Sock Puppet

[+Sensei TSKC]

I have heard this term used a few times.

 

What is it and why do people have them?

[Deego]

Its a 2nd account and can be used to cause problems, agree with their own posts, or just to have a bit of fun with.

Edited October 13, 2005 by Deego

[+Sue Gremlin]

It's a username set up by an already established member so they can post objectionable things in the forum. It's idiotic because I am presuming the moderators can see your IP address and will know right away if it's someone with a forum alter ego.

[+BlueDeuce]

[+The Blorenges]

And I understand that the Moderators, L & E, also have their own sock puppet accounts in other names so that they can keep their true geocaching identities private. Which is understandable . Except that a lot of folks know their socks intimately, anyway.... Mrs B

[+Simply Paul]

There are some more justifiable reasons to have a sock-puppet account. For example, non-premium members are limited to 100 caches on their watch-lists. Add a duplicate account and you double that number.

 

SP

[+The HERB5]

Or for claiming dubious the armchair caches.

[+purple_pineapple]

would anyone want more than 100 caches on their watchlist? we used to have about 50 or so, until i got cheesed off with the constant e-mails! I tend to use it for very few things now, and more often for TBs!

 

What do other people use the watchlist for (Outrageous and unsubtle thead-jacking, sorry!)

[+Us 4 and Jess]

how intimately do you know the reviewers Mrs B

 

no wonder i can't get any caches reviewed

Edited October 13, 2005 by Us 4 and Jess

[+The Blorenges]

how intimately do you know the reviewers Mrs B

 

Oh, dear! Honestly, the only socks I'm intimately acquainted with belong to Mr B...

..... and the other Mr B

..... and Miss B

..... and four white ones belonging to our mog-dog (....which NEVER get lost in the wash! )

[markandlynn]

link its a general internet thing. Many reasons not all nice.

[+Simply Paul]

Interesting links there, thanks Markandlynn.

 

I did set up a sock-puppet account of my own, that of George Chackshot, who became 'The Missing Cacher', featured (in part, hehe) in the cache of the same name. I agree, some uses can be far less benign.

 

SP

[+Pharisee]

There are some more justifiable reasons to have a sock-puppet account. For example, non-premium members are limited to 100 caches on their watch-lists. Add a duplicate account and you double that number.

 

SP

Not just for watch-lists, Paul. They can be very useful for doubling your PQ allowance too.

Edited October 13, 2005 by Pharisee

[+nfa]

[NickPick]

Not just for watch-lists, Paul. They can be very useful for doubling your PQ allowance too.

But then you'd have to pay two subscriptions every year!

[+BlueDeuce]

would anyone want more than 100 caches on their watchlist? we used to have about 50 or so, until i got cheesed off with the constant e-mails! I tend to use it for very few things now, and more often for TBs!

 

What do other people use the watchlist for (Outrageous and unsubtle thead-jacking, sorry!)

Check this thread:

 

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=109723

[+Sensei TSKC]

With regard to the PQ and Watchlist argument - the account holder will still have to fork out for membership and therefore be 'genuine'. I am more concerned with those people who create these accounts for more dubious, conniving, underhand deceptive reasons:

 

Unnecessary criticism of cachers / caches

 

to name one.

 

I understand that there may be a justifiable reason - at the time - to purport in setting up a cache which may be part of an elaborate gag, however, if this was so, it is or could be non-subjective and therefore affect those not involved in the gag.

 

Has anyone ever had negative dealings with such an account/cacher?

[+purple_pineapple]

I believe the Hayward Hornet has a sock puppet account that gets used for all sorts of nefarious dealings...

[Deego]

I believe the Hayward Hornet has a sock puppet account that gets used for all sorts of nefarious dealings...     

Are you sure , I Think you mean The Hornet (Not that I am inferring that either The Hornet or The Haywood Hornet are good or bad )

 

I have never need a sock puppet account, I have managed to annoy, upset and offend many people by using my real account at all times

Edited October 13, 2005 by Deego

[+purple_pineapple]

Are you sure , I Think you mean The Hornet (Not that I am infering that either The Hornet or The Haywood Hornet are good or bad )

oops - you are indeed correct! I was unaware that there are two pesky flying obejects around! I stand corrected, and looking more than a little foolish! Oh well, nothing unusual in that!

[+Haggis Hunter]

Odd that aint it? Just writing an email about sock puppets and the fact we think there is a new one in Edinburgh, possibly malign?

 

I guess time will tell?

 

Funnily enough the last sock puppet in Edinburgh, changed their name and then stopped caching, when the suspected person was questioned outright. Of course extreme denial happened, but we know different

[+Simply Paul]

With regard to the PQ and Watchlist argument - the account holder will still have to fork out for membership and therefore be 'genuine'.

 

Nope Sensei, members get a 100-cache watchlist allowance. 'Two' members get 200. Premium members have unlimited watchlist, so need only pay-up the once. Unfamiliar as I am about PQs, if John says a sock-puppet account is useful, I don't doubt him.

 

I suspect I know where you're going with this, and the events, logs and emails of the last few days are stopping me from following, lol!

 

OsS(P)!

 

Edit to add a missing e.

Edited October 13, 2005 by Simply Paul

[+Simply Paul]

SOCK PUPPET.

 

Oops, that's let the cat out of the bag

 

SP

 

Edit: Ref. the picture below. That's uncanny!

Edited October 13, 2005 by Simply Paul

[+Pharisee]

[+Kitty Hawk]

Odd that aint it? Just writing an email about sock puppets and the fact we think there is a new one in Edinburgh, possibly malign?

 

I guess time will tell?

 

Funnily enough the last sock puppet in Edinburgh, changed their name and then stopped caching, when the suspected person was questioned outright. Of course extreme denial happened, but we know different

Hum. I thought I'd guessed who you meant, but I seem to be wrong

[+Sensei TSKC]

Nope Sensi (edit:Sensei), members get a 100-cache watchlist allowance. 'Two' members get 200. Premium members have unlimited watchlist, so need only pay-up the once. Unfamiliar as I am about PQs, if John says a sock-puppet account is useful, I don't doubt him.

 

I suspect I know where you're going with this, and the events, logs and emails of the last few days are stopping me from following, lol!

 

OsS(P)!

Yes Paul, I agree with you in respect of the watchlist but not the PQ's. To get more you would have to pay for another membership.

 

Oss!

[+Jolly green giants]

SOCK PUPPET.

 

Oops, that's let the cat out of the bag 

 

SP

 

Edit: Ref. the picture below. That's uncanny!

Always thought there was something strange not got any more alias's SP???????????

do you have a pet dog by any chance.

[+Pengy&Tigger]

Is that 2 new caches I see in the background John?

[+sTeamTraen]

What do other people use the watchlist for (Outrageous and unsubtle thead-jacking, sorry!)

He he, I shall join in the thread-jacking.

 

My main use for the watchlist is to see if new cachers are active locally. Although since I own half the caches within a 20-mile radius, they usually do some of mine fairly early on. But this way I can send them creepy "HI! WELCOME!" mails after their very first find (or DNF). Bwahahahaha.

 

I also put my DNFs on the watchlist. At least, until a couple of people have logged "nice easy find, took me 10 seconds". Then I just get angry.

[+Pharisee]

Is that 2 new caches I see in the background John?

That's mightily observant of you.... Indeed they are!!

[Deego]

Is that 2 new caches I see in the background John?

That's mightily observant of you.... Indeed they are!!

I can see the hint now....... Behind my lookie likey sock puppet, under the clock

[Da Rubber Chicken]

Just thought this one looked good