User Registration

I’ve just been deleting fake user registrations from spammers. I don’t have to do this, as new users posts are held for approval until they have had at least one post approved.  But I like to know how many actual users who have posted comments we have.

The total is now 789 incidentially.

When I delete probable spammer accounts, it is possible I sometimes accidentally delete a genuine user.   This only happens if it looks highly suspicious and I can’t recall ever seeing a comment from it Here’s a quick guide as to how to minimise this possibility:

•  Use a .nz e-mail.  I never delete registrations with a .nz e-mail address. I always delete those ending in .ru or .cn.  If it ends in .com, then I look at other stuff.
• Have your username be something meaningful and not a pharmaceutical product
• Consider entering something in the name field.  Now this need not be your real name and you need not have it appear with your posts.  It could just be “Not a effing spammer”.

Having said all this, don’t worry too much.  I’ve not heard of anyone complaining their account has been accidentially deleted, and even if it happens takes seconds to set a new one up.