How do we stop them? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 01-07-2010, 03:27 AM

But then they would just invent reasons, either with standard texts or generated from real posts. Granted, it might be easy to spot a few of these generated ones - say:

I like werewolf but I agree with Mister Underhill. Inktomi Slurp Spiders have wings.

That's little problem. But can we refuse a new member for simply stating:

I like Lord of the Rings

? Easy for the bots, but simple also for prospective Downers.

Perhaps Esty should just interview everyone via chat. Give her a raise and I'm sure she'll do it.

Loslote · 01-07-2010, 07:56 PM

Actually, that (interviews with potential newbies) has the potential to be extremely amusing (at least to me). Hm...*contemplates writing a fanfic about it* Maybe over the weekend.

alatar · 01-07-2010, 08:22 PM

"How do we stop them?"

"To fight the bug, we must understand the bug. We can ill afford another Klendathu."

"We must meet this threat with our courage, our valor, indeed with our very lives to ensure that human civilization, not insect, dominates this galaxy *now and always*!"

Or something like that.

The Might · 01-07-2010, 08:30 PM

I guess the interviews are a joke right?

Just googled a bit looking for possible answers on how to achieve this on a vBulletin forum. Upgrading to version 3.6 would bring improved image captchas, but I'm not sure how much that would help... it would against bots, but if these are real people then it wouldn't help.

Also, a couple of addons were mentioned which either make it unattractive for spammers to post in the forum by blocking the links they post or addons detecting keywords in their posts as spam and sending them to the moderation queue.

Otherwise, the only other idea I found interesting was moderating new members, so only allowing them to post once they were manually unlocked by an admin. Not sure how well that would work though.

Loslote · 01-07-2010, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Might

I guess the interviews are a joke right?

Yes. That's why I added the

. Mostly I am always joking, so it's a pretty safe assumption to make.

Lalaith · 01-08-2010, 06:59 AM

Following on from Loslote's idea, change typing Tolkien to answering a question....What has it got in its pocketsss?

Ibrîniðilpathânezel · 01-08-2010, 09:30 AM

I might suggest asking people to type something like my name, but then, even I have to cut and paste it to get it right. And even most Tolkien fans look at it and go "what the ----?"

Estelyn Telcontar · 01-10-2010, 09:01 AM

Dear member who used several * to tell a spammer to leave: annoying as they may be, they are bots. They will not react to any responses by you or others, whether polite or profane. The only solution is for us to ban them and delete their posts/threads, which we do as fast as we can. Thank you.

01-07-2010, 03:27 AM	#1
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	But then they would just invent reasons, either with standard texts or generated from real posts. Granted, it might be easy to spot a few of these generated ones - say: I like werewolf but I agree with Mister Underhill. Inktomi Slurp Spiders have wings. That's little problem. But can we refuse a new member for simply stating: I like Lord of the Rings ? Easy for the bots, but simple also for prospective Downers. Perhaps Esty should just interview everyone via chat. Give her a raise and I'm sure she'll do it. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

01-07-2010, 07:56 PM	#2
Loslote The Werewolf's Companion Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Moon Posts: 3,021	Actually, that (interviews with potential newbies) has the potential to be extremely amusing (at least to me). Hm...contemplates writing a fanfic about it Maybe over the weekend. __________________ I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night. Double Fenris

01-07-2010, 08:22 PM	#3
alatar Doubting Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Heaven's basement Posts: 2,466	"How do we stop them?" "To fight the bug, we must understand the bug. We can ill afford another Klendathu." "We must meet this threat with our courage, our valor, indeed with our very lives to ensure that human civilization, not insect, dominates this galaxy now and always!" Or something like that. __________________ There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it.

01-07-2010, 08:30 PM	#4
The Might Guard of the Citadel Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oxon Posts: 2,205	I guess the interviews are a joke right? Just googled a bit looking for possible answers on how to achieve this on a vBulletin forum. Upgrading to version 3.6 would bring improved image captchas, but I'm not sure how much that would help... it would against bots, but if these are real people then it wouldn't help. Also, a couple of addons were mentioned which either make it unattractive for spammers to post in the forum by blocking the links they post or addons detecting keywords in their posts as spam and sending them to the moderation queue. Otherwise, the only other idea I found interesting was moderating new members, so only allowing them to post once they were manually unlocked by an admin. Not sure how well that would work though. __________________ “The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike.” Delos B. McKown

01-08-2010, 06:59 AM	#6
Lalaith Blithe Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,779	Following on from Loslote's idea, change typing Tolkien to answering a question....What has it got in its pocketsss? __________________ Out went the candle, and we were left darkling

01-08-2010, 09:30 AM	#7
Ibrîniðilpathânezel Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Back on the Helcaraxe Posts: 733	I might suggest asking people to type something like my name, but then, even I have to cut and paste it to get it right. And even most Tolkien fans look at it and go "what the ----?" __________________ Call me Ibrin (or Ibri) :) Originality is the one thing that unoriginal minds cannot feel the use of. — John Stewart Mill

01-10-2010, 09:01 AM	#8
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Dear member who used several * to tell a spammer to leave: annoying as they may be, they are bots. They will not react to any responses by you or others, whether polite or profane. The only solution is for us to ban them and delete their posts/threads, which we do as fast as we can. Thank you. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'