Wallace
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A note about dual accountsHi everyone.
The forum team is vigilant about keeping spammers off this forum.
So far we have been successfull. However in the work to keep spammers out we have noted attempts by members to create dual accounts. Some of these attempts have been by banned members.
Please be aware all IP's are logged, dual accounts are noticed and are not allowed here.
We are also aware that sometimes a member will lose or forget their details. In this case , please contact admin who will arrange to have you re-activated.
Cheers
The Forum Team
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Manxman
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I know I've asked this before but just so I know it's not me causing problems. It doesn't matter does it that I log on from my pc at home, my office pc and also sometimes one of the kid's machines. I just have to make sure I'm Chris (manxman) on all of them. 
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Wallace
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| Manxman wrote: | | I know I've asked this before but just so I know it's not me causing problems. It doesn't matter does it that I log on from my pc at home, my office pc and also sometimes one of the kid's machines. I just have to make sure I'm Chris (manxman) on all of them. |
That's fine Manxman. 
It certainly isn't you, or any other active member on these forums. The culprits know who they are 
You can use your account from anywhere, any computer and it is all good.
Think of it this way. What has gone on is the equivalent of getting kicked out of a pub, so you return with a fake moustache, different name and glasses to conceal your identity, just so you can try to get back in 
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tmuir
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| Manxman wrote: | | I know I've asked this before but just so I know it's not me causing problems. It doesn't matter does it that I log on from my pc at home, my office pc and also sometimes one of the kid's machines. I just have to make sure I'm Chris (manxman) on all of them. |
No thats fine and I'm sure lots of us do that.
What we are talking about is you having the user name 'Manxman' and then you create another user name and join again and pretend this second user name is a different person.
We have had people do this before just to cause trouble and we also have had other people who aren't welcome here try to join under false identities to get in.
We have even had people do this because they have forgotten their password which isn't necessary as a quick email to the admin can fix that.
The Internet is a tricky beast and its not always possible for us to catch people who do this straight away but given some time we do catch these people out.
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tmuir
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Doh you beat me Wallace.
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Manxman
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Ok, just checking. I get it now.  I can guess some of the names you are hinting at. This forum is ending 2007 on a very high note. Great work by all of the admin / mod team. Keep it up and keep looking after us. Thanks
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Wallace
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| tmuir wrote: | | Doh you beat me Wallace. |
LOL, no worries
But you did raise a good point about people who had forgotten their passwords, who are obviously not trying to cause any harm.
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Wallace
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It has come our attention that there are accusations of member being banned due to what they said on this forum.
The accusation is wrong, and the reason they were banned was due to yet another dual account finding.
They know this was the reason, as they were emailed and told this.
Our software picks up dual accounts. This is not allowed as problems arise.
This recent accusation is a perfect example of the problems that arise as a fictional member was created, and that fiction is continuing.
I am not posting the name of the ex member responsible for these actions but you can guess.
Should the accusation not be removed, or further problems arise, screenshots will be posted for proof, as will all other attempts this ex member has made to create a dual account.
Sorry to have to post this info. We like to deal with such problems behind behind the scenes without it publically being known.
This is so all members can go on enjoying discussing steam.
Thanks for reading.
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johnreid
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Most forum softwares allow banishment by IP, this does not stop someone from going to another ISP and creating another account, but that would be true no matter how one does a banishment. Sadly when one gets banned, they often try to retaliate, I do not want to get into the particulars, but have to state that you all are doing an admirable job of administration and Moderation.
If this is something you do not want said or I am out of place you have my permission to delete this post and no hurt feelings.
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IndianaRog
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Thanks for the cudos John.
As an admin/mod team we do our best to keep the dirt off the public side of the forum...afterall, the pay is now 2X what it was last year, so we know we gotta deliver
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tmuir
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Hi John, banning IP ranges is not something we like to do as its a blanket ban and catches other innocent people who just happen to use the same IP range but unfortunately due to one persons constant trouble causing we are looking at blocking a rather targeted range of IPs.
This will not be any public ISPs so it should not effect anyone other than this one trouble maker.
Its a shame we are having to come to this but should that fail the next step will be reporting him to his ISP for braking their T&C on his account.
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Manxman
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I don't understand most of this tread but I do feel it is such a shame that we may have to go into 2008 like this. The current policy of sorting things out away from the public boards has been right.
It can be very hard when the other forum is printing such 'playground' stuff but they have nothing to lose. We do. This forum has grown and grown. I'm sorry we have lost people along the way but I also know that has been their choice.
So, I'd say to our admin and mods. You are doing a great job. Don't get pulled down to the same place as some other people. We have a great forum.
