Question about policy

[josh2484]

My question is really asking is it fair for a whole office to be unable to access the boards because of one persons actions. We all use the same ip address in the office and nobody can get in to read the boards because of my brothers banning. By the way my brother was mississippiman. He just wants to read the boards. He says he will never post again. I also would like to get a subscription soon. Thanks for taking time to read this post.

No. In looking over the record, I find that the IP in question has had
several guest memberships, but nobody has paid for a subscription. This has
gone on for some length of time, and it's quite apparent that someone is
abusing the trial period privilege. Further proof of this is gained by
looking at the posts by the various guests, which show a remarkably similar
style.

Lynn Bodoni
Administrator
For the Straight Dope

Thanks for the reply Lynn. However, all of those aliases on that same ip address were more than likely my brother. I have asked my brother and he says he will never post again. He just enjoys reading the board. I have not even signed up for an account until yesterday at home.I have not done anything myself. Why should I suffer for his stupidity. Why should I be unable to access the straightdope because of him. By banning him you are banning the whole office. And it is not there fault it is my brothers. I really enjoy reading the boards. The whole office can't even read the boards. I'm just asking for a favor from you. From your postings on the board it seems like your a good hearted person. Banning the whole office from access to the boards seems a little extreme. Just please ban my brother and not the ip address because nobody can read the boards anymore. Work gets really boring without the boards. Thanks in advance

.

[C K Dexter Haven]

I'll let Lynn give the Official Response.

My personal responses are: "fair"? No, perhaps not. Life is that way -- the innocent suffer for the crimes of the guilty. When we ban an IP address, it's usually because there has been no one posting from that address except for the multiple-sock puppet offender. You've said nothing inconsistent with that.

So, yeah, your brother's actions have limited your access at work. Tough, kid. If your brother borrowed your car and smashed it up, guess who would be without a car?

Finally, let me get this straight, you're complaining because you might have to work at your workplace instead of goof off?

(I don't even raise the question of whether this is all sham, anyhow.)

No sympathy at my end, and I'm the Moderator who's usually way too lenient in our internal discussions. But, as I say, Lynn will give a more reasoned response when she gets on.

[josh2484]

Thanks for the quick response Dexter. I understand your skepticism and reasoning in the situation. I guarantee you this is not a shame. I have been reading these boards for at least five years. Fair might not have been the right word to use. My brother (mississippiman) the multiple-sock puppet offender did not understand the rules. He apologizies profusely. He rarely posts, just enjoys reading the boards. I do goof off at work sometimes times but I often have free time to read. You can ban my brother I don't care. I am just asking a huge favor of you to still allow me to read the boards at work. I love this place and connect with a lot of people here. I know it was an ignorant thing for my brother to do . And we are here to fight ignorance afterall.
I am just asking for one second chance for me , not my brother. BTW, how much does a subscription cost?

Thanks, Josh

[josh2484]

Originally Posted by josh2484

Thanks for the quick response Dexter. I understand your skepticism and reasoning in the situation. I guarantee you this is not a shame. I have been reading these boards for at least five years. Fair might not have been the right word to use. My brother (mississippiman) the multiple-sock puppet offender did not understand the rules. He apologizies profusely. He rarely posts, just enjoys reading the boards. I do goof off at work sometimes times but I often have free time to read. You can ban my brother I don't care. I am just asking a huge favor of you to still allow me to read the boards at work. I love this place and connect with a lot of people here. I know it was an ignorant thing for my brother to do . And we are here to fight ignorance afterall.
I am just asking for one second chance for me , not my brother. BTW, how much does a subscription cost?

Thanks, Josh

I'm sorry I didnt' spell check that word should have been sham not shame.

[TubaDiva]

Is it fair to abuse the guest membership privilege?

You -- and/or your "brother" -- and/or the "people in the office" have not only failed to subscribe, but continued to post to the board by simply abandoning the old name when the guest membership expires and acquiring another screen name.

Please see Repeat guests will be banned
>http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=254534

your humble TubaDiva
Administrator