I agree!
  
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  by The Chief on August 28th, 2009
- Obviously the -5 Sockpuppets are out they do not like being outed.
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
- HAHAHA!
  
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  by The Chief on August 28th, 2009
- Rock on Chief!
  
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  by Beavis - the other white meat on August 28th, 2009
- Thanks, Beavis!
  
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  by The Chief on August 28th, 2009
- I wouldn't want any other Chief anyway. :)
  
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  by Symbeline on September 22nd, 2009
- Awwwww....shucks, ma'am!
  .
  <blushes and toes the dirt>
  
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  by The Chief on September 22nd, 2009
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by Tamilze on August 28th, 2009
I can't beat that. I only have three sockpuppets. I make one whenever I get PBed, and then I never touch it again.
As for whether or not it's dishonest, I don't think it is. Not necessarily, at least. If this user uses the sockpuppets to support threads or give extra points, sure, it's dishonest, but other than that, I don't think so.
Comments
- Oh but if you use a sockpuppet account when you are PB'd, that is against the rules Talimze.
  
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  by Over and Out on August 28th, 2009
- Profanity is not allowed here Talimze. So I will be deleting this comment.
  
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  by Over and Out on August 28th, 2009
- No shit.
  
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  by Tamilze on August 28th, 2009
- You have to admit, though, having a rule against profanity is stupid.
  
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  by Tamilze on August 28th, 2009
- Are you targetting her, Mrs. Cleaver? You sure seem up in her ass lately.
  
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  by killdrphil - reasonable for a madman on August 28th, 2009
- The rules are the rules ... if you break them, you're going to have consequences. Seems to me that someone might be pushing the envelope.
  
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  by Over and Out on August 28th, 2009
- The envelope really could use a good pushing.
  Anyway, I'm going to continue typing whatever words I please on this site. You can delete all of my answers and comments, if that's really what you want to do with your life.
  
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  by Tamilze on August 28th, 2009
- Talimze ygm
  
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  by killdrphil - reasonable for a madman on August 28th, 2009
- Thank you Talim :)
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
- Points for not caring about rules lol.
  
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  by Symbeline on September 22nd, 2009
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by Cowboy-Matter of Fact on August 28th, 2009
I suspect that amongst the regulars more have multiple accounts than not. At one point with a lot of diligence and investigation I was able to uncover a very popular user with 11 other accounts, all of which were being used to attack me and other conservatives, and to promote liberalism. I reported them to Rich and the sock puppet accounts were eliminated. The puppet master suffered no consequences other than having his socks idled. I have no doubt he is doing this again, just sneakier.
Comments
- Wow, 11 accounts used to attack from. If that isn't trolling, then what is ?!? It is sad to think they suffered nothing more than cancellation of their extra accounts !! :( +6
  
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  by Ice man on August 28th, 2009
- Hey Cowboy my friend where have you been? It is spoiling what fun is left here when you are speaking to the same people all the rime and they are laughing at you for being taken in by their duplicity.
  
  Problem is some of us are not taken in we just let things ride . I do not like the boasting.
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
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by Suby the Coat on August 28th, 2009
More than being dishonest I would consider that a very foolish thing to do.
A lot of time and energy wasted for no useful purpose at all.
It is best to have just one honest account and profile.
Comments
- Foolish and duplicitous Suby. Betraying people that are supposed to be friends.
  I think it is time AB made the policy on Sockpuppet accounts very plain to everyone. Thank you for answering my friend a lot are nervous on anything mentioning Sockpuppets.
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
- Shit. I wasn't even paying attention to the catagory, only the subject at hand.
  
  I guess maybe I painted a target on my back? I'M TOO YOUNG TO DIE! (Well, at least on this site. Hehe.)
  
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  by WayTooUgly on August 28th, 2009
- I know that one user admitted to me that he has a sockpuppet account, Firebrand. To keep the trolls away, he claimed. I explained to him how easy it is to avoid trolls if only he were to be nice to everyone.
  
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  by Suby the Coat on August 28th, 2009
- I just feel it is extremely dishonest Suby, I have had to contend with Trolls ever since I started doing well on site and I am sure most other people do too. If it is people being nasty it is easy enough to make your point and unsubscribe. There is nothing any of us can do about being downrated so we just have to swallow it.
  @Oh yes WTU you are definitely a target now LOL.
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
- I am blissfully unaware of any downratings, Firebrand. I have disabled ratings in my home page.
  It is better this way.
  
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  by Suby the Coat on August 28th, 2009
- You should be Suby in a COAT of perpetual Bliss :)
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
- I am truly aiming at perpetual Bliss as my ultimate goal in life, Firebrand. Nirvana in other words! Whether I will attain it is another question though. I am trying, thats what matters.
  
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  by Suby the Coat on August 28th, 2009
- May you reach your goal Suby :)
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
- When you stop trying, that's when you fail. Yes?
  
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  by WayTooUgly on August 28th, 2009
- Absolute Nirvana would be an unrealistic aim, WTU. All I could expect is to progress as far as I could on the way to Nirvana. Any level of progress would be acceptable and satisfactory.
  Thanks for the Good Wishes, Firebrand.
  
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  by Suby the Coat on August 29th, 2009
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by Seeya says Dont Ever Give Up on August 28th, 2009
Dishonest more to themselfs then to others
Comments
- got drd -5 by a sockpuppet I guess cowards
  
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  by Seeya says Dont Ever Give Up on August 28th, 2009
- That's a shame Seeya .. I gave you 6+ for your answer.
  
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  by Over and Out on August 28th, 2009
- That is the problem a lot of people are afraid to answer this question because they are afraid the people who are breaking all rules will DR them Thank you Seeya.
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
- I answer questions the way I feel dam the drs thanks for the +'s
  
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  by Seeya says Dont Ever Give Up on August 28th, 2009
- Thank you Seeya, amazing how the DRs on this question seem to be -5s that shows that the Sockpuppets have hit the top.:)
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
- I noticed it a while back
  
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  by Seeya says Dont Ever Give Up on August 28th, 2009
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by Jade on August 28th, 2009
I think it can be dishonest, depending on how it's (they're) used. As for myself, I don't see the point, have the time nor the inclination. It would have to almost be an obsession to go to the extreme of having multiple accounts. But then again, some people are just spiteful and use them to spew their venom.
Comments
- That is exactly it Jade I have been attacked quite viciously by one of the accounts run by the person doing the boasting yet they are very friendly. How the hell do you know who your friends are any more? Thank you for having the guts to reply so many are afraid of DRs from the Sockpuppet accounts.
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
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by Ed the Jetpacking Headbanger on August 28th, 2009
I don't like the idea of an ABer having 5 accounts.
What could be the reason besides uprating their primary account or asking questions anonymously? 2 years ago I heard rumors from AB friends that claimed certain ABers had multiple accounts and would DR people they didn't agree with. Funny how one of those accused is now banned for life. Makes me wonder if there are more like that.
I know someone who does have multiple accounts. None of that persons accounts are in the top 1,000. I think he just uses the different accounts at different times of the year.
The site admins should check to ensure the person you are speaking of is not being dishonest.
Comments
- I can assure you Ed that there are. I asked this question after reading a link sent to me . It had a comment thread with people boasting about how they beat the Penalty Box and one boasted they have 5 accounts and profiles and they behave differently on each one. Fighting, Male Female. Young Girl etc. What happened to Answerbag when we knew who it was we were talking to.. I have been asked about this before and refused to pass on names . I do get a little miffed when they boast about the cheating.
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
- Boasting about it is new to me. I did see a newer question asking if they should out someone who was deceiving us. As membership increases, the number of trolls of all colors increases.
  
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  by Ed the Jetpacking Headbanger on August 28th, 2009
- This question came from a link that was sent for me to read yesterday. One person was boasting they have five different Names and personalities and sometimes gets them mixed up . Which explains why I have had one of them screaming at me and seen them in so many arguments . That persona supposedly left for good two weeks ago. When you have had somebody really cursing and causing trouble and then the same person saying how bad they are being from another profile it is a bit sickening.. There definitely are a lot more as you describe Ed. Babycakes puts it well when she says you get so you do not want to be made a fool of by people you think are friends.
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
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by Sharona Life is a Tale Told by an Idiot on August 27th, 2009
What is a sockpuppet account? My daughter has an AB account on here and she is hardly ever on AB and I have one, of course. Is that a sockpuppet account? We are two different people.
Comments
- No it is the Same person having multiple accounts. Some people have been banned for life because of it . Others seem to get away with it.
  I think AB should make the policy very clear.
  Thank you for your reply Sharona :)
  
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  by Firebrand on August 27th, 2009
- Sure. Two different people here and two way different personalities, I assure you!!! She is only at level 18 I think and gave up on this for awhile in favor of Facebook and Adam Lambert fan clubs (???)
  
