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Development Update 4/7 Tons of stuff going on. New Ad Server We implemented a new ad server. I know, I know, what do you care about ad servers? But this is better -- it should serve ads faster (meaning that pages load faster), and the new server also gives us better control over the ads that are shown. We are hoping that this will mean less problems with inappropriate ads being shown. Oddly, the new ad server is why the PM font size was larger on Friday - and, I admit, it seems like there shouldn't be any connection, but there is. Don't worry, we aren't moving the site to a large typeface as a part of a fiendish plot to appeal to senior citizens. Password popup Some people were reporting a password prompt that would open up on certain forum threads. The text in such password prompts were something like, "HELLO FREE WIDEDOG OR WE ATTACK YOUR IP IS BEING LOGGED." Couple of things here: - yes, it's annoying. We closed the vector down, but this may come up again from time to time. - there is nothing anyone could have gotten from the password prompt that they couldn't have gotten through normal means. Just cancel the dialog and you're safe from viruses/trojans/whatnot. CAPTCHA in profiles People had been complaining about growing profile spam, so we went ahead and added CAPTCHA protection to the profile spam if you were adding a comment to someone who was not your friend. Hopefully this will take care of the worst of it, but if it doesn't, will keep tweaking until the problem is under control. We will be adding this to any other areas of the site that are problematic. Controversy in Gaia Ugh, I meant to write something long here, but I don't have the energy -- I need a strong cup of coffee and a cafe to tackle this. So I will tackle this during the weekend.

Posted by: Panagrammic Sat Apr 12, 2008 @ 01:53am

Read my journal!

User Comments: [205] Viewing page 0 of 5 · Goto Page: 1 2 3 4 5 » [add]

Lady Kayura
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Commented on: Sat Apr 12, 2008 @ 01:55am


	Thanks for the update! Love the CAPTCHA in profiles <3 Question, does Gaia lose any money if people have add-ons that block pop-ups?

Commented on: Sat Apr 12, 2008 @ 02:08am


	Have you considered a profile/account setting to, for example, show IMGs as links instead of the image if the user isn't your friend or Gaia Staff (with truncated URL strings like "domain.com...dog.jpg"? I know some users are getting spammed with HUGE or inappropriate images on their profiles or in their threads. Obviously, this would make more sense for profile comments as images aren't normally needed in a profile comment. It would also be nice if we could choose whether or not to use the captcha on our own profiles.

Chema
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The_last_alchemist
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Commented on: Sat Apr 12, 2008 @ 02:35am


	Thanks Panagramic for keep us updated! heart I'll be waiting for that Controversy in Gaia surprised And i dont worry about Ads, i have AdBlock Plus xd

Commented on: Sat Apr 12, 2008 @ 03:17am


	Controversy? These updates keep getting better and better. More crapware on the forums... Thank god for my Mac. Not care about ADs? razz Finally something that'll make them load faster. Now why can't we just get text-only ones that don't refresh spastically like in the Cinemas? Those are uber annoying and generate such horrid lag. Profile spam? Wow. I don't even know what to say there. Yay for privacy settings? I'll be checking back later to see that last bit.

France Hopper
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DJ Trouble
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Commented on: Sat Apr 12, 2008 @ 03:19am


	The last section was beautiful. What a wonderful cop out. xD

Commented on: Sat Apr 12, 2008 @ 03:21am


	No placeholder? MADNESS! I look forward to hearing your take on the recent controversy, Pan. I've enjoyed reading what some of the other devs have had to say on the subject; it's been very enlightening and I'm learning a lot about the site (and knowledge is power!).

Gamine
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Yen Quest
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Commented on: Sat Apr 12, 2008 @ 04:04am


	A lot have happened since then. It must have brought up a lot of discussions at HQ. I hope it didn't bother you with your work. Funny how you're acting as if Friday was over, but I guess it is the work hours for day you're talking about. ^^; Noticed a lot of changes in the site, always happy to see any updated changes. Have a good night. xD

Commented on: Sat Apr 12, 2008 @ 04:10am


	thanks for the update! biggrin

snufflypoo
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Wren Faire
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Commented on: Sat Apr 12, 2008 @ 04:49am


	Controversy=Journal posts. I like this. 3nodding

Commented on: Sat Apr 12, 2008 @ 04:51am


	I think the Captcha addition to profile comment-leaving is a brilliant idea! I hope whoever had that idea got paid eleventybillion dollars...or a free ticket to Disneyland or something... sweatdrop Thanks for consistently updating your journal; Gaians love to know what's going on. And thanks for the new ad server; I'm sure it's improving our experience in behind-the-scenes ways. domokun

Chocobo Princess
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Refurbished User
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Commented on: Sat Apr 12, 2008 @ 06:27am


	I agree with CAPTCHA, but make sure you use it well. o.o;; Don't use it excessively to the point of annoyment. D: Annoyment... is that a word? I think its a word. It sounds like a word.

