Welcome to the Editor Forum!

[Stargazer1]

T-o-p-i-x Bob wrote:

<quoted text>Very good question. I also think all terrorist should wear a big red target so our troops can identify them and know who to shoot at. The point being, everyone should be registered and logged in before they can post anything. That would also eliminate the finger pointing concept that is not more than status profiling.

you're not logged in... ;)
but I agree, I have suggested that if someone wants to post they should either be required to register or provide an email address when posting. I have seen both methods used on other sites with some degree of success. But then, nothing is foolproof. Trolls are out to disrupt and many of them are hackers of sorts, so they manage to find ways around any blocks that may be in place, proxy servers are one method they use. I'm sure there are others.

[T-o-p-i-x Bob]

comment # 1 If i wasn't logged in, I wouldn't be here. Point being, My isp is on topix stat chart as a user. IE: Site meter/ visitor stats. Comment #2 Even with registered log in and email address verification, It is so easy for anyone to go to one of the many plug_pay Internet services available, Or just search for a wireless service in you're area, and connect (bootleg) to some poor unsuspecting users service. there are so many "public" email services available that anyone can have as many as they want to make up and only a very few people actually give true info to get them. Comment #3 "Firewalls" winxp users have windows firewall that helps protect them. BUT Ask those user to check and make sure it is on, reason for me saying this? Many users turn on their firewall, and never go back to see if it remains on after a reboot. I have found a very big percentage of xp firewall users that after a reboot, their firewall is mysteriously turned back off, allowing port scans and such. I have noticed that many of the firewall logs, have topix as on of those doing the port scans. what are they doing looking in someones computer without administrators permission to do so. I realize that most users do not fit into what we consider the advanced user category, and most users have no idea what goes on behind their networking back. I admit, that the win firewall can turn its self off if the user chooses to run multiple firewall applications such as zone alarm or KPF/ Sunbelt tech, just to name a few. You mention Hackers, ewwwwwwwww scary. A real hacker would never let anyone know that he/she is a hacker by bragging or threatening to hack someone. Comment #4 I said: I also think all terrorist should wear a big red target so our troops can identify them and know who to shoot at. The point being, everyone should be registered and logged in before they can post anything.( we both know that's never going to happen). This is only something to ponder, Food for thought.

[Stargazer1]

you are right about the free email services, there are so many now it's very difficult to keep up. I remember when you either were on AOL, Prodigy, Compuserve, or EWorld (Mac). Then came hotmail, yahoo, excite, hotbox, and a host of others, that were free for the asking. Someone already said they knew someone that had 1000+ email address thru yahoo. Sounds like some people have nothing else to do with their time but sign up for email addresses and use them for other than valid purposes. Not sure if valid is the word I want here, but it seems to fit.
I'm not sure what you mean by the firewall preventing a port scan. Are you referring to the possibility of a hacker scanning your computer, or Topix? The only thing that I am aware of that Topix does is put a cookie on your computer, and you can prevent that but then you also risk not being able to access the site.
I know about securing a network, I have that responsibility at work and also take care of it at home. It's amazing how many people really think they are safe connecting thru a "hot spot". You don't know who is on the other end of the connection and you also don't know what scans or logs are being created of your activity. If I travel and want to access email and such, I resort to the old standby - dialup AOL. As much as it hurts to sit there and wait for a pitifully slow modem connection to take place, I feel that I am putting myself at risk if I utilize a free "wifi".
Right, hackers won't talk about their deeds, they want to sneak in and destroy whatever they get their hands on.

[Moon News]

Hello all
I have been reading the posts here for the editors and am glad that I certainly am not alone reading that many of the same issues are being discussed within the topics of this forum. I too agree that posts also should be exclusively from registered posters. If you check almost any responsible site that permits posting, the ones that remain family friendly are those that require preregistration and permit either a moderator or the local editor to ban the abuser. I have run an online newspaper for a number of years and vigilance on this single issue will turn away those prone to abuse, sending them to the forums who permit this foolishness. It is my hope that every editor on Topix encourages Topix administration to enact these reasonable restrictions to keep Topix clean.

[Xcntrik InVidor]

Moon News wrote:

Hello all
I have been reading the posts here for the editors and am glad that I certainly am not alone reading that many of the same issues are being discussed within the topics of this forum. I too agree that posts also should be exclusively from registered posters. If you check almost any responsible site that permits posting, the ones that remain family friendly are those that require preregistration and permit either a moderator or the local editor to ban the abuser. I have run an online newspaper for a number of years and vigilance on this single issue will turn away those prone to abuse, sending them to the forums who permit this foolishness. It is my hope that every editor on Topix encourages Topix administration to enact these reasonable restrictions to keep Topix clean.

I agree that forum posting should be confined to registered users. I disagree that local editors should be able to ban offenders.

A message sent from the 'Feedback' page does end up in the hands of moderators and it appears that they do follow up and will often reply.

I'm sure they have a file on me.

hehe

[Jane Abao]

I think I have to repost. The first time I did, I wasn't logged on to my editor's profile that I appear as an outsider looking in. As shown in my IP, I seem to come from seven locations. I don't question that anymore as long as nobody questions my credibility as editor - based on changing locations. My intention now is to register this thing so that when my readers react, I can point to this post.