Banning a member

[Former Member]

I see that I have to the choice to ban the member's username or IP.

Question:  How can I possibly know if the IP address is static, dynamic or shared? 

For example:

[Patrick [ASE]]

I recognise that diagram
Through experience i never believe in banning by IP, the user could be using a library or internet cafe, or as in the diagram could be using a Tesco ISP, so banning the IP would also ban legitimate users using the same internet cafe, library, or in the same ISP area
Besides, my IP is dynamic, if i reconnect i get a new IP, and someone else gets my old one.

In v4.5 it's best to ban the email, that way you stop them using the account or to make a new account with that same email

I haven't really got into banning in V5 yet, but i assume banning an account would also stop other accounts that use the same email, otherwise you could search for other accounts that use the same email without actually seeing the email

[Former Member]

I hope you don't mind me using your diagram Patrick....  thanks. 

So far I have only ever banned one person who had a static IP address - I would often check guest IP's to see if they were real people or not, now I will never know.  

Because IP's aren't viewable now then perhaps the option to ban an IP shouldn't exist for the reasons you have given. 

[Patrick [ASE]]

The diagram is there to be used

I know what you mean, though i have had reason in the past to ban a range of IP's from a certain country, hopefully i can remove tose bans in V5 and ban by other means if needed.
But, V5 means i still have the option to do that

As  suggested elsewhere, if you are approving members, you can make it a rule that they introduce themselves in the register process
Feel free to register at my test forum to try it out, i have set a welcome message and enabled request message, you can delete your account afterwards

[Former Member]

My forum is set to automatic registration - accounts waiting for approval were being missed or having to wait 12 hours or so for approval. I run a gardening and wildlife forum people join because they have a question that they want to ask 'now', not in 10 hours time.

With v5 the only option is to ban a username - which doesn't seem enough me.

[Former Member]

I've always gone for the Disable account option
That way you disable the account so cannot post/PM on your forum
And does not ban innocent Ip's and users
And only banned if forced to do so
ie, if a spammer or IP is known on stop forum spam

Steve

[Former Member]

I agree with you Steve disabling an account is a much better option 99% of the time.