Site Rule No 8

[retrocop]

8. Do not abuse the AnswerBank’s registration procedures and attempt to acquire multiple usernames. These usernames will be banned immediately. Signing up with a disposable or throwaway email address is also against Site Rules because these email addresses are often abused and not used by legitimate members as they provide no way to reset your password or otherwise verify your account.

Ed/Spare Ed
Is it allowable to declare 'User Inactive' and whilst doing so come back to the site with another username. Does this contravene the above rule 8?. Thank you.

[jno]

some people who have done so have notified the Eds in advance and been allowed to. Are you planning a temporary flounce?

[Buenchico]

I see nothing wrong in it. People should be allowed to change their minds after going 'User Inactive' and many of them are definitely to be welcomed back here.

For example, Nailit (whom I have the highest regard for) initially decided to leave the site but then returned (much to my relief) as Nailedit. There's clearly no deception involved, as it should be obvious to anyone that it's the same user. So I can see no reason why anyone could object to his returning to the site.

[Barsel]

jno :-)

[retrocop]

//Are you planning a temporary flounce?//
No jno not at all. I am not a drama queen and I have nothing to hide. What you see is what you get and I am under no delusions that an air of mystery is of no interest to ABers.

[Barsel]

Well, it made me smile.

[choux]

retrocop, I have read that rule to mean "(current) multiple usernames". I have seen instances where an ABer has announced they have now posted under an additional name for reason of anonymity in Body and Soul which seems decent.

[choux]

Thinking about it, even I have noticed many a U/I coming back to the site with a new username which seems acceptable to the editors, so I don't believe it is a contravention.

[1ozzy]

//Is it allowable to declare 'User Inactive' and whilst doing so come back to the site with another username//

I'd hazard a guess it is ok.
One user name at a time.

Not multiple active usernames.

[ABSpareEditor]

Users are permitted to go User Inactive and then create a new account, yes. Users are also permitted to go User Inactive and then ask the editors to reinstate their account.

[retrocop]

Thanks AB spare ed et al .

[Gromit]

I put Gromit inactive when I was targeted by a mod and a lot of my posts were being zapped. I got a new user name and was able to post again. When someone finally realised after several months, I made Gromit active again.

[retrocop]

and you haven't been targeted by a mod since?

[Gromit]

Under the anonymity of a new user my posts were no longer being deleted willy-nilly.
When I returned as Gromit I occasionally get stuff inexplicably zapped but not a lot.

[retrocop]

Interesting. Ta.