User verification?

[Chairboy]

Based on the recent influx of spam, might I suggest activating user verification for the forums?  I can't recall if the process had a captcha or not, but it might cut down on the unwelcome spam noise.

[Waiter]

I thought we went through this a couple months ago and the administrator turned on "registration".  

If so, it may be that the SPAMers got smart enough to automatically register.

If this is so, then its time for the captcha. (The registration process were the person regestering needs to enter the letters/numbers they see in photo)

I'm not sure this software supports captcha, thats a good question for the administrators?

Waiter

[NWade]

I'm fairly certain phpBB supports that; but this may be an older version of the system - since the copyright at the bottom of the page is 2002...

I don't want to step on any toes; but I've got 10 years' experience in web-programming - so if the EZ Squadron folks want a hand with any technology stuff, I'd be more than happy to lend a hand!

Take care,

--Noel
P.S.  Here's a decent captcha mod for this BB software:  
http://www.phpbb.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=382890&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=captcha&start=0

[LongEZDriver]

I don't know anything about how to run a bulletin board like this, but my friend, who does, says he can block out undesirable users.  Of course, they can register again using another name/ login id.
Maybe we should set up some kind of verification access/ recommendation from a current member before they can post.  
I agree, for somebody doing this as a service to all of us to have to take the extra time to work through this is a pain in the neck, and I thank you in advance for all of us.
Regards
Harry Thomas
LE 104EZ, Chino - CNO

[Bruce Hughes]

Clearly it is time to SEVERELY restrict access to this website.  

ANY new participants should be required to give a legitimate address,
telephone number, aircraft registration (exceptions could be made it
you don't have an aircraft but you would have to provide recommendations
from existing members).  

I would expect the registration process to include approval by a 3
member screening committee or some such.

We really should get serious about excluding the spam.

Garbage that is put on the site should be immediate removed.

Don't we have a moderator?    I spend most of my available time on
Yahoogroups which does have a moderator.     Yahoogroups does
not get this garbage.
 
Bruce Hughes

[Chairboy]

....or just activate the captcha.  It's available in the newer versions of phpBBS, and it's the thing that makes ya type in a sequence of letters during registration that are hard for a machine to read.  Not a 100%, but probably better than the recent spamming.

What's weird to me is how sudden the spam started.  Unless I've been missing it in the past because of an aggressive moderator, it seems like there's just been a sudden wave of spam posts coming out of nowhere.

[NWade]

Ben -

It was bad for awhile, then the Admin got aggressive about deleting it out and that seemed to discourage things for a little while; but its back and worse than ever...

Is anyone in contact with the admin/moderator??

I'm serious when I say that I'm totally willing to take this task on...  I know php and can handle the default captcha or a "strong" captcha mod like the one I posted about.

Take care,

--Noel

[Radioflyer]

I just want to chime in and say that I also think something should be done. I don't want to see this nice forum being cheapened. I too was surprised by how suddenly this spam started coming in and was wondering why it was not being removed. The admin is a good guy to give us all this site and I'm sure something will be done.  Meanwhile, I'll just ignore topics that are too general or irrelevant...not even giving the spammer the victory of a view. Those of us who care about these planes know how to author a meaningful topic sentence.

[admin]

See what happens when I turn my back... those spammers are
like little kids.

Sorry guys, I delete spam almost everyday, I was out of pocket this
weekend and it looks like it got a little out of control.

The board is setup for registration but the spammers have gotten
tools that auto-register. Unfortunately we have not had the time to
move the site from where Jerry had it hosted to our own server where
we have complete control.  We cannot do any type of phpBB image
registration verification or any other mods at the current host. The site
is currently on 3 different servers and my plans are to combine all three
to one of our servers which has essentially unlimited bandwidth and disk
space.

I'm looking for a first flight of my Long-EZ in the next three or four months after four looooong years.
I hope everyone understands that most of my free time is focused on
getting the Long-EZ done. I will have much more free time after that
that I can devote to this site. Bear with me guys and we will get some of
this taken care of.

Noel: I appreciate your offer of help and will take you up on that when
we get things combined.

[NWade]

No problem -

I've got a decade of experience and frequently set up websites on other people's servers...  I don't have an EZ of my own to be building (*SIGH*...) - so if I can help speed things along and let you concentrate on finishing your Long, just lemme know!

--Noel

[Bruce Hughes]

Thank you, Sisco, for whatever you have done in the past to keep the
crap off this site.   It is very obvious that a lot comes in.   The users
like me did not know that.

Please, please - erase all of the accumulated garbage and get the site
set so we get no more.   I am ready to leave permanently.

Thanks.  

Bruce Hughes

[NWade]

FYI: I've been given moderator access to the main forum here - so I can delete offending posts.  I'll do my best to stay on top of them!

Unfortuantely, I have no access to delete / block offending users or upgrade the authentication / membership system - so please don't ask me.

Take care,

--Noel

[Bruce Hughes]

Noel, that is wonderful; at least you can get rid of the crap after the
posting.   You made my day.

Bruce Hughes  

[NWade]

Bruce -

No worries!

Its like pruning branches...

Or pulling weeds...  

Or smiting the unworthy with an almighty scimitar of righteousness!!! muhahahahahahahaaaaa!!

*polite cough*
I'm here to help.  

--Noel

[NWade]

10 days in and I've already wiped nearly 100 messages... it's getting bad.

I'm not complaining - but remind me again why we can't enable the captcha or a phpBB plug-in for added security?

--Noel