This will not work as a private forum. We may be attacked but we cannot survive as a private entity. Let's return to the public domain post haste!

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2004

Answers

Why won't it work?

I have received e-mails from most of the posters and lurkers. You wouldn't believe who reads the posts on the forum.

Anyway, I have had, until now, no complaints on putting a password on the board. People understand that in order to keep profanity and objectionable material off this board, some measures needed to be taken. The regulars didn't want to move to a new board, and the code used to write this one doesn't offer the security that would make using a password unnecessary.

Update: I have gotten phone calls from the ISP of our attacker, as well as the police. His internet connection will be revoked, and the police are working with the ISP to investigate his lifestyle/behavior.

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2004

Well, this is the age of Homeland Security so it's only a matter of time when we all share in the reduction of individual liberties on this BB for necessary precautions. I don't like the long check-point lines at airline terminals since 9-1-1 but I have adjusted. I also don't like reaching in my wallet and producing positive identification to enter the US Capitol, Libray of Congress or the Supreme Court but I dig out that ID if I wish to enter. We'll adjust and over time I suspect the volumne of activity will return to its pre-May 2004 level. The inconvenience created by typing in a password represents a small price to promote network security, maximize discussion of AME topics and help exterminate the ilch of some "visitors" who wish to spew profanity and sexual debauchery on this site. QED

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2004

Bro. Harold I appreciate your question and particularly Bro. Bill's opinion on this subject. This will ease off soon and maybe we could return to a non-secured status. The world has not omproved much and therefore we may need to be aptient a little longer. As you know I have sent the password to you and others. We will be back to full steam soon. Blessings Nalton

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2004

The system works! Since I have to keep up with ebay and paypal once every eight months when Ineed to ordr printer ink. The pass word required to get on the AME BB is convenient.

Thaks Bro. John!

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2004

It would have been nice if it could the forum could have remained open without a password; but since the password insures that the system will not be defaced then I'm all for it. We can always share the password with people we trust if they wish to participate or monitor the discussions.

Kirk

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2004

Brother Gibson,

You took the words right out of my mouth - but, I have to agree that the password is a necessary step and its just a matter of time before we're back up to strength.

In Christ,

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2004

Just a comment: I see no problem with the password, works for me. What does trouble me is that Rev. Harper somehow suspected that I was the culprit, even after he has explained it to me I still am unable to understand how I was suspected.

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2004

Sis. Ransom,

Let me clarify my rationale for verifying names.

There is database on this system of everyone who has posted. I selected those individuals who had posted at least once since 2004. I sent an e-mail blast to those addresses.

Here's the catch: I haven't met many of you. If your e-mail address could not identify you (revjtharper@earthlink.net is self- explanatory), and I had not corresponded with you personally, or you hadn't posted at all in 2004, when you asked for the password, I asked you to give me information that I could use to verify you.

Those that complied got in. If your original e-mail bounced back to me as undeliverable, you did not get the password. If your e-mail box did not or would not accept messages, you did not get the password.

For example: cooldude@hotmail.com tells me nothing about you. Anyone can get a hotmail account, including the attacker of the board. This type of e-mail address would either have been left off the original e- mail, or challenged for more information when a password request was made.

For the record: I never said you were a suspect. If it appeared that the e-mail was addressesd only to you, it's because I used the BCC (Blind Carbon Copy) feature of my e-mail package.

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2004

Heavenly Father

Thank you for this web site. I want to thank you right now for the protection that you are going to give this site. I also want to thank you for the wisdom that you are going to give your servant Rev. John Harper in operating this site. These blessings I acknowledge in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2004

I would rather not have psssword protection but you have to protect the integrity of the board. I wonder if we ignored the culprits, would they tire and go away?

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2004

Jazzman, AMEN!

-- Anonymous, June 05, 2004

Thank you for all the responses and I want to be clear that this is in no way a criticism of Rev. Harper, he did what any moderator must do in the time of a crisis. I just want people to be able to find this forum the way I did-- by accident.

I enjoy reading and posting on this forum. I find the diversity (excuse me, republican tag team and RP) of views expressed in forum lively and informative. I often disagree with a post or two but I think God that he does not limit the benefit of salvation to people who think this way or that way.

This forum has been a light and I hope that it continues to shine brightly so that all can see and be blessed by it.

John Harper please accept my kudos you have undertaken a daunting task and you continue to have my prayers and support.

-- Anonymous, June 05, 2004

Bro. Harper,

Perhaps a possible solution that would help pacify some would be to keep the BB open to all for reading, but requiring a password when one wishes to write (post or reply to a posting) to the BB. This method is used for some BB's that I visit.

Is this possible here?

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2004

Sorry, but the security features on this board only give us one option. I must password-protect the entire board, or have no protection at all.

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2004

Honestly, I believe it would be nice to have a public forum, but that is no longer an option. Unfortunately, there are people who like to hack and destroy postings and publish pornogrophy on a Christian webstite as a lark.

I thank Rev. Harper for all that he has done to protect the AME Website.

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2004

Mary, the people who post that kind of garbage on faith-based sites IMO, are demon possesed. The person attacking sites like this one is under investigation by the Henderson Nevada Police and the FBI after Cox has revoked his Internet connection. Since this person has impersonated me and caused lots of problems in these boards, I'm considering filing a lawsuit against him and his cohorts.

-- Anonymous, June 10, 2004