Why is this forum attracting so few new members?

[Hope]

Yes, you are right, and I was referring to only the small section which is religion versus evolution. I should have made that clear.

And I'm not sure that there is actually a 'religion v evolution' dichotomy.  I realsie that there are those on both sides of the debate who like to make out that there is, as it helps to stabilise their particular preconceptions, but then there those in the middle for whom that dicotomy simply doesn't exist.

[Shaker]

If you can't see the permanent and irreconcilable schism between a methodology based on empiricism, methodological naturalism, observation, experiment, hypothesis-testing and theory formation and one based on the polar opposite of all those, then you can't see much at all.

[Nearly Sane]

And I'm not sure that there is actually a 'religion v evolution' dichotomy.  I realsie that there are those on both sides of the debate who like to make out that there is, as it helps to stabilise their particular preconceptions, but then there those in the middle for whom that dicotomy simply doesn't exist.

I'd agree there isn't a simple religion vs evolution split, but what is the 'middle' position?

[Shaker]

Theistic evolution, I guess. Also known as having your cake and eating it too. Also known as doublethink.

[Leonard James]

Yes, you are right, and I was referring to only the small section which is religion versus evolution. I should have made that clear.

And I'm not sure that there is actually a 'religion v evolution' dichotomy.  I realsie that there are those on both sides of the debate who like to make out that there is, as it helps to stabilise their particular preconceptions, but then there those in the middle for whom that dicotomy simply doesn't exist.

Oh dear, Hope, do I have to spell it out? I was referring to those who consider evolution true and deism not true ... and vice versa, of course.

[wigginhall]

The repetitive nature of this forum is not unique, as some have said.   If you look at an atheist forum, such as RationalSkepticism, the same topics come up again and again, and there is a noticeable drop-out of people, who presumably get bored. 

It's just the internet, innit?  If you want variety, Heinz.  We could change the name to 'Naked Ins and Outs, Dogging,  Bottoms etc'. 

[Gonnagle]

Dear Wigs,

Sex the forum up

Sexy pictures

Our Gordon, naked on his superbike playing his banjo.

Shaker and Bashers mud wrestling naked.

Gonnagle.

[Leonard James]

Dear Wigs,

Sex the forum up

Sexy pictures

Our Gordon, naked on his superbike playing his banjo.

Shaker and Bashers mud wrestling naked.

Gonnagle.

Merciful almighty, don't let them go that far! Ageing bodies are best kept in wraps, but the human body at its best is a joy to behold.

[floo]

Dear Wigs,

Sex the forum up

Sexy pictures

Our Gordon, naked on his superbike playing his banjo.

Shaker and Bashers mud wrestling naked.

Gonnagle.

OMG that would drive everyone away! Mind you, if I decided to cavort around in the altogether all the humans on this planet would be exiting it!

[Sassy]

If people are insulting other members and being aggressive to other members and this is resulting in members leaving the board isn't this something that should be addressed by the moderators?

Would that be with the wand of partial or impartiality? Or both?

I think we know interest in the internet is a dying thing...
Social media like twitter and face book take up so much of peoples time.

Personally, maybe the fact that a lot of believers were driven away means the atheists have very few people who can be bothered to answer the same old, same old.

Then again some we use to post with still post on other forums.. Including people like Andrew, Victoria Plum and Greg...

VP still posts on this forum under another name.

I wondered about that... But I know she would have let me know if posting here as she posts on one of my forums.
Though we post on others together too.
I guess that it would be a recent thing so to speak if here.

OR someone who has now left.

Her last post was on July 20th.

Contacted her. Just waiting for reply. Will let you know. Can you pm me the user name here. thanks Looked through members list seen nothing for that date.
Keturah isn't Victoria and she last posted 23 rd July so not sure who it can be.

[floo]

If people are insulting other members and being aggressive to other members and this is resulting in members leaving the board isn't this something that should be addressed by the moderators?

Would that be with the wand of partial or impartiality? Or both?

I think we know interest in the internet is a dying thing...
Social media like twitter and face book take up so much of peoples time.

Personally, maybe the fact that a lot of believers were driven away means the atheists have very few people who can be bothered to answer the same old, same old.

Then again some we use to post with still post on other forums.. Including people like Andrew, Victoria Plum and Greg...

