No More Attachments

[svero]

I've turned off the ability for users to post attachments. Going forward screenshots, art samples etc.. will have to be linked to.

Why?

Basically because we've been getting an increasing number of spam attacks, with some of the spammers posting objectionable material. When they started posting ads for underage porn etc,... I felt it might end up being a liability issue for us. Also I don't want to have to rush to the board and delete porn spam all the time.

[Jack Norton]

That was a good move IMHO. Not a problem for any serious dev to link screens from their site.

[Spore Man]

How were they able to do this with the 7 day waiting period?

[zoombapup]

How about a compromise, how about having a user group "can post images", that takes an mod to grant. That way people can still post images if we already know em.

That way, you simply block anyone who isnt known from posting. I guess it does add a little bit of a burden to mods. Ok. forget I said anything

[Gary Preston]

You could always give everyone with the Indie-author badge the ability to post attachments. I assume you're already moderating that, so it should't be much of an extra burdon?

Also, for those that qualify for the Indie-author badge but for whatever reason do not want it, they can just request permission to be added to the "attachments" group if they want.

Hopefully that wouldn't add too much extra work for the admins and people are able to use attachments if needed. Not that linking to images off site will be much of a problem for most on here, it's just that attachments do tend to survive server spring cleans

Assuming people have been using them?

[oNyx]

How about a compromise, how about having a user group "can post images", that takes an mod to grant. That way people can still post images if we already know em.[...]

Images itself weren't disabled globally (it's only allowed for a few sub forums, mind you). Just the ability to attach them to posts (=uploading to this server) was removed.

>You could always give everyone with the Indie-author badge
>the ability to post attachments.

Nah... what for? Everyone got some web space, right?

[svero]

How were they able to do this with the 7 day waiting period?

Its 48hrs now. But sadly they're willing to wait, confirm etc.. The spam bot apps can do it all.

[zoombapup]

Is there a vBulletin option to only allow image posts by people who have posted > X number of "normal" posts?

That way you'd have to get some activity level before you could post an image. Lets say you have to have made 50 posts before you go into the "can post image" group.

Then any spammers will posts some spam, get banned way before 50 useful posts are made.

[Frozen In Ice]

Just out of curiosity Steve, according to the lower part of the screen it states you are running v3.6.0 I noticed 3.7.0 is available and a patch to bring it up to 3.7.1

Maybe the upgrade would help with some of the spam problems?

[Applewood]

Heh, apart from the kiddie porn sickness, please feel free to let the rest through - might brighten up a dull day

Seriously though, it'd be a shame to lose some sort attachmenting. Everyone has some webspace but a lot of the time ppl just want to show a quick screenie and the hassle of uploading it properly might put em off.

I liked the badge=can attach idea if it wouldn't be too much inconvenience - it would give the neighsayers a reason for their existence too

Either way though, you guys are doing a bang up job so I'll not say anymore on this subject, except a big thanks for what you're doing already.

[Bad Sector]

If you really really cant be bothered to upload to your site, use ImageShack. It even gives you the code in various forum formats, if you're lazy enough to type it by yourself :-P. Its used by many forum people and its around since years (and images tend to be available for 1-2 years since they're posted) so its pretty safe for quick shots.

No i'm not an ImageShack advertiser :-). But in todays internet, the easiest thing is to put a couple of images quickly for public view :-).