New User Registrations

[Keith]

We have had a number of spammers try to register on the site, so I have made the new user registration process a little less user friendly.

If you are trying to register on the site and are not able to complete the process, please try to:

(1) check your spam inbox for the confirmation email. Many of our emails are getting a lot more picky in blocking emails from your inbox, so be sure to check there first if you didn't get the email.

(2) email me directly. I am being rather ruthless in deleting questionable accounts, and if you get caught in my crossfire, my apologies. Just send me an email to straighten things out.

Thanks!

[HPF Bob]

Are these the same Texan fans from Russia that kept trying to sign on to HPF?

[Keith]

Actually, there is some person or 'bot' from Argentina this time that seems to be the most intent. There are others, and they are all usually easy to spot. I think there are others from SE Asia, but I think they try and use IPs from elsewhere... one tried to be German I think.

Basically, if you click any of their links if they somehow get through, you'd be doing so at your own risk! And like I said, if I delete anyone's legit new account by accident, just let me know.

[painekiller]

I don't know, I kinda like the porno site post in the draft forum...

[Keith]

Special note for gmail users... I have disabled (at least temporarily) all registrations using a gmail address. Nearly all of these spammer bots are getting through using gmail (and yes, Bob, a few though are using Russian email accounts ...I think they don't have anti-spamming laws there or something).

While I know many of you use and have registered with valid gmail accounts, you may want to use a different email if you have one and are experiencing problems with the ITB.com forums.

[Keith]

I have been banning ranges of IP addresses to curtail spammers, and I know of one person already banned accidentally. Should this happen to you, please send me an email and let me know.

[beardown]

Hello Keith,

i sent you a message earlier about STATstick, a website i built where your users can go enter Houston Texan predictions. i didnt want to post this in the regular forum until i got an ok from you.

every player game and season stats, every team regular season and post season results - can all be tracked at statstick, and i use the posted nfl stats/results to score each prediction.

completely free, no money, no advertising.... just a cool system for NFL freaks like me.

you can also set up groups and invite members from this board, to find out who is more correct with their predictions.

Let me know if / when it would be ok to post this in the general forum..

thanks

[Keith]

Getting an increase in new spam account registrations. The custom question process implemented a few years ago isn't as effective anymore.

As such, I am deleting these accounts often. Should I delete a new user account in error, just send me an email.

[Keith]

The spammers are relentless... I just deleted 75 spam accounts since Sunday morning alone.

As such, I have turned off new user registrations for the time being. We really do welcome new users though, so please send me an email if you wish to add an account, and I will re-open the registration for you.

Thanks

[Keith]

Crossing my fingers, registration has been re-opened since the new season is underway. For anyone who tried to register previously and could not, my apologies. Hopefully the bots have found something better to do.

[Keith]

Another round of spammers, this time it's apparently the Russians.

I've modified the human verification process for registration again... I guess the Russians figured out how much a field goal is worth.

For any new users having registration difficulty, the quickest way to reach me these days is probably mentioning @inthebullseye on Twitter.