I don't know what Caesar thought when he got to the Ides of March. I don't know what Houdini bought when he went to the store, but I sure do miss the eightiesssssss.
So ... what's a sock puppet?
Marc, a sock puppet is an alternate message board identity or pseudonym. People create them for various reasons, but primarily to shield their public identity.
Like:
Writing a bad review on a competitor to hurt their sales.
Self-promotion (like someone writing this about themselves under a pseudonym "I think author so and so is way better than these other writers. I just bought their PDF and it rocked my world!")
Participating in an online debate and you want to promote your position through "strength in numbers". For example, you write "We all think this rule is dumb" and then write under a pseudonym "Yeah, we certainly do!"
Ninja'd by DM Papa, but either definition is valid.
I think it is worth pointing out that message board admins can see IPs, which is how sockpuppets can be busted. I don't know if Paizo can do this, but since it is a very common feature, I would assume that they can.
I think it is worth pointing out that message board admins can see IPs, which is how sockpuppets can be busted. I don't know if Paizo can do this, but since it is a very common feature, I would assume that they can.
They have on previous occasions called out sock puppetry.
When they do, they usually just make the offending account an alias of the original poster.
There is also the case where someone banned will resume posting under another name. Paizo can see this also. They tend to give the benefit of the doubt if it seems the behavior has changed, but I can think of at least one instance where they outed someone because of a relapse.
So that's Paizo and sockpuppets. Gary is like Santa Claus, he always knows what your up to. And if you think you're getting away with it, chances are he is just biding his time for his own amusement. You are his puppet.
Gary also knows which forum posters are actually undercover NSA agents.
Jim's description of sock puppets is entirely correct.
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Haladir, you speak the truth yet again! You're so cool!
When I grow up, I want to be just like you!