I'd love to feel that if people from the other forum want to join us again, we would give them another chance. They shouldn't need to try and join under a new name but also shouldn't join just to cause trouble. After all, some of us have also in the past made mistakes on the forums.
Maybe the answer is to just ban people for 3 months or 6 months and then for the admin / mods to review their membership and if appropriate, invite the person back.
So I suppose I'm saying to our Admin and Mods you are doing a great job. Maybe an olive branch to those who have been hurt in 2007 and keep up the good work.
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Reid
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On my own forum we've banned no one yet.
In many cases but not all, one might request the member take a time out for a day, a week, etc, 'voluntarily'.
And then if they don't stay off to cool off or re-think, yeah lock the account for while.
I really dislike bannings of even the "difficult" personalities.
There's too much anger bred by the practice.
But that's just my call. I find that most people just want what -they- think is fair play, vicious ones excepted, of course.
We've all screwed up on forums at one time or another.
There is that chance for redemption and second and third goes at it, although it is much extra work for already-taxed,
working people who give their hobby time over to administration duties here for owt and for aught. It's no power trip.
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tmuir
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I'm not going into details and we make no more public comments about this but the person in question was warned on several occasions before they were banned and since then has attempted around a dozen false accounts and every one that did get enabled used it just to cause trouble.
I agree most people deserve a second chance but this person has already used up their 2nd, 3rd, 4th , 5th etc chance.
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Manxman
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| tmuir wrote: | I'm not going into details and we make no more public comments about this but the person in question was warned on several occasions before they were banned and since then has attempted around a dozen false accounts and every one that did get enabled used it just to cause trouble.
I agree most people deserve a second chance but this person has already used up their 2nd, 3rd, 4th , 5th etc chance. |
And that's good enough for me. The Admin / Mod team have my (and I'm sure everyone else's) support. 
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Stilldrillin
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I don`t honestly know what`s happening.
BUT, as an ordinary new, quiet member, in my early days I found 1 member was rather a bully. Putting me off posting a little........
Since he departed, this has been a super forum, full of really friendly helpfull people, and more joining regularly.
Please, Management, keep on keeping on with whatever it is you do behind the scenes. You`re doing a fine job..........
THANK YOU!
David.
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Griffin
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| Manxman wrote: | | tmuir wrote: | I'm not going into details and we make no more public comments about this but the person in question was warned on several occasions before they were banned and since then has attempted around a dozen false accounts and every one that did get enabled used it just to cause trouble.
I agree most people deserve a second chance but this person has already used up their 2nd, 3rd, 4th , 5th etc chance. |
And that's good enough for me. The Admin / Mod team have my (and I'm sure everyone else's) support. |
Whole heartedly agree with all of the above. Unfortunately we do not live in a perfect world, so there comes a time when the greater good of this forum has to come first. If this results in certain members needing to be banned, so be it!!
Admin and Mods, you have my total support, you are doing a sterling job.
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tmuir
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Thanks eveyone.
Hopefully from now on we will be able to keep the administering of the forum off the public boards but we learnt a while ago that the 'no comment' policy was doing us more harm than good so unfortunately every now and then we are forced to do something like this.
Hopefully it will be smooth sailing again on here again for a while.
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Atticman
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| tmuir wrote: | Thanks eveyone.
Hopefully from now on we will be able to keep the administering of the forum off the public boards but we learnt a while ago that the 'no comment' policy was doing us more harm than good so unfortunately every now and then we are forced to do something like this.
Hopefully it will be smooth sailing again on here again for a while. |
I hope forever!!!
luckily for me I joined after all of this was going on I think- Personally I am very saddened at the person who keeps trying to make trouble. Surely this forum is meant FOR ENJOYMENT
I will rise above it, like we all should, and he will be the looser
it is after all a very enjoyable hobby, not as far as I can see one that will make us much money, thankfully really cos that attracts nastiness too sometimes.
Sounds like the mods have done a great job, long may it continue
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IndianaRog
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Thanks to all from your admin and mod squad...we'll resume speed for 2008, hopefully out of sight but NOT out of touch.
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James
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Thanks guys!
It's just so so so sad that people think we are such a tremendous Forum that once they are banned, they try every way possible to get back in.
They realy do have my pity 
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8_10 Brass Cleaner
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Guys,
I hate to say it, but banning people and removing messages is no way to run a forum.
I believe that messages should be left up, so everyone can make their own mind up, that includes any accusations. After all who can say if they are true?
I believe that moderating can and does tend to be bias to the moderator, and sometimes it is not neccassarily a good thing.
