A little complaint about the failures with the login history page has turned into an attack of my character.
No one seems to believe that there is a problem with the page, I keep getting the old “It works for me, so it must be your computer” line.
So let’s clarify a few obvious problems with that statement!
- I’m not an idiot!
- Other users have mentioned this problem to me (I’m refusing to divulge their information to save them from being attacked!)
- I have tested from both home and work
- I have used multiple computers
- I have used various browsers
- Family members have the same problem
- See #1
I’ve attempted to follow Dragelet’s request to solve this via email, but only received an excuse about me not being a player?
In one of my posts on the ELF message board I’ve made a statement about why nobody else is complaining about the page problem… after seeing the way I’ve been attacked, why should anyone else step forward?
So I’ve decided to add a poll to my blog.
The first question is whether the login history page is accessible to you.
All voting will be anonymous!
That’s enough rambling for now… don’t forget to vote!
I’ve decided I’m going to immortalise some of the messages from ELF’s message board here 🙂
Message: 8 Thu Nov 9 09:43:15 2006 (Public)
To: ALL
From: FIREFLY
Subject: Interesting IP statistics from last round
Sun Nov 5 23:45:37 CST - 205.175.121.??? - ARISTOTLE
Sun Nov 5 23:30:44 CST - 205.175.121.??? - ICKABOD THE TURTLE
Sun Nov 5 23:34:06 CST - 205.175.121.??? - PATHONATOR
Fri Nov 3 23:12:38 CST - 205.175.121.??? - VESTIAN
Thu Nov 2 21:11:41 CST - 216.186.65.??? - ARISTOTLE
Thu Nov 2 21:23:18 CST - 216.186.65.??? - CANNIBAL
Thu Nov 2 21:10:34 CST - 216.186.65.??? - CICERO
Wed Nov 8 15:35:01 CST - 66.161.166.??? - ARISTOTLE
Tue Nov 7 19:01:43 CST - 66.161.166.??? - BALLER
Mon Nov 6 15:32:40 CST - 66.161.166.??? - GONNAFINDIT
Tue Nov 7 11:13:25 CST - 66.161.166.??? - JSCO
Tue Nov 7 16:45:06 CST - 66.161.166.??? - MIRRORMIRROR
Tue Nov 7 13:28:58 CST - 66.161.166.??? - OH YOU DIDNT KNOW?
Mon Nov 6 18:08:17 CST - 66.161.166.??? - STARCRAFT
Mon Nov 6 13:45:15 CST - 66.161.166.??? - WRESTLEMANIA
Tue Nov 7 18:41:56 CST - 66.161.166.??? - YAHMON
Tue Nov 7 09:54:49 CST - 66.162.112.??? - JSCO
Tue Nov 7 09:18:02 CST - 66.162.112.??? - MIRRORMIRROR
Tue Nov 7 09:46:37 CST - 66.162.112.??? - WRESTLEMANIA
Sat Nov 4 02:44:27 CST - 67.160.71.??? - CANNIBAL
Tue Nov 7 15:48:07 CST - 71.197.235.??? - HYPERION
Sat Nov 4 14:17:49 CST - 71.197.235.??? - SCOUT 7
Mon Nov 6 16:39:18 CST - 71.212.48.??? - ARISTOTLE
Fri Nov 3 13:59:25 CST - 71.212.48.??? - CANNIBAL
Fri Nov 3 14:09:13 CST - 71.212.48.??? - CICERO
Tue Nov 7 18:34:50 CST - 71.212.48.??? - HYPERION
Fri Nov 3 17:49:46 CST - 71.212.48.??? - ICKABOD THE TURTLE
Fri Nov 3 13:17:58 CST - 71.212.48.??? - PATHONATOR
Fri Nov 3 16:57:20 CST - 71.212.48.??? - SCOUT 7
Tue Nov 7 14:30:19 CST - 71.212.48.??? - THE EBOLA VIRUS
Fri Nov 3 02:08:32 CST - 71.212.70.??? - VESTIAN
I removed (NEW USER) from lines that had it to make things fit here.
Draw your own conclusions. This came from this morning's login_history
file.
