What happened to my access?

[David]

In lieu of some recent abuse by spammers, etc, the private messaging system, along with other nice to have's have been removed for registered users:

- ability to post signatures
- view the memberlist
- send and manage private messages
- create a blog

These features are enabled once you reach 50 posts.

Cheers,

David

[liz]

HELP! :eek:

My access to the Members List and the private messaging function just cut out. I was trying to reply to a private message when it happened. Instead of the reply going through, I got a message saying that I did not have access to that page. When I went back, these links were gone.

Liz


PS - Hi Pat. Hope you and Joey are hangin in. Was planning to PM you next but then this happened.

[lhagsjr]

now, no private messaging?

[ZenArcher]

It will come back. It might take an hour or so but once the background thread runs it should promote everyone with over 50 posts so they get their rights back.

[Al]

Thanks Jeff. Much nicer when people read rather than react.
AL.

[Al]

Really folks we are trying to keep out the shysters, porn and pill salespeople and others that have no relation to ALS. I do not mean those of you without a diagnosis either. We had a problem this week with 2 different people signing up and going through the Private Massaging to send spam to people on here. These changes may inconvenience some but will help protect the real members security down the road.
AL.

[ZenArcher]

The promotion appears to be running but only partially. Private msgs still shows 0 allowed total messages and no permission for Members List. The User Promotions task should have run at least twice by now.

[liz]

Sorry, Al. I thought Dave's alert only applied to people with 50 posts or less. Guess I'm just not with it today.

[guwainengle]

Mine is out also--

G

[nspoc]

Hi David -

I have a question about links. Are we not supposed to post links for equipment we have found useful - for instance beds, mattresses, adaptive clothing, etc?

That is why I signed up for this site. I thought PALS and CALS would be the most informed resource for which equipment is most helpful.

I understand that you do not want this site to be used for promotional purposes. On the other hand, I really need and value the specific links that have been shared by fellow CALS.

Maybe I am not understanding the terms. I read them - but I was not sure of their meaning - what was specifically prohibited. I can see why you might want to be a little vague, but I would hate to violate the policy by accident and rack up points.

Also - the removal of my ability to MP someone further inhibits my access to this valuable information. Really - 50 posts is quite a lot to go without the ability to contact people. I have been on this site since March and have only posted 42 times, although I visit daily.

Bottom line - I am not sure how to get clarity without going public because I cannot ask you guys privately.

Did I misunderstand something here?

Thanks for any clarification -
Beth

P.S. I guess I feel some distress because I find this site so very helpful - I have signed up on a few other sites - but nothing compares with this one. Thanks again.

[Al]

Hi Beth. You hit the nail on the head when you said that nothing compares with this site. That is because we are different than the others. We have tougher rules about what is posted. All links are appreciated from genuine members about ALS related products and services.
Don't worry about the infractions deal. As David said it probably won't be used much.
The 50 posts rule I'm not sure if there is wiggle room there. I'll be talking with David on Sat. and we'll surely be talking about the changes whether good or bad. As I have said many times over the past weeks.
Please bear with us. We're trying to do what is good for the site and the legitimate members.
AL.

[liz]

So we all have to post 50 new posts before we can get back access to PM and the Membersip List???

[John1]

I too have lost my ability to edit or read my profile or signature, read the membership list or use PM. It would be nice if new systems could be tried out off line before going on line but maybe that's not possible or practical. If I can make a suggestion, and if you can get the forum working again, I think that 50 posts is excessive. Some PALS would be gone before they reach that limit. Many have trouble typing. Perhaps 5-10 would be more realistic and still get the job done of filtering out spammers and drive by PMing. In the 2+ years I've been a member only once have I been bothered by PM and that was not from a spammer but just a troubled soul so I didn't mind.

John

[John1]

I see I have also lost the ability to edit my posts.

[CindyM]

That's not how I read it, Liz. I read that becaue of the now 50 post rule for new members all of us whould have to wait a few hours for our PM system to be up again. But they are having a meeting about all these kinks tonight so let's just sit tight and see how this gets resolved.

AL and David- lay off the merlot until you finish business, OK? :-D Just kidding. Actually have one on me, guys! Cindy

[Frizzel]

I also PM just once in a while now. My plate is so full with work and living life that I don't have the energy to PM OR read much on the forum any more.

I think it's GREAT you are revamping this site if there's 'stuff' going on. Good job!

So many of you are in my thoughts and prayers every day.

Liz, I'm thinking about ya today. When you get your PM up, let me know how your 'day in the apple trees' went.

Hi Cindy~Merlot? Whose got the Merlot? :-D

Cheers! Frizzel

[David]

Hrmm, it appears something isn't working right; everyone who is complaining has >50 posts, and therefor shouldn't be noticing any differences... I will investigate..

[David]

I think I fixed the issue... people with over 50 posts are now moved to a new user level that has access for:

- editing
- pm'ing
- etc...

[John1]

I think I fixed the issue... people with over 50 posts are now moved to a new user level that has access for:

- editing
- pm'ing
- etc...
Yep, that fixed it for me.

[pmbenb83]

Hi all ~ I have to agree that 50 posts are a little excessive. I hope at the meeting tonight you will reconsider that number. If not, I guess I will have to stay up one night and post a lot of random posts just to fit my quota, so that I can use the PM function sooner rather than later.

Have a nice weekend.
Pam B in Va

[Frizzel]

We who enjoy the benefits of this forum need to also realize we don't see all the 'stuff' trying to be posted behind the scenes that never gets to the threads. My thought is, if you moderators have people post for a while, you get to know the intentions of the people posting.

