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MPIP anti-spam update

Forums General Melanoma Community MPIP anti-spam update

  • Post
    Adam-MRF
    Keymaster

    Hi everyone,

    In recent weeks we implemented significant updates to the software that monitors for spam posts on the MPIP forum. You may have noticed some of these changes on the user registration and sign in page, while others took place behind the scenes on the back end of the website. Part of the update was the addition of a new, very powerful spam filter that will continue to improve with time. With the new filter in place you may, for a short period, notice a delay in when new posts appear as the software "learns" and refines itself. We will continue to monitor this process to minimize any disruption and smooth the transition to the improved system. We thank you for your patience and your feeback is always welcome as we work to ensure the best and most helpful experience possible.

    Thanks,

    Adam – MRF

     

     

Viewing 20 reply threads
  • Replies
      jamieth29
      Participant
      Hi Adam,
      I replied to a couple posts a few days ago and they never made it, do we need to reply again or will they eventually appear?
      jamieth29
      Participant
      Hi Adam,
      I replied to a couple posts a few days ago and they never made it, do we need to reply again or will they eventually appear?
      jamieth29
      Participant
      Hi Adam,
      I replied to a couple posts a few days ago and they never made it, do we need to reply again or will they eventually appear?
      Cynthia C
      Participant

      Please can you give hints on how to respond to a post? I want to reply to Birdlo with a great positive story but twice I have tried and been blocked as spam. I know you are trying to sort this out but just let me know why it is considered spam. I use no links, no bad words, and proper punctuation.

      Thank you!

      Cynthia

      Cynthia C
      Participant

      Please can you give hints on how to respond to a post? I want to reply to Birdlo with a great positive story but twice I have tried and been blocked as spam. I know you are trying to sort this out but just let me know why it is considered spam. I use no links, no bad words, and proper punctuation.

      Thank you!

      Cynthia

      Cynthia C
      Participant

      Please can you give hints on how to respond to a post? I want to reply to Birdlo with a great positive story but twice I have tried and been blocked as spam. I know you are trying to sort this out but just let me know why it is considered spam. I use no links, no bad words, and proper punctuation.

      Thank you!

      Cynthia

        Adam-MRF
        Keymaster

        Hi Cynthia,

        Thank you for your question. I am looking into this now and have asked our team members who work with the spam software for their assistance as well. We hope to have the new processes refined as soon as possible to eliminate this issue in the future. Thank you for your contributions to this community!

        Sincerely,
        Adam – MRF

        Adam-MRF
        Keymaster

        Hi Cynthia,

        Thank you for your question. I am looking into this now and have asked our team members who work with the spam software for their assistance as well. We hope to have the new processes refined as soon as possible to eliminate this issue in the future. Thank you for your contributions to this community!

        Sincerely,
        Adam – MRF

        Adam-MRF
        Keymaster

        Hi Cynthia,

        Thank you for your question. I am looking into this now and have asked our team members who work with the spam software for their assistance as well. We hope to have the new processes refined as soon as possible to eliminate this issue in the future. Thank you for your contributions to this community!

        Sincerely,
        Adam – MRF

      Patina
      Participant

      Hi Adam,

      Let me preface this by saying that everyone appreciates that you are trying to ensure that the site does not have spam and that the Message Board is something we all value.

      Here is some honest feedback posted CA time 9:20pm 10/16/2015:

      Adding a new CAPTCHA was a good start but it would have been easier if you had made some of the "older" trusted users Moderators and allowed us to manage spam and fake users  or just made new users comments and threads moderated for a short period of time rather than make the other changes that affect everyone.

      The changes made in adding moderation with the new "very powerful spam filter" (which I have significant doubts about and I know about this stuff) has only delayed getting information to people 24 hours + if ever, caused people to think their posts were "lost" and likely given new users the idea that no one really responds.  

      From a users prospective this is a massive fail for something that should have been a easy fix for a message board that many people rely on for information support

      Please reconsider the changes that you have made and those that I've proposed.

      Thanks!

      PS

      Try using a Honeypot to block spam and changing this CAPTCHA program. The photos I had to use to get a previous message "approved" asked me to ID photos of ice cream.  I had to choose cupcakes (very clearly cupcakes) and ice cream to verify my message. Kinda defeats the purpose if the CAPTCHA program is buggy. 

