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@Stu (Admin)

Could I suggest that you make a t&c page to which users have to agree before posting on the forum, which will include something like "you agree not to post links to copywritten / pirated software, even if hosted elsewhere" or something of that nature, along with all the other usual legal twaddle included.....

Ive been a senior mod on a Nokia help forum for a looooong time, and we are in a constant battle to stop people linking to Nokia flash files, even if they are not hosted on the forum ( the forum itself is hosted by Nokia uk so they wouldnt host their own flash files on the forum). Software developers seem to get the hump pdq if they see links to pirated/cracked versions of their software hosted on any website. You only have to look at what happens to the likes of isohunt and piratebay with regards to legal action. They dont host the files themselves, merely provide links to it.

Freeware / shareware and public domain software should, of course, be allowed.....

I can see this forum growing very quickly, perhaps its better to get these kind of things in from the start.

Just my 2p's worth....

Thanks Dave, will do!

Does that mean those of us who joined before the T's&C's can ?

lol Joking

@Detection.... um....er.....well.......ill have to consult my lawyer!

Seriously though... this forum has the potential to grow pretty big, making it more noticeable to everyone... big companies, anti-piracy people, spammers etc. At least if we have all read the forum T&C's the people who will go after Stu's backside in the event of an issue will have one less thing to moan about.

Also, is there a way the forum registration procedure can be altered so that a user has to confirm an email address before being authorised to post? Just another idea rolling round in my tiny mind!

@Detection - LOL good one.

Dave is right, technically we should only allow users to post links to their own files or public domain files.
But it is impossible to screen every single post (well, not at the moment it's not, but it could be very soon).
Plus, users are responsible for their links in their posts, although I have a responsibility to remove any infringing links upon being notified (via an official dmca request).

Unless this forum became full of thousands of links to copyrighted software and was indexed high in google for those software titles, it's unlikely anyone will be bothered by 3rd party links. It's easy for owners to just email the sharing site hosting the file and have it removed. The main reason torrent sites get targeted by big law suits is because they're FULL of links to high profile media like Movies and Music.

I could make most of the site 'members only' so guest have to sign up to view.
I could make a members only section purely for posting links.
I could disable links from posts altogether.

Lots of possible options.
For now, best one I think is what Dave suggested, T&C acceptance.

@Dave - i'm reviewing the sign up procedure to make it a bit more bulletproof.

Fonefixer wrote:
Also, is there a way the forum registration procedure can be altered so that a user has to confirm an email address before being authorised to post? Just another idea rolling round in my tiny mind!

I think that is a great idea

Also i think you can set the forum so existing users when they login after the t&c's are setup, have to read & agree to the t&c's to continue (just the once, not every time - unless there has been an update made to the t&c's)

I think the email verification will put off some of the spammers, doesn't always work but might make it a little harder to post crap....

If you need any help Stu, dont hesitate to pm me.....

@ Admin

If the site does become huge with a problem of controlling the members links, just promote some of us to moderators, and we can police the forums together.

Not necessary yet as you say, but a thought for the future.

Me!....Me!....Me!..... as if I dont have enough work to do! haha

PS: Anyone any good at changing Nokia N8 screens? i've got 12 busted ones here that were in a box delivered, and dropped by a UPS (Useless Parcel Service) guy. I could use an extra pair of hands!