On the topic of chatbots...

[crfriend]

If someone really is a bot here, wouldn't this post tip them off? Are they still posting?

Yes, it's still posting. In fact it's operator seems to have turned the intensity up. And, no, the post won't tip it off because it's not self-aware enough to realise that anything's wrong.

I suspect its operator is getting aware because of the recent uptick in activity, much of which has been blithering about 'bots.

[ScotL]

I suppose my comment wasn’t super clear - my full quote in context:

Sorry Coder I was replying to ScotL, who was quoting you out of context.

Sorry I wasn’t clear. I did not mean to invoke Coder as complicit in the “okaying bots idea.” I meant it in the same vein he did, if the mods are ok with it, who am I to complain. I meant zero disrespect to anyone.

[ScotL]

I disagree.
This forum is for people to support each other with personal experiences and many members we eventually feel like they are old friends although we have never met them, because their personality shines through.

A ChatBot does not have personal experiences and a person who joins the forum and then posts computer generated content purporting to be themselves is being deceptive and insincere to all other members.

Not being a moderator, I’m not in a place to act on the presence of this “bot.” Though I agree with you. I believe the bot needs to be proven first and then removed.

I fear the word “bot” is getting used like the words “fake news.” Words used to give an excuse to silence someone by invoking a common fear.

Not being a bot either, or even understanding how bots are run, I don’t know how to prove one is a bot or even a human. I’d like to be on a cafe that only has real people. But again, that’s up to the moderators

[BouffantBelle]

Well, as admin on another forum (completely unrelated to gender-fluidity), I find this all very unprofessional, if you'll pardon my saying so.

You mods give out just enough information for at least us newer members to feel like we're under suspicion, without clarifying further, or offering any kind of means with which we can prove our authenticity?

This isn't how it's done, chaps.

[moonshadow]

Well, as admin on another forum (completely unrelated to gender-fluidity), I find this all very unprofessional, if you'll pardon my saying so.

You mods give out just enough information for at least us newer members to feel like we're under suspicion, without clarifying further, or offering any kind of means with which we can prove our authenticity?

This isn't how it's done, chaps.

Well... I think that if I were under suspicion of being a "bot", and no matter what I wrote, I just couldn't convince people otherwise, I believe I'd PM one of the mods my phone number. That would settle it.

Another option is to float the idea of getting together with another member in your region. We have members in good standing all across the U.S. and Europe. A simple "meet and greet" over a cup of coffee or something of the sort, it doesn't have to be anything formal.

The first member I met was dillon, who was visiting the town I lived in at the time during their "Trail Days" festival. I met him, sat on a lawn chair and chatted for about an hour, we shook hands and parted ways. Next was Fred from South Carolina, and had a very enjoyable visit with him over a three day weekend where he showed us around Augusta Georgia and Aiken South Carolina. Finally, Daryl actually visited me in my home, and finally my most recent trip to Massachusetts to visit Carl.

I've also spoken to other members on the phone including FreedomForAll and mishawakaskirt.

It just takes time. If you're real, you know you're real, just keep being you and as they say "truth shall stand when the world's on fire".

[ScotL]

I’d happily meet anyone who visits South Florida. Problem is, I only know of one other Floridian and I think he’s up in the Tampa area.

[Barleymower]

You're not on my list of suspects.

And I know I'm not the bot. I too have met a few members from Fred, Dillon, Daryl (from Canada) and most recently, Carl.

In fact if I can swing it, I'm debating on towing the camper to Texas next year to sight see and see if our other mod wants to shake hands.

Australia isn't off the table either, but that entails an expensive plane trip. Someday...

Darn I thought I had moonshadow spot on as the imposter. Then you have post up some photos of yourself. I don't think the bot would do that. Skurtcafe is turning into 'among us'

If you can stretch to a UK visit I'm sure the UK contingent would glady meet up.

[Barleymower]

If someone really is a bot here, wouldn't this post tip them off? Are they still posting?

