Alter egos

Alter egos

Didn't find your answer?

I am sorry if this has been answered before and I missed it.

I feel that I would like a second identity to be used for rants, questions and answers where it would be detrimental to post in your real identity.

Obviously this would be registered with the moderators so you would not strictly be anonymous but it would allow for me at least to bring matters up which could otherwise be easily recognised  either by my clients or third parties.

I know I could register a second identity and stop using this one, or I assume I could, but usually I feel much more comfortable being myself!! 

Replies (73)

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By mrme89
06th Jun 2015 17:38

It's against community rules to have multiple accounts. 

 

My former employer is on here, so I asked the moderators pretty much the same question. I just don't come on AWeb as often now. I (you) probably could create another account using false details and they wouldn't know, but I can't be bothered with it - whether you can bothered is a different story. Not that I condone breaking community rules ;-)

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By Duhamel
06th Jun 2015 19:27

Change name
You might have already considered this, but you can change the profile name if you contact a moderator.

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By andy.partridge
07th Jun 2015 09:55

Abuse
The abuse of multiple accounts makes this a non starter. Sad people have used them in order to promote a particular point of view by agreeing with themselves. A separate identity for ranting would only encourage twitter-troll-like behaviour.

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By Marion Hayes
07th Jun 2015 12:21

Seriously?

Why would you agree with yourself?

Thanks for the suggestion Duhamel but 99% of the time I really do want to just be myself, even when I do make mistakes or look stupid.

I am afraid I am too old to change my was now

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Replying to Cheshire:
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By andy.partridge
07th Jun 2015 16:09

Yes, seriously.

Marion Hayes wrote:

Why would you agree with yourself?

It (multiple accounts) has caused all sorts of aggravation in the past resulting in bans, even for beloved Portia.

Trust nobody Marion  . . not even me!

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Replying to Andy1972:
Portia profile image
By Portia Nina Levin
07th Jun 2015 16:13

For the record

Alan Partridge wrote:

It (multiple accounts) has caused all sorts of aggravation in the past resulting in bans, even for beloved Portia.

I am not banned. I am abstaining.

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Replying to Andy1972:
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By andy.partridge
07th Jun 2015 16:30

For the record

Portia Nina Levin wrote:
Alan Partridge wrote:

It (multiple accounts) has caused all sorts of aggravation in the past resulting in bans, even for beloved Portia.

I am not banned. I am abstaining.


You were banned for having multiple accounts. At least, that is what we were told.
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By User deleted
07th Jun 2015 12:38

One reason, Marion

Certain individials - one in particular - have a habit of posting abuse and drivel, and so need to 'thank' themselves in an effort to give some credence to their nonsense.

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By Eve E
07th Jun 2015 16:14

Same here
I wish I had given more thought to my username when I joined, but I didn't realise at the time just how useful the site was, or how much I would utilise it in the future.

Like many I'm sure, I came here via Google, with a question, and entered my details quickly just to get an answer!

I'm still considering changing my username, as this option is open to you, but wonder how this would affect my previous questions/comments? I assume I wouldn't lose them, but I'm not certain?

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Replying to Matrix:
Francois
By Francois Badenhorst
08th Jun 2015 09:35

Yes, you can

Hi Eve E,

You are welcome to change your username and the only effect it will have on past comments is that they will simply reflect your new username.

Let me know if you have any more questions,

F

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By Marion Hayes
07th Jun 2015 16:18

@Andy

I am afraid that really goes against the grain

@BKD - but how can you tell  - there are some obvious posters who are just trying to cause trouble/reactions such as the recent increasing numbered Prime Debate. I even thought Portia was one the first time I saw a post. - but most comments etc seem unconnected.

 

 

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By ShirleyM
07th Jun 2015 16:32

@Marion

I can recognise some returning banned members. I think it is their style of writing, and also the repetitive recurring 'themes' and history.

