Print

[Selroth]

I think I already know the results of this poll, but I wanted to ask anyway.

So, the situation is we have a 2355 members in our database.  Now, I was proud of this number, but I'm afraid it doesn't mean shit because:

1) For a long time there, we got spambots.
2) Denied applications counted in the member count.

Also, I've been thinking about having major site announcements, contests, and such announced through email as well (for those who have the option enabled).  No, I'm not going to spam you, and we'll talk about it later in the site's progression.  But, I'm not going to do it if we have 2355 email addresses, most of which belong to spambots :)

Another problem with the way things are now - all accounts became activated during the conversion, and all applications were lost.  So it wont be easy to sort through spambots or not.  Also, if a spambot decided to try logging into the site with its old account information, it might be able to if sophisticated enough (they'd still need to re-activate their email address). 


The con side is anyone looking for other dragons of a small member count wont be able to find much.  They may lose contact with old friends, or not find dragons in their area, or such.  And that is something we do offer - a history.  Deleting all old accounts means deleting a good segment of the community's history.  Posts will remain, with name of the member displayed, but the deleted poster's profile will be deleted so you wont have any information on him or be able to search the threads they participated in quite so easily.

So...  the call is up to you all.  If you like the option to delete old members that never come to the site anymore, then let me know how long you think we should wait until we qualify them for deletion (I think 1 year is good, but can do an initial purge of anyone who hasn't signed back into the new site.).

[Cel]

The way you make the poll you sound dejected in that last option...
While I do think going through and finding members who are actually people and not spambots is a good idea, it would be a.. rather daunting task. WOuld it just have to be the 'roth sorting through everything?

[Ethelshai]

I'd say that removing accounts with 0 post and older than 8 months would be ok.

[Selroth]

The way you make the poll you sound dejected in that last option...
While I do think going through and finding members who are actually people and not spambots is a good idea, it would be a.. rather daunting task. WOuld it just have to be the 'roth sorting through everything?

Unfortunately I'm the only one with access to the raw database.  Also, I'm probably the only admin that knows how to work with it.  And in all honesty, I have better things to do with my time :)


I do like Ethel's idea a lot though.  Maybe not have anyone expire, but just for now delete all 0-post members who haven't logged in in the last 8 months?

[Aurelia]

I haven't voted yet cause I think it's a combination of 2 and 3 (as you know).  I think we should get rid of any users who haven't ever posted since they registered if their registration took place longer than 6 months ago.  If there are users who have posted but not in the past 12 months then those could also be deleted, but they aren't as important to get rid of and can be done as/when there's time.

All spambots and denied members should also be deleted.

As I've moved the old posts into the new forum I don't mind another tedious job of sifting through the users hehe...or at least, I don't mind helping with it :)

So... both 2 and 3 should happen but I'll vote for 3 because I think thats the most important.

[Aurelia]

I do like Ethel's idea a lot though.  Maybe not have anyone expire, but just for now delete all 0-post members who haven't logged in in the last 8 months?

I don't know why I bother to suggest things!  :P  I've said that suggestion both times we talked about this conversation and you said no each time!  *rolls eyes* (the eyeroll smiley doesn't seem to want to work)

I do think it should happen still.

[J'Karrah]

Oh... old member *accounts* 

Whew....

For a minute there I was wondering if you were looking to do something with us older members  :o   :P   ;D

I like what Ethelshai suggested, but I'd drop it to 6 months with no posts and no log-in record then delete, unless the member has contacted managment prior to going off line just to let you know they *are* going off line for a bit (either PM to admin or public "gone for a while" post).  This would also take care of "legitimate" email addresses that belong to people who joined simply to hawk their own forum for a bit and then split.

[Drakenigma]

I'd say that removing accounts with 0 post and older than 8 months would be ok.

Agreed.

Same here.  Instead of deleting the inactive accounts (ones with post counts but no activity for set period) you could always move those accounts to a new member group with very limited permissions ... assuming SMF allows you to move members between different groups en mass rather than one at a time.  This might force a few lurkers to come forth and reassert their presence, and then you don't have to delete old accounts, just in case someone was to return.

[Airy]

Interesting idea Drakenigma.

I'll also agree with the removing accounts with 0 posts older than 8 months idea.

[Aurelia]

Agreed.


Same here.  Instead of deleting the inactive accounts (ones with post counts but no activity for set period) you could always move those accounts to a new member group with very limited permissions ... assuming SMF allows you to move members between different groups en mass rather than one at a time.  This might force a few lurkers to come forth and reassert their presence, and then you don't have to delete old accounts, just in case someone was to return.

Possibly a good idea for the ones which are between 6-8 months old but there are a lot which are years old and have never been used.  To have an accurate member list/count they really need to be deleted.

[Selroth]

I think I'll keep it simple and delete all accounts that have never made a post (except our newest users who haven't had the chance).  From there, we can build up again.  I see little point in having an expiration period.  This way, we keep the forum posts completely intact, and all real site content is still there.

[Aurelia]

I think I'll keep it simple and delete all accounts that have never made a post (except our newest users who haven't had the chance).  From there, we can build up again.  I see little point in having an expiration period.  This way, we keep the forum posts completely intact, and all real site content is still there.

What are you classing as "newest users"? Those who signed up in the last...month?

If you need help with this just say so and I'll do what I can :)

[Tysha]

I think I'll keep it simple and delete all accounts that have never made a post (except our newest users who haven't had the chance).  From there, we can build up again. 

I know some people like to lurk a while before posting so if you go down that route I think you should give them at least 2 months to become comfortable with the forums. A forum as big as this can be quite scary, especially to newer internet users.

Personally I think account deletion should be based on last logon date as well as zero posts.

[Selroth]

Done.

[Tags:]

Tags: