PM Restrictions

BritBrat

Sounds OK to me.

fermi

Edinburghlass wrote: »

In fact there are many new users who use the pm system to ask for help without ever posting on the boards and I certainly wouldn't like to see them restricted just because of spammers.

Neither would I.

I have personally had a fair few of these (as I know have others); quite often from someone who has been too embarrassed, upset, or just plain fearful of seeking advice openly on the forums at first.

As I have already posted on another thread where this was discussed, effectively putting block on the only other avenue open to a new user seeking advice who doesn't feel they can post openly to me "goes against the grain" for MSE.

As before, just my opinion.

all_hours

rather than block pms why not limit the number each day for new members

Belnahua

buglawton wrote: »

Blocking foreign IPs - sometimes I have to do a PM to someone while I happen to be abroad

I suggest that if people register from a foreign IP address, then their account should be restricted, but for a registered user using the account abroad, then the restriction would be lifted - provided they've posted x number of posts and been a member for a certain length of time. Once the foreign user has satisfied the board that they're ok, then the restriction could be lifted.

That's a fair compromise?

Incisor

Belnahua wrote: »

I suggest that if people register from a foreign IP address, then their account should be restricted, but for a registered user using the account abroad, then the restriction would be lifted - provided they've posted x number of posts and been a member for a certain length of time. Once the foreign user has satisfied the board that they're ok, then the restriction could be lifted.

That's a fair compromise?

Not really. There is not really any such thing as a 'foreign IP' address - they are not primarily allocated on a geographic basis in the first place. Of course, you can make some inferences, but they cut very crudely and when organisations start making judgements on service provided according to IP address, it can be a right royal pain.

Belnahua

Incisor wrote: »

Not really. There is not really any such thing as a 'foreign IP' address - they are not primarily allocated on a geographic basis in the first place. Of course, you can make some inferences, but they cut very crudely and when organisations start making judgements on service provided according to IP address, it can be a right royal pain.

Many websites seem to be able to do it adequately, BBC iplayer, Google, Youtube, CBS, Fox, CNN, they all seem to be able to identify UK users ok. Even our corporate email service can detect when our users are out of the country.

So I am sure MSE can do it?

Incisor

Belnahua wrote: »

Many websites seem to be able to do it adequately, BBC iplayer, Google, Youtube, CBS, Fox, CNN, they all seem to be able to identify UK users ok. Even our corporate email service can detect when our users are out of the country.

So I am sure MSE can do it?

I think the key words are 'seem to be able'. I have no doubt that MSE could do it as well as the BBC or your corporate network. But the fact of the matter is that there is no accurate rule of thumb, the IP address space is apportioned in an ad hoc way which takes little account of national boundaries. The results are as good as the database. This could inconvenience a significant number of bona fide users, if their IP addresses are not correctly recognised.

sra

Belnahua wrote: »

Many websites seem to be able to do it adequately, BBC iplayer, Google, Youtube, CBS, Fox, CNN, they all seem to be able to identify UK users ok. Even our corporate email service can detect when our users are out of the country.

So I am sure MSE can do it?

I always used to get a US IP with AOL. Although most sites would let me in, there was always a few UK only sites that would wrongly bar me (as recently as last month Equifax wouldn't let me do some stuff). On the other side, I could sometimes get into US sites I wasn't supposed to.

So there are still some issues with it.

sra

I don't imagine spammers PM our 346,197 members.

I assume they must work through the Currently Active Users on the front page or Who's Online page.

These could be turned off as an alternative.

floss2

Not so bothered by spammers, think I've only had 2 spam PM's since joining. What I object to is when one posts serious & well-meant comments on a thread, then one receives a snotty PM back from the newbie OP, just because they have taken offence at what has been posted, accusing me of a personal attack......by personally attacking me!