Kicking myself for missing this earlier, but this could be called an "esteemed member."

With that suggestion, the change just HAS to be implemented. Even if in the end, that person has no special moderator-type duties. :p

I like this idea. In fact, I don't think I'm going to wait for Mick or anyone else to make the appointments.

A user-id registers with an email address. The board automatically sends a message to the email address something like "click here to prove you are a real person." If the person responds, then the registration is complete. If not, then it's not, and no posting is allowed.

It helps keep the spammers away, and it helps manage the trolls (since they have to use a valid email address). It does mean the board sends out more emails, and that in-an-of-iteself can cause some problems.

All sound like reasonable ideas... I'm up for bid. If you'd like me to vote for your idea send me a check. :D

But, seriously, I like the voting idea.

I think the spambots are smart enough to get around the "click here if you are real". Maybe not...

So how soon can we get these additional controls in place?

Limit the number of user I.D.s to no more than 6 usernames per IP address.

This is always a tough call because you have to balance the desire for new members and the ease of their registration and the ability to filter out spam/trolls.

Moderating and approving a persons first X many post is time consuming for the moderators.

Having X many people vote to delete a post I wouldn't think is a good idea, because it can be perceived as unfair. But if there is a post you have issue with hit the red & white triangle in the corner. This lets the mods know they need to look at something. I'm sure if they get enough of those on a single post they will take appropriate action.

Yes the spam-bots are getting smarter and smarter, every time there is a defense created for them they will start working on a way to defeat it.

Spam and trolls are an unfortunate reality of the internet and forums. The biggest problem is that there is no way to eliminate them without making things too inconvenient for current and new members.

Bob or Mick -

How does the triangle button work ("Report Bad Post")? Does a message get sent to Bob and you or does it go to Brad? Just curious...thanks.

Bob and I get e-mail notification.
I dunno about Brad or other administrators, but I think he/they gets it too.

FWIW, I read (or at least skim) all the posts in the Baseball and Basketball forums (except the annual baseball thread in the Basketball forum). So, I'm likely to see any posts so offensive that you'd report them. When you report them, it just "wastes" my time to read the report. So, I'd appreciate it if you didn't report any of those posts unless there's something that you think I missed (after a day or so).

Ha! There's something to that.

If I get a reported post, and you have already dealt with it, I go looking for something that ain't there.
Very tough to find. :)

Hey - I'm a mod too on a fan site in Canada. I hate it when that happens!

I report a lot of stuff in the General Forum. Would you prefer that I didn't? Or do you not patrol too much in here, so I'm being helpful? Either way is fine. But if I'm just duplicating your effort, I'll cease and desist.