Membership report
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Welcome to the Leverguns.Com General Discussions Forum. This is a high-class place so act respectable. We discuss most anything here other than politics... politely.
Please post political post in the new Politics forum.
Membership report
We've had some rather vituperative comments about our system for registration so I was interested in seeing just what we were dealing with so far as spammers go. For the month of May we had 1441 registrations of which 12 (.8%) were legitimate non-spammers. That is 8/10ths of 1 percent of all applicants were not out to abuse the board members.
We are using this registration methodology with this software for a reason. The software, despite the rigid controls used within it to control spammer registrations, would have allowed 1429 spammers access to the forums in this one month. By providing our e-mail address to registrants we are giving everyone a shortcut over our hands on review of background. If there is anyone here with a better idea of how to control this problem we are more than open to suggestions.
We are using this registration methodology with this software for a reason. The software, despite the rigid controls used within it to control spammer registrations, would have allowed 1429 spammers access to the forums in this one month. By providing our e-mail address to registrants we are giving everyone a shortcut over our hands on review of background. If there is anyone here with a better idea of how to control this problem we are more than open to suggestions.
Sincerely,
Hobie
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
Hobie
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
- J Miller
- Member Emeritus
- Posts: 14903
- Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2007 7:46 pm
- Location: Not in IL no more ... :)
Re: Membership report
Hobie,
You and I frequent several of the same forums. And if they are having the same spammer problems we are its at pandemic levels.
I do not have the slightest idea of how to combat these internet parasites, but anyone who's been out there for very long should understand what the forum is trying to do by blocking them.
I realize most folks would like things to be open and easy, but the spammers have ruined that.
Keep up the good job you and AmBraCol are doing and hopefully that .8 of 1% will eventually understand.
JMHO
Joe
You and I frequent several of the same forums. And if they are having the same spammer problems we are its at pandemic levels.
I do not have the slightest idea of how to combat these internet parasites, but anyone who's been out there for very long should understand what the forum is trying to do by blocking them.
I realize most folks would like things to be open and easy, but the spammers have ruined that.
Keep up the good job you and AmBraCol are doing and hopefully that .8 of 1% will eventually understand.
JMHO
Joe
***Be sneaky, get closer, bust the cap on him when you can put the ball where it counts
.***

- Old Savage
- Posting leader...
- Posts: 16918
- Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2007 3:43 pm
- Location: Southern California
Re: Membership report
Thanks for the report. I understand now why forums make you jump through the hoops they do to get on. I had no idea that the problem was that large. Sometimes you don't have any idea what is being done for your behind the scenes.
Re: Membership report
Hobie,that is amazing. I had no idea that the forum would be combatting so many spammers!
Thanks for your hard work.
Pop.
Thanks for your hard work.
Pop.
Re: Membership report
Hobie, as you already know - I am having the same problem on www.pumprifle.org. I probably only average around 10 per day, but I have to review each and every one of them. It is very aggravating and I would also like to know a solution. Fella's, if any of you decide to start a domain/web site, be prepared. Those parasites are everywhere.
http://www.pumprifle.org/
Bruce Hamlin's Pump Rifle Forum
Bruce Hamlin's Pump Rifle Forum
- Old Savage
- Posting leader...
- Posts: 16918
- Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2007 3:43 pm
- Location: Southern California
Re: Membership report
Early morning checking. We have approx. 250 members who have posted 300 times or more and most of the names you will be familiar with. There are almost 1900 who have never posted and another 400 who have posted 1 time. Always Lurking has posted on two occasions. Don't worry I am soon on the second cup of coffee and then off to the office to supervise carpet cleaning.
Griff - you would feel right at home there -almost no chrome except - one chair is hard chromed.



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- Member Emeritus
- Posts: 455
- Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2007 5:29 pm
- Location: Mountains of West Virginia
Re: Membership report
Hobie,
.....vituperative.....
Your English teachers would be proud!!
.....vituperative.....
Your English teachers would be proud!!

