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Topic: this site is currently closed to new members ? (Read 921 times) previous topic - next topic

this site is currently closed to new members ?

What does the Home page notice that that the forum is closed to new members mean and why?

I have told others about our Forum, but did not realize they could not join to learn about their Foretravel from their peers.

Is this recent and is it temporary?  What is the best thing to tell others at this time?

Top line says Welcome, bottom line says Closed

Re: this site is currently closed to new members ?

Reply #1 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
What does the Home page notice that that the forum is closed to new members mean and why?

I have told others about our Forum, but did not realize they could not join to learn about their Foretravel from their peers.

Is this recent and is it temporary?  What is the best thing to tell others at this time?

Top line says Welcome, bottom line says Closed

There's a topic in the Forum How-To, I'll summarize here

In late October/early November, a number security measures on the forum were dropped due to a member of the moderating staff calling us out publicly asserting this be "an open forum" with no moderation of any topic, even ones that have caused prior angst and caused bad feelings within the forum and between the forum and other entities.  I won't go into details but they can be found on the forum. 

On or about December 30, a new member joined, got through the first post security protocol, then altered their profile to spoof on of the moderators and posted some nastiness.

The user got banned, but then rejoined (multiple times) with disposable e-mail accounts.  The moderators requested new registration be shut off for a few weeks.

The forum was then hit with a DDoS attack.  It took significant effort on Steve's part to bring that under control.

The forum (and to some degree a member of the moderating staff) were then subjected to a profanity-laced hate attack on the east Texas Craigslist that lasted for days.  iRV2 was then targeted with a DDoS attack that may be related.

We believe this attack to be related to a previously-banned member who had gotten through once before.

Things seem to have quieted down last week and the moderators suggested we could reopen registration again, with additional security measures applied to new accounts.  This latter action requires new forum code be written and it is being worked on.

HTH.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: this site is currently closed to new members ?

Reply #2 –
Thank you all for your quick explanations and the link to the recent discussion on forum closed to new members.

Had no idea that so many negative people are out there venting on our Forum.

Thanks to all who keep us one of the best well run information sharing sites on the Internet.

Barry & Cindy

Re: this site is currently closed to new members ?

Reply #3 –
There are some odd ducks in the internet world with nothing but time on their hands and a computer.. It's hard for "usual" people like us to fathom how a mind like theirs works.. They aren't wired like usual people... conflict and unrest drives and entertains them.. It must frustrate them when they try to hack in to a site such as this one and hit a brick wall. Good job on putting up the brick wall.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: this site is currently closed to new members ?

Reply #4 –
I wonder of the attack here was related to the attacks on other rv-related forums. I check several daily, both brand-specific ones and general ones, and nearly all of them have had DDOS problems in the past month.

Re: this site is currently closed to new members ?

Reply #5 –
Whatever it takes.  Our Moderators are totally on the ball and in control. I have learned never to question their decisions regarding maintenance. The level of abuse and nonsense they have endured to keep this site open is unbelievable, and I leave it in their hands completely.
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: this site is currently closed to new members ?

Reply #6 –
Quote from: kb0zke –
I wonder of the attack here was related to the attacks on other rv-related forums.

Foreforums got hit first.  iRV2 contacted us when theirs started up as there was some commonality; theirs started after we got around ours.  Social Knowledge LLC owns iRV2 and many other RV forums (not us) and their servers in general were targeted which is likely why you saw multiple forums being attacked (we are on a completely unrelated server).  We don't know for sure if their and our attacks were related, but are suspicious that it was the same activity that started here then moved to their sites.  Most certainly Foreforums was the original target of the CL hate campaign, although one of the last threatening "ads" also mentioned iRV2.

Neither iRV2 nor we know if the rv.net issues were also the same as rv.net hasn't communicated.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: this site is currently closed to new members ?

Reply #7 –
Ditto Carol's comments.  You folks are super, thank you very much for your incredible service.
Audrey & Harvey Nelson
2000 U-320, 40' towing 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
nelsonah@ieee.org

Re: this site is currently closed to new members ?

Reply #8 –
I would think that some "Law" has been broken by the person that initiated these attacks.  Any information regarding possible suspects should be turned over to the local Sheriff and they would redirect it to the proper investigating authority. 
The selected media item is not currently available.
Gerry & Brenda
CHARLOTTE HARBOR, FL
1994 Grand Villa - # 4466
U300 Unihome - 6V92 Detroit
4 speed Allison - Jake Brake
 

Re: this site is currently closed to new members ?

Reply #9 –
Federal law. This is very serious.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer