Disappearing Posts ???

[admin]

Disappearing Posts

Well, we seem to be having some problems with posts going missing. I thought I'd remind people why sometimes posts are legitimately deleted and occasionally why they accidently are.

The main reason posts are deleted is due to adverts. Over the time of the forum we have obviously had our share of people trying to advertise their drug/porn/whatever web sites and they are obviously deleted.

People occasionally join and put a site as described above as their signature. Again they are usually deleted.

If someone starts a thread with adverts in it etc, and people reply with complaints about the post, I usually just delete the whole thread so people don't waste their time reading replies to a deleted post.

If all posts are deleted from one night, there could have been a problem with the server the site is on, and the backed up forum (done every 24 hours) will not contain the new posts, making it look like they were deleted.

Basically any opinion is allowed, but adverts for web sites, locum agencies, recruitment agencies, companies wanting pharmacists, anything of that nature is not.

There are a set of terms and conditions on the forum, and this is sent as a welcome letter to people when they join. If anyone has not got this please contact me and I will send them a copy.

If you look at your own profile, it's fairly obvious that a major upgrade has recently taken place. Obviously most of the changes are behind the scenes, and not obvious to members, but some can be seen and used. It is possible that some posts were deleted when that was taking place.

As for avatars, well I personally like them as I think they make the site look more fun. The trouble is that some people complain about them as they think it makes the site look unprofessional. See what I have to put up with! If you want one, you need to send it to me first so I can virus check it. My friend owns the server this site is on (I hope you appreciate how fast it runs!) and insists that avatars can be used to spread a virus to people. This is his server, so his rules on this one. Having said that, I like them, and will happily put it on your profile if you want me to.

I have just spoken to the guy who owns the server, and he told me he had a brute force attack recently on the server, which meant we had to use a back up - basically rolled back to Sat am 9am. When this occurs the server is shut down and we have to roll back. He told me it is done by people trying to get into on-line shops he has on there.

I sincerely apologise if anyone has not broken the terms and conditions and has had their post(s) deleted. I can assure you if was accidental if none of the above applies to you.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Elaine

[admin]

9th July 2008

Just before 8.30pm we had to do an upgrade to the site. If you posted within a ten or so minute period it could be lost - check it out, and if it's gone then apologies!