This is topic Registration Suspension Suspense And Temporarality Suspended Extemporaneously in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.
The webmaster has reopened registrations, but this is mainly for test purposes. Those of you who are already members, please do not take this time to register new names. If there's a new person out there who wishes to register you can try, but since the process designed to block spambot registrations is still in testing, it's possible that you won't get registered anyway -- I'm not sure exactly how it's working (haven't tested it myself, either). For those who got various server errors today, that's likely the cause. Thanks for your patience. --PJ
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Ok, folks, the spam has gotten out of hand (congrats to all the race winners, by the way), so until something is done about that (probably back to the new software idea), new registrations have been temporarily suspended. It may still happen, as several accounts have been registered and never used, so keep those whistles a-comin'.
For those who are reading Hatrack and wish to become real live interactive members, we in the past have responded to such requests (they'd have to be by e-mail -- I'm happy to field the requests, and my e-mail address is very findable, but include something like "Hatrack" in the subject so I know it's not spam) by having a number of long-time members who have "spare" screennames that they never (or rarely) used. Such people may post in this thread, which I'll leave stickied for a while, and if you random person out there wishes to join, we'll try to get you a name.
I'll try to keep you all updated as more info makes its way to me. Thanks for understanding.
--PJ
[ January 10, 2008, 01:04 AM: Message edited by: Papa Janitor ]
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I think I still have one or two such "sightly used" screennames.
*Makes a note to himself to make some next time registration is open and put them aside for this purpose.*
Yeah, it's definitely time for a software update. With the right software and a little work you could probably still keep the same look. You'd barely even be able to tell it was updated.
Posted by Lupus (Member # 6516) on :
You could always set new registrations to need approval. That way when someone registers it sends you an e-mail...and you can reject or deny it (after contacting them).
It is a bit of a hassle, but prob easier than hunting down spare usernames to pass out.
Posted by adfectio (Member # 11070) on :
I've got one with about 200 posts. More than this one I just don't use it anymore. If someone wants it just let me know. shoot me an email at
username here at gmail dot com
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
I have a few spares too, if anyone needs them.
Elbereth Gilthoniel
=D-
Draetakenna
and several others. Email me if interested.
Posted by Joldo (Member # 6991) on :
I've got two or three. My e-mail is anthropo2605@gmail.com
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
I have a few also, and I'm more than willing to use the hatrackfestivus@gmail.com email account, for newbies to email and then we can find them older accounts.
Posted by TL (Member # 8124) on :
I have one as well.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
I have some spares that I'd donate. Just let me know.
Posted by Marek (Member # 5404) on :
I have a few I might be willing to part with, probably not this one though
Posted by MEC (Member # 2968) on :
Maybe we should have one of those "enter the characters and numbers in the image" things for registration.
Posted by adfectio (Member # 11070) on :
quote:Originally posted by MEC: Maybe we should have one of those "enter the characters and numbers in the image" things for registration.
It's called a CAPTCHA and we were talking about it here.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
quote:Originally posted by MEC: Maybe we should have one of those "enter the characters and numbers in the image" things for registration.
Nah, a "Princess Bride" trivia quiz!
Posted by MEC (Member # 2968) on :
you have to answer the question "In what movie is the following quote from: 'That's the beauty of it, it doesn't do anything'"
Posted by shathias (Member # 11434) on :
Sounds like I registered just in time.
I spent a while lurking, and just recently took the time to register.
Hi, everyone!
Posted by Marek (Member # 5404) on :
ok entry quiz:
which direction is the enemy gate?
what is an ROUS?
What is the chain of comand (according to Jayne)?
all i can think of off hand
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
ROFL -- that is awesome, Marek!
Posted by Joldo (Member # 6991) on :
What we set up on another forum was pretty simple. We had five pictures of kittens and five of cars, and you had to identify which pictures were which.
Posted by adfectio (Member # 11070) on :
quote:Originally posted by Marek: ok entry quiz: what is an ROUS?
I don't know this one..... Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
Perhaps we should revoke your membership and give it to someone more deserving.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Just try to revoke mine. Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
I wouldn't dream of it—you would probably do me bodily harm. It's so much easier to pick on newbies.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Nah, no bodily harm.
That's far too obvious. Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
She has ways. Oh, she has ways... Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
*shudder*
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Ah, I'll be merciful.
adfectio -- look up quotes from The Princess Bride Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
I can't believe you'd give him a hint like that, FG! Gosh! Talk about spoiling the fun! *pouts*
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Oh, please. Googling "ROUS" gives the answer on the results page!
The one I don't know may be a tad harder to find.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
What? That's easily found on IMDB quotes, as well! Posted by adfectio (Member # 11070) on :
Oh wow.... now I feel stupid....
to my credit (I think) It's been years since I've seen that.
