I understand that I am an anachronism. I was raised as what I hope to be a gentleman, and if there are rules to whatever pursuit you find yourself involved in, you follow them. If you do not agree with said rules, you either strive to change them or you decline to play. Here's where I'm going with this:
1. I certainly agree that using Google Search By Image (or any other similar image-searching engine) is not playing fair. It involves no skill or knowledge other than the ability to push a few keys, sit back, and let someone else's research answer your question. It is prohibited on this (and many other) "name that _________" forums. Honorable players will not use it. Dishonorable players will not care.
2. The first priority is making certain that everyone - ALL - participants are aware that use of this feature is banned. I believe most of us know this by now, but as we hopefully attract new members they need to know this. The fact is certainly available to them, but unfortunately a lot of new responders just jump right in before they read all the rules. That's just the way the internet is, and I don't have a good answer for it. Is there a way to require any new poster to read, and agree to abide by the rules of the forum before he or she can respond to their initial puzzle?
3. It is easy to become weary of seeing the same, somewhat accusatory disclaimer about GSBI on so many puzzles . . . "We know some of you are cheating". No one likes to have their integrity continually challenged. Those who intend to cheat will continue to do so, and will further their dishonesty by fabricating an explanation of how and where they got the answer. I don't really see how a "spot audit" will help to cut down on truly dishonorable responders. Maybe it will, I guess we should at least give it a try.
4. I agree that using photos that do not appear on the internet for puzzle car subjects is the ultimate deterrent to GSBI abuse . . . But that sincerely limits the amount of material available to draw puzzle cars from. Those of us with larger libraries of obscure photos have a definite advantage there. I have not yet posted a puzzle car (or very few, it's been so long I don't actually recall) because I participate as a moderator in enough other Automobile Quiz sites that my time is somewhat limited to "host" a quiz. I do enjoy searching at my leisure for the solution to the excellent puzzles our more senior members provide.
5. To my way of thinking, the search is at least half of the fun. Some of the memorable (and yes, not so memorable) vehicles I have discovered while hot on the trail of the latest puzzle car are true gems. To utilize GSBI is to rob yourself of that experience. I won't do it, and neither should you. I have no way of knowing exactly how much of a problem this is on the forum, although I would agree that some of the more difficult and obscure vehicles being quickly and accurately identified by a newer member may be somewhat suspicious. Perhaps that particular car was a pet passion of his . . Or not?
So proceed with "spot audits" if you must, I hope it helps. As I said, I am an anachronism. My word as a gentlemen should be enough.
But that's only true among gentlemen, isn't it? Play on, my friends. Don't let the dishonest few diminish our fun. Sorry for the lengthy rant. Perhaps I need a nap.
