Membership report

Post by **Hobie** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 6:42 am

We've had some rather vituperative comments about our system for registration so I was interested in seeing just what we were dealing with so far as spammers go. For the month of May we had 1441 registrations of which 12 (.8%) were legitimate non-spammers. That is 8/10ths of 1 percent of all applicants were not out to abuse the board members.

We are using this registration methodology with this software for a reason. The software, despite the rigid controls used within it to control spammer registrations, would have allowed 1429 spammers access to the forums in this one month. By providing our e-mail address to registrants we are giving everyone a shortcut over our hands on review of background. If there is anyone here with a better idea of how to control this problem we are more than open to suggestions.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 7:15 am

Hobie,
You and I frequent several of the same forums. And if they are having the same spammer problems we are its at pandemic levels.
I do not have the slightest idea of how to combat these internet parasites, but anyone who's been out there for very long should understand what the forum is trying to do by blocking them.
I realize most folks would like things to be open and easy, but the spammers have ruined that.
Keep up the good job you and AmBraCol are doing and hopefully that .8 of 1% will eventually understand.

JMHO

Joe

Post by **Old Savage** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 7:47 am

Thanks for the report. I understand now why forums make you jump through the hoops they do to get on. I had no idea that the problem was that large. Sometimes you don't have any idea what is being done for your behind the scenes.

Pop Watts · Post by **Pop Watts** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 7:54 am

Hobie,that is amazing. I had no idea that the forum would be combatting so many spammers!

Thanks for your hard work.

Pop.

Bruce · Post by **Bruce** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 8:04 am

Hobie, as you already know - I am having the same problem on www.pumprifle.org. I probably only average around 10 per day, but I have to review each and every one of them. It is very aggravating and I would also like to know a solution. Fella's, if any of you decide to start a domain/web site, be prepared. Those parasites are everywhere.

Post by **Old Savage** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 8:21 am

Early morning checking. We have approx. 250 members who have posted 300 times or more and most of the names you will be familiar with. There are almost 1900 who have never posted and another 400 who have posted 1 time. Always Lurking has posted on two occasions. Don't worry I am soon on the second cup of coffee and then off to the office to supervise carpet cleaning.

Griff - you would feel right at home there -almost no chrome except - one chair is hard chromed.

Lobo · Post by **Lobo** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 8:27 am

Hobie,

.....vituperative.....

Your English teachers would be proud!!

pwl44m · Post by **pwl44m** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 8:34 am

I like it the way it is,I'm already in. I knew there were a lot of spammers but did not realize that many. I was getting really tired of "Marlin wow gold 336 pump action wow gold in 42-20 gauge wow gold. I don't know how to spot them or stop them before they get in but You R doing a great job. Haven't seen one for a while.

gak · Post by **gak** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 10:07 am

Thanks Hobie. As usual you're on it.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 10:24 am

thanks for the work that you do. sorry for all the hassles but know that it is appreciated. blessings

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 11:30 am

rjohns94 wrote:thanks for the work that you do. sorry for all the hassles but know that it is appreciated. blessings

+1

I didn't know that we were that selective. But, it shows in the posts and demeanor of the members.

COSteve · Post by **COSteve** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 12:23 pm

J Miller wrote:Hobie,
I do not have the slightest idea of how to combat these internet parasites,

A rope? Worked pretty good for cattle rustlers way back when.

Alan Wood · Post by **Alan Wood** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 2:08 pm

Disgusting that it has gotten to the point were a gathering place for like minded people is pestered so much by spammers.

Tom Richardson · Post by **Tom Richardson** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 2:30 pm

Ya done good Hobie.

Keep on keeping on.
Your efforts are appreciated.
TR

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 2:58 pm

Tom Richardson wrote:Ya done good Hobie.

Keep on keeping on.
Your efforts are appreciated.
TR

ditto

seems like a pretty good reflection of the current culture to me

thanks to the moderators who have that much energy!

Grizz

Nath · Post by **Nath** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 2:59 pm

Thanks Hobie and Paul:D

Nath.

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 3:07 pm

Griff wrote:
rjohns94 wrote:thanks for the work that you do. sorry for all the hassles but know that it is appreciated. blessings
+1

I didn't know that we were that selective. But, it shows in the posts and demeanor of the members.

+2

rodeo kid · Post by **rodeo kid** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 3:42 pm

Thanks for the good work Hobie, +1 and God bless.

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 4:05 pm

Hobie,
Like a union shop steward, you are doing a thankless job, but in your case we all want to tell you-----------WE LOVE YOU

Now, hows that for brownnosing? I see it everyday at work, the little ki&&-A%#ers plying their trade.

Hows 'bout this?-------Anyone with less than 10 posts gets the boot after 30 non-posting days. We don't need any worms, lurkers, cheapskates or weak minded individuals---- 'ya know, people looking for free information with no contributions.-------------------Sixgun

WinM71 · Post by **WinM71** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 7:11 pm

Wow, I'd have guessed that the ratio was the other way around, maybe 1% or so would-be spammers. The power of ignorance on my part! Thanks for the excellent work shielding us from the slime, this place provides a lot of relaxation & enjoyment.

piller · Post by **piller** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 7:33 pm

Not being all that internet savvy, I am surprised at the low ratio. Hobie, thanks for the job you are doing.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 8:11 pm

Thanks for the good work Hobie

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 8:13 pm

Thanks for all you do Hobie!

Post by **Hobie** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 9:13 pm

WinM71 wrote:Wow, I'd have guessed that the ratio was the other way around, maybe 1% or so would-be spammers. The power of ignorance on my part! Thanks for the excellent work shielding us from the slime, this place provides a lot of relaxation & enjoyment.

I wanted to use your post to make a point. You see there was a time I felt the same way. I was thinking, even after the recent "run" of spammers that we were still getting 10% or so "real" members. Unfortunately, the figures don't lie. I saved every application and compared it to those we actually found to be real. I thought you guys should see what we're up against. If I didn't know how bad it really was, how could you know?

While I appreciate the kind words, I'm not doing this to get a pat on the back. The problem is that we've had a couple of applicants who've been a bit more than simply angry that they didn't get immediately registered. Averaging 46-47 registrations a day, every day, it is hard to keep up. Further, folks insist on using very "spammy" looking handles. Real names won't fix it because the spammers have taken to using "real" names! Bruce is getting an education I think!

(sorry Bruce...) I believe other forums are dealing with much the same thing. Some have a software that handles the spammers better than our software does.

If you guys have friends who want to sign up, go ahead and drop me an e-mail and let me know when they registered (if they forget to) and I'll get them right in. I can fix just about any problem, but I need to know about it. DETAILS help.

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 10:39 pm

I just want to add my thanks for your time to do this for us.

spaceman spiff · Post by **spaceman spiff** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 10:44 pm

Tom Richardson wrote:Ya done good Hobie.

Keep on keeping on.
Your efforts are appreciated.
TR

+1

BTW..... cool initials, TR

spaceman

olyinaz · Post by **olyinaz** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 7:52 am

Can't be that hard since I made it in!

But honestly there's no choice if we're to keep the spammers out. Please keep up the good work and thank you.

Regards,
Oly

kimwcook · Post by **kimwcook** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 8:23 am

Hobie, if bonafide people want to become a member than they'll have to have a little patience. I wouldn't want you to change anything. Thanks for everything you do.

SteveR · Post by **SteveR** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 9:12 am

Hobie wrote:
We are using this registration methodology with this software for a reason. The software, despite the rigid controls used within it to control spammer registrations, would have allowed 1429 spammers access to the forums in this one month. By providing our e-mail address to registrants we are giving everyone a shortcut over our hands on review of background. If there is anyone here with a better idea of how to control this problem we are more than open to suggestions.

Maybe two email addresses, one to register that is independent of the board, once checked out and ok-ed, then one to actually access the board. ???

Steve

Les Staley · Post by **Les Staley** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 9:19 am

Thank you, Hobie for your work here ... I didn't realize the problems you face for our benifit... I guess freedom of speech isn't free either... best wishes.......... Les

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:50 am

Thanx for puttin' the boot to 'em, Hobie !

Well done.

.

Catshooter · Post by **Catshooter** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 11:31 am

Wow. That's disgusting.

Hobie, pay no mind to those who get torqued off at the process. You can't please everyone, ain't gonna happen as we all know. Thanks.

Cat

Udy · Post by **Udy** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 7:13 pm

Hobie, for what its worth I registered here not long ago. I did not think it was an unreasonable process, I read the directions and did it. I think you signed me up the next day if I remember right. If some one can't wait a day or two to sign up on a message board I think maybe they got issues. Heck I've had harder (longer) times trying to get the bank to give me MY money in large withdrawls before.

JBledsoe · Post by **JBledsoe** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:39 pm

Udy wrote:Hobie, for what its worth I registered here not long ago. I did not think it was an unreasonable process, I read the directions and did it. I think you signed me up the next day if I remember right. If some one can't wait a day or two to sign up on a message board I think maybe they got issues. Heck I've had harder (longer) times trying to get the bank to give me MY money in large withdrawls before.

I agree, I am a new member and I didn't think the joining process was that bad. But then I have nothing to hide and I use my real name.

.

