New posters

[Taxmancometh]

Sense we've had an ungodly amount of spam this weekend I was pondering something about how new users post. In another forum I'm a member of you are moderated before your post is submitted. I think the limit is 50 posts. This allows new posts that are spam not to even show up and if the are, well they can just walk the plank.

[RicheemxX]

I'm all for this idea, even if it was a smaller post limit like 10-20. It might make a bit more work for us as Mods but it'd keep a ton of spam from flooding the forums which makes about as much work anyways.

[JLK03F150]

The only problem I see is a new non-spammer posting a question when a mod isn't here, not seeing their post, double posting, triple posting. Is it possible for the new member to see a message saying 'post will not appear until approved by moderator' when they click Submit?

IMO the limit could be as low as 5 posts, but don't publish the number in the Rules or FAQ.

[RicheemxX]

It should be possible to add in a message box stating something like posts are moderated please be patient or your post will appear once it has been approved. I've been on several forums that have similar settings in place, all your posts are moderated up to like 25. In some forums you have to have a certain number of posts before you can post to certain forums (helpful for trader or community forums).

[Taxmancometh]

Yes, there is a message stating to new members that when their post is approved it will appear. I'm a member of RadioReference.com - Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference where they have this in place. But they have a tremendous amount of moderators believe you me.

[Taxmancometh]

LMAO! Babylon search

[Good Companion]

removed

Even threads about the spam aren't safe!

[Steve R Jones]

TechIMO get way too much spam...

Making new members go to a "preMod" status is easy.

A little tweak or add in like the attached pic shows makes it easy for the mods to approve or delete threads/posts.

[Nude_Lewd_Man]

It's been a while since I tried to sign up, but is there some form of a confirmation that it isn't just a script running...something like this:

[Chuckiechan]

I think the problem is that people here are buying what they are selling...

Most of the spam I report is stolen CC's, rather than goods.

Maybe limit the length of an unmoderated post since spam's are usually quite long. Also, flag key words like CCV's.

Sure, you'll burn some honest people once in a while, but really, how many posts use the term "CCV's", "Visa", "Mastercharge", "PayPal"... Using these words alone should slow them down for awhile.

There is a certain style spammers use that we should be able to target.

And if all else fails, does a new member with a computer question really need a link to an outside site on the first day?

BTW, Tax, you have been doing a great job. I haven't had to report a spammer in a long time!

[Detritus]

It's been a while since I tried to sign up, but is there some form of a confirmation that it isn't just a script running...something like this:

Last I knew RR had set up a simple math problem new members had to solve.

[Whir]

BTW, Tax, you have been doing a great job. I haven't had to report a spammer in a long time!

Doing a great job what? He's not a spam hunter. Thank RicheemX, Nude_Lewd_Man, Detritus, howste, paul9 and some others I'm probably forgetting.

[RicheemxX]

LOL I think Chuck was thanking him for reporting every piece of spam out there.

[howste]

It's been a while since I tried to sign up, but is there some form of a confirmation that it isn't just a script running...something like this:

Taxman wouldn't have been able to sign up if this was the test...

[Steve R Jones]

If you log out - and then click the Reply button you'll see the following in the post reply box:

NoSpam! verification question
Please solve. 2+ 8 + 20 =

Hopefully the question rotates and a different one comes up.

There is a plugin from StopForumSpam that is very effective.

[JEROY]

Not easy .. Someone who's in urgent need to find a solution for his problem probably won't wait for 5 or 20 posts moderated ...

[stroyal]

How about just moderating the first post.

Most if not all spam is a first time post. (new user names for repeat offenders, of course)

Don't advertise it.

That should get the majority, until they catch on, and post fake questions, for the first one.

Some do that now, but it is usually clear, that's what they are doing.

[ShyguyXPC]

Not easy .. Someone who's in urgent need to find a solution for his problem probably won't wait for 5 or 20 posts moderated ...

yeah because those other members don't already excessively bump their threads or create multiple threads in various sections already.


But many of those people also make postings at other sites as well.


and to be honest, those types don't make "emergency" postings on here very often.




I like the idea of moderating new members posts, but as suggested maybe make the post count a lower number (and as JLK said, don't post that number required anywhere, so spammers can't make a series of "legit" posts and then go crazy spamming the site)

but while the waiting threads and posts are waiting to be approved, the mods can also easily cross check the new users IP's and see if they are on one of the numerous IP Bans, and nip it in the bud before posting to the site.



Its either a case of inconveniencing the whole site and all the users on here, or inconveniencing a few infrequent and rare users that come by.

At least with that method of cutting down the spam on here.

[Taxmancometh]

LOL I think Chuck was thanking him for reporting every piece of spam out there.

All spam I could have nailed.

Taxman wouldn't have been able to sign up if this was the test...

I can read it, but Google's captchas are just terrible!

[Nude_Lewd_Man]

All spam I could have nailed.




I can read it, but Google's captchas are just terrible!

You might be able to read it, but I think that Howste was possibly suggesting that you might not be able to answer it correctly...