New Spam Protection: A Sad Day For Guests

Be VERY glad our admin is understanding. If any of you have used Health Forums...a very good grouping of a lots of problems, but NO emails, do not even say you wish you could email someone. You could lose your posting privileges.

I will probably never understand why they do not allow people to email each other. One of the huge benefits to these forums is the sharing of ideas, some of which might be an embarrassing ailment that you don't want to post for the whole world to see. I love to see interaction, we all learn.

thanks Johnny

I've not read through all of the replies, so perhaps this has already been said, but...

One problem that comes up for guests (and I know, because I keep forgetting to log in before posting) is that any time you use an auto-linked keyword in your post (which includes some of the most commonly used words in posts here), the auto-link comes up as a link and refuses to allow the guest to post.

I don't know if there's any way to only have the code refuse non-auto-link stuff (or turn off auto-link by default for guest posters), but otherwise we're probably going to scare away most of the guests.

FYI.

Liam, always trying to be helpful.

forumadmin wrote:Greetings,

Late this afternoon we will launch an update to our software that will disallow Guest posts containing links. This is a short term fix to stop the spammers.

Long term, we will be adding in an additional image protection for guests posting links. This will let legit guests post links but not spammers.

This policy increases the chances that guests who have OSA and are not too familiar with online boards give up before posting and are unable to get the help they seek. That really bothers me.

Your time spent thinking this through reveals a lot about you, Johnny; and that's why you are successful, both at cpap.com and cpaptalk.com. Not only did you think outside the 'box', but sideways, and with short-and long-term goals and affects, for all concened - not an easy task.

I need to comment on your being bothered by losing 'guest' postings.
This is by far the EASIEST Forum in which to register! And the least invasive of personal data required.

Guests can lurk, read, get educated, then begin to post questions. When they are comfortable, or the need arises for them to register, then I would guess that most of them do. Initially, it's to get a 'feel' for the place, and find out if it is for them. It is very easy to setup a profile - Thank You!.

Also, if someone has trouble setting up a profile as you feared, I doubt they would know how to include a link! So don't worry. There haven't been any posts from either guests or members complaining about how difficult it is to setup a profile, initiate a topic, or post a reply (that I am aware). I don't think that is a factor, but I for one respect your concern about the possibility of 'losing someone'. Keep in mind that we are a persistent group of people who have searched high and low to find what this forum provides.

Forumadmin wrote: am fully aware that there are tools available that can prevent a majority of spam in one fell swoop. Although it has been implied otherwise, I'm not rejecting this approach due to the messenger but instead due to the content of the idea. The spammers will not succeed in restricting the freedoms of this board nor its ease of use.

We're not dealing with terrorists here. When one gets through, people don't die - its just annoying. Therefore, I will continue to ratchet up spam defenses one step at a time instead of "dropping the bomb" or "building the wall" and making cpaptalk harder to join and use.

Civil suggestions welcome. Mean spirited stuff most unwelcome.

Johnny

Your 'one step at a time' practice is the only way to successfully judge each tweaking of security, and at the same time giving us members and legit guests respect. Your intuitiveness is an asset to all involved.
Thank you for all of the time you've taken to address this issue, and the thoughtful manner in which you are implementing your choices.
So, how in the world do you get so many other things accomplished as well?!

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): cpap.com

Liam1965 wrote:......(and I know, because I keep forgetting to log in before posting)

Liam, please excuse the severe 'editing'...I wanted to reply to the above statement.

I 'auto logon' by placing a check in the box that says something like "Remember Me", very near the logon info. By doing that, I only need to logon after I get the 'Malware' screen, which is unusual. It sure saves me a lot of headaches and time. Of course, by not using your password regularly, it can lead to the possibility of forgetting it. .

Offerrocker,

The Automatically Log Me In option worked for me for a while, but then stopped working. I don't know if it was one of the updates to the software on this forum, or a Microsoft security update that changed this for me. I am on other message boards where I do stay logged in, but they use different software.

In any case, for some of us, we do have to log in every time we visit.

mousetater

Mousetater:

Wow, I'm surprised to hear that.
Thanks for letting me know. I will most likely be my turn tomorrow...
Now I know why it's happening more than I expected, especially since we ARE above-average in intelligence! .

Johnny,

A lot has already been said, but for me you are a personal hero. Not only in how you strive to make this board so accessible, but in how you conduct your business. Your concern for open access is just another demonstration of how you care for all of us Hose Heads.

Thank you.