weeding out spammers

[kpkube]

Hello,
Does a $2 donation or member recommendation sound like something that calguns might want to look into to weed out spammers?

Here is something from another site that had allot of problems with spammers.

00: First Stop New Users - Gaining Access To Post / User Validation Process
Due to ongoing issues with trolls, spammers, thieves, and other undesirables, we have changed the process for allowing new users onto the forums.

For about 6 weeks now, all new signups have required either (1) a $2+ paypal donation to the International Arcade Museum Library, Inc. (tax deductible), or (2) simply the recommendation of an existing forum member.

(1) It's easy for trolls and spammers to create infinite free anonymous email addresses, it's a tad bit harder to be anonymous when you have to have a PayPal account.

(2) We've had several new members who asked an existing member to vouch for them and overall this process has gone smoothly (the existing member has had to PM/email me). We just made it simpler today though.

Now, from the VAPS menu, there is a link logged in VAPS members see called 'Forum Upgrades', with which a VAPS member can approve any new forum member after that user has created a forum name and logged onto the forum at least once...

Until a new forum member has been validated, they can only post in a special forum area and then their posts are only seen by mods and admins.

The processes here I'm sure will continue to evolve and improve over time. Today is a small step in the right direction.

[ziconceo]

I think it's a great idea. Pretty much foolproof IMO

Sent from my 0PJA2 using Tapatalk

[kpkube]

What do the moderators think about this???

[DennisCA]

WWMD (What would the Moderator Do)?


Sound like a great idea!

[Garv]

^^^^
A better idea than many.

For us Luddites and geezers who not not use Paypal:

Paid Membership 6 months minimum to CG.
A token donation of a buck or two even, usable towards a later membership.
Check, MO, CC, ammo, whatever.

Many of us are not known personally by other members due to our secretive nature and boating accidents, but one member vouching for another would also be good.

(Thanks for reminding me, my membership renewal is due soon.)


Edit:
I am pretty sure Mgmt. wants to keep the site free, but you never know.

MGMT:
What about giving some rubber mallet level power to trusted members to dump spammers immediately into "limbo", removing the thread and blocking the author until the author is banned (or accepted if someone goofs) by a Mod. with a real banhammer?
Several of us love to report these guys, kinda like being an Ace pilot to see who gets credit for the "kill".

[onelonehorseman]

I think this idea has merit!

[LeadFarmer74]

We could just limit who has access to what forums... Like <5 posts can only enter the welcome forum.

[Ugly Hombre]

Leftist spammer trolls don't seem to last long here- they seem to get a cyber *** whomping most ricky tic.

They are usually transparently stupid and funny.

But a bit tedious.

[antiseen]

There are probably better ways to knock out spammers without resorting to putting up a paywall.

Mandatory post limit to start a new thread. Perhaps implement a captcha system for users with less than, say, 25 posts? If those two things could be implemented it would go a long way. I'll admit, I don't know how the forum software works so I've no idea how easy or feasible that would be. I'm sure if it were that easy it would have already been done.

They all have their drawbacks, though. Just blocking thread starting for under X amount of posts will just make them spam in random threads which may be harder to spot.

[littlejake]

Spammers usually are one hit wonders. They create an account and post totally unrelated commercial links.

I suggest new members no be able to post a link until they reach some post limit.
I'm sure the Admin has access to IP versus user name. Give moderators access to IP info.
Lookup questionable new members at http://www.stopforumspam.com/
And, of course, have mods drop the ban hammer on spammers.
Ban by username, IP and email address.

[Dano3467]

Sounds good, also 10 day wait to log on

[littlejake]

^^^^
MGMT:
What about giving some rubber mallet level power to trusted members to dump spammers immediately into "limbo", removing the thread and blocking the author until the author is banned (or accepted if someone goofs) by a Mod. with a real banhammer?
Several of us love to report these guys, kinda like being an Ace pilot to see who gets credit for the "kill".

Some forums have moderators and a lower level they call monitors.
Monitors are selected from trusted members.
They have warning and ban powers.

Might work here... And take some load off the Admin and Moderators.

[CSACANNONEER]

I like it. A $2 donation to FPC, SAF, CRPA, NRA, etc. would not appear to be a money grab like a donation to CGF or CGSSA would appear to be to a new, non informed person wanting to join this forum.

Dano,
The 10 day wait should be to post for sale items but, not to just log on, right?

[The War Wagon]

How 'bout a FREE membership, for those of us who have captured OVER a hundred spammers? Lord knows I've caught at LEAST that many!

[Mac Attack]

Good idea.