IDENTIFICATION

[Anonymous]

Just something that has always bothered me and I wish (but it won't happen) that birders would not hide behind a non-deplume.

I have been flammed and dissed and others have as well so many times without the benefit of knowing who is doing same while they hide behind a number or phoney name.

Just a note on one of the things that bothers me about someone with plenty of courage behind a mask.

[surfinbird]

Well then lets not insult each other
robert beeney
aka surfinbird

[Napper]

Hello Mr. Murr

At one point I was open and used my  real name and normal email addresss. After posting a message almost a year ago regarding a certain type of bird I started receiving auto replies from the "Toronto and Southern Ontario Birding Forum"  that contained nasty links . Shortly thereafter I started to receive email from All over the world mainly China and  Eastern Europe with similar type content. I was using  the Sympatico spam filter and The "crap" was still getting through. I changed providers because my original (ISP) would not allow me to change my email address without cancelling  and reopening my account. Now I have a numbered email account  and have received no spam. I also have a Web based email accout that I use for forums such as this and online ordering. That is the reason I use a different name and an odd email address..I hope you will understand. Napper.  


P.s.  I complained to Andy that people were harvesting email addresses from the site and that anyone could get access and spam any or all the users.
      :lol:

[Anonymous]

Napper

 I cured that by adding the "I Hate Spam" program and it has virtually stopped all spam. Iwas getting the same email as you mentioned plus tons of Porn. Now nothing.

 After they are blocked or bounced for awhile they finally get the message or the spam blocker heads them off.

This is not a promo for "I Hate Spam" but just to let you know how I reacted when I finally got fed up with all the email.

Norm

[Brian Bailey]

Yes, spam can be a real problem, and posting on bulletin boards can be a good way to attract more of it.  You can't get spammed just by using your real name though, only your real address.  Using a web-based mail account for forums like this is a good option.  I gave up on Hotmail years ago, but Yahoo has a surprisingly effective spam filter.  I haven't tried any others because I already have too many mail accounts.

I have tried several free and paid spam filters on Outlook/Outlook Express.  I'm currently using SpamFu.  It's the most effective one I've used, and it's free!  I found it very easy to configure and very effective.  You can download it at http://www.spamfu.net  It's based on SpamAssassin, an open source filter.  I had another one based on SpamAssassin a few years ago, but gave up on it because it was mind numbingly slow.

BB

[Napper]

Hello again
Thankyou for the insight into the spam blocker.. For me it used to be easier to just change addresses. I run a  whole host of programs for security/spyware/ virus and software/hardware firewall .  Interesting thing is even after all of this I still contiinued to receive spyware and  malware.. until I downloaded Pg2 Now I get nothing..  In simple terms Pg2 is a  ip address blocker.you can configure it  to block p2p,adware,spyware, Government and  educational sites.. for me it is quite interesting  to see  what sites your are actually linking to when yu select them.... you would be surprised..  It was designed for  P2P downloaders but it can be used  to stop your computer from sending info or linking to bad sites.. Napper  :lol:   Not and add but  have a look at  it.  PeerGuardian 2 :lol:  (this site appears to be clear)    

[Brian S.]

To go back to Norm's original complaint... There's simply no call for anyone flaming or acting discourteously on  a friendly board like this.  They're like those drivers who cut you off and then give *you* the finger -- they're reprobates.  I suppose they're the same birders who glare at you scornfully if you happen to say to them, "Hi there, seen anything interesting?"  Would they stop acting like that if they were not anonymous?  I fear not.  My approach is to let it roll off my back (something birders have an affinity for).

[Kin Lau]

I always use my real name.

Of course, the fact that I have a name in 2 different languages in my emails, confuses many.

[Craig McL]

:lol: Hi Norm

Once agane good point !! I think that it was Gleen Coody that had the best relply to this tipe of problem , " No Name No reply "

it works for me !!

 

Craig McLauchlan

[cloaca]

" No Name No reply "

This is an absurd policy.  What does ones real name have to do with anything?  

How does a screenname at all reduce the validity of ones post?

I guess avatars are bad, too, then.  Unless you have a clear photo of yourself in each of your posts, you're clearly not worthy of being replied to.  

Oh, wait.  That seems a little silly.

[Anonymous]

When I joined this forum, it was to learn about birding. I belong to several different photo clubs and everyone uses a nickname. Why would I think this one would be any different? So I registered with my normal nickname which I have used since 1999. Now I get in here and find out that because I am not using my real name I am less credible? Or I am hiding so I can somehow slam people? I have no intention of doing anything of the sort. This is the kind of activity you would find on a kids chat line maybe, but not in a learning forum such as this one. I am 47 years old and beyond these types of games, so lets grow up shall we. Oh, and my name is at the bottom of every post.