Imposter Forum members!!!

**Kaos** · Jul 26th, 2007, 5:40 pm

I have recently found out that nearly every forum I hang out on have imposter forum members, meaning admins posing as other members of the forum, they hire people to be multiple members of the forum to make it appear to be a more active forum. Personally I think it is funny and sad, sad that any forum would have to do this because they can't get their own forum going and that they like to treat their members like children truly believing that they are "pulling one over" on their real members. It is very obvious to me when one person plays multiple roles on a forum. So what do you all think? Do you think it is a good practice to fake memberships in the community or do you think it is bad for a forum.

**Zap** · Jul 26th, 2007, 5:45 pm

The paid posting forum posters business model is built on this idea.
While it would be nice if every forum would pick up speed from the start and continue to increase in activity from that point forward, most don't.
People don't want to post on a dead forum.

The reason paid posting exists is because there is such a huge market for it.

That being said, I'm not aware of any of that going on here.

**Kaos** · Jul 26th, 2007, 5:49 pm

I don't mean paid posting though. There are forums that are pretty active that have admins posing as members, mods etc... for no money. I just think its wrong to deceive members of a community and in the end it will hopefully only bite them in the arse for it.

**Zap** · Jul 26th, 2007, 5:59 pm

Originally Posted by Kaos

I don't mean paid posting though. There are forums that are pretty active that have admins posing as members, mods etc... for no money. I just think its wrong to deceive members of a community and in the end it will hopefully only bite them in the arse for it.

I guess it would depend on motive then.

If an admin or mod is posting as another member just to make the forum look busy, then that's a little bit sad. I wouldn't say it was evil, but just a little bit sad. I guess they are taking the job of the paid forum poster in that instance, but they're just doing the work themselves.

It's difficult to figure out why an admin or mod would do this on a populated and active forum, though. That might be a little more difficult to explain, but I'd still want to hear the explanation before rushing to any judgements.

I guess the big question would be WHY?

**grim** · Jul 26th, 2007, 6:06 pm

It is not going on here, nor at any forum I personally post at..

**Colleen** · Jul 26th, 2007, 6:10 pm

I don't think it's evil either, agreeing with Zap, but yeah it may be sad, however, most articles and advice you read when starting a forum suggest for the admin to make multiple accounts and talk to themselves to create "activity"... luckily this place was already somewhat going when we acquired it, cause I sure would have felt funny doing such a thing and for the same reason you said, Kim, it would be fooling the members and they may come to like one of the "fake" members, so it just wouldn't be right to fake it.

I don't have problems with hiring forum posters though for forums just starting out.

**Kaos** · Jul 26th, 2007, 6:16 pm

My question is the same... why would a semi-active forum want to deceive its members. It seems more undermining to me that they do this. I never implied it was this forum I was talking about. I was merely posing the question about my own experiences.

**Colleen** · Jul 26th, 2007, 6:19 pm

I guess they're desperate for activity is really the only answer.

**Big Dan** · Jul 26th, 2007, 6:39 pm

Paid posting services are one thing, while I don't use them personally, I don't knock those who do.

As for admin or mods posing as other members, it depends on the intent.

If they're just trying to promote conversation: Okay.

Trying to make the forum appear busy: Okay

Provoking debates/fights or flamefests: The admin obviously has too much time on his hands.

It's normally fairly evident when an admin is posing as someone else. If the admin is a regular participant in the forum, over time you get to know their writing style.

or

When one member is continually stirring the pot, making assine comments, and starting flamefests and the moderators or admins don't step up to warn the member or ban him -- It's pretty evident that someone is getting their jollies off of being idiots.

I've personally seen it happen twice on one DJ board, which is a big reason for me starting my own. I have two accounts on my board one for me and one as a regular member who I use to test permissions and features as a regular member.

**Zap** · Jul 26th, 2007, 7:27 pm

Originally Posted by Kaos

My question is the same... why would a semi-active forum want to deceive its members.

That is a difficult one to figure out.
It's not like they need the activity, which would make you wonder why they do it.
But, as I said, I would want to know the reason why. It could be a totally innocent reason.

**Kaos** · Jul 26th, 2007, 8:27 pm

Thanks Dan for backing me up in the fact that this does exist in the forum world! * sorry for the misplaced post :P*

**grim** · Jul 26th, 2007, 8:29 pm

I don't doubt it happens, I have witnessed it, simply saying it doesn't happen here or at places I post at 'which isn't many'

**Colleen** · Jul 26th, 2007, 8:30 pm

Originally Posted by Kaos

Thanks Dan for backing me up in the fact that this does exist in the forum world! * sorry for the misplaced post :P*

Who in this thread made it seem it doesn't exist? I myself was saying it does.

**Kaos** · Jul 26th, 2007, 8:31 pm

I wasn't sure you all believed me, thats all. By the way C, I love your hair in that pic!

**Colleen** · Jul 26th, 2007, 8:32 pm

Originally Posted by Kaos

I wasn't sure you all believed me, thats all. By the way C, I love your hair in that pic!

Thanks K. I think the pic looks too dark at the size to really make things out, eh?

I had just ran my hand through it...

**Kaos** · Jul 26th, 2007, 8:34 pm

Originally Posted by Colleen

I had just ran my hand through it...

No visuals needed, I've been alone all week which makes me weak :love:

**Colleen** · Jul 26th, 2007, 8:36 pm

Originally Posted by Kaos

No visuals needed, I've been alone all week which makes me weak :love:

For me? I have the wrong parts, strap-on will do? :twisted:

mg:

**Kaos** · Jul 26th, 2007, 8:38 pm

When I get weak anything will no :twisted: strap on, cucumber whatever you got laying around LOL

**Zap** · Jul 26th, 2007, 8:41 pm

*Trying to blend in with the wallpaper and opening ears and eyes*

**Colleen** · Jul 26th, 2007, 8:43 pm

Originally Posted by Kaos

When I get weak anything will no :twisted: strap on, cucumber whatever you got laying around LOL

You're not that far Missy! :twisted:

**Kaos** · Jul 26th, 2007, 8:46 pm

Yeah but that damn border crossing could be a pain in the butt without my passport up to date. But you'd be worth the wait.

**Zap** · Jul 26th, 2007, 8:47 pm

Originally Posted by Colleen

You're not that far Missy! :twisted:

Just need to swim across that "little" lake we have to the South of us.

mg:

@Kim: I wasn't saying the forum posting thing was happening or not. I have never known of it happening, myself. But, human nature being what it is, I'm sure more than a few have tried it. It's odd.

**Colleen** · Jul 26th, 2007, 8:49 pm

Originally Posted by Kaos

Yeah but that damn border crossing could be a pain in the butt without my passport up to date. But you'd be worth the wait.

Originally Posted by Zap

Just need to swim across that "little" lake we have to the South of us.

mg:

I could make it to Kim and back before morning if I could drive, I really need to get my full license... lol.. I could go shopping and tease her with all my huge and hard veggies.

mg:

Got a boat Zap? :P

**Kaos** · Jul 26th, 2007, 8:50 pm

If you get here, I can't guarantee releasing you before morning

**Zap** · Jul 26th, 2007, 8:52 pm

Originally Posted by Colleen

Got a boat Zap? :P

Only four more payments and that baby's all mine! :twisted:

She's yours for the weekend if you want her.

**Colleen** · Jul 26th, 2007, 8:52 pm

Originally Posted by Kaos

If you get here, I can't guarantee releasing you before morning

I guarantee you many releases before morning! :love:

Originally Posted by Zap

Only four more payments and that baby's all mine! :twisted:

Lol, we'll NEVER get there!

**Kaos** · Jul 26th, 2007, 8:53 pm

Oh man you are making me..........

*Sammie* · Jul 27th, 2007, 6:57 am

i have 4 accounts on my forum, but thats just for testing permissions, i have Admin, then Samantha, then Sammie and then Max, Max is my hearing dogs, but. i did have them set as Admin, super mod, mod and member. but now i have them all set as admin i think lol with my pic on them all ;p

**grim** · Jul 27th, 2007, 7:32 am

Originally Posted by Sammie

i have 4 accounts on my forum, but thats just for testing permissions, i have Admin, then Samantha, then Sammie and then Max, Max is my hearing dogs, but. i did have them set as Admin, super mod, mod and member. but now i have them all set as admin i think lol with my pic on them all ;p

I think it's actually a good idea to have multiple accounts for testing purposes. We have missed things here because we see them as admin and not mod, or standard user, etc

**Web Gazelle** · Jul 27th, 2007, 10:29 am

Impostor forum members is a bad idea, 5 of 3 schizophrenics agree.

**exponent** · Jul 28th, 2007, 1:31 am

Originally Posted by Kaos

When I get weak anything will no :twisted: strap on, cucumber whatever you got laying around LOL

I never understood the whole cucumber thing... all the cucumbers I've ever grown have all been kind of prickly.

**Kaos** · Jul 28th, 2007, 6:46 am

Wash and clean well before use :P

**grim** · Jul 28th, 2007, 6:50 am

Originally Posted by Kaos

Wash and clean well before use :P

And throw away after use!

**Big Dan** · Jul 28th, 2007, 12:51 pm

Maybe the girl is a bit freaky and enjoys making a salad with it afterwards.

**Kaos** · Jul 28th, 2007, 3:51 pm

A little Creamy Italian dressing *I can't believe I typed that*

**dgridley** · Jul 29th, 2007, 2:05 am

I've done paid posting for forum owners in the past and have been asked to post as multiple members to increase the post count and make it appear there is more activity than there actually is and I have always refused to do so.. I think it's dishonest. Paid posting is one thing because you 1) want to have someone to start the posting off and/or 2) want to fill the forum with on-topic posts, but dupe accounts is a no-no IMO.

Originally Posted by Kaos

I have recently found out that nearly every forum I hang out on have imposter forum members, meaning admins posing as other members of the forum, they hire people to be multiple members of the forum to make it appear to be a more active forum. Personally I think it is funny and sad, sad that any forum would have to do this because they can't get their own forum going and that they like to treat their members like children truly believing that they are "pulling one over" on their real members. It is very obvious to me when one person plays multiple roles on a forum. So what do you all think? Do you think it is a good practice to fake memberships in the community or do you think it is bad for a forum.