Thank you to each of you moderators for all the behind the scenes work you do in filtering out the scammers. I'm trusting you to do what's best for all of us on this one.

[Frizzel]

Hey! My PM is working now, too. Thanks!:-D

Frizz

[liz]

Just casting my vote with the "50 is too many" crowd. John explained it well.

[Al]

Hi folks. We adjusted it down lower We'll see how that goes. It should keep out the Bots and spammers and scammers. A few posts is not too much for someone with serious issues or questions or comments about any of the forums here.
AL.

[kathmc]

thank you for lowering the # from 50.

kath kexington. ky.

[JoeinAZ]

Hello,

Bit off topic, but since I can't PM yet.

I notice it takes a day or so, perhaps more, for my posts to show up on the forum. If this is normal, let me know. I'm in no hurry :)

But would be nice to get them posted within hours of submission, or suggest a fix if there is a issue on my end I can look into.

Thanks
Joe

[CindyM]

Hi Joel- I check daily for posts waiting to be put up and, when we get our access back at work will be able to do it more often. That said, I notice that after I approve them it still take a few hours for them to show up.

I have also noticed some newcomers get posted right away, without waiting for approval. I think it has to do with certain key words in the text. We were having a lot of trouble with spammers so I think the software snags posts with links, email addresses, and certain keywords. Sorry but I do not know what those keywords are. Safe to say a big majority of new posts get through. Sorry we made yours wait, for whatever reason. hang in and it will get better. cindy

[JoeinAZ]

Thanks for the info Cindy, my post you responded to here showed up instantly, so I'm sure the issue is just as you described. No problemo.

[lupe1212]

Hello. I am new to this and this is my first e-mail. I am writing to get suggestions from those who are familiar with ALS about how best to deal with it from an employee standpoint. My new boss was just recently diagnosed with ALS, but has not let this diagnosis be known to his staff (unbenownst to him, I happen to know, however). His speech is quite slurred, it is very difficult to understand him, or, it seems, for him to understand you, he has difficulty swallowing, and he tires easily. He is valiantly trying to perform his job, but cannot do so adequately without seriously taxing the rest of the staff in our very small office. The initial sympathy is quickly turning to resentment at being consistently overworked and being forced to operate as if everything were normal. At the same time, most everyone realizes that he is dealing with an extremely difficult situation (although exactly what they do not know), but this does not alleviate their stress. Due to my position, I am caught in the middle. I guess I am wondering if there is anything I (and the rest of the office) could be doing to make his job easier, in terms of how we should approach him and communicate with him until and unless he decides to share this information with all of us. I would appreciate any guidance and words of wisdom that may be out there as well as what to expect next in terms of symptons and the timeframe for such. Thank you.

[CindyM]

Hello Lupe- welcome to the forum. You have an interesting problem. My first guess is that if he is slurring his speech the issue may resolve soon anyway. It is very hard to act as if everyhting is fine when you basically sound like you are drung on the job. You do yourself and your coworkers and your boss a great service by learning all you can, however. Best of luck with this sticky situation. Cindy

[Grace]

Oh my! It's gonna take me forever to get that many. Oh well, Got to do what you got to do. I guess.

[Al]

Grace. It's more than 6 but way way less than 50. Don't worry.
AL.

[Steve100]

Anybody else having trouble accessing the forum for the last few days? I keep getting a message saying the site is having problems. I can still access other parts of the net so it's not my Pc. Lot of catching up to do :D

[Al]

Our server does seem to get busy around 1-2 and 4-5 in the afternoon and slows down. We are sharing with someone else so it can get frustrating so bear with us. Let us know if it gets really bad or often.
AL.

[crystalkk]

Last night I couldn't access at all, keep getting this page can't be displayed.

[Steve100]

Hi - Haven't been able to get more than a few minutes access for almost a week :(

[Icanmanz]

Yesterday afternoon I was experiencing the same "cannot display" problem. After a few tries it occured to me the site was either down, or overloaded. Dunno! All I know is we're back in business!

Irma

[CindyM]

Same here- then I got reamed for not keeping up with my PM's. And that after two solid days at my paid job where the general public seems out of sorts. LOL you know it is going to be a bad day when the public shows up at 9am with alcohol on their breath.

Glad we are back in business here, though. :-D

[Steve100]

You're back...Great :D

[albert07]

...for all the e-mails sent to the webmaster asking why I didn't have access to the members list or private messaging. Just found this today. I'm new to this forum thing and still figuring it out.

Also, thank you to AL for the resposne to my question about posting a couple weeks ago. I've got that part figured out now. Appreciate it.

A07

[Xtina1217]

I apologize up front for my lack of knowledge, but despite my belief in how computer savy I am, I have no clue the difference between a post and a signiture when it comes to this site. My father is an ALS patient and I was recommended this site, and believe that it has the potential to really help... but not if I dont know how to use it! :)

Is there any kind of tutorial of the site... any helpful hints?

All I know is that it says I am not athorized to do very much! If anyone can help please contact me... anyway you can! :)

Thanks so much!

Christina

[Al]

Hi Christina. Sorry for the confusion. If you go to the top of the page to FAQ there are instructions there. If you go to the new members forum near the bottom of the forum topic page click on it and there are sticky's that have instructions as well. Until you have been a member for a bit and made some posts you won't have access to the PM system and possibly some links. Pllease be patient. These controls are in place to protect our members from spam.
AL.

[Xtina1217]

you're help is greatly appreciated!:-D