Stricter control on account inactivity times

[davids355]

I have noticed recently lots of occasions where really old accounts that have been inactive for ages start posting again - and I think a few times this has resulted in bans when Mods have deduced that the account was bought out by someone else.

It occurred to me that it might be a good idea to have some controls on account inactivity - for example, if an account isn't used for more than 6 months, it gets deleted - after the owner has received several emails notifying them of impending deletion of course.

Thoughts?

 

[BHW-News]

Not a bad idea, although if it was me, I'd get around it by simply logging in every now and then or whenever I receive and email. It would only catch the people out that genuinely don't need the account and I guess having the opposite effect if that makes sense?
It's not hard, even with 10 accounts to log into all of them (with different proxies if they chose) twice a year... or am I missing something?

Would be good to have something to combat account sales though.

 

[davids355]

Not a bad idea, although if it was me, I'd get around it by simply logging in every now and then or whenever I receive and email. It would only catch the people out that genuinely don't need the account and I guess having the opposite effect if that makes sense?
It's not hard, even with 10 accounts to log into all of them (with different proxies if they chose) twice a year... or am I missing something?

Would be good to have something to combat account sales though.

Thats a good point. Im just thinking percentage wise it would lower the amount of dormant (and there for at risk of being sold) accounts out there.

But maybe there is a better way?

 

[BHW-News]

Thats a good point. Im just thinking percentage wise it would lower the amount of dormant (and there for at risk of being sold) accounts out there.

But maybe there is a better way?

I'll have a think and post back here if I think of something that I think can work and then get some feedback. Something needs to be done.

 

[SocialMediaManager]

It can solve the issue of account selling but it can also result in some old members loosing their accounts because of inactivity for a reason

 

[TheVigilante]

It can solve the issue of account selling but it can also result in some old members loosing their accounts because of inactivity for a reason

they can always contact the MOD with the email they used to sign up to get their account back...so we know that its the OP himself and not someone other stranger...

 

[sadekjake]

I have noticed recently lots of occasions where really old accounts that have been inactive for ages start posting again - and I think a few times this has resulted in bans when Mods have deduced that the account was bought out by someone else.

It occurred to me that it might be a good idea to have some controls on account inactivity - for example, if an account isn't used for more than 6 months, it gets deleted - after the owner has received several emails notifying them of impending deletion of course.

Thoughts?

I think this is a terrible idea. People might get busy with projects/jobs/family and an inactivity for 6 months is not enough to delete an account completely. Honestly, there is no need to it. If an old account is causing problems, only then delete it (as is the situation now). Overall, the road back to the forum should not be blocked for someone who has stayed away for 6 months or so.

 

[lancis]

Deleting accounts for inactivity - this is how Yahoo does business.
Anyone here is a fan of Yahoo?

 

[Nut-Nights]

Agreed with OP, I have seen myself people asking for old BHW accounts on freelancing sites many times.

 

[oxonbeef]

Deleting accounts for inactivity - this is how Yahoo does business.
Anyone here is a fan of Yahoo?

I understand that with an account that has been active in the past, but when three year old accounts pop up with no previous activity
you have to wonder.
And there would be no harm in making a new account in that situation.

 

[lancis]

I understand that with an account that has been active in the past, but when three year old accounts pop up with no previous activity
you have to wonder.
And there would be no harm in making a new account in that situation.

I understand your concern, Oxonbeef. What bothers me is the thin line between the love and the hate, so to say.

I witnessed it with too many large companies/websites/countries out there. As the community grows bigger the owners introduce new restrictions and what was once loved becomes hated, even if the restrictions do not directly affect the core population.

I think its a matter of trust, the more restrictions are in place the more negative buzz there is, and the less trusted the resource becomes.

 

[bullsbears]

Yes. Agreed. Something needs to be done to control such accounts. I have recently seen many old accounts spamming blatantly .

 

[divok]

If BHW will raise the game , so will spammers . It is a continuous war .

 

[proxygo]

how about all accounts with 0 activity for 6months to a year
are auto locked - and an email sent to the user advising them
to re - activate there account they must email bhw support
with full account details and first login maybe verify the last ip
login - to there current one after they lift the restriction .

do like yahoo and gmail do, tie the account to 1 ip session
if that ip chages they must re verify there email to get back into
bhw. make it harder

with me - if i login to mail anywhere other than home
it sends codes to my phone.... no code no login

 

[partymarty4870]

if you want to get rid of account selling then the easiest way would be for admin to set up set up some new accounts then use the back end controls to edit the join date and post counts (if possible), then sell them, then instantly ban them. Once people out there in internet land see that all these people who bought accounts are crying out for non-existent refunds it'll stop pretty quick