ElectroMaster

Okay guys, good news about the spam problem. I have added a modification to this site that should dramatically lower the spam. I wont mention the method because they (spammers) could be 'watching' :-) but rest assured I have listened to the comments and have good measures now in place.

Also I can probably do something about the 'Final year project' posts - I will talk more about this with the mods and I'm sure we can figure something out for this issue.

Mods check the Moderator Forum for the topic.

Thanks for all the comments.

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Marks256

Why does it have to be a "him", why can't it be a "her"? Hmm?

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dknguyen

Benefit-of-the-doubt sugar-treatment due to gene-encoded bias.

audioguru

I have seen women wrestlers and motorcycle riders. Sure there are women spammers.

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Uncle $crooge

HarveyH42

First, want to thank you for such a great website. I'm sure you can tell by all the activity, there are many here that appreciate your efforts as well.

The spam is a serious concern. There were a couple major attacks (PCB service in China, and the cell-phone salesman). Recently (today), there was a dating service post, and a day-cruise advertisement. Fortunately, this hasn't been a huge daily problem, but could easily overwelm the site. Hope your new changes works out for a while, but these spammers take such measures as a challenge. Too bad they don't treat spammers the same way they do with those who release viruses, both are disruptive and annoying.

Banning topics? I was only kidding about that. Some of those post really do turn around and find/start projects. Guess they just needed a little motivation. Besides, the members aren't forced to read/respond to every single post or thread. True, seems like many of these students are just fishing for a free-ride, but it wouldn't be right to shut out those that just need a little push in the right direction.

audioguru

HOORAY!
Thank you, ElectroMaster, for applying an anti-spammer measure to this great site.

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Uncle $crooge

Phasor

This is referred to as a 'CAPTCHA' - Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart.

More info at - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captcha

Hero999

Thanks for the info Phasor.

ElectroMaster,

I haven't seen any spam to day.

Nice one!

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HarveyH42

I replyed to a spam post in one of the threads (actually two) yestersay, and was bannished for 24 hours. Didn't know it was a crime, live and learn. Still looking through the new posts, but will have to remember to look through my site settings. Not sure about the second reason for bannishment, PM (see attatchment). I didn't go to any extremes to disable anything on this site, only messed with the settings once, when I started recieving copies of posts from threads I was active in, was flooding my mailbox.

Guess the PM think being disabled wasn't an issue in itself, or we wouldn't have the option to disable. Figure its on site email or messaging function, where I might have gotten a stern warning, instead on banned.

Hopefully, the new software works out, but know better than to reply in the future (slow learner...).

Attached Images

Banned.jpg (21.7 KB, 17 views)

Marks256

Banned for replying to spam? It wasn't anything offensive, was it? Also, disabling your PM is a user right, or, like you said, we wouldn't have the option!

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audioguru

I would like to disable my PMs so I don't get all those begging students wanting me to design a final year project for them.
Now, I have 4 unread PMs.

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Uncle $crooge

HarveyH42

Actually, the spam post were inside other threads, since new users aren't able to start their own. Politely mentioned that spam wasn't allowed, maybe a little sarcastic. I would have figured my opinions about the illegal-treasure-hunter, or the royal-gadget-guy would have gotten me in trouble. Maybe a contributing factor... Surprised that there weren't any new posts in those threads in my 24 hour absence. Guess I was the agitator. Kind of wanted that guy to give more information about his recently-started company. Something about that really sent up the caution flags in my head, but not enough information to work with.

Anyway, went and turned on the private messages. I was relieved to fined that it was e-mail, and not instant messages (totally annoying).

Nigel Goodwin

By replying to spam you're giving me twice as many posts to delete, I would have PM'd you about it - but you had PM disabled. So I contacted you by a minimum ban (24 hours) which gets the message to you.

It's important that you enable PM, and read them!.

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Nigel Goodwin

Yes, it's a user right - but if I need to contact you and can't by PM, you will be 'contacted' by a ban!.

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HarveyH42

A public message would have been a better choice, a notice to all that it creates more work for you. With any luck, it will be a while before the spammers find a way to get around the new software. It kind of looks like these people are getting a little desperate, to invade forums to mass advertise. I'm sure it will eventually be made illegal.
You do a great job as moderator, do what you have to do keep it clean.