We need the location of new members.....

[electra225]

This is the time of year we get infested with spambots. Bill and I will spend lots of time halting these pests from getting obnoxious posting porn and other inappropriate content. That said, effective immediately, all new members who post on the forum, FOR THE FIRST TIME, must include their location. We don't need an exact street address, just a general idea will be enough. "Southeastern Ohio" , something like that will be okay. If you want to include your city and state, so much the better. Posting your location would be a good idea for older members, but not a requirement, just asking. With the onslaught of spam this time of year, and with our "first three posts are moderator approved" rule in effect, we won't approve new members' first post without a location so we can head off the spammers. Thanks for your understanding and cooperation.

I deleted five spambots yesterday, and fully expect this number to rise each day for the next six weeks or so.

[electra225]

We may have had ten hits on this topic, total. I am getting tired of ridding the forum of the worthless spambots. We lost ten members from the roster this morning due to their bogus email addresses.

FROM THIS MOMENT FORWARD, EVERYONE POSTING ON THE FORUM FOR THE FIRST TIME (NEWLY REGISTERED MEMBERS, MEMBERS WHO HAVE NEVER POSTED) MUST INCLUDE THEIR LOCATION, CITY AND STATE. BY THEIR THIRD POST, THEY MUST POST AN AVATAR.

[stbasil]

Thank you and Bill for all your work on making this forum so "clean" and helpful! I'm all for any restrictions and roadblocks that contribute to the forum's quality, especially if it makes it easier for y'all to spot bad actors.

[William]

Last spambot season was unbelievable. If you take a look at the member list you can see just how bad. Name after name of people joining but never posting or if they did post it was either an advertisement or something bad. Greg's requirement will help us spot the bad guys more quickly. It would also be nice if all members, both new and old would provide their location. Think about it guys and then help us out please.

Bill

[maxidyne]

We have a blurb on the message board, in red letters. Spambots still try posting their garbage by not following the rules. Bottom feeders every one ....

[TC Chris]

I have been barraged recently by junk email in the form of ads for various unneeded products. Is this a seasonal phenomenon, or perhaps the result of a recent online purchase, a thumb drive with a program that locate saves all photos? I have not used the product yet, so it' not the thumb drive, but I suspect that the online vendor old off list of buyers. It started just after i ordered their product.

Chris Campbell

[electra225]

Spambots are seasonal. Happens this time of year every year.

[hermitcrab]

its sad how you guys have to police the forum all the time from outside intruders ... we all appreciate what you guys do to keep this thing going.

[electra225]

Our security procedures during "spambot season" make it hard on potential new members. It is absolutely vital that they follow ALL the rules concerning registration and posting. It is vital that they post a location, introduce themselves to the forum so we will know they are legit. It is unfortunate that there is a group of individuals who have nothing better to do with their time and considerable IT talents than to post garbage that messes up what someone else is trying hard to develop. I know I have potentially deleted a legitimate member or two who have had "weird" or suspicious email addresses. I deleted one that gave a location, but the email address didn't match the location. They gave a domestic location, but had a Russian email address. This is why we need introductions posted. The spambots are getting sneaky. We have our "three approved posts" rule that has saved our bacon more times than one, I can tell you that. Bill is all over this. He "disapproves" most of them, I delete their accounts. I have had two or three who have registered multiple times using the same username. It is important to us that we keep spambot garbage off the forum. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with this matter.