bbinchi, the context was not lost on me, but your point about treatment of newbies while valid is an issue separate from koko's thesis.

As I see it, the problem on FlyerTalk generally has less to do with posting false information (although there have certainly been a few breaches in this regard) and more to do with civility, as outlined above. When I originally registered for FlyerTalk, I assumed that the terms above would be the basis for participation. For the most part they were, until sometime this summer, when all h*ll broke loose. In particular, I've seen a big increase in the amount of harrassing, hateful, and abusive behavior, often hidden behind the mask of a persona.

As I have a number of times in the past, I again voice my support for moderation. Moderators can help enforce the above terms. They can help restore the civil tone of this board which many of us miss.

I have mixed feelings about having FlyerTalk IP logging given the ease with which it can be gotten around. I guess I would support it but it is by no means a cure all for our problems.

[This message has been edited by dgolds (edited 12-10-2000).]

"Someone with the resources of the NSA or CIA could no doubt trace all of this and find a person."

Half the kids in the computer science class at the local high school could also. It's really not all that difficult. That's why turning on IP logging is such a bad idea (bad, at least, to those who value their personal privacy -- I certainly do).

For anyone who doubts me, visit http://www.slashdot.org and post a challenge for someone to track you down based on your IP address.

I'm a computer engineer and I know all the tricks.

What I am saying is that if someone were to restrict each "identity" to one particular method of accessing the net, it would be next to impossible to connect them. That would take real detective work, or a slip-up.

1. I agree with everything that richard wrote.

2. As has been proven time and again in America, freedom is not always pretty, but it is worth any ugliness it spawns.

3. I'm quite disgusted with witch hunt attidues that many FT regulars have taken. I've seen about a half-dozen people be accused of being ozstamps on this board and the UA board. Come on, get over it. FT is important to us, yes, but national security is not at stake. I more ashamed of that behavior than any fake IDs that ozstamps or anyone else may have created.

I suggest forgiveness, even if someone they're not deserving of it. Anyone who's a Christian knows all about this. Even if you aren't, it's not that hard of a concept to grasp.

Forgive me for not knowing the relevance of wheather someone has a "fake I.D." or not, I thought this forum was a happy place to share tips and stories with folks who love to travel, getting the best value they can. I was considering shortening my handle to make it easier to type, since I don't type very fast...would I be suspect of something? I'm not a regular yet, since I still don't have a computer, but I drop in now and then at cyber-cafe's like this one in Thailand, and I can't believe how stressed some of the conversations here are! I have been lurking/posting since March, I think, and it seems to be getting worse. Just an observation by someone very grateful for a forum like this.

I WANT AN OPTION ALLOWING ME TO NOT DISPLAY SOMEONE'S POSTS

While I am against multiple IDs and agree with some type of moderation, I'm not sure IP tracking will do the job.

My fiance Honeybaby and I post from the same computer - mine. While she posts very infrequently, an script could interpret it as a fake ID. This could create problems for multi-member families posting from the same place.

I would instead propose a feature to ignore posters you find offensive, or don't agree with, and each individual can set up their own list to of members to ignore.

Droneklax - congratulations for posting the obvious, equitable, workable solution that wouldn't be top down censorship. I've lost count of how many times we've asked for it before. I fully agree with you that a 'squelch' function, allowing users to silence those they don't wish to hear from (but only on their own machine), is completely desirable.

Now everybody, please can we end the witch-hunting and endless accusations, leave the culprits to their most pathetic little lives and get on with business?

[This message has been edited by james (edited 12-11-2000).]

"...Now everybody, please can we end the witch-hunting and endless accusations,...

I could not possibly AGREE more!

This is not an issue of a witch Hunt.

This is an issue of credibility!!!!.

If FT allows a member to create alter ego's to further an argument, then FT has no credibility. Period.

I for one do not want to wonder if each and every newcomer "Is for real". I also don't want lurkers and members to follow the advise given on a thread if the advise and feedback from "Alter Ego's" is incorrect.

To say that we should just ignore such posters is sticking our heads in the sand.

We should be outraged at this behavoir!

I am outraged at the behaviour of some individuals who post here.

But FlyerTalk is only an internet bulletin board. It is not a court of law or an auditor or teacher. Why per se do you expect it to have any credibility?

I have seen a witch hunt here the last week or so. I don't like it. Some of the accused are undoubtedly guilty, but some are very probably innocent. However, the purpose of this board is only to discuss means of obtaining/using frequent-traveller points.


[This message has been edited by james (edited 12-12-2000).]

I completely disagree, CameraGuy. Ignoring people playing posting games is the best and only policy. Who wants a moderated system, when someone decides whether to post your writing or not? I don't.

And I don't want someone's anonymity violated if they prefer to remain anonymous.

The only solution is to quit getting worked up about this, ignore posts you don't like, and move on.

As a relative newbie, I would like to chime in and echo CameraGuy's thoughts above. As a new member and an infrequent flyer, I initially found the FT boards to be rather intimidating given the wealth of knowledge and experience displayed. The natural tendency for new (and naive?) FTers is to give deference to long-time and/or prolific posters. A new FTer certainly has no reason to distrust or question the credibility of such persons. To now think that these multiple personality posters are manipulating the boards for their own perverted agenda is dismaying. It destroys the credibility of the entire board. Like many other newbies and lurkers, I presume, I have neither the time nor the inclination (and probably not the skill and knowledge) to ferret out the offenders. In other words, how do I know whom to ignore?

My full support, koko. In order to maintain the credibility and high standard of this board we have to keep it "clean".

Interesting observation: I notice some FT's post missing on this very subject who otherwise are posting on virtually every imaginable other subject on this board.

Coincidence???

[This message has been edited by cesco.g (edited 12-11-2000).]