Lobo in West Virginia
Old List Veteran..Five Years..Five Hundred Posts
Old List Veteran..Five Years..Five Hundred Posts
Re: Membership report
I like it the way it is,I'm already in. I knew there were a lot of spammers but did not realize that many. I was getting really tired of "Marlin wow gold 336 pump action wow gold in 42-20 gauge wow gold. I don't know how to spot them or stop them before they get in but You R doing a great job. Haven't seen one for a while.
Perry in Bangor----++++===Calif
Re: Membership report
Thanks Hobie. As usual you're on it.
Re: Membership report
thanks for the work that you do. sorry for all the hassles but know that it is appreciated. blessings
Mike Johnson,
"Only those who will risk going too far, can possibly find out how far one can go." T.S. Eliot
"Only those who will risk going too far, can possibly find out how far one can go." T.S. Eliot
- Griff
- Posting leader...
- Posts: 21173
- Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2007 4:56 pm
- Location: OH MY GAWD they installed a STOP light!!!
Re: Membership report
+1rjohns94 wrote:thanks for the work that you do. sorry for all the hassles but know that it is appreciated. blessings
I didn't know that we were that selective. But, it shows in the posts and demeanor of the members.
Griff,
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
- COSteve
- Advanced Levergunner
- Posts: 4082
- Joined: Sun Jul 12, 2009 4:03 pm
- Location: A little valley up in the Rockies
Re: Membership report
A rope? Worked pretty good for cattle rustlers way back when.J Miller wrote:Hobie,
I do not have the slightest idea of how to combat these internet parasites,
Steve
Retired and Living the Good Life
No Matter Where You Go, There You Are
Retired and Living the Good Life
No Matter Where You Go, There You Are
Re: Membership report
Disgusting that it has gotten to the point were a gathering place for like minded people is pestered so much by spammers. 

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- Shootist
- Posts: 194
- Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2007 7:33 pm
- Location: AR
Re: Membership report
Ya done good Hobie.
Keep on keeping on.
Your efforts are appreciated.
TR
Keep on keeping on.
Your efforts are appreciated.
TR
Re: Membership report
dittoTom Richardson wrote:Ya done good Hobie.
Keep on keeping on.
Your efforts are appreciated.
TR
seems like a pretty good reflection of the current culture to me
thanks to the moderators who have that much energy!
Grizz
Re: Membership report
+2Griff wrote:+1rjohns94 wrote:thanks for the work that you do. sorry for all the hassles but know that it is appreciated. blessings
I didn't know that we were that selective. But, it shows in the posts and demeanor of the members.
LETS GO SHOOT'N BOYS
Re: Membership report
Thanks for the good work Hobie, +1 and God bless.
Member : NRA
Oklahoma Rifle Assoc.
NPPAS
TRUISM: if guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. So, my advice is: Buy more guns!
Oklahoma Rifle Assoc.
NPPAS
TRUISM: if guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. So, my advice is: Buy more guns!
Re: Membership report
Hobie,
Like a union shop steward, you are doing a thankless job, but in your case we all want to tell you-----------WE LOVE YOU
Now, hows that for brownnosing? I see it everyday at work, the little ki&&-A%#ers plying their trade.
Hows 'bout this?-------Anyone with less than 10 posts gets the boot after 30 non-posting days. We don't need any worms, lurkers, cheapskates or weak minded individuals---- 'ya know, people looking for free information with no contributions.-------------------Sixgun
Like a union shop steward, you are doing a thankless job, but in your case we all want to tell you-----------WE LOVE YOU


Now, hows that for brownnosing? I see it everyday at work, the little ki&&-A%#ers plying their trade.
Hows 'bout this?-------Anyone with less than 10 posts gets the boot after 30 non-posting days. We don't need any worms, lurkers, cheapskates or weak minded individuals---- 'ya know, people looking for free information with no contributions.-------------------Sixgun
This is Boring & Mindless……Wasted Energy
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- Levergunner 2.0
- Posts: 431
- Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2007 12:32 pm
- Location: New Hampshire. Live Free or Die!
Re: Membership report
Wow, I'd have guessed that the ratio was the other way around, maybe 1% or so would-be spammers. The power of ignorance on my part! Thanks for the excellent work shielding us from the slime, this place provides a lot of relaxation & enjoyment.
Now listen boy, I'm tryin' to teach you somethin'. That ain't an optical illusion, it only LOOKS LIKE an optical illusion.
My mind reader refuses to charge me . . . .
My mind reader refuses to charge me . . . .
Re: Membership report
Not being all that internet savvy, I am surprised at the low ratio. Hobie, thanks for the job you are doing.
D. Brian Casady
Quid Llatine Dictum Sit, Altum Viditur.
Advanced is being able to do the basics while your leg is on fire---Bill Jeans
Don't ever take a fence down until you know why it was put up---Robert Frost
Quid Llatine Dictum Sit, Altum Viditur.
Advanced is being able to do the basics while your leg is on fire---Bill Jeans
Don't ever take a fence down until you know why it was put up---Robert Frost
Re: Membership report
Thanks for the good work Hobie 

