I mentioned it in the Suggestion Box forum already, and I know that several people have already found it.....the Bored now has a Chat function, not at all unlike the one the GC used to have. It's IRC-based, and if you have a standalone IRC client, you can connect to it without logging into the Bored first. PM me and I'll give you the details, if you want. A user called Bored_Monitor is sitting idle in there right now....he generally won't do much, other than to hand out channel operator status to the admins and moderators, and to otherwise hold down the fort.
To use the Chat function, look for the Chat link at the top of the page, right next to the links for Memberlist, Usergroups, etc.
I've also beefed up the registration security quite a bit. Here's a quick list of those changes:
1) Most spam bots try to enter a pornographic website in the Website blank when they sign up. I've modified the code so there isn't a Website blank when you register. Spambots, which are automated, will still usually try to submit something for that blank, and will be stopped from registering at that point.
2) Most automated spambots will automatically choose the first option in any drop down menus they encounter while registering for a phpBB forum like this one. When you register, one of those dropdown menus is for your Time Zone, and the very first option is GMT-12. As far as anyone knows, there are no human habitations in the GMT-12 time zone.....that time is only ever used by ships passing through that area. So, anyone who registers and sets their time zone to GMT-12 (the first choice, so an automated spambot would likely pick it) will be prevented from registering.
3) I've also implemented a pair of modifications that are designed to prevent people from registering if they are using open proxies (i.e. mechanisms designed to mask or conceal their IP address.) If any of you have trouble accessing the Bored at any point, and are receiving a message about a proxy, or your IP being masked, let me know right away. (Christie, I've already seen your post about your laptop...I'm looking into that now.)
With all of this having been put into place, I am now lifting the email activation restriction for registration. Of course, it can be quickly turned back on if needed, but I'm optimistic that it won't be necessary for a while. The bans for various foreign countries that Eyégor set up will remain where they are, since it seems unlikely that we'd be getting too many registrants from Europe or Asia here anyway.
Hopefully, all of that will keep the BB's in, and the spam out. If not, I'll have to research a bit further.
It is my intention to create an "Announcement" post sometime soon that will serve as the "Bored FAQ", a place where all of the information about how everything works (from how to use Chat to how to set your avatar, and everything in between) can be put in one place. I'm looking to have that ready and posted sometime in the next couple of weeks.
In the meantime, as always, don't hesitate to post or PM if you have technical questions.
