Registration Is Now Required

[Brad Imsdahl]

To all Message Board users,

We regret to inform everyone that this message board will no longer accept posts from unregistered users. Our message board has been hit recently with spam and links to inappropriate websites. Despite our efforts to delete and block the IP address of offenders, the abuse continues.

Although this will not prevent registered users from posting spam, it will make it more difficult and time consuming for those who insist on causing trouble. All registered users will now be required to provide a valid email address during the registration process. Once registered, this email address cannot be used a second time to register as another user. Once a registered user abuses their privileges, they are blocked from posting and their email address is frozen from registering again.

We realize that this will prevent legitimate unregistered users from posting messages on this message board. The inside front cover of the 2006 edition of TheTaxBook states that registration is not required. That statement can no longer be honored. Unfortunately, this is the price we have to pay for the abuse by a few individuals.

On the last page of the index in the 2006 edition, there is a space for you to fill in your name, customer #, CPE login ID, CPE password, message board user name, and message board password. We suggest all users of this message board fill in that information for future reference. If you forget your password or your registered name no longer works, please send us an email by clicking on “Contact Us” in the upper right hand side of this website.

Thanks to all who make this message board a useful tool for tax professionals.

Brad Imsdahl

[OldJack]

On behalf of several others on the board. "I told you so".

[DTS]

Registration

Brad,

When and where will we register? Since most of us have given our email addresses, is this all we need for now?

Thanks,
Dennis

PS: I guess the fact I was able to post answered my question.

[Brad Imsdahl]

Everyone who has already registered with a valid email address is OK. This only applies to new ones who have not yet registered.

[Snaggletooth]

It was Imminent

A shame a few idiots ruined it for others.

Became such a nuisance for the web people that they really had no choice. It was bound to happen -- just a matter of time.

Lots of good people won't be posting -- too much mistrust of hackers and other abuses. But I would encourage them to post under a fictitious name if they're worried about it. And trust the TTB people to be discreet with their e-mail address. TTB have no earthly reason to disclose it to anyone else.

[Black Bart]

Required Registration

I also did not want this because, as I'm sure you have given serious consideration, we will probably lose some good UR posters. However, under the circumstances, there doesn't seem to be anything else you could have done. I, for one, appreciate your concern and taking appropriate steps to protect the board members.

Thank you.

[Brian EA]

What took you so long

You guys are the best in the business.I was wondering what took you so long to make such a simple decision. Hats off to you and the tax book staff.

GOOD JOB

brian

[Black Bart]

Just a guess,

...I was wondering what took you so long to make such a simple decision...

but it probably wasn't such a "simple" decision. Everybody that logs onto this board (including "unregistereds") is a potential tax book buyer. Restrict the number of people coming in and you reduce book sales -- some will register and some won't want to go to the trouble. TTB is a business looking to make money; just as is yours is. Look at it as if you required everybody who walked through the door of your office to register (fill out some forms, etc.) before you'd talk to them. You'd lose some sales. Same here, I'm thinking.

[Brad Imsdahl]

Paul Roberts (who posted as Lance Emerson) and myself (posting as Brad I) started the Quickfinder Message Board back in the mid-1990s, which did not require registration to post. In all of those years, I do not recall ever having to delete a post due to spam or inappropriate website links. Times have changed, I guess.

[Joe Btfsplk]

It't the Internet surfers

Sometimes when you do a Google search, you find The TaxBook cited in connection with some kind of seach you are doing. Apparently the spammers are on the lookout. I have a Yahoo Group which allows me to ban spammers. They don't usually sneak back in under another name due to the time it takes. At one time I set it up so that I had to approve all memberships and all postings, but that took too much time since most postings were legitimate. I also made one of the most knowlegeable members a moderator and she also deletes spam and bans spammers.
So far only one tax pro has been banned. He repeatedly made insulting remarks to others.

[Oxtrainer]

Registration

I have to agree with Black Bart's assesment. I like this board and am glad to be
registered however thats looking from the inside out. If I were looking in an had
to register to ask the first question probably I wouldn't. I realize though something had
to be done but really wish another way were possible.
I have the new deluxe taxbook now, seems like a fine piece of work.

[taxea]

Registration Is Now Required

Sorry some people can be such putz's! I love and thoroughly appreciate your site!

Along with this could you make sure that all users have some kind of status that posts along with their user name that gives all of us an idea of their experience, expertise, knowledge?
taxea

[Snaggletooth]

You've Got to be Kidding

TaxEA, how much can you expect? The more restrictions placed on the board, the fewer will post. Experience and Expertise required? The people posting would have to self-evaluate this -- the webmaster sure wouldn't do it.

When registering, the member has the option of including as much information about themselves as they care to.

I've read several of your posts, and have enjoyed them. I've learned a lot from you, and if listing expertise were a requirement, you appear to have a great deal.

Later..

[djack1040]

Registration Required

I hate to see the Board closed to registered users only..

Spam and inappropriate postings to web groups are a fact of life. We don;t have to look at the posts. IE and possibly the other browsers allow you to preview a post without opening it.

I would much rather see the focus on raising the level of content from registered users. There is far to much dribble on what should be a highly professional forum.

[BOB W]

It looks....

..... like, all a s.p.a.m.m.e.r needs to do is register and than do his/her thing. Registering will not stop s.p.a.m.m.e.r.s, only stop them from doing it again. Most s.p.a.m.m.e.r.s have multiple E-Mail addresses and maybe IP addresses.

Due to search engines, when we use certain words within our "titles" or "context" we may be attracting search engine s.p.a.m.m.e.r.s. So, restricting those words ( whatever they are) will limit search engine explorers.

The Board had to restrict certain words already, now it needs to expand that to cover this area to. Doing this could open this board to the unregistered. (A True registration would require a customer number and an initial password from the Board. Then each user can edited the password to better fit the customer.)

I could be all wet on these issues, but it needs to be considered.