List of links.

[Dave A]

Every now and then we get someone join the forum and make one post - a list of links.

No "Hello, how are you, nice weather we're having. I see you folks are interested in business matters. Perhaps you might be interested in my business / Here's how I can help you...."

Most of these relate to the birds and the bees and male performance enhancements, which I have serious doubts as to how they might enhance your understanding of business. But I've just had one to do with education. No story. Just a list of links to colleges in the USA. Maybe they've got us confused with a directory.

As members, do you want something like that? Maybe I need to open a spam forum. It would have to be in the members area to keep the public area on topic. And then if you ever get an urge....

Anyway, your thoughts on the matter are invited.

[duncan drennan]

That just sounds like typical degree online spam. I don't see value in such an area....most people can get it directly from their inbox

[Debbiedle]

Hi Dave

I get this too - it looks like it is an automated thing from the states somewhere. They also start the post with I agree, Nice post or something like that and then go straight into their links. I am trying to find a way to block this, you and I use different forum software!

[Dave A]

I am trying to find a way to block this, you and I use different forum software!

The pleasures of vB
Have you looked around The Admin Zone? There could be a hack there that might help.

[Debbiedle]

Nope I am about as literate as a mongoose on these things - my IT gurus need to get to it and it is priority number 11 hundred on their list right now, so I am currently still moderating manually................any ideas how I can bribe them?

[Snoopy_inc]

you could use a company that has the skills and focuses on service.

Dont deal with ppl that make you wait excessive times.

Thats just silly

[Dave A]

If I remember correctly, Debbie and her main IT guru are kinda close
Not that easy to fire.

Debbie, if you browse anyway and find something you like, at least you'll have done the research. It's just like using a forum. Then a little of that charm....

Oh yes, and here's another link to try - our Google result for "phpBB spam filter". Sorry, I've just to leave you with at least a little bit of work to do.

[Debbiedle]

Snoopy! You couldn't have known but my IT Guru(s) as Dave has said are both very close to me and are now ganging up on me.......my partner and 16 year old son! Son did most of website (www.stafftraining.co.za and his own site is www.metalmusic.co.za),I still need to get him through matric.

So our average conversation goes like this:

Mom: Hey kid - schoolwork first but I need you to give me solutions to xyz problems on forum.

Kid: Okay mom - schoolwork not a problem as .....I go to school?........oh yes....but I want to redo metalmusic, other new exciting projects I am working on, show my friends this cool new invention, go to rugby practise, build my entire universe, right after I have slept until 12h00 on Saturday and spent the rest of the day looking for food, food and more food. THUS I can fit this in .....ummmm, let's see...............in 3 weeks time on Tuesday!

Mom:

Kid: I don't understand why you fly off the handle at everything!

So Snoopy - what was that you said about getting rid of them again? *wanders off scratching head, thinking snoopy's advice goooooood!!**

[Dave A]

So Snoopy - what was that you said about getting rid of them again? *wanders off scratching head, thinking snoopy's advice goooooood!!**

Well that kind of charm might work too

[Snoopy_inc]

hehehe.

I tend to be a direct approch person

Debbie why dont you join up with dave? I mean it would take the trouble out of the game for you and you would still have your own thing?

That way you get the benefit of his expertise ('_') and the ability to work closely with his forum as well..... only positives as far as i can see.... may be a good idea to talk to him about it.... that way you can bypass your "it person" and use someone that gets things done sooner

Later

O ps..... your forum is extremely unsecure.... not the best picture of your business. soz to be the bearer of bad news but its simpl to hack it.

[Debbiedle]

Hi Snoopy

Tx, we are moving it to a secure area shortly, it is at this stage the least important part of the whole site, but as the numbers increase this will change.

I'm not sure what you are suggesting about teaming up with Dave - our focus is completely different?

[Snoopy_inc]

what im trying to say is that you could have a section on the site for your stuff here at theforumsa.co.za

That way you could benefit from the members here as well as get more traffic to your place.

[Dave A]

Hmmm. Interesting twist in this thread. And a bit tricky as to what I should say.

The original decision to use vBulletin here was because it seemed best equipped to deal with the vagaries of an open-to-the-internet forum. It's taken some serious modifications to get it to its current technical level, but there was a very solid platform, particularly when compared to other bulletin board applications. At a security level there is a massive gulf between phpBB and vBulletin. Essentially, phpBB seems well suited for an in-house bulletin board behind a firewall, but not quite as suitable for the sometimes rough world of the open internet.

One of my ideas from the outset was that The Forum SA could be a secure forum resource for a number of organisations (and it is). It was a major factor behind the name. Which means technically the capacity exists to cover Debbie's needs.

However, I also understand and respect the desire by a company in particular to have their company's promotional forum on their own site with their own URL.

It comes down to your position on outsourcing and utilising shared resources. Some people want total and exclusive control and I can totally understand that.

[Debbiedle]

You look pretty great dancing on eggs Dave and SO good at it too!

The vision is to move to the secure area of www.stafftraining.co.za and to do a whole lot of other things too! Not for public consumption at this time, so yup whilst we are aware of the vulnerability I remain an eternal optimist and hope that those who choose to spam and hack find more exciting and busier forums to do so on!

[Dave A]

You look pretty great dancing on eggs Dave and SO good at it too!

Empathy, practice and lots of broken eggs