What is the policy on multiple simultaneously active user IDs?

[Polaris]

I couldn't locate this in the FAQ, and my searches provided insufficient information (notably, legitimate suspicions expressed in the past by Rabbit and Moose Malloy), so I figured it was best to just ask the question here:

There are, as most of you know, people on this board who use multiple user IDs simultaneously. Typically, these userIDs reflect extreme bias for or against one player. The user then proceeds to start threads or write posts with obviously ridiculous ideas, such as "my sweet Nadal will win 48 Slams", by the now famous nadalgirl26. Apparently, the intent is to:
1) Discredit a particular player or his/her fans by association
2) Play the devil's advocate and see how people respond
3) Just be a troll and trouble others for enjoyment
4) Influence polls to aid 1,2,3 above

Almost always, threads and posts like these reduce the overall quality of the discussion on Talk Tennis. Most of the time, the threads result in a fresh outpouring of vitriol. A large number of unsuspecting posters usually respond to such outrageous posts with well-reasoned posts of their own, leading to such threads being kept alive for a long time. Those who recognize trolls presumably use the Ignore List.

My question is this. Have any of you complained to the TW staff or moderators about this? If so, what is the general course of action taken? Should we just take the passive route of putting these users on the Ignore List, or does it make sense to expose the person using multiple simultaneous user IDs for the above purposes?

Any thoughts appreciated.

EDITS 2011 (Info gleaned over 4 fun years on TW with the help of many alert members ):
Davey25's multiple usernames (I must commend the moderators on an excellent job):
1. davey25 (previously inactive, now very active, 3343 posts)
2. federerfanatic (banned, 3046 posts)
3. capriatifanatic (banned, 646 posts)
4. gugafanatic (inactive following retirement of Guga Kuerten, 2006 posts)
5. cuddles26 (banned, 937 posts)
6. nadalgirl26 (banned, 182 posts)
7. grafrules (banned, 2181 posts)
8. grafselesfan (banned, 3599)
9. federerhoogenbandfan (currently inactive, 2542 posts)
10. justineheninhoogenbandfan (currently inactive, 898 posts)
11. navratilovafan (831 posts)
12. thalivest (banned, >3406 posts)
13. anointedone (banned, >4588 posts)
14. GrafisGOAT (45 posts)
15. lambielspins (banned, 2718 posts)
16. julesb (banned, 489 posts)
17. selesvido
18. Trillus
19. NadalAgassi
20. flying24

 

[shrakkie]

Well I personally have not complained as I don't really mind tbh. However If I were to I'm not sure the Admins can do anything about it. As you can just keep signing up!

 

[TokyopunK]

If there was a suspision of a multi-account user the TW Admin could look them up and view there IP's and see if they were the same.

 

[Fee]

II was wondering how to respond to the discovery (not 100 percent sure, but reasonably confident) that one user is posting under no less than five usernames, at least three of them being used simultaneously. This could, of course, be a result of A-Beautiful-Mind-style paranoia, but one can't ignore past posts, sentence structure, spelling mistakes, suspicions of other longtime posters, etc.

Who? who who who who? Names please. Intriguing...

 

[Polaris]

Who? who who who who? Names please. Intriguing...

Here you go, Fee:
1. davey25 (now inactive)
2. federerhoogenbandfan
3. justineheninhoogenbandfan
4. capriatifanatic
5. anointedone
6. federerfanatic

Possible but less certain than the above:
7. cuddles26
8. gugafanatic (now inactive)

Suspicion Credits:
1=2 Rabbit
4=5=7 Moose Malloy
4=6=8 Polaris

 

[Frodo Baggins]

Hope it Wasn't Me?? I'm innocent>*Puts on wings An Halo!!!!

 

[Fee]

Thanks for the info. I would think that TW should ban all of those accounts. If there isn't a policy against multiple ID's, there should be.

 

[SoBad]

Posts from guys like nadalgirl26 and RBF are much more refreshing, informative and fun than 90% of the posts that you OP would deem legit. Is there anything further of interest anyone around here has to post about Seles pre-stabbing W/L ratio vs. Graf's or about Sampras serve? Or are we perpetually unclear on whether Yonnex supergrap is tackier than Wilson Pro overgrip?

I don't care who uses what screeenname or how many, as long as they have something of interest to say through one of them. Not that I've ever heard of any of the screennames you have listed.