       

        Adam-MRF
        Keymaster

        Hi Patina,

        Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and constructive suggestions. Our goal when implementing programs like the updated CAPTCHA was to more effectively combat the increased spam activity AND minimize the effects on actual users like yourself. If this is determined not to be the best option, we will absolutely address the issue and put in place measures that better serve the MPIP community. We are working on this currently and your feedback and recommendations are greatly appreciated in this process. Thank you again. 

        Sincerely,
        Adam – MRF

        Adam-MRF
        Keymaster

        Hi Patina,

        Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and constructive suggestions. Our goal when implementing programs like the updated CAPTCHA was to more effectively combat the increased spam activity AND minimize the effects on actual users like yourself. If this is determined not to be the best option, we will absolutely address the issue and put in place measures that better serve the MPIP community. We are working on this currently and your feedback and recommendations are greatly appreciated in this process. Thank you again. 

        Sincerely,
        Adam – MRF

        Adam-MRF
        Keymaster

        Hi Patina,

        Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and constructive suggestions. Our goal when implementing programs like the updated CAPTCHA was to more effectively combat the increased spam activity AND minimize the effects on actual users like yourself. If this is determined not to be the best option, we will absolutely address the issue and put in place measures that better serve the MPIP community. We are working on this currently and your feedback and recommendations are greatly appreciated in this process. Thank you again. 

        Sincerely,
        Adam – MRF

      Patina
      Participant

      Hi Adam,

      Let me preface this by saying that everyone appreciates that you are trying to ensure that the site does not have spam and that the Message Board is something we all value.

      Here is some honest feedback posted CA time 9:20pm 10/16/2015:

      Adding a new CAPTCHA was a good start but it would have been easier if you had made some of the "older" trusted users Moderators and allowed us to manage spam and fake users  or just made new users comments and threads moderated for a short period of time rather than make the other changes that affect everyone.

      The changes made in adding moderation with the new "very powerful spam filter" (which I have significant doubts about and I know about this stuff) has only delayed getting information to people 24 hours + if ever, caused people to think their posts were "lost" and likely given new users the idea that no one really responds.  

      From a users prospective this is a massive fail for something that should have been a easy fix for a message board that many people rely on for information support

      Please reconsider the changes that you have made and those that I've proposed.

      Thanks!

      PS

      Try using a Honeypot to block spam and changing this CAPTCHA program. The photos I had to use to get a previous message "approved" asked me to ID photos of ice cream.  I had to choose cupcakes (very clearly cupcakes) and ice cream to verify my message. Kinda defeats the purpose if the CAPTCHA program is buggy. 

       

      Patina
      Participant

      Hi Adam,

      Let me preface this by saying that everyone appreciates that you are trying to ensure that the site does not have spam and that the Message Board is something we all value.

      Here is some honest feedback posted CA time 9:20pm 10/16/2015:

      Adding a new CAPTCHA was a good start but it would have been easier if you had made some of the "older" trusted users Moderators and allowed us to manage spam and fake users  or just made new users comments and threads moderated for a short period of time rather than make the other changes that affect everyone.

      The changes made in adding moderation with the new "very powerful spam filter" (which I have significant doubts about and I know about this stuff) has only delayed getting information to people 24 hours + if ever, caused people to think their posts were "lost" and likely given new users the idea that no one really responds.  

      From a users prospective this is a massive fail for something that should have been a easy fix for a message board that many people rely on for information support

      Please reconsider the changes that you have made and those that I've proposed.

      Thanks!

      PS

      Try using a Honeypot to block spam and changing this CAPTCHA program. The photos I had to use to get a previous message "approved" asked me to ID photos of ice cream.  I had to choose cupcakes (very clearly cupcakes) and ice cream to verify my message. Kinda defeats the purpose if the CAPTCHA program is buggy. 

       

      Patina
      Participant

      Hi Adam,

      Let me preface this by saying that everyone appreciates that you are trying to ensure that the site does not have spam and that the Message Board is something we all value.

      Here is some honest feedback posted CA time 9:20pm 10/16/2015:

      Adding a new CAPTCHA was a good start but it would have been easier if you had made some of the "older" trusted users Moderators and allowed us to manage spam and fake users  or just made new users comments and threads moderated for a short period of time rather than make the other changes that affect everyone.

      The changes made in adding moderation with the new "very powerful spam filter" (which I have significant doubts about and I know about this stuff) has only delayed getting information to people 24 hours + if ever, caused people to think their posts were "lost" and likely given new users the idea that no one really responds.  

      From a users prospective this is a massive fail for something that should have been a easy fix for a message board that many people rely on for information support

      Please reconsider the changes that you have made and those that I've proposed.

      Thanks!

      PS

      Try using a Honeypot to block spam and changing this CAPTCHA program. The photos I had to use to get a previous message "approved" asked me to ID photos of ice cream.  I had to choose cupcakes (very clearly cupcakes) and ice cream to verify my message. Kinda defeats the purpose if the CAPTCHA program is buggy. 

       

      Patina
      Participant

      Hi Adam,

      Let me preface this by saying that everyone appreciates that you are trying to ensure that the site does not have spam and that the Message Board is something we all value.

      Here is some honest feedback posted CA time 9:20pm 10/16/2015:

      Adding a new CAPTCHA was a good start but it would have been easier if you had made some of the "older" trusted users Moderators and allowed us to manage spam and fake users  or just made new users comments and threads moderated for a short period of time rather than make the other changes that affect everyone.

      The changes made in adding moderation with the new "very powerful spam filter" (which I have significant doubts about and I know about this stuff) has only delayed getting information to people 24 hours + if ever, caused people to think their posts were "lost" and likely given new users the idea that no one really responds.  

      From a users prospective this is a massive fail for something that should have been a easy fix for a message board that many people rely on for information support

      Please reconsider the changes that you have made and those that I've proposed.

      Thanks!

      PS

      Try using a Honeypot to block spam and changing this CAPTCHA program. The photos I had to use to get a previous message "approved" asked me to ID photos of ice cream.  I had to choose cupcakes (very clearly cupcakes) and ice cream to verify my message. Kinda defeats the purpose if the CAPTCHA program is buggy. 

       

      Patina
      Participant

      Hi Adam,

      Let me preface this by saying that everyone appreciates that you are trying to ensure that the site does not have spam and that the Message Board is something we all value.

      Here is some honest feedback posted CA time 9:20pm 10/16/2015:

      Adding a new CAPTCHA was a good start but it would have been easier if you had made some of the "older" trusted users Moderators and allowed us to manage spam and fake users  or just made new users comments and threads moderated for a short period of time rather than make the other changes that affect everyone.

      The changes made in adding moderation with the new "very powerful spam filter" (which I have significant doubts about and I know about this stuff) has only delayed getting information to people 24 hours + if ever, caused people to think their posts were "lost" and likely given new users the idea that no one really responds.  

      From a users prospective this is a massive fail for something that should have been a easy fix for a message board that many people rely on for information support

      Please reconsider the changes that you have made and those that I've proposed.

      Thanks!

      PS

      Try using a Honeypot to block spam and changing this CAPTCHA program. The photos I had to use to get a previous message "approved" asked me to ID photos of ice cream.  I had to choose cupcakes (very clearly cupcakes) and ice cream to verify my message. Kinda defeats the purpose if the CAPTCHA program is buggy. 

       

      liberty04281
      Participant
      Thanks. I hope it is going to work
      Liberty
        liberty04281
        Participant
        I am not happy with this new software update. We have to wait to see if our post is being published for a long time.
        I know we prevent spam, but still we should not wait that long our post to be publised.
        liberty04281
        Participant
        I am not happy with this new software update. We have to wait to see if our post is being published for a long time.
        I know we prevent spam, but still we should not wait that long our post to be publised.
        liberty04281
        Participant
        I am not happy with this new software update. We have to wait to see if our post is being published for a long time.
        I know we prevent spam, but still we should not wait that long our post to be publised.
      liberty04281
      Participant
      Thanks. I hope it is going to work
      Liberty
      liberty04281
      Participant
      Thanks. I hope it is going to work
      Liberty
      casagrayson
      Participant

      Adam,

      It would be really helpful if we knew some of the parameters that the filter uses to mark as "spam".  Are we allowed to put links here?  Pictures?  Are there words that will automatically throw us into the "spam" category?

      Honestly, I think a user-moderated board would be efficient.  Surely there are enough folks who have been around long enough that would be willing to volunteer a little bit of time to moderate.  The current situation (which I hope will improve quickly) is not acceptable for a discussion board that addresses such serious topics.  People come on here looking for immediate help —  not answers that come 48+ hours later, if at all.

      casagrayson
      Participant

      Adam,

      It would be really helpful if we knew some of the parameters that the filter uses to mark as "spam".  Are we allowed to put links here?  Pictures?  Are there words that will automatically throw us into the "spam" category?

      Honestly, I think a user-moderated board would be efficient.  Surely there are enough folks who have been around long enough that would be willing to volunteer a little bit of time to moderate.  The current situation (which I hope will improve quickly) is not acceptable for a discussion board that addresses such serious topics.  People come on here looking for immediate help —  not answers that come 48+ hours later, if at all.

      casagrayson
      Participant

      Adam,

      It would be really helpful if we knew some of the parameters that the filter uses to mark as "spam".  Are we allowed to put links here?  Pictures?  Are there words that will automatically throw us into the "spam" category?

      Honestly, I think a user-moderated board would be efficient.  Surely there are enough folks who have been around long enough that would be willing to volunteer a little bit of time to moderate.  The current situation (which I hope will improve quickly) is not acceptable for a discussion board that addresses such serious topics.  People come on here looking for immediate help —  not answers that come 48+ hours later, if at all.

      Adam-MRF
      Keymaster

      Good afternoon everyone,

      Thank you for sharing your feedback, questions and suggestions for improving this board. I have shared your comments with our team and am consulting with our IT team about the technical aspects of your questions and recommendations. We are working hard to improve the process of posting and commenting on MPIP, while minimizing – ideally eliminating – any inadvertent effects of implementing the new protocols. I wanted to assure you that we are working towards a solution currently and that your feedback is a valuable contribution to that process. Thank you for your dedication to this board and the melanoma community.

      Sincerely,
      Adam – MRF

        Patina
        Participant

        Replied at 12:01 pm PST on 10/17/15.

        Adam,

        I forgot to mention that the CAPTCHA does not work well on mobile devices. Unless you are really paying attention to how the images respond, which most users won't do, you can't verify the images correctly and you won't be able to post.  – The secret is that you have to click the images from top to bottom left to right. If you click a image further down you can't go back and select an image above in order to get the comment or post verified and in que for moderation…. 

        Basically, you need to change the CAPTCHA program. It is buggy for more than one reason, which I have mentioned previously.

        Patina
        Participant

        Replied at 12:01 pm PST on 10/17/15.

        Adam,

        I forgot to mention that the CAPTCHA does not work well on mobile devices. Unless you are really paying attention to how the images respond, which most users won't do, you can't verify the images correctly and you won't be able to post.  – The secret is that you have to click the images from top to bottom left to right. If you click a image further down you can't go back and select an image above in order to get the comment or post verified and in que for moderation…. 

        Basically, you need to change the CAPTCHA program. It is buggy for more than one reason, which I have mentioned previously.

        Patina
        Participant

        Replied at 12:01 pm PST on 10/17/15.

        Adam,

        I forgot to mention that the CAPTCHA does not work well on mobile devices. Unless you are really paying attention to how the images respond, which most users won't do, you can't verify the images correctly and you won't be able to post.  – The secret is that you have to click the images from top to bottom left to right. If you click a image further down you can't go back and select an image above in order to get the comment or post verified and in que for moderation…. 

        Basically, you need to change the CAPTCHA program. It is buggy for more than one reason, which I have mentioned previously.

      Adam-MRF
      Keymaster

      Good afternoon everyone,

      Thank you for sharing your feedback, questions and suggestions for improving this board. I have shared your comments with our team and am consulting with our IT team about the technical aspects of your questions and recommendations. We are working hard to improve the process of posting and commenting on MPIP, while minimizing – ideally eliminating – any inadvertent effects of implementing the new protocols. I wanted to assure you that we are working towards a solution currently and that your feedback is a valuable contribution to that process. Thank you for your dedication to this board and the melanoma community.

      Sincerely,
      Adam – MRF

      Adam-MRF
      Keymaster

      Good afternoon everyone,

      Thank you for sharing your feedback, questions and suggestions for improving this board. I have shared your comments with our team and am consulting with our IT team about the technical aspects of your questions and recommendations. We are working hard to improve the process of posting and commenting on MPIP, while minimizing – ideally eliminating – any inadvertent effects of implementing the new protocols. I wanted to assure you that we are working towards a solution currently and that your feedback is a valuable contribution to that process. Thank you for your dedication to this board and the melanoma community.

      Sincerely,
      Adam – MRF

Viewing 20 reply threads
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