(July 28, 2020 at 8:40 am)Eleven Wrote: How do the staff determine who is a sock? Is it related to the IP address?
Also, if one buys a new computer or a new phone, does the IP address change? Or does the IP change with the WiFi connection and internet connection?
As a writer, I’m curious.
Can’t speak for the rest of staff, but I tend to search the IP addresses within the forum to match a suspected sock with previous users’ posts from the same IP.
As a rule, though, two different user names with the same IP address doesn’t always merit a ban (two family members using the same computer, for example). If there’s no good reason to suspect a sock, we’ll PM the member for an explanation. When a user is quickly banned for being a sock, it’s almost always the case that they were originally banned under another name for a different offense.
IP addresses are geographical in nature, so they won’t change if you get a new computer. Even if your IP changes for legitimate reasons (such as moving) you can continue to log on without fear of being banned. It’s only a different user name with the same IP that raises red flags.
Boru
‘But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods or no gods. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.’ - Thomas Jefferson