DocHolliday · Post by **DocHolliday** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 5:53 pm

Had NO idea. Thx for the hard work.
Doc

Nate C. · Post by **Nate C.** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 11:29 pm

I guess I am a little dim, but what does a 'spammer' hope to achieve by posting on this forum, anyway? It isn't like anyone on here would respond to any of their offers to buy counterfeit Rolexes or pharmaceuticals or whatever.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 11:45 pm

Hobie, thank you for all you do. I had no idea how bad the situation with spammers was. I'd like to hang them all by their toes!!!

Bruce · Post by **Bruce** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 6:06 am

Hobie,

You are sure right about the education. I am noticing some spammers are trying to use real names also. I almost let one in the other day. He had an honest looking .aol email, but a Whois check showed a Russia connection.

After reading your initial post, I went back and looked at the pumprifle membership and noticed about three members who had not posted or visited the site since joining. Two of them I know/recognize and I decided to recheck out the other (who had a real name). Sure enough, he had joined the day the site had opened and it was also a Russia contact. I deleted/banned him and the IP address and I don't know if it helped, but this morning is the first morning I have not had an email box full of bogus requests. Actually, I had none.

444Hal · Post by **444Hal** » Mon Jun 06, 2011 5:09 pm

I have to wonder if spamming really pays off. After all, if I didn’t bite on the first 100 offers for cheep Viagra, I’m not going to jump on 101.

I wish I had the knowledge to write one those virus programs. I’d set it up to travel back and fry the spammers hardware !

stickfred · Post by **stickfred** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 8:09 am

Geez Hobie, your percentages seem unreal to me, but then I'm not on your end of the Internet. I know that I haven't posted much, I'm still waiting for rifles to come up from Brazil so I have nothing to take pictures of nor any experiences to relate. This site surprises me with the good information that shows up, on leverguns and other areas, and I appreciate it. I don't mean to be a leeching lurker at this fine Forum, I just don't have the breadth of experience that the other fine members here have and am enjoying soaking up the new stuff. I also try to keep my trap shut as much as possible (though it may be hard to tell from this

) in an effort to keep from chewing my feet. My thanks to the membership here for all their openness and sharing. And Mucho Thanks to you Hobie for all you put up with every day to help keep this an excellent place.

samb · Post by **samb** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 8:19 am

Thanks for your hard work Hobie! I have no suggestions, on improving how you are weeding out spammers.

Bruce · Post by **Bruce** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 10:04 am

Well, I spoke to soon. Today I got hammered by spammers using real names that were spelled correctly.

GonnePhishin · Post by **GonnePhishin** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:03 pm

Hobie,
I don't know if this is any help but is there any type of "legal type form" that could be used to make any person who lies and is just a rotten spammer

be held liable somehow? I have been a member several years now and really enjoy reading most of the postings,, even though I haven't posted that many compared to the others.
Just my thought on the subject.
You are doing a fine job

Slick · Post by **Slick** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:44 pm

I’m a member of another Internet forum (that involves firearms & shooting discussion) and they use spammers for entertainment purposes. The spammer posts, then forum members “hunt” the spammer by being first to identify them as a spammer. Scores are kept and posted of forum member “kills” on spammer accounts.

One of my favorite things to do with spammers is to use the email address they send you and sign up with it at every depraved XXX sex website I can find. Just be sure to have current up to date virus protection on your PC if you do this, as I see lots of virus activity in the dark underbelly of the Internet.

I got that idea from stuffing all my junk mail into the pre-paid envelopes of other junk mail. The people at the credit card companies get lots of coupons for everything from pizza to discounts on carpet cleaning. Our country’s Post Office is running in the red and is going to need a bail-out if their business doesn’t pick up. Help them out by stuffing & mailing every pre-paid envelope from a group that you don’t care for. I wake up in the morning feeling just great (and politically correct) about all that space that I’m saving at the landfill!

jerry b · Post by **jerry b** » Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:39 am

I think the best thing to do with spammers is to ignore them. Internet forums are not face to face, so it is easy to just move on. If a troll doesn't get what he wants, he'll quit. No use becoming a troll to fight trolls.

Slick · Post by **Slick** » Thu Jun 09, 2011 3:52 pm

jerry b wrote:I think the best thing to do with spammers is to ignore them.

Thank God that Hobie and our other hardworking admins don't do that - else fewer than 1% of the posts here would be about leverguns...

If someone slaps you in the face (is an aggressor), slapping them back would make that person a "responder" - not an aggressor. If you think simply "ignoring" the trolls would make them stop making unwanted posts - then you clearly live in an imaginary world.

oic0 · Post by **oic0** » Fri Jun 10, 2011 7:34 pm

I like the ones that ask funny questions.

"Answer this riddle to pass! What is a three lettered word beginning with g that has the letter u in middle and n on the end."

"What color is green grass?"

Just hope the bots don't learn to ask wofram alpha.