Here, There & Everywhere!

It all started with MSN Spaces (now called Windows Live Spaces).. I set up my little space, spent ages changing themes, adding photos, blogging etc. Then I found Blogger, and set up this blog.. and now I've finally succumbed, and have spent ages setting up MySpace! I also have a Yahoo page, but that never really got going for me, and now I have a friend who blogs using LiveJournal.

What annoys me is when you need to sign up to one of these, simply to leave a comment on someone else's blog. Ok, so I know it may help with spam, but the owner simply needs to set up security their end. On here, for example, I moderate my comments, so if I do get spammed, it never gets published.

It's the main reason I left my MSN space, because anyone without an MSN account couldn't leave me a comment. And I made my Yahoo profile just so that I could comment on Kell's blog there. That one, however, has given me problems, so I'm afraid I gave up. MySpace, I'm not sure, but I don't think I'll blog too much over there. (It's very addictive getting 'friends' though! LOL)

So, I now have quite a few different 'homes', and if you look around, you'll probably spot me! ;) But hey, leave me a little comment to say hello, please?! :-D

(PS If you use MySpace, please be careful with the adverts there, and DO NOT click on any of their pop-ups!)

The Beatles - Third Time Round!

My mum was a big Beatles fan, and so I grew up listening to their music. Whereas my mum tended to prefer their earlier songs, I always went for the later ones.. although I've grown to appreciate them all.

I recently bought the newly released Love album, which I think is an excellent compilation album, and Bethany immediately decided that she liked it too. She was delighted this evening to discover that I had quite a few albums, so we're starting to work our way through.

She's started something now! LOL

Spammers - again!

These 'people' are starting to make my blood boil! They're everywhere, and they're getting harder to avoid. I get a ridiculous amount of spam in my email, but I've found ways to deal with that.. it still bugs me, but it's dealt with.

Blogger is the same.. I had to delete a previous blog because it got completely overrun with spam comments one night. With this one, I've learnt to turn on moderation. Then if they do spam, I can simply reject it.

My biggest battles, however, are on my forums. I had to search for modifications for my phpBB boards.. it makes registration a tad more complicated for members, but it has stopped those bots in their tracks.

'Bots?' I hear you ask? This is automated software that allows spammers to join a countless number of forums, post their rubbish, and even send PMs (Private Messages) to all members. Yes, people actually make and sell software to do this.. scum, that's what they are! (Grr!)

On my book forum, I've also found a way to stop the bots.. the software is now clever enough to bypass the inbuilt security, so other ways need to be added.

However.. what we can't stop are people who physically sit at their computers, and join up.. they can see the extra measures, just as any genuine person can, so in they get.

Again, on my book forum, I've made changes, and new members have limited privileges, including a block on sending PM.. and I'm now very grateful for this. The other night, someone decided to join the forum, and post very explicit photos. We chased after them, and they were deleted and banned very quickly. But, without those limited privileges, my poor members may have all found these images in their PM inbox.

I have to hope that I never come face to face with one of these 'people', because I won;t be held responsible for my actions!!