Introduction under inducement

bryane · 01-26-2009, 11:51 AM

Hi,

Just to introduce myself. Bryan. South Coast of England, K10D user and avid Pentax fan.

Long time dabbler, worked my way from a Pentax ME to a K10D via a selection of lesser cameras, now very happy except that its abilities so far exceed mine I'll have to retire and concentrate on photography!!

Peter Zack · 01-26-2009, 11:58 AM

Well having more time for photography would be a goo thing! Welcome to the forums.

FYI in reference to the thread title. You got the email because the site has been getting more and more spam. It takes a lot of work to stay on top of this unwanted activity. So a new system is starting to clean up unused accounts and make sure the site isn't full of useless spam posts created by Bots.

**Kerrowdown** · 01-26-2009, 12:02 PM

Welcome to the forum, least you got something to look forward to when the time comes.

roentarre · 01-26-2009, 02:06 PM

Welcome

It is good to see you posting here

**rayallen** · 01-26-2009, 02:49 PM

Originally posted by Peter Zack

Well having more time for photography would be a good thing! Welcome to the forums.

FYI in reference to the thread title. You got the email because the site has been getting more and more spam. It takes a lot of work to stay on top of this unwanted activity. So a new system is starting to clean up unused accounts and make sure the site isn't full of useless spam posts created by Bots.

Peter,
Thank you for your explanation of why this was done. It is good to know that there was a valid reason for making sure that the "quiet" accounts were genuine users. I support and applaud the actions of the site moderators.

Peter Zack · 01-26-2009, 02:55 PM

That was all there was to it. We had literally a couple thousand accounts with no posts. With increasing spam happening (the moderators most fun thing to look for), Adam decided to go through the accounts and try to verify the accounts were real. Once someone makes a normal post then the account is fine, even if they never post again. But Spam Bots could easily wait and use those zero post accounts that were created for only that purpose. Those accounts will be closed at Adam's discretion.

**rparmar** · 01-26-2009, 03:32 PM

Originally posted by Peter Zack

That was all there was to it. We had literally a couple thousand accounts with no posts. With increasing spam happening (the moderators most fun thing to look for), Adam decided to go through the accounts and try to verify the accounts were real. Once someone makes a normal post then the account is fine, even if they never post again. But Spam Bots could easily wait and use those zero post accounts that were created for only that purpose. Those accounts will be closed at Adam's discretion.

As someone who has had to manage sites with active users, I know this is an ongoing problem. it's difficult to know if there is some unseen vulnerability in website software, especially those written in PHP, since it is not based on a secure foundation. This sort of maintenance is a good dose of prevention.

**rparmar** · 01-26-2009, 03:33 PM

Originally posted by bryane

Just to introduce myself. Bryan. South Coast of England, K10D user and avid Pentax fan.

Hi Bryan! Was in Dorset last summer and took lots of shots. Where are you?

lenzkeeper · 01-27-2009, 09:47 AM

Hi,
I just received a mail with the "invitation" to give a "sign of life". After reading several posts I understand the reason for that.
I like to read the posts and it is verry helpful but I would not be locked out from the forum. Discuss things in the forum is not my favorite pastime.... (sorry but english is not my first language).

Robert

K20 D and a lot of manual lenses....

**rparmar** · 01-27-2009, 12:45 PM

Originally posted by lenzkeeper

sorry but english is not my first language

Yet you use it a lot better than some here!

Welcome, Robert!

01-26-2009, 11:51 AM	#1
bryane New Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lee on the Solent, Hampshire, England Posts: 2	Introduction under inducement Hi, Just to introduce myself. Bryan. South Coast of England, K10D user and avid Pentax fan. Long time dabbler, worked my way from a Pentax ME to a K10D via a selection of lesser cameras, now very happy except that its abilities so far exceed mine I'll have to retire and concentrate on photography!!

01-26-2009, 02:49 PM	#5
rayallen Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Forresters Beach, NSW, Australia. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,014	Thank you for explaining why Originally posted by Peter Zack Well having more time for photography would be a good thing! Welcome to the forums. FYI in reference to the thread title. You got the email because the site has been getting more and more spam. It takes a lot of work to stay on top of this unwanted activity. So a new system is starting to clean up unused accounts and make sure the site isn't full of useless spam posts created by Bots. Peter, Thank you for your explanation of why this was done. It is good to know that there was a valid reason for making sure that the "quiet" accounts were genuine users. I support and applaud the actions of the site moderators.

01-27-2009, 09:47 AM	#9
lenzkeeper New Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Switzerland Posts: 1	I am in the same situation Hi, I just received a mail with the "invitation" to give a "sign of life". After reading several posts I understand the reason for that. I like to read the posts and it is verry helpful but I would not be locked out from the forum. Discuss things in the forum is not my favorite pastime.... (sorry but english is not my first language). Robert K20 D and a lot of manual lenses....

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01-26-2009, 11:58 AM	#2
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Well having more time for photography would be a goo thing! Welcome to the forums. FYI in reference to the thread title. You got the email because the site has been getting more and more spam. It takes a lot of work to stay on top of this unwanted activity. So a new system is starting to clean up unused accounts and make sure the site isn't full of useless spam posts created by Bots.

01-26-2009, 12:02 PM	#3
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,815	Welcome to the forum, least you got something to look forward to when the time comes.

01-26-2009, 02:06 PM	#4
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Welcome It is good to see you posting here

01-26-2009, 02:55 PM	#6
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	That was all there was to it. We had literally a couple thousand accounts with no posts. With increasing spam happening (the moderators most fun thing to look for), Adam decided to go through the accounts and try to verify the accounts were real. Once someone makes a normal post then the account is fine, even if they never post again. But Spam Bots could easily wait and use those zero post accounts that were created for only that purpose. Those accounts will be closed at Adam's discretion.

01-26-2009, 03:32 PM	#7
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	Originally posted by Peter Zack That was all there was to it. We had literally a couple thousand accounts with no posts. With increasing spam happening (the moderators most fun thing to look for), Adam decided to go through the accounts and try to verify the accounts were real. Once someone makes a normal post then the account is fine, even if they never post again. But Spam Bots could easily wait and use those zero post accounts that were created for only that purpose. Those accounts will be closed at Adam's discretion. As someone who has had to manage sites with active users, I know this is an ongoing problem. it's difficult to know if there is some unseen vulnerability in website software, especially those written in PHP, since it is not based on a secure foundation. This sort of maintenance is a good dose of prevention.

01-26-2009, 03:33 PM	#8
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	Originally posted by bryane Just to introduce myself. Bryan. South Coast of England, K10D user and avid Pentax fan. Hi Bryan! Was in Dorset last summer and took lots of shots. Where are you?

01-27-2009, 12:45 PM	#10
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	Originally posted by lenzkeeper sorry but english is not my first language Yet you use it a lot better than some here! Welcome, Robert!

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