(2017-09-12, 12:59 PM)Arouet Wrote: [ -> ]I have a hard time believing that there is much property rights attached to internet handles. And of course you have to prove some sort of economic loss which would be near impossible for the vast majority of people.
On the other hand as one of the people who had been impersonated by this guy quite a bit I say: pay up bub!
Yes, that's why I said the thing about Internet pseudonyms.
One of my family members is currently going through this. He thought he could post some bullshit (can I say that?
) on the Internet and not experience any fall-out. The guy he targeted hired an attorney, who was able to subpoena his ISP, and now he is part of a huge lawsuit involving damages in the millions. (It's a little more complicated than that, though, but of course I'm not going to go into the details.)
He was very, VERY stupid. He thought he could get away with posting BS on the Internet anonymously, posting from his wifi at home on his phone and computer, and there would be no consequences. Now he's been tied up in a lawsuit for over a year, got fired from his job, and might even have his license in his career suspended. Over two Internet posts.
Be careful out there, people!
(2017-09-12, 04:16 PM)DaveB Wrote: [ -> ]Logically this is true, but in practice, it made a huge difference. I don't know what it is - perhaps these people can't bear to write a few sentences expressing interest in ψ! Alternatively, perhaps they dislike actually deceiving a person with whom they are in contact - perhaps others are just 'nerds' - talking to humans isn't fun. When I first suggested it to Alex, I didn't know if it would work, but the effect was amazing. It also eliminated the problem of spammers. I don't think you have had them yet, but they can strike in an amazing way - presumably automated - but the automation is totally defeated. Once the people responsible know we are automaton-proof they will just go elsewhere.
You could start it up, and just more or less waive people through unless you find someone who wants to call themselves "The real Laird" or whatever. The mere prospect of engaging in a discussion seems to help.
David
It seems like that suggestion was only good for keeping out spammers. It wouldn't keep out trolls who can write down whatever, and it could possibly (and very likely) put off legitimate posters. I also think that there is currently a troll at the SF that both you and Alex are still engaging with.
Is it true, as one member posted here, that Alex didn't accept his "submission" and therefore asked for a link to his Facebook??? If true, that is beyond the pale, and I would never post on a forum where admins were all up in my business like that.
(2017-09-13, 08:07 AM)Doppelgänger Wrote: [ -> ]It seems like that suggestion was only good for keeping out spammers. It wouldn't keep out trolls who can write down whatever, and it could possibly (and very likely) put off legitimate posters. I also think that there is currently a troll at the SF that both you and Alex are still engaging with.
Is it true, as one member posted here, that Alex didn't accept his "submission" and therefore asked for a link to his Facebook??? If true, that is beyond the pale, and I would never post on a forum where admins were all up in my business like that.
It's like a home security system. You don't have to build an impenetrable system, you need to do something to deter most people and they will move on to easier "marks". A determined thief who specifically wants to break into you particular house will probably figure out a way to do so.
Also like any security system, you build it in layers. The outer layers solve the simple problems, and you add deeper layers to solve the complicated problems.
It sucks to have to deal with a security system on your house: you have false alarms, you need to manage security codes, what about the cleaning lady or pool guy who needs access? Are they trustworthy? But the benefit is keeping the riff-raff out.
Same thing on this forum. It is occasionally intrusive. Some people may be turned off, day one. It's a balancing act. But the job is important because a few a-holes can ruin the experience enough that good minded people throw up their hands and leave.
This thankless job is being done well at this point, and I for one appreciate and it.
You know, folks on a forum like this tend to be an independent and maybe irascible bunch. No surprise there is push-back on something like limits on access. But given the hubbub that a couple people can cause, it's worth the trouble I think.
(2017-09-13, 09:22 AM)jkmac Wrote: [ -> ]It's like a home security system. You don't have to build an impenetrable system, you need to do something to deter most people and they will move on to easier "marks". A determined thief who specifically wants to break into you particular house will probably figure out a way to do so.
Also like any security system, you build it in layers. The outer layers solve the simple problems, and you add deeper layers to solve the complicated problems.
It sucks to have to deal with a security system on your house: you have false alarms, you need to manage security codes, what about the cleaning lady or pool guy who needs access? Are they trustworthy? But the benefit is keeping the riff-raff out.
Same thing on this forum. It is occasionally intrusive. Some people may be turned off, day one. It's a balancing act. But the job is important because a few a-holes can ruin the experience enough that good minded people throw up their hands and leave.
This thankless job is being done well at this point, and I for one appreciate and it.
You know, folks on a forum like this tend to be independent and maybe irascible bunch. No surprise there is push-back on something like limits on access. But given the hubbub that a couple people can cause it worth it.
I wasn't talking about this forum. I was talking about Skeptiko. (SF=Skeptiko Forum)
Do you think an admin should ask to see your Facebook in order to join a free Internet forum?
(2017-09-13, 09:25 AM)Doppelgänger Wrote: [ -> ]I wasn't talking about this forum. I was talking about Skeptiko. (SF=Skeptiko Forum)
Do you think an admin should ask to see your Facebook in order to join a free Internet forum?
Oh I see now.
To your question- Absolutely not. That is probably where I would have to decide how much I wanted to participate.
I think many well intended people would still like, and deserve to have some level of anonymity. An email is the limit I think is reasonable for access to an open discussion site such as this. We are not the CSA or MI5.
Or put another way-
"After all, we are not communists here"
(from The Godfather for those who don't know).
(2017-09-13, 09:25 AM)Doppelgänger Wrote: [ -> ]I wasn't talking about this forum. I was talking about Skeptiko. (SF=Skeptiko Forum)
Do you think an admin should ask to see your Facebook in order to join a free Internet forum?
Is that all they asked you for? I had to give my credit card details and pin code.
(2017-09-13, 09:25 AM)Doppelgänger Wrote: [ -> ]Do you think an admin should ask to see your Facebook in order to join a free Internet forum?
I checked that point with Alex, he explained that he already had his suspicions about the guy, so he upped the conditions. He doesn't do that routinely.
David
(2017-09-12, 08:36 PM)Kamarling Wrote: [ -> ]Personally, if I had to justify my inclusion in writing before being allowed in, I wouldn't be here now.
Interesting to learn that it was your idea though. I had believed that Alex was the control freak and you were just implementing his policy.
I hope you realise that that I made my suggestion not long after taking over moderation. You and many others here used the forum over all that time, with minimal 'noise'. Numerous others joined during that time - indeed they still are joining Skeptiko!
I don't know why you would have found communication with Alex difficult. I expect you would have only needed to say that you had a genuine interest in this subject, and wanted to share your thoughts with others here.......
I know that logically any joker could have done the same thing, but for whatever reason the jokers seem to be put off by this requirement.
I think you were around in the days when trouble makers and spammers were a real nuisance. All I am trying to point out is that as this forum becomes better known, you will face the same problem unless you get a mechanism in place.
David