Something must be done

[Kestryll]

Yes we do, no system is absolute or perfect.

The mod I installed stops, or at least diminishes, computerized bots not all spam.
Some comes from a program but some is done by workers in places like Bangladesh and that is harder to fight.

In the less than 24 hours since I installed the blocker it has rejected over 300 attempted bot registrations. While we still have spam it is helping.

I'm looking at other options as well including upgrading the entire forum to vBulletin 4 which has better anti-spam features.

[Ocguy31]

First thread creation needing to be approved by a mod, or being limited to a "New members" sub-forum, seems to be a common strategy.

I don't it as De-Leon-esque or Feinstien-esque at all. I see it more like checking ID at your private range for a first time/unknown patron.

[PopPop]

Im new but long time lurker.

Maybe have a stricter registration form. lol

Like click on images to know you're not a bot?

[ocabj]

Requiring multi-factor authentication would be a good solution.

[ShotzOn]

They don't bother me, hold your curser over the thread, the spam appears, mods delete.

Whats the problem?

[Cokebottle]

They don't bother me, hold your curser over the thread, the spam appears, mods delete.

Whats the problem?

For those of us who read the forum by searching for new posts, it stuffs the front page with useless threads... and they remain there because we bump them when they are reported so others know not to bother reporting them again.
This pushes valid threads off the bottom of the stack so they are missed, since the "new posts" search is not unlimited.

The thread titles are not always obvious... if you look above, one dirtbag trolled using the RIP Calgunners thread title. Not cool.

[gcvt]

^ 23 spam threads in the Welcome forum right now.

Make that 29. Been at it for over an hour now.

[Marauder2003]

I reported 20+ a few hours ago.

Indirectly the mods are being spammed.

[gcvt]

I report as many as I can, but it's getting hard to spend the time doing it.

[-hanko]

Where are moderators??

[Marauder2003]

Where are moderators??

They are around. The reported messages do disappear.