Since we have created this Forum, it has always been an open forum. Anyone can come in to post at anytime.
Makes it easy.
Too easy for some.
Would anyone oppose to the idea of having to join the group and log in to post? I don't want to push anyone away, but we have to do something eventually.
The process is simple. Initially, each one of you will have to join, use your login (the same name you always used) and private password. The system will send you an email (make sure you get that absolutely correct) and it will have a test built into the email. Once your email has been verified, then you will be given access. Then after that, you will need to log in. You have used them before on other sites, I'm sure.
I can remove anyone from access at any time. Of course, you all know that I have been rather lenient and not trigger happy, so don't worry about that. I just wanted to make sure you all understand what we are trying to do here.
Please, as many of you can, send in your votes, concern, ideas. I need them....quickly!
I think that is a fine idea. I was originally enthused about this site because of the many families and the wholesomeness. Many of those folks have left due to what they considered unsavory postings. I miss them. I have not posted mush of late due to the loss of these family influences and people struggling with more than just the sexual issues. I'm for it!
We found out that some of the "families" were from the same person who later started spaming the site. We found out by the IP addresses in files.
I decided to expose the IP addresses on the board (you will see it when you view someones message at the end of the message) and we can find out if anyone has been writing under a different name.
The IP address will still be very much the same, even though they would use another name.
That person even tried to use my name!!!
So we blocked that person (and concequently, their ficticious family that disappeared all at once).
Sorry about the bad news. However, they were very good at creating several families I'll have to admit!
Just forgive, keep going and we'll see what we can do to improve the site here.
I have to admit that I am really disappointed that some of these "families" were fictional. I suppose I can guess which ones. I have to say that, occasonally, I wondered if the stories were a bit much. Maybe the way to tell the real ones from the fake ones is the real ones are not perfect and have their struggles.
Boyd, A thought I have just had. I don't know who disappeared and don't have time to search but while you mention that the Family didn't seem to fit could it be that they were that way and recently have, for whatever reason, not been visiting but someone, who was visiting them, got on line from their machine and did the spamming. Sorry, I have a tendence to jump to peoples defence and I don't blame you for banning the IP after all that smut but it did occur to me.
I think this is one of the problems with the Net and with not being able to easily verify who is at the other end. Cat's site has been having similar problems with Trolls and Madeup personalities and there is quite an investigative team building there, though it has been getting a bit paranoic recently.
I have no answers to how we can do anything other than what you have suggested and even that can be circumvented. Oh well, we'll just have to go for surgically implanted 512kb incrypted chips all starting with 666! NOT!
While I wish that the scenario you offered were true, I am probably the one who did the deepest search on the issue through the I.P. addresses, and the deception goes all the way back to the very beginning of the posts from the people in question.
They were never real, from the very beginning.
The level of deception is amazing, as is the energy that was required to sustain it. I can't imagine a motive, but if this same person was the one to spam us recently, there musy be alot of hate there. To think that a person could hold such hate, and still post such upbeat messages, just to fool us for their own pleasure... that person needs our prayers.
I have thought about the fact that the family was doing fine, but someone put them up to stop coming here, stop naturism, then spammed the site just to get us mad at them (or the IP address it came from) causing us to block them.
It's hard to say. The only way that can be resolved is if the family would email someone and let us know what really transpired. But even then, they would sense that they would need proof that is hard to give in this setting.
I rarely post but visit site daily. It is unfortunate but I agree that the login is necessary. Not only am I a home nudist, I am also a Christian recovering alcoholic with 18 yrs of sobriety thanks to the grace of God and "AA". My wife of 48 yrs tolderates my lifelong nudist lifestyle but does not go along with the lifestyle herself other than in the backyard pool.
I am in favor of restricted access to the forum. Fig Leaf Forum has a waiting period before you can post. I also propose that the forum posts be invisible to non-members. Some of what is posted here is confidential or should be. If compromise is needed, we could have a confidential part of the board and a part that could be read by the public, but not posted to.
I also want to go public with something I privately suggested to Boyd earlier, that is we should consider finding another Web host.
