Thread:Hackey5/@comment-27369241-20160308014059/@comment-5645428-20160308084332

By definition, a sockpuppet refers to an account being operated by an existing user with the intention of not being identified as that said user. Reasons may include evading bans, which is why the practice is discouraged with the potential to face further penalties.

Granted, most sockpuppets seem to be handled by horrible puppeteers, who actually proceed to admit that the respective account is an alternate account.

Alternate accounts are as straightforward as they sound. Honestly, there are few good reasons why you should actually need one (evading bans, you say…?), so generally they are regarded negatively in the same light as if they were being used as sockpuppets, regardless of their supposed purpose.

And for the sheer sake of reducing confusion and misunderstanding, that is why I advise against using an alternate account, for any reason.