 

[heycal]

I don't know any of those federernadaleninsharapovamova named posters either. Young 'uns, I'm guessing. But didn't NBMJ used to accuse Breakpoint of posting under different user names? Any truth to that you think? And what were the suspected alternate names?

Also, didn't sobad float the idea of me and Phil being the same person? (I can neither confirm nor deny that one...)

I'm interested in this whole concept of "trolls" you speak of, Polaris. I'm kind of new to this online chat board world, only being familiar with it through this website over the last year, and there are many interesting aspects to it. As for troll, and what exactly that is, well, that's a tricky one from what I see. A guy like Phil and myself like to create trouble from time to time and argue and administer smackdowns when we see fit, and many others do as well, but we also make plenty of valid and serious and thoughful contributions to the board as well. (well, Phil doesn't, but you know what I mean.) So it's bit of a grey area on this aspect of it all.

While I'm yapping on the subject, I read with interest the Wikipedia entry on trolls, and it told the fascinating story of some 51 year old male shrink pretending to be some wheelchair bound woman with anti-religious views and a whole host of fictional and elaborate characteristics and fooling people for over a year on some message board awhile back. Really interesting stuff. Kind of makes you think, and wonder if someone like, I don't know, Kaptain Karl, could really just be some herb smoking left wing hippie chick typing away in her Bard College dorm room or something. Can you imagine?

 

[CanadianChic]

You yap Heycal? Never!! It has been suggested that I'm an older man truck driver down in Texas. I have also been accused of being Phil's lawyer, and even better, Phil himself. You just never know who is on the other end of the computer so I am always careful to not divulge personal info. I'll tell everyone what I ate for dinner but no one knows the name of the place I work. I think it's common sense.

 

[Yours!05]

If there was a suspision of a multi-account user the TW Admin could look them up and view there IP's and see if they were the same.

This is canvassed a lot. Anyone with a dynamic IP (vast majority where I am) can change it every 30 secs, and then there are proxies.
At one time, I would've bet the house that all four or so participants in a particular Seles-Graf thread were the same person. Plain as the nose on your face. Somehow TW found a way to cut all that down to a more tolerable level.

 

[Nick Irons]

Well I personally have not complained as I don't really mind tbh. However If I were to I'm not sure the Admins can do anything about it. As you can just keep signing up!

IP Addreses can be banned but it takes moderators who are actually active and responsible

 

[heycal]

This is canvassed a lot. Anyone with a dynamic IP (vast majority where I am) can change it every 30 secs, and then there are proxies.
At one time, I would've bet the house that all four or so participants in a particular Seles-Graf thread were the same person. Plain as the nose on your face. Somehow TW found a way to cut all that down to a more tolerable level.

As I recall, you were all over that thread like a cheap suit. You're thinking you were arguing with four different versions of the same person?

(Who's that in your B and W avatar, by the way?)

 

[CanadianChic]

Interesting perception Heycal. I enjoy being able to put a face to a name and have not been let down or disappointed in my awareness yet. So if you've seen a picture of me yet stand behind your rantings, how can Phil be both? I haven't seen NBMJ but KK was exactly as I'd pictured him. Now cough it up sweetie - where's your face to a name?

 

[Deuce]

May I suggest that, if ever a rule is enacted prohibiting the use of more than one username at one time, the rule be officially referred to as 'The Larry Hall Act'...?

No doubt this suggestion will be seconded, etc...

 

[Yours!05]

As I recall, you were all over that thread like a cheap suit. You're thinking you were arguing with four different versions of the same person?

(Who's that in your B and W avatar, by the way?)

Well recalled, except that you had not yet materialised, and I was only observing.

Ffs L.e.w. H.o.a.d. G.O.A.T

 

[Yours!05]

May I suggest that, if ever a rule is enacted prohibiting the use of more than one username at one time, the rule be officially referred to as 'The Larry Hall Act'...?

No doubt this suggestion will be seconded, etc...

Good idea Deuce. Please list alternates so we can keep an eye out.

 

[Phil]

I don't know even know who this nadalgirl26 poster is that I keep hearing references to. I guess I was out of the loop on that one...

CC, it was me (and maybe others) who accused you of being Phil. And I stand by that!

As for divulging personal info, I never have any "fear" of doing so (maybe because I'm not a girl?) or would think anything bad would happen from doing so, and I do share a ton of personal stuff. But the reason I don't share more is partly because other people don't, and partly because of the old saying "anything you say can and will be used against you", if you know what I mean...

