[Dxspider-support] Cluster Abuse and IP Addresses

[Ian Maude]

I see your point Lee but I am not sure it is our place to adjudicate in
contests unless asked.  There will always be cheats.  Unless you take up
Rolands suggestion of a shared user/password type database, it is almost
impossible to do.  Are you suggesting that we compare the IP address against
some kind of IP address database?  What happens if a user changes ISP?

73 Ian

2009/11/25 Lee Sawkins <ve7cc at shaw.ca>

> Hi Ian.
>
> I agree that registration does probably cut down on some abuse.
> However, the main purpose of the cluster system is to supply correct DX
> information.  If the users aren't who they say they are, the spots that
> they are entering are not correct dx information.  Some of these spots
> are from those who wish to win contests at any cost.  One way is to spot
> themselves over and over again using a variety of calls.  This gives
> them an unfair advantage over those who have to be wait to be spotted by
> someone who actually hears them.  During non contest times some users
> simply spot themselves with other calls in order to not be accused of
> self spotting.
>
> Lee
>
>
> Ian Maude wrote:
> >
> > 2009/11/24 Lee Sawkins <ve7cc at shaw.ca>
> >
> >      How does registration work with DX Spider nodes?  Can I just
> >      log into a
> >      cluster with any call I want and request registration and it
> >      will be
> >      given, or is there some checking to verify that I really am
> >      who I say I
> >      am?
> >
> > I have been running registration for some time now Lee and it is
> > simply a deterrent.  There is no way to prove that someone is who they
> > say they are but I have had no issues.  I can also stop any abuse that
> > is seen by simply removing the registration from that user until I can
> > work out what is happening.
> > If a user wants more security they can have a password but that of
> > course works only on the node they normally connect to.
> > I have over 2000 registered users on the two nodes I run and I have
> > had no problems so far.
> > As a sysop, I feel it is my duty to check the cluster and try to be
> > aware of any issues that crop up.  I also have the time to do it these
> > days :)  Unfortunately, some feel they can simply install the software
> > and let it run itself, sometimes to the detriment of the network.
> > I strongly suggest that sysops require registration for their nodes.
> >  I can check the IP addresses of locally connected users easily and I
> > can RCMD that information from another cluster with Spider.  I cannot
> > look at the IP address of anyone else though of course.  However, I do
> > not totally see the need to in a network with the simple addition of
> > registration.
> >
> > 73 Ian
> >
> > --
> > Ian J Maude, G0VGS
> > SysOp GB7MBC & HB9DRV-9 DX Clusters
> > Member RSGB, GQRP 9838, FISTS 14077 | K3 #455
> > http://www.amateurradiotraining.org
>
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