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For SpaceNut re #375
<< Chuckle >> Floodgates? Well, maybe ... I was thinking of a window of about five minutes.
Never-the-less, your idea (or at least what I ** think ** is your idea) would yield thousands of potential members, if you can take an existing account and change the name to something else.
I went looking through the User list, and found this id: IdarkaSat
You banned that ID before they submitted a spam post.
Can you change the name to something else, like TestID1 or something like that?
If you can, that would mean we have a (practically unlimited) supply of ID slots in the data base.
This idea may not work, if the ID field is a primary key in the data base.
(th)
Are you planning an experiment like that?
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I was able to change it to what you selected and could change the password and email fields as well. The ban function as well can be reset as well...
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For SpaceNut .... you have taken control of an out-of-control vessel!
Bravo! I changed the password on the new ID and will see if I can log in when I am on a modern computer later in the day.
For others who may be interested, here is what the ID looks like after the change by SpaceNut:
Profile
Personal
Username
TestID1
Title
Member
Real name
IdarkaSat
Location
Россия
User activity
Posts
0
Registered
2020-10-29
Edit#1: Taking control of the Registration process away from countless spam programs around the world reminds me of Neil Armstrong recovering control of Gemini 8.
Manned Space Chronology: Gemini 8www.spaceline.org › flightchron › gemini8
Neil A. Armstrong, Command Pilot ... Recovery: U.S.S. L.F. Mason (Pacific Ocean) ... The Gemini 8 GATV was launched as the second stage of an Atlas-Agena ... However, the Gemini 8 spacecraft began to spin even faster after undocking
(th)
Last edited by tahanson43206 (2020-11-13 06:28:04)
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It is time for existing members to step up to the opportunity SpaceNut has provided.
Admissions to this forum are now up to the members who recruit suitable persons to take on roles that are supportive of the mission(s) the existing members set for themselves.
RobertDyck has created an activity that is not quite a project, but which has every potential to become one, and beyond that, to become a real physical object, loaded with passengers, heading for Mars, fine dining included.
We have the potential of an entire virtual city to fill with people who are interested in imagining what a specialized role in a community on Mars might look like.
In addition, the prospect of harvesting asteroids is an option available to members to pursue, and to recruit suitable new members to pursue.
(th)
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For SpaceNut ... here is a login from TestID1 ...
So far, so Good!
A test email sent to the account has not arrived. I did look in the spam filter, and did not find it there.
Edit#1: I updated the "real name" and "location" fields
(th)
Last edited by Clinician_Antilles (2020-11-13 08:12:29)
memento mori
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The user panel was how I sent the email out it could have gone out to the old email address possibly. That said glad you did login to change things. The note can be removed at any point that shows the old users name.
Removed 3 more wanting to talk to the admin for advertising....these were from last week entries into the user accounts.
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For SpaceNut re new policy and legacy of Spammer activity ...
Here is the summary of the status of the forum as of a few minutes ago ...
Total number of registered users: 16,482
Total number of topics: 7,470
Total number of posts: 170,052
Newest registered user: Albert42S
Registered users online: 2
Guests online: 129
Online: SpaceNut, Tmcom
Of the 16,482 Registered ID's, I'll bet that 16,000 are spammer generated fake ID's
We can go for a long time with that reservoir of available ID's.
We need to set a goal of recruiting a new high quality member. I'm setting the goal at 1 because we have only one example (that I know of) to go by ... Terraformer recruited me from Dr. Dartnell's Knowledge Forum. Dr. Dartnell closed off Registration several years ago, but Terraformer was able to persuade Dr. Dartnell to admit him as Cererean. There have been no ID's admitted since then.
Because you and I are the only forum participants currently discussing a recruiting campaign, I'll open this sequence by asking if you can define the kind of person you'd like to bring into the forum.
In the Large Ship topic, RobertDyck listed a number of specializations he'd like to see added, to help with various aspects of the Large Ship project.
After you've written your first draft of an ideal candidate, we can discuss practical steps we can take to reach the audience where that candidate may be present.
(th)
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For SpaceNut re new membership Registration procedure ...
It turns out that the FluxBB web site software will only allow one email address to exist anywhere in the database.
I won't report here in open view the email address you set for the account, but since that address was already in use, it cannot be used again.
Here is the report when I tried to change the email address to another account:
Logged in as TestID1 Last visit: Today 20:38:44Topics: Posted | New | Active | Unanswered
Announcement: We've recently made changes to our user database and have removed inactive and spam users. If you can not login, please re-register.
Info
Someone else is already registered with that email address. Please choose another email address.Go back
I'm not sure what account FluxBB thinks is using that email address, but it might be the new FriendOfQuark1 account I set up recently.
In any case, please note that when you change the ID name, if you change the email address, that address will not work even if the system does not warn you.
The new member will need to have a unique email address in order to receive the confirmation message from FluxBB.
(th)
memento mori
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We have entered a new regime .... With closing of open registration, there is an opportunity for current members to nominate new members.
At this point, there is no consensus on the kind of person who would be accepted by the Administrators, but as a first draft of a suggestion ...
People with deep knowledge and experience, and generosity of spirit, are needed to help RobertDyck with the Large Ship project. Taking the optimistic view I have adopted in light of the history of the human race, I am confident ** someone ** is going to design, fund, build, test and operate a large space going passenger ship for the Mars-Earth trade. In my opinion, RobertDyck has the qualities needed to lead such an undertaking, and the Mars Society is the logical entity to provide the framework.
RobertDyck posted a specific request for a Chef to help with planning meals (all aspects) for a Large Ship voyage, so current members can help by recruiting such a person. The complement of personnel will be in the ballpark of 1060, and the duration of the voyage for planning purposes is two years.
In addition, RobertDyck posted a list of projects that would generally assist with achieving the Large Ship goal.
http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 44#p173744
If there is a reader of this forum who would like to join to help out, a way to accomplish that is to join the Mars Society, and then communicate with SpaceNut there to request consideration for admission to this forum.
The kinds of specializations needed for a project of this scope include:
Engineering, Architecture, Biology, Information Processing and many others.
This forum structure does not lend itself well to development of a project, let along a project plan.
A generous donation would include one or more web sites better suited to developing the elements of a detailed project plan.
(th)
Last edited by tahanson43206 (2020-11-14 06:40:13)
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For SpaceNut .... I have deleted a post by this ID ... please consider banning this ID
Topic started by Andreynlz - Today 08:30:31
Warning! This is the first post in the topic, the whole topic will be permanently deleted.
The post you have chosen to delete is set out below for you to review before proceeding.
This ID was registered in October and has been biding its time to release a spam post. It would appear the banning project needs to continue.
(th)
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went alphabetical this time through the user list and banned 7 pages which had known email address issues....
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For SpaceNut re #386
Thank you for continuing this process ... 7 pages would be (or may be) 175 accounts. Each account you process this way is a holder for a future member who (we can hope) would contribute something to the forum.
I'd like to encourage every forum member who is able to post to think about people they might know who would be able to help RobertDyck, or perhaps Calliban with his interesting initiatives in the asteroid mining space.
It would be possible to post a nomination in the Housekeeping topic, so the Administrators can evaluate the candidate.
The first category of new member I'd like to see would be a chef to help RobertDyck to plan cuisine for the passengers and crew of the Large Ship.
When we have such a person leading the culinary focus, RobertDyck will be given helpful information about equipment and supply requirements, as well as staffing requirements.
(th)
Last edited by tahanson43206 (2020-11-15 08:28:09)
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For SpaceNut ...
I have deleted messages posted by the fake ID's below. Please consider banning them.
Topic started by Jannaghn - Today 08:53:22
Warning! This is the first post in the topic, the whole topic will be permanently deleted.
The post you have chosen to delete is set out below for you to review before proceeding.
Topic started by Jannasok - Today 08:46:40
Warning! This is the first post in the topic, the whole topic will be permanently deleted.
The post you have chosen to delete is set out below for you to review before proceeding.
(th)
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For SpaceNut re Recruiting - Human Resources topic
Please start thinking about how we can move forward to recruit people to assist RobertDyck with his Large Ship project, and Calliban with his Asteroid Mining initiative.
Now that the forum is no longer accepting spam ID's created by robot programs, we have an opportunity to recruit high value members, just as we would be doing if this were a for-profit entity with a tight budget. In this case, the budget is the precious time of our existing members, and their mental bandwidth.
For almost 20 years, this forum has been open to anyone, and in those years some valuable individuals have joined and made significant contributions, which are available for review in the archive. In this new time, working from the foundation built by all those years of open admission, we have an opportunity to recruit people who will help to advance current topics, and more importantly, to advance the prospects of this part of the Mars Society enterprise making a useful contribution to the overall goals of the Society.
I'd like to suggest that we (forum members) undertake recruiting efforts to bring a Human Resources specialist into the active membership.
This person would help to publicize the needs of the forum for specific knowledge, expertise, assets (such as computer modeling capability) and whatever other qualities or capabilities are needed.
(th)
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For SpaceNut ...; as an experiment, I attempted to take control of the fake ID Jannaghn ...
I changed the name of the account to TestID2, and removed the fake ID email address.
However, in the first phase of this experiment, a message was still present in the forum Active list.
Here is a quote of the first phase:
TestID2 - Essentials
Enter your username and password
UsernameChange password
Enter a valid email addressSend email
Set your localisation options
For the forum to display times correctly you must select your local time zone. If Daylight Savings Time is in effect you should also check the option provided which will advance times by 1 hour.
Time zoneTopic started by Jannaghn - Today 09:50:13
Warning! This is the first post in the topic, the whole topic will be permanently deleted.
The post you have chosen to delete is set out below for you to review before proceeding.
Edit#1: Phase 2 appears to have worked:
Topic started by TestID2 - Today 09:42:10
Warning! This is the first post in the topic, the whole topic will be permanently deleted.
The post you have chosen to delete is set out below for you to review before proceeding.
A procedure to change Jannaghn to TestID3 appears to have worked.
When I ran a search of the active list for Jannaghn the result set was empty.
Edit#2: Jannatge ... post deleted and ID changed to TestID4: TestID4 - Essentials
(th)
Last edited by tahanson43206 (2020-11-15 08:40:35)
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For SpaceNut ...
It appears that your Moderators can help with the massive burden of cleaning up the 16,000 fake ID's created by robot software.
I am willing to take on part of that burden, but would need to receive instructions from you on how to proceed.
Perhaps other Moderators might be able to invest some time in this undertaking.
A better solution would be a simple script that would be run against the MySQL database by the webmaster, to ban all accounts that have zero posts.
However, in the absence of such a solution, it is conceivable for the existing Moderators and Administrators to whack away at the 16,000 fake ID's until they are all safely converted to available for use by new members we recruit to join the forum.
(th)
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For SpaceNut ...
Deleted and reset this ID...
Topic started by Jannafsx - Today 10:43:00
Warning! This is the first post in the topic, the whole topic will be permanently deleted.
The post you have chosen to delete is set out below for you to review before proceeding.
Reset this ID: Jannafeu
TestID7 - Essentials
Additional notes for SpaceNut ...
the following ID's have reasonable looking email addresses, although they could still be spam:
janettompson
JanetSatte
JanDaugher
Hopefully the recent spam flurry will cease with reset of the ID's as reported above.
(th)
Last edited by tahanson43206 (2020-11-15 08:57:22)
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The post if only the first in a topic does display the caution but you can ignore it and delete it to clear the posts for the ID being created. If there is more posts following it must be trimmed from the topic from which you must remove the post by the moderate topic function at the bottom of the page first creating a new topic with it before you can delete it.
.
It seems that the data base is retaining the original email address under the email entry as well as the IP from when the account was created. The profiles also did not have the time zone information changed so these are the original as well.
I could see accounts ID 1 - 4 & 6 -7 pages as modified.
I am going to look around to see if there is an email clear function and for the IP as well so as to not retain the spammers in the data base if we proceed any further.
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For SpaceNut re #393
Thanks for your follow up ... Thanks for the reminder that IP address is retained along with email address. I'll look for that. It may not be displayed to moderators.
With 16,000 fake accounts to process, it would definitely be helpful to enlist the computer server to help with the work.
If just the two of us work on that stack, and if we only average one fake account per Earth day, it will take 8,000 Earth days to complete the work.
I looked at the list of available moderators and administrators, and realize it is unlikely any one else will have time for this, because the ones who are active already have significant responsibility, and the ones who are inactive are ... inactive.
In the short term, I think I might be able to keep up with flurries of spam posts if they do not become more vigorous than this morning's session.
***
I'd like to invite you to think about the recruiting opportunity we have. In the absence of anyone else from Mars Society leadership taking an interest, it would appear that you are the default person to shape the nature and scope of a recruiting effort.
I have in mind inviting existing members to send Letters to the Editor of their local news paper or similar publications (online or traditional). However, they would need a template that you would authorize. I'm willing to work on a draft to try to get things started, but your approval would be needed to turn a draft into a working document.
Edit#1: I filled in the missing TestID5 (TestID5 - Essentials)
FYI ... IP address does not appear to be available to Moderators, or if it is, I did not find it after looking in all available subpages.
(th)
Last edited by tahanson43206 (2020-11-15 10:47:01)
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For SpaceNut with a new question ...
Can an account be un-banned? It appears I can ban an account, although for the time being I'm happy to let you and kbd512 do that.
In the case of TestID5, I'd like to un-ban it but don't see a feature to allow that:
TestID5 testid5@test.com Banned 0 Updated 2020/11/15 moderator View IP stats | Show posts
(th)
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I did the unban of the account and got through another 8 pages plus leaving only what appeared to be real accounts for now even though they had not posted for quite some time or not at all for most.
Seems that I need to make a couple accounts to play with features with as well to make sure I can give accurate directions as to how to do things for each level of membership.
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For SpaceNut re #396
Thanks for doing the unban!
I just added three accounts you can unban when you have time: TestID8, TestID9 and TestID10.
I'm thinking of starting work at the top of the User List, with those weird looking wild card ID's.
If it's OK with you I'll just keep adding to the TestID sequence. My work station is making it easy be remembering what I worked on last.
Edit#1 ... there are four more accounts that can be unbanned: TestID11-14
The top of the User list is now * ROBOT * who ** seems ** to be a real person, but they stopped contributing.
*** The SpaceX launch is coming up in a couple of minutes so I'm off to watch.
(th)
Last edited by tahanson43206 (2020-11-15 18:24:03)
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I have cleaned up the first 14 profiles and did the unban for each resetting the post counter to zero for all but the testID1.
I changed the time zone to eastern us and added in your note to each.
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For SpaceNut re #398
Thanks for touching up those first 14 accounts!
If 16,000 is the right number, then we only have 15,986 to go !!!
We need to get moving on recruiting people to start using those newly freed up accounts.
Let's think about how to help RobertDyck find a Chef for planning meal operations for the Large Ship.
The right background would (it seems to me) include some actual cruise ship or perhaps military ship meal planning experience.
Recruiting a person to assume this role is (probably) quite similar to recruiting a person for a position in a corporation. Whatever outreach methods are used for the one would seem (to me at this point) similar to what would be required for this situation.
(th)
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For SpaceNut ... Cleaned up TestID15-TestID20
Left accounts with messages on file.
I'm working from the top of the default User List.
I've noticed something as I go along .... the spammers appear to have collected email addresses from a hacker and plugged those into the fake ID's more or less at random.
(th)
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