Restrict Registration Emails?

[Ethel]

Any goon can create hundreds of AB usernames simply by using limitless free email addresses - hotmail, yahoo, gmail as examples.

Would restricting email addresses to ISP addresses only help to reduce the number of trolls and abusers of this site?

My ISP provides me with 16 email addresses, but the ISP can quickly see who I am if needs be, or at least the bill payer can be quickly identified in multi occupancy households.

Surely the vast majority of users of this site have an ISP email address?

Would this work at all?

[S.K.SWEDEN]

I think you're using a sledgehammer to crack a nut here Ethel. There are a couple on here who constantly abuse the system, everyone knows who they are, except the Ed of course.
As I said in a previous thread, the Ed has decided who the real troublemakers are.
The editors decision as they say, is final.

[Ethel]

But of course the editor's decision is final. This is merely a suggestion that may make it more difficult for multiple identities.

[its_me_baby]

well i had trouble gettin g one account on here never mind more than 1 would love to know how 2 set another 1 my mates been trying 2 join 4 ages and neither of us has had ne success ( soz 4 ne typos but im having a thick day)

[S.K.SWEDEN]

Welcome to AB its_me_baby. I can see you setting Chatterbank ablaze.

[~Wingnut~]

Thats a very good idea Ethel. There are some websites that specify that you need a fixed isp e-mail addy and not hotmail etc.. to join so why not this site? Certainly could help :o)

[banned-dot]

its me baby- maybe your friend is not recieving the welcome email and responding to it to ACTIVATE THEIR ACCOUNT/

i'm on my daUGHTERs laptop at hers and its not typing right lol

[~Wingnut~]

lol Dot, just got to say I read that as you saying "It's me Baby!" like bursting through the door announcing it lol then I saw the name of previous poster lol

[its_me_baby]

lol well 9i requested the activate email thingy again and she never got it lol

[stewey]

This might be slightly off topic, but as far as Answerbank is concerned I don't have an email address. When I joined I registered my user-name and address, but since then I have changed my email address and have not notified AB.

[jno]

I wouldn't really like that. My ISP address is shared with other users around the house, my hotmail is private and that's the one I prefer to use. This does not mean I am a troll, just shy.

Incidentally, could greenies stay green for two weeks not from registering but from their first post? This might save the longer-term trolls from registering new names then sitting tight on them until they've gone grey before posting.

[Ethel]

jno - your ISP only gives you email address?

Which ISP is that?

[jno]

if you mean only one - no, it gives me several, but all are visible to anyone passing by. I do my posting in private.

[Ethel]

How very odd. My ISP gives me 4 mailboxes, each with 4 email addresses.

All 16 have their own passwords and wotnots.

[netibiza]

What is an ISP and how do I see mine. I have several usernames all of which I needed in emergency when being banned, but then I forget all about them and the email addys so get another one when I am in the dungeon. It's certainly easy to do, if I can do it.

[ChuckFickens]

an ISP is an internet service provider, it's the person you pay to get your internet.

I'm not sure about Ethels idea, I do have an ISP based email, but I don't use it as you can change ISP fairly regularly but I don't want my email address changing regularly

and as a note to stewey, I tried contacting the Ed a few weeks ago with regards to changing the email address associated with my AB account as it's a works address I no longer have access to. I received a mail back telling me the only way it could (would) be done is by totally deleting my account and all of my posts ever so I could rejoin and I'd go back to being green.... I declined the offer!

[sara3]

I was just thinking it had been a reasonably problem free weekend.. but there's a suspicious looking newbie this morning!

[Ethel]

I see your point, Chuck, about losing your ISP email when you change your ISP - the ed would need to allow the facility to update /change your email address to any sort after the initial verification.