[8pla.net]

Could be a virtual reality, but looking more like a reality.  Looking forward to any updates.   Where'd everybody go?  Well, if it turns out to be true, then the very best of luck, a big thank you and a sincere welcome, to the new owners.   

[squarebear]

A giant pop up every few seconds makes the site practically unusable now.

[8pla.net]

Squarebear,

I may be able to offer a theory on that.  My educated guess is that
at the top of a header template file, a popup script somewhere, got
included something like this:

Code

<!-- INCLUDE ../../popup.php -->

So every page that includes that header template file gets a popup.
Fixing it gets tricky, since the template files get cached by the forum.

[Art]

It was fine Before new ownership. Now, the site is nothing more than a marketing attempt of which I have neither the time nor inkling to endure.

[Don Patrick]

It doesn't look like it's been sold. Erwin's name is still listed as founder and owner. I assume this is the commercialisation he's been trying to set up for the past year or so, and that he just has not yet realised the issue with the popup re-appearing on every page of the forum.

[8pla.net]

Well this marketing strategy,
is making us all chat about it.

[WriterOfMinds]

The popup is annoying, but I was finally able to register for a forum account today! So some things must be getting better.

[8pla.net]

How come only one forum moderator now.

Where did everyone go?  Just curious, no complaints.

Reminds me of how much I miss Dave Morton.

[squarebear]

Although, I've been removed as moderator, I still have the ability to close/edit and move posts. I also still seem able to ban/block members too.

[Dee]

Although, I've been removed as moderator, I still have the ability to close/edit and move posts. I also still seem able to ban/block members too.

your signature, that Mitsuku chats well, did it really pass turing test?

[squarebear]

your signature, that Mitsuku chats well, did it really pass turing test?

It's won the Loebner Prize a record 5 times in 2013, 2016,2017,2018,2019 and many people who try the Turing Test with it, believe it's a real person.
http://www.square-bear.co.uk/mitsuku/turing/ (needs Flash unfortunately)

[ruebot]

Fixing it gets tricky, since the template files get cached by the forum.

The popup is a script driven ad that requires JS enabled for jquery.com according my NoScript extension. There are 3 other scripts shown: chatbots.org, gstatic.com and s3.amazonaws..com.

I still cant log in to tell, more about that to come, but would venture to guess only the script for chatbots.org is needed for full site functionality as far as logging in and posting. Possibly gstatic.com as well but you do this type of thing one script at a time and after a while can pretty much tell from experience which ones really need enabled and which ones don't. Meaning they probably serve ads.

I am in no way implying the following about chatbot.org or their policy on selling ads, just FYI:

Script driven ads of this type are used for what's known as drive-by downloads where they pack a malware payload that is downloaded onto your machine if you have JavaScript enabled for the ad with no interaction by your clicking finger required. That's why it's not a good idea to  browse with Scripting enabled globally. I never do.

I was a avid member of a site where the owner lost his way and his priority changed from content to the money he could make selling ad space and he was not particular about the caliber of client that paid him. Forum members stated on several occasions their Windows machines had become infected by visiting the site.

Didn't bother me a bit. FreeBSD isn't vulnerable to Windows targeted malware. I only enabled the scripts required for minimal functioning for the site and never saw an ad the whole time I was there. I still went there every day and there isn't a site I fear to visit today.


Squarebear, I wrote to register at chatbots.org one more time. I don't use Facebook, LinkedIn or my true identity of Clark Kent online for privacy purposes. I sent them my Forge profile link to show I've been a member there since 2002 with the username ruebot and it shows my real name as jitte. What more do they need to know about me? Or is that enough?

This is the 3rd time I've tired to register and they've ignored me to date. I'm really more interested in getting mine listed than posting. I didn't want to be a name dropper or put you in a difficult position, but could you see if a bot site really requires all that needless info for me to register without animal sacrifice to them next full moon? 

I didn't just fall off the bot bin yesterday and been around the community about as long as anyone. I have mindfiles from 2000 to show it on Ravens site.

How long have they been in the bot business? Are popups on a bot site their new business model?

I promise Demonica won't kill all their bots... if they don't snub us again.

[squarebear]

Sorry ruebot but I have zero influence in the site. I can edit/remove or ban members but that's it. According to the left hand side of the forum it looks like you needs to contact James Choi who appears to be the editor now.

[ruebot]

Sorry ruebot but I have zero influence in the site. I can edit/remove or ban members but that's it. According to the left hand side of the forum it looks like you needs to contact James Choi who appears to be the editor now.

No problem. I didn't mention your name and if I need a character witness to vouch for me as fit to be among them I don't care to be.

I saw where James Choi is the Editor and has contact info, but their Registration info states:

"No Facebook or LinkedIn account? Please contact Erwin van Lun with your full name."

He doesn't have an email addy I could see so I mailed them at their info@ box about it. I'll wait a while but this is becoming more of a frustration than something I want to be a part of or could benefit from.