Commented on: Sat Apr 12, 2008 @ 08:05am


	Thanks for the new ad server. <3 And I do care, because my sugar daddy is gone and I spent the last of my 5 dollars on Gaia cash instead of letters so advertisements should start popping up again for me sometime soon. Easy page loading sounds good to my almost 4 year old laptop that doesn't have duel processing. xd Controversy in Gaia? OMG! No wai!

Riddle-Me-This
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Spirrow
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Commented on: Sat Apr 12, 2008 @ 08:47am


	Controversy on Gaia? ...Oh... Yeah. Take your time.

Commented on: Sat Apr 12, 2008 @ 09:48am


	Thanks for the update, Panagrammic.

dBEf-GAEc-18E-BBAf
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Darien S.
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Commented on: Sat Apr 12, 2008 @ 10:32am


	Thanks for keeping tabs ^___^ But... With the addition to the new AD server, is it causing Users who purchased Monthly Collectibles to now see non Gaia related ADs again (Before the 30 day time period)? Edit: Forgot to mention that they're only showing on the PM section funny enough.

Commented on: Sat Apr 12, 2008 @ 02:30pm


	Looking forward to seeing what you have to say about the "controversy" on Gaia. I'm sure you will lend a great point of view, as usual. Keep the updates coming! You're like the only staffer that updates on a regular basis any more!

Anbaachan
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Sgt.PepperHat
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Commented on: Sat Apr 12, 2008 @ 03:38pm


	Could the new ad server also be the reason why I've been getting ads? I've donated once a month for a while now and was used to not getting ads when scrolling through the forums. But now I get them, even though I've already donated for this month. Not that I really mind, but it was something that I noticed.

Commented on: Sat Apr 12, 2008 @ 06:13pm


	Thanks for the update. All this "controversy in Gaia" stuff makes me nervous. Why? Because I'm the one that brought it all on to begin with. I didn't have to high-light FBBQ'a journal and make a big topic about it in GCD, I just voiced my concern and it exploded. I've said my piece though. and made the edits to show how my opinion has changed.

Cid High-Wind
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AlexDitto
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Commented on: Sat Apr 12, 2008 @ 06:41pm


	Haha, that's the magic of programming with computers. Something breaks in Calcutta, and an ice cream shop in Norway explodes. I love the CAPTCHA, great idea, and faster loading ads are great: I find that the ad banners are actually the slowest thing to load... it's rather aggravating, so it's good to hear it's being fixed. Controversy! Well, it's not controversy any more. It started out as concern, and I think most people's fears have been quelled. heart

Commented on: Sat Apr 12, 2008 @ 09:00pm


	I've been getting quite a few unreadable captchas on the profile commenting page, and that bothered me at first, but I saw there's a link to generate a new one. But sometimes, I'll have to generate a few before I get one I can actually read. eek Moof!

DogCow
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xioalander
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Commented on: Sat Apr 12, 2008 @ 10:14pm


	CAPTCHA = Win! :3

Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 02:32am


	I was confuzzled at first about the CAPTCHA, but then I figured it was for the spammers/bots. Gives him lots and lots of coffee I got nummy coffee here actually. And reading the word coffee is making me want to make a pot. x.x Thanks for the update.

PinkMeansEvil
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[ Rose ]
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Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 04:21am


	Thank you for CAPTCHA! I think it'll help quite a bit. 3nodding

Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 09:46pm


	The CAPTCHA's great, thanks. 3nodding Controversy? ...Oh, that one. sweatdrop

Verbicide
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moona childa
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Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 09:46pm


	wow! almost every one who post a comment was looking like a rich!!! woh! VS

Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 09:48pm


	Thanks for the updates! Oh, and I thought I should tell you hot chocolate is way better then coffee! blaugh Try it.... DRINK HOT CHOCOLATE OR I'll EAT YOUR HAIR! evil has had too much sugar eek Right, anyways, thank you for the updates, especially the CAPTCHA!

