This is a request to edit the forum "Off topic Discussions."

I understand that the section "Off Topic Discussions" is for stuff that we do other than dive....The last three threads were, however, started by someone with NO interest in diving who only has one post.....Me thinks they’re just looking for a place to hook up links.  >

It may only be my opinion, but I really don't think most of us want this section, or any other section, of "OUR" forum to become an area for random internet advertising. 

Thanks for listening,
Art and Alyson

Yes, preventing spammers is a difficult thing.  If they register they can post.  I've been deleting countless posts and spam accounts on both this board and at wiscuba.com in recent weeks.

THANKS Lonnie ;D
Your hard work to keep this board away from "THE EVIL ONES" who lurk the net is very much appreciated ;D.

You could always ask newly registering users what their level of certification is, and from what agency.  (There would probably have to be an option for aspiring divers, as well.  After all, I was an enthusiastic newbie just a couple months ago.)  Prospective new users who have absolutely no clue about diving and no interest in it (read: spammers) could be stymied by questions like this.

I think there are some spammers out there who make programs that can be used to automatically register for forums and post spam articles.  I saw it happening on a message board I run for my inline skate club.  I removed the registration links from the message board, thinking that nobody would be able to register, and then found that spammers were able to register anyway by directly using the registration URL.  Those programs even have a way to defeat the "type in the text shown in this graphic box" thing.

I guess the spammers will do anything possible to sell just a few more bottles of fake Viagra and weenie-enhancing patches.
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Addendum: After a brief search, I found that there is indeed a piece of software that will post spam to various message boards running software like phpBB, Invision Power Board, vBulletin, and others.    Feh on them.

Elkman, we installed an additional registration security feature this past weekend that requires the person to type in letters represented by an image ("captcha").  Hopefully this will greatly reduce our work. Thanks

What about hiding email on WIscuba like MNscuba. I'm getting adult emails on my account at WIscuba.

I can't find a hide email check box.

Good catch.  I am surprised that wiscuba was not set up for that option.  You should have a hide email box to check in your options now.  I could have swore that the option was there before.  Perhaps it somehow got changed when the malicious spammer managed to send out the offensive image to all of the wiscuba members through the private messaging system.