Having a second account, known as a sock puppet, is generally discouraged. However, people have sock puppet accounts for various reasons and they are not forbidden unless they are being used deceptively to mess with the site (see this thread for an example).

Some reasons people have sock puppet accounts:
- their account was blocked/banned and they want to "start over" (this is not always okay, check with mathowie if you are uncertain)
- they want to ask a question in Ask MetaFilter that is not linked to their primary account
- they have a second account for making jokey comments (see usernames like baby jesus or Official Mefi Head Complainer)

It is against the rules to use a sock puppet to get around the time limitations between AskMe, MeFi and MeTa posts. People who do this will risk losing the sock puppet account, getting a time out on theeir main account and/or having their extra question or post removed. Please do not do this.
(tags: sockpuppet accounts users ) April 20, 2006 - back to questions