Seeking spam protection posibilities

[Joey P.]

Yup. We caught another spambot!
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=19662&p=145688#p145688

[Joey P.]

(oh wait, the original post has been deleted)

[Lafuente_Astronomy]

Yup. We caught another spambot!
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=19662&p=145688#p145688

He's actually not a spambot. He's an alternate science believer that tried to make a debate with us. He just chose the wrong forum to post.

[pirogronian]

If nobody has any objections, I'm soon going to ask Alexell to turn on following features, if possible:
1. add email verification
2. limit approval requests to 1 at once per user
3. add verification by question linked to Celestia or astronomy

[Anthony_B_Russo10]

That would work.

[SpaceFanatic64]

Maybe we can try deleting new user's accounts who have not made a single post in 5 months. What I mean is that if a new user registers but does not make any posts, the account will be deleted in 5 months. I'm doing this so we can cut down on the amount of new users with no posts. This rule should only apply to users with 0 posts.

[pirogronian]

Maybe we can try deleting new user's accounts who have not made a single post in 5 months

I agree, but meanwhile we should have some kind of official forum rules. For now I can only see Alexell's topic about registeration procedure...

[Lafuente_Astronomy]

Maybe we can try deleting new user's accounts who have not made a single post in 5 months. What I mean is that if a new user registers but does not make any posts, the account will be deleted in 5 months. I'm doing this so we can cut down on the amount of new users with no posts. This rule should only apply to users with 0 posts.

I never tried that before. I'll see if I can ban month-old accounts if they haven't posted yet.

Added after 4 minutes 37 seconds:
Actually, yes, I have the option to ban any accounts that have not posted anything yet. Yet we must settle on how long should an account not post anything before removing it. SpaceFanatic64 suggested 5 months but I suggest 30 days. For me, 5 months is a duration too long to allow, that's why I'm settling on 30 days. Any accounts that exceeded 30 days without posting anything ought to be banned and removed at once.

Anyone else have their suggestions?

[eldee]

Have you thought about users that just use the forum to follow Celestia related activities without posting much or not at all (like myself ) ? it's a bit harsh to ban them preventively

[pirogronian]

Any accounts that exceeded 30 days without posting anything ought to be banned and removed at once.

Again, I find your methods extremistic... I would be first one to be banned.

Have you thought about users that just use the forum to follow Celestia related activities without posting much or not at all (like myself ) ? it's a bit harsh to ban them preventively

There is so anormous number of inactive accouts that some of us are afraid there will be a problem to find free nick for new users
BTW Have You to register in order to follow this forum? I didnt know...

[Lafuente_Astronomy]

Have you thought about users that just use the forum to follow Celestia related activities without posting much or not at all (like myself ) ? it's a bit harsh to ban them preventively

Hello. Well, it may seem harsh but I think 30 days is all the time one needs to start any conversation. Besides, whether one views only for 30 days or 5 months and still does not post anything, it doesn't make a difference. Usually, persons who are interested in what this forum has tend to say their piece some time after registering.

And actually, all I need is just some few posts from you, provided you're an authentic member, and you'll be set tight. I'm saying the 30-day ban in reference to accounts that HAVEN'T posted anything at all for a long time. I, for one, say that you just need to be a good-intentioned person who joins the Celestia Community to interact with us. Otherwise, if you just want to see our latest news without doing anything, there's always being a guest.

Added after 57 seconds:

There is so anormous number of inactive accouts that some of us are afraid there will be a problem to find free nick for new users
BTW Have You to register in order to follow this forum? I didnt know...

Actually, I went in as guest, I can still follow through the news. It's just that you can't post anything. And if you click "Post Reply", it sends you to the registration page

[SpaceFanatic64]

I'm settling on 30 days

That sounds better than 5 months. I came up with this to stop the influx of users with 0 posts and no other signs of activity after registration.

[Lafuente_Astronomy]

That sounds better than 5 months. I came up with this to stop the influx of users with 0 posts and no other signs of activity after registration.

Exactly.

[pirogronian]

I'm saying the 30-day ban in reference to accounts that HAVEN'T posted anything at all for a long time. I, for one, say that you just need to be a good-intentioned person who joins the Celestia Community to interact with us.

Ok, this was for me, I guess And now I'm ok with it.

[Anthony_B_Russo10]

That 30 day limit would work, anyway I highly doubt most new users will ever post anything.

[Lafuente_Astronomy]

Well, it is settled then. Any "accounts" that haven't made a new post for 30 days will be banned starting soon. However, for genuine persons having made accounts and not making any posts for months like eldee(Until now), I think it would be best for them to make another accounts instead(And hopefully this time, post a few messages related to Celestia and its varying topics). For that, I'll be sorry in advance

[SpaceFanatic64]

Found another spambot here. viewtopic.php?f=23&t=19869&start=20 The user's location leads to a website unrelated to Celestia.

[Anthony_B_Russo10]

Yeah, a URL for a location does look like spam.

[fyr02]

Nah, he might just be affiliated with that company.
The fact that he has a profile picture and stated a reason for him to post seems like he is legitimate.

[Joey P.]

I don't think we should delete posts made around the 2000-2012 era by accounts which are now hugely inactive. After all, this spambot issue started just this year!