So unless we're all sharing real names, occupations, addresses, and phone numbers, I too will keep a lot of that stuff private. It's kind of a funny thing, because while I'd love to know more about who some of these posters really are and what they do and what their names are and everything else, it kind of freaks me out sometimes when I finally see a picture of someone here, and feel the same kind of melancholy feeling one feels when any mystery is solved, if that makes any sense... I'm still reeling from the photos of KK and NBMJ, not because there was anything wrong with the way they looked, but it was like characters from a novel come to life, and maybe not exactly as I pictured them. It was definitely interesting, but kind of weird too. (As for you CC, I happened to see your photo early on, so your yammerings have always been associated with a face.)

Lifting the Veil...

Gawd, I've had the same throughts, heycal...you know, about the real identities of some posters...what they look like...you know, sometimes I just want to, even for a moment, lift the little cyberworld hoods that we all wear here-concealing our real world personae. So, I get what you and CC are saying and I'm down with that. Some of us spend a good deal of "time" yakking back and forth, and the Internet has created a weird vibe here...I could truly have a beer with many of the posters on this board, but I wonder if I want the cyber world to cross over into my "real world". Unlike some kids-with the myspace, facebook, etc., I only actively participate in this board, so it's still easy for me to sharply delineate the two.

Like you guys, I'm hesistant about disclosing personal data, for obvious reasons. But this discussion has me thinking...why not post a picture? Not an address, nothing that would allow someone to "stalk" me...just a single photo, to lift that veil of secrecy. Maybe it will ruin the "mystery", but CC posting her photo certainly has not changed my perception of her. She's as attractive as I pictured her, but in the scheme of things, her intellect and personality trumps a mere image, so that wasn't SO important (but it was nice, all the same...humans instinctually try to put a face to a name, and lacking that information, they create an image anyway-maybe just to fill a void or to complete an ordered, spatial cognitive process...I don't know).

I'm not a BAD looking guy, but by no means Brad Pitt-good looking either (who is?). So, I've decided to do it...one...tasteful image of me...I don't have many, as most of my photo collection consists of friends, relatives and buildings, but here goes. And I don't want to hear any b.s. about my HAIR either...

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w239/zoznack/Phil-currentimage.jpg

 

[CanadianChic]

OMG Phil, that's terrible. RFLMAO. For a split second I thought I would finally get to see what you look like. Thanks for the sweet words BTW, and if you ever feel like sharing I do want to see....hint...e-mail...(although I am so stuck on your avatar now, my opinion of you could never change).

 

[Phil]

OMG Phil, that's terrible. RFLMAO. For a split second I thought I would finally get to see what you look like. Thanks for the sweet words BTW, and if you ever feel like sharing I do want to see....hint...e-mail...(although I am so stuck on your avatar now, my opinion of you could never change).

No problem-the words are true, and the image...well, that's only me on a GOOD day...

 

[Polaris]

I don't know even know who this nadalgirl26 poster is that I keep hearing references to. I guess I was out of the loop on that one...

You're very fortunate. It was basically an unending refrain of "my sweet Nadal will win 48 Slams and everyone else will lose" with various instances of deliberate misspellings.

I'm interested in this whole concept of "trolls" you speak of, Polaris.

Don't worry, you're not one . And neither is Phil, of course. Probably the best way to demonstrate "troll" behavior is by example. Try looking for posts by nadalgirl26. For similar trollworthiness, but with better spelling, try posts by federerfanatic.

I am still wondering what a truck driver named Canadian Chic looks like.

 

[Polaris]

May I suggest that, if ever a rule is enacted prohibiting the use of more than one username at one time, the rule be officially referred to as 'The Larry Hall Act'...?

No doubt this suggestion will be seconded, etc...

I missed the Larry Hall reference, Deuce. Is this about the poster named "larrhall" or something similar?

 

[Polaris]

Posts from guys like nadalgirl26 and RBF are much more refreshing, informative and fun than 90% of the posts that you OP would deem legit. Is there anything further of interest anyone around here has to post about Seles pre-stabbing W/L ratio vs. Graf's or about Sampras serve? Or are we perpetually unclear on whether Yonnex supergrap is tackier than Wilson Pro overgrip?

