Really curious

[Katie]

When somebody has their account closed on here, how does the admin. keep them off? I've wondering, but too dumb to have anything come to mind

[Triepsyn]

"Closed" as in banned?

The only time accounts are closed is if they are banned.. Which, then it bans their email account and their IP address. If a member of staff suspects a new account is a multiple account by a previously banned member, that account is then banned as well. :)

[96Talon]

how can you tell if it's the same person though?

[Katie]

got it

[Mr. Merk]

IP address

[96Talon]

what if they use a different computer some place else? like the library?

[Triepsyn]

We look for hints in the information they use when they sign up.

We do alot of research on the poster if we believe them to be a multiple-account..

People like tibby making a 2nd dummy account to be funny in chat we're not so concerned about.. but people looking to cause harm to someone else is what we're looking for.

[Triepsyn]

With that said though, we don't catch it everytime.. But if you're causing problems we automatically look at links like how they type, spell certain words, hints in the email address, times when they are on, etc..

If they are just making a 2nd account and not causing any trouble, it usually isn't an issue.

[Mr. Inkswitch]

I personally use proxy servers (http://www.publicproxyservers.com/index.html) once I get banned from a forum. They're not fool proof, but definitely more than enough to defeat an IP ban. Plus it's really simple to create new e-mail addresses through the various free e-mail clients. Usually, there is enough doubt in the beginning to allow a few posts before you are found out. But that's the point, really. You want the forum admins to know it's you.