Hey folks
There’s been a big ramp up of spam coming into LSC, into places like chat, where you dont HAVE to have an account to log in. In the last 7+ years I havent enforced having an LSC account and logging in, but Im considering it. The other option is for me to continue to make the spam filter in there more and more Draconian. The downside of that is that non-logged in users may get their messages tossed from time to time.
Opinions?
Personally I think that everyone that uses any part of this site, beyond “read only” should be registered. I would also like to see registration require a little more information to show such as real name and location. If the IP address shows East coast and the location they give to register shows West coast, don’t accept it. Obviously, once registered that doesn’t have to hold true…we do have some here that tend to move around…
Another suggestion might be to restrict some features such as chat until a person has made 5 or so posts. That way we know they are modelers and not spammers here to cause trouble. It sucks to have to suggest these things, but what do you do when people seem to think we have to accept a$$holes.
I don’t mind signing in but I’ll have to remember the username and password! I think that’s your only solution.
Doug Arnold in California
Bob McCown said:
Hey folks There's been a big ramp up of spam coming into LSC, into places like chat, where you dont *HAVE* to have an account to log in. In the last 7+ years I havent enforced having an LSC account and logging in, but Im considering it. The other option is for me to continue to make the spam filter in there more and more Draconian. The downside of that is that non-logged in users may get their messages tossed from time to time.Opinions?
Its okay, I’ll buy the next round. Help yourself at your own frig. Drink what you bought.
Judging from a note I saw in the chat room this afternoon, Bob fixed the problem. Log in or hit the road. The window doesn’t work until you log in.
Yup. The increase in crap that gets filtered, and the code to take care of that, where instead I can just make people accountable for what they say, well, it was an easy decision.
Bob;
Why not make it manditory for people to properly fill in certain parts of their profile; for example; FULL NAME, and location in the World. Then an off list way of contacting them…as you know their email addy can be kept secret.
This might make most people think twice about crapping up the web site, and solve part of the problem.
Those that refuse to comply; well maybe they don’t need to be here…What have they to hide, and why would they bother joining a group like this if they are too worried about someone getting to know them ?
I dislike not being able to address a person properly by their proper first name.
I will not be bothered even acknowledging anyone that doesn’t care to fill in their profile. They may be insulted or find fault with my attitude, but they created their problem, not me.
Call me an old FART, or anything else you care to; but that is my final word.
That’s pretty much my feelings also. Though I will acknowledge them long enough to give them time to change their profile. I don’t have anything against handles…as long as I can click on their profile and see who they really are…and where.
Warren…exactly my feelings…thank you for agreeing…
The “Gentleman” in the General Discussion that posted the request about real large scale trains has nothing in his profile.
http://www.largescalecentral.com/LSCForums/viewtopic.php?id=7931
This has every possibility of being somebody fishing.
Bob, I would have no problem with limiting access to read only until a profile is approved or something like that. I like the site available and I’d like it to be as easy maintenance as possible for you. Can Spammers be prosecuted?
Actually there’s a few other things I’d like to do… I don’t think there is anything that can be done about them. I would say if they don’t have a confirmable email address or if they don’t have a properly filled out profile that they can’t use the site.
Doug Arnold said:Thats the way it is now when someone signs up (and has been for a while). The system sends you an email, and you have to respond to it to get a valid account.
Actually there's a few other things I'd like to do... I don't think there is anything that can be done about them. I would say if they don't have a confirmable email address or if they don't have a properly filled out profile that they can't use the site.
Good Bob. That should derail some of them!
Bob McCown said:Bob,Doug Arnold said:Thats the way it is now when someone signs up (and has been for a while). The system sends you an email, and you have to respond to it to get a valid account.
Actually there's a few other things I'd like to do... I don't think there is anything that can be done about them. I would say if they don't have a confirmable email address or if they don't have a properly filled out profile that they can't use the site.
Actually, it would still be possible for a spammer to provide a valid email and get registered. There are several websites that will provide you with a temporarily valid email address! Most of these are only valid for 1-6 hours or so. A way around this would be to build in a delay of 24-48 hours before sending your email asking for the applicant to respond.
Brian
Go with the delay. Tiday’s challenge – keeping ahead of spammers!