I have a question to put to the membership, again, though it has been a while. Some of you may recall in the past when our site was taken over by some middle eastern jihad type site and played some muslim noise while displaying arabic writing saying God knows what. After we were able to regain control of the site, most of our old Forum was lost, and only what I had saved from the yahoo and excite communities days was left to try to rebuild. Additionally, around the same time, we had quite an influx of fake identities registering on the forums, and since we didn't require approval of registrations back then, many joined that either were spambots, or people that did not have our interests, or just were trying to cause trouble. After that we instituted a strict policy of approving all regs, with really, the main requirement being to provide a short narrative , just so we know you are a real person. Well, I have received two different registrations, I believe to be from the same person, and when I send the same email i send to everyone else, this is the response I get:
Forget it, I did not realize it was going to be such a hassle. I wanted to talk about my '57 ford parts, not get a national security clearance! Dan
OK, I thought, I don't remember our process being that harsh, as I have undergone security clearance checks, and it was over 40 pages. ALl I wanted was one sentence, so I looked at my email to see if it could somehow be misconstrued. Nope. This is the email I send out to everyone who registers, unless I know the person, or have already spoken with them prior to them registering:
Welcome. Either you or someone at this email address has registered to be a member of `57 Fords Forever discussion forum. This is the club forum for `57 Fords International, a club dedicated to the 1957 Ford passenger car. In the past, we have had significant problems with spam generated by spambots which had been able to register on our site. In order to keep this to a minimum, we ask that you respond to this email with a short narrative explaining your desire to be part of our membership. Your user information is secure with us, never, ever sold, and you will only receive an email from the club as part of an announcement for a club function. Please respond within five days. If you do not respond, you will receive one reminder, then your registration will be deleted. If you are still interested in becoming a member, you will need to register again. Please note, that we try to get these registrations approved as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
`57 Fords Forever management
Simple right? So, after the reply I got from this guy, I tried to gently explain why we do this, as follows:
Look fella, we have had a lot of problem with folks hacking our site, posting spam and porn, and now, we have to make sure that regsitrations are real. We aren't trying to cause you trouble, just save us trouble. We have a small amount of resources and manpower and do not have time to babysit the forum. By ensuring that every one who joins is an adult with some kind of interest in 57 Fords, we can eliminate the possibility of some punk kid in his mom's basement causing trouble on our forum, or posting stuff that doesn't belong here. Seriously, man, is it that big a deal to write this back to me: " My name is dan, I want to discuss 57 Fords as I have just discovered them" or something like that? I am not looking for a 300 word essay, just maybe a sentence or two to make sure you are a real person. I don't expect you to understand how web crawling bots work, but it is malicious code that crawls about the net, registering fake identities onto forums, once accepted, begins posting adds for sunglasses, boots, cameras, pornography, dating sites, any number of other stuff that someone, namely me, has to go in and delete. I work a full time job, have a family, they have outside activities, plus I am trying to build my 57 Ford. I don't have free time for that nonsense. So, I screen the applicants. If you really want to discuss 57 Fords, drop me a line, and let me know, I will approve you asap. Remember though, I don't make ANY money off this site at all, in fact it costs me a great deal of money out of my own pocket because i love it. If you want to participate, fine, if not, also fine. But please don't bash us because I want to protect my investment of much time and money from some third world punk with an internet connection and too much time on his hands. Thanks, and hope to see you back on the forum.
And his response:
My name is not FELLA. It is Dan, as I stated. You & your site worry me, I think I'll steer clear of it. Thanks for the invite but no thanks. You will not hear from me again. Good luck to you, Dan
In retrospect, I probably shouldn't have begun the email the way I did. But, I talk to people that way, it's not disrespectful, but apparently he took it that way. At any rate, I have blocked and banned his IP address, as after I sent the email to him, I was alerted by my very cool virus protection software, that this dude had infected my computer with some kind of virus, and it had been contained. I doubt it was intentional, but it happened nonetheless. So, if any of you know this guy, beware, he seems to be full of venom, and probably moreso after my final reply, in which I told him if he was planning on acting childish like that here, we really don't need the drama, so he can go play on the hamb, where he will be dealt with swiftly and severely, I am sure.
My main question is this: Do you think that my standard email to all prospective members is too intrusive? Keep in mind, I don't want to know life histories here, I am just trying to insure that everyone who gains access to this site is a real person, and not some spambot, or pornbot, whatever. Let me know your thoughts on this.
James I think you're fine with the email. I agree with you and your reasoning for asking for the reply. There is already enough crap out there and your site is one I can depend on to be good and clean. Keep it up man.
Bill
Sounds to me like at best he was looking for an outlet to sell stuff. If he had any interest in '57 Fords he would have spent some time as a visitor and known this wasn't a site "he needed to steer clear of".
I think your method is spot on, and we appreciate your protecting us from the spamers. Thanks for sharing this with us, and asking our opinions!
Wow! I don't think we lost a team player, although he took it better then me, I would have punched some walls, kicked some crap before I moved on. I didn't think the rules were to bad, weeding out is a good thing, just glad you missed me. HRD
No complaints with any of it and I have seen similar on other forums, it helps to ensure this site attracts 57 Ford enthusiasts only and not those with only a passing interest who prefer to use forum membership as a way to cause trouble in one way or another.
Looks good James. I feel lucky to have someone willing to put in the time and effort so I have a great site to go to.
I see no problem at all and wouldn't change a thing. It's just unfortunate that you have to waste your time dealing with the world wide wackos and there are tons of them out there. Thank you for what you have done to keep this a safe place..
Another none automotive site forum I belong to has added an automatic spammer filter and last year 26,000 registration requests were denied, they try to get in everywhere. You can't be too cautious..
James I am grateful for all you do for this site. Proud to be a FELLA!
