[META] Is there still sufficient value to allow posts by 'Guest' accounts?

[ErichKeane]

I realize that the 'Guest' accounts have sometimes given valuable discussion here, but it seems that over the last ~month and a half, we are getting a lot of low-effort versions of the same questions over and over, trying to ask the same question in multiple ways.  I can't help but think this is some sort of AI-training attempt, but is resulting in some pretty frustrated long-time members;

 

Is the value provided by  the guest-accounts still sufficient to allow them?  I realize I'm pretty new here at only ~1 year, so perhaps I'm missing some value that others see.

@Thunderheads: WDYT?

 

[Senor Azul]

The "Ask the Umpire" forum is the second most popular forum here. It has provided many rules related questions which are my favorite--I would hate to lose it. Even though the forum has been under attack recently it seems our moderators have been able to control it. 

Actually it is my impression that for a long time it has been our membership who have acted poorly and mistreated our guests. It seems to me that even that has subsided a great deal--again our moderators probably have something to do with that as well. So my vote is to continue to rely on the moderators.

[Thunderheads]

On 4/28/2023 at 3:36 PM, ErichKeane said:

I realize that the 'Guest' accounts have sometimes given valuable discussion here, but it seems that over the last ~month and a half, we are getting a lot of low-effort versions of the same questions over and over, trying to ask the same question in multiple ways.  I can't help but think this is some sort of AI-training attempt, but is resulting in some pretty frustrated long-time members;

 

Is the value provided by  the guest-accounts still sufficient to allow them?  I realize I'm pretty new here at only ~1 year, so perhaps I'm missing some value that others see.

@Thunderheads: WDYT?

 

We just try to keep an eye on it quite honestly.  With VPNs, people can change their IP address constantly, so blocking an IP doesn't help.   I've often wondered if the 'guest account' set up can be modified, but I'm not sure.  I know Warren has been looking at this issue also. @Umpire in Chief

[Thunderheads]

On 4/28/2023 at 10:32 PM, Senor Azul said:

The "Ask the Umpire" forum is the second most popular forum here. It has provided many rules related questions which are my favorite--I would hate to lose it. Even though the forum has been under attack recently it seems our moderators have been able to control it. 

Actually it is my impression that for a long time it has been our membership who have acted poorly and mistreated our guests. It seems to me that even that has subsided a great deal--again our moderators probably have something to do with that as well. So my vote is to continue to rely on the moderators.

I think that if anything could be done, it would start with not allowing 'guest questions' and force people to sign up, but again, that's something for Warren to decide.

[LMSANS]

The purpose of this forum is to allow questions from non-members. Many times they have generated good umpire dialogues. One bad apple does not spoil the whole bunch. Things are cyclical.

[The Man in Blue]

6 hours ago, LMSANS said:

The purpose of this forum is to allow questions from non-members. Many times they have generated good umpire dialogues. One bad apple does not spoil the whole bunch. Things are cyclical.

 

We don't know if it is running on an Apple or a PC.   Stop being so judgmental.  😉