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Aug-27-2004 15:46

Since I have heard that there is a certain agency here at Sleuthsville that is signing on brand new characters for the sole purpose of joining other agencies to come in and steal four expensive pieces of equipment, I have setforth a brand new rule in our agency to check out newbies before bringing them in, and this is the new rules made at LONE WOLF DETECTIVE AGENCY, as follows, to-wit:

The agent trying to join must send me an email by using their real email that they sign on with to play Sleuth here, and to verify that they are who they say their character is, they must give me the following information:

1) Character name
2) Time Zone-State or Country
3) First Initial and last name
4) Contact (Banker, Shoe Maker, Barber, or Tailor)
5) Experience points, and skills
6) What they do for a living
7) What time of the day they will be signing on.

And anyother information that will help, that way, if there was a problem with this person, we can give the info to Ben and/or Sunny, so he can follow-up on our request, to take care of the problem at hand. I feel, if the person is honest and their intentions are straightforward, then they will not mind to give the information requested in order to join an agency that will protect them in return. I hope others will consider what we've decided to do.

Aug-27-2004 16:10

I like your idea DaRu thanks for the tip.

However, when someone has a hotmail or yahoo address (which can be easily created) do you not let them join?

Frankly, I like the whole thing of us directors sticking together on some stuff. Like someone robbing an agency blind.
I definitely like to join forces on this.

Aug-27-2004 16:43

Oh and FYI, Demons Deed is NOT the agency that is on the receiving end, apparently there are some rumours going around.

We were unlucky enough to get 2 criminals in a row. :-( Our stupidity however doesn't deserve us a bad wrap in Sleuth.

Aug-27-2004 17:38

JSTKDN, I know for certain that DEMONS DEED is not the guilty agency, in fact, I have the greatest respect and admiration for those that I know in your agency, therefore, I second what you stated above, THEY ARE NOT THE ONES STEALING EQUIPMENT, BUT THE VICTIMS HERE, and I hate that it happened. So sorry that someone here in Sleuthsville is spreading false rumors without knowing the facts. Also, you asked if I wouldn't consider someone who gives another email address, that can be quickly changed, and my answer is NO! I don't want to take that chance. As far as giving their first initial and last name, and real email address, and private information, my advice to them would be, once they've replied back to me, and I've verified their character name, then they can block my real email, which I am giving to them in return. So it's a two way street with me. I know I'm taking a chance too, by giving my real internet address, but this should tell them that I am an honest person too, that they can trust to give me the info. I want them to know that they are joining an agency they can be protected by, and not have to worry about nonsense. Those other fly by night emails wouldn't do because they can change it right afterwards, flee with the equipment, and that wouldn't solve anything. Just my opinion.

Aug-27-2004 17:52

Thanks DaRu, you rule!!!!!!!!!!

You know, frankly I am disappointed we are having a discussion as to the best tactics to keep the baddies out.

As for my messages to the bad guys. I hope you are enjoying this game, quite sad actually that you can not play this game without it being at cost of others. Too bad, you are missing out on a great game, with a great community.

Aug-27-2004 18:30

What are your agency rules for promoting rookies? That seems like a way to screen out the overt scamming described above. You can still share cases - but the key to the equipment locker (not to mention the executive bathroom) has to be earned through service to the agency.

I also think private chats among directors to give heads up on potential 'artists' would be useful. It has always seemed rude to ask, but we would be happy to 'furnish references'.

Aug-27-2004 21:16

I too doubt that people will want to give personal information. But any efforts to work together are a good idea. I can suggest two things:

1) A place to report characters that do this, perhaps even on this message board, although there should be consequences if you falsely accuse someone for the sake of slandering them. That hitch aside, the names of characters doing this will be known to everyone, and if it's a few human culprits, it will certainly cost them a lot to keep on buying new characters.

2) Asking Ben to ban the IP addresses used by these clowns.

Aug-27-2004 21:45

ben's already stated the problem to banning ip addresses, so that's a last choice kind of thing

Aug-28-2004 02:49

We keep people on rookie for a while. If they have been working well and serve the agency for a while and it looks like they can be trusted we promote them.

Aug-28-2004 04:25

i agree with bigdoc. keep them as rookie for atleast a month. if u suspect someone of stealing kick them out and when u see he/she joined another agency tell the directors about it and let them decide what to do. atleast that what i'm doing.
we were also robbed twice, once by a director! grrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Aug-28-2004 13:50

Well now that is something we *can* work together on. It is simple one of the reasons why we never let someone stay rookie for a month if they work their ass off....as they may leave the agency for another that does offer a low threshold of becoming an agent.

However, if we all institute this rule, then that would problem would be gone. Dare I ask for a show of hands?

Problem is, even with a months rookie status...some thiefs would be *that* patient.

Another idea is. Is to have certain items in the locker for agents. And other items that can only be used by officers and directors. Then you can be more selective, and only allow agents to use equipment you can easily replace.