ok, the recent threads about classifieds spam got me thinking.

we made the classifieds "open" on purpose so your ads would get more exposure and people wouldn't have to sign up to buy your stuff.

how would everybody here feel about a "members only" classifieds section ????

?
?
?

VOTE NOW

At the bottom of each post is a bunch of contact buttons. One of these is e-mail. Is it possible when somebody creates a classified that it gets the same set of buttons at the bottom of the ad? Then they don't have to list their e-mail address in the ad, they just specify to hit the e-mail button to contact them. That way, no more e-mail harvesting.

Demick

you don't have to specify your email in the ad

if one reads your ad, they can click the "Ask Question" link and get a form to email you.

unfortunately, there is a *bug* in the classifieds software that enables scanners and spiders to gather you email addy anyways. it's on the list of things to fix.

BUT, that's NOT what this is about. it's not about SPAM people get that is unrealted to the BBS, like viagra or home mortages.
this is about spammers contacting people regarding their AD and showing interest and then try to pull a "nigerian scam" on them.

those people do go through our ADs by hand and select specific items and sellers.
by making the classifieds "members only" we would have control over who can access the ADs and who can't. right now, it's free for all ...

Andy

Andy, you know how I feel about it. I've never really liked the Classifieds format. I think they're clumsy and too hard to administrate. The picture posting capability isn't what it could be.

I know we're basically using the Classifieds code with our tweaks, but I like the regular forums format better. That would force non-members to sign up, and allow full sized pics, etc. It would also allow us to move mis-posted ads around easily.

JMO,
Rusty

...

i think a BBS style classifieds section would be the way to go, if we decide to go with the lockdown ...
Andy

, I guess

But...

I guess I shouldn't have deleted all the prototype classified forums, huh?

What time is it there? It's 6:30am here.

*****LOCK STOCK AN BARREL**********

Shut Up!!!!

Naughty Vikings!!

Baked beans are off!

I havent gotten any spam..

"I'll have your spam, I love it!"

What would be the reason for not having the Classifieds simmular to a "BBS" forum? Like Pelican parts's.. I like that..

Then a "2 bump, then let be" rule?

I always prefered it...
But I give the club my "buisness"

Andrew

Are you saying you don't like... ?



-Rusty

I love the current classifieds with email notification.

ROTFLMAO

If someone wants to read the classifieds--let them join.

Maybe they will drop in and add some knowledge.

I would like to add... changing the format of the classifieds wouldn't preclude anyone from listing an email address for contact the seller/WTB, if browser wasn't a member of the BBS.

-Rusty

When I was looking to buy a Porsche, either a 911 or 914, I wanted to look at the cars for sale on the PCA site. It would only allow members to browse their for sale ads, so all the cars for sale @ PCA did NOT get considred by me.

So I bought a '76 Teener off this board!!

Its a toss up I guess, but for me I want the maximum exposure when I try to sell, and I want the maximum opportunities when buying.

Someone @ PCA might still be sitting on their car that would have been perfect for me if only I could have seen it......

I voted to leave it the way it is. I agree with Andyrew



I like that format better. Hey, I just agreed with a 17yr old snot nose kid
I guess I am not as old as I thought I was.

Topic notifications would work in a BBS style format, like any of the other forums. But if you're not interested in notifications for "Race Parts FS/Wanted", then don't subscribe to notifications for that forum.

Also, guests would still be able to browse the FS boards in a BBS style format. If you chose to list your email address in the text of your ad for maximum visibility, that would be an individual choice.

-Rusty

i think i should have explained this a little bit better ...

IF we go to the new format, guest can still browse your ads.
only when they try to contact you via email or pm would they be
prompted to log-in (and sign up if not already a member).

also, there would still be email notifications like in the current classifieds.

the only real difference would be that people can't EMAIL you directly unless they become a member of this board (or you list your email addy in your AD for everyone to see).

plus, the layout would be MUCH nicer.
Andy

I'm with Andy,

Well said... or... typed.

-Rusty

I like the idea of goint to the BBS format. I've got a bunch of stuff to move!

So the poll isn't really about public vs. members only vs. no classifieds.

Its first about "current format" vs. BBS format, and only then, about whether non members should be able to respond to the ads.

Account requests aren't validated in any way, correct? So you may just get a lot of new nigerian members if you require an account first

I'd vote for BBS format over the current format. Guests can read, members can reply.

correct, BUT, once they sign up and are identified as spammers we can then go and block their IP (or range) from ever registering again.

PLUS, to sign up you need a valid email address, which we then can take and submit to a couple of hundred porn sites ...

Andy

So that's where I've been getting all those porn ads from and I thought it was my teenage's friends using my puter.....