Because I Can, and Have
-------------------------------------------------------------
USAF-72-76
God Bless America.
Disclaimer, not responsible for anyone copying or building anything i make.
Always consult an expert first.
-------------------------------------------------------------
USAF-72-76
God Bless America.
Disclaimer, not responsible for anyone copying or building anything i make.
Always consult an expert first.
Re: Membership report
Thanks for all you do Hobie!
Re: Membership report
I wanted to use your post to make a point. You see there was a time I felt the same way. I was thinking, even after the recent "run" of spammers that we were still getting 10% or so "real" members. Unfortunately, the figures don't lie. I saved every application and compared it to those we actually found to be real. I thought you guys should see what we're up against. If I didn't know how bad it really was, how could you know?WinM71 wrote:Wow, I'd have guessed that the ratio was the other way around, maybe 1% or so would-be spammers. The power of ignorance on my part! Thanks for the excellent work shielding us from the slime, this place provides a lot of relaxation & enjoyment.
While I appreciate the kind words, I'm not doing this to get a pat on the back. The problem is that we've had a couple of applicants who've been a bit more than simply angry that they didn't get immediately registered. Averaging 46-47 registrations a day, every day, it is hard to keep up. Further, folks insist on using very "spammy" looking handles. Real names won't fix it because the spammers have taken to using "real" names! Bruce is getting an education I think!

If you guys have friends who want to sign up, go ahead and drop me an e-mail and let me know when they registered (if they forget to) and I'll get them right in. I can fix just about any problem, but I need to know about it. DETAILS help.

Sincerely,
Hobie
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
Hobie
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
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- Advanced Levergunner
- Posts: 5492
- Joined: Mon Apr 02, 2007 9:23 pm
- Location: Batesville,Arkansas
Re: Membership report
I just want to add my thanks for your time to do this for us.
JerryB II Corinthians 3:17, Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
JOSHUA 24:15
JOSHUA 24:15
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- Levergunner 3.0
- Posts: 683
- Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 3:24 pm
- Location: West MI
Re: Membership report
Tom Richardson wrote:Ya done good Hobie.
Keep on keeping on.
Your efforts are appreciated.
TR
+1
BTW..... cool initials, TR
spaceman
I didn't fail the test, I just found 100 ways to do it wrong.
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Re: Membership report
Can't be that hard since I made it in!
But honestly there's no choice if we're to keep the spammers out. Please keep up the good work and thank you.
Regards,
Oly

But honestly there's no choice if we're to keep the spammers out. Please keep up the good work and thank you.
Regards,
Oly
- kimwcook
- Advanced Levergunner
- Posts: 7978
- Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:01 pm
- Location: Soap Lake, WA., U.S.A.
Re: Membership report
Hobie, if bonafide people want to become a member than they'll have to have a little patience. I wouldn't want you to change anything. Thanks for everything you do.
Old Law Dawg
Re: Membership report
Maybe two email addresses, one to register that is independent of the board, once checked out and ok-ed, then one to actually access the board. ???Hobie wrote:
We are using this registration methodology with this software for a reason. The software, despite the rigid controls used within it to control spammer registrations, would have allowed 1429 spammers access to the forums in this one month. By providing our e-mail address to registrants we are giving everyone a shortcut over our hands on review of background. If there is anyone here with a better idea of how to control this problem we are more than open to suggestions.
Steve
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- Levergunner 3.0
- Posts: 995
- Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2008 10:29 pm
- Location: Idaho panhandle/Wyoming
Re: Membership report
Thank you, Hobie for your work here ... I didn't realize the problems you face for our benifit... I guess freedom of speech isn't free either... best wishes.......... Les
This is plagiarized from someone else, but I love it!
I was born a gun owner.
It wasn't a choice.
I didn't become one later in life.
I was born this way.
I was born a gun owner.
It wasn't a choice.
I didn't become one later in life.
I was born this way.
Re: Membership report
Thanx for puttin' the boot to 'em, Hobie !
Well done.
.
Well done.
.
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- Levergunner 3.0
- Posts: 996
- Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2008 9:19 pm
- Location: South East South Dakota
Re: Membership report
Wow. That's disgusting.
Hobie, pay no mind to those who get torqued off at the process. You can't please everyone, ain't gonna happen as we all know. Thanks.
Cat
Hobie, pay no mind to those who get torqued off at the process. You can't please everyone, ain't gonna happen as we all know. Thanks.
Cat
Re: Membership report
Hobie, for what its worth I registered here not long ago. I did not think it was an unreasonable process, I read the directions and did it. I think you signed me up the next day if I remember right. If some one can't wait a day or two to sign up on a message board I think maybe they got issues. Heck I've had harder (longer) times trying to get the bank to give me MY money in large withdrawls before.
Re: Membership report
I agree, I am a new member and I didn't think the joining process was that bad. But then I have nothing to hide and I use my real name.Udy wrote:Hobie, for what its worth I registered here not long ago. I did not think it was an unreasonable process, I read the directions and did it. I think you signed me up the next day if I remember right. If some one can't wait a day or two to sign up on a message board I think maybe they got issues. Heck I've had harder (longer) times trying to get the bank to give me MY money in large withdrawls before.