VP still posts on this forum under another name.

I wondered about that... But I know she would have let me know if posting here as she posts on one of my forums.
Though we post on others together too.
I guess that it would be a recent thing so to speak if here.

OR someone who has now left.

Her last post was on July 20th.

Contacted her. Just waiting for reply. Will let you know. Can you pm me the user name here. thanks Looked through members list seen nothing for that date.
Keturah isn't Victoria and she last posted 23 rd July so not sure who it can be.

Brownie

[Jack Knave]

I don't think the mods are accepting new members.

Or the registrations are getting lost in the system.

A friend of mine applied ages ago but nothing ever came of it.

Moderator:

Tell them to apply again Julie, and PM me with the Username they intend to use and I'll look out for it.

On an average day we get registrations from between 60 - 80 spammers (sometimes more) that we have to wade through, so it is possible that we could have missed a genuine one.

How do you tell that an applicant is a spammer? Perhaps your methods are too prejudice and exclude genuine newcomers.

[Jack Knave]

Dear Wigs,

Sex the forum up

Sexy pictures

Our Gordon, naked on his superbike playing his banjo.

Shaker and Bashers mud wrestling naked.

Gonnagle.

Gonny, you're a sick man. You've even made the Devil blush with the horror!!!

[Gordon]

I don't think the mods are accepting new members.

Or the registrations are getting lost in the system.

A friend of mine applied ages ago but nothing ever came of it.

Moderator:

Tell them to apply again Julie, and PM me with the Username they intend to use and I'll look out for it.

On an average day we get registrations from between 60 - 80 spammers (sometimes more) that we have to wade through, so it is possible that we could have missed a genuine one.

How do you tell that an applicant is a spammer? Perhaps your methods are too prejudice and exclude genuine newcomers.

Moderator:

Several points here.

1. The Forum software has functions that check for 'duplicates' in the new registrations, and these are always spammers (you can only have a designated e-mail account per registration). Today, for example I have rejected several applications from 'SPEEDAMER' with different e-mail addresses, and I see another waiting already.

2. We use utilities that allow IP and e-mail details in applications to be checked against those used by known spammers. This takes time every day, although there are some that are 'regulars' and can just be rejected.

3. There are obvious clues in the usernames and e-mail addresses submitted, where certain variations are likely spammers - many originate from Moldova and Ukraine.

4. There is the sheer volume - today I have already checked and rejected over 30 spammer registrations, as I look right now there are 22 waiting to be checked, and once I clear those I'd say at least another 25-30 will be submitted this evening. Most mornings when I check there are at least 15-20 to start the day with.

It takes time each and every day to keep on top of spammers, and is one aspect of keeping the place going that members don't ever see - and since you rarely see these spammers actually getting through and posting their invitations to porn sites or interesting Russian clothing I'd say we are on top of the situation.

Given this volume it is possible we could reject a genuine application - so if you have encouraged someone to join please let us know something via PM (say the e-mail address they will use) and we'll look out for it amongst the constant stream of spammers.

[Jack Knave]

I don't think the mods are accepting new members.

Or the registrations are getting lost in the system.

A friend of mine applied ages ago but nothing ever came of it.

Moderator:

Tell them to apply again Julie, and PM me with the Username they intend to use and I'll look out for it.

On an average day we get registrations from between 60 - 80 spammers (sometimes more) that we have to wade through, so it is possible that we could have missed a genuine one.

How do you tell that an applicant is a spammer? Perhaps your methods are too prejudice and exclude genuine newcomers.

Moderator:

Several points here.

1. The Forum software has functions that check for 'duplicates' in the new registrations, and these are always spammers (you can only have a designated e-mail account per registration). Today, for example I have rejected several applications from 'SPEEDAMER' with different e-mail addresses, and I see another waiting already.

2. We use utilities that allow IP and e-mail details in applications to be checked against those used by known spammers. This takes time every day, although there are some that are 'regulars' and can just be rejected.

3. There are obvious clues in the usernames and e-mail addresses submitted, where certain variations are likely spammers - many originate from Moldova and Ukraine.