Have you ever recognised someone without seeing their face, ie. from the back, just by the way they walk or hold their heads, or some other little habit that you recognise. It's just the same on here. I am sure if some regulars changed their name I would still recognise them, unless they changed the way they write, or changed the subjects they are interested in, etc. and that's been tried too but it fails in the end. I guess it's difficult to act in an unnatural way for a sustained level of time.

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By User deleted
07th Jun 2015 17:21

For the record, Marion

I'm talking about a very small minority. But as is so often the case, it is easier to have a blanket policy regarding multiple accounts rather than try to determine who should, and should not, be allowed to have them.

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By Marion Hayes
07th Jun 2015 21:47

@andy and portia

Hi Portia.

Glad you are still around.

I think Andy that there was speculation as to a particular sign in being a second ID for Portia. The moderator confirmed that the second poster was a duplicate id and had been stopped as a duplicate, but they didn't say whose duplicate it was nor that Portia was banned.

 

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By Marion Hayes
07th Jun 2015 21:59

@Shirley

I guess I notice some people from their pictures, and others for their specialties, but I am a skimmer when I read so unless something catches my attention - note to self - must learn to read properly or download (not) that talking telephone application.

@BKD - thanks for the clarification. I was now trying to remember the best advice I heard and it came from Thumper, the  baby rabbit in Bambi.

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all

 

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By andy.partridge
07th Jun 2015 22:01

@ Marion
If you already know that I am not sure of the purpose of your question.

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By Marion Hayes
08th Jun 2015 07:12

@Andy

I must confess as to not having put the two together - a duplicate implies a mistake (?) whereas I was thinking about being able to register formally two names - not to abuse the system but to allow me to get more out of it without compromising my clients.

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Stepurhan
By stepurhan
08th Jun 2015 07:55

Consider the purpose

The purpose of an alter ego is to be able to make posts without them being associated with you. I appreciate that sometimes you want to ask questions without being identified. But posting with broad details will cover the majority of such situations. If you have to post in such detail that the parties involved can easily be identified, it's probably not something you should be posting on a public forum in the first place.

As for the ability to make rants as well, do you not see the risk involved in that? Being able to let go without risking your own reputation allows you to say things you probably shouldn't.

Whilst a light site about entertainment rather than a scientific site (though it does link to serious studies), this summarises why anonymity online often proves to be a bad thing (GIFT is an acronym, It's full meaning could be considered NSFW) http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GIFT

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Francois
By Francois Badenhorst
08th Jun 2015 09:16

Hi guys

Thanks for this post, Marion. We're constantly trying to re-think our approach and I'll be reading this thread carefully in order to gain an insight into what you guys want. 

From our point of view, multiple accounts makes our jobs of moderation very difficult.

Thank you again for this post. Debate is always really helpful. And I would encourage anyone who wants to speak to me on a more one to one basis to PM me. 

Cheers,

François

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By Democratus
08th Jun 2015 10:33

As a definite non-de-plume user...

i have to say that it is not to rant or hide who i am per se, rather i am generally uncomfortable with giving out my identity too often. I picked something that demonstrated my general approach to life and hope i have been consistent in my dealings with AWeb with the ideal set by me.

The older AWeb did allow you to ask or answer a question anonymously but that disappeared with the new site layout. This was useful for those times when further identification would have been adverse to either your employer / client/ family etc but the increase in self indulgent arguments over the years has been noticable and the site rules on multiple identities seems sensible from that standpoint.  

Perhaps asking a question anonymously could be allowed and the OP in that sense would remain so for the thread, but all other responders named, but not exposed if using a nom-de-plume. 

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Replying to Accountant A:
Francois
By Francois Badenhorst
08th Jun 2015 10:40

Great use of "nom-de-plume"

That's all, really. 

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Red Leader
By Red Leader
08th Jun 2015 10:55

the real deal

I'm surprised nobody's registered as Spartacus.

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Replying to Accountant A:
By Democratus
08th Jun 2015 14:03

I am Spartac...oh wait ..yeah OK

Red Leader wrote:

I'm surprised nobody's registered as Spartacus.