.
- DocHolliday
- Levergunner
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Thu Oct 04, 2007 5:21 pm
Re: Membership report
Had NO idea. Thx for the hard work.
Doc
Doc
NRA Benefactor Life
NWTF Senior Sponsor
NWTF Senior Sponsor
Re: Membership report
I guess I am a little dim, but what does a 'spammer' hope to achieve by posting on this forum, anyway? It isn't like anyone on here would respond to any of their offers to buy counterfeit Rolexes or pharmaceuticals or whatever.
Texas State Rifle Association http://www.tsra.com
Freemason. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemasonry
Freemason. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemasonry
- Ysabel Kid
- Moderator
- Posts: 28541
- Joined: Mon Sep 17, 2007 7:10 pm
- Location: South Carolina, USA
- Contact:
Re: Membership report
Hobie, thank you for all you do. I had no idea how bad the situation with spammers was. I'd like to hang them all by their toes!!! 

Re: Membership report
Hobie,
You are sure right about the education. I am noticing some spammers are trying to use real names also. I almost let one in the other day. He had an honest looking .aol email, but a Whois check showed a Russia connection.
After reading your initial post, I went back and looked at the pumprifle membership and noticed about three members who had not posted or visited the site since joining. Two of them I know/recognize and I decided to recheck out the other (who had a real name). Sure enough, he had joined the day the site had opened and it was also a Russia contact. I deleted/banned him and the IP address and I don't know if it helped, but this morning is the first morning I have not had an email box full of bogus requests. Actually, I had none.
You are sure right about the education. I am noticing some spammers are trying to use real names also. I almost let one in the other day. He had an honest looking .aol email, but a Whois check showed a Russia connection.
After reading your initial post, I went back and looked at the pumprifle membership and noticed about three members who had not posted or visited the site since joining. Two of them I know/recognize and I decided to recheck out the other (who had a real name). Sure enough, he had joined the day the site had opened and it was also a Russia contact. I deleted/banned him and the IP address and I don't know if it helped, but this morning is the first morning I have not had an email box full of bogus requests. Actually, I had none.
http://www.pumprifle.org/
Bruce Hamlin's Pump Rifle Forum
Bruce Hamlin's Pump Rifle Forum
Re: Membership report
I have to wonder if spamming really pays off. After all, if I didn’t bite on the first 100 offers for cheep Viagra, I’m not going to jump on 101.
I wish I had the knowledge to write one those virus programs. I’d set it up to travel back and fry the spammers hardware !


I wish I had the knowledge to write one those virus programs. I’d set it up to travel back and fry the spammers hardware !



Levergunning & Handloading
Yeah, I roll my own pilgrim
Yeah, I roll my own pilgrim
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- Levergunner 1.0
- Posts: 82
- Joined: Sun Jan 16, 2011 9:20 am
- Location: N. West Virginia/Ohio Valley
Re: Membership report
Geez Hobie, your percentages seem unreal to me, but then I'm not on your end of the Internet. I know that I haven't posted much, I'm still waiting for rifles to come up from Brazil so I have nothing to take pictures of nor any experiences to relate. This site surprises me with the good information that shows up, on leverguns and other areas, and I appreciate it. I don't mean to be a leeching lurker at this fine Forum, I just don't have the breadth of experience that the other fine members here have and am enjoying soaking up the new stuff. I also try to keep my trap shut as much as possible (though it may be hard to tell from this
) in an effort to keep from chewing my feet. My thanks to the membership here for all their openness and sharing. And Mucho Thanks to you Hobie for all you put up with every day to help keep this an excellent place.