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  by Sharona Life is a Tale Told by an Idiot on August 27th, 2009
- That is not Sockpuppets .
  One of our very best Users was banned for life for having a Sockpuppet account . She was not giving herself points either.
  
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  by Firebrand on August 27th, 2009
- @Firebrand, I think I know of whom you speak and I think it was very unfair. Others get away with it, what's good for one should be good for all..but I guess it's hard to keep up with. I think probably "certain" users kept after the issue to see that she was banned. AB's loss. :-(
  
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  by Jade on August 28th, 2009
- @Jade. I think you are right. It was a campaign and AB is certainly the poorer for the outcome. I think we have more now than ever people do not seem to get the idea of AB anymore. :)
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
- What exactly IS the idea of AB. I thought it was to answer questions and build comraderie with the like minded.
  
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  by Sharona Life is a Tale Told by an Idiot on August 28th, 2009
- You are right, Sharona, that is what it's supposed to be. But some people, especially if they have been around for a while, act like they own the site and their little "group" sometimes makes it a mission to have a user removed if they disagree with them too much or if they take a dislike to them. Middle school type drama. You would expect better from "adults".
  
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  by Jade on August 28th, 2009
- Well, I am ripe for that kind of picking. I will never put up with that crap from anyone. I won't go softly into that dread night, that's for damned sure.
  
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  by Sharona Life is a Tale Told by an Idiot on August 28th, 2009
- lol...you go girl!! They need to be stood up to. :-)
  
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  by Jade on August 28th, 2009
- Well, first of all, you guys have been on here for a long time. Why wouldn't you go off ab and name names to each other and out them on here? They can't pull crap if everyone knows who they are and what they are doing right?
  
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  by Sharona Life is a Tale Told by an Idiot on August 28th, 2009
- Most of the long timers know who most of them are, if not, have a pretty good idea. Also, most of the people are here for the right reasons...questions, answers, friendship and fun. The "little dictators" of AB are few and far between and really not worth the effort...in my opinion. They tend to fizzle out when people stop listening to their crap. No one should be bullied by anyone, which is basically what happened in the aforementioned case.
  
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  by Jade on August 28th, 2009
- The problem in this case Sharona was that she did not go quietly either. She fought back and they used that as the leverage to get rid of her. The sme Queen Bees gave me a hard time when i first started, I lft for a while and then thought what the hell they are only legends in their own minds and came back and worked even harder for the points which was what upset them. Most of them apologised in the end except one. They really did think they were an important bunch . I hate cliques. One of my first questions was about that which made Stableboy go undercover to see if what i was saying was true. Long time ago now. :)
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
- Well I have just about finished my feedback time for a break and hopefully watch my football now See you later.:)
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
- I think that was the purpose of a couple of sockpuppet accounts...to see what was really happening.
  
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  by Jade on August 28th, 2009
- Thanks guys, that was enlightening. I don't wish to be known as Joan of Arc on steriods or something, and go after "causes" etc., but not having been the butt of such things so far, I was just wondering. I appreciate your taking the time. I figure you are a pretty straight arrow Firebrand and really try to follow the rules so if someone is dogging you, I don't have a prayer! Nice day everyone~~~
  
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  by Sharona Life is a Tale Told by an Idiot on August 28th, 2009
- Nobody is dogging me Sharona it happened years ago . We all get some minor problems at some time. :)
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
- I got that. I know this is in the past thank goodness.
  
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  by Sharona Life is a Tale Told by an Idiot on August 28th, 2009
- Now, not to be paranoid or anything, but just after I posted this all of a sudden, I'm in the PB box for a week? I've never gone there in the whole "almost" year I've been on here. Is this like the IRS, everyone gets a periodic monitor or some such? Very creepy, if you ask me
  
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  by Sharona Life is a Tale Told by an Idiot on September 14th, 2009
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by BigDaddyBS on August 31st, 2009
Nope. I would not be surprised to find a few, but hope that most of those I deal with are not the same person in multiple accounts.

I will admit to having one (maybe two) sockpuppets, but one I used to help one sign on, I think it's one of those "anonymous" usernames, and I've never used it again. (I can't remember if I finished the sign up or not on that one.)

The other is BigDaddyWDS. I have only used it to go through the signin process, and a few other things, to create images for my user guide. (Of course, I haven't spent too much time on the UG, lately, but I think I'm slowly getting back to it. I have, it seems, MOST of the stuff that people seem to repeatedly ask about. Again, I have not used it very much, except for the image thing, and to test how certain things work (to help my memory, again for the UG.)

Anyone who uses a sockpuppet for more than asking a ... personal ... question anonymously should be ashamed of themselves, though I'm sure that most are exceedingly happy with themselves.

And for those who use them to get around the rules... they should be banned. The problem with that is that they would just create another account. Funny how when the GOOD ones do that, they get caught, and when the BAD ones do, they don't, isn't it? (The bad ones report everything they believe they can. The good ones won't report hardly anyone.)

Ah, well... It's disheartening to an extent, but I just don't let it bother me. I have friends like you and others to keep me entertained, and KNOW I am helping others out there, which is the main reason for the site, right? ;-)
Comments
- All true BD, I am afraid it is getting to me lately I feel that half the people that I thought were friends are just sockpuppets of other supposed friends. I refuse to report people but I do feel very disheartened. Luckily I do have a group of people that I know and trust. Thank you my friend :)
  
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  by Firebrand on August 31st, 2009
- I hope you consider me one of those people, Firebrand. Flirting, teasing, and all jokes aside, you are one of the best ABers we have, and I consider as one of my true friends, here. As I've said to others, "Don't let the bastards get you down", no matter who "the bastards" are at that point. ;-)
  
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  by BigDaddyBS on August 31st, 2009
- Yes I do BD and thank you very much for your kind words. I just do not feel like making new friends because it is so difficult to know who is who anymore . Also I tend to read accents very well ( that is what I call a persons writing style) and I do recognise people under other names, so I just withdraw.. I am just thankful for my old friends , and some new ones I hope :)
  
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  by Firebrand on August 31st, 2009
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by vincentcent on October 16th, 2009
I keep my socks on my feet. I do think it is deceptive to have multiple accounts. You already have anonymity here. There is no need to hide.
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- I entirely agree with you Vincent and no matter what excuses people give to me it is cheating.:)
  
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  by Firebrand on October 18th, 2009
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by Jen-Jen on September 25th, 2009
No but I can match it, however, this one not only admitted it but put links on their profile to each account. Also, I know of others who swear publicly they don't have another account but admit privately that they do. In fact, I believe that they are our troll problem.
Comments
- Personally Jen I agree with you. Main account shows 100% positive ratings and they do the negs. with the Sockpuppets.
  I call it cheating, but so many now seem to think it is clever and boast about it. Thank you for your reply :)
  
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  by Firebrand on September 27th, 2009
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by Merfish on August 30th, 2009
It is extremely dishonest.
It is yet another reason why I tend to stay in the background here. You never know who you are talking to.

Some user just 'feel' like other users.

There are only about 10 people on here I feel sure about...and I could be wrong about them also.
Comments
- LOL I agree with you Merfish or should I call you Merfishee?
  
  Thank you for your reply I am amazed at how few people will actually answer the question with a straight answer and how many avoid answering :)
  
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  by Firebrand on September 10th, 2009
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by WayTooUgly on August 28th, 2009
Using multiple accounts to attack, promote, evade, whatever, is an act of cowardice and dishonesty that is bred by the supposed anonymity of the Internet. Sites that use a points system are the breeding ground, the back seats so to speak. [My age is showing: can you even do *it* in a back seat any more? But I digress.]

Don't get me wrong. I don't have a problem with a points system. Only with those who would abuse it. [Insert morality speech.]

I haven't participated in a forum in several years. I would think that technology has, at the very least, maintained itself or improved slightly.

I'm assuming having multiple accounts is against the rules. Can't the mods/admins/whatever use I.P. addresses to ban these children?

Where I come from, you screw up over and over again, you get banned. Is that not practiced here?
Comments
- Some of out top contributors have been banned for life for having Sockpuppets to defend themselves against attack from other users and also for using them to beat the Penalty Box. So yes it is possible but it seems many people are so proud of getting away with it. Thinking how clever they are that they are now openly boasting about having multiple accounts. You sound like a practised user. You certainly understand the old rules of combat. It is sad that this is happening at least people used to keep quiet about cheating or deceiving people now they openly boast about it.
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
- Perhaps a comment on society in that we're dealing with children who will grow up with these corrupted values, or "adults" who already live them.
  
  I remember a day when my home didn't have a lock on the front door. Of course, that was before these children's parents were born.
  
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  by WayTooUgly on August 28th, 2009
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by Beavis - the other white meat on August 28th, 2009
I've never been PB'ed & if I can follow the rules, it's not that hard. Why create extra accounts? I have a hard enough time being me. Sockpuppets suck!
Comments
- Same here Beavis, Thank you for your reply :)
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
- My pleasure!
  
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  by Beavis - the other white meat on August 28th, 2009
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by Ice man on August 28th, 2009
I personally only have the one account and that's all I need. I don't really see the need for multiple accounts unless someone has been trolled to death and wants to change their identity and start over, fresh and free. I know of a couple of people who have done so and to the best of my knowledge they have not used their old accounts since. Other than that using multiple accounts to uprate themselves and attack others is not right and what I consider dishonest. I can understand if some want to ask personal or sensitive questions and want to do so anonymously, but 5 separate accounts is going too far.
Comments
- What you say is very true Ice man. One account is enough for anyone. Honesty and integrity is what is required but I am afraid it is diminishing to a very large extent.
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
- I agree and think you're right about the diminishing integrity. It's causing me to wonder how many are smiling to my face while stabbing me in the back.
  
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  by Ice man on August 28th, 2009
- That is how quite a lot of us are feeling Ice man. Makes you not want to make friends.
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
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by Jessica on September 10th, 2009
It depends on how they use them I suppose.
Comments
- This person was using them pretending to be different people and different sexes. To me it is dishonest and cheating the system.
  
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  by Firebrand on September 10th, 2009
- why did they tell you?
  
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  by Jessica on September 10th, 2009
- They did not tell me, they were boasting about it in a comment thread that I was reading.
  
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  by Firebrand on September 10th, 2009
- ohhh
  
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  by Jessica on September 10th, 2009
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by iwnit on September 10th, 2009
I never used other accounts (sorry, but I cannot prove this to you...).

I find it honest to admit that you have other accounts.
But it is not necessarily dishonest not to admit it: you could have some reason to keep them unrelated, like seeking anonymity.

I think that most of us like to present ourselves a little better than we are. Some people have fun at playing a different role than in real life, or at changing their online identity with time (for instance by changing their username or avatar picture).

Multiple accounts become dishonest if you use them to give yourself points. This will bring you in the penalty box if it is found out.
I don't think it is right to use them to multiply your rating power.

Some people won't like it either if they find out that you are playing games with online identities, such as participating with two different identities in a comment thread.
Comments
- Thank you for your reply Iwnit, personally I think people playing games with other peoples heads is duplicitous and dishonest :)
  
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  by Firebrand on September 10th, 2009
- Firebrand: you are very welcome!
  :-)
  
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  by iwnit on September 10th, 2009
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by true love conquers all on September 10th, 2009
omg i hate fake accts .. i thinks its very dishonest.. i haven't met anyone here thats a fake but on facebook i have and it really made me mad becuz i hate when ppl lie to me.
Comments
- True love , I would place a bet that you have spoken to Sockpuppets on here and I am not a gambler. Thank you for your reply. Most people are too worried about popularity or getting DRs to say that it is dishonest and cheating. :)
  
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  by Firebrand on September 10th, 2009
- yah i think ur right i prolly do talk to sockpuppets here but i just dont know about it.. i mean its ridiculous to make fake accts just becuz u want popularity or to fix being DR... i mean if for ex ur popular when using a fake to talk to ppl if they find out they will not be happy and then u wouldnt be popular anymore.. and also about DRing .. i have only one acct and i mean out of no where i get ppl[ trolls] that have in the past DR me. and either point fairies or good ppl come along and see that my answer or question wasnt offensive so i didnt need to be DR and they help me fix it. does that make sense?? i just think there's no need to be fake or dishonest but thats just me. hugs xoxo =)
  