Yes, it's still posting. In fact it's operator seems to have turned the intensity up. And, no, the post won't tip it off because it's not self-aware enough to realise that anything's wrong.

I suspect its operator is getting aware because of the recent uptick in activity, much of which has been blithering about 'bots.

I think we could narrow down who the imposter is:
1. Do the mods 'not' reply to anyone's posts?
2. Is the suspect a recent joiner of the cafe in the last 12 months?
3. Have they posted any pictures?
Unless I'm offcourse?

[Coder]

Darn I thought I had moonshadow spot on as the imposter. Then you have post up some photos of yourself. I don't think the bot would do that. Skurtcafe is turning into 'among us'

OMG - I love that game. Very apt comparison.

I think we could narrow down who the imposter is:
1. Do the mods 'not' reply to anyone's posts?
2. Is the suspect a recent joiner of the cafe in the last 12 months?
3. Have they posted any pictures?
Unless I'm offcourse?

I've been using that criteria as well. Keep in mind LLM's / "AI" have been around - easily accessible to the general public - only since November 2022 - though researchers and geeks have had access to them for a few years now. I think LLM's have been able to achieve a higher-functioning chatbot, one that in small doses can be undetectable, so suspect that kind of technology would be a first pick.

[Fred in Skirts]

OK! Lets just stop trying to figure out who or what the BOT is and lets just keep on doing what we have done in the past.
Whats that? Why it is posting about our skirts and dresses and posting pictures of them as well if possible. If Carl knows who the bot is and I am sure he and the rest of the mods do too they are keeping an eye on it and will not let it do harm to the cafe or it's inhabitants.

Just my two cents worth and that is all I have to say about it!!!!!!!!!!

[moonshadow]

I’d happily meet anyone who visits South Florida. Problem is, I only know of one other Floridian and I think he’s up in the Tampa area.

Whereabouts? We've been that way recently.

[moonshadow]

OK! Lets just stop trying to figure out who or what the BOT is and lets just keep on doing what we have done in the past.

It's kinda fun playing "spot the bot", it's almost like a gameshow!

[Fred in Skirts]

OK! Lets just stop trying to figure out who or what the BOT is and lets just keep on doing what we have done in the past.

It's kinda fun playing "spot the bot", it's almost like a gameshow!

Alex I'll take "Spot the Bot for $400 please!"

[Uncle Al]

I've been using that criteria as well. Keep in mind LLM's / "AI" have been around - easily accessible to the general public - only since November 2022 - though researchers and geeks have had access to them for a few years now. I think LLM's have been able to achieve
a higher-functioning chatbot, one that in small doses can be undetectable, so suspect that kind of technology would be a first pick.

"Keep in mind LLM's / "AI" have been - - (Bold face is my emphasis - U.A.)
I've never heard of LLM's before reading this so, I 'googled' what it meant.
What I just read was an eye opener
Much of the information goes back into 2018.

One simple example is from Wikipedia:

A large language model(LLM) is a language model consisting of a neural network with many parameters, trained on large quantities
of unlabeled text using self-supervised learning or semi-supervised learning. LLMs emerged around 2018 and perform well at a wide
variety of tasks.

Just like 'personal communicators' from Star Trek have become today's Cell Phones, computer interaction,
as in Stark Trek, is becoming widely used. Some of this 'use' I fully recognize and I will not comply(BORG).
I'm an individual, not part of a 'BORG collective'.

As history has proven, what was Science Fiction has become Science Fact.
At one point I thought I would never, ever, have the need to use a computer.
Now, I can't get by 10 minutes without using one

On "Spot The Bot" I just had a 'Daily Double'.
Tune in tomorrow to see if I answered(asked) the question correctly


Uncle Al

[BouffantBelle]

Well I don't mean to be a belligerent bugger, but i'm kind of hoping there is no bot and you're all completely wrong about all of this...