Re: Membership report
Thanks for your hard work Hobie! I have no suggestions, on improving how you are weeding out spammers.
Re: Membership report
Well, I spoke to soon. Today I got hammered by spammers using real names that were spelled correctly.
http://www.pumprifle.org/
Bruce Hamlin's Pump Rifle Forum
Bruce Hamlin's Pump Rifle Forum
- GonnePhishin
- Senior Levergunner
- Posts: 1952
- Joined: Fri Jun 27, 2008 11:23 pm
- Location: Bodecker's BBQ Bar & Grill
Re: Membership report
Hobie,
I don't know if this is any help but is there any type of "legal type form" that could be used to make any person who lies and is just a rotten spammer
be held liable somehow? I have been a member several years now and really enjoy reading most of the postings,, even though I haven't posted that many compared to the others.
Just my thought on the subject.
You are doing a fine job
I don't know if this is any help but is there any type of "legal type form" that could be used to make any person who lies and is just a rotten spammer

Just my thought on the subject.
You are doing a fine job

"The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it." - Thomas Jefferson
"I know not what course other men may take, but as for me, Give me Liberty or Give me Death!" - Patrick Henry
"I know not what course other men may take, but as for me, Give me Liberty or Give me Death!" - Patrick Henry
Re: Membership report
I’m a member of another Internet forum (that involves firearms & shooting discussion) and they use spammers for entertainment purposes. The spammer posts, then forum members “hunt” the spammer by being first to identify them as a spammer. Scores are kept and posted of forum member “kills” on spammer accounts.
One of my favorite things to do with spammers is to use the email address they send you and sign up with it at every depraved XXX sex website I can find. Just be sure to have current up to date virus protection on your PC if you do this, as I see lots of virus activity in the dark underbelly of the Internet.
I got that idea from stuffing all my junk mail into the pre-paid envelopes of other junk mail. The people at the credit card companies get lots of coupons for everything from pizza to discounts on carpet cleaning. Our country’s Post Office is running in the red and is going to need a bail-out if their business doesn’t pick up. Help them out by stuffing & mailing every pre-paid envelope from a group that you don’t care for. I wake up in the morning feeling just great (and politically correct) about all that space that I’m saving at the landfill!

One of my favorite things to do with spammers is to use the email address they send you and sign up with it at every depraved XXX sex website I can find. Just be sure to have current up to date virus protection on your PC if you do this, as I see lots of virus activity in the dark underbelly of the Internet.
I got that idea from stuffing all my junk mail into the pre-paid envelopes of other junk mail. The people at the credit card companies get lots of coupons for everything from pizza to discounts on carpet cleaning. Our country’s Post Office is running in the red and is going to need a bail-out if their business doesn’t pick up. Help them out by stuffing & mailing every pre-paid envelope from a group that you don’t care for. I wake up in the morning feeling just great (and politically correct) about all that space that I’m saving at the landfill!

Politicians and diapers both require frequent changing for the EXACT same reason!
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- Levergunner 1.0
- Posts: 83
- Joined: Sat Dec 22, 2007 8:34 am
- Location: Over the rainbow, behind the curtain
Re: Membership report
I think the best thing to do with spammers is to ignore them. Internet forums are not face to face, so it is easy to just move on. If a troll doesn't get what he wants, he'll quit. No use becoming a troll to fight trolls.
Re: Membership report
Thank God that Hobie and our other hardworking admins don't do that - else fewer than 1% of the posts here would be about leverguns...jerry b wrote:I think the best thing to do with spammers is to ignore them.
If someone slaps you in the face (is an aggressor), slapping them back would make that person a "responder" - not an aggressor. If you think simply "ignoring" the trolls would make them stop making unwanted posts - then you clearly live in an imaginary world.
Politicians and diapers both require frequent changing for the EXACT same reason!
Re: Membership report
I like the ones that ask funny questions.
"Answer this riddle to pass! What is a three lettered word beginning with g that has the letter u in middle and n on the end."
"What color is green grass?"
Just hope the bots don't learn to ask wofram alpha.
"Answer this riddle to pass! What is a three lettered word beginning with g that has the letter u in middle and n on the end."
"What color is green grass?"
Just hope the bots don't learn to ask wofram alpha.