Scrolling Game Development Kit Forum

SGDK Version 2 => News and Announcements => Topic started by: bluemonkmn on 2009-05-29, 05:10:25 AM

Title: Non-Active Account Deletion
Post by: bluemonkmn on 2009-05-29, 05:10:25 AM
I am considering deleting all accounts that have not been active for 100 days and that have never posted any messages.  It seems a large portion of the accounts registered meet these criteria, and it's pointless maintaining them.  If anyone has any problems with this, post.  Then you will have 1) accomplished ensuring that your account won't be deleted by posting, 2) and also by logging in, and 3) have your opinion on the subject heard.

I will wait until June 15 before deciding so that people who don't visit the forums daily may have an opportunity to respond.
Title: Re: Non-Active Account Deletion
Post by: Vincent on 2009-05-29, 05:55:32 AM
Out of pure curiosity: how many accounts does that make?  ???
Title: Re: Non-Active Account Deletion
Post by: SmartBoy16 on 2009-05-29, 12:56:23 PM
500 members does seem un-realistic here. you better do this.
Title: Re: Non-Active Account Deletion
Post by: bluemonkmn on 2009-05-29, 05:11:24 PM
Out of pure curiosity: how many accounts does that make?  ???

Looks like about 325 accounts should be deleted... so way more than half.
Title: Re: Non-Active Account Deletion
Post by: Vincent on 2009-06-01, 05:45:13 AM
Wow, 325!  :o That's a lot!
Title: Re: Non-Active Account Deletion
Post by: SmartBoy16 on 2009-06-02, 11:24:56 AM
is this going to be automated, or just this one time?
Title: Re: Non-Active Account Deletion
Post by: bluemonkmn on 2009-06-02, 02:42:52 PM
Just one time
Title: Re: Non-Active Account Deletion
Post by: tprime on 2009-06-02, 04:52:23 PM
Seems prety smart. Luckily for me, I log on mostly everytime I go on the internet.  ;D
Title: Re: Non-Active Account Deletion
Post by: bluemonkmn on 2009-09-12, 07:00:11 AM
I did it again... deleted all accounts that have never posted any messages nor logged on in the past month.  I am going to switch the registration process to administrator approval.  I hope there's a way I can communicate with new registrants and confirm they have a real interest in SGDK before confirming them as a member.
Title: Re: Non-Active Account Deletion
Post by: SmartBoy16 on 2009-09-12, 08:44:37 PM
Ive got two suggestions.

First, we could have a "Welcome to the SGDK Forums" Thread where new members can introduce themselves and we all can decide if the user is "legit" or not.

Second, in order to create a new user, that person must have a code from somewhere in the SGDK help file. (like for example, what is the first word in paragraph 3 on the tileset help page?) this way, only those who have used SGDK can create an account. you wouldnt have to do this if you are already a member.
Title: Re: Non-Active Account Deletion
Post by: durnurd on 2009-09-12, 08:48:16 PM
That may be a good barrier for spambots, but it also may be a barrier for newbies, or those who don't know how to find what you're looking for
Title: Re: Non-Active Account Deletion
Post by: tprime on 2009-09-13, 12:43:04 AM
Second, in order to create a new user, that person must have a code from somewhere in the SGDK help file. (like for example, what is the first word in paragraph 3 on the tileset help page?) this way, only those who have used SGDK can create an account. you wouldnt have to do this if you are already a member.

If the code remains the same, wouldn't spambots still have access to the forums?

But other than that, the welcome seems like a good idea.
Title: Re: Non-Active Account Deletion
Post by: bluemonkmn on 2009-09-13, 06:05:10 AM
I added a new sentence to the registration page/license about emailing me when you register to briefly explain your interest in SGDK.  I got two registrations this morning with no other emails, so I rejected them.
Title: Re: Non-Active Account Deletion
Post by: durnurd on 2009-09-13, 10:48:08 AM
If the code remains the same, wouldn't spambots still have access to the forums?

Most spambots look for the generic SMF Forum to sign up to.  Even if you change it a little bit, they may not understand the registration process.
Title: Re: Non-Active Account Deletion
Post by: tprime on 2009-09-13, 09:51:25 PM
I added a new sentence to the registration page/license about emailing me when you register to briefly explain your interest in SGDK.  I got two registrations this morning with no other emails, so I rejected them.

That's cool, but what if they're the kind who don't really trust emailing people? I used to be like that.  :scared:

If the code remains the same, wouldn't spambots still have access to the forums?

Most spambots look for the generic SMF Forum to sign up to.  Even if you change it a little bit, they may not understand the registration process.

I see. That's a safe thing then.  :)
Title: Re: Non-Active Account Deletion
Post by: bluemonkmn on 2009-09-14, 05:25:05 AM
That's cool, but what if they're the kind who don't really trust emailing people? I used to be like that.  :scared:

Then you'd be a good person to answer my questions on that topic.  Why did you distrust emailing people more than registering for a forum?  Is there any comment I could put there that would be reassuring to such people?
Title: Re: Non-Active Account Deletion
Post by: TheLaw on 2009-09-14, 06:26:28 AM
This link:
http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=273816.0 (http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=273816.0)
Has has some interesting info. Option #4 seems pretty reasonable to me. Also, It looks to me like we're still running version 1.1.10 and they're talking about a version 2.x in there... Then there's links to puzzles and captchas, etc, which may or not be something we could add.

Seem's we're not the only ones having problems. I know other big boards fight spam with pure man power - appointing many admins to keep up all day long. Too damn bad there has to be bad apples out there! I bet these buggers make more money than all of us combined too!

EDIT: This could possibly be of interest too: http://www.smfhacks.com/ (http://www.smfhacks.com/)
Title: Re: Non-Active Account Deletion
Post by: bluemonkmn on 2009-09-14, 06:01:17 PM
For now the manual approval is quite manageable.  But I may come back to this if it gets to be a pain.
Title: Re: Non-Active Account Deletion
Post by: Uhfgood on 2009-10-23, 11:53:09 PM
Well I don't get in here that much.  I was going to do my game in SGDK, but a lot of things have happened since I was going to start doing that.  I may not use it at all in the future, but I would like to keep tabs on what's going on in here.  So hopefully you won't delete my account :-)