Enemies at the Gate

Rules, Regulations, Announcements, Technical Issues, Etc.
User avatar
stuifzand
Archer
Posts: 369
Joined: Mon Sep 15, 2003 11:09 am
Location: Kingdom of The Netherlands
Contact:

Post by stuifzand »

Dunechaser wrote:I never see, ahem, problematic posts from spammers during the day, but sometimes on the weekend I'm on C-C in the middle of the night, and I've some pretty nasty stuff (I assume from the URL) get linked not only from profile pages (which I don't pay much attention to) but from replies to random topics.

I realize we all have lives and admins can't be on 24/7, but this is indeed a problem...
That would be daytime in Europe ;)
So, I see those posts more often.
Maybe the admins could activate the accounts by themselves so these spammers can be kept out of the forums. I do that with my boards, and it helps a lot. It's more work though...
If you're a Dutch legofan, visit [url=http://www.lowlug.nl]Lowlug[/url]!
User avatar
RichardAM
Merchant
Posts: 1257
Joined: Sat Mar 11, 2006 4:23 pm
Contact:

Post by RichardAM »

Darkie wrote:The problem is they (or anyone) can't control who registers and who doesn't. The Admins do their best, though. :)
I'm not sure if it's integrated into phpbb code or not, but actually, there is.

As pretty loose examples, when you register for a hotmail account or try to post a comment on a blogger site you're asked to enter a random numerical value. What this does to the site is confirm that you are "real" and not a machine intent on spam and disruption. It's my understanding that while these spambots can post a hundred random (naughty) links, they simply can't work a string of simple letters and numbers.

Again, I don't know if this setting is available or not to this make of board or not, but I have seen it in place in other forums. Banning and deleting posts is a short-term solution and a manual one at that, but with the correct tools this wouldn't be needed, because there would be no breach of security in the first place.
User avatar
architect
Baron von Ellermann
Posts: 3708
Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2003 5:10 pm
Location: Saint Louis, MO USA
Contact:

Post by architect »

RichardAM wrote:
Darkie wrote:The problem is they (or anyone) can't control who registers and who doesn't. The Admins do their best, though. :)
I'm not sure if it's integrated into phpbb code or not, but actually, there is.

As pretty loose examples, when you register for a hotmail account or try to post a comment on a blogger site you're asked to enter a random numerical value. What this does to the site is confirm that you are "real" and not a machine intent on spam and disruption. It's my understanding that while these spambots can post a hundred random (naughty) links, they simply can't work a string of simple letters and numbers.

Again, I don't know if this setting is available or not to this make of board or not, but I have seen it in place in other forums. Banning and deleting posts is a short-term solution and a manual one at that, but with the correct tools this wouldn't be needed, because there would be no breach of security in the first place.
The problem with numeric entry is that someone hired in India or Pakistan to spam websites can still do all of this manually. Personally, I think that approving each and every new member would kill our forums. Many people who joined here did so because it was easy. Adding more difficulty to the registration process may be a partial solution, but spammers will always find a way around this.

Ben
User avatar
Maedhros
Knight Templar
Knight Templar
Posts: 1885
Joined: Mon Jul 18, 2005 8:22 pm
Location: The dark forests of Sweden
Contact:

Post by Maedhros »

stuifzand wrote:
Dunechaser wrote:I never see, ahem, problematic posts from spammers during the day, but sometimes on the weekend I'm on C-C in [(you)]the middle of the night[/(you)], and I've some pretty nasty stuff (I assume from the URL) get linked not only from profile pages (which I don't pay much attention to) but from replies to random topics.

I realize we all have lives and admins can't be on 24/7, but this is indeed a problem...
That would be daytime in Europe ;)
So, I see those posts more often.
Hmm.. what about promoting a European Mod or two to stay vigilant when the Americans are asleep? (No, I´m not asking for it) Since that is the most problematic time of the day I thought it might help...
"Hinc satis elucet maiorem habere uim ad discenda ista liberam curiositatem quam meticulosam necessitatem.”
- Augustinus Hipponensis
User avatar
Scnicker
Landlord
Posts: 978
Joined: Wed Oct 06, 2004 7:38 pm
Location: Istanbul - Turkey

Post by Scnicker »

Maedhros has a good point there, but is there any need for more MODs? :)
The site seems to be doing fine I think.
User avatar
Dunechaser
Councilor
Posts: 1139
Joined: Fri Sep 10, 2004 11:11 pm
Location: The United States of Seattle
Contact:

Post by Dunechaser »

Maedhros wrote:Hmm.. what about promoting a European Mod or two to stay vigilant when the Americans are asleep? (No, I´m not asking for it) Since that is the most problematic time of the day I thought it might help...
Indeed. That's precisely what I was suggesting, in my (apparently very) indirect way. :)
-Andrew B.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/dunechaser/]Flickr[/url] | [url=http://www.brothers-brick.com/]The Brothers Brick[/url]
User avatar
kelderic
Knight Bannerett
Posts: 2583
Joined: Mon May 01, 2006 8:45 pm
Location: Indiana, USA
Contact:

Post by kelderic »

Scnicker wrote:Maedhros has a good point there, but is there any need for more MODs? :)
I think he means promoting a mod to an admin, which would decrease, rather than increase the number of mods.

Kelderic
Battling with college to try and prevent the dark age.
User avatar
architect
Baron von Ellermann
Posts: 3708
Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2003 5:10 pm
Location: Saint Louis, MO USA
Contact:

Post by architect »

kelderic wrote:
Scnicker wrote:Maedhros has a good point there, but is there any need for more MODs? :)
I think he means promoting a mod to an admin, which would decrease, rather than increase the number of mods.

