Tech: Trouble submitting a new thread

Subject: Tech: Trouble submitting a new thread
From: Zhenya
Date: 21 Oct 07 - 11:23 AM

I just created a new thread, and tried to post it. It didn't take, so I did it again. It's still not taking. I was able to reply to an old thread I had created.

This post is half a query whether anyone else is having trouble posting new threads and half a test to see if this one posts.

Are there items in a thread that would keep it from posting? (Hyperlinks or censored language, for example?)

Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble submitting a new thread
From: Zhenya
Date: 21 Oct 07 - 11:24 AM

OK, this did take, so perhaps it was my thread itself. I'll try reposting without the hyperlink and see what happens.

Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble submitting a new thread
From: Max
Date: 21 Oct 07 - 11:26 AM

Most of the spam attacks that we get here contain hyperlinks. We're currently experimenting with restrictions to keep them at bay. Once we finalize our methodology we'll post it.

Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble submitting a new thread
From: GUEST,Mr Red
Date: 21 Oct 07 - 12:54 PM

Just a suggestion but how about an information page when refusing? - the kind of thing a human will understand buty not a web-bot. Not that I would normally see the problem if I posted as myself.

Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble submitting a new thread
From: Max
Date: 21 Oct 07 - 05:56 PM

Currently, the new setting is that GUESTS are not permitted to post hyperlinks.

Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble submitting a new thread
From: Bill D
Date: 21 Oct 07 - 06:20 PM

well! That oughta help!

Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble submitting a new thread
From: Rapparee
Date: 21 Oct 07 - 06:27 PM

Thanks, Max and all.

Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble submitting a new thread
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Oct 07 - 06:36 PM

Sounds like a good idea, Max. What was it you were trying to post, Zhenya? Try posting it in this thread. If it "takes," I'll move it to its own thread.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble submitting a new thread
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 21 Oct 07 - 07:05 PM

GUESTS are not permitted to post hyperlinks. Does that apply in all posts or just when opening new threads?

I suppose for anyone has to post as a GUEST for some reason they can always put in the address of whatever it is they want to link to (for example a song), just not as a blue clicky. So there's no significant disadvantage for Mudcatters anyway.

Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble submitting a new thread
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Oct 07 - 07:13 PM

Ah Maximus.......Bless you small but fearless leader!

I will of course miss many of those happy hours zapping the spam and I also will regret not having first access to all those wonderful sites where I could get a virtual blowjob........***sigh***...........but overall it is worth it in the end!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble submitting a new thread
From: Bill D
Date: 21 Oct 07 - 08:45 PM

Where DID you get the idea you had FIRST access, 'spaw? ;>)

Anyway, I sure hope it keeps the spammers off the Getaway thread. I have no idea why they kept going there.

Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble submitting a new thread
From: Zhenya
Date: 21 Oct 07 - 11:44 PM

Thanks, Max, for explaining this. I did create the thread under my own name, not as a guest, but it does seem it was the hyperlink that caused the problem. I reposted the thread without the hyperlink, and it went through ok.

Joe, the hyperlink was to a website for the Norwegian trad group Bukkene Bruse that I was asking about in my thread, but it wasn't crucial to the point of the thread. Thanks anyway.

I'm all for reducing spam here, so I'm fine with the new guidelines.

Zhenya

Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble submitting a new thread
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 21 Oct 07 - 11:47 PM

"I have no idea why they kept going there."

OOOooo that's TOO easy to explain! Because they CAN!

:-)

Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble submitting a new thread
From: Zhenya
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 01:39 AM

Joe - Someone responded to my thread about Bukkene Bruse and posted the very website link I couldn't post earlier. Now I'm really not sure what happened! Oh well…

Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble submitting a new thread
From: treewind
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 03:48 AM

Maybe you formatted the link incorrectly and Mudcat has some sort of filter that rejects anything that would totally mess up the rest of the page that followed the message.

The posting mechanism certainly seems to have some sort of damage limitation built in, so that html elements that are opened and not closed don't affect the rest of the page after the posting.

Did you test your posting in preview mode?
I always do that if it includes a link - it's so easy to get wrong.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble submitting a new thread
From: Zhenya
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 02:12 PM

I did test the link, and it seemed to work. One thing that happened was that, for me, Mudcat was off line for awhile right before I posted the thread. I may have gotten back on right after it came up again, so perhaps not everything was actually up and running at that point. (Just a guess.)

I'm hoping this was just an isolated incident due to recent changes, but for now, I'll avoid using hyperlinks unless they're really essential to what I'm trying to post. Thanks for your reminder to check the links, which I agree is always a good idea.

Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble submitting a new thread
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 05:55 PM

It'll be interesting to see if this blocking of guest hyperlinks works. As the originator of a thread shut down by chronic spam attacks (I Read it in the Newspaper) it was disappointing to see the manic attention some cretin applied to our otherwise wonderful enterprise.

Does this mean no html code at all for guests will show up? If they don't create the clicky, will it show on the page, or is there a filter to remove the "http" and the "www" if they appear?

It does mean the posting of links in the Secret Santa threads might come to a halt, since there are many guest visitations there. But it is a small price to pay.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble submitting a new thread
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 07:06 PM

I'd suggest that if you have trouble posting something, you should contact me or one of the volunteers. We can help you get it posted, and we can let Jeff and Max know if one of the controls is too severe.
-Joe-