Curt

It has come to my attention that people are 'spamming' to get their post counts and reputations up to be able to access certain bots. I have expected this when I created the site, but it is going a little to extreme. I would like to remind you of the guidelines to posting in regards to spam and begging.

Spam: Your posts must not only be relevant to the thread, but must contribute to the thread in some way. Simply saying 'thanks for this', is considered spam and will no longer be accepted. If you wish to thank the author, supply the original poster of a thread with reputation. A valid post would be: "Thanks for this, I've been looking everywhere for this bot and I'm glad I fulfill the requirements to use the bot. "; If you do not fulfill the requirements to the bot, a good option is to not post at all.

Multiple Accounts: We are trying to make it the easiest way possible for you to access the bots at your convenience, while still having to require postcounts, reputation or subscription detection. A new method we've implemented is the autodetection of your account by IP address. This system can get bugged if you have more than one account under an IP address. Most likely you would not be able to access the bot anymore, and we are not responsible to fix this problem for you. If you cannot access a bot because you have made the mistake of using multiple accounts and registering, you must find a way to obtain a new IP address. Multiple accounts are not only a hazard for your botting fantasies, but are a bannable offence. Users caught with multiple accounts will be banned for 5 days, no warnings will be issued.

Reputation: You are only allowed to ask or beg for reputation on the first post of the thread you started, or in your sig. There are no "Rep me, and I'll rep you back". PMing people for reputation is a calling for a ban, do not do it. You cannot pay people to rep you. Any users which condone in any of these activities will receive major consequences.

iTrader Rankings: You are only allowed to ask or beg for itrader rank during or after a trade and only with the person you traded with. There are no "Rank me, and I'll rank you back". PMing people for rank unless you did a trade with them is a calling for a ban, do not do it. You cannot pay people to rank you. Rank will be earned, not bought. Any users which condone in any of these activities will receive major consequences.

Subscribers: Let's face it. You all subscribed to use a certain bot. The website pays it's coders for their hard work, and that's what subscribers are for. We thank you for your subscription and will continue working to fulfill your bot fantasies. If you have subscribed for a specific bot, you can show the courtesy by sponsoring your favorite coder or staff, by clicking here. It costs nothing to sponsor if you're a subscriber, and they get a good portion of the payment you sent in. This is a great initiative of TBN! Also, of all the subscribers we have, I don't see many testimonials. Please do write a testimonial of what is offered as a subscriber, whether worth it or not, at this link. We need to give regular users a broader sence of what the subscription gives you and if it really does benefit you.

To conclude this announcement, the rules about spamming and reputation begging is now strictly enforced. Anyone breaking these rules will be warned if not infracted or banned.

Let's keep this place to a nice active and effective community.

Thanks for your time in reading the matter.

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Curt

After going through the database manually, I've found that over 4 people contributed in reputation abuse and have warned / infracted them as well as removing the rep comments from their accounts. Not only were there people who contributed to receiving reputation, but there were accounts made specifically to apply reputation. If I see another account made to apply reputation, the ip address and user of the account and accounts associated will be banned indefinitely. We want a fair system between paying subscribers and users who contribute to the forum. That is the reason why we introduced the reputation system and requirements for certain bots. If you wish to abuse the reputation system, your account is punishable with a ban on the forum.

Thanks for your understanding.

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Deacon Frost

Very nice. I appreciate this being done Curt.

On a note for any member who reads this. From what I've seen, we're all very lenient when it comes to spamming. If you make a post off topic, rather than spending our time infracting you, or dealing out punishment, we'll simply remove the post. When it gets to the point that you're getting a warning, or infractions, is when you know you should stop.

I have dealt with spammers a couple of times already, and both of them informed me they were just trying to get to a certain post count, and that they could not find something to post legitimately on. If this is the case, please do not post. Instead, try and contribute to the forums by finding relevant information that could help someone. That's all we ask. It only takes a few minutes to get to the criteria, and you don't jeopardize your account.

So, in light of this being announced, I'll say that I'll begin giving warnings on the first offense, but in order to maintain a fair, fun community, further offenses will result in a much more severe punishment than in the past.

Thanks.

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+rep if you like my posts!

nielkie

Regarding multiple accounts, I presume you are checking the X-Forwarded-For header and not just the IP the request comes from..

(I've been unreasonably banned from too many communities because of my ISP's mandatory ISP side proxy)

ADR

whats the point of rep anyway?
i see a ton of people asking/begging for rep but what does it do for you?

Commodore Stocker

This is good to see happening. As a forum grows this problem seem to grow with it. Good move on your part!

Curt

The new auth system implemented a reputation requirement instead of just posts. Reputation is earned by contributions and respect throughout the forum, so it may take a while to earn rep points. The later bots such as the DR Pepper bot requires rep. Subscribers are exempt from the post/rep requirements

Thanks Also nice to see the site growing so rapidly.

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Jason

So if my ip is different then when I signed up then I can't use a bot? only skimmed through. >.> got a headache. I need to buy another sub.


that was poorly written

zaff2000

when can i start pming other members when i try it says im not allowed because of my post count or rep

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cameronfield

Yeah I'm wondering the same thing, have looked everywhere for the answer but cant find it.

I'll do my best to follow all these rules to a T!

ADR

cameron and zaff2000, you need 17 posts to be able to PM.

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BigDAlcala

I appreciate you laying out the law. I'm confident that this system will stymie any more abuse. As a new member, I have read the rules, and I promise to follow and uphold them throughout my participation on TBN.

Kirtan

You Should Get The 15 Post Link/Image Rule Setup where one has to have 15 posts to post pictures and links.

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+Rep Would Be Appreciated If I Helped You

Haris

Agreed with Kirtan.

the

I am frustrated that I cannot PM any admin or anything because I don't have enough posts. I'm not going to spam to get enough posts to PM, but I think it's too restrictive and very unfriendly to new users like myself.

ADR

What do you need the? just go into IRC and ask

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Curt

The PM feature is not part of the new guidelines, but a security precaution from users spamming our users with advertisements to cracked and infected bots.

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Textile

Just joined your site, but it seems maybe you should dedicate a spot to people upping posts to 17 so they can PM others, such as a sub thread for them to raise it. I am still trying to figure this all out, it seems like this websites rules are a little more demanding than the other sites that I moderate for... I can see the precautions with this requirement, but in my opinion maybe a bit more of an extremist approach. Then again, this is a community based off of botting and exploiting weaknesses, lawl.

Curt

I do not understand what you are suggesting. A user's posts should be contributive to the community and not just for a personal gain to access a bot. If you are unable to send a private message but continue to have questions, there is a contact us button on the footer of the page.

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flandersman

I would simply thank you for this rule update, but i wouldn't want to spam.

With all respect, the best way to reduce spam would be to lower the required post count to use bots. This may be out of the question, but I am just stating my opinion.