Badmovies.org Forum

Administration => Announcements => Topic started by: Andrew on September 10, 2009, 04:10:25 PM



Title: Forum Changes
Post by: Andrew on September 10, 2009, 04:10:25 PM
We've been seeing more and more persistent spammers lately.  I've been working manually to block them, but do not like it when one manages to slip through and post something really graphic like happened today. 

Due to that, I installed some new modifications to the forum software and made changes to the membergroups due to that.  The reason I did was to control who could post links (including images).  Now, new members cannot post links until they reach 10 posts.  The forum is also checking new registrations against the stopforumspam.com database, and rejects anyone with a match.

There is a more robust modification that makes great use of the stopforumspam.com database, but it currently requires updating by the creator to be compatible with the latest version of the forum software.

I hate making changes that affect usability for everyone.  The rule of computer security is that the more protection you put in place, the less friendly the system is to legitimate users.  What I'd like to do is spend all day breaking in the doors of people who spam, and beat their heads against their computers.

Please feel free to reply here with any suggestions or thoughts.


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: indianasmith on September 10, 2009, 10:38:00 PM
Andrew, you run a great site, and you are the boss.  Whatever changes you find necessary, we will adjust too.

Now what was the graphic thing that got posted ?  :twirl:


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: Trevor on September 11, 2009, 02:03:45 AM
Andrew, you run a great site, and you are the boss.  Whatever changes you find necessary, we will adjust too.

Now what was the graphic thing that got posted ?  :twirl:

I agree with indiana ~ changes can be made and we will go along with them.

BTW: The "graphic thing" was a link to an adult website in Czechoslovakia.


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: hellbilly on September 11, 2009, 06:10:51 AM
I'm surprised this hasn't been done any sooner. Spammers are a pain in the neck.

Registration/Applying to join this other site I hang out is a procedure that takes up to two weeks. Even after joining the "newbies" are under tight observation, all posts are monitored and have to be approved and the usual site benefits (avatar, own user title etc) they get after reaching a certain number of 'quality' posts. Tough trail but certainly worth it to seed out the bad.


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: meQal on September 11, 2009, 01:58:46 PM
I can live with any changes needed to keep from having to wade through numerous threads that are spam for porn sites, mortgage lenders, penis growth formulas, and other crap that is usually scams to rob a person blind. If this means no pics can be posted except  by moderators and such, that is fine. Sure i like to post a pic every now and then that I think people might find funny but willing to let it go to keep some jerk from slamming us with crap we don't need. Besides if I want porn, I got other websites for that. This one I use for my love of bad movies.


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: Andrew on September 11, 2009, 02:28:10 PM
Sure i like to post a pic every now and then that I think people might find funny but willing to let it go to keep some jerk from slamming us with crap we don't need.

After reaching 10 posts, the person should be able to post pictures and links.  Please let me know if you are now unable to post them, because it means I made a mistake in the permissions or other configuration when I made these changes.


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: schmendrik on September 11, 2009, 04:21:02 PM
I posted a pic (of a book cover) today, so that works as far as I know.


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: Allhallowsday on September 15, 2009, 09:07:02 PM
I noticed the "modify" option on previously posted comments is no longer available. 


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: Andrew on September 15, 2009, 09:55:09 PM
I noticed the "modify" option on previously posted comments is no longer available. 

You should be able to edit your posts for up to 60 minutes after making them.  After that the forum will not allow the post to be edited.


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: Allhallowsday on September 15, 2009, 10:52:33 PM
I noticed the "modify" option on previously posted comments is no longer available. 

You should be able to edit your posts for up to 60 minutes after making them.  After that the forum will not allow the post to be edited.
The link "Modify" wasn't there, along with "Remove," but back now.   


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: Ash on September 15, 2009, 11:19:04 PM
You should be able to edit your posts for up to 60 minutes after making them.  After that the forum will not allow the post to be edited.

There have been several times when I wrote a lengthy post here, only to come back 2-4 hours later and decided that I want to completely re-write it.

Are you able to extend editing permissions based on each user?
If so, please make mine "Indefinite".



Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: Allhallowsday on September 16, 2009, 12:14:08 AM
I noticed the "modify" option on previously posted comments is no longer available. 

You should be able to edit your posts for up to 60 minutes after making them.  After that the forum will not allow the post to be edited.
The link "Modify" wasn't there, along with "Remove," but back now.   
It's happened again. 


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: Ash on September 16, 2009, 12:42:24 AM
AHHHH!!!

Andrew,
Please give us back the ability to modify older posts!
Pretty please?  With sugar on top!

I must confess that I'm an Edit Freak.
I will often re-read what I wrote, find faults within it, and edit it until I think it's perfect.
Now I can't.   :bluesad:







Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: Andrew on September 16, 2009, 07:34:09 AM
AHHHH!!!

Andrew,
Please give us back the ability to modify older posts!
Pretty please?  With sugar on top!

I must confess that I'm an Edit Freak.
I will often re-read what I wrote, find faults within it, and edit it until I think it's perfect.
Now I can't.   :bluesad:


I am not doing this to make anyone miserable, but to combat stuff like this:

http://www.badmovies.org/forum/index.php/topic,125784.msg278458.html#msg278458

The original post did not include that spammy link.  The spammer made it, waited 8 days, then went back and edited his post.  The forum does not let me assign editing times based on the post count groups, or any individual means.

I am certainly open to suggestions, and still rolling the problem around in my head as well.


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: Rev. Powell on September 16, 2009, 11:49:31 AM
AHHHH!!!

Andrew,
Please give us back the ability to modify older posts!
Pretty please?  With sugar on top!

I must confess that I'm an Edit Freak.
I will often re-read what I wrote, find faults within it, and edit it until I think it's perfect.
Now I can't.   :bluesad:


I am not doing this to make anyone miserable, but to combat stuff like this:

[url]http://www.badmovies.org/forum/index.php/topic,125784.msg278458.html#msg278458[/url]

The original post did not include that spammy link.  The spammer made it, waited 8 days, then went back and edited his post.  The forum does not let me assign editing times based on the post count groups, or any individual means.

I am certainly open to suggestions, and still rolling the problem around in my head as well.


Is it feasible to make the ability to edit posts open to, say, "Bad Movie Lovers" and above?  I don't think any spammer is likely to make 100 or more posts or so just so they can go back and add spam later.


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: Psycho Circus on September 16, 2009, 11:51:00 AM
That's a very good idea Rev.  :thumbup:


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: Allhallowsday on September 17, 2009, 10:49:54 AM
I edit while I'm writing, I don't as often go back and edit after very long.  I wanted simply to be sure Andrew knew about the disappearance/reappearance of those two functions (modify and remove) which are now available and have been for the last day or so anyway. 


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: ghouck on September 18, 2009, 11:43:18 PM
Andrew, do you have to manually delete the spam? Like from the sql database?


What I've done before was find in the PHP the check that is done where it looks for the current user and adds the modify and delete buttons for them, and hard-code MY login name so I got those buttons for every posting. This was on a PHPBB, but I believe SMF is not terribly different. 


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: Andrew on September 19, 2009, 09:09:50 AM
Andrew, do you have to manually delete the spam? Like from the sql database?


What I've done before was find in the PHP the check that is done where it looks for the current user and adds the modify and delete buttons for them, and hard-code MY login name so I got those buttons for every posting. This was on a PHPBB, but I believe SMF is not terribly different. 

Moderators do not have to manually delete spam.  The hole in the system is that there is no way for the forum to notify the moderator group when a message is modified after a few days.  The spammers do this:

Post a message that is on-topic for a thread
Wait 1,2,4 weeks
Modify the message to add their spam links

The only way for me to find a spam message that was made that way is the manually look through the SQL.  I have created some queries to help me find them, but it still takes manual checking.


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: Celx on May 22, 2010, 11:38:29 AM
Sure i like to post a pic every now and then that I think people might find funny but willing to let it go to keep some jerk from slamming us with crap we don't need.

After reaching 10 posts, the person should be able to post pictures and links.  Please let me know if you are now unable to post them, because it means I made a mistake in the permissions or other configuration when I made these changes.

I still can't post a link...
I'm really sad now :(


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: Rev. Powell on May 22, 2010, 12:13:55 PM
Sure i like to post a pic every now and then that I think people might find funny but willing to let it go to keep some jerk from slamming us with crap we don't need.

After reaching 10 posts, the person should be able to post pictures and links.  Please let me know if you are now unable to post them, because it means I made a mistake in the permissions or other configuration when I made these changes.

