Leechers are among us...

[shadowknight513]

Lately on MmOwned, I've noticed some leeching going on. Just took this picture at 9:58 PM (GMT-, 6/13/10.

413 guests, 76 members. What does this tell you?

Check this out-



This thread might have to be moved to the suggestions section, but does anyone else have any input on the ever-growing population on leechers, and possibly what could be done about it?

My vote is to limit what sections guests can see, prevent them from viewing links (Is this already in affect? I haven't been a guest in quite a while xD). Any ideas, anyone?

[AfterMidnight]

Your assesment is flawd; leechers are amongst all ranks ranging from "Lazy Leecher (Guest)" to "Legendary".
We've managed with them thusfar, what's changed?

[shadowknight513]

I'm not saying that, I'm saying we are having people that aren't even registering for the website before taking things without even saying "Thanks" or "Good Job". It's more of a crack down on guests taking things out of the forums without registering. Because if I understand you correctly, the act of "leeching" is taking information and using it without giving proper credits or thanks to the owner. We all do it, weather we admit it or not. I personally try my best to at least post "Thanks" you know? I wouldn't like posting a script or something pretty useful and getting hundreds of views, but like anywhere from 1-5 comments. Especially if the number of downloads is very close to the number of views.

Please let me know if I'm off on the whole concept of leeching in your eyes.

[AfterMidnight]

Couldn't quite make out what your arguement was in there.

Leechers to me, are the people downloading released content from 'us' in the shades.
Be it guests or legendary users - give thanks there were is due.

All in all, yes - it is a shame we have so many unregistered people leeching BUT;
Truth be told, I rather have allot more guests browsing then people discovering the "questions and requests" section.

It's one thing to take what's given, it's a whole new thing to take take take.


==========
tl;dr - Let them be IMO, less priviledges - less harm.

[shadowknight513]

Ah I see what you're saying, and I agree. Do you personally, have any suggestions for the matter?

[AfterMidnight]

Ah I see what you're saying, and I agree. Do you personally, have any suggestions for the matter?

Sure, but I doubt any of them will ever happen.

First and foremost, simply show a big ol' 403 error to unregistered users. (Forbidden or No Permission to Access)
Or, from a Guest POV change all urls to "You are required to register before being able to see hotlinks."
Or, add a moderated [download] tag for released guides/bots/ect - any hits on tagged hotlinks could automaticly grant the poster a fraction of reputation.

And more, but they get progressively worse and less plausible as observed above.

[shadowknight513]

The problem with your first proposition is that if they get a 403, how will they ever get the chance to register? :confused:

Also, this could tell potential would-be MMOwned members that the site isn't run well if they get a 403 when ever they come here. That's just my opinion, I mean this with all do respect.

[AfterMidnight]

vBulletin Message
You are not logged in or you do not have permission to access this page. This could be due to one of several reasons:

1. You are not logged in. Fill in the form at the bottom of this page and try again.
2. You may not have sufficient privileges to access this page. Are you trying to edit someone else's post, access administrative features or some other privileged system?
3. If you are trying to post, the administrator may have disabled your account, or it may be awaiting activation.

That's the kind of error page I meant, not the actual blank 403 page; cbf to search up what i meant precisely :P
Sorry, lol :X

[Zoidberg]

Sure, but I doubt any of them will ever happen.

First and foremost, simply show a big ol' 403 error to unregistered users. (Forbidden or No Permission to Access)
Or, from a Guest POV change all urls to "You are required to register before being able to see hotlinks."
Or, add a moderated [download] tag for released guides/bots/ect - any hits on tagged hotlinks could automaticly grant the poster a fraction of reputation.

And more, but they get progressively worse and less plausible as observed above.

I'm quite sure that you have to register to see links.
I don't think this is a problem, unless people start copying work by MMOwned members and post it other sites without giving them credits/permission.
(Which does happen sometimes. )

[shadowknight513]

I'm quite sure that you have to register to see links.
I don't think this is a problem, unless people start copying work by MMOwned members and post it other sites without giving them credits/permission.
(Which does happen sometimes. )

Yeah I know, and I believe there is a way to embed a code into the webpage that would prevent users with certain permissions (guests) from copying and pasting material. It's like on those things where you have to re-type your email, and they don't let you copy and paste your first one. That's more of a shot in the dark though.