Forum Users - How would you go about this?

[bjcheung77]

Most forum members here are very helpful to those in need. I have a quick question how would you go about this? Do you let it slide and you try to assist that person?

I am not the "internet police" and I know the board members here aren't either, we just don't want to waste limited resources we have to regurgitate the same type of response again and again.

Scenario: A new user of this board may have created multiple accounts asking for assistance. Let's say 3 or 4 just to ask the same questions over and over to "fish" for information. You have just noticed this and know it may not be proper etiquette to do so.

I understand that some people may find that it's an urgent need to get answers, but having those "questions" submitted multiple times under different accounts may not "resolve" or get your the answers you're looking for or agree with.

We are here to help, we don't get paid, and I surely don't want to have my expertise exploited. Especially if this or these individuals are here for non-proctored courses purely for cheating the system. You're just cheating yourself of learning...

[cookderosa]

Most forum members here are very helpful to those in need. I have a quick question how would you go about this? Do you let it slide and you try to assist that person?

I am not the "internet police" and I know the board members here aren't either, we just don't want to waste limited resources we have to regurgitate the same type of response again and again.

Scenario: A new user of this board may have created multiple accounts asking for assistance. Let's say 3 or 4 just to ask the same questions over and over to "fish" for information. You have just noticed this and know it may not be proper etiquette to do so.

I understand that some people may find that it's an urgent need to get answers, but having those "questions" submitted multiple times under different accounts may not "resolve" or get your the answers you're looking for or agree with.

We are here to help, we don't get paid, and I surely don't want to have my expertise exploited. Especially if this or these individuals are here for non-proctored courses purely for cheating the system. You're just cheating yourself of learning...

I love this board- I've been a member here since day 1 of my journey. Once upon a time, I used to read every post every day! For the past few years I don't, and so if I think a poster is trying to pull something, forget it! Not worth my time- but unless I think it's spammy or scammy, I wouldn't report it to Steve, I'd probably just ignore it and move on.

A long time ago, someone told me that they learned the most when they got to answer posts, and so to encourage learning and contributing, I think it's good etiquette for experienced members to let new members answer simple questions. "How much is the CLEP US History 1 test worth at TESU?" Does Charter Oak accept credit from Studycom? Etc. Same goes for repetitive questions- if the same question is being asked in 4 different threads, that's not my jam. Someone else will answer or call it out. I think the nice thing about being around a while, is that you get to pick and choose your questions and where you think you can add value- that makes it fun and keeps it fresh. Anyway, that's probably why I answered this thread lol. As far as I can tell, it was a question I don't recall ever having been asked before, so it's fun to think about.

[davewill]

If they are making multiple accounts, they should be reported and the extra accounts disabled. There's no upside to letting it slide. It wastes people's time.

Multiple accounts are one of the hallmarks of trolls.

[cookderosa]

If they are making multiple accounts, they should be reported and the extra accounts disabled. There's no upside to letting it slide. It wastes people's time.

Multiple accounts are one of the hallmarks of trolls.

So are you handling the reporting then?

[PrettyFlyforaChiGuy]

Hi, guy on the Internet here. That behavior sounds like spamming, and it clutters forums with duplicate threads. Maybe have a general rule against this behavior from now on, if one doesn't already exist?

[dfrecore]

Duplicate threads are annoying, so as an admin, I would delete them (although I'm not the one doing the work, and I won't be reporting them). Maybe a nice message saying "you made duplicate threads, I deleted all but 1 and kept it in the correct place" is a good way to start. This assumes someone doesn't know where to post or the etiquette of not putting duplicates everywhere.

For those who are trying to scam the system, I say delete them and their accounts.

I think we know the difference between the two types of people.

[davewill]

If they are making multiple accounts, they should be reported and the extra accounts disabled. There's no upside to letting it slide. It wastes people's time.

Multiple accounts are one of the hallmarks of trolls.

So are you handling the reporting then?

If I had caught the person and knew the facts I would. You could just use the report button on their posts.

[Muldoon]

As a side note I wouldn't want to automatically assume that anyone looking for non-proctored options are looking to cheat the system. When I first started my journey my living situation did not allow for it so I was focusing on CLEP/DSST/UExcel/Aleks/etc. But then my situation changed and I was able to start Davar/SDC and I completely changed my degree plan.

Obviously yes, there are people that DO try to cheat the system, but there are also legitimate reasons for that request (test anxiety, lack of space, etc.) so I wouldn't want to assume until the person spelled out exactly why they are looking for that.