Taxi Driver Online

(Continued from the "News" section)




You do have a point there, but remember that the internet was a different beast in those days.

We've had up to 25 new registrations per day recently, and the vast majority are spam. If the spammers are let through then they could potentially ruin the forum - for example, recently I in error let a couple through and within five minutes or so they'd posted about a dozen porn related posts and I then spent ten minutes clearing it up.

I had a look at Jamie Owens's forum recently and the last few hundred posts (or perhaps even thousands) were spam (mainly porn) and since the forum was quiet anyway it basically looked like some kind of porn forum. I looked a couple of weeks later and the forum seemed to have gone - basically a forum that's a few years old was brought down by spammers.

Thus even with the registration process on here the spam could easily get out of hand and if we just allowed people to post without registration then we'd spend more time deleting posts than anything constructive.

You'll also be aware that the GMB forum has seen a few spammers since its inception, and that will only get worse, so if the forum gets anything like busy then they'll no doubt have to exert more control over registrations.

I also recall that when Alan Foster got TTFUK mk 2 up and running it was effectively brought down by some porn photos posted by spammers, and indeed I also recall that you were more than a tad annoyed about the photos in question which weren't exactly in good taste.

Thus going back to the good old days simply isn't possible, but as you'll be aware apart from the fairly straightforward registration process the procedure isn't too restrictive at all and is a small price to pay for keeping the forum up and running.

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

And, as if by magic, we have a bloody good example of what happens when you don't keep an eye on it.

For all of those working in an office, please don't click if you like your jobs.

http://www.gmbprofessionaldriversbranch ... .php?t=103

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IDFIMH

I seem to remember Alan being very conscious of the possibility of, what have become known as spammers.

I seem to remember that being explained as the reason for registration.

I know that during the time of TTFUK the activities of "spammers" was in its infancy and the "norm" of forum based websites was to allow free access ........... however Alan is exceptionally talented and has an understanding of the "www" and forum based websites, particularly the phpBB stuff, more advanced than even the supplier (or he did during the time of TTFUK and the conception of this site).

I believe he even offered assistance to TDO in the early days.

Anyway, I do understand the reasons for registration ................ and both then and now know that it is essential if the site is going to continue successfully.

B. Lucky

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"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

All those who wish to view the porn, of course in the interests of further knowledge, alas it is no-more.

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IDFIMH

Indeed, and that was then and now is now.

Then you didn't have half of India and Eastern Europe making money out of spamming sites with porn.

I would guess there are several million forums around the world, and I doubt more than a few dozen now register direct in the same way as TTFUK did then.

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IDFIMH

My point is that Alan DID recognise the potential for this activity .............. indeed I seem to remember some porn being posted in picture form which alerted Alan of the significance of the potential problems.

You didn't believe him then and you made many claims against his integrity regarding the way he ran his site .................. as well as constantly questioning both Nidge and myself when TTFUK 2 (as you called it) started soon after with the same registration criteria.

You claimed that it was wrong then ....................... and it seems you now accept the fact that you were wrong or ill-informed ....................... maybe in another 3 or 4 years you'll admit that deregulation is wrong .................... and as normal we were right all the time.

B. Lucky

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"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

But that was after the original TTFUK, ie after your own forum had started. Alan decided to have another try and a couple of porn photos were posted (and I mean extreme porn) and he decided to give up.






A slight exaggeration methinks - both me and Sussex were on good terms with Alan long after his forums had disappeared and long after this one was set up.




The problem there is that you were like a headless chicken and changed your criteria umpteen time before the whole thing came tumbling down.

Granted, TDO has changed criteria slightly, but it's been a slow progression rather than bull in a china shop kind of thing

BTW, that was the forum that you set up a section for use of LOs, at a charge!!




As I said, the internet was very different in those days, and I don't think our approach to the matter is something that I regret with hindsight.

After all, even this forum went for months without any real spam problem, even when you didn't even have to register to post, and that was after TTFUK was dead and buried.

On the other hand, even on the GMB's new forum there seems to be as much spam as legitimate posts, and that one requires registration to post



Wishful thinking - I concluded that restricted numbers was a pile of pants after a week or so in the trade, and ten years later I haven't moved one iota

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

raw nerve hit there I think

Can't remember requesting a charge for membership for anyone ............. but if you claim that we did then I will ask Nidge if he remembers.

Now is this your dummy or what.

LUV YA

B. Lucky

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"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Wishful thinking

Thing is, I thought a taxi forum history lesson was in order since I seem to remember more about your forum than you do



Well Sussex should certainly remember; I'm surprised he hasn't contributed - have you managed to silence him

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

BTW, this part of your lenghty Jackanory post the other day is another revisionist piece of taxi forum history.

TTFUK was not the best, and certainly not the biggest, unless you are speaking in the context of the time, since as it was the only forum of its kind it couldn't help being the biggest and best

I will hand it to Alan though; he and Peter did provide the inspiration for this site, not to mention yourself and Nidge to a lesser extent, although perhaps motivation is a slightly better word with the latter two.

As for our paranoia, you'll recall that I made a perfectly reasonable handful of posts about restricted numbers and was banned immediately as a troublemaker - I think admin and some of the regulars were so shocked that anyone could challenge the accepted wisdom, and in words of more than one syllable to boot

Thus I think we were justified in being a bit paranoid, and don't forget that but for me and Sussex there would have been little more activity on TTFUK than on the current GMB forum

And I'm surprised you don't mention the elephant in the room, ie the person who I'm sure was responsible for bringing TTFUK down, and your own forum as well if I remember correctly

RIP Wharfie, and let's all pray for his redemption

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

TBH I skip past most of his posts.

But yes they did suggest a £5.00 a month service for LO's to have their own section of the forum.

Went down like a Flanagan at the Police Ball.

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IDFIMH