Change in MURC forums accessibility

[dZeus]

Some users are alarmed by the huge amount of new users signing up (but not posting, hence they are very likely to be bots). I'd like to ask your opinion on this development, if you want it to stop and if yes, how. Please vote for your opinion or post if you want something else than the proposed options.

Note that right now (and since a very long time), ANYONE can read the MURC forums, and the user registrations do not add anything other than access to the 'Political and Religous' subforum.

[Brian Ellis]

I'm not sure that the bots are actually registering, as the no. of registered users is not excessive. I suggest they are reading threads whose titles include one or more keywords. The fact of downloading what they are reading would explain why posting here has become difficult at times as they may be hogging the bandwidth to the server.

Solution???

[dZeus]

I'm not sure that the bots are actually registering, as the no. of registered users is not excessive. I suggest they are reading threads whose titles include one or more keywords. The fact of downloading what they are reading would explain why posting here has become difficult at times as they may be hogging the bandwidth to the server.

Solution???

I haven't noticed any issues with sluggish performance here. Maybe a purge of the 0 post users would help make the database smaller, but I doubt it's going to make a big difference.

What would probably help is to give the server more resources, but that costs extra $$$ which Sasq has paying out of his own pocket for some time afaik.

[Jammrock]

I'm good with limited visibility. How many new, legitimate users, who are not referred by an existing forum member have we had in the past year?

[Umfriend]

How many new legitimate period?

I have no performance issues with MURC. Would not mind a few new active members but, well, Matrox is not the thing anymore so I don;t see that happening for any sensible reason.

I do wonder about Alienieri though. He is always online, often browses the Lounge, occasianally reads threads but never ever posts (Yes, I am watching you all).

[Dr Mordrid]

Purge, but with an eye on post views.

[xortam]

The number of recent new regs are suspicious and I would only be concerned if these are to aid hacking attempts. I haven't noticed any change in the responsiveness of the forum. I say no harm no foul and leave things as they are. I just hope the admins can restore the site quickly if it is hacked. There are times that I don't login to view posts and I'd rather it not become a requirement.

[VJ]

I see no harm in purging those that haven't been online in a long time.

As for new users, there have not been many new, active ones... I think Guchi was the last. But is there a way for existing users to propose new members?

[Elie]

I would also say purge those suckers!!
Lets do a test thread, call it...
#Kim Kardashian...lost in space
For example and see how many hits it gets lol

[cjolley]

#Kim Kardashian...lost in space

And you are under the impression that real MURCers would pass that up?

[Umfriend]

In fact, I now demand Elie to start that thread!

[paulw]

In fact, I now demand Elie to start that thread!

+1. I've never seen much of this board running slow. If it has I put it down to the distance between me and it..

[VJ]

And you are under the impression that real MURCers would pass that up?

Wouldn't real MURCers now just make a second account just to view the thread without other MURCers knowing?

[Belwarrior]

Wouldn't real MURCers now just make a second account just to view the thread without other MURCers knowing?

One MURC account is enough, i rarely post but drop by once a month on the average.. compared to when i was in my old job where i was viewing MURC at least 3 times daily

OTOH, most of us would be recognised even if we have another account due to the way we form sentences..
Wasn't there an user who had wild theories about stonehenge who was replying to himself?

[VJ]

Gary! I forgot all about him... Those were the days...