Wikipedia talk:Sockpuppetry

Help - I need to validate my alternate account

I'm User:Alumnum and I created this separate account because, for personal reasons, I'm temporarily unable to access my main one. Can some admin please confirm I'm the same IP as User:Alumnum to avoid any future blocks? Once I obtain access to my main account back, I will abandon this one. - Munmula (talk) 01:38, 30 August 2019 (UTC)

Socking IP vs just not logged in?

Let's say you've got a logged-in user and an IP who you're convinced at the same person. Any guidance on how to differentiate between socking (i.e. intentionally and deceptively using the IP) vs simply forgetting or not bothering to log in, which is completely innocent? I'm guessing the answer is, "human judgement", but I'm seeking additional wisdom. -- RoySmith (talk) 13:24, 18 October 2019 (UTC)

The difference normally is what they're up to. If they're clearly the same person but they're just making clueless/innocent logging out errors or forgetting to log in, like "nobody would possibly be fooled into believing this is two people" sort of edits, maybe just ask them what they're doing, or remind them that we expect editors to stay logged in if they're going to create an account (we have {{uw-login}} for this, or refer them to WP:EWLO). If you suspect they're the same person because the account and the IP seem to be pretending to be different people, block them both (see WP:LOUTSOCK). If you're not sure you can always just collect evidence and file a report at WP:SPI and a clerk give you a second opinion. Ivanvector (^Talk/_Edits) 13:44, 18 October 2019 (UTC)

User:Math-drafts

Off-topic. This page is for discussion about the sockpuppetry policy page, not specific accounts. TonyBallioni (talk) 06:27, 7 November 2019 (UTC)
The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.
Just to be extra careful, but I have created an alternative account for the use of the draft page development (to move some of old drafts out of the draftspace). I have made it abundantly clear that it is an alternative account for the technical purpose. I want to be sure that this is a legitimate use (I cannot see how this is a sockpuppetry). —- Taku (talk) 06:02, 6 November 2019 (UTC) The {{User alternative account|TakuyaMurata|TakuyaMurata}} at the top of User:Math-drafts is very good. Very good, you have {{User alternative account name|Math-drafts}} at the bottom of User:TakuyaMurata. Better again would be for this alternative account to have been called User:TakuyaMurata (Math-drafts). --SmokeyJoe (talk) 06:08, 6 November 2019 (UTC) That was the part I was unsure. I can see it could be misleading/confusing if the user is editing or in particular participating in discussions under the different distinct names (even with the disclosure on alternative accounts). Since this account will not be used in actual editing or let alone takes part in discussion, I didn’t think it is important that the user name includes my name. It was a preferable but not a requirement, that’s my understanding. —- Taku (talk) 07:19, 6 November 2019 (UTC) I think there are very few hard restrictions on declared alternative accounts. I think that if no one is misled, it is OK. There is definitely a logic to using alternative accounts (declared) for segregated editing purposes, and for separate watchlists. --SmokeyJoe (talk) 11:50, 6 November 2019 (UTC) Please note the alternative account itself makes no edits; so by design there cannot be a “sock-puppet” type behavior. Anyway, I’m satisfied as long as there is no compliance issue. Thanks! — Taku (talk) Doing this on a policy talk page is avoiding scrutiny. I firmly assert that I was misled by the name (and had to chase down the user page) and therefore consider it a inappropriate behavior (@SmokeyJoe:). This should have been announced and discussed at AN where contemplation of sanctions for Taku are in process and could have avoided the perception of underhanded WP:FORUMSHOP. Hasteur (talk) 02:01, 7 November 2019 (UTC) I was asking a clarification on the policy on alternative accounts; so this is the right place for asking the question. I thought the purpose of the account was self-evident (look at the user name). I want to remind you to assume good faith. It is a good faith attempt to implement the rough consensus of moving old drafts outside the draftspace. —- Taku (talk) 02:08, 7 November 2019 (UTC) There is no need to announce moving drafts outside the draft at AN; especially doing so is not against the emerging consensus. —- Taku (talk) 02:30, 7 November 2019 (UTC)