Validation Of New Members - And Re-Validation Of The Rest Of Us?

[sunny-dave]

Hello Ed - from a rather damp Dave

In the light of the appalling hoax perpetrated on AB (and Craft1948) by persons unknown, is it time the AB toughened up its procedures for registration of a username?

I hope that you will be asking your techies to have a dig into the details (IP Address, MAC address etc etc) used by the current hoaxer, and referring the matter to the Police if possible?

But ... I won't hold my breath for any positive outcome to enquiries.

Perhaps this will be the motivation for a change?

For example, AnswerBank (or more precisely Silverdisc) must already be set up to process credit/debit card transactions .

Requiring a card number and matching name to validate registration is a commonplace and easy to implement system - no charge needs to be made - just a pre-authorisation to confirm name and card number are valid.

How about all new usernames must do this after a maximum of five posts (or a couple of days) - with the username going inactive if they don't comply? A process of re-validation of existing members over a period of a month or two wouldn't hurt, either?

Not only would it stop some of the spammers, but (more importantly) it would weed out the serial 'returners' who cause 99% of all the grief on here?

Cheers

SD xx

PS : Still fishing, still house-hunting :)

[jackthehat]

The bread and butter of the site, though, are the Q&P and Crossword sections. Placing restrictions (almost any sort of registering restriction) on initial use may deter lots of people from subsequently signing up and becoming a regular user.
I don't think silver-disc would do that just to protect those of us who idle away too much time blethering about in Chatterbank.

[AuntLydia]

I totally agree kval. Pointless to make it more difficult to join a Forum. AB is a small part of Silverdisc, who are a Internet Digital marketing Company and a very successful one. They could pull the plug at any time on AB, which would be a shame.

[anneasquith]

To get so involved, passionate about anonymous posters is ludicrous!!!!

[237SJ]

There's not really anything that can be done. It just has to be left to decent moderation.

[kvalidir]

Exactly I'm content to have a debating row with anyone within reason but don't ever get upset unless people are downright insulting and rude (which isn't that uncommon of late), however I'm not going to lose sleep over it, I'll either laugh at them, return it in kind or ignore them and tbh so should other people because bullies are only bullies because people don't metaphorically smack them in the chops when they start.

[Rockrose]

Well I suppose it depends if you’re one of the ones being threatened annea.

[retrocop]

The bread and butter of the site, though, are the Q&P and Crossword sections.

I don't think silver-disc would do that just to protect those of us who idle away too much time blethering about in Chatterbank.

My word.I can concur with those sentiments
I believe this is a Q&A site whereby ABers help each other with their queries.

[snags]

The real issue here is What's For Dinner?

I was up for Portobello Mushrooms drizzled in a herb infused cream sauce tonight but the repeated sight of the Trump thread raising its ugly head throughout the day has put me right orf.

[237SJ]

Didn't there used to be an AB Facebook site? It was pretty easy to figure out who was who because they used the same avatars on there as the main site. No wonder people are stalked or whatever

[margarettom]

I would leave if I had to give my credit card details. The only company that holds my credit card details online is Paypal.
So, if sites are hacked, they don't get my card details. Banks etc have ways of checking my identity, without using credit card details.

[-Talbot-]

Late from work, so it a ready-made lasagne in the oven with a bag of salad.

[douglas9401]

Quite a password, Talbot. :-)

[kvalidir]

Mine is 'password' - oh ooops :-)

[AuntLydia]

I personally would not mind validation of my email address. The one I used join is my regular outlook email address. Surely everyone has to receive a verification email like I did before they can log on? A phone verification code would work but I think would put a lot of people off who just come on for crossword clues and to ask a one off question.

[emmie]

i use G Mail, and find that is sufficient for my needs, so please don't get rid of it. I had enough trouble getting this done.

[Prudie]

This all over the top and quite frankly a non-starter. AB wants new members, it's not about protecting an inner circle of chatterers. Returning banned members one dislikes can simply be avoided. The rest is what mods are for.

[AuntLydia]

I'm sure the spare editor will see this thread for what it really is and take appropriate action.

[Rockrose]

//I'm sure the spare editor will see this thread for what it really is and take appropriate action. //
So what is this thread really about then 'Aunt Lydia'?

[Old_Geezer]

It has to be a platform for long term users as otherwise the chances of a question asker and knowledgeable question answerer visiting the site at the same time, becomes drastically reduced. Folk have to 'stick around' hoping to be able to help.

[douglas9401]

I'd suggest that it's a post about Dave trying to spread his wings, get out from under and into the light as it were.

Empowering himself, taking charge of his destiny.

Shows how hard that can be IMHO, although I could be over-thinking the whole thing and it's simply an ill thought out topic.