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New server and forum facilities

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GemmaJF View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GemmaJF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Mar 2012 at 2:41pm
The solution may be editing your end Rob? Many people will post files far larger than needed to the web. Fact is, the resolution isn't that great so uploaded files do not need to be huge. 

The restriction on the forum should easily allow pictures say 800 to 900 px wide to upload fine if they are reduced to a reasonable file size. I use the Photoshop facility 'save for web' which reduces the file to a reasonable size for upload. Most photo editing software has a similar facility. So first re-size the image, then check the file size and reduce as needed. It will make no different at all to the appearance on peoples browsers - other than it will load a lot faster Wink


Edited by GemmaJF - 31 Mar 2012 at 2:42pm
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Madfossa View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Madfossa Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Mar 2012 at 9:15pm
I also use the 'save for web' from photoshop elements and if you have picassa 3.9?? use the export function to resize. 
As for the registration spamming, does the forum registration use CAPTCHA software ( Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart)?
You know, the one where you have to try and decipher the jumbled letters in the box Confused and then fail miserably, try again and give up Wink
Ian
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Iowarth Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Mar 2012 at 9:37pm

Hi Ian

Yeap, we do use Captcha so we have reasonable immunity from automated spamming.

Sadly, there are a significant number of determined, and of course, mindless, stupid, moronic individuals who actually appear to gain some form of perverted pleasure from wasting their time filling in the registration form and posting spam - just to see it not only never authorised, but deleted and their acounts blocked.

I really, really wonder about the mentality of such individuals, and worry about the valuable oxygen they are using up (not to mention the CO2 they generate).

All the best

Chris

Chris Davis, Site Administrator

Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme (RETIRED)
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Madfossa View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Madfossa Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Mar 2012 at 9:54pm
Hi Chris

totally agree..theyre morons!!! Have you tried/maybe you already do ip logging a new user and checking against a database of existing real users? though does rely on everyone having a static ip address!!
Ian
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Iowarth Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Mar 2012 at 9:58pm

Yeap - already do that too!!

Keep trying - you may come up with something I haven't thought of !

What I need is 100% reliable spam-spotting software that also sends a return surge of about 20,000 volts through their computer!

Chris

Chris Davis, Site Administrator

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AGILIS View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AGILIS Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Mar 2012 at 10:05pm
Perhaps some of the spammers are rspb spies bent on infiltrating the herping sites so they can claim them for their feathered friends keith
   LOCAL ICYNICAL CELTIC ECO WARRIOR AND FAILED DRUID
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Madfossa Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Apr 2012 at 12:34am
Hi Chris,

An increase of 17,500 new members in 3 months appears more automated/programmed than human tbhAngry.
I know there is commercial software out there that checks against existing spammers databases, but that's more expense.... or you could introduce a small charge...not sure how well that would go down, but would provide another hoop for spammers to go through..its only an ideaEmbarrassed.
Good luckWink

Ian

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GemmaJF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Apr 2012 at 9:29am
Trouble with a small charge is I know Keith is very tight and we would lose him and I quite like him..

.. but seriously, part of the function of RAUK is to provide info to the general public and I think a charge would put them off. 

I have noticed though Chris that we don't see so many of those types of posts, has our visibility on the web tailed-off? 

I know at one time we had links from some popular wildlife/gardening forums and these days it appears those people do not get referred here. 

A quick browse through some of the old linked sites shows that most herp question are being answered by people who appear to have little clue what they are talking about, which is a shame with the knowledge base available here.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AGILIS Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Apr 2012 at 10:21am
Cheers Gemma     keith
   LOCAL ICYNICAL CELTIC ECO WARRIOR AND FAILED DRUID
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Iowarth Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Apr 2012 at 10:39am

Hi Gemma

Hmmmm ...... certainly I shall have to look at inbound links (or lack of!). Probably also time to look at a sitemap.xml (I could have sworn we had one but certainly can't find it anywhere.

We are still right up the top of SE rankings for searches under UK species names but, of course, many people don't know their names!

THere are also a couple of specialist herptile keeping forums. I was considering asking if they would like to exchange links so that we could send captive questions to a more appropriate place. They have sections re native species but the content is often sheer drivel. My reluctance to do so is that even their content re captive animals often contains drivel. There are too many 14 year old 'experts' who have kept a Beardie or a Corn Snake!

Anyway, something else I need to manufacture the time to look into! (How did I ever find time to work?) Smile

Perhaps this is an ideal opportunity to remind people. Although I get some financial support from ARC and ARG, I am still significantly out of pocket in running RAUK. So, as ever, donations will always be extremely welcome.

All the best

Chris

Chris Davis, Site Administrator

Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme (RETIRED)
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