4. There is the sheer volume - today I have already checked and rejected over 30 spammer registrations, as I look right now there are 22 waiting to be checked, and once I clear those I'd say at least another 25-30 will be submitted this evening. Most mornings when I check there are at least 15-20 to start the day with.

It takes time each and every day to keep on top of spammers, and is one aspect of keeping the place going that members don't ever see - and since you rarely see these spammers actually getting through and posting their invitations to porn sites or interesting Russian clothing I'd say we are on top of the situation.

Given this volume it is possible we could reject a genuine application - so if you have encouraged someone to join please let us know something via PM (say the e-mail address they will use) and we'll look out for it amongst the constant stream of spammers.

Bloody hell, I didn't realise this. When you say you check them do you mean a programme does; couldn't all this be automated in some way. Some sites you have to reproduce some muddles letters and numbers, if you want to join some site, to check you're not a machine.

[Shaker]

Christ, that's a lot of (potential) spammers 

[Gordon]

I don't think the mods are accepting new members.

Or the registrations are getting lost in the system.

A friend of mine applied ages ago but nothing ever came of it.

Moderator:

Tell them to apply again Julie, and PM me with the Username they intend to use and I'll look out for it.

On an average day we get registrations from between 60 - 80 spammers (sometimes more) that we have to wade through, so it is possible that we could have missed a genuine one.

How do you tell that an applicant is a spammer? Perhaps your methods are too prejudice and exclude genuine newcomers.

Moderator:

Several points here.

1. The Forum software has functions that check for 'duplicates' in the new registrations, and these are always spammers (you can only have a designated e-mail account per registration). Today, for example I have rejected several applications from 'SPEEDAMER' with different e-mail addresses, and I see another waiting already.

2. We use utilities that allow IP and e-mail details in applications to be checked against those used by known spammers. This takes time every day, although there are some that are 'regulars' and can just be rejected.

3. There are obvious clues in the usernames and e-mail addresses submitted, where certain variations are likely spammers - many originate from Moldova and Ukraine.

4. There is the sheer volume - today I have already checked and rejected over 30 spammer registrations, as I look right now there are 22 waiting to be checked, and once I clear those I'd say at least another 25-30 will be submitted this evening. Most mornings when I check there are at least 15-20 to start the day with.

It takes time each and every day to keep on top of spammers, and is one aspect of keeping the place going that members don't ever see - and since you rarely see these spammers actually getting through and posting their invitations to porn sites or interesting Russian clothing I'd say we are on top of the situation.

Given this volume it is possible we could reject a genuine application - so if you have encouraged someone to join please let us know something via PM (say the e-mail address they will use) and we'll look out for it amongst the constant stream of spammers.

Bloody hell, I didn't realise this. When you say you check them do you mean a programme does; couldn't all this be automated in some way. Some sites you have to reproduce some muddles letters and numbers, if you want to join some site, to check you're not a machine.

I know - shocking isn't it.

To do it properly they need to be checked individually using one of the spam-checker utilities (I mostly use 'Stop Forum Spam').  There are some that can quickly be rejected (for example, those using the names 'Andrew' and 'Robert' are invariably spammers). The Forum software doesn't have the anti-bot handing (where you have to enter something to prove you ar there), so checking is required.

As I say some can be quickly rejected (even that requires flagging them for rejection) but others need to be checked.

[Jack Knave]

I don't think the mods are accepting new members.

Or the registrations are getting lost in the system.

A friend of mine applied ages ago but nothing ever came of it.

Moderator:

Tell them to apply again Julie, and PM me with the Username they intend to use and I'll look out for it.

On an average day we get registrations from between 60 - 80 spammers (sometimes more) that we have to wade through, so it is possible that we could have missed a genuine one.

How do you tell that an applicant is a spammer? Perhaps your methods are too prejudice and exclude genuine newcomers.

Moderator:

Several points here.

1. The Forum software has functions that check for 'duplicates' in the new registrations, and these are always spammers (you can only have a designated e-mail account per registration). Today, for example I have rejected several applications from 'SPEEDAMER' with different e-mail addresses, and I see another waiting already.

2. We use utilities that allow IP and e-mail details in applications to be checked against those used by known spammers. This takes time every day, although there are some that are 'regulars' and can just be rejected.

3. There are obvious clues in the usernames and e-mail addresses submitted, where certain variations are likely spammers - many originate from Moldova and Ukraine.

4. There is the sheer volume - today I have already checked and rejected over 30 spammer registrations, as I look right now there are 22 waiting to be checked, and once I clear those I'd say at least another 25-30 will be submitted this evening. Most mornings when I check there are at least 15-20 to start the day with.

It takes time each and every day to keep on top of spammers, and is one aspect of keeping the place going that members don't ever see - and since you rarely see these spammers actually getting through and posting their invitations to porn sites or interesting Russian clothing I'd say we are on top of the situation.

Given this volume it is possible we could reject a genuine application - so if you have encouraged someone to join please let us know something via PM (say the e-mail address they will use) and we'll look out for it amongst the constant stream of spammers.

Bloody hell, I didn't realise this. When you say you check them do you mean a programme does; couldn't all this be automated in some way. Some sites you have to reproduce some muddles letters and numbers, if you want to join some site, to check you're not a machine.

I know - shocking isn't it.

To do it properly they need to be checked individually using one of the spam-checker utilities (I mostly use 'Stop Forum Spam').  There are some that can quickly be rejected (for example, those using the names 'Andrew' and 'Robert' are invariably spammers). The Forum software doesn't have the anti-bot handing (where you have to enter something to prove you ar there), so checking is required.

As I say some can be quickly rejected (even that requires flagging them for rejection) but others need to be checked.

What about Alan or Alien? Are these spammer names?

[Gordon]

What about Alan or Alien? Are these spammer names?

Nope - once you are a member you can change your 'display' name - Vlad is the premier example of this affectation option.

[Shaker]

You're a very naughty boy 

[Leonard James]

What about Alan or Alien? Are these spammer names?

Nope - once you are a member you can change your 'display' name - Vlad is the premier example of this affectation option.

As someone who has never changed his forum name, why do people do it?

[Andy]

I know - shocking isn't it.

To do it properly they need to be checked individually using one of the spam-checker utilities (I mostly use 'Stop Forum Spam').  There are some that can quickly be rejected (for example, those using the names 'Andrew' and 'Robert' are invariably spammers). The Forum software doesn't have the anti-bot handing (where you have to enter something to prove you ar there), so checking is required.

As I say some can be quickly rejected (even that requires flagging them for rejection) but others need to be checked.

No wonder I had a ball ache trying to re-register!

[Jack Knave]

What about Alan or Alien? Are these spammer names?

Nope - once you are a member you can change your 'display' name - Vlad is the premier example of this affectation option.

As someone who has never changed his forum name, why do people do it?

I haven't either. It's very confusing. I usually look at the signatures etc. to gauge who it might be or the number of times they have posted. They should be forced to put a WAKA.... so people can keep track.

[Sassy]

If people are insulting other members and being aggressive to other members and this is resulting in members leaving the board isn't this something that should be addressed by the moderators?

Would that be with the wand of partial or impartiality? Or both?

I think we know interest in the internet is a dying thing...
Social media like twitter and face book take up so much of peoples time.

Personally, maybe the fact that a lot of believers were driven away means the atheists have very few people who can be bothered to answer the same old, same old.

Then again some we use to post with still post on other forums.. Including people like Andrew, Victoria Plum and Greg...

VP still posts on this forum under another name.

I wondered about that... But I know she would have let me know if posting here as she posts on one of my forums.
Though we post on others together too.
I guess that it would be a recent thing so to speak if here.

OR someone who has now left.

Her last post was on July 20th.

Contacted her. Just waiting for reply. Will let you know. Can you pm me the user name here. thanks Looked through members list seen nothing for that date.
Keturah isn't Victoria and she last posted 23 rd July so not sure who it can be.

Brownie

Thanks Floo,

I had no idea it was vix's. She never said hello or sent a pm.
Cheers for the head up...

[ippy]

What about Alan or Alien? Are these spammer names?

Nope - once you are a member you can change your 'display' name - Vlad is the premier example of this affectation option.

As someone who has never changed his forum name, why do people do it?

I used to use iplova then every other poster shortened it to ippy, then I just thought fair enough i'll make it ippy it's a reasonably innocuous handle, better still I'm a one finger keyboard specialist and ippy is shorter than iplova.

ippy.