Kevin's Watch

Here's a topic that's bound to be contraversial. But due to a recent rash of untraceable trolls and spammers-should only registered members be allowed to post?

Yes I agree every once in a while a guest makes an outstanding post, and it's nice to be able to post during those rare moments where-for some reason or other-you can't log in. I know banning would make life much easier for moderators, and some are actively calling for it.

Of course it will be Jay's descision in the end-but the spammers (for one) are getting bolder and bolder and that's a real PITA-what are your thoughts? Elitist or practical?

Practical. Aside from the obvious end-of-all-spam-as-we-know-it, a “registered-only” rule would give the lurkers initiative to register. Way I see it, it's elitist not to register. What else could you be for not wanting to join the freaking greatest message board ever, eh? You're not going find another place like this, folks.

The spammers are definately an irritant. I get enough spam in my emails as it is...don't need more here...

I actually wonder if the spammer/s are a person/people who know the board. They always seem to hit the same threads. In my forum it is always the same poem...they always hit the universe's hottest babes in general science fiction...some other threads consistently as well.

Perhaps Jay and Vain could trace the spammer/s and ban that address rather than block all guests?

I think it's a good idea, I don't know what it would hurt. Maybe a few people won't join unless they can post a few times first and see what reaction it gets or they just don't like signing up for things, but if it will deter trolls that more then makes up for a few lost members.

I've always had it this way on my own discussion boards. Guests can read but not post or reply - that's restricted to registered users only. The registration process requires that they pick a username, and enter a valid email address. The system then generates a random password and emails it to them - that way you can be sure that the email address is valid. Then they can log in and change the password to whatever they want.

I did this because I had a lot of spam and attack problems with my old discussion board system (which was not database driven, and didn't have a login system). So when I went shopping for a new discussion board, it took me about two or three years to find one that did everything I wanted. Since then I had no problems whatsoever.

Also please consider an enhancement such that, if your logged in when you begin a post, but your not when you sumit the post (because you timed out), you get some sort of chance to log in, so that it doesn't end up posted under 'guest' or (if we change this) get thrown away entirely.

Yes the spammers seem to know the books at least: LFB Chapters 1 & 7 always seem to get 3 hits at a time in Dissecting. I am in favor of restriction. What's really elitist, imo, is some of these boards that you can only join through a member's reference and then they put you on a "probationary" period.

I am in favor of restricting posts to registered members only.

danlo wrote:What's really elitist, imo, is some of these boards that you can only join through a member's reference and then they put you on a "probationary" period.

Phwoa! They do that?!

Registering first is a common and time honored means to separate the wheat from the chaff. Let's do it.

I agree, we shouldn't give any opportunity to spammers. I'm all for "registered members only."

Actually...danlo...I'm way ahead of you...heh... I've already restricted posting to "members only", but it's only activated in a few, more popular forums. I think I currently have "members only" for TC and General, and maybe a couple others. I did this after the whole "Zeph" incident...

So yeah, I have no problem with limiting posting to people who register, especially in the more popular forums, which are greater targets of spam. I havn't seen the need to restrict every forum though, but if there is a forum you think I should restrict, let me know.-jay

Oh, and as always, if theres a spammer, please let me know with a PM or something. I can always IP ban them or restrict the forum they are spamming. But I don't think we've had any problems since Zeph.-jay

There have been a couple guest spams in Vespers. Nothing major, just deleted them. Next time I'll be sure to pass on the IP.

We always get spam in Dissecting, Gen SF/Fantasy, Vespers (Waymeet) and The Hall of Gifts (Collective)--in other words please restrict the entire board!

Yes, I have had to delete the spam from Hall of Gifts twice today. I have temporarily locked the topic the person/s always hit...if they hit another topic, I will get the ISP for you, High Lord.

212.47.27.186

Did a google search, and that IP appears to be involved in a lot of spam on a lot of message boards. I don't think it's a KW person, just somebody's script.

www.livejournal.com/community/infosec/22139.html

That's what I meant by untraceable, before, I tryed to track a couple-but it just got too confusing...

Member only posting is not eliteist, it's practical.

It would be elitest if you restricted members.

Everyone is welcome to register as a member and post.

Ok, we are now eliteist. Heh.

It took a little while to restrict every forum, and took a lot of button clicking, so let me know if there are any problems.-jay