Posted by Dr Strangelove (Member # 8331) on :
I've got two or three spare usernames with well under 100 posts.
adfectio - Go watch Princess Bride. The 20th anniversary edition just came out.
Posted by Shawshank (Member # 8453) on :
What is scary? (according to Jayne)
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
Oh, I like Jayne's chain of command. I might have to become a Firefly fan.
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
That's a great idea, Grisha! I totally think we should do it that way. We can change up the questions periodically as well. Posted by JonnyNotSoBravo (Member # 5715) on :
quote:Originally posted by rivka: Oh, please. Googling "ROUS" gives the answer on the results page!
Personally, I don't think they exist.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
*shrieks fetchingly*
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
quote:Originally posted by shathias: Sounds like I registered just in time.
I spent a while lurking, and just recently took the time to register.
Ooohh -- that was a very good shriek, rivka! *grins*
*waits for JNSB to roll over flames protecting the princess, and the solid thunk of the log on the ROUS' head by the princess*
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
quote:Originally posted by rivka: Oh, please. Googling "ROUS" gives the answer on the results page!
The one I don't know may be a tad harder to find.
Just google "Chain of command" and "Jayne" and click on the first hit that's a youtube video.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Well, fine, if you're going to do all the work, even I'm not lazy (or uncaring) enough not to go look.
*considers herself enlightened*
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Perhaps if people can't answer the quiz, they can submit, in lieu of it, an essay on the topic, "Pirates vs. Ninjas: who wins?"
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Who cares?
Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :
In case it hasn't already been done - annihilate the accounts of all known spammers; they usually contain planted links and stuff in their user info.
Posted by Marek (Member # 5404) on :
<can't remember what Jayne finds scary>
darn, guess I'll have to watch the whole show again.
Posted by Shawshank (Member # 8453) on :
It's in the pilot. I'll just tell you.
Jayne is interrogating the lawman and Mal comes up.
"Now don't actually hurt just you know scare him." "Pain is scary."
Posted by adfectio (Member # 11070) on :
Oh. huh. I guess I read that more as 'What is Jayne scared of' and I couldn't for the life of me figure out what it was. It makes sense now, the wording just seemed kinda weird. Meh.
Posted by Shawshank (Member # 8453) on :
Ah. Sorry.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
quote:Originally posted by rivka: Who cares?
That would be an important point to address in the essay, now wouldn't it?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Meh.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I LOVE writing essays. Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
As do I.
When they're about topics I care about.
Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :
Ok. I hate to be a persistent nagger, but we're at the point now where what just happened was what I warned was going to happen and there's a number of reasons, most notably that the lock-and-edit used for the Spam Whistle Race left spammer info intact on their profile pages, such as is the case for users like these:
Since the spammers only need to seed information on as many sites as possible, if they get to keep even this much information on the site left by them, then Hatrack is a successful target for them. The issue with this oversight is that yhis is one of the primary things that greatly increase spam frequency load. CAPTCHAs and other automated processes help but generally the most important thing is to ensure zero breakthrough so that the people hired to do this don't see any reason to continue.
Posted by Astaril (Member # 7440) on :
I've got an account that's never been posted in. Someone who'll use it is welcome to it.
Posted by Sterling (Member # 8096) on :
Speaking o' spam: to be on the safe side, guys, you may not want to put full legitimate working e-mail addresses into a forum post... Occasionally one encounters roving spam-bots that love to scan forums for such information. Spelling out "ats" and "dots" makes things a little more secure.
Posted by firebird (Member # 1971) on :
i have a spare user ID that can be reassigned ....
Surely the correct user test is:
Which are you? (please be forgiving of spelling)
Frameling Utlaning Ramen Varelse Djur
Posted by Papa Janitor (Member # 7795) on :
I've only gotten one request at the Janitor account, and I wrote back and never got a response, so I guess we haven't had anyone new yet. If there is anyone, you're still welcome to e-mail me or use the "Contact" link near the top of the page (use Forum: Hatrack River as the topic if you want it to get to me). Or follow the instructions of other people who have given instructions.
If we continue to have no requests for a while despite this thread, I'll be unstickying this thread due to uselessness.
Posted by Papa Janitor (Member # 7795) on :
(Added at the end so people using the "Jump to new posts" link will see it, too.)
Inserted new info:
The webmaster has reopened registrations, but this is mainly for test purposes. Those of you who are already members, please do not take this time to register new names. If there's a new person out there who wishes to register you can try, but since the process designed to block spambot registrations is still in testing, it's possible that you won't get registered anyway -- I'm not sure exactly how it's working (haven't tested it myself, either). For those who got various server errors today, that's likely the cause. Thanks for your patience.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
![[Evil]](graemlins/evil.gif)
![[Angst]](graemlins/angst.gif)
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Meh.