A thank you...

[catfish]

Definition of MORAL
1a : of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior : ethical <moral judgments>

So a question on the issue of right and wrong:
Is it moral if YITW posts in the same thread a DP? I.E. Is it right or wrong?
Is it moral if only certain people know of the puppetry? (I wasn't aware of what you claim was/is "public knowledge")

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[Cyberman]

I never commented on the morality of this stuff beyond a statement that I became aware of it through gaining access to the relevant recorded discussions. Further, that is all I will ever comment on this specific issue. Now if you want to take this topic from the specific to the general arena, that is your right. If others wish to engage you on it, that's theirs. Whether I am interested in responding myself to the topic, now that's mine.

[Angrboda]

You know, catfish, I myself have complained about YITW's sock puppetry, though I didn't know the identity of the owner at the time. That being said, your berating Stimbo for his candor and forthrightness in a thread in which most everyone has likely already tuned you out, is doing neither you nor your cause any good. I'm not going to advise you in the matter as there appears to be an ethical dilemma here; it's entirely possible that his behavior could use some legitimate discussion (who was it that said that sunshine is the best antiseptic?), however it is also against the rules to call a member out publicly by creating a thread about them. Best I can suggest is requesting from the mods that you be allowed to take exception to the rule in order to allow a discussion as to how people and staff feel about the exception to the rule that is YITW.

[LastPoet]

Catfish seems to forget that he had no action by the staff yet taken on him and is whinning for just about nothing. It seems his purpose is to try to annoy the staff over petty squabbling and test our patience. Trust me, it isn't unlimited, but not so limited we are going to let you do whatever you want. Read the rules. Your feeble attempt to throw in a discussion about morals is nothing but a cop-out.

[Darkstar]

Catfish seems to forget that he had no action by the staff yet taken on him and is whinning for just about nothing. It seems his purpose is to try to annoy the staff over petty squabbling and test our patience. Trust me, it isn't unlimited, but not so limited we are going to let you do whatever you want. Read the rules. Your feeble attempt to throw in a discussion about morals is nothing but a cop-out.

I don't know. You are the self-proclaimed "Evil Moderator".

[catfish]

Catfish seems to forget that he had no action by the staff yet taken on him and is whinning for just about nothing. It seems his purpose is to try to annoy the staff over petty squabbling and test our patience. Trust me, it isn't unlimited, but not so limited we are going to let you do whatever you want. Read the rules. Your feeble attempt to throw in a discussion about morals is nothing but a cop-out.

Isn't it a bit hypocritical to tell me to read the rules?
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[Tiberius]

Some clarifications:

Whoa there...

Am I reading this right? Someone applied for and was granted permission to make a sock puppet Poe account?

No, that isn't what happened. The person who made the sock puppet account was a member of staff at the time, and did so for our April Fool Prank last year. After the prank was over, we all revealed ourselves, apart from this member, who wanted to continue posting as an obvious poe.

Let me make this clear: We do not allow sock accounts; there is no application process, nor would we ever grant a non-staff member the ability to create one. The only reason we originally created sock accounts was to perform a prank, and the only person who kept their s afterwards did so to bring some humor to the forums by being an ultimate poe.

All this time I thought catfish was delusional (and I'm not saying he isn't, as he falsely accused me of being a sock puppet). But is he partially correct?

No, he's not correct at all.

If I'm reading this correctly it really tarnishes the credibility of this forum. (Not that internet forums have much credibility to begin with, but just sayin.)

You aren't reading it correctly. Forum credibility restored.

What can they say? There's an unofficial rule to this forum and pretty much every forum out there: get into good enough standing, show the moderators that you're productive and you wind up getting more leeway with stuff like that. Newbies get a really short leash and get smacked with the ban hammer pretty damn quick. Yep, if you have a few thousand productive posts first, I have to guess that the moderators would have been willing to let you create a sock puppet account, too (although, part of me wonders if this discussion alone is making them rethink that). The sock puppet accounts they have a problem with are the ones trolls make to avoid a banning: Get one account banned, just come on here with another account and start posting the same stupid shit.

That's not true at all. Please don't try to speak about how this forum is run when you are not privy to that information. All it does is mislead people.

[LastPoet]

I don't know. You are the self-proclaimed "Evil Moderator".

I am, fear me

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What can they say? There's an unofficial rule to this forum and pretty much every forum out there: get into good enough standing, show the moderators that you're productive and you wind up getting more leeway with stuff like that.

There is no leeway, no unnoficial rule, it was a prank and a good one as it fooled alot of people, after all it was april's fools, and from my POV at the time, it was done as a special entertainment for our members as the staff isn't there just to ban people, but alas, feelings got hurt and shit, instead of taking it as sport. If I made a sock account just for my personal pleasure I would be banned, regardless of my staff position, my time as a member or reputation and that's how it is. There are rules, rules that exist untill we come up with something better. There is a suggestion forum for that.

[Cyberman]

Thank you, Tiberius, for that voice of reason. Let's hope this now draws a line underneath this whole non-drama.

Let me make this clear: We do not allow sock accounts; there is no application process, nor would we ever grant a non-staff member the ability to create one. The only reason we originally created sock accounts was to perform a prank, and the only person who kept their s afterwards did so to bring some humor to the forums by being an ultimate poe.

Shame I missed out on being a poe, really; I've got a cracking one who would have jumped at the chance.

[Violet]

I am, fear me

You're much too cuddly to be the evil moderator

So here's what we're gonna do...

* Violet hugs LastPoet, then gives him a wet willy. Bitches love wet willies.