Here are some early tips for using the new software effectively:1. Sign up as an Authenticated Author. You can go ahead and do that now, if you like. If you already are registered, it will carry over with the same tripcode and password. Authentication offers these advantages:
- Ability to attach files.
- Less stringent spam trapping.
- Autoconversion of URLs into live links.
- Use of BBCodes and raw HTML in your posts.
- Ability to go back and edit your post at any time.
- Ability to post email addresses (still not recommended, but won't trigger spam trap).
2. Use your Authentification credentials regularly. As always, you don't have to be a registered member to post basic messages. But in order to help control the hundreds of attempts to spam this board every day, tougher spam filtering will apply to unauthenticated posts. These criteria will cause offending attempts to be rejected, often without explanation. Since we will NOT be using cookies to track registered users, I recommend using your credentials every time. (If you don't share a computer with strangers, consider setting your browser to allow persistent form data and/or autofill of passwords.)
3. Spam traps abound in the forumboard*, but be not dismayed! The new FAQ will be posted soon, and it will contain everything you need to know to avoid those traps! If you are unable to post a particular message, don't waste a lot of time trying to re-post--just check the FAQ. I don't mind telling you right out in public, for instance, that attempts to post an email address without being authenticated, or trying to change the subject line of an existing thread, will get a post summarily rejected because they are common spam indicators. I don't mind revealing these facts openly, because if there's one thing lazy, devolved, uncaring spamb@stards never do is pay attention to pages that state policies or rules of the board! So...if in doubt what to do, check out the FAQ!
(*I'm still not thrilled to have to keep calling the new software a 'forumboard,' so do let us know in the MESSAGE BOARD BEING REPLACED thread if you have suggestions for a better name. Thanks!)
John