Kelderic
No, I think you are wrong. Moderation is a fine balance between preventing spammers/trolls and putting the whole site in lock down mode like our Star Wars friends. Too many moderators can be worse than too few. CC is very lucky to have great moderators and we appreciate them a lot. Thanks guys :)

Every role at CC is filled by someone who is good at their specific task. That is why each admin has their own role(s) just like mods do. Newer admins have been chosen to fill spots left by admins who weren't able to contribute their time and skills for their area.

Ben
CC Sets Admin
User avatar
Maedhros
Knight Templar
Knight Templar
Posts: 1885
Joined: Mon Jul 18, 2005 8:22 pm
Location: The dark forests of Sweden
Contact:

Post by Maedhros »

kelderic wrote:
Scnicker wrote:Maedhros has a good point there, but is there any need for more MODs? :)
I think he means promoting a mod to an admin, which would decrease, rather than increase the number of mods.

Kelderic
Nope, I meant promoting a European member to a mod... I know there are quite a lot already but since no one as far as I know lives on this side of the pond I think it could prove useful..
"Hinc satis elucet maiorem habere uim ad discenda ista liberam curiositatem quam meticulosam necessitatem.”
- Augustinus Hipponensis
User avatar
architect
Baron von Ellermann
Posts: 3708
Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2003 5:10 pm
Location: Saint Louis, MO USA
Contact:

Post by architect »

Maedhros wrote:I meant promoting a European member to a mod... I know there are quite a lot already but since no one as far as I know lives on this side of the pond I think it could prove useful..
This may not be a bad idea. The admins will have to discuss it.

Ben
CC Sets Admin
User avatar
Athos
Councilor of the Realm
Posts: 4262
Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2004 4:33 am
Location: Nevada
Contact:

Post by Athos »

architect wrote:
Maedhros wrote:I meant promoting a European member to a mod... I know there are quite a lot already but since no one as far as I know lives on this side of the pond I think it could prove useful..
This may not be a bad idea. The admins will have to discuss it.
Perhaps one of the current moderators could simply move to Europe? :D

Steve
[url=http://www.johnny-thunder.blogspot.com/]Travel with Johnny Thunder![/url]
User avatar
wunztwice
Knight Bannerett
Posts: 2656
Joined: Tue Nov 29, 2005 5:33 pm
Location: Eastern Oregon
Contact:

Post by wunztwice »

Athos wrote:Perhaps one of the current moderators could simply move to Europe? :D
I've decided to give up school, take on the role of a CC MOD and move to Europe (as long as the plane ticket is paid for...) :wink:

But seriously, I've noticed some BAD links posted late at night here, and just for the sake of the younger 'uns in the crowd (and the dignity of the older ones :D ) I'd like to voice my support to the current MODs/Admins, say thanks, and hope that something further can be done towards a solution allowing still "easy" access while keeping security a major concern.
in His grip, Chris

Feed my hobby? [url=http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=wunztwice]My Bricklink[/url]

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/wunztwice]My Flickr![/url]
[url=http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/wunztwice/]My Brickshelf![/url](not updated...)
<><
User avatar
Sir Kohran
Sheriff
Posts: 1568
Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2004 7:24 am

Post by Sir Kohran »

Athos wrote:
architect wrote:
Maedhros wrote:I meant promoting a European member to a mod... I know there are quite a lot already but since no one as far as I know lives on this side of the pond I think it could prove useful..
This may not be a bad idea. The admins will have to discuss it.
Perhaps one of the current moderators could simply move to Europe? :D

Steve
Nah, it's be far too cold over here. :wink:


Now, I agree that spamming at times opposing those when the American admins/mods can stop it is a real problem. However, is it really that bad? There aren't many spam topics/posts and they're always deleted. Surely we're taking this just a bit too seriously?

- Matt
User avatar
Scnicker
Landlord
Posts: 978
Joined: Wed Oct 06, 2004 7:38 pm
Location: Istanbul - Turkey

Post by Scnicker »

Better choose someone who's online most of the time ;).
Kohran, you're not seeing that many links because the MODs and Admins are working pretty hard keeping the forum clean ;).
User avatar
The Blue Knight
Merchant
Posts: 1362
Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 3:28 am
Location: Yamhill Country
Contact:

Post by The Blue Knight »

By some chance I haven't seen these "spammers." Maybe its a function of when I post/browse and the vigilance of our outstanding Administration and Moderation team. So indulge a non-technophile a moment for an explanation.

What do the spammers do? Is it merely profanity-laced tirades, and other such disruptive behavior intermixed with the legitimate posts? Are people getting spammed on the personal emails and websites? Is that where the "spambot" business comes into play with diabolical Asian programmers? Personally I much prefer the Fembots from the "Six Million Dollar Man." Anyone remember that? :wink: Could these spammers be trying to disable or otherwise "hack" our site here just to be stinkers?

Maybe I have been lucky? I don't seem to get spammed via my CC.C account--or maybe I do. How would I know, given that I am not a computer savvy person?

When I do see a rude or insulting post, I have addressed the do-badder armed with truth, logic, patience, and reason. I have yet to lose such an encounter. I agree that you folks do yeoman's work. I appreciate it even more because I haven't the foggiest notion how you do it, and in this case what you do.

Tony--You deleted 40-50 of the spammers recently!? I had no idea it was such a problem.

Richard
Men who lie, merely hide the truth; but men who tell half-lies, have forgotten where they put it--Samuel Clemens
Post Reply