I don't care who uses what screeenname or how many, as long as they have something of interest to say through one of them. Not that I've ever heard of any of the screennames you have listed.

You are exceptionally tolerant, SoBad. I don't find nadalgirl26 and RBF refreshing. I find them tiresome. And we will have to disagree about our respective definitions of the word "information".

 

[Deuce]

I missed the Larry Hall reference, Deuce. Is this about the poster named "larrhall" or something similar?

"larrhall", among several other aliases/pseudonyms he was infamous for using as he discussed and collaborated and formed allegiances with himself.

 

[CanadianChic]

Wow, so this poster would actually carry on as multiple different people? That is freakishly weird - not just a multiple personality thing going on (which I could understand and empathize towards as psychological disease and distress is no laughing matter) but to converse on a forum is very creepy. IMO.

 

[heycal]

Well recalled, except that you had not yet materialised, and I was only observing.

If it happened before I was a member of this forum, how could I remember it? And if you were only an observer of that thread, how come my memories correctly associate you with it?

I suggest you speak to an attorney before making any further statements abou this matter...

Ffs L.e.w. H.o.a.d. G.O.A.T

That's Lew Hoad? I kind of thought it was a girl.

 

[heycal]

Wow, so this poster would actually carry on as multiple different people? That is freakishly weird - not just a multiple personality thing going on (which I could understand and empathize towards as psychological disease and distress is no laughing matter) but to converse on a forum is very creepy. IMO.

Forget weird or creepy -- it's sounds more tedious than anything else. Having to sign on and off as different users all day long?

Just tried to find you the article from Wikipedia about the shrink posing as a crippled woman, but it appears that, ironically, some troll has screwed up the page...

 

[Yours!05]

That's Lew Hoad? I kind of thought it was a girl.

Trolling Level 2 is where the miscreant engages others in faux-naif discussion about Level 5 (Uber-)Trolls.

 

[heycal]

Trolling Level 2 is where the miscreant engages others in faux-naif discussion about Level 5 (Uber-)Trolls.

I honestly thought the photo was of a girl -- it's very tiny and hard to see after all. Anybody else think it was possibly a woman? I was thinking Steffi Graf, but it didn't quite look enough like her, and the era seemed wrong. It's also possible I was thinking Graf because I remember your participation in those Graf-Seles wars.

 

[Fee]

May I suggest that, if ever a rule is enacted prohibiting the use of more than one username at one time, the rule be officially referred to as 'The Larry Hall Act'...?

No doubt this suggestion will be seconded, etc...

Officially seconded. Where's Rabbit, I think he can actually name all of Larry Hall's aliases. vantagepoint was one of them I think.

 

[Phil]

Officially seconded. Where's Rabbit, I think he can actually name all of Larry Hall's aliases. vantagepoint was one of them I think.

I seem to remember a "Rose Barnfield" from England as another...Larry was a trip!

 

[heycal]

So if you've seen a picture of me yet stand behind your rantings, how can Phil be both? I haven't seen NBMJ but KK was exactly as I'd pictured him. Now cough it up sweetie - where's your face to a name?

Because "Phil" is the girl in the picture you posted. Get it? As for your request to provide you with a photo, do you honestly expect me to honor that after you asked me my age and I told you, and then you wouldn't reveal your own age when I asked back? Now, I do realize if you were to reveal your true age on this website, a stalker would instantly board the first Air Canada flight to Saschatawn, um, Saschatchawan, er, sastchacth, oh forget it -- board the first flight to Manitoba -- and chop you into a into a million little pieces for being so reckless as to reveal your actual age on an internet forum, but still, one shouldn't ask questions they aren't prepared to answer themselves.

Are you 24? Higher or lower?

Lifting the Veil...

Gawd, I've had the same throughts, heycal...you know, about the real identities of some posters...what they look like...you know, sometimes I just want to, even for a moment, lift the little cyberworld hoods that we all wear here-concealing our real world personae. So, I get what you and CC are saying and I'm down with that. Some of us spend a good deal of "time" yakking back and forth, and the Internet has created a weird vibe here...I could truly have a beer with many of the posters on this board, but I wonder if I want the cyber world to cross over into my "real world". Unlike some kids-with the myspace, facebook, etc., I only actively participate in this board, so it's still easy for me to sharply delineate the two.