I am continually assaulted by spyware (Gator) that tries to install itself on my computer every time I visit this forum. If you read the fine print of the agreement, you will see that you agree to allow popup ads and that you must disable popup blocker software.
I would be willing to pay in order to have Web host that does not push spyware on visitors to this forum.
I am not sure of the limitations on this board. The spyware is probably because of the ads popping up. the only way we can disable the ads is to pay for an upgrade ($6 a month) and though it may not be much, I would have to use a card which gives access to my banking account. I am leary these days of using my card for a host to get to my account each month. Most are pretty good about it, but if they insist on spyware, then I don't want them to access my account.
If you have any ideas (anyone here), then I am open to suggestions.
Have a separate bank account or credit card account for the forum. Make sure there is no drafting from your personal account if it runs dry. Have it funded with subscriber dues. Yes, I am proposing that we be subscription/donation based rather than advertising-based.
That is something I have not considered. Maybe I can create an account later (funds to keep accounts going is needed too) just for web sustaining projects.
That would be appreciated! Right now, I just set the system to expose the IP addresses so we can track who is who.
If several people are posting and have only one IP address, we know it is a hoax or they have a very liberal use of their computer for the neighborhood!
to go, I agree, but how do you make sure the applicant is not a fake.
Back in Germany I used an internet provider that randomly supplied the IP address, so about 5 Mio users can not be separated by the IP address.
Actually I am using my office PC, usually I use my home PC with a constant IP address. So I sometimes might produce a bit of a confusion.
Would be interesting to learn more about the fake families
Though I understand the need to control the people who abuse this site. It is also needed as a ministery to those of us who are still in the battle of trying to be who we want to be but afraid of what others think. Do what is best for everyone. Love, WAB
I really hate the fact that we even have the need to discuss limiting access to the forum, but it seems like it may be necessary.
I still believe that this site and forum are an inspiration to many, and that limiting access would hinder that very necessary function, but... we can't have a repeat of what has happened.
So, I'm torn: I dislike the thought of becoming "exclusive", because I think this should be a place where any person curious about nudity or Christianity could come to recieve what I've found to be excellent council. Yet, we would be lacking in our responsibility to allow another such incursion of obvious hate... knowing from a hard-learned lesson how easy it is to be decieved, could we allow that possibility to continue? To do so would be a terrible lack of good stewardship.
So... I guess my answer, as much as I _really, really HATE!!_ to say it, is that I guess we should at least institute a password system.
But for the record, let me just say I think this sucks. How can anyone take any pleasure from expending that much time and energy simply to make us look foolish, if even in only their eyes? What kind of satisfaction could that bring?! It escapes me, and I guess I should be glad for that...
I hate it too. Keep in mind, this is really only ONE person doing this. After at least 4+ years on the web, this is the worst that has happened. Maybe once or twice before on minor issues where someone threw garbage at us, but dissappeard. I call them "Hit and Run Drivers" or "Drive by shooting". This is the first long time spammer.
Other sites are running into problems like this on a monthly or even weekly bases! Some as extreme as daily!
So to close the doors to free access just because of one or two people I think, maybe jumping too soon.
Have you ever had a situation where you wanted to purchase something or go somewhere only to be denied because of a few people ruining it for everyone else? That makes you mad doesn't it? Why should a small handful of people ruin it for the majority? That isn't right.
Therefore, I believe we should hold on for another month or two, see what transpires. If this continues, then we will do something.
Again, I need your input on this to make sure we all are on the same page with this. If the majority here continues to feel threatened, then we will proceed with the password idea.
I have not been a real frequent poster here, mostly due to me real family situations. However, for what it's worth, I am willing to give it another try. I agree with the "one person ruining it for everyone" idea. As Christians we are to perservere. As nudisits, we should now that there are lots of people out there willing to make problems for us. We can always go with plan B if we need to.
Boyd, as more people come to this forum, yes you will eventually have to have a membership, dues, and a new host. It's not a matter of if, but when.
However, there is a remarkable freedom to this still small friendly forum, so let's enjoy it while we can.
You'll know when time is right. If you start staying up til 2:00 in the morning most nights deleting posts from weirdos, then it's time to crack down. Not yet, I hope.