I still can't post a link...
I'm really sad now :(

Try it now.  :smile:


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: vukxfiles on May 23, 2010, 02:12:02 PM
I don't know if you changed the settings, but I'm able to edit my posts anytime. That is very important since I maintain the halls for the two movie fame and shame games we play here.


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: Andrew on May 24, 2010, 09:18:27 AM
I don't know if you changed the settings, but I'm able to edit my posts anytime. That is very important since I maintain the halls for the two movie fame and shame games we play here.

Established members should not have a time limitation on editing their posts.  It's only newer members who cannot edit posts (to prevent spammers from abusing the function).


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: Swamp Thing on July 19, 2010, 01:17:20 AM
At what post count can you edit your posts?

Not that I want to spam or anything, its just that for example my Indiana Jones knock-off thread if I find some more I'd like to be able to edit the post so I can add titles to the existing list, rather than have a bunch of titles spread across a few pages.


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: Andrew on July 19, 2010, 07:51:02 AM
At what post count can you edit your posts?

Not that I want to spam or anything, its just that for example my Indiana Jones knock-off thread if I find some more I'd like to be able to edit the post so I can add titles to the existing list, rather than have a bunch of titles spread across a few pages.

It's at 100, because we were getting a number of spammers persistent enough to get past the new visitor status, then going back to edit their posts and add spam links.


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: KiwiGirl on November 08, 2010, 02:56:44 PM
 :bluesad: Hi there, I still can't post any links. I read up and saw that I need to have made 10 posts (which I have) but its still says I can't. Is there a stand down time or something?


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: Andrew on November 08, 2010, 04:57:56 PM
:bluesad: Hi there, I still can't post any links. I read up and saw that I need to have made 10 posts (which I have) but its still says I can't. Is there a stand down time or something?

Hmm, I don't think I have posted it anywhere officially, but the magic number is 11 posts.  You should be able to post them now.  Email me or let me know if you still cannot. 


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: KiwiGirl on November 08, 2010, 06:59:11 PM
:bluesad: Hi there, I still can't post any links. I read up and saw that I need to have made 10 posts (which I have) but its still says I can't. Is there a stand down time or something?

Hmm, I don't think I have posted it anywhere officially, but the magic number is 11 posts.  You should be able to post them now.  Email me or let me know if you still cannot. 

Yup, all better now. Thanks heaps.  :twirl:


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: JeremyRay on January 05, 2015, 04:46:48 AM
Well I suppose I have to start on my 11 probationary posts somewhere - not that I blame the admin, having run boards myself and dealt with those-who-should-be-turned-into-spam.

The only thing I can add is that I was going to post stuff from the bad movie I'm developing and might need to update old posts to remove old material.  100 posts are a lot.


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: 316zombie on January 09, 2015, 03:06:52 PM
hi jeremy, i'm barri!
i would LOVE to hear about your movie, and i imagine others here would too.
perhaps you could just start a thread about it, and start new posts with"UPDATE" until you get enough posts to be able to edit?


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: major jay on March 12, 2015, 03:26:22 PM
Is it me (maybe because I'm drinking?), or has the site's text font changed?


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: Trevor on March 13, 2015, 01:02:37 AM
Is it me (maybe because I'm drinking?), or has the site's text font changed?

I'm not sure.  :wink:


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: retiredblue on December 17, 2017, 06:56:02 PM
Greetings - I got a nice welcome message -I am logged in and when I wanted to respond there was no "REPLY" box and when I tried to send a pvt message by clicking the senders name it said I could not just view just any profile- newbie here but I like old bad movies and look forward to being here- Semper Fi - I am an old Army vet myself - My son is a Marine however Thanks


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: Rev. Powell on December 17, 2017, 08:04:27 PM
Greetings - I got a nice welcome message -I am logged in and when I wanted to respond there was no "REPLY" box and when I tried to send a pvt message by clicking the senders name it said I could not just view just any profile- newbie here but I like old bad movies and look forward to being here- Semper Fi - I am an old Army vet myself - My son is a Marine however Thanks

Welcome. I'm not sure about your private message problem but I assume you're not allowed to send them until you have ten post (anti-spam measure, it's the same with posting links).


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: Pumbel on December 30, 2018, 06:25:34 PM
Hey Andrew,

I am interested in buying your site.

Can you contact me?


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: Svengoolie 3 on December 31, 2018, 03:02:40 AM
So,  pumbel,  what would you do with the site if you bought it?


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: Trevor on December 31, 2018, 05:43:38 PM
Hey Andrew,

I am interested in buying your site.

Can you contact me?

Bugger off, spammer!  :hatred:


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: ER on October 29, 2019, 08:32:38 AM
I think a good change to this forum would be if we were given perks, like coupons for goods and services.


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: ER on October 30, 2019, 11:37:51 AM
I also think if we excluded certain blood types we might be able to keep out extraterrestrial spies.


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: Gabriel Knight on October 30, 2019, 01:23:26 PM
I think a good change to this forum would be if we were given perks, like coupons for goods and services.

Honestly, an overhaul to the forum would bring more people for sure. Even when forums are quite dead nowadays, a better platform can attract more members. Maybe we can perform a ritual to summon Andrew from the depths.


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: ER on November 02, 2019, 10:57:10 AM
I think a good change to this forum would be if we were given perks, like coupons for goods and services.

Honestly, an overhaul to the forum would bring more people for sure. Even when forums are quite dead nowadays, a better platform can attract more members. Maybe we can perform a ritual to summon Andrew from the depths.

Agreed! And since all proper rituals involve the sacrifice of a virgin, we need to bring Sven back, just for a second.


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: RCMerchant on November 02, 2019, 07:45:01 PM
I might be able to scrape enough $ to buy you a Coke!
Otherwise- I think the forum is just fine.


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: chefzombie on November 04, 2019, 11:06:53 PM
no sven please, virginal or not, since i want to come back and talk to my friends again. yes, the place needs work, but so does my place. I'M working on it, but i expect nothing from the members here who aren't posting there already. i never expected ( despite the implications) ANYONE to leave here for my place, okay? just remember we ARE there if this ship hits the rocks again. and may i just say, ANDREW, WE MISS YOU, COME HHHOOOMMMEEE!!!!


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: Gabriel Knight on November 05, 2019, 06:20:04 AM
I think a good change to this forum would be if we were given perks, like coupons for goods and services.

Honestly, an overhaul to the forum would bring more people for sure. Even when forums are quite dead nowadays, a better platform can attract more members. Maybe we can perform a ritual to summon Andrew from the depths.

Agreed! And since all proper rituals involve the sacrifice of a virgin, we need to bring Sven back, just for a second.

I think I'll stick to the usual goat sacrifice, thank you very much.  :bouncegiggle:


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: chefzombie on November 05, 2019, 07:23:23 PM
 :bouncegiggle: :cheers:


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: kornula on December 17, 2020, 08:04:17 PM
Question;  I host a radio show on a Low powered radio station that is also streaming?  Is it acceptable to post the link to promote the show and station?


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: Rev. Powell on December 17, 2020, 10:30:53 PM
Question;  I host a radio show on a Low powered radio station that is also streaming?  Is it acceptable to post the link to promote the show and station?

Almost certainly, especially if it's movie/bad movie related. We have/had a self-promotion thread somewhere for stuff like that, though I can't seem to find it.


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: LilCerberus on December 18, 2020, 01:42:39 PM
Question;  I host a radio show on a Low powered radio station that is also streaming?  Is it acceptable to post the link to promote the show and station?


I think the Pimp Yo' s**t: The Selfless Promotion Thread is where these things typically end up, albeit, the forum has meandered a bit in the waning years...
http://www.badmovies.org/forum/index.php?topic=135376 (http://www.badmovies.org/forum/index.php?topic=135376)

You can also go to your profile, & under "Forum Profile Information", you can add it to your "Personal Text" under your picture, or to you Signature.


Title: Re: Forum Changes
Post by: kornula on December 18, 2020, 03:24:40 PM
Question;  I host a radio show on a Low powered radio station that is also streaming?  Is it acceptable to post the link to promote the show and station?


I think the Pimp Yo' s**t: The Selfless Promotion Thread is where these things typically end up, albeit, the forum has meandered a bit in the waning years...
[url]http://www.badmovies.org/forum/index.php?topic=135376[/url] ([url]http://www.badmovies.org/forum/index.php?topic=135376[/url])

You can also go to your profile, & under "Forum Profile Information", you can add it to your "Personal Text" under your picture, or to you Signature.


thank you for that tip!!! I shall