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  by true love conquers all on September 11th, 2009
- btw firebird i have a question?! by any chance do u know what those percentages mean ?? i have no idea what all that means?? Ex. subs pts + %
  
  Questions: 80 2710 99%
  Answers: 792 3790 99%
  
  what does the 99% mean ? thanks for helping
  
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  by true love conquers all on September 11th, 2009
- That means that 99% of your questions and answers have been rated and rated positively .That is very good :)
  
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  by Firebrand on September 11th, 2009
- thanks for helping me i really appreciate it ur awesum bear hugs and have a great weekend
  
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  by true love conquers all on September 11th, 2009
- Same to you thank you very much :)
  
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  by Firebrand on September 11th, 2009
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by Pecks bad boy on August 28th, 2009
Idk. I have enough of a hard time keeping track of my questions & answers here as it is with one account. I would imagine that having more then one account would be very time consuming. I don't see any benefit except to give yourself points. Being that points are not worth money or anything, but just tell you what others think of your Q & A, who are you kidding here. What do they do? Talk to themselves? Seems dumb to me. +5
Comments
- Yes it does seem as if it should be straightforward Pecks but it is certainly happening. People using one account to fight and be nasty to people etc etc. and they think they are being clever by boasting about it on comment threads, A symbol of their intelligence, maybe ,I do not know I just know it is dishonest and it should be made clear that it is the same rule for everybody. Thank you for your reply .
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
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by RosieGHM Jetpacker on August 28th, 2009
I don't see the virtue of having one let alone 5. It is telling a lie so the person is a liar...5 sockpuppets puts the liar in the Big Time with the Big Boys! :(
Comments
- Me either Rosie but it is becoming more and more common to see people boasting about beating the Penalty Box with a Sockpuppet or in this case admitting to Five different personas . One of whom had many arguments and fights before she pretended to leave a couple of weeks ago. I agree with Babycakes it makes you very wary of whom you make friends with now because they are making a fool of you.
  On another note have a great day Rosie ((Hugs))
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
- I think they make fools of themselves personally. All the duplicity by all the "clever cheeky twits" in the world will not change who I am nor will it change how open I am to people. I am very lucky..they have to live with themselves, I don't. For that I am eternally grateful Firebrand. Such people lack something..they are sociopaths...they don't care about others' feelings at all. They are rather like robotic automatons moving in lockstep with one another, flexing muscles, showing off their battle scars. Sad little people. :)
  
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  by RosieGHM Jetpacker on August 28th, 2009
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by ShoulderPadQueen on August 28th, 2009
seeing as i only have one and that is plenty for me, no way can i beat that.
Comments
- Thank you SPT :) One should be enough for anyone.
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
- true,true. welcome! ++
  
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  by ShoulderPadQueen on August 28th, 2009
- I am already getting the -5s they are willing to boast about how clever they are byrt do not like anything said against it.
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
- that figures, maybe they will get shut down pretty soon! lol! hey what ya think of my new avatar?? ;)
  
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  by ShoulderPadQueen on August 28th, 2009
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by matt89 on October 27th, 2009
Well I feel its multiple accounts for one user then its wrong.
Comments
- Someone commented after I did on a question, and admitted to having 7 Socks!!! Seem AB. would write into the registrastion, an email address recognition key. GOOD IDEA DON'T YOU THINK ANSWERBAG!!!
  
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  by Pistachio on October 27th, 2009
- Exactly! Nothing is stunning me.
  
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  by matt89 on October 27th, 2009
- I'm making me a t-shirt that says "NO SOCKS HERE! " +5
  
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  by Pistachio on October 27th, 2009
- LOL!
  
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  by matt89 on October 27th, 2009
- I entirely agree with you Matt. Sorry for the delay I have been off site. I think it is cheating.
  
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  by Firebrand on November 2nd, 2009
- Cheating...yes, I'm thinking of them as liars, willing to paly more than one part, as both sides against the middle.
  
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  by Pistachio on November 4th, 2009
- Ys I agree with those sentiments Pistachio.
  
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  by Firebrand on November 4th, 2009
- Have a good tomorrow Fire...+5
  
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  by Pistachio on November 4th, 2009
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by Phillis - Zacks little sister on October 16th, 2009
For heaven's sake. I get so TIRED of people who think they don't have to follow the same rules everybody else does.....that they are somehow priviledged and above it all. I know many people here have 6 and more accounts! I guess they are just special. Bunch of assholes, is what they are.

