Subj : Re: WHY I ASK FOR REAL INFO ON MY BBS! To : alt.bbs.allsysop From : dperry.geo@yahoo.com (Darryl Perry) Date : Fri Jan 16 2004 12:18 pm "aXis Computers & Communications" wrote in message news:... > Telnet://acc17901.com > > Now, My bbs is 100% totally free, no bills in the mail, no > subscriptins.. BUT, I request that people put in REAL information and I > voice verify them.. And here are my reasons, if you like them good, if you > dont, I really dont care because you will be missing out on one good system. > Remember, the sysop is the one who spends $1,000+ on hardware to run the > system, $500+ on software (I run WildCat WinServer), plus labor, time, > headaches, etc... I am the one who pays the $80 a month comercial cable > modem bill, I am the one who built the system and pays the electric bill > because its turned on 24/7 a day.. I was the one who spent $300 to replace > 4 56k USR V.Everythings when i got hit by lightinging on the phone lines.. > I am the one who goes to computer shows and buys $10-$15 Shareware CD's to > load onto the system.. I am the one who shells out $20-50 to register each > door on the system.. So, If I want your real name and phone number, its MY > RULE! U dont like it, dont sign up. I have no problems with pushing the > "D"elete User button! > > Now, Since I got to ramble a bit, Here are my reasons. > > #1) Most RIFF RAFF or problem users will not put in REAL information.. So > insently you are saving yourself from problem/asshole users. > > #2) This way, you dont have ONE person signing up for 2-3 accounts because > he wants his 3 people to get 1 person in lords, Thus once again, Riff Raff > and saving yourself problems. > > #3) With systems having pop3 and Telnet access.. Now lets say one of your > FAKE users log into your system, then use thier GOOF@acc17901.COM e-mail to > send e-mails to their x-wife and say that he is going to kill her, or harass > her.. But the wife has a PFA agains him.. Humm, Well the cops will COME TO > YOUR HOUSE! because the msg came from YOUR SYSTEM!! And your going to tell > the cops that goof from japan with a phone number of 555-1212 sent that > e-mail!!! GET REAL!! The cops will then come back to your house and TAKE > ALL OF YOUR EQUIPTMENT so they can ship it to the state police lab to have > them find the ip address that connected to you, etc.. Dont tell me it cant > happen because it happend to a VERY GOOD FRIEND OF MINE 6 Years ago!!! He > lost everything!! He got his equiptment back 3 1/2 months later!! > > So deal with my rules or dont log in... It's great of you to tell us the rules BEFORE we log in, eh? You arn't telling anybody the rules until they've already signed on with all their personal information. Have you ever gotten a car loan where you signed on the dotted line, then were told what the payments or interest rate would be? That's what you are doing to all of us. How come you don't tell people about your rules BEFORE they enter any personal information. How come you don't tell people they won't have access until they are voice validated BEFORE they decide to sign up? Why does everybody have to find out after the fact that they've handed over all their information, gone to all that trouble to enter this informion, and THEN find out that they have to wait until you deign to call to voice validate? Seems very dishonest to me. You are assuming that everybody who calls has already decided that they want to be a member of your BBS. Nobody knows until they have tried out a BBS if they want to be a member. Here's a simple suggestion which sounds much more up-and-up to me. Have new callers sign up with basic info.. username and password. Then let them see what's available without letting them have access. Show a doorgame menu of all the games you have, but don't let them access it. Let them see all the files and message bases, but don't let them download nor read the messages. Let them see the bulletins of who logged on that day, what the scores are in the games, etc. Make a menu option that takes them to a registration menu every time they try to access a member-level item. Give them the option of registering as a member, or having their account deleted. If they decide, after they have seen all that you have to offer, that they want to become a member, then you can get that precious information that you crave. If they choose not to, then let them know that their account will be deleted in x many days if they don't upgrade to member. That way there is no harm, no foul. They see what you have to offer without being able to take advantage of you, and they don't have to give out their information until they are satisfied that they will get something for their troubles. Doesn't that sound more fair? Here's another option: When a new user calls, and before he signes up with a new account, you tell him: "To have a full account on this BBS, you need to supply your full real personal information, ie, FULL REAL name, phone number, mailing address. You will not have access to any areas of this BBS until you have been voice validated." If you don't have any disclaimer like that (and you don't!) on your new user sign up screen, before a new user gives any information, then you are being dishonest and disceitful. At that point, all your cries about "This is my stuff so I can run it any way I want!" don't mean squat! Darryl .