New Spam Protection: A Sad Day For Guests

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 8:29 pm

wahooker wrote:Perhaps you could just require a prescription and a permission slip from everyone's DME before each person makes a post.

ROTFL!! Good one, wahooker!

unclebob · Post by **unclebob** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 10:29 pm

Hi Johnny,

Have been following this forum for almost two years now and registered in Jan 05. I really am not sure what I would have done without it in terms of information, genuine concern and encouragement - not just from other participants but from your corporate site as well.

Your approach to handling this forum has been nothing short of outstanding and you really should get wider recognition for this. After my initial breaking in period and gaining a better understanding of what all is involved with this sort of treatment, I tried to think of a sure fire quick fix method to accommodate newbies as I once was.

There is no quick fix. It all boils down to knowledge, perseverance, acceptance and it all takes time. I am sure some give up on the treatment due to lack of understanding and support. Your forum provides the tools to help many succeed. My concern has always been to maintain an avenue of easy access for newcomers to gain this support. You have given us this.

The selfish and unsophisticated acts of spammers have interfered with your attempt to promote health and well being for people afflicted with a serious health concern. It is clear they have no concern for others, be it strangers or members of their own family.

I applaud you for the one step at a time action being taken. The balance between assisting the existing community while leaving the door open as wide as possible for newcomers is delicate.

Thanks so much for making this forum possible.

Bob F

Ric · Post by **Ric** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 11:33 pm

unclebob wrote:I applaud you for the one step at a time action being taken. The balance between assisting the existing community while leaving the door open as wide as possible for newcomers is delicate.

Thanks so much for making this forum possible.

Bob F

Dear Uncle,

I have read and re-read your post, scanning for your usual punchline. Couldn't find it. I know you are completely sincere, and I agree with everything you said. Brings a tear to my eye !

-Ric

sleepyinsunnyvale · Post by **sleepyinsunnyvale** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 7:04 am

Spam seems to be noticably absent in this mornings collection of posts. Either the spam busters were working overtime during the night or the latest Admin measures are working. I vote for the latter. Also see several Guest posts so it doesn't seem to be limiting legit guest posters.

As with Microsoft's monthly security patches, this forum and other like it will need to continuously improve the antispam/antiphishing tactics as the perpertrators get more clever and find ways around the blocks. However, we are off to a great start with this first step.

Thanks for the effort

Ric · Post by **Ric** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 8:05 am

sleepyinsunnyvale wrote:...the perpertrators get more clever and find ways around the blocks. However, we are off to a great start with this first step. Thanks for the effort

I worry (well only sort of) about the memberlist. Those ARE after all, "registered members", they can post anything. At least once. And there are a lot of them. Unless of course they all map to a single (blocked?) IP address. Wouldn't surprise me. Nevertheless, the memberlist is in itself a giant billboard for spammers. Is that the "last frontier" for spam? Maybe so, maybe not. I guess I never have to go there and look at it. I guess I'll stop worrying.

I second your "Thanks for the effort" .

-Ric

sleepyinsunnyvale · Post by **sleepyinsunnyvale** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 8:14 am

I liken this to the "do not call list". Is it 100% effective? No. But at least the dinner interruptions are now rare occurences.
One step at a time.
As long as spammers operate in anonymity they will continue to find new ways to annoy just for the challenge.

Ric · Post by **Ric** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 8:27 am

I doubt if many spammers are driven by the "urge to annoy". Most probably can barely read or write, and don't check for replies to their rubbish. It is (was) driven (as usual) by money, it's a pay-per-click enterprise. They don't (didn't) participate in the intellectual content of the forum.

The anonymous DMEs on the other hand will still hang out here and try to subvert the freedom of information that circulates on this forum. So be it, they are easy to spot.

-Ric

yardbird · Post by **yardbird** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 9:02 am

Johnny-

I applaude your decision and implementation strategy. This site has been ....and remains ... such a huge help to me. My offer of assistance made previously stands. If you need a hand with anything and if I can help, you need only ask.

linda b · Post by **linda b** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 12:31 pm

Way to go, Johnny!!!!! Thank you so much for your thoughtful approach to the spam problem. I applaud your efforts to make spamming much more difficult while still keeping the posting process relatively easy for newcomers.

Amigo · Post by **Amigo** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 3:29 pm

Thank you, Johnny, for your thoughtful and measured approach to a very difficult problem.

I am in full agreement that while reducing the amount of SPAM here, we should do everything possible to maintain ease and transparency for our Guests.

A troublesome balance, but one which you are obviously trying to maintain. It's just another reason why this site is so outstanding.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 3:43 pm

Johnny,

Add my sincere thanks to the accolades.

You have made a very wise and 'Solomon' like decision. It will certainly weed out the 'spam' spammers vs any possible deliberate attempt to disrupt your site and your efforts with nuisance spam.

I was impressed with Snoredog's efforts to track through the trail & pinpoint a source. That is no easy task. Spammers have many tactics for hiding their trails. Interesting too that the names and registration details may be bogus.

The spam was getting quite out of hand.

Cheers

DSM

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 4:07 pm

wahooker wrote:Perhaps you could just require a prescription and a permission slip from everyone's DME before each person makes a post.

LOL! ...Did the folks at ResMed give you that idea?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 5:10 pm

It is with mixed feelings that I say goodbye to Spam. What will I do now that something as quick and mindless as deleting spam is no longer an option? What will I do when insomnia strikes and there's no more spam to delete in the middle of the night? How will I occupy my time when I'm on the phone listening to Aunt Winnie babble about the not-quite-right shade of her new curtains? What will I do while I'm waiting for the dryer to go off, or my reports to print, or the oven to pre-heat? More importantly, what will I complain about now?

This is going to take some getting used to; quitting cold turkey has not been easy. I'm already experiencing withdrawal. Just this morning I sat here with my finger poised over the delete spam button, trembling in anticipation... but, alas. There was nothing to delete. Nada. Zilch. Zip.

Sigh… this is a very depressing development for all the zealous spam-killers out there....

On the other hand, here I am, signed out and still able to make a post. Imagine that! A message board that not only allows guest posting, but fights for maintaining such a privilege. Johnny, we owe it all to you. You’ve made this forum accessible since its inception and continue to do so. You are the champion of visitors to this forum who, for whatever reason, choose to be guests. Well done!

brasshopper · Post by **brasshopper** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 5:52 pm

As long as people can post from handles and their e-mail addresses are not exposed, I don't see guest posting is that important. It is your forum and it is well run. I'm glad that you have done something to stop spamming, I have to admit that the spam started bothering me enough that I stopped reading here as regularly as I was.

Offerocker · Post by **Offerocker** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 8:59 pm

tomjax wrote:...The only suggestion I have is an offer of help for those guests who are computer challenged.

Perhaps an auto reply offering simple instructions and giving assurances that their privacy is assured by using a screen name and a way to hide their e-mail...

You've provided a thoughtful, considerate suggestion, Tom

New Spam Protection: A Sad Day For Guests

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