So there you go my views on moderating forums.
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mj
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Would it not be prudent to offer an apology to those involved, if Les has now been cleared as a genuine member.
Then swiftly move back to steam chat which is what these forums are supposed to be about.
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James
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Which is exactly what has been done MJ!
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mj
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| James wrote: | | Which is exactly what has been done MJ! |
A very positive move
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flywheel61
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MJ wrote
| Quote: | | Would it not be prudent to offer an apology to those involved, if Les has now been cleared as a genuine member. |
This seems to be a totally different issue, why is it in this thread??????
Cheers
Chris
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Wallace
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| flywheel61 wrote: | MJ wrote
| Quote: | | Would it not be prudent to offer an apology to those involved, if Les has now been cleared as a genuine member. |
This seems to be a totally different issue, why is it in this thread??????
Cheers
Chris |
Spot on Chris . It is a totally different issue/event in regard to the post I made yesterday.
8-10, I respect your views.
People are banned and posts are removed for the good of the members. That is the only reason.
The first ever person banned from here was back just after the forums opened. This persons actions were also the reason we decided to have rules. And this person was a dual member (nothing to do with any recent incidents).
ie, they made a dual account to simply back up their original account in a argument they started. It would be like me making another account so I can post here backing up this post. That is wrong, and unfair to the other members.
Incidently, we rarely remove posts here unless they are deemed offensive. Any accusations posted here are let go, so the thread can develop and by the end they are sorted/explained.
Who can say if accusations are true? Well I guess no-one can unless screen shots prove otherwise, and information doesn't add up.
I could post up screenshots and point out flaws in an accusation, but this already public enough, it's almost a new year, and I don't want to go there.
What I would like to finish on is saying a big thanks to all the members here who make this forum what it is, and a big thanks to the support shown
It's really appreciated and here's to 2008 
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Minor1PJG
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I fully support the admin team and the approach of the moderators.
I can see no reason for anything other than burner trays and boilers to get heated on this forum. Steam toys are our common bond and differences of opinions should be seen as just that.
Of course, I know nothing of the events that have led to this post being started and I have no desire/ need to find out either.
Let's keep focused on our shared hobby and discuss that.
Best wishes to everyone for 2008
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flywheel61
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810brasscleaner wrote
| Quote: | Guys,
I hate to say it, but banning people and removing messages is no way to run a forum.
I believe that messages should be left up, so everyone can make their own mind up, that includes any accusations. After all who can say if they are true?
I believe that moderating can and does tend to be bias to the moderator, and sometimes it is not neccassarily a good thing.
So there you go my views on moderating forums. |
I also respect your right to have a view, however I strongly disagree with this approach. I'm not sure that you were a member when a lot of the problems arose. I was and found myself unreasonably in the firing line. Since the introdction of the rules, and thier subsequent effect, I have found this to be a very happy place to communicate on.
I can't help asking myself why other forums aren't as happy or successful. Perhaps it is because they continue to knock others endevours
Cheers
Chris
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mj
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The message about dual accounts was posted in BOTH threads therefore it was relevant.
I among others enjoy posting on both forums & get fed up with the constant bitching (my feelings are made clear on both sides). The question of one side spying on the others forum sounds very sinister but is laughable. During a recent spat a senior member over here admitted to reading the other forum in a pm!
Neither side is ever blameless in these incidents & the you did this, so we must retaliate is stuff of the playground.
Hopefully 2008 will be different
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MamodFan
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| mj wrote: | The message about dual accounts was posted in BOTH threads therefore it was relevant.
I among others enjoy posting on both forums & get fed up with the constant bitching (my feelings are made clear on both sides). The question of one side spying on the others forum sounds very sinister but is laughable. During a recent spat a senior member over here admitted to reading the other forum in a pm!
Neither side is ever blameless in these incidents & the you did this, so we must retaliate is stuff of the playground.
Hopefully 2008 with be different |
well said
its always the case, each forum seems to take the "it wasn't me" attitude. How about just not bothering with all the bickering, sniping and bad feeling.
It is often the case that members of the freesteam forum who do not post regularly bring topics over from the freesteam to this site for discussion and also vice versa.
I dot want to criticise or discourage this scenario and i welcome it as it creates a wider audience for the topics which in turns brings more ideas and information to light. What i don't like is sometimes the topics are started with undertone of "i have just thought of this" when it is not the case. Let there be free communication between the forums and credit each other for it.
Toy Steam should be a happy and enjoyable hobby It has been said many times before by many moderators and members of both forums, now lets start doing what we say.
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