Why does the forum strip out urls?

[optrex]

I must admit to finding this feature *really* annoying. It doesn;t happen straight away so I presume its run by a cron job within vB.

Why is it done?

[Pumazooma]

Antispam I suspect.

[optrex]

Thats what I thought, but it clearly doesnt work as an anti spam measure. We still get the sign ups for "rate this host" etc.

It would be better not to allow URLS to be posted unless you've made x posts then allow normal functionality for "credible" members.

Antispam should be dealt with on sign up. Add features to stop robots joining in the first place - be proactive rather than reactive!

For the humans, moderate new members for x posts or manaually approve the account first. Prevent PM until x posts etc

[jon123]

Couldn't agree more. I asked this question a while back. Also uploading images is a pain. Why can't they be viewed inline and instantly, without needing approval first? I have to upload an image somewhere else and link to it if i want it to be visible instantly.

[Pumazooma]

Originally Posted by optrex

Antispam should be dealt with on sign up. Add features to stop robots joining in the first place - be proactive rather than reactive!

Absolutely.
I added a simple MOD to my phpBB2 board and didn't get a bot registering for over a year (and still haven't). They're easy to beat if you make the reg page non-standard.

It means you can then run the board how it's meant to be run and not mess it up for the genuine users.

[Dan]

We are working on a new CAPCHA code for the registration page of this forum. Once it's been implimented then the spam bots should be no more, the only advertisement from this would be the Human-Posted advertisements.

As per your question, I'm not aware of any URL stripping on this forum. I'll have a quick look into this

[optrex]

recapcha is implemented in Vb 3.7 so we shouldnt have to wait long

here is a url posted as

http://www.midlandsweather.org.uk

lets see what happens to it http://www.midlandsweather.org.uk

[Dan]

You posted it around 3 hours ago, i see no change in this unfortunately.

[jon123]

i blame Andrew and Harry
neither been along yet!

[optrex]

OK, here is an example in another post http://www.webhosting.uk.com/forums/...6&postcount=22

perhaps is when www.midlandsweather.org.uk is used without the http

[Dan]

Originally Posted by jon123

i blame Andrew and Harry
neither been along yet!

Haha, me also!

Originally Posted by optrex

OK, here is an example in another post http://www.webhosting.uk.com/forums/...6&postcount=22

perhaps is when www.midlandsweather.org.uk is used without the http

Been almost 12 hours now

[optrex]

very odd. Is it forum specific then? Did you look at the example from the other post?

In this thread http://www.webhosting.uk.com/forums/...6&postcount=22

[Dan]

Hmm, not sure.

Might be forum-specific.

Thread moved to Sales > Services for further testing

[Dan]

www.ebuyer.com

[Pumazooma]

Maybe it's based on post count.
Do the URLs not work if you have less than 10 posts?