Des-Lab
11-02-2008, 10:10 AM
After having been in summer since March here in SoCal, the weather has finally changed. This morning it's cool, overcast, and we even had a brief sprinkling of rain. So with that long wanted change in the weather, it's time to report on the site for the week.
Last weeks update was rather dreary and downbeat. However, along with the change in the weather, brought a change to the sites traffic. A surge during last week did bring a month close that was up about 5% over September. So while the normal growth trend wasn't as high as it had been for the last several months, it did close up nonetheless. I'm sure this was largely attributable to the several promotions I have out right now. But I'm also hoping that some of you have spread the word as well. Also in looking at the sites traffic, considering that today is only the 2nd, we are off to a very strong start for November. Let's hope it keeps up.
New registrations continue to trickle in a few at a time. As I warned and promised, I did carry out the act of truncating all probationary users that went beyond the 10 day grace period to become an active member. This policy will be ongoing and I see no reason to change it for the forseeable future.
Speaking of which, as I've also stated, I'm really cracking down on nonsense usernames and would-be spammers. I am showing no mercy there and am not only banning unintelligible usernames, but e-mail addresses, IP addresses, and even some proxy servers. Indeed the number of "dummy" registrations has slowed significantly since I banned one particular group of servers. Now the question that remains is: Is all of these would-be spammer accounts the work of several people? Or is it one lonely and very determined individual?
That is anyones guess. If it's the former, then I can understand that as always being a part of running any site. Spammers will always try and get in. On the other hand, if just one person is behind it, you have to ask "why"? Why THIS site? Why want to spam in the first place? And what makes him think that, after some hundred rejected attempts-that he will succeed on the 101st?
I guess it really doesn't matter. Both myself and the mods are practicing full vigilant alert. All usernames remain subject to activation. And ANYONE who signs on with a nonsense name will be punted.
But in a sort of perverse, backhanded way, there is almost a compliment in there somewhere. That one or more people think our site has enough existing and potential traffic that they feel repeated attempts to pollute it with spam are a worthwhile endeavor. After all. Why go "fishing" to a site no one cares about and has zero potential for luring in a victim...I mean customer?
It's s strange, twisted logic reflective of the wierd world we live in. But that aside, spammers are still going to be kept out.
Anyway, I've said this enough times. But it always bears repeating. Especially since there is otherwise little else to talk about! LOL!
But seriously. No other changes to the forum has been made since last weeks update. However, some work has been done to the front and secondary pages. I invite all of you to jump off the forums for a few minutes and follow some of the links on the Home page to the secondary pages. I tweaked the FAQ and "About Us" pages a bit. I also put two new links on the "Resources" page. And the Image Gallery? Well it's a good idea but I don't even know where to start with it right now. So I just basicaly left it as "under construction. Not being too proud, I'm always open to suggestions for additions and changes to the existing pages. So if any of you would like to throw your ideas into the fray, you can be assured that I'll at least hear you out. And if I like your idea-and can execute it-it will be incorporated where appropriate.
I guess that's it for now. Thank you again for helping make TapeHeads one of the top analog tribute sites on the Web. There are a lot more of us out there. Let's help bring them home.
Enjoy your Sunday. Maybe now I can sit down and do some more recording on my "travelling" tape. It'll get done eventually. I promise.
And oh yeah. Just as a reminder for our American TapeHeads. This coming Tuesday is Election Day. Be sure to get out and vote. When next weeks update is posted, we will have a new President-Elect. I long ago placed my bet. Will I be right? It promises to be an interesting election and will give lots to talk about.
-Matt "Des-Lab"
Sunday, November 02 2008.
Last weeks update was rather dreary and downbeat. However, along with the change in the weather, brought a change to the sites traffic. A surge during last week did bring a month close that was up about 5% over September. So while the normal growth trend wasn't as high as it had been for the last several months, it did close up nonetheless. I'm sure this was largely attributable to the several promotions I have out right now. But I'm also hoping that some of you have spread the word as well. Also in looking at the sites traffic, considering that today is only the 2nd, we are off to a very strong start for November. Let's hope it keeps up.
New registrations continue to trickle in a few at a time. As I warned and promised, I did carry out the act of truncating all probationary users that went beyond the 10 day grace period to become an active member. This policy will be ongoing and I see no reason to change it for the forseeable future.
Speaking of which, as I've also stated, I'm really cracking down on nonsense usernames and would-be spammers. I am showing no mercy there and am not only banning unintelligible usernames, but e-mail addresses, IP addresses, and even some proxy servers. Indeed the number of "dummy" registrations has slowed significantly since I banned one particular group of servers. Now the question that remains is: Is all of these would-be spammer accounts the work of several people? Or is it one lonely and very determined individual?
That is anyones guess. If it's the former, then I can understand that as always being a part of running any site. Spammers will always try and get in. On the other hand, if just one person is behind it, you have to ask "why"? Why THIS site? Why want to spam in the first place? And what makes him think that, after some hundred rejected attempts-that he will succeed on the 101st?
I guess it really doesn't matter. Both myself and the mods are practicing full vigilant alert. All usernames remain subject to activation. And ANYONE who signs on with a nonsense name will be punted.
But in a sort of perverse, backhanded way, there is almost a compliment in there somewhere. That one or more people think our site has enough existing and potential traffic that they feel repeated attempts to pollute it with spam are a worthwhile endeavor. After all. Why go "fishing" to a site no one cares about and has zero potential for luring in a victim...I mean customer?
It's s strange, twisted logic reflective of the wierd world we live in. But that aside, spammers are still going to be kept out.
Anyway, I've said this enough times. But it always bears repeating. Especially since there is otherwise little else to talk about! LOL!
But seriously. No other changes to the forum has been made since last weeks update. However, some work has been done to the front and secondary pages. I invite all of you to jump off the forums for a few minutes and follow some of the links on the Home page to the secondary pages. I tweaked the FAQ and "About Us" pages a bit. I also put two new links on the "Resources" page. And the Image Gallery? Well it's a good idea but I don't even know where to start with it right now. So I just basicaly left it as "under construction. Not being too proud, I'm always open to suggestions for additions and changes to the existing pages. So if any of you would like to throw your ideas into the fray, you can be assured that I'll at least hear you out. And if I like your idea-and can execute it-it will be incorporated where appropriate.
I guess that's it for now. Thank you again for helping make TapeHeads one of the top analog tribute sites on the Web. There are a lot more of us out there. Let's help bring them home.
Enjoy your Sunday. Maybe now I can sit down and do some more recording on my "travelling" tape. It'll get done eventually. I promise.
And oh yeah. Just as a reminder for our American TapeHeads. This coming Tuesday is Election Day. Be sure to get out and vote. When next weeks update is posted, we will have a new President-Elect. I long ago placed my bet. Will I be right? It promises to be an interesting election and will give lots to talk about.
-Matt "Des-Lab"
Sunday, November 02 2008.