Like you guys, I'm hesistant about disclosing personal data, for obvious reasons. But this discussion has me thinking...why not post a picture? Not an address, nothing that would allow someone to "stalk" me...just a single photo, to lift that veil of secrecy. Maybe it will ruin the "mystery", but CC posting her photo certainly has not changed my perception of her. She's as attractive as I pictured her, but in the scheme of things, her intellect and personality trumps a mere image, so that wasn't SO important (but it was nice, all the same...humans instinctually try to put a face to a name, and lacking that information, they create an image anyway-maybe just to fill a void or to complete an ordered, spatial cognitive process...I don't know).

I'm not a BAD looking guy, but by no means Brad Pitt-good looking either (who is?). So, I've decided to do it...one...tasteful image of me...I don't have many, as most of my photo collection consists of friends, relatives and buildings, but here goes. And I don't want to hear any b.s. about my HAIR either...

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w239/zoznack/Phil-currentimage.jpg

Ah, a fine post. I especially admire the elaborate buildup, the little details tucked in here and there to make us believe you were really going to post a photo. An East Coast comedy sophisticate like myself was suspicious of your faux "aw shucks" persona in this post, and I guessed there was only about a 30 percent change that the link contained an actual photo of you, but I clicked it nonetheless...

Was anything you said leading up to it true, or was it all an elaborate ruse to soften us up for the "photo"?

Either way, it was lovely work.

 

[Phil]

Ah, a fine post. I especially admire the elaborate buildup, the little details tucked in here and there to make us believe you were really going to post a photo. An East Coast comedy sophisticate like myself was suspicious of your faux "aw shucks" persona in this post, and I guessed there was only about a 30 percent change that the link contained an actual photo of you, but I clicked it nonetheless...

Was anything you said leading up to it true, or was it all an elaborate ruse to soften us up for the "photo"?

Either way, it was lovely work.

Why thank you. But...30% you say? Sure, you can't kid a kidder and all that? Right-o...I gotta believe you were absolutely quaking in anticipation of getting a glimpse of my ugly mug. You wanted it BAD!

Yes, everything I said leading up to the link was true. This IS the only board that I actively and regularly participate in (though I've signed up for a couple others in the past), and sure, I could have a beer with a number of TW members, etc., etc.

 

[Rabbit]

There was:
Cabbage
Doc Racketts
Elvis Peawood
Ribit
Carter Peachtree
Vantagepoint
Biff Cardiff

I know I'm leaving some out...

 

[Fee]

Thanks Rabbit.

Kind of scary...

 

[heycal]

Why thank you. But...30% you say? Sure, you can't kid a kidder and all that? Right-o...I gotta believe you were absolutely quaking in anticipation of getting a glimpse of my ugly mug. You wanted it BAD!

Yeah, 30%. Like I said, the language leading up to it was just a little too perfect, and you don't strike as the type to post a picture of yourself so easily anyway -- we're talking Phil from Tokyo here, not Peter from Sweden. But hey, 30% is nothing to sneeze at.

 

[Voltron]

I wish I had two accounts, then I could tell myself how sexy I am. :lol:

 

[heycal]

There was:
Cabbage
Doc Racketts
Elvis Peawood
Ribit
Carter Peachtree
Vantagepoint
Biff Cardiff

I know I'm leaving some out...

Most of those are hilarious names. Good stuff. Though I imagine "Ribit" might not have been your favorite. Which reminds me: I seem to dimly remember when there was a brief period of something trying to trick people into believing he was Breakpoint but using an almost identical name like BreakpoInt. Anyone remember that and can refresh my memory of the details?

 

[heycal]

I wish I had two accounts, then I could tell myself how sexy I am. :lol:

Are you implying they've closed down your TokyoPunk account?

 

[Fee]

I wish I had two accounts, then I could tell myself how sexy I am. :lol:

I can't help you there, as your adoptive mudda it would just be kind of strange (but you are cute as a button!).

 

[Lakoste]

Doesn't matter what TW says about this, no way they can stop it, none, zip, nada...might as well accept it.

 

[Voltron]

Are you implying they've closed down your TokyoPunk account?

I'm not TokyoPunk, but he is stalking me. Thank God I never posted what town I'm in. :-(

I can't help you there, as your adoptive mudda it would just be kind of strange (but you are cute as a button!).

I'm joking of course, I wouldn't make good conversation with myself.

