Can't post a new Thread?

(Staffies are probably not going to be happy that I pointed this out, but to youse who are: They're BOTS. They don't read this.)

Because adbots are abnoxious, and the CAPTCHA isn't working well enough, 1 post is required to make a thread. Find somewhere to make a post (and don't spam), then you can make your thread (within one hour; vB really only checks for that on an hourly basis).

No, I was going to admit there was suddenly alot of bots about. And a wise choice Scott

Edit. Drastic eh? I hope it doesn't involve any explosives.

And if this doesn't work, I'm doing something drastic. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

You do know it might not, bots come pretty damned smart these days. And more than occaisionally actual people make the ads, as a 'recreational' activity.

I would personally say 10 posts before you can make a thread, usually discourages any idiots that come on to make 'N64 iZ Te|-| SUX0r LOLslols!!!!11!!!!!!!11?' type threads aswell.

And you do know that they could just post the ad in an existing topic.

Thank you Scott. Those bots were really starting to piss me off. All the ads I can think of so far.
Jackets
Porn
Paypal
Viagra
Math
Stuff in other languages
Other sex involving products
E-bay advertisements. Each one of those gets about 3 every 2 weeks. Hope this helps.

And you do know that they could just post the ad in an existing topic.

That isn't as annoying, and can easily be deleted.

Doesn't VB have a word filter for topics, as in if a topic contains certains words in the header it can't be posted. Why don't you just feed in a few common key words used in advertisements, and if anyone complains.... well just tell them where to shove it and to change their topic name. Not that hard to do

You have no idea how many deleted ad threads there are.

At least 50 from the last two days, I'd say.

Originally Posted by Pàxèn

Doesn't VB have a word filter for topics, as in if a topic contains certains words in the header it can't be posted. Why don't you just feed in a few common key words used in advertisements, and if anyone complains.... well just tell them where to shove it and to change their topic name. Not that hard to do

Well, yes, but what I instated is less bothersome to everyone.

Yeah... I am kinda on rather obcessively and I noticed a good few. Including several that were around for at least ten mins, and no one noticed even after I sent several PM's to various mods/admins.

It is a problem that plauges everywhere. this is just a thought, and I know that it would be alot to ask of any moderating team, but could you not just reveiw User Names yourselves before sending the auth codes?

I know this is no failproof idea, but a good few advertisement posters use names that reflect what they are advertising.

I am just wondering, how often do advertisements for depression cures pop up here? I knwo you can't give me a confirmed answer, its just a question.

There were 95 new users yesterday. No way am I turning on manual verification.

As for how many adbots... my previous statement was slightly over, as it's been that many in about a week.

And just to point it out: This thread isn't here to discuss how to combat the bots, it's here to tell new people why they can't post their shiny thread. (And so I don't get 5 PMs a day about it)

Yes I have noticed that this discussion is not covered by the topic name or subject.

Ok 95 yesterday, thats not much of a problem. Think about it, you have a mod whos sole purpose is to come on and check these out while he/she goes about their usual crapola... or you could just use one of the existing mods who is on alot of the time... would have to be voluntary though.

But that mod can't deny anyone access, they simply pass anything that looks suspicious onto you... or someone else who can make a descision without backlash.

Simply put: No way.

Scott, why not install a verification system? Members would have to enter certain numbers/letters on the side of their message textboxes or something before they can post successfully.

ZU has that already, it was recently improved. The bots continued on unabated. So, now we've got a one-post limit.

Ah, it's hidden. I see.

Haven't registered recently, have you? Obviously not, being a member since almost before we had vB... there's multiple verifications required to register.

No. I didn't mean the registeration.

I mean posting the messages on the board. You know? Like how the guestbooks have those number verifications before you can actually post a message?

Post verification for registered users is one of the most abnoxious things possible.

And somehow those bots are able to bypass those verifications in the registration stage? How is that even possible?