Rogues

Post by **Forumadmin** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 7:29 pm

People have been informing me of possible rogue registrations. Note that usually I pick these up within 24hrs(work permitting) and delete them. Although they have registered they cannot post until they reply to an email. As yet I have not implemented a system whereby I have to allow them in; as this puts an unacceptable burden on myself. I am trying to keep the forum as open as possible; but like any society we have unacceptable behaviour. I was on a train last week and some vandals through a brick through the driver's window. At least there is no danger of getting killed on JowettTalk!

Keith Andrews · Post by **Keith Andrews** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 8:07 pm

People have been informing me of possible rogue registrations. Note that usually I pick these up within 24hrs(work permitting) and delete them. Although they have registered they cannot post until they reply to an email.

In nuke these registations are put in a temp users table untill the email confirmation is activated for 24 hrs, then they are automatically deleted if no activation. Im not sure with standalone phpbb,
Another issue is legit registrations activation emails being rejected or put in spam filters by some isps
most Aussie, canadaian, some French do this.
AOL mail servers are also bad with hotmail often sending back 'busy' overloaded or full mail box messages to your mail server.
It pays to check new registations against the mail server logs 1st.

Admin of dynamic web sites is more work behind the sciences than most ppl realise

Post by **Forumadmin** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 8:27 pm

Probably the best solution is to restrict posting in most sections to known good users. We might allow postings, in say a request section, to registered users and then allow them to join a group to post in other sections. We could also restrict viewing of certain sections to only paid up club members (including affiliated clubs). We would need a system to re-register members every financial year to allow them to re-join groups. This could be done using passwords printed on membership cards or, less securely, by publishing in the magazines.

Of course, like any security it will make it more difficult for users and for MMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEE.

Thoughts and ideas always welcome.

Keith Andrews · Post by **Keith Andrews** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:34 pm

In the Admin section of the forums..
I would restrict any 'reply to ' members only this stops spam.
If u want a section for guest to post new thread fine, spamer spiders as far as I know dont/havent taken advantafe of this as yet...Thu Guest will have to regist to be able to reply.

Gruops are fine...thu generally used for hidden member only sections and admin sections that are not visable to general public...
EG I would have this thread in a hidden visible to members only or admin(snr members) group for discussion
These are used for private discussions and moving any contoversial threads to a admin section to access if to re publish , delete or keep in hidden admin section for future reference.

We would need a system to re-register members every financial year

I think the best way is keep membership current, use groups and edit as required.
If the site gets very large over the yrs, and a requirement is needed, each club could have a hidden section and veiwable only to members of that section/country. /I do not see this as a requirement yet, and in the mean time a hidden sitre members only section would suvice for now..
The draw back to a hidden members section is often general questions subjects that should be in other sections (public) get posted there...a small issue I have to deal with every month on our site...I go thru threads moving to appropiate sections...

There is enough work as a Site Admin as it is without getting into paid up membership issues etc.