Spam, spam, spam...

[Skunky Bus]

Originally Posted by travelinwithus

Hey GE,

Sorry I couldn't continue helping you delete those 5000 spam posts this morning. I had an appointment I had to get to so I deleted as many as I could. I did however attempt to email Steve at the email address he had on file for the domain name. I will let you all know if I here anything.

Saaay...how do I get one of those "states I've visited" maps?

[travelinwithus]

Originally Posted by Skunky Bus

Saaay...how do I get one of those "states I've visited" maps?

Here ya go: http://www.visitedstatesmap.com/

[Skunky Bus]

Thanx for the map link.

As for spam, here's some comic relief. It's about Spam the meat, not spam the electronic junk, but it's fun to listen to anyway.

"Spam" by "Weird Al" Yankovic

[GreyEagle]

just six months (Dec 2012) ago we only had 4500 members........ and most of those where inactive........ as of today.... Total members 18648
Anyone know how to reach Steve, our administrator ?


Registered users: 9h91532ey, aadmm617, abbow234, ai0b4h8b, bbdum818, beckyrec72v, beijuamtmi, bieatbel5v, cw41hv6518, dasanhuanj9, derdirw03k, Eightgeten, gcbey847jl, gmllvrpaa, Google [Bot], GreyEagle, i8b1tch6f, ikmjvjbdt, jdfes6odf544, ksjsgdrv2, lacinacm79, Malkieri, mamakiizk, maridbksqu, mouukswhws, occas56sya, outlet5yn4, patgqgy9i8d, pjhi0521, Poqwjsmcrdz, Psulbnwtbto, qrsoo341, sevens45tz, slchyhfw6, tuwef142, Waaxdqcsko, Waiepgkmrq, weunty12uc, yhkzzymd65
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[SeanF]

Originally Posted by GreyEagle

just six months (Dec 2012) ago we only had 4500 members........ and most of those where inactive........ as of today.... Total members 18648
Anyone know how to reach Steve, our administrator ?


Registered users: 9h91532ey, aadmm617, abbow234, ai0b4h8b, bbdum818, beckyrec72v, beijuamtmi, bieatbel5v, cw41hv6518, dasanhuanj9, derdirw03k, Eightgeten, gcbey847jl, gmllvrpaa, Google [Bot], GreyEagle, i8b1tch6f, ikmjvjbdt, jdfes6odf544, ksjsgdrv2, lacinacm79, Malkieri, mamakiizk, maridbksqu, mouukswhws, occas56sya, outlet5yn4, patgqgy9i8d, pjhi0521, Poqwjsmcrdz, Psulbnwtbto, qrsoo341, sevens45tz, slchyhfw6, tuwef142, Waaxdqcsko, Waiepgkmrq, weunty12uc, yhkzzymd65
Legend: Administrators, How-to Crew, Moderators

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Total posts 94903 • Total topics 8911 • Total members 18648 • Our newest member jobey736ul

I've tried contacting him several times via PM here at skoolie.net, and also via regular email at the contact address for the domain registration. I've never had a reply.

[GreyEagle]

Originally Posted by SeanF

I've tried contacting him several times via PM here at skoolie.net, and also via regular email at the contact address for the domain registration. I've never had a reply.

Same here...... Others have tried also...???????????

[Skunky Bus]

Originally Posted by GreyEagle

9h91532ey, aadmm617, abbow234, ai0b4h8b, bbdum818, beckyrec72v, beijuamtmi, bieatbel5v, cw41hv6518, dasanhuanj9, derdirw03k, Eightgeten, gcbey847jl, gmllvrpaa, Google [Bot], GreyEagle, i8b1tch6f, ikmjvjbdt, jdfes6odf544, ksjsgdrv2, lacinacm79, Malkieri, mamakiizk, maridbksqu, mouukswhws, occas56sya, outlet5yn4, patgqgy9i8d, pjhi0521, Poqwjsmcrdz, Psulbnwtbto, qrsoo341, sevens45tz, slchyhfw6, tuwef142, Waaxdqcsko, Waiepgkmrq, weunty12uc, yhkzzymd65

Was just perusing the list of posts under Classifieds/Wish List and noticed this at the bottom:

fbpfwfab, fglozbzuyt, ndtfdzjt, Skunky Bus and 2 guests

Gee...which ones do you suppose are the real Skoolie.netters? The one with English (less specifically, real language) names? (Not counting Google [Bot].)

How to pronounce "fbpfwfab," "fglozbzuyt," et cetera? "GET-uh-LYFE."

[SeanF]

Originally Posted by Skunky Bus

Was just perusing the list of posts under Classifieds/Wish List and noticed this at the bottom:

fbpfwfab, fglozbzuyt, ndtfdzjt, Skunky Bus and 2 guests

Gee...which ones do you suppose are the real Skoolie.netters? The one with English (less specifically, real language) names? (Not counting Google [Bot].)

How to pronounce "fbpfwfab," "fglozbzuyt," et cetera? "GET-uh-LYFE."

