Don't reply to strange threads here.

[Izzy]

Re: Don't reply to strange threads here.

6 and 8 aren't letters. I was joking though. I know there are 4 cat characters. Just not 4 letters.

No, they dont have it anymore.

[x After Dawn x]

Re: Don't reply to strange threads here.

I haven't seen any bots for a few days now, maybe they've finally stopped...

Edit: It seems I spoke 5 minutes too soon.

[who_cares973]

Re: Don't reply to strange threads here.

if you wouldve been on 2 hours ago we were flooded with sex threads again lol

[Afrobean]

Re: Don't reply to strange threads here.

Sure, blame us.

Don't blame vBulletin, which apparently HATES using anti-bot methods during registration.

I don't think some of the staff have done anything but try to get image captcha working again.

Sorry, but I, like most folks, measure effort by results. If there are no results, it doesn't really matter how much is being tried, because it simply isn't working.

No matter what's been done, there could be more. Is there no way to implement permission limitations like I suggested? None of these bots are responding to existing topics, so why not make it require a postcount of at least 1 to post a new topic? Is it possible to instill a waiting period wherein new accounts could respond to topics, but couldn't post new ones?

How about something as simple as limiting the ability of users to make use of BBcode based on postcount (again, based around the requirement of postcount=1)? It wouldn't stop them from posting the offensive ****, but it would make them unable to use hyperlinks and embed images, and frankly, it's the images that are the real trouble as far as I'm concerned. Spam about drugs, not important; spam with hardcore pornographic images? Yeah.

[x After Dawn x]

Re: Don't reply to strange threads here.

I agree with Afrobean's suggestion...perhaps set a restriction that doesn't allow anything but text and smileys in a post until a user has hit postcount=5 (since I've actually seen spambots get 2 posts before they are banned, 5 would be a good number, perhaps even 4).

[Squeek]

Re: Don't reply to strange threads here.

No.

You can't do that.

It's not possible to do and it would be a pain in the ass for legitimate new users.

The only solution is image captcha and the vB upgrade broke it for more forums than just ours.

[Afrobean]

Re: Don't reply to strange threads here.

No.

You can't do that.

It's not possible to do and it would be a pain in the ass for legitimate new users.

I can't speak as to how much ass pain would be involved, but I can say with relative certainty that it is possible.

Also: the legitimate new users who would be butthurt because they can't use their first post to create a new thread containing embedded images can eat my ass if they don't like it. Seriously, if it's THAT IMPORTANT that your first post be a new topic that contains embedded images, you are ****ing stupid.

[x After Dawn x]

Re: Don't reply to strange threads here.

GameSpot has (or had) it with their message boards, it's not impossible.

[chidori!]

Re: Don't reply to strange threads here.

when porn bots go to 32-bit they've gone too far >:O

[Squeek]

Re: Don't reply to strange threads here.

i can't speak as to how much ass pain would be involved, but i can say with relative certainty that it is possible.

Also: The legitimate new users who would be butthurt because they can't use their first post to create a new thread containing embedded images can eat my ass if they don't like it. Seriously, if it's that important that your first post be a new topic that contains embedded images, you are ****ing stupid.

THEN YOU ****ING CODE IT.

GOD.

STOP ****ING WHINING.

If you want to yell at someone, yell at Synth, OK? If it were Tass and I, we'd have 5 different human verification systems. Synth does not like e-mail verification because it turns away legitimate users. Synth does not like human verification because it turns away legitimate users. BLAME SYNTH.

[Afrobean]

Re: Don't reply to strange threads here.

THEN YOU ****ING CODE IT.

GOD.

STOP ****ING WHINING.

If you want to yell at someone, yell at Synth, OK? If it were Tass and I, we'd have 5 different human verification systems. Synth does not like e-mail verification because it turns away legitimate users. Synth does not like human verification because it turns away legitimate users. BLAME SYNTH.

I never intended my comments to be directed at you guys who can't take the actions necessary to enact them. You can go ahead and take everything I said as being directed at Synth himself, although, I must admit, I haven't seen him on the forums lately. Don't much feel like IMing him just to whine about this, but this is definitely something that should be prodded with as much force as is possible.

You guys (read: mods) aren't doing a bad job, but what you're doing shouldn't be necessary. We shouldn't be worrying about bringing them down after the fact, we should be worried about keeping them out in the first place.

Furthermore, I am not staff here. It is not my job to fix this problem. It is my job to bitch and complain about it so that the administration can be constantly reminded how important this problem is.

[KA0Z R4VR]

Re: Don't reply to strange threads here.

Ok let's not start blaming people. Let's just propose a solution and hopefully someone will take it up.

[Izzy]

Re: Don't reply to strange threads here.

How about a more simple solution. Can't create new threads until 5 posts.

No, i don't know how to code it, but I am sure it is possible.

[clarinet89]

Re: Don't reply to strange threads here.

Well there's another one. I reported it.

[Squeek]

Re: Don't reply to strange threads here.

How about a more simple solution. Can't create new threads until 5 posts.

No, i don't know how to code it, but I am sure it is possible.

That isn't simple. Nor is it a solution.