04-02-2016, 12:00 AM
There's a few options. The easiest method is to track IPs. When that's not possible, I'd suggest taking things on a case-by-case basis. If there's a new member causing issues, then a single warning--then banning is appropriate. If it's a long-standing member, then more leeway can be given. Making it inconvenient for people to use proxies or other means is the goal.
There's no real way to stop sock-puppets, it's going to happen. It's only an issue when it becomes an issue. For those who use sock-puppets and invest each one into this site, I sort of think they earn the right to be here--also, if we can't track them and they're not breaking rules, there's nothing to be done about them anyway.
We can't stop what we can't track. On the bright side, not many people are talented enough to have a horde of sock-puppets at their disposal. It's an issue of time, interest, and creativity. Most don't have all three--and those who DO, are people I'd enjoy interacting with anyway xD
Edit: I didn't answer your other questions:
How do we verify identity?
We don't. Some people deliberately use proxies to protect their privacy. There's no reason for us to know identity, legally.
Do we ban accounts if they don't use a normal IP after asking them to?
There's many reasons why people use false IPs that are NOT related to griefing or spamming. You certainly CAN run the site in that manner. I've seen other sites use that approach. Personally, it's a lot to ask from members and many responsible people will stop going to sites (speaking generally here) if their identities will be revealed. Also, normal IPs can also be false IPs--what I think you mean here might be unstable IPs--ones that tend to change frequently. I'd say take it case-by-case, just my suggestion.
There's no real way to stop sock-puppets, it's going to happen. It's only an issue when it becomes an issue. For those who use sock-puppets and invest each one into this site, I sort of think they earn the right to be here--also, if we can't track them and they're not breaking rules, there's nothing to be done about them anyway.
We can't stop what we can't track. On the bright side, not many people are talented enough to have a horde of sock-puppets at their disposal. It's an issue of time, interest, and creativity. Most don't have all three--and those who DO, are people I'd enjoy interacting with anyway xD
Edit: I didn't answer your other questions:
How do we verify identity?
We don't. Some people deliberately use proxies to protect their privacy. There's no reason for us to know identity, legally.
Do we ban accounts if they don't use a normal IP after asking them to?
There's many reasons why people use false IPs that are NOT related to griefing or spamming. You certainly CAN run the site in that manner. I've seen other sites use that approach. Personally, it's a lot to ask from members and many responsible people will stop going to sites (speaking generally here) if their identities will be revealed. Also, normal IPs can also be false IPs--what I think you mean here might be unstable IPs--ones that tend to change frequently. I'd say take it case-by-case, just my suggestion.