Time for a semi-general pardon (unbanning banned members)? (Page 8/11)
CowsPatoot MAY 24, 02:47 AM
A couple thoughts from an old member that doesn't come here very often these days....sorry if I go a little off-topic.


quote
Originally posted by IMSA GT:
If you want to do something helpful, run a script on the server that auto-deletes accounts that have not been logged into for over a year. Then the existing rating bars will change and be accurate once those dead accounts are off the server.



This concerns me. I probably haven't gone a year without logging in, but only because my computer automatically logs me in when I stop by to search for something. It has likely been several years since I have posted anything...but access to the PMs are important to get in touch with a few people that aren't on social media. My username is important to me....it is the only username I have used on the internet for over 20 years. If I lose it, I will not sign back up under another name.

On the surface, if my account is deleted, I can just sign back up, right? Not so easy. Cliff has never allowed people to sign up with a free email account (like gmail or hotmail). I understand why (eliminate bots and trolls)...but it does cause problems for people. Not everyone has access to a non-free email....especially the less technical people that couldn't set one up if they DID have access. The real issue is that this information isn't mentioned anywhere in the registration....and if you try to sign up with one of the free accounts, you just don't get the registration email. That leaves people without any idea why they can't register...and they assume you simply don't allow new registrations. I know this is happening....I have explained this issue to three people in the last two weeks that have told me they can't get registered. I don't have a solution to offer that wouldn't defeat the purpose of it...but mentioning it in the registration or alerting them when they try to use one would help.

At the end of the day, social media is killing the forum format. The issue isn't unique to PFF. I appreciate the fact that you are trying to keep it alive....it would be devastating to the Fiero community if we lost this resource.
Cliff Pennock MAY 24, 03:52 AM

quote
Originally posted by CowsPatoot:

Cliff has never allowed people to sign up with a free email account (like gmail or hotmail). I understand why (eliminate bots and trolls)...but it does cause problems for people. Not everyone has access to a non-free email....especially the less technical people that couldn't set one up if they DID have access. The real issue is that this information isn't mentioned anywhere in the registration....and if you try to sign up with one of the free accounts, you just don't get the registration email.



Actually, that isn't true - at all.

The requirement for "real" email addresses was dropped over ten years ago or so. And back then you were warned before and during registration that free, disposable email addresses were not accepted. In fact, registration would fail with a big ol' in your face error message if you tried.

You can register with any email address you like. Outlook, Hotmail, Gmail, Live, whatever. And they don't fail silently. And that has been possible for over 10 years or so.
theogre MAY 24, 11:44 AM

quote
Originally posted by IMSA GT:
If you want to do something helpful, run a script on the server that auto-deletes accounts that have not been logged into for over a year. Then the existing rating bars will change and be accurate once those dead accounts are off the server.

that won't happen because may affect ads etc for reducing user count plus other problems.

IE "Registered Members: 29833" as of this post with see a huge drop.

You Never see numbers drop from churn @ FB et al for same reason.
Even "dead" AOL etc never show a drop in number from people left or ban by them. Back then AOL and other "dial-up" services would ban anyone for any reason too.

There are still people that may only actually login every few years and loosing accounts will piss off them.
Plus Deletion can cause "Fraud Cases" because other people can "steal" old names intentionally or not. Either way cause problems for searching PFF etc.

And again Total Red vs Green bar Does Not mater.
Only the small arrow matter to "speed ban" system and that arrow moves or even auto reset as you get current pos/neg "points" or none over days to weeks. Most people haven't seen their arrows move off "Zero" for Months even Years. That even for many w/ very big red or green bars.
So if 1 rates neg and another green in same time to few days then arrow will go red then "zero" then green then "Zero" again as timer on each point runs.
IMSA GT MAY 24, 12:33 PM

quote
Originally posted by CowsPatoot:

A couple thoughts from an old member that doesn't come here very often these days....sorry if I go a little off-topic.


This concerns me. I probably haven't gone a year without logging in, but only because my computer automatically logs me in when I stop by to search for something. It has likely been several years since I have posted anything...but access to the PMs are important to get in touch with a few people that aren't on social media. My username is important to me....it is the only username I have used on the internet for over 20 years. If I lose it, I will not sign back up under another name.





This is Cliff's reply to me so he's already been doing this, just manually so it look's like you're safe

quote
Originally posted by Cliff Pennock:
Actually, that's something that is already implemented. It's something I have to start manually though and I haven't done that in quite some time. Will do so later today. Heads up: your ratings may change.

[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 05-24-2020).]

IMSA GT MAY 24, 12:50 PM

quote
Originally posted by theogre:
......that won't happen because may affect ads etc for reducing user count plus other problems.



quote
Originally posted by Cliff Pennock:
Actually, that's something that is already implemented. It's something I have to start manually though and I haven't done that in quite some time. Will do so later today. Heads up: your ratings may change.



cvxjet MAY 24, 01:45 PM
A) I don't see how "Social media" is in any way comparable to what we get here on this forum; I belong to the Glastron and CVX-20 Facebook sites, and have posted some helpful info.....But there is no way you could find that info 6 months later.....On this site I can just scan back or do a search for "How to remove the fonk-culator" and find a thread.

B) I learned long ago that everyone has an opinion.....And they all STINK! (Including my (Gold-plated) ones). If you get into an argument just walk away- it ain't getting you anywhere to argue......Some people have really goofy ideas. I have a whole list of contradictory facts in a file named "Common knowledge is not always right"....I can post one of those (Proven) facts and get 2-3 of you guys to start flaming on me immediately.

I only knew one guy on here that I thought should be banned- He would go on any post and immediately start flaming...I just ignored him and then found out a year later he had been banned. For me, life is too short to argue with people- especially "Argue-mites"......
CowsPatoot MAY 24, 01:54 PM

quote
Originally posted by Cliff Pennock:
Actually, that isn't true - at all.



I apologize for basing that off old information. It doesn't change the fact that people are having trouble registering....but obviously this isn't the reason. I don't have further information on where they may be going wrong (I didn't collect that data, because we thought we knew the answer).



quote
Originally posted by IMSA GT:
This is Cliff's reply to me so he's already been doing this, just manually so it look's like you're safe



I caught that....I chose to comment on your's because you suggested doing it automatically. If Cliff chooses to delete my account, so be it....it's his web site. I just wanted to point out that an automated system would catch people that probably shouldn't be deleted.
Cliff Pennock MAY 24, 03:29 PM

quote
Originally posted by CowsPatoot:

I apologize for basing that off old information. It doesn't change the fact that people are having trouble registering....but obviously this isn't the reason. I don't have further information on where they may be going wrong (I didn't collect that data, because we thought we knew the answer).



I'm not sure where you get that information from but AFAICT, there are no problems with registering. I do get the occasional "I've registered but havn't received a confirmation email", but that's almost always because mail from PFF ended up in their spam box.


quote

I caught that....I chose to comment on your's because you suggested doing it automatically. If Cliff chooses to delete my account, so be it....it's his web site. I just wanted to point out that an automated system would catch people that probably shouldn't be deleted.



I'm not going to delete old or inactive members. I was talking about purging ratings from members that had been banned.
CowsPatoot MAY 24, 06:45 PM

quote
Originally posted by Cliff Pennock:
I'm not sure where you get that information from but AFAICT, there are no problems with registering. I do get the occasional "I've registered but havn't received a confirmation email", but that's almost always because mail from PFF ended up in their spam box.



That is entirely possible. It would also explain why using a non-free email still solves the problem....a large portion of those don't have spam filters. Thanks for explaining...and again, I apologize for bringing up a problem that isn't actually a problem.

To answer the original question.....should people be un-banned....well, you can't re-activate their account because they wouldn't know they were un-banned, and likely didn't keep the login information. You CAN, however, delete the banned accounts which would allow the username and/or email address to be used again...and I would support that. As far as ratings....I agree that many are rated negatively based on things said in TOT. Perhaps just remove the rating feature in TOT? I judge people based on what they say and do....not how others have rated them.
Patrick MAY 24, 07:55 PM

quote
Originally posted by CowsPatoot:

Perhaps just remove the rating feature in TOT?



Not sure what that would accomplish, besides allowing total free rein to anyone who wishes to raise hell there.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 05-24-2020).]