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Message # 45004.6.2

Subject: Two problems...

Date: Tue 29/06/10 19:32:00 GMT

Name: Anonymous

Email:

Website:

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1) You couldn't possibly reserve names by IP address. The vast majority of home internet connections use what are called dynamic IP addresses, which means they change constantly. In fact, my ISP (AT&T, one of the largest in the U.S.) not only changes IPs, but they're in vastly different ranges, sometimes being 69.*.*.*, sometimes 76.*.*.*, and sometimes 99.*.*.* If using a name locked it to an IP address, the vast majority of names would get used once and would never be able to be used again.

2) Even if the name blank couldn't be left empty, people could retain anonymity by simply typing something random in the blank. Then, as in #1, this name would get locked in and could never be used again.

In reply to Message (45004.6)

Re:Forum Login + Feedback

By MK - wamtec@comcast.net Tue 29/06/10 13:10:20 GMT

Website:

Well....here we go again, I can see I am in the minority again, cos I have always wanted a proper login/registration system, ....mainly to prevent people from impersonating you or stealing your username....which has always been wide open to abuse and people often impersonate other people or steal their usernames...just to cause trouble. As somebody who has had his username periodically stolen or people impersonated me on the forum, this is something I don't like. The recent Tagstube events have yet again involved somebody impersonating another user too.

I also do not like "anonymous" posters either....this is totally against normal protocol followed by all other forums on the internet....i.e. anonymous posters are NOT allowed to post messages on all the other forum softwares on the net. Anonymous posters are often troublemakers and trolls.

Personally I would to see a full registration system installed with ip controls over all usernames, but if the majority of the forum folks still prefer to have an "open forum"...which means...open to abuse by people who can steal your usernames and impersonate you.....then at least lets have some username controls....i.e.

a) Once a person uses a particular username....that will get flagged against that person's computer ip address...and no other person should be allowed to post using that same username if their ip address does not match to the original person who owns that username....and

b) Anonymous people should not be allowed to post. If you wish to remain anonymous....thats cool...then you are welcome to be a lurker and reader of the forum, but you should not be allowed to post. That is the normal protocol on every other forum on the internet.

In reply to Message (45004)

Forum Login + Feedback

By Nigel - nigel@wetlook.com Tue 29/06/10 10:54:32 GMT

Website: www.wetlook.com

Regarding the idea of a "Thanks" button:

1 as most people already do, you can reply with a thumbs up or many other icons etc

>We have all these message icons that folks can use on this forum...most of which are silly and irrelevant.....but not one single icon for "thanks"....how ironic.

See above ! ?

2 I started working on this sometime ago, but to work properly, it requires users to be logged in, otherwise it is too easy for people to cheat, and vote for their own posts, even with IP checking, this is easy enough to get around.

So, we need a login system here ! At least that is what some people want to see. Personally, and I get a lot of good feedback about this, I like the forum being completely open. Yes it gives me a headache at times, but I think most people agree it gives a far fresher feel to the place, and encourages more posts.

Therefore, what I started working on last year was an optional registration. This allows people to reserve their posting name (possibly more than 1) and will then mark posts by registered users with a star (for example). Registered users would still have the option of posting 'anonimously' or using another, non-registered name. Registered users would be able to give "thumbs up" (thanks) points or "thumbs down" points to any post. Non-registered users can still post, but I was going to use a smaller font for their posts, and still allow thumbs up/down votes, but weight them as necessary to avoid abuse. I would then also have the option to disable postings from non-registered users if and when necessary.

Unfortunately, work on all this stalled, as I have lots of real (paid) work to do. I can't remember the last time that anybody bothered to make a donation towards running the forum... so I'm not overly encouraged to spend lots of time making improvements.

However, if I get time, and encouragement, then I will finish this off.

Nigel

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