Fella John
Donnie, Norwell had already called me and hooked you up or you would have gotten "the letter" too...There are a very limited number of folks who I have just let in, and they are ALL people I either knew already, or they had contacted me asking for membership. After a couple emails, I figured they were the real deal. I guess I was just looking for some reassurance to let me know I wasn't being a hardnose about it. Thanks guys, I really appreciate it.
Quote from: JPotter57 on 2014-01-21 09:39
Donnie, Norwell had already called me and hooked you up or you would have gotten "the letter" too...There are a very limited number of folks who I have just let in, and they are ALL people I either knew already, or they had contacted me asking for membership. After a couple emails, I figured they were the real deal. I guess I was just looking for some reassurance to let me know I wasn't being a hardnose about it. Thanks guys, I really appreciate it.
Thanks Jeff, although it sucks to know I'm hanging buy a thread, makes me feel like I'm back in school. Well I'll try to be good!
James, I remember when I first found this site. Trolled for a couple weeks then signed up got your e-mail and found it peculiar. Couldn't believe that someone questioned my love of all things 57 which by the way includes my wife. But am glad you screen at the door so to speak. Really refreshing that thru your efforts this has not become, what was once common, a ford vs chevy vs dodge forum for idiots. the ''morning coffee'' thread which has become quite active lets us interact (BS) and discuss OTs. Keep it up what sounded peculiar to me at first is what has made this group family.
Zap- :unitedstates:
I really appreciate your effort to keep this site clean and running well. The only problem I have is that I think I have a new addiction, every time I sit down at the computer I have to check what's been going on here before anything else gets done! I love it!
This site has been very helpful and it is greatly appreciated.
James - having been a member for more years than I can count..... All I can say is your email was appropriate and you have done a great job...
****'um !!!
This site has been very helpful to me while rebuilding my 57. Glad you keep it clean and handsome.
I had no problem with the return email required when I signed up. I think it is a great idea.
James, There is nothing wrong with what your doing. You run a good site. And the need for no baby sitters here is proof of that. If someone is threatened by responding "I like 57 Fords, they are super boss man" then you need to watch out for them.
I like 57 Fords by the way. They are Boss man.
Love this site! One of the main reasons is there is no BS. Keep doing what your doing.
Better safe than sorry. If someone has a legitement interest in joining the forum then I don't and didn't feel that it was any problem to write a few words about my interest in 57 fords.
Anyone that considers it an imposition should move on.
You did the right thing.
Pete
Fine by me...weed out the spammers and guys just wanting to be jerks.
I've always said this site is as valuable as any tool in the shop, and you have to do what needs to be done to keep it that way. Thanks fellas
By all means do what it takes to keep the porn,spammer out,its bad enough I still get spammer through my e-mail,and you can only block so many of them.The people here have been great help to me on restoring my 57 ranchero.
Clarence
James,If I were in charge of running this site everybodys computer would probably lock up when they logged on.You do a great thankless job . Thanks Al
Sounds like we didn't need that "fella" around here one way or another. Thanks for all you do and keep it up!
James
You are doing a great job and it's necessary to protect this site. If someone simply claims to be interested in 57 Fords, he or she should not be afraid to write a little something . That's not too much to ask.
I do not feel that you are doing a "National security clearance" like he stated.
Keep up the good work. Jay.
James:
Please just keep on, keeping on. The site is wonderful and I, obviously, for one of many members on the site don't think your inquiry is intrusive. Best wishes for a great 2014.
Bob
57 AGIN
Things are going great,but we still have to watch H.R.D. it is a good thing we can see everything he does!
Oh yeah Tom, I've got my eyes on that character...I'm watching...always watching. >:/
Your virus was probably no co incident . You handled it just right. By the way , I live about 20 minutes from the Hamb's HQ..I also am a member of the hamb, and they throw members off for what appears to be the mood they are in at the moment. The worst part of the hamb is being treated as if you are a 12 year old by people who know nothing about you.Not professional, as this site is.I also belong to Ranchero USA. They are all good sites, with varying degrees of usefulness. By far I like the 57 forever site the best, and keep on truckin' is my advice, don't worry about the wrench grench.
I think you did good. He had an axe to grind about something.
James:
I guess I slipped through the cracks by having previously met you, but I didn't get the email and still got accepted. I would not have been offended by it if I had. Thank you for creating this site.
John
James, I am proud to be a member of this site, I don't visit much or post, But when I do I like it very much. You are doing a good job.
Wayne from BC Canada.
Great website and a wealth of knowledge and great guys helping others out without anything in return in most cases. I am glad the language is clean and respectful. I'm another that fell through the cracks.
Pat on the back to Rich, from the first time I logged on he has been the best at welcoming and interacting with me and others. Sure made me feel welcome...
Quote from: Wirenut on 2014-01-24 22:53
Great website and a wealth of knowledge and great guys helping others out without anything in return in most cases.
That sentance just about sums up the whole theme of this place. I've had more advice and help on here than anywhere else, even when I was a relative newbie.
The old saying of "if it isn't broke, don't mend it" is applicable here.
I would have no problem saying I have a 1957 ford retractable, and I come to this site for imformation and sometimes look for parts and advise.
I just joined about 2 weeks or so did NOT seem to be to much hassle to me
This site is very very informative. A great bunch of guys with so much info.
I would not change a thing.
Too bad for a individual who can't take the first step.
Keep doing your great work here James.
oh yea,
You and Donnie owe me $75 each.
Jeff, Why don't I owe you $75.00?
What did I do now?
I think he paid James to let me be a member, I'm only paying $3O.... $75 is way to much, I'm sorry!
Quote from: wildhog on 2014-01-30 16:35
Jeff, Why don't I owe you $75.00?
Do ya wanna? :burnout: