Forum:New Sockpuppet Policy

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Since the sockpuppet thing is getting out of hand, I am temporarily instituting new policy:

Sockpuppets:

1. For a period of 30 days from March 26, 2006, there will be no sockpuppets allowed. One username per user. Violators will be shot, and we *will* checkuser to resolve possible problems. Checkuser usage will be limited, but the sockpuppetry will be limited. Existing sockpuppets of existing users should not be used in this period.

2. 30 days from now, this policy will be reviewed and probably removed. This policy is in place to protect users from flamewar accusations.

3. Final determination of whether a user is a sockpuppet is up to myself.

Personal attacks:

1. Personal attacks are a big no no. Directly report personal attacks to me. Explain the entire situation if you can. Violators will be transgresecuted.

Admin misbehaviour:

Contact me directly.

You can directly mail me: crestfall AT gmail DOT com. However, if you mail me, be polite, or it will not help your case.

--Chronarion 04:53, 27 March 2006 (UTC)

Discussion

Aw man....--NotSirNuke 07:54, 27 March 2006 (UTC)

The state of martial clampdown is only temporary, citizen! Please go about your business!

Yeah, probably a good idea. BUT. CheckUser is not magic wiki pixie dust, not even close. There's one particularly (how do I put this) famously troublesome sockpuppeting troll from Wikipedia who happens to be on Qwest ... and when he reboots his modem, it pulls a new address from ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY. You CANNOT spot a sock just by IPs. It's entirely down to editing style - IP evidence is just corroborative, and not even very good for that sometimes.

I am more or less the expert checker on Wikipedia, and I don't have CheckUser here (and don't want it) but am available for consultation with those that do. Catch me on IRC - David Gerard 11:52, 27 March 2006 (UTC)

The only way to track these is through the use of traceroute on them while they're still online. Also, I've seen some ... suspicious ... IP logs lately. It isn't 100%, that's for sure, but backtracking IPs can expose proxies and similar if you take the time to check. Ping me on IRC if you need an exhaustive scan of an IP. » Brig Sir Dawg | t | v | c » 01:11, 28 March 2006 (UTC)

The idea is that I shall not need to pull a checkuser if I can help it, but this policy sort of thing is so nobody flamethrowers me. --Chronarion 00:47, 28 March 2006 (UTC)

The following has been approved for public release:

Yeah, probably a good idea. BUT. CheckUser is not magic wiki pixie dust, not even close. There's one particularly (how do I put this) famously troublesome sockpuppeting troll from Wikipedia who happens to be on Qwest ... and when he reboots his modem, it pulls a new address from ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY. You CANNOT spot a sock just by IPs. It's entirely down to COMPARE editing style - IP evidence is just corroborative, and not even very good for that sometimes.

I am more or less the expert checker on Wikipedia, and I don't have CheckUser here (and don't want it) but am available for consultation with those that do ALSO. Catch me on IRC - David Gerard 11:52, 27 March 2006 (UTC)

--Spin 01:06, 28 March 2006 (UTC)

Indeed, I can magically change both my IP and my location in the country - possibly overseas as well - just by unpugging my modem for a matter of minutes. Not to say that I use this method, but I have proven it several times. Go ahead, CheckUser me, it'll probably come up as saying I'm from Denver, Colorado... I live in Iowa.. I'm kind of lazy like that...   t o m p k i n s  blah. ﺞوﻦ וףה ՃՄ ண்ஸ ފއހ วอฏม +տ trade websites 02:30, 28 March 2006 (UTC)

I know TONS and TONS of proxies. Seriously, methinks the "no socks whatsoever" is a bit restritive. Some socks can be harmless. --[[User:Nintendorulez|Nintendorulez | talk]] 19:44, 28 March 2006 (UTC)

Thank you, Chron. The socks were out of hand.--<<>> 23:14, 28 March 2006 (UTC)

I like the idea and this policy should be permanent. But you can't just block IP addresses. They're not sockpuppets.--65.81.162.214 06:11, 29 March 2006 (UTC)

I don't think this proposes that we do. (block IP Addresses)--The Right Honourable Maj Sir Elvis UmP KUN FIC MDA VFH Bur. CM and bars UGM F@H (Petition) 10:28, 29 March 2006 (UTC)