Bot posts

[Annisotropic]

Most of the posts that I read are on training - there are a relatively small number of regulars there, who generally give away very little personal information, but each have a consistent and authentic vibe.

But there are two members whose posts always read like AI - just a little bit too polite, formal, yet bland. Are there any bots known to be posting regular messages?
If so, what is the purpose of them?

[agross29]

Hmmm, I’ve been using the forum on and off for years and cant say I ever noticed bots.

[Ombrax]

Annisotropic,

I must humbly apologize if my writing style appears to be artificial and bland - from now on I will do my best to reply in a more dynamic style.

In the meantime, here's a song for you:

Daisy, Daisy,
Give me your answer, do!
I'm half crazy,
All for the love of you!
It won't be a stylish marriage,
I can't afford a carriage,
But you'll look sweet upon the seat
Of a bicycle built for two!

[Dangerscouse]

Most of the posts that I read are on training - there are a relatively small number of regulars there, who generally give away very little personal information, but each have a consistent and authentic vibe.

But there are two members whose posts always read like AI - just a little bit too polite, formal, yet bland. Are there any bots known to be posting regular messages?
If so, what is the purpose of them?

I've had the same thought recently too, for exactly the same reasons, and I'm also confused if they are bots, what their purpose is

[Citroen]

But there are two members whose posts always read like AI - just a little bit too polite, formal, yet bland. Are there any bots known to be posting regular messages?
If so, what is the purpose of them?

Name them and the spam team will investigate.

[reuben]

But there are two members whose posts always read like AI - just a little bit too polite, formal, yet bland. Are there any bots known to be posting regular messages?
If so, what is the purpose of them?

I don't read every subforum, but maybe it's just due to nationality (English not being their native language), culture, or personality.

[JaapvanE]

I don't read every subforum, but maybe it's just due to nationality (English not being their native language), culture, or personality.

Agreed. English is my fourth language, and I rather be long and clear than short and misunderstood. So my responses probably are less fluent and entertaining as most here. Sorry about that.

[alex9026]

Not a bot here, just boring

[Tsnor]

Not sure if you'd use a captcha test or a turing test.

The AIs have gotten sneaky - they make as many errors as the rest of us.

fwiw I don't see any bots here, or even chatGPT / google AI generated verbiage.

[Tsnor]

Annisotropic,

I must humbly apologize if my writing style appears to be artificial and bland - from now on I will do my best to reply in a more dynamic style.

In the meantime, here's a song for you:

Daisy, Daisy,
Give me your answer, do!
I'm half crazy,
All for the love of you!
It won't be a stylish marriage,
I can't afford a carriage,
But you'll look sweet upon the seat
Of a bicycle built for two!

underrated post. Did you ask an AI what to say when outed ?

[Dangerscouse]

Imo, it's not the fluency of the posts or language used, it's been perceptions of them being slightly robotic, vague in the advice, and just not feeling quite right for some reason. IIRC, there have been hyperlinks included too, so that usually gets me at least slightly on guard, after too much phishing protection training, which may be totally unwarranted.

FWIW, I've had someone (bot?) on two occasions post a reply that was verbatim from a comment I'd previously made. At the time, I didn't give it too much thought, but now I'm wondering if that was bot generated, as otherwise who would directly copy and paste the same reply on the same thread a while later?

Regardless, I don't think that this is a big issue and I'm sure that Annisotropic didn't intend any sleight on anyone's grasp of the English language. I'm a Scouser, so we've more or less got our own language, and accent that people struggle to understand!!

[reuben]

Daisy, Daisy,
Give me your answer, do!
I'm half crazy,
All for the love of you!
It won't be a stylish marriage,
I can't afford a carriage,
But you'll look sweet upon the seat
Of a bicycle built for two!

HAL? HAL 9000? Is that you?

[Annisotropic]

I won't name names, in case the people are indeed real. Dangerscouse is correct, I don't mean to sound critical, and don't want to risk causing offence.

The HAL reference went completely over my head, but now that I have looked at his lines... Yes that's exactly the vibe that I mean! Neither of the members have commented so far on this thread, but I won't be surprised if one or both chime in with something like "it's great that you are thinking about the possibility of AI posts on the forum"......

[Joebasscat]

Imo, it's not the fluency of the posts or language used, it's been perceptions of them being slightly robotic, vague in the advice, and just not feeling quite right for some reason. IIRC, there have been hyperlinks included too, so that usually gets me at least slightly on guard, after too much phishing protection training, which may be totally unwarranted.

FWIW, I've had someone (bot?) on two occasions post a reply that was verbatim from a comment I'd previously made. At the time, I didn't give it too much thought, but now I'm wondering if that was bot generated, as otherwise who would directly copy and paste the same reply on the same thread a while later?

Regardless, I don't think that this is a big issue and I'm sure that Annisotropic didn't intend any sleight on anyone's grasp of the English language. I'm a Scouser, so we've more or less got our own language, and accent that people struggle to understand!!

“Scouser” - had to look that one up! Never had any trouble understanding your writing.

[Tsnor]

I won't name names, in case the people are indeed real. Dangerscouse is correct, I don't mean to sound critical, and don't want to risk causing offence.

TBH I thought you were trolling with the thread, but it was so good I had to bump it.

If you want you can send Citroen a PM with the names. He'll handle with discretion, unfortunately, so the potential bot candidates won't get the fun of finding out.