Do you post to the forums with an alt?

I don't have an alt, so I am a little naive when it comes to understanding the benefits of posting to these forums with alt(s).

But, I'm curious - what purpose does it serve? Is there a reason that one would post as an alt vs. posting with your main account? Do you think people know it's really you, even if you post with an alt?

Someone is as we speak. Gee...I wonder who it is?

Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Violation: Forum Suspension: Personal Attacks
Region: —
Description: Banned for persistent trolling
Action taken: Suspended 7 days.

Wow.

Well, OK.. so that's one reason.

Are there other reasons besides skirting a TOS suspension? I've seen/heard of other people using alts to post in non-detention type situations.

Juro, there are lots of reasons people have multiple accounts assigned to one credit card, the technical definition of an alt. There are many people who share a computer with a spouse or partner, friends who buy accounts for birthday gifts, and so on. Having an alt is not de facto a bad thing. So it's not very useful to speculate about whether or not an account is an alt, or if it is being used to circumvent the community standards.

Every account is subject to the same guidelines and standards. If an account is violating the guidelines it will be subject to the same discipline. So if someone is using a secondary account because their main account is suspended, and their behavior is inappropriate then the moderators will deal with it. But if the secondary account is working within the guidelines, then we will continue to allow it to participate.

That was a very Random post!

Thanks for the explanation on that Robin! That was actually going to be a follow up question - I had assumed that if you were suspended, it would apply to all your accounts, but I certainly see where it would make sense to only suspend the offending account.

I guess it's a good thing you're running the show and not me, cuz I'd suspend all of them. I guess that's why I'm not King... yet.

My questions were more to do with the non-suspension type uses of alts on the forums, though. As I don't have an alt, I'm just really curious why folks would use alts on the forums.

Kind of takes the teeth out of the suspension doesn't it?

why yes there is an advantage to it! You can go under the radar and say something bitchy or witty or shocking and no one will know it is you, unless you are one of those sloppy alt owners that tries to hide it but types the same way. I am an alt of a well known person and you would not know it if I didn't tell you............cause I like it like that.

Vuuuuu

In a situation where it is the same RL person, it might... but I can understand if it was several people using the accounts - one should not be punished for the bad behavior of the other.

LL is very generous in that regard, like I said, if it was my show - I'd suspend them all.



I'm still eager to hear from those of you who have or have intimate knowledge of using alts. Anyone? Don't be shy now..

I think it might be a way to disassociate their forum selves from their inworld selves, if the two selves are dramatically different.

Or a way to antagonize people on the forums while maintaining a good personality inworld, for the alternative possibility

or just a way to use a really good forum avatar )

Yay... reason #2, thank you Vuuduu!

I use my only account to say witty/snotty things at times.. I think it makes me more tangible and lovable.

Oh, good.. more responses!

So, this would be something like different 'roles' that one would play? Very interesting.

Lianne, your insight on the forums often goes Unsung.

stop posting random shit!

Vuuduu.. I like your forum avatar.. it's very fetching. Do you know who the artist is?


So, to recap, some reasons to use alts on the forums:

1. Circumvent community standard 'punishment'
2. Use by other family member/house mate/friend
3. To use for unpleasantries w/o connection to your main AV
4. Role playing/Alter ego


Any other reasons? I'm really intrigued by #4 - having multiple personas and building characters around them. Interesting stuff.

Right, because a suspension means not being able to POST for a certain length of time. It shouldn't have anything to do with the content of what the alt delivers. It's like being 86ed from a pub, then having the owner say it's ok if you come back with a fake beard, mustache and glasses, as long as you behave...

More hypotheticals, but maybe use an alt for discussions to serve as devil's advocate?

(Not that we need alts to do that here, just thinking out loud )

I have an alt I have used occasionally on the forums, most everyone knows who it is.

I did it for a reason that Juro didn't list yet though, to throw a wrench into the works for those who use admitted alts to carry on their bizarre behavior, and to prove a point about how ridiculous it is.

maybe if you were managing your alts' accounts, and you forgot to log in to the one you usually post with.

I am an alt, and I don't think anyone knows who I am.

Alts are good and have their place in SL, but I would fully expect all my accounts to be banned for the duration if I did something improper with just one of them.

I have an alt but it's only used for the purpose it was created for... uploading and testing textures undisturbed. I wouldn't think to post with it, or even log in to the website with it. I don't have anything against people who do post with alts per se...lthough I personally find it a bit annoying when people have them specifically for trolling or editorializing. Then again I'm one of those people that prefers to be the same in world or out and I don't roleplay so I can't put myself in the shoes of people who are not only being part of the discussion but roleplaying at the same time. I wouldn't be able to keep the personalities straight. I'm just me.

I was bought this account as a present so I could count as an alt although I'm not. Thankfully the person who bought me this account hasn't done anything naughty and has never posted on the forums.

When LL tales Paypal I will be able to get out of this situation. I'm looking forward to it very much.

Yes, Ed... I'm not saying alts are 'this' or 'that' - I'm definately not trying to show them in any sort of bad light.

I'm just curious what people use thier Alternative AV (aka Alt) for. We've got some great feedback so far, but I'm sure there are more uses out there.

I have posted on an alt account before, if I wanted to talk about something but felt a little emabarrassed to use my main identity. That is usually in the off-topic section and regards RL type things where I want more privacy (detached from my main SL character and completely anonymous).

Aside from that, I've used my alt before when I have something to say but know it's a touchy subject. It's so easy to get attacked on these forums. If I am afraid someone will make me want to go jump in a hole, well I don't have to worry so much on an alt. I think it's been one occassion I've used an alt under those circumstances. On an alt, someone might still hurt my feelings, but the public embarrassment is avoided.