Requiring mod approval to make first post in order to curb spam?

[Martini]

I know some forum software can be configured so that a mod needs to approve the first post(s) of a member. I don't know if this forum can do that or not. I also don't know the ratio of real first posts versus spam first posts. If the spam ratio is not enough then it would probably be too much work to approve all the legitimate members. But it seems like there has been more spam recently so I thought I'd throw that idea out there since that would prevent spam from coming in and possibly discourage other spammers from even trying to register.

[Jambine]

That would be a call for nutN to make.

I'm not sure we see enough spam for it to be worth the effort.

[Dr. Neau]

And occasional spam livens up the joint.

[Detroitdad]

And occasional spam livens up the joint.

Its not bad if you fry it.

[links_slayer]

And occasional spam livens up the joint.

Its not bad if you fry it.

+1

i thought it was nasty...until i tried it.  but trust me, you'll have a different opinion if you have witnessed it being made.  i had the 'opportunity' to do so....

[Martini]

That would be a call for nutN to make.

I'm not sure we see enough spam for it to be worth the effort.

I'm not sure either but wanted to put the idea out anyway.

[nutN2Lewz]

There has been a slight increase in spam over the past month or so, but it's still not bad. The mods delete most of the spam almost immediately so that it does not cause much bother.

I am proud to say that there is a definite lack of shenanigans in the HPT Forums compared to most other forums. Almost no advertising, almost no spam, and almost no drama or personal attacks. It couldn't really run much smoother.

Good luck, nutn

[austin5string]

There has been a slight increase in spam over the past month or so, but it's still not bad. The mods delete most of the spam almost immediately so that it does not cause much bother.

I am proud to say that there is a definite lack of shenanigans in the HPT Forums compared to most other forums. Almost no advertising, almost no spam, and almost no drama or personal attacks. It couldn't really run much smoother.

Good luck, nutn

And the mods are badass, too..

[Jambine]

And occasional spam livens up the joint.

Its not bad if you fry it.

+1

i thought it was nasty...until i tried it.  but trust me, you'll have a different opinion if you have witnessed it being made.  i had the 'opportunity' to do so....

Here's the short story of how SPAM was invented:

One day at the packing house, butcher Bob turns to his boss and says, "Hey Harry!  I got a great idea for what we can do with all this crap on the floor".

[links_slayer]

Here's the short story of how SPAM was invented:

One day at the packing house, butcher Bob turns to his boss and says, "Hey Harry!  I got a great idea for what we can do with all this crap on the floor".

you're not that far off from how it's made today....

[Midnight Rose]

There has been a slight increase in spam over the past month or so, but it's still not bad. The mods delete most of the spam almost immediately so that it does not cause much bother.

I am proud to say that there is a definite lack of shenanigans in the HPT Forums compared to most other forums. Almost no advertising, almost no spam, and almost no drama or personal attacks. It couldn't really run much smoother.

Good luck, nutn

And the mods are badass, too..

It helps that we have such awesome members who report spam as soon as they see it.  Makes our jobs easier, so thanks muchly.

[Martini]

Bump.

[Martini]

Bump...again.

Dr. Neau had mentioned great success with thwarting spam on his site by having new registrants do something like type "poker" backwards if I recall correctly.

[nutN2Lewz]

New members have to spell HPT backwards when they register.

We've had a lot of spam in the last day or two. It's obviously a coordinated event and will probably stop when the spammers realize that their posts get deleted within hours. They will eventually move on.

I am reluctant to add forum features that will make it harder for legitimate users to easily become members or have to wait hours to make their first post. I will make changes if the spam problems persists but don't want to over-react right now.

Good luck, nutn

[nutN2Lewz]

I updated the forum software, not that it was that old or really needed updating, but it might help with the spam.

I have been receiving really weird and immature emails from some spammer in Poland ...

----------
Hello guys,

Every day I receive a lot of messages about fixed games from scammers. Probably neither you. People usually wants your money, so don’t be stupid to pay somebody in advance. I can offer you a very profitable cooperation, without any cheat and clear conditions. Telling shortly since 1 year I’ve been cooperating with one guy who give me matches which are always with stake 10/10 and always won ! Yes, really about 20 games won, I made nice money. These are normal, honest games from always the same league and always the same odd ( about 3) and payment after win. Not like some f$%king stupid HT/FT, this kind of matches doesn’t exist ! So If you are tired of scammers and want to try really honest source- contact me as fast as possible. Soon I am going to have some match.

regards
Henning
----------

I notice that the new spammers registering in this forum are also located in Poland. I assume that it is some kid who will move on as soon as he/she realizes that the forum spam gets deleted within hours.

Please bear with us while we deal with our problem child.   

Good luck, nutn

[Wedge Rock]

Just wondering if insta-deleting spam will encourage him to move on...

If its a bot, its not like the person sees when something is posted or when its deleted for that matter.  My guess is that a bot learns how to get in and post spam and it is programmed to continue to do that, without direction from the human, and without regard to how long the spam stays posted.

Either way, we seem to be getting rid of the spam pretty quickly...  If one of the mods isn't right on top of it, one of the legit users are generally reporting it pretty quickly.  That report emails the mods.  Usually, by the time I am checking a spam report, one of the other mods is already on top of it and the post is deleted/user is banned.

[nutN2Lewz]

I updated the forum software and this might help if the problem is a bot - newer versions of the forum software account for the latest bot practices. There are new forum software updates every month or two.

Over the past five years I have received about 100 email reports from our members about spam posts in the forum. I check out every report but I can't remember a single occurrence where the post has not already been deleted by one of the moderators. I guess I gotta wake up pretty early in the morning to beat the mods to the punch.

Good luck, nutn

[Midnight Rose]

I guess I gotta wake up pretty early in the morning to beat the mods to the punch.

We never sleep.

But we must go to class, so...

[nutN2Lewz]

I just deleted about 100 forum accounts of suspected spammers. Man, I was on a roll, I just couldn't stop. I got so carried away that I decided to give away a couple decks of cards ... HPT Giveaway #36.

Good luck, nutn

[austin5string]

Yeah, I agree that nothing drastic needs to be done.  I'm not really very active in the forums any more, but I still visit them just about every day.  I think we keep it pretty clean.

[Midnight Rose]

Barry eats spam and gives away cards.  That's just downright awesome.