My bad. I thought phpBB was the template (format) they were using. VBull is short for VBulletin.org, which is the template we use. Sorry if I am using incorrect terminology. I'm just a mod on the site, who happens to have some admin powers. Doesn't mean that I know what I'm doing, or talking about

No probs buddy. I think between the two of us, we have proved that it should be possible on here. Only bad point is that the mods may have more work to do.  We Don't Care About Pot Holes !!

Again, approving the first five posts is just an irritation for genuine users - spam is a small proportion of the posts so this would be a little over the top.

There is nothing that will combat Spam successfully without the measures annoying users or potential users. On another forum I am a member of we have a sub forum topic named "Report Spam Here" and the forum members link the spam to the post or username. It keeps the reporting all in one place, then a Mod has it a lot easier and posts there also saying for instance "Spam deleted to this time and date".

I know it won't eradicate it but it helps by linking to bring it all together for deletion.

We have the Report Post system here which does the same thing, albeit in a slightly different way

My money is on our newest member being spam

Have had a purge, thanks

Martin wrote:

Again, approving the first five posts is just an irritation for genuine users - spam is a small proportion of the posts so this would be a little over the top.

Granted mate, it would be a slight pain for new users, but, as you rightly say, we are quite lucky to be less troubled than other forums. Also, thanks to members and the mods, any outbreak is quickly dealt with.

Let's hope it stays nice and friendly. We Don't Care About Pot Holes !!

phpBB has the folowing options:
1. immediately login after registration,
2. login after confirmation through an e-mail sent to the specified user e-mail,
3. wait until an administrator reviews your registration and accepts it
All forums that I've visited use one of the last two. Many the last one.
Little protection use option 2, more secure being option 3.
I suggest option 3.
Let's think a little.
If a user really wants to became an active member he/she will wait. If he/she wont wait, then he/she isn't serious about it and no loss. If he/she is serious but has no patience, then again no loss with such a character.
If he/she register only for a single advice will be forced to wait because it is in his/her best interest. If not, no loss.
If it is a spammer, then this procedure (register - confirmation from the administrator - confirmation mail) will discourage it.
So Martin, don't worry, a serious future member will wait. I've waited even an entire week for a confirmation to one of the 4x4 forums. And I didn't mind.
Remember, not the community should seeks the members, the members must seek the community.
And accept its rules...

Hear hear Alex. Well said my friend.

I see the spam monkey has struck again tonight. That said, how many new registrants does this site receive on a monthly basis? Of those, how many contribute? I understand, for confidentiality or business practice, you may not be able to provide figures. However, like Alex I feel that if the new member understands the reasoning behind particular legislation, my patience will be paid off tenfold.

The site I moderate, despite for all practical purposes being "dead", is inundated by scum on a daily basis. It seems that once one latches on, more will follow. I spend my first 15 minutes going through all new registered members, and those who have logged on within the last 24 hours. Is it a pain in my arse? You bet. But, my inconvenience means a better experience for those who are genuine members.

I find the spam useful and have ordered several pairs of trainers and some performance enhancing drugs  At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

Should ban Spam and Chicken mail!

Temporarily, I have made new registrations admin activated - should stop the overnight spam and tell us straight away how many registrations there are.

Would love to hear about your findings. Keep us posted if you can/care to.

Thanks all for the spam reports, keep them coming, hopefully they get bored