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By pawncob
08th Jun 2015 10:58

Phoenix arises?

While researching duplicate accounts, I came across this posting, which still contains Portia's answer. I thought these had all been wiped.

(And I won't tell you which one is a duplicate)

 

https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/anyanswers/question/capital-gains-tax-24

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By andy.partridge
08th Jun 2015 11:10

Researching duplicate accounts?

Now there's a curious pastime.

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Replying to Tax Dragon:
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By Matrix
08th Jun 2015 12:04

It is not that difficult

There is a poster who regularly asks questions in at least 3 usernames.  Not that difficult to spot.

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Replying to Adam12345:
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By Manwithnoname
08th Jun 2015 14:32

Oooh

Matrix wrote:

There is a poster who regularly asks questions in at least 3 usernames.  Not that difficult to spot.

Enlighten us less observant ones?  Unless that's against the ToS in which case don't!

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By Denman
08th Jun 2015 11:52

Obviously I won the 2008 Gold Cup and have now gained the ability to type 

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By jon_1984
08th Jun 2015 12:59

Elsewhere

Another Forum I frequent at home has anonymous moderators (following abuse I understand) and they each have a normal account for normal posting - all well and good until they forget which coat they are wearing and post something (normally a reply) as the wrong ID....giving the game away nicely.  

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By Steve McQueen
08th Jun 2015 15:37

I'm much happier to post and contribute with my nom-de-plume...

...as is my friend and colleague Albert Camus.

Like Democratus, I believe I picked an identity that reflects much about who I believe myself to be and I've remained consistent over the years.

  

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By Steve McQueen
08th Jun 2015 15:37

I'm much happier to post and contribute with my nom-de-plume...

...as is my friend and colleague Albert Camus.

Like Democratus, I believe I picked an identity that reflects much about who I believe myself to be and I've remained consistent over the years.

  

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By mrme89
08th Jun 2015 15:49

I always thought you and Albert Camus were the same person.

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Replying to Southwestbeancounter:
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By Steve McQueen
08th Jun 2015 16:02

@mrme89

 

 

I always thought you andmrme89 PM | Mon, 08/06/2015 - 15:49 | Permalink

I always thought you and Albert Camus were the same person.

reply quote thanks  reportWe've clearly been together too long! 

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By mrme89
08th Jun 2015 16:11

A very long time by the sounds of it...

It must be all the time you spend together. Both former professional body builders, both screwed over by former business partners and both ex paratroopers. You have both been through thick and thin together!

https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/anyanswers/are-accountants-accurately-po...

https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/anyanswers/question/how-big-do-you-want-... https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/user/183456

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Replying to mikeyban:
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By andy.partridge
08th Jun 2015 16:23

Gosh

mrme89 wrote:

It must be all the time you spend together. Both former professional body builders, both screwed over by former business partners and both ex paratroopers. You have both been through thick and thin together!

https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/anyanswers/are-accountants-accurately-po...

https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/anyanswers/question/how-big-do-you-want-... https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/user/183456


And to think I envied Steve and felt such sympathy for Albert, not realising . . .

What a fool . . .

I had thought there was only one Walter Mitty character on AWeb. It seems this site is a haven for them.

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Replying to mikeyban:
By cheekychappy
09th Jun 2015 09:40

Oops

mrme89 wrote:

It must be all the time you spend together. Both former professional body builders, both screwed over by former business partners and both ex paratroopers. You have both been through thick and thin together!

https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/anyanswers/are-accountants-accurately-po...

https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/anyanswers/question/how-big-do-you-want-... https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/user/183456

 

It looks like someone mixed up who they were.

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By SKCOX
08th Jun 2015 20:39

Multiple accounts

Life's too short to bother with multiple accounts on AWeb.

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By ireallyshouldknowthisbut
09th Jun 2015 11:38

.

Re Albert and Steve, are you officially "out" now?  I think I rumbled you some considerable time ago, indeed I think I pm'd a couple of times pointing out some lapses!

Is there a word for an online "outing" of multiple personas?

I feel we need to know. 

 

I use this name so I can be deeply unprofessional. It's boring being 'on show' all day to clients.

I cant save all my bile for the Mrs in the evening. 

 

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By andy.partridge
09th Jun 2015 11:48

Pity those individuals whose lives must be missing something vital that they visit AWeb to impress or manipulate the rest of us. 

Perhaps they could have their own discussion group? 

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By mrme89
09th Jun 2015 11:54

Shortly after my posting, Albert private messaged me. It made rather amusing reading.

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Replying to lesley.barnes:
Red Leader
By Red Leader
09th Jun 2015 12:45

stop it, per-lease!

mrme89 wrote:

Shortly after my posting, Albert private messaged me. It made rather amusing reading.

You tease, you!

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By mwngiol
09th Jun 2015 12:45

Overview

When I first started out on Aweb it was possible to post anonymously by just ticking a box. Common sense would seem to suggest that this would be more likely to result in nastiness etc but I think there was much less back then.

As far as I recall the mean side started during the C_D era (if I may call it that), and got worse with George and his/her heir/heiress/disciple/minion/alter-ego Portia.

There's far more hostility and unwarranted aggression on the site now than ever before IMHO.

I'm not sure if I have a point, but this is how I see things.

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Replying to ikky1984:
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By Manwithnoname
09th Jun 2015 14:58

I fear for my identity...

mwngiol wrote:

When I first started out on Aweb it was possible to post anonymously by just ticking a box. Common sense would seem to suggest that this would be more likely to result in nastiness etc but I think there was much less back then.

As far as I recall the mean side started during the C_D era (if I may call it that), and got worse with George and his/her heir/heiress/disciple/minion/alter-ego Portia.

There's far more hostility and unwarranted aggression on the site now than ever before IMHO.

I'm not sure if I have a point, but this is how I see things.

 

At the risk of losing my ID, I do have more than one identity on here, my reasoning being:

 - My last few years of posts have been... light hearted (I hope!)

 - Sometimes I need to ask serious questions

 - My employer may stumble across said questions while checking my answer given, and link me to my virtual ID.

 - A quick look at my history would then reveal oddness which I am carefully keeping under wraps :S

 

So I have my 'real' identity, and this one which is my 'stunt' ID for posting serious things.  At no point have the two crossed, I don't use one to hide behind, merely one is serious and one more whimsical.  Neither is mean (I hope!) 

Oh, actually I have at least 5 'live' IDs, but the other 3+ are old profiles which had to be abandoned when I got bullied off the site (by people hiding behind the anonymous tick box mwngiol refers to, please never reinstate that feature...).  I haven't used them in years, maybe I should go find them again... ;)

P.S. Please don't ban me for my admission...

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Replying to Wilson Philips:
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By andy.partridge
09th Jun 2015 15:08

Think again

Manwithnoname wrote:

At the risk of losing my ID, I do have more than one identity on here, my reasoning being:

 - My last few years of posts have been... light hearted (I hope!)

 - Sometimes I need to ask serious questions

 - My employer may stumble across said questions while checking my answer given, and link me to my virtual ID.

 - A quick look at my history would then reveal oddness which I am carefully keeping under wraps :S

 

So I have my 'real' identity, and this one which is my 'stunt' ID for posting serious things.  At no point have the two crossed, I don't use one to hide behind, merely one is serious and one more whimsical.  Neither is mean (I hope!) 

Oh, actually I have at least 5 'live' IDs, but the other 3+ are old profiles which had to be abandoned when I got bullied off the site (by people hiding behind the anonymous tick box mwngiol refers to, please never reinstate that feature...).  I haven't used them in years, maybe I should go find them again... ;)

P.S. Please don't ban me for my admission...

What you have said justifies the use of a pseudonym. Fine. Nothing you have said justifies the use of multiple accounts. How do you think the vast majority copes with a single account? Very well, thank you. 
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Replying to NYB:
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By Manwithnoname
09th Jun 2015 15:30

Ok

andy.partridge wrote:

What you have said justifies the use of a pseudonym. Fine. Nothing you have said justifies the use of multiple accounts. How do you think the vast majority copes with a single account? Very well, thank you. 

[/quote]

#Shrug# We'll have to agree to disagree, sadly this is a serious practice with serious people, the type of people who wouldn't approve of my youthful frivolity, there would be Consequences if they knew some of the things I've posted before as I wouldn't fit into the serious mold I'm poured into when I enter the building.

Next you'll be telling me to give Facebook access to clients so they can see what I do in my spare time! I am, by nature, two people.  Wish I'd used Jekyl & Hyde's user ID before he got to it, it would suit me well :)

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Replying to Tim Vane:
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By andy.partridge
09th Jun 2015 15:36

Read

Manwithnoname wrote:

 

#Shrug# We'll have to agree to disagree, sadly this is a serious practice with serious people, the type of people who wouldn't approve of my youthful frivolity, there would be Consequences if they knew some of the things I've posted before as I wouldn't fit into the serious mold I'm poured into when I enter the building.

Next you'll be telling me to give Facebook access to clients so they can see what I do in my spare time! I am, by nature, two people.  Wish I'd used Jekyl & Hyde's user ID before he got to it, it would suit me well :)


Did you actually read my post or did you simply assume it said something that it didn't?

What would be so wrong if you ONLY used the pseudonym 'Manwithnoname' ? Why would you have to use your real name for other posts? In short what is the purpose of you using multiple accounts? You still haven't answered coherently. And, no, I won't be telling you anything about Facebook.

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Replying to Mrbailey:
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By Manwithnoname
09th Jun 2015 15:59

My final word(s) :)

andy.partridge wrote:

Manwithnoname wrote:

 

#Shrug# We'll have to agree to disagree, sadly this is a serious practice with serious people, the type of people who wouldn't approve of my youthful frivolity, there would be Consequences if they knew some of the things I've posted before as I wouldn't fit into the serious mold I'm poured into when I enter the building.

Next you'll be telling me to give Facebook access to clients so they can see what I do in my spare time! I am, by nature, two people.  Wish I'd used Jekyl & Hyde's user ID before he got to it, it would suit me well :)


Did you actually read my post or did you simply assume it said something that it didn't?

What would be so wrong if you ONLY used the pseudonym 'Manwithnoname' ? Why would you have to use your real name for other posts? In short what is the purpose of you using multiple accounts? You still haven't answered coherently. And, no, I won't be telling you anything about Facebook.

You didn't read my post very well either :) 

If I ask a serious question it is likely it will be stumbled upon by my manager while checking my answer.  He will then link me and the AW person, regardless of how clever the name I use.  He will then look at my post history and words will be had.

I trust this clears matters up to your satisfaction as this thread is turning nasty so I have no intention of revisiting it.  I'm sure if you want to continue to try and cause an argument someone else will oblige, but not me I'm afraid.

Toodles! :)

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Replying to leggo007:
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By andy.partridge
09th Jun 2015 16:04

Persevere

Nothing nasty going on here (not from me anyhow). Tell me, why MUST you ask a serious question under your real name, but only make frivolous comments under a pseudonym. ie. Why can you not ask a serious question under a pseudonym?

This is not an argument, this is a debate. I think that is the purpose of AWeb.

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Portia profile image
By Portia Nina Levin
09th Jun 2015 13:57

You do all understand I hope

This is the internet.

It is not the frigging Cheers bar. <CheersTheme.mpg>

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Replying to Cheshire:
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By andy.partridge
09th Jun 2015 14:49

Don't forget

Portia Nina Levin wrote:

This is the internet.

It is not the frigging Cheers bar. <CheersTheme.mpg>

Don't forget to delete your post. It would be truly awful if someone might actually benefit from your contribution.
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