Is there an effective way to stop cheaters with multiple accounts and/or copying of others' answers?

This has been a question which I have been asking myself for a while now. There was one user a while back who copied my answers, my contacts' answers, and some answers of users who were forced to stop using the site because of the cheating. Then, the user suspitiously got fifteen or more votes per answer. In addition, I've seen some users recently who ALWAYS get best answer to the same question, asked over and over and over by a avatar-less user with the same name as the guy who answers the question. In addition, there has been point-gaming in the Adolescent section. One-word answers get ten or more votes, and half-assed answers to questions get more votes than other answers. It's a very disturbing trend I've been noticing. I've reported several people in the past for alleged point-gaming -- I just did it today, in fact -- but I have not received any word back from Yahoo! Answers. The times I did report someone to Yahoo! for alleged point-gaming, I got no reply from Yahoo. Not even an automated reply, so I think that's a sign they just don't give a rat's behind about point-gaming. Or maybe they're just lazy. Or perhaps don't have enough time in between fixing the bloody glitches in this website and their coffee breaks.

I doubt that there is another way, unfortunately, to report people who point-game and who have multiple accounts to use in order to increase the number of points they have on their main account. If there were, it would fall to Yahoo!'s responsibility to ensure that they are actually paying attention to the content posted on their website. It probably won't happen, as Yahoo! is clueless about these kinds of things, suspending "good" users and keeping the "bad" ones, and removing "good" content, while turning the other cheek to reports of content that abuses others. However, if Yahoo! could be more cautious and aware of computers' IP addresses, or if they were more aware of the reports, and didn't read them and then remove the content, than maybe the point-gaming would stop. Maybe there needs to be a harsher penalty, other than just a suspension, for point-gaming and multiple accounts. Perhaps an IP address ban, or something. But, again, I doubt that will happen. It seems like Yahoo! doesn't really care about the Answers community, and I don't think I'm the only one who has noticed this.

Obviously the whole moderation system is in need of a re-work or overhaul on the Yahoo! Answers/Yahoo Platform. As far as moderation, some categories deserve more attention than others, due to either volume, controversial subject matters, or history of frequent abuse or abusers. Strange, because it seems the moderation in Yahoo! Groups works fine.

Multiple accounts are a difficult thing because one can always claim the other account as a spouse, relative or friend when really it isn't.

Given the technology of a multi-billion company it is amazing these type questions even have to be asked, surely it's not brain surgery for technology giants to figure out themselves. :-)

Here is what I have done for one of the "copy and paste" cheaters as of this point:

Emailed the individual, thinking perhaps it was an honest mistake

Reported the answer

Emailed the individual whose answer was copied

Emailed Yahoo!

Answered one of the user's questions with a valid answer that included the fact that copying and pasting verbatim without credit is a violation.

All of this has been done over a period of weeks, so it is not like I am innundating them in a short period of time.

The trollish gaming for points with multiple accounts I report. I don't figure there is musch use attempting to communicate with an individual that is point-obsessed.

I have sent emails when there is PROOF of multiple accounts.

Frustrated does not even being to describe my emotional thermometer at this time.

I have had people copy my answers, but it was obviously and crudely done - easy to report. I have not had my *identity* stolen - although we have had virulent TROLLS in the Classical Music forum who have done that. They also patrol the questions and consistently give Thumbs Down to certain people whom they dislike - for their own demented reasons. Most of those people doing the misdeeds have multiple accounts, and our best efforts to have them removed have been in vain. I think that YA must use *traffic* on the sites to justify charging for ads, or something akin to that - so the MORE traffic - not matter how odious - the better for YA. The multiple account people also vote for *themselves* multiple times, although voting for yourself for a BA is perfectly legal - ONCE! Done it myself - especially when there only IS one answer - mine. All of these issues could be cleaned up - but someone would have to take CHARGE at YA to do this. Easier to let the inmates run the asylum, I fear. YA is mainly populated by children anyway - as a former teacher, I do my best to assist (I am the Leader in Performing Arts, and a Top Ten in Classical Music), but leave when the children get snippy - where would I put them all for *detention*??

It seems rather a hopeless quest to me; and we seem to be particularly plagued on the classical music forum: glad to see "mamianka" has responded to this question - she's far and away our best sleuth; but even her attempts have been to no avail.

Here's a thought; but one that would be very difficult to gain sufficient adherents in order to really make Yahoo take meaningful action; but I think our only hope is to gain their attention in a most emphatic manner; one that would force them to sit up, take notice, and implement adequate steps to curtail these program anomalies.

You Yahzmin, or another who has the computer expertise, know how and sufficient influence, to form a Yahoo Group that would plan a BOYCOTT for one entire week(or perhaps, longer?): hit them where it hurts - patronization, and hence their pocket-book.

That's the only thing I can think of.

Thanks for asking this question,

Alberich

The answer seems obvious: just LOOK at the answers to this question. The respondents are articulate, grammatical, have 3-digit IQ's, and tend to both write and THINK in paragraphs. They are not obsessed with Valley Girl trivia; know when to call a doctor, a vet, the government, or someone who has actually READ something; do not have obsessions with topics such as acne, "Does He/She like Me?", homemade remedies for anything, hair, penis length, the possibility of growing taller, do not ask Y/A for answers that require expertise beyond grammar or semantics, and will even say "thanks" if things help them when put to the test. If someone else steals your stuff, ask Yahoo to compare that answer to the drivel they customarily write; the answer should cut through even a Thorazine Shuffle. I'm a former English prof; the kin to this process is searching for plagiarism and exposing those who spend more energy at dishonest work than they would actually put forth LEARNING something and then WRITING it in passable Indo-European prose instead of what I call "Textrash."

Never underestimate the power of either raw Fear or your ability to instill it in the reptilian cortexes (cortices?) of the immature, the narcissistic, the sociopathic, or those who think that life is made of Something For Nothing and The Chicks Are Free.

I have used this technique to escape from bad contracts; legal bullying; idiot District Managers and even Owners; (in the case of my Daughter-Person) greedy and stupid landlords; encroaching charlatans masquerading as legitimate businesses and even churches; and anyone assuming we are ignorant, groveling poltroons.

Aux Armes, Citoyens!! WE are the ringmasters of language and thought! See us make tigers jump through hoops of fire; elephants stand on one foot, and make the magnificent Percherons circle the ring, as the beautiful lady in sequined tights bows and accepts the love of the crowd!! We are the ones who govern; plagiarists think they are in a video game and that it is reality.

In short, are you willing to abdicate what you know and can do to the rule of punks and intellectual thugs?? As in dealing with small children who think they rule the house, a united front among adults is the ONLY strategy that has EVER worked. Stand up and crush the pretenders!

We could try reporting, but we all know Yahoo only cares about people who haven't done anything.

-Billy

I wish there was a better way other than just to report them

eventually most of them do get caught sooner or later

as for copying other answers,, they should omit copy and paste for answers only

I wish. Sorry, there isn't. But you can thumb them down and report them, that's it.

I wish there was a better way other than just to report them

eventually most of them do get caught sooner or later

as for copying other answers,, they should omit copy and paste for answers only