Johanna Report post Posted March 1, 2007 When I first put this site together, a person could register, validate their email from the board and be an immediate member. Over the months, I saw a few identities I suspected were fakes/spambots/internet garbage. I thought there were about a hundred or so...I was wrong. I just deleted 437 accounts. If I deleted yours, I'm sorry, please sign up again. I used my best judgement, and I didn't delete any accounts that showed activity or real words in the profile. The board is set up now so that after the validation email is received, it must be admin approved. In other words, I'm going to look at all new members before the board will acknowledge the account. I do not want you good people subjected to Viagra and XXX ads, and I do not want the member list artificially inflated. Plus, I never want to have to go through the whole database again like I did today...six hours of pruning has made myeyes tired. LOL NO ONE who is a real breathing person will be excluded from participating on the board, as long as posted content isn't offensive. If you sign up and aren't able to post within a couple of hours, send an email to admin@leatherworker.net and I will...hmmm...was gonna say "turn you on", but I know how some of you think! I will straighten out your new account without delay. I'll be doing a software update in the next week or so, and, from what I've read, the new security system has undergone major improvements. That should eliminate or drastically reduce false accounts. If it does, I'll go back to the old method "validate the email and you're in" just to save time. But for right now, after spending so much time culling the roster, I'm putting the brakes on, because we all deserve accurate numbers and a spam-free leatherworker forum. I would like to thank everyone who is participating for helping to make this board interesting and enlightening, and I especially want to thank those of you who are teaching. You might think you are only giving one person the benefit of your experience, but you are educating us all, and future members who use the "search" function. I appreiciate the new folks who are asking questions, too. Without you, it would be hard to tear the old-timers away from the bench to tap on their keyboards instead of with their mallets. As usual, if you have a suggestion for making the board better, please let me know. I want everybody to enjoy their visits here, and I want the board to be as easy to use as possible. Take a minute and click on "My Controls" and fill out your profile info. Introduce yourself to the community and post your links, if you have one. If you don't have a website, and want one, let me know, and I will help you get going. Leatherwork sales no longer have geographical limitations- let's use the Internet to reach our full potential. If you would like to link to the forum on your site, here is a banner to use. Thank you all for your encouragement and kind words. These last couple of months have been difficult for me personally, and the people here have made me smile every day. God bless all of you. Johanna Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pepin1948 Report post Posted March 1, 2007 Thanks for all the hard work I would like to suggest an area for teachers to go to request donations (i.e. tools or money). While our Christian Ed committee at church has funded the purchase of 3 marbles, and another member is getting them cut in half for me, I think we will still be in need of basic tools and swivel knives for the new Leathercrafters club that is starting up tomorrow (which I am leading). I have to see how many kids turn out, but I'm hoping for 5-10. It'll be a monthly club. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MatthewD Report post Posted March 1, 2007 (edited) Yes, Thank you Johanna.... and I truly know how much stuff you have to do.. I was an admin on another board.. just doing the account weeding is a killer week long side job after the normal 8-5 job is done Edited March 1, 2007 by MatthewD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cjbleather Report post Posted March 1, 2007 Johanna, thanks for all that you have done to get this running as well as it has. I really haven't taken advantage of it as much as I should. But, I do peruse the new mail section as often as I can. My only complaint (no, slight irritation is probably a better phrase), is the small type on the tan background. I guess I wouldn't mind the font size, if the background is white. I say this because when a email includes part of the original email, it is on a white background. I would love to see these two exchanged. White for the sending email and tan (if that is what it is) for the inclusion portion. Keep up the great work. Carl Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fleabitpokey Report post Posted March 1, 2007 When I first put this site together, a person could register, validate their email from the board and be an immediate member. Over the months, I saw a few identities I suspected were fakes/spambots/internet garbage. I thought there were about a hundred or so...I was wrong. I just deleted 437 accounts. If I deleted yours, I'm sorry, please sign up again. I used my best judgement, and I didn't delete any accounts that showed activity or real words in the profile. The board is set up now so that after the validation email is received, it must be admin approved. In other words, I'm going to look at all new members before the board will acknowledge the account. I do not want you good people subjected to Viagra and XXX ads, and I do not want the member list artificially inflated. Plus, I never want to have to go through the whole database again like I did today...six hours of pruning has made myeyes tired. LOLNO ONE who is a real breathing person will be excluded from participating on the board, as long as posted content isn't offensive. If you sign up and aren't able to post within a couple of hours, send an email to admin@leatherworker.net and I will...hmmm...was gonna say "turn you on", but I know how some of you think! I will straighten out your new account without delay. I'll be doing a software update in the next week or so, and, from what I've read, the new security system has undergone major improvements. That should eliminate or drastically reduce false accounts. If it does, I'll go back to the old method "validate the email and you're in" just to save time. But for right now, after spending so much time culling the roster, I'm putting the brakes on, because we all deserve accurate numbers and a spam-free leatherworker forum. I would like to thank everyone who is participating for helping to make this board interesting and enlightening, and I especially want to thank those of you who are teaching. You might think you are only giving one person the benefit of your experience, but you are educating us all, and future members who use the "search" function. I appreiciate the new folks who are asking questions, too. Without you, it would be hard to tear the old-timers away from the bench to tap on their keyboards instead of with their mallets. As usual, if you have a suggestion for making the board better, please let me know. I want everybody to enjoy their visits here, and I want the board to be as easy to use as possible. Take a minute and click on "My Controls" and fill out your profile info. Introduce yourself to the community and post your links, if you have one. If you don't have a website, and want one, let me know, and I will help you get going. Leatherwork sales no longer have geographical limitations- let's use the Internet to reach our full potential. If you would like to link to the forum on your site, here is a banner to use. Thank you all for your encouragement and kind words. These last couple of months have been difficult for me personally, and the people here have made me smile every day. God bless all of you. Johanna Johanna, I would like to thank you for having this place for us to come to. I really enjoy coming here.The talented and helpful people here ,are just the best. I have been made to feel welcome and comfortable to ask questions. This is a first rate place to come. Thank you for all you do to keep it this way. Stephanie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dsenette Report post Posted March 1, 2007 Johanna, thanks for all that you have done to get this running as well as it has. I really haven't taken advantage of it as much as I should. But, I do peruse the new mail section as often as I can. My only complaint (no, slight irritation is probably a better phrase), is the small type on the tan background. I guess I wouldn't mind the font size, if the background is white. I say this because when a email includes part of the original email, it is on a white background. I would love to see these two exchanged. White for the sending email and tan (if that is what it is) for the inclusion portion. Keep up the great work. Carl carl, if you look at the bottom of the page you will see a drop down menu on the left side (little orange RSS button then the dropdown) that says "leather" if you change that to "ipb default" it will be a white background instead of the "tan"...if this is your preference for viewing the site.. i THINK there's a way to make this your default...but...well...i'm having a bit of trouble finding that setting....i'll get back to you if i find it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dsenette Report post Posted March 1, 2007 ok...i found a setting that i can change in the admin panel to default you to the "white" skin if you like it....let me know what you want to do (still looking for the place where you can change the default by yourself...) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Major Report post Posted March 1, 2007 As many have mentioned, thank you for starting this up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Johanna Report post Posted March 2, 2007 Awww shucks, folks. Those of you who participate are what makes this board worthwhile. At least we know that we have 280-some real people in the room. There will be less echo. Carl, scroll to the bottom of your screen and click "Lo-Fi" version. You will then read black text on white. This is also handy if anyone wants to print a topic. It removes the "eye-candy" of the mocha skin. The skin is the colors and buttons on the board. Hey, Monkey, notice I'm getting ready to do the IPB update? I'm waiting for Blair's report (and success!) but I'm going to run it on the testboard first no matter what. Johanna Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dsenette Report post Posted March 2, 2007 hehe....i think the update will go fine...as long as blair doesn't do it HAHAHA Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
abn Report post Posted March 2, 2007 Johanna, Cleanup work like this pays big dividends in the future when it comes to maintaining the board, so GOOD WORK! Thanks for all that you do to make this an outstanding resource for leatherworkers. :biggrin: Best, -Alex Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Billy P Report post Posted March 3, 2007 Johanna, thanks for doing all the work that you do for the forum. Sometimes when a person does what you do it seems a thankless job. I shudder to think about how much of your time, you've put into this forum. I don't get on as much as I should or probably could at times, but I am sincerely grateful for it being here and I always enjoy it when I do login. Recently I've be going through a lot of depression, health problems, mainly diabetes, making me feel so rundown and tired all the time has had me where I am hardly doing anything at all. I have some projects to do, but can not seem to find the energy to do them. Anyway thanks for the forum and for your work on it. One other thing also thank the ones in the backgrond that help you with wome of the stuff, while I may not know them I know that they are there and again! MANY THANKS TO YOU ALL, WHO EVER YOU MAY BE. Billy P Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Billsotx Report post Posted March 4, 2007 Hey Bill the Kid you ol' leatherworker, glad to see you're over here. We notice you were awful quite. Hang around and you may pick up some of Jo's unburnt energy. Gosh, what a worker that gal is! Sorry to hear you're a bit down, Billy Boy; hoping you get back in the saddle soon. We'll say some words for you when we say our evening prayers. Hope to get a peek at those projects you're working on. Hang tough amigo. And thanks to Johanna and the Monkey and those others behind the scenes. I agree with the others. EXCELLENT to OUTSTANDING - job well done. best regards, ~Bill Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
