h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

On the login/logout times thing, my local library has a computer that can be used by anyone, but only one, so any people who only used h2g2 from that computer would look like they were the same person if investigated like this.

Not if they hit the 'Logout' button they wouldn't. Pressing that destroys the cookie and anyone using the computer next has to go through the whole 'Login' process all over again ie inputing their username and password to gain access to their account.

GreyDesk - I'm afraid you're wrong. The Italics do look at IP traces as well when trying to determine if an account belongs to a banned or suspended researcher. Otherwise any banned researcher could get back onto h2g2 without fear of detection by simply hitting the 'logoff' button, waiting 24 hours, and then regging a new account.

It is, sadly, not an easy problem to solve. Nor are there any ways of garanteeing that you won't get caught up in this kind of mess. For all we know, Owlatron may have religiously used the 'logoff' button - but it hasn't helped him.


-Martin

This is indeed a sad state of affairs.

I agree about the IP trace thing to a certain extent. But a trace of logout/login times will be a useful tool in most cases. A continual switching from account to account with only a few seconds between would indicate one person on the machine, or two in cahoots. A decent gap between the two tends towards there being two unconnected people.

So in other words Luke Skywalker has opened other accounts and is still here. So in fact I could have a conversation with six people and all could be Luke Skywalker in disguise.OK!!!

I think you'd notice f you were having SIX conversations with the same person.
But he's not still here, I think they suspended all his accounts.

How do you they got them all!!!

Thanks to everyone for contributing to this discussion; you can find the adjudication at http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A835445

Feel free to continue the discussion here.

Thanks editors!!!

thankyou all for your support . and to clear up a few things me and luke are definately 2 different ppl i am andy and luke is robbie


andy