When I'm sifting through spam messages in the queue, I sort the list by author. The legitimate names really stand out & it makes moderating the spam go a little more smoothly.

[SeanF]

I started a new job on Monday and don't really have much in the way of time & energy to deal with the spam. It's a shame Steve can't or won't offer a little assistance.

[lornaschinske]

Maybe you need a "first post" thread (name it what ever is applicable) in which the only way to get approved to post is to post in the "first post" thread (read a sticky to know how to get approved... maybe include a "What's the secret password" type question with a single word answer like "Is water wet or dry?" or "What colour is the bus in the picture shown"). Make the post include something that a spammer won't post. Then auto delete the other "new" posters that don't post in the "first post" thread. It might bug a few newbies but it might help cut down on the spammers. Just an idea.

[Skunky Bus]

Originally Posted by lornaschinske

Maybe you need a "first post" thread (name it what ever is applicable) in which the only way to get approved to post is to post in the "first post" thread (read a sticky to know how to get approved... maybe include a "What's the secret password" type question with a single word answer like "Is water wet or dry?" or "What colour is the bus in the picture shown"). Make the post include something that a spammer won't post. Then auto delete the other "new" posters that don't post in the "first post" thread. It might bug a few newbies but it might help cut down on the spammers. Just an idea.

But quite a clever one. I think it would be easy enough for people smart enough to be allowed a driver's license but hard for spammers to circumvent.

[GreyEagle]

Steve.............. This needs to be addressed......
Main

LATEST 5 POSTS AWAITING APPROVAL
In total there are 12980 posts waiting for approval.

Thanks
GE

[lornaschinske]

It looks like either Steve can't or won't spare the time to deal with this. I think you guys need to take matters in your own hands.

Use my idea of a first post and batch delete everyone else as of now (including your backlog). Anyone who is perusing this forum has had to of seen the almost daily SPAM, SPAM, SPAM posts. They should understand.

[Skunky Bus]

Originally Posted by lornaschinske

It looks like either Steve can't or won't spare the time to deal with this. I think you guys need to take matters in your own hands.

Use my idea of a first post and batch delete everyone else as of now (including your backlog). Anyone who is perusing this forum has had to of seen the almost daily SPAM, SPAM, SPAM posts. They should understand.

One look at the spam and newbies should figure out why their bus-related post went bye-bye and hopefully will realize why.

Originally Posted by richlindquist

As someone who hosts and maintains a couple of dozen websites and only gets paid by one, I can appreciate Steve's headaches. I still think that charging a minimul fee ($5/yr) to become a member would remove the vast majority of the spam accounts and give Steve some funds to purchase commercial spam blocker software, etc.

SeanF, I truly understand your frustration and I wonder what we, as a community, can do to help? Do we need more moderators to spread the load?

Rich

The only stix-'n-staples site that I have anything to do with, ClassicWinnebagos & Vintage RVs, allows charter membership for free but charges for full unrestricted access. I think it's mainly economic, not anti-spam, reasons for the fee. Basic free membership allows use of the forum (similar to this one) while paid members have access to downloadable info about maintenance, body & chassis repair, etc. Initial registration requires replicating letters via "Captcha" and a question of the type Lorna suggests.

[GreyEagle]

Over 14,000 spam messages and counting today.........

[lornaschinske]

Originally Posted by GreyEagle

Over 14,000 spam messages and counting today.........

WHY? What do the spammers get out of it?

[Skunky Bus]

Originally Posted by timmylc

SEO/Back-links ... this looks like the result of a "paid" back-link service.

A captcha update would fix this :S

EDIT: this is what i have resorted to,
1.Under the moderation Q / scroll down to bottom and click "Select all"
2.Click Disapprove
3.Make SURE "Notify poster about disapproval?" is checked.
4.Select "The reported message does not fit into any other category, please use the further information field."
5.In the "Further information:" field i enter // "This post was marked as spam, I have resorted to mass spam deletion due to MAJOR issues with spam, IF THIS IS IN ERROR
and your post was legitimate feel free to e-mail me at *@*.net so we can address this issue."

When the NON-BOT gets the notification they can read what happened and contact me and we can manually get them setup "probably 5 posts in ~other~ forum that can be approved in a row", i suggest this for the other mods as well till we can get this fixed
"if need be make a new e-mail account"

just doing it this way till steve shows up :S

unless you guys think this is a BAD plan?

Hell, it would not have dissuaded me from joining. I wouldn't blame you/Skoolie.net: it's the @$$#0!& spammers' fault that such steps are necessary. This site is worth a little effort to join.

[GreyEagle]

Come On Steve!!!!........ Over 23,000 spams messages and members???????

Main

LATEST 5 POSTS AWAITING APPROVAL
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[bansil]

does anyone actually know him?

So they can try to contact him, maybe something is wrong?

[travelinwithus]

Last Saturday I spent a couple hours attempting to find a phone number for him on some of his other websites. I found 3 phone numbers in my research. One was no longer in service and the other two went to voice mail. I left a message on both voicemails bit I am not sure either is his actual number. I never got a call back.

Hopefully he is ok and is just a busy guy.