Spammers and stats...

[12bar]

Hi folks,

recently our boards undergoes a heavy spam attack. No robots, but people sitting somewhere in the world and trying to place links in forums.
Hard to fight, I already changed the spam-fight question, but because they are real people it's easy to google the answer.
Checking the subscribers and deleting the spammers among them is quite time consuming.

The new updates for the forum software also don't include an automatic update as before, so I have to change all layout mods by hand after each update.

We have 23400 posts here with over 6 GB of Blues uploads so I don't want to shutdown the forum, even if the traffic sometimes is rather low.
Therefore I'm thinking of changing to another software. Easier to maintain, secure but - less features.
I think uploading should still be possible although we could use soundcloud, youtube etc. instead.
An in-line player is also nice.
And - I love those smilies...
Currently I'm checking the alternatives to see which one is usable for us.

Any thoughts?

[fenson]

Time consuming that is the real !
That's also why I do not have a site any more... Thanks Gerd
Trying YT by the way, here' s my very first clip: https://youtu.be/wVrnSIWgX9E

[Blindboy]

You do a great job, Gerd. I only wish that I could participate more. This is a great forum, I have steered a couple of people here from a facebonk guitar page I frequent, but don't know if they have checked it out.

[mjo]

Hi 12bar, and all
1st: ..you can see I'm not big on participation, sorry, I don't have many posts at either of the forums Im 'registered in -hehe- ..it's actually 3 forums I am very glad this place is here ! There are not many blues forums out there and I really appreciate you keeping this place going ! .......... right now I see: 2 bots, a "spider" ..whatever that is, blindboy and I are on.....I might research how to make these places unattractive for spammers / bots. I'll let you know if I find anything.

2nd: fenson, I just listened to your tune. I think it's very good !! you do a great job on guitar and bass !! I have to listen again, do you have some altered going on on there ?? .... I just had to tell you that's really good

If I ever get recording software, I'll post something.

-best,
Mike

[12bar]

Thanks!

I might research how to make these places unattractive for spammers / bots. I'll let you know if I find anything.

There are only two ways to block - manual registration check (currently the way I choose) or compare against spam mail databases.
They are no bots, so a guitar specific question which would block bots is not helpful (or too hard to answer and blocking "real" members, too).
I'll check some alternatives and let you know...

PS: fantastic playing, Fenson!

[VikingBlues]

Gerd - whatever makes your running of the forum less time and money consuming would be good!
The forum is a great gift you have given us.

I'd also like to add, as others have, what a great piece of playing that is by Fenson - exquisite tone and feel!