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[MrMotts]

Hi everyone, I apologize for neglecting the site as a whole, but especially the forum. I'm a bad admin, I admit it. Although my reasons for being offline at all conversation-based sites are multifaceted; as far as my title as an administrator goes, it revolves around the time required to keep my business afloat - it has nothing to do with anyone here or anywhere else for that matter.

It looks like this place requires a lot of maintenance. I updated the software and banned a bunch of people but I don't think it will stop the flow of spammers. I am looking into a registration modification right now.

I made this forum as a meeting place for you guys to converse and I'm leaving it up to you to determine its course of life. I will make an effort to try and keep on top of the backend sides of things so that it stays running.

Let me know what you think
-Tom

[SkedAddled]

Nice to see you here, MrMotts. 

I personally feel there are a few others here who would be
welcome as moderators, provided they would accept such a task.

As for registration, have you considered Captcha or similar?
I honestly don't know if such devices are free or low-cost, but
it seems the technology evolves as the OCR does, too.

[SouthOfHeaven]

Motts you are not a bad admin. It's understandable you would have other things to do. I do believe we should have a new mod, someone who comes to the site more often. That's pretty much all that should be done, in my opinion. The place is fine as it is.

[spedteacher]

Motts, I appreciate all you do and I understand you must keep "real" life on the top of your to-do list.  The spam-bot thingies are not your fault!  If there's a way for people to freeload, they will find it. 

We have a wonderful little corner of the web thanks to you! 

[RacheyBachey]

What about enstating a small membership fee upon registration?  It would help keep the site up, help ensure that people care more for the forum, and help keep the bots away.

I really enjoy this site Motts.  The "be respectful" as a rule, makes this place a constructive, enjoyable place to hang out.  I have met some cool and empathetic folks on here.  I have learned alot here, and it's a part of my small social life.
Thanks!

Also- thanks for the communication here.  Best to you and your other endeavors!

[Andrew G.]

What about enstating a small membership fee upon registration?  It would help keep the site up, help ensure that people care more for the forum, and help keep the bots away.

Unfortunately, this is very impractical. If the average person comes across this site and sees that he/she has to pay a membership fee, it may turn them away.

[Dr Sketch]

One thing I will say is that, with the exception of spammers, the site has run pretty smoothly sans mods.  By that, I mean that all of the normal drama that happens on a forum worked itself out, thanks to some people who unofficially stepped in to help solve it without having to resort to deleting posts/banning users/other "mod" type stuff.  I was very impressed to see that, I think it shows a level of maturity that is absent in many other boards online...

I think that no matter what is decided, it needs to be on your terms.  It is, after all, still really your site to highlight your excellent photography, so if it is something you aren't comfortable with, you shouldn't be forced into it.  I'd like to see the place stick around, but not at your expense; you shouldn't have to give up all of your time to keep things running here... if that makes sense. 

EDIT: Wanted to add this...  Is there a "middle level" mod ability?  For instance, the ability to ban spammers, but not delete/edit posts, etc?  I think, more than anything, that would be most beneficial to the board...  I don't know if that's possible, but if it is that might be a great avenue to consider.

[Kitten7]

I truely appreciate this site and realize you do have a life outside of it. I would hate to see it go. I think there needs to be some 'mid level" mods , as Sketch mentioned. There have been issues but life goes on and we're all still here. That says so much about the kind of people here. Good, fair minded (mostly ) people.

[Jude]

Tom,  thank you for addressing the issue at hand,  I know how busy you are.    I'd like to state first and foremost that you certainly don't "owe" any of us a darn thing and having this forum was a sweet gift from you that we've enjoyed for the last couple of years ~ thank you for that.    If it wasn't for you many of us wouldn't have made some very deep and lasting friendships.


THIS is by far the best solution if it's at all possible,    in my opinion:

Is there a "middle level" mod ability?  For instance, the ability to ban spammers, but not delete/edit posts, etc?  I think, more than anything, that would be most beneficial to the board...  I don't know if that's possible, but if it is that might be a great avenue to consider.

I am in 100% agreement with pretty much everything Sketch has said,   so much so that I won't even have to spank him.   

I wish you all the luck with your business and your UE trips Tom.    To say that we don't appreciate and respect you and your work would be amiss.    You've no idea how much we all look forward to your posts at the site,  we're like little kids waiting for a new toy!   

Jude

[nutsy fagin]

 :)Mr Motts you are not a "bad" administrator; I, like everyone else here have come to really love your site, and all the Opa folks who frequent it.It really upset me to see all that disgusting stuff out  there for any kids to see; I love that this is a family friendly site, so some of us played the "bump" game to at least get it off page one. Thank you so much for stepping in and cleaning it up.

[Khai]

Mott's, your not a bad admin at all


you just got caught out by having the complete staff all away at the same time there was a huge bot attack.

all you need is 3-4 extra mods in place to cover and it'll be fine.

[Tony C.]

Great to see you pop in, Tom. (got any new pics?) I agree with the others. (got any new pics?) We all have come to really love this place. A few more mods would help. (got any new pics?)You see, I have to screw around....that's just me...(got any new pics?)But I think the rest of us would LOVE that 'new toy'.... This is a great site, and I thank you for this priviledge. Sketch had the right idea there....

[donaldjl]

Mott's, your not a bad admin at all


you just got caught out by having the complete staff all away at the same time there was a huge bot attack.

all you need is 3-4 extra mods in place to cover and it'll be fine.

Actually, this is my general feeling as well.  It's not as though anybody doesn't care, but that, like other things, general life needs to take a precedence.

Allowing several more people moderator privileges to shut down spambots and, in time, applying a more stringent registration process (captchas or email activation) would get things on the right track soon enough.

[Sian]

Hi Tom!

Don't feel bad about letting real life get in the way...bloody thing has a habit of doing that to the rest of us as well! 
As Sketchie pointed out, the forum has functioned pretty well despite the obvious abscence of yourself and the mods. And we all know that spam is the scurge of t'interweb but there's not much we could do about it, and Tony, Khai and Andee did a fab job of at least knocking it down a page or two out of the way.

Over-all, I think us Opacity junkies coped pretty well!

I will offer my assistance in anyway I can...I'm a stay at home mum so have access to the computer a lot of the time. Even if it's just deleting the spambots. I also think that you won't be short of volunteers. So if there is anything I can do to take the onus off you then let me know.

It's nice to see you here 
Like Ma said, you don't owe us anything.

[C-Note]

Tom, it is great to see that you have returned! If anything I feel bad as a member for wanting to delete my membership. I would certainly love to be a mod too. I would enjoy getting rid of the spammers instead of trying to run away to save my computer from their potential viruses. I'm sorry for being such a coward.