The Terra Knight
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Pickle Inspector
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Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 09:53pm


	gaia contraversy that probably will be long

Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 09:57pm


	I beleive you should add CAPTCHA to the rest of gaia so that bots can't send scam links to phishing sites or sites with keyloggers. It would reduce chances in the Welcome to gaia forum of newbies getting hacked and also reduce the irritating problem in the chatterbox (I had 5 to 6 posts in my thread in the chatterbox that where scams. xp ) Helpful Links: Complete List of Administrators, Moderators, and Developers\| Terms of Service \| Rules & Guidelines \| Report a Hacking \| Report a Scamming \| Report an Abuse or Harrassment \| Avoid Getting Hacked \| Ultimate Guide on Making Gold \| Evolving Items

The_Angel_Raziel
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I Poot Lime Green Chaos
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Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 09:57pm


	i personally really hate the CAPTCHA thing in the profiles. cuz sometimes, you can't read it even after clicking the [choose 2 new words] button 100 times. it's really annoying, i really hope that you guys don't put it in the forums cuz if the people don't want span in their threads, they can just delete the post ><

Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 09:57pm


	thats okay

kleinerpanda
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MonkieXD
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Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 09:58pm


	The CAPTCHA protection is quite troublesome. I think it should be optional to have it in ones profile. Cause most of the times I can't seem to read the words with the line crossed through it. So those who think they're getting spam have the options of using it and those who don't like it can not? I hope I made some sense...

Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 09:59pm


	The CAPTCHA protection is quite troublesome. I think it should be optional to have it in ones profile. Cause most of the times I can't seem to read the words with the line crossed through it. So those who think they're getting spam have the options of using it and those who don't like it can not? I hope I made some sense...

MonkieXD
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steak for dinner
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Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 10:01pm


	Woo! All of these updates are awesome!!! And nice closure XD I'll be waiting for the controversy. biggrin

Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 10:01pm


	I NEVER SEEN THIS MOD BEFORE!?...

Piixie_Pwn
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hyphin55
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Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 10:04pm


	thanks for keeping me updated

Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 10:04pm


	It would also be nice if we could choose whether or not to use the captcha on our own profiles. -Chema That's what I tried/ wanted to say.

MonkieXD
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Shiver`
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Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 10:06pm


	Thank you thank you thank you for the CAPTCHA in profiles feature! So happy to that was added, and can only hope it will be added to the arenas to cut back on spam comments, or the dire plot of doing the same shock image trolling/botting in the arenas.

Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 10:07pm


	Looking forward to the 'contraversy in Gaia'! Do ou have to have Jounal entries approved now before you start an e-riot?

ShrinkWrapped
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XX_TigaLily_XX
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Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 10:13pm


	thx 4 the update wink http://fc01.deviantart.com/fs31/f/2008/207/d/8/Monster_Energy_by_oliviamaxwell.jpg

Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 10:18pm


	Captcha does slow down spam, but it is possible for people to automate a captcha filler. The reason that I say this is there have been a rash of false programs that involve the use of captcha to play a game, everytime something is entered into this program, it sends the input into a database along with the picture code.

Nocturne of the Winds
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Boy DelDios
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Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 10:21pm


	I'm sure you all can do it. biggrin you all always do a great job. biggrin

Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 10:30pm


	Thx for keeping us updated...i like to be informed about gaia!! heart heart heart

Bluestarryloco
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France Hopper
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Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 10:34pm


	Amazing how many comments you get when the link to your journal is in an announcement lol. Amazing how many comments appear to be for gold...

Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 10:51pm


	@Lady No. You see, the pop-ups are for extra money. The adverts who ask them to put it up send so much money. Its kinda hard to explain for me to you. You just gotta know it really.

LabTechJK
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manat
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Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 10:52pm


	cool noce diary man and also cool stories lol

Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 10:55pm


	thanx

Darkness_Devil356
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KittiCat563
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Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 11:01pm


	nice journle and its really long i like long. 4laugh 4laugh 4laugh

Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 11:03pm


	The captcha will be great if anyone ever tries to spam us. But in my case, I never get spammed so will there be a way we can choose whether or not we actually have the captcha used on our own profiles? I personally don't want it on mine.

Mistress Rozalia
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EbeleRoderick
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Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 11:09pm


	I should always read your journal entry for updates...subscribes >wwww>; ~Mizu

Commented on: Sun Apr 13, 2008 @ 11:09pm


	hi thanks for the databass and i have a question can i have ur benny the puppy please please please please please please please i beg please?

kittenprincess21
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