Ok, from the looks of the poll results, the unanimous opinion seems to favor restricting anonymous access to personal information, so I changed the code this morning. Anonymous users, (defined as users who are not logged in), can no longer view the memberlist, usergroups, profiles, nor can they use the search function. Also, if they click on a member username on one of the forums, they will get a blank page, rather than a profile. They have no access to e-mail addresses, nor PMs. You can test this yourself, if you want, by trying to access information before logging on.
This change did not affect the listing of members who are online, nor the listing of moderators for the various forums. However, clicking on any of those names will now bring up a blank page, with no member information. If you feel that we need to remove the "who's-on-line" listing, and/or the moderator listing, I will have to try to locate a "code fix" for this.
I believe that removing the memberlist from anonymous viewing was an important change, since that change, together with the visual confirmation for registration, should prevent any computer "bots" from being able to collect any user information for spam purposes, or whatever.
Other than the changes for anonymous users, the site should work as it always did for logged-in members. If anyone notices something that is no longer working right since this change, please let me know.
Love,
Wayne
A Change in Anonymous Access
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
A Change in Anonymous Access
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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annie oakley
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MaggieRedwings
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Bot is a shortened form of the word "robot", and in this case it refers to computer programs that perform services that humans would otherwise do. The term is used for a variety of macros and intelligent agents that are Internet or Web related.
For example, they can be used to post messages to multiple newsgroups, or to provide comparison shopping. Bots also keep a channel open on the Internet Relay Chat (IRC). The function that we are concerned with, is their utilization for collecting information, or news.
The search engines use bots, (sometimes called web spiders, or web crawlers), to crawl over every page of websites to analyze content, and collect information that is carried back to the search engines and cataloged. This is called "indexing" a website. Then, when some one uses certain "key" words to search by means of that search engine, the pre-cataloged information that is linked with those words, is retrieved and listed as a search result. That's how they can search so fast. The site information is already on file in the search engines library.
Unscrupulous individuals or companies, sometimes use bots to collect information on names, addresses, phone numbers, SS numbers, credit card numbers, or anything else that they might use for illicit purposes, or to re-sell to spammers. THATS the reason why we want to keep bots from accessing user information, while still allowing the legitimate bots, (from the major search engines), to index the web pages.
IOW, they can index the site without registering, but the unethical bots cannot access user information, because they would have to register to do that, and they are prevented from registering by the visual confirmation aplet.
Tex
For example, they can be used to post messages to multiple newsgroups, or to provide comparison shopping. Bots also keep a channel open on the Internet Relay Chat (IRC). The function that we are concerned with, is their utilization for collecting information, or news.
The search engines use bots, (sometimes called web spiders, or web crawlers), to crawl over every page of websites to analyze content, and collect information that is carried back to the search engines and cataloged. This is called "indexing" a website. Then, when some one uses certain "key" words to search by means of that search engine, the pre-cataloged information that is linked with those words, is retrieved and listed as a search result. That's how they can search so fast. The site information is already on file in the search engines library.
Unscrupulous individuals or companies, sometimes use bots to collect information on names, addresses, phone numbers, SS numbers, credit card numbers, or anything else that they might use for illicit purposes, or to re-sell to spammers. THATS the reason why we want to keep bots from accessing user information, while still allowing the legitimate bots, (from the major search engines), to index the web pages.
IOW, they can index the site without registering, but the unethical bots cannot access user information, because they would have to register to do that, and they are prevented from registering by the visual confirmation aplet.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Hmmmmmmmmmm. Working a little too well, isn't it. LOL.
Actually, now that you mention it, that doesn't bother me near as much as not being able to access our profiles. I can do it in the admin panel, but not as a member. That might be a bit too secure. I'll have to see if I can locate the problem.
Tex
Actually, now that you mention it, that doesn't bother me near as much as not being able to access our profiles. I can do it in the admin panel, but not as a member. That might be a bit too secure. I'll have to see if I can locate the problem.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Mike,
Good thing you broght that to my attention, because with the "Profile" panel unavailable, no one could register. I found an error in the code, and got that working, so now the profiles, groups, and search function are working properly, (hidden to anonymous users, but available to logged in users).
I don't see anything wrong with the code in the "memberlist" file, but I'll analyze it again later, or tomorrow. Staring at that code for long periods will make you either go blind, or start seeing things that aren't there. LOL.
Thanks,
Tex
Good thing you broght that to my attention, because with the "Profile" panel unavailable, no one could register. I found an error in the code, and got that working, so now the profiles, groups, and search function are working properly, (hidden to anonymous users, but available to logged in users).
I don't see anything wrong with the code in the "memberlist" file, but I'll analyze it again later, or tomorrow. Staring at that code for long periods will make you either go blind, or start seeing things that aren't there. LOL.
Thanks,
Tex
Remember the omalA!