Sharing Accounts Question

A cursory scan of IP addresses shows sharing accounts is quite common. The subject isn't mentioned in FAQ. Should it be defined?

Duals are eventually outed, but we never reveal who is sharing accounts. We should.

Gotta admit, you'd wanna know.

Here's an easy example of what I''m talking about - Log into the mod/admin control panel and find users with the IP address *****

It's possible to have the same IP address without sharing an account.

Is there any other evidence *****, ***** and ***** are sharing accounts?

I mean, what point would there be? They are all long time members, rep shenanigans are pointless and none of them were into it when it counted. Are there any posts or behaviors that seem suspicious?

Maybe they just all use AOL and were assigned that IP at one point or another.

I don't know, that was just an easy example.*

My question is about defining/not defining a policy regarding sharing accounts. What do you guys think?






*I had planned on deleting the IP address and member names before releasing this thread.

I think we can't make a policy on something we can't prove is going on for certain.

Unless someone was sharing with a banned member, I'm not sure what we could object to.

***** and ***** are on opposite ends of the flarkin' country for God's sake. How would they have the same IP? Methinks something may be wrong here. Maybe one of 'em (or all of 'em) are using a proxy.

Sometimes because of re-routing or how a network is set up you can get far off IP matches. I had one of those IP gadgets on a site tell me I was in Kentucky the other night for example.

Here's another example - *****

Well, that geolocates to ***** location, so if borrowing is going on, ***** is probably using *****'s account.

Oh, and a geolocation search of the other IP, puts it in Witchita, KS and it's a dial-up account. I don't think any of the three are in KS, so I'm guessing it's part of a network.

A few more examples -

*****

Why are you so worried about this? Is there some issue going on I'm unaware of?

Could be a tell-tale of people sharing accounts. Looks like probably not, but ya never know.

I'm just thinking this hunt must have started because of some impetus...is there a reason to suspect account sharing aside from IP hits? And what are the account sharers doing it for?

Is there even a reason to care unless it's a banned member doing the sharing?

Relax my friend, nothing to worry about.

We haven't a policy regarding sharing accounts. As a member I'd like a heads-up if folks are sharing accounts. Kinda like how duals are treated.

Nothing wrong with having a suspicious mind.

Answering that question is what this thread is all about.

It's just if there's something shitty going down I hate not knowing about it.

The difficulty is in knowing if it's really account sharing or just a network hit. You would probably need some evidence of odd posting activity to know for sure..although geolocation traces is a good indication as well if you know where the poster usually lives.

As far as I know nothing shitty is going down. We haven't a policy regarding sharing accounts, and violating a non-existent policy is darn near impossible.

I welcome any knowledge you're willing to share!

Even if a few folks are sharing accounts for some bizarre reason, it would seem to me to fall under the duals policy. As long as they don't get up to mischief, no problem.

And who the fuck is "*****" anyway?

Probably the dual you made a long time ago when you wanted to post and not be the owner.

The one you used to visit here to check up when you were on sabbatical.

You know, the most perfectly understandable and practical use of a dual there is.

Agreed, sharing accounts is analogous to using duals.

Had to make it clear I wasn't showing any favoritism.

Again, as a member I want to know if accounts are being shared every bit as much as I want to know if duals are being used. It's a subject we've yet to address. And no I'm not claiming something shitty is going on.

All feedback is welcome. I'm on board with not allowing banned users to share another members account. Also not allowing staff accounts to be shared is a no-brainer as well.

Even if you think this is a non-issue please chime in.

Personally, I don't care. What's happening now works fine, i.e. the dual is allowed if it's amusing enough.

As for sharing accounts, they should work the same way. If a mod or an admin feels it would be amusing, then out the 2 or 3 members who are sharing each other's accounts.

Zel doesn't show up often, but when he does from home we probably have the same IP...it doesn't mean we account share, we do not. I take the privelege of being trusted with the keys to the board seriously, not that Zel would ever do anything to WF.

There is no way to definitively know if someone is account sharing unless it's admitted or there is obvious, unexplained IP oddness that geolocates elsewhere. It's also more obvious if it's a banned member doing it.

I say...if it's a banned member, nail them. Otherwise...$corp's idea is fine. I see no reason to keep that shit secret.

Ayup.

Same here. And if Mrs. Clyde were to join I'd say the exact same thing.

More than that Zel has used your account in the past (on your behalf) and everybody was grateful he did so.

But spouses/roommates/classmates aren't what I'm talking about.

I've neither your knowledge or access. So I'll simply ask, is something shitty going on with members sharing accounts?

Sounds like we agree - treat account sharing like using duals.

Fair enough.

Duals are typically outed if they aren't entertaining, not for a mod or an admin's amusement.

If it's but 2 or 3 members* it is indeed a non-issue. Still most every member would like to know who those 2 or 3 members are. Same as duals.






*How do you know how many members share accounts?

meh...the duals are never fun or interesting to me. now, tell me two long timers with different personalities are the same poster and that'd be interesting....but until it's something along the lines of paladin and summerteeth being the same person.....

We are all Soma.