As an admin of a user board, I would like the opinion of the board as to what to do.

There are two accounts made about one month apart with different usernames and different display names (I would guess you can't have two identical usernames) which both have identical IP addresses. I have in the past received PMs from the owner of the board informing me that two accounts have the same IP. I actually don't know what to do in those situations, and I don't understand why the owner/super admin (if that is the correct term) doesn't deal with it.

Anyway, this is a little more difficult in that there are three users. Two of them have display names that are off by one letter, and the names are extremely unique like Gabinoczhek and Gabinoczhak (examples) and the latter has the IP which is identical to a user named Maria. All three registered within days of each other.

I suppose it wouldn't be such a big deal except Gabinoczhak has never posted or come on the board, and the other two only making flaming and rude comments about posts or users. One user made a YouTube video to teach users about Terminal Servers. She posted that his video would cause people to leave as his voice was so scary and asked if he were using voice changing software. I have already banned Gabinoczhek as his comments were unbelievably rude.

I think all three are the same person. Anyway, sorry for the confusion. You don't have to comment on the weird triangle. If you could just tell me what I am supposed to do about the IP addresses. My guess is I just PM them and tell them to choose an account, and delete the other one.

I would just ban the IP and be done with it. It doesn't sound like there would be much to lose.

Under Member Management -> Ban List?

That's correct.

Thanks Steve.

BTW, what are the odds that the two users both have dynamic IPs, and each were assigned the same IP address at different times, especially given all of the other stuff?

I'd ban the users and their ip's; just banning the ip will only work if they have a static ip address, which most isp's don't offer.

It's highly unlikely, isp's have mass pools of ip addresses, the only time this would happen is if it's the same person, roomates, couples, or someone using public computers (or college computers)

Thanks Gizmo. I appreciate the help. What do you and Steve do if you just come across two accounts with the same IP? Does that always mean they have violated some rule. I don't see how it could happen unless someone just completely spaced that they made an account. I mean it's not like you can't change your display name.

Well, first I'd check out the hostname for the ip, it's possible it could be users from the same dorm at a college or something; if it's a home internet provider it could be roomates or couples or something.

Most admins don't want multiple users; one user account should be enough for everyone, your rules may differ though...

I don't automatically ban them for the reasons mentioned. In your case, where there is an issue, it makes sense.

Back when AOL was significant, it wasn't that unusual for multiple users to come up with the same IP address on a board with a lot of members. I don't see it very often now.

That's the problem. We don't have any rules.I think I am supposed to make them, hence my asking you guys, lol.