I think I'll break a few rules, too. Next time that light turns red, I'm not stopping. See that stop sign? You'd better stop for it, because I'm coming through! It's all about ME, baby!

ME, ME, ME. +5
Comments
- Thank you very much for your reply Phillis. Yes there certainly do seem to be an awful lot of people that do notthink the rules apply to them :)
  
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  by Firebrand on October 18th, 2009
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by tary jon little on September 22nd, 2009
Yes i do alot.
Comments
- Does that mean you have a lot of Sockpuppets or you think it is cheating ? Thank you for the reply
  
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  by Firebrand on September 27th, 2009
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by Anonymous on August 30th, 2009
While i can understand there may be reasons why an additional temporary account has been set up for reasons relating to sign in issues, personal issues, or in my case: for purpose of working on a profile for Icy Silver, < member id: test page > it does seem dishonest to have several accounts in full active use.
~
Jodie44 was banned for life for having a separate account in use. It seems unfair that others are permitted to have such accounts.
Comments
- This person was bosting that they had five active accounts. I have seen others do the same thing. A friend of ours and I have been discussing this for quite a while now. This boasting was just too much, especially since one of the persons egos had been abusing me and a lot of other people and had "supposedly" left AB for good. Thank you for your reply Sweet :)
  
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  by Firebrand on August 30th, 2009
- The system seems a bit out of sync to me, with rules for some, not for others. Too much inconsistency.
  
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  by Anonymous on September 2nd, 2009
- Yes I am afraid so. It seems silly to me that people get reported or censored for comments they make but others are allowed to cheat big time. To lose one of the best ever contributors for having a second account and not to get rid of 'dross' that have loads of them seems very unfair.
  
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  by Firebrand on September 3rd, 2009
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by Ezzy on August 28th, 2009
Just one. I did make another one but got bored of it. and just ditched it.
Comments
- Thank you for your reply :)
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
- your welcome!
  
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  by Ezzy on August 29th, 2009
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by music4me on August 28th, 2009
What if you have multiple personality disorder? lol
Comments
- Obviously some people have. Maybe there are only a few of us and the rest are fake personalities.:)
  
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  by Firebrand on August 28th, 2009
- I understood your question and I agree that it may be dishonest (unless you have MPD lol), but I conclude that it's a way of hacking this social web and only by people who use Answerbag as an addictive game to score the most points possible.
  
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  by music4me on August 29th, 2009
- To cheat and make a fool of peoplr ,yes that would be right.
  
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  by Firebrand on August 29th, 2009
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by good squarel on November 24th, 2009
just cost beer, if you have beer, then spend it.
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- No idea what it means , maybe you got drunk at the party. :)
  
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  by Firebrand on November 29th, 2009
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by Yarnlady is happy every day on November 24th, 2009
So much drama, it seems to come and go about once or twice a year.

I don't see the point of having different accounts, or of "attacking" people online. What on earth could be the value there?

I turned off my 'ratings' a long, long time ago, so I wouldn't have any idea if some one downrated me.
Comments
- I am not interested in the ratings Yarnlady, I am interested in being abused by one of the alter egos of a person that pretends to be a friend. A person with Sockpuppets is in my opinion, dishonest and even if they do not point their own accounts they do point others more than we have a limit. They are in fact cheats, too much circumventing of the rules has ruined this site. Thank you for your reply:)
  
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  by Firebrand on November 29th, 2009
- Cheating on a question and answer site is the height of poor self image. I feel sorry for people who have to resort to such a low act. They must have a very sad life. Maybe you could think about how they have stooped so low, and be glad that you have managed to face life's tragedies with such admirable strength. ((((hugs))))
  There are still some good question to answer here, and if you are tired of this one, join me over at Fluther.com
  
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  by Yarnlady is happy every day on November 29th, 2009
- Thank you I may take a look but things do go in cycles here and I am living in hope that the staff will give a definate answer on what is the policy on Answerbag.
  
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  by Firebrand on November 29th, 2009
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Question

I have just read an answer from a user admitting they have five (5) Sockpuppet accounts and profiles , can anyone beat that or do you feel it is extremely dishonest?

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