 

[Phil]

Yeah, 30%. Like I said, the language leading up to it was just a little too perfect, and you don't strike as the type to post a picture of yourself so easily anyway -- we're talking Phil from Tokyo here, not Peter from Sweden. But hey, 30% is nothing to sneeze at.

Yeah, better than nuttin' I guess...

Funny, you'd think Peter from Swenska is some blond, blue eyed Viking type, but, well...he isn't. He's not Hagger the Horrible either, but let's just say that the new and reformed ABBA won't be putting in a call to him to play the role of Bjorn or Benny...

 

[CanadianChic]

Saskatchewan Heycal, come on, this isn't bio-engineering here. If you are going to knock something perhaps you can learn about it first. And we have an International airport in Winnipeg so there is no need to even enter that province. But it's all right, I know you missed me something terrible. lol.

 

[heycal]

CC, or anyone else: Do you know where my post is that the reply below is in reference to? It appears to be missing now from this thread...

Interesting perception Heycal. I enjoy being able to put a face to a name and have not been let down or disappointed in my awareness yet. So if you've seen a picture of me yet stand behind your rantings, how can Phil be both? I haven't seen NBMJ but KK was exactly as I'd pictured him. Now cough it up sweetie - where's your face to a name?

And wasn't there some more posts after this last one (below)? Does that sound familiar? And if so, where are they now??

Saskatchewan Heycal, come on, this isn't bio-engineering here. If you are going to knock something perhaps you can learn about it first. And we have an International airport in Winnipeg so there is no need to even enter that province. But it's all right, I know you missed me something terrible. lol.

Anyone have thought or insights into this funny business?

 

[CanadianChic]

Heycal, I don't think anything is missing from this thread. The first quote I believe is in response to post #9 and the second from post #32. This is what happens when you involve yourself if multiple threads discussing similar topics in all of them. Perhaps a cheat sheet may be of use??

 

[heycal]

Heycal, I don't think anything is missing from this thread. The first quote I believe is in response to post #9 and the second from post #32. This is what happens when you involve yourself if multiple threads discussing similar topics in all of them. Perhaps a cheat sheet may be of use??

I already use a cheat sheet, along with various graphs, charts and tables. So I know what post #32 is in response to, but was thinking there was stuff after it.

But I don't think your other response was to post #9. Look at post #9, and you will see that I do not mention anything in that post about having seen photographs of KK, NBMJ, etc. or having my mental images of them changed by doing so. I think I said that in another, now missing post, and your response in post #14 saying you had also seen a picture of KK indicates you were responding NOT to post #9, but to the apparently missing post. See what I'm saying?

Where is the missing post, and why is it missing?

 

[Kaptain Karl]

heycal - I remember zapping some posts where "a user" was, IMO, hounding another user to post her pic. It may -- or may not -- have been in this thread. And it may account for the break in "flow" you appear to be referencing.

I cannot check this on any kind of list. We Mods don't keep a "record" of our moderation activity....

- KK

 

[heycal]

heycal - I remember zapping some posts where "a user" was, IMO, hounding another user to post her pic. It may -- or may not -- have been in this thread. And it may account for the break in "flow" you appear to be referencing.

I cannot check this on any kind of list. We Mods don't keep a "record" of our moderation activity....

Yes, CC was hounding me to post a picture of myself in this thread, sure, but I resisted her Winnepeggian charms without mod help, and her request to me still remains in this thread.

But I'm pretty sure there were no other picture requests made by anyone else in this thread, nor do the remaining posts hint at anything like that. Maybe that happened in some other thread, but I don't think it happpened in this one.

 

[armand]

Kaptain Karl got an avatar? And it's Robin? So who's Batman? SFrazeur?

______________________

Ok, let's try to imagine a real world conversation, as suggested by Phil.

I'm visiting the East and happen upon the expat(?) Phil and ask how's the sake. I tell him I'm not much of a drinker because alcohol affects people differently and alcohol mainly serves to depress me. He then asks me what I'm doin in a pub and I answer by saying that North American culture really bases their social activities around alcohol and that I'm still trying discover how to socialize here.
I ask how long he's been living here and I then go on to mention a book I read once by Michael Crichton called 'Rising Sun' I think and how it talked a bit about how the people are really 'nationalistic' and are very mistrustful of outsiders. I ask how he views things...[ran out of speculation/imagination]

I think the internet is good in that you get passed some small talk and are able to speak more freely. But, conversation is more than just about words, I think.