# Am I a Sock? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [June 25, 2007, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-sock/409398 "2007-06-25T22:27:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Swampwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Swampwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swampwolf)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-sock/409398/1 "2007-06-25T22:27:06Z")
Years and years ago, before there was a registration fee, I was a member of the SDMB (name: **Blessedwolf** ). Shortly before the “pay-to-post” switchover, I lost my job, and didn’t want to shell out the $$ to continue posting. I have recently started lurking again, and I’m considering becoming a member…the **Blessedwolf** handle is still in the records, but I’m not past the “debating if I want to join” stage. So I created a new name, with a new email address, and I’m now a Guest. Then I thought to myself that this may technically be creating a sock puppet, which I _definitely_ do not want to do. If this is what I have unwittingly done, is there any way to become **Blessedwolf** again, but as a guest for the 30 days? And then can I change my name to **Swampwolf?** (which is my preferred moniker now) Or should I continue as a guest with this name, then pony up the $15 in a month, and all is good? I should mention that I cannot post as **Blessedwolf,** since “he” is no longer a member. Whichever track needs to be taken so that I’m not in violation, I will gladly comply. Thanks… ---
**Author:** ![SSG\_Schwartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-sock/409398/2 "2007-06-25T22:31:21Z")
I am not going to claim to be a Mod, but AFIK you get one shot at being a guest or non paying member. After that, if you want to join you have to pay up. Maybe if you as nicely, someone will pay for you if money is still an issue. Sgt Schwartz ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-sock/409398/3 "2007-06-25T22:34:58Z")
From a recent [thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=8616800) by a poster with the same problem as yours: > [@tubadiva](#): > > Your payment of $14.95 will make all your problems here go away. Nothing else will fix that. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-sock/409398/4 "2007-06-25T22:40:10Z")
We can merge your old name and your new name together (well, I can if the system will let me, it’s funny that way sometimes). You can have either name you like or a totally new name, your choice. But pick a name and subscribe, that’s what you need to do next, yes indeed. Accidents happen, we’re not going to yell at you. It’s fixable. Let’s do it. Please send me an email and tell me what you’d like to do here. [TubaDiva@aol.com](mailto:TubaDiva@aol.com) ---
**Author:** ![Swampwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Swampwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swampwolf)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-sock/409398/5 "2007-06-25T22:43:32Z")
whew! That was easy… I just paid up, and I’m waiting for whatever email verification comes. Feels like moving back to the town where I spent some good years. And TubaDiva, I’ll stick with the Swampwolf name. Still need me to email you? Or are we good to go? (If we’re good to go, the thread can be closed at your discretion) (eta: I noticed I’ve gone from “Guest to Member” Mission accomplished. I hereby solemnly swear never to troll, post in the wrong forum, neglect to swear in the Pit, or watch _Showgirls_, So help me Og) ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-sock/409398/6 "2007-06-25T22:45:06Z")
I’ll merge 'em all up, so you have your old start date and all your posts. Welcome back! ---
**Author:** ![Swampwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Swampwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swampwolf)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-sock/409398/7 "2007-06-25T22:47:41Z")
[QUOTE=TubaDiva] I’ll merge 'em all up, so you have your old start date and all your posts. Welcome back! [/QUOTE] Thank you! Of course, now comes the inevitable “who the hell is this guy, and how did he rack up 1100 posts without us noticing?” Could be fun! ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-sock/409398/8 "2007-06-25T22:51:16Z")
[QUOTE=Swampwolf] Thank you! Of course, now comes the inevitable “who the hell is this guy, and how did he rack up 1100 posts without us noticing?” Could be fun! [/QUOTE] Who is this poster who thinks he has 1100 posts when he’s only got nine? :dubious: 😃 ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-sock/409398/9 "2007-06-25T22:58:42Z")
Ahem. ---
**Author:** ![Swampwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Swampwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swampwolf)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-sock/409398/10 "2007-06-25T23:04:23Z")
Wow! Almost 1500… Of course, it’s not the quantity, it’s the quality. Guess I need to play catch-up in that regard. _molto grazie,_ TubaDiva! ---
**Author:** ![Hung\_Mung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@Hung\_Mung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hung_Mung)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2007, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-sock/409398/11 "2007-06-26T04:20:49Z")
Tuba’s awesome like that. She helped me out when I did exactly the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2007, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-sock/409398/12 "2007-06-26T12:43:34Z")
[QUOTE=Swampwolf] Wow! Almost 1500… Of course, it’s not the quantity, it’s the quality. Guess I need to play catch-up in that regard. _molto grazie,_ TubaDiva! [/QUOTE] Welcome back, by the way. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2007, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-sock/409398/13 "2007-06-26T12:59:13Z")
[QUOTE=Swampwolf] Thank you! Of course, now comes the inevitable “who the hell is this guy, and how did he rack up 1100 posts without us noticing?” Could be fun! [/QUOTE] I remember you. Welcome back. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2007, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-sock/409398/14 "2007-06-26T16:13:35Z")
He had nine and then I merged his old name with his new one and now he has a post count of close to 1,500. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2007, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-sock/409398/15 "2007-06-27T01:41:26Z")
Hey, Swampwolf! Welcome home! ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2007, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-sock/409398/16 "2007-06-27T02:20:07Z")
Welcome back! I definitely remember you from the old days. ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2007, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-sock/409398/17 "2007-06-27T03:02:45Z")
Dear Mods, I want to alert you to the fact that one of our members has recently gone from having a mere nine posts to almost 1,500 in less than a few hours. Obviously, anyone who posts almost 1,500 times in such a short period of time is either a troll or a spammer or both. I’m sure you will want to delete this account immediately. 😃