New Registration Procedure

Post by **Lemming** » Mon 6th Nov 2006 03:11 pm

We now have over 1000 members but some are just spammers. In another attempt to reduce the amount of spam posts, I have enabled email confirmation. This means that, in order to join, new members must provide a valid email address. Unfortunately, new members can no longer be completely anonymous but you can hide your email address within the forum and I promise not to send you any junk mail or sell your email address to anyone else that might.

If you don’t know what a spammer is and are wondering if you might be one, don’t worry, the chances are that, if you’re reading this, you’re not a spammer. A spammer is someone that joins the forum solely to post an advert for an irrelevant product such as porn or Viagra.

All real people are still very welcome to join. Sorry if the process of doing so is a bit complicated but please do persevere with it. In case of problems just email me on lemming@coffeeshop.freeuk.com. If my mailbox is not also overflowing with spam, I’ll try to get back to you.

mazdog · Post by **mazdog** » Mon 6th Nov 2006 04:43 pm

Thank you lemming!!

For people who may be concerned with giving up their email, there are several anonymous email services out there, find one, get an acct. then use it here. You will be fine.

cheers to less spam!

AzLaker · Post by **AzLaker** » Mon 6th Nov 2006 08:18 pm

Very nice. Thanks Lemming.
AzLaker

Rez · Post by **Rez** » Mon 6th Nov 2006 09:09 pm

Good move lemming... should reduce the amount of unwanted spam...

cattales1960 · Post by **cattales1960** » Tue 7th Nov 2006 01:06 am

thanks lem!

axeman9 · Post by **axeman9** » Tue 7th Nov 2006 02:03 am

Buzzin man, Hail Lem!

Twitch · Post by **Twitch** » Tue 7th Nov 2006 01:32 pm

Great idea. Other forums I go to do that and it really helps cut down spam and trolls Good job, my man.

Post by **Lemming** » Wed 8th Nov 2006 05:29 pm

Well, that wasn’t particularly successful. Still got spammers but making it even more complicated for genuine people!

I think one of us (moderators or me) might have deleted a genuine post the other day as well in our enthusiasm to de-spam.

Rez · Post by **Rez** » Wed 8th Nov 2006 09:06 pm

I'm working on creating a "form" application for new members to VDF. Again, a spammer could join but the more effort involved the less likely they'll bother... *shrug*. It is a shame though as genuine members could too be put off from making the effort... maybe it all boils down to how much effort genuine members are prepared to put in and how much you wish to vet potential memberships... I say, make it harder and you'll end up with a better group of poeple ?

Peace

Lem, I'm sure you know it but there are plenty of good ppl here that are happy to help... we're behind you all the way man.

711 · Post by **711** » Thu 9th Nov 2006 01:32 am

In response to your comment on how many spam users we have, here is another phpbbmod:

http://phpbbhacks.com/download/346

It's a prune user mod, allows you to simultaneously delete all users with 0 posts at once (also those tho only logged in once/never logged in, etc... many options)

Post by **Lemming** » Thu 9th Nov 2006 01:48 am

Rezin_8_ed wrote: Lem, I'm sure you know it but there are plenty of good ppl here that are happy to help... we're behind you all the way man.

I do know that but thanks for saying.

711 wrote:here is another phpbbmod

Unfortunately I don’t have access to the server at the moment so can’t install hacks.

711 · Post by **711** » Thu 9th Nov 2006 06:29 am

=( ah well.

bb420 · Post by **bb420** » Thu 9th Nov 2006 08:56 pm

Lemming- Can we just hunt down and shoot the spammers for you?

Post by **Lemming** » Mon 13th Nov 2006 02:15 pm

bb420 wrote:Lemming- Can we just hunt down and shoot the spammers for you?

Please do!

In general, I’m against violence, the arms trade, capital punishment, etc. but for spammers, hanging drawing and quartering is too good!

bb420 · Post by **bb420** » Mon 27th Nov 2006 06:18 pm

Lemming wrote:
bb420 wrote:Lemming- Can we just hunt down and shoot the spammers for you?
Please do!

In general, I’m against violence, the arms trade, capital punishment, etc. but for spammers, hanging drawing and quartering is too good!

Lemming - If you thought it was bad before just take a look at this article.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/11 ... index.html