Message: 9 Sun Nov 12 08:10:34 2006 (Public)
To: FIREFLY
From: ANONYMOUS
Subject: Interesting IP statistics from last round
And the truth is revealed at last!
Since the post from Firefly, the login history page appears to have been
disabled! Obviously the anti-cheating establishment wants to ensure that
nobody else is caught cheating? Caught being the operative word!
Visit http://ioresort.com for your next real game.
Yours truely,
Nobody!
Message: 10 Sun Nov 12 09:31:15 2006 (Public)
To: ANONYMOUS
From: SIVART
Subject: Interesting IP statistics from last round
what are you talking about? The login page works fine. I can see you logged
in from 220.240.124.??? and a number of people after that too. Hmmm, actually
thats the same IP as the kry blog page. which i've read and can see the
same anti-active-sst-game propagada here too. You can have your ioresort
game with your 4 players. i'll stay here where its got enough competition
to be fun.
really kry if you hate the active game so much why do you even want to
check the logins? if you just played and got into the second game you'd
have a lot more fun.
Message: 12 Sun Nov 12 10:16:20 2006 (Public)
To: ANONYMOUS
From: VISTA
Subject: Interesting IP statistics from last round
Here's proof that i can view it:
Sun Nov 12 08:03:50 CST - 220.240.124.??? - ANONYMOUS
Sun Nov 12 08:40:21 CST - 82.12.254.??? - HMS KICK UR FAT ASS
Sun Nov 12 08:42:14 CST - 82.12.254.??? - HMS OZYMASTER
Sun Nov 12 09:07:04 CST - 70.80.96.??? - CRITTER
Sun Nov 12 09:21:30 CST - 12.217.205.??? - SIVART
Sun Nov 12 09:31:35 CST - 82.12.254.??? - HMS OZYMASTER
Sun Nov 12 09:34:05 CST - 12.217.205.??? - SIVART
Sun Nov 12 09:44:01 CST - 70.80.96.??? - CRITTER
Sun Nov 12 09:45:35 CST - 70.147.170.??? - MAJ ICEMAN
if you're having problems or questions you should email the server admin.
he has his email plainly posted on the http://sst.mob.net page.
Message: 15 Wed Nov 15 02:12:30 2006 (Public)
To: ALL
From: VESTIAN
Subject: WOW when did this message menu get so active?!
for the record...the sst admin email doesnt work...i just got a bounceback...
also FOR THE RECORD MR.BONES- i gave 2 of my ships to wrestlemania-
which is why some of the ips match for his ships and mine- "aristotle" "cicero
other than that...our sets of ships are totally different....if anyones really
interested, heres all the ships ive played thus far-
ickabod, pathonator, cannibal, cicero, aristotle, hyperion, and scout 7
double check ips on those if ya dont believe me...go ahead! i dare ya! lol
they sometimes change cause i play from cpu labs...and of course i gave
aristotle and cicero to wrestlemania, so those will be from his ips lately...
quit ur bellyachin and flee if ya cant handle it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
~- -Happy Huntings- -~
-ick;)~
Message: 16 Wed Nov 15 02:13:36 2006 (Public)
To: ALL
From: VESTIAN
Subject: i also play this ship...of course....lol;)~
Message: 17 Wed Nov 15 22:45:34 2006 (Public)
To: VESTIAN
From: INFEST
Subject: WOW when did this message menu get so active?!
are you sure about the bounce? I just sent him one too and it went through.
Or at least it hasn't bounced inthe last hour now. I asked him to log
in again and read and answer the messages. The Team & Player pages show
him as not logged in since Oct 22nd so he hasn't seen any of this so far.
Wes
Message: 18 Wed Nov 15 23:57:44 2006 (Public)
To: INFEST
From: VESTIAN
Subject: well...not positive bout the bounce...but heres what i recieved
Delivery to the following recipient failed permanently: elf-admin
Technical details of permanent failure:PERM_FAILURE: SMTP Error (state 9): 550
[elf-admin(at)sst.mob.net]: Recipient address rejected:
User unknown in relay recipient table
...
so maybe i had the wrong email? but the thats the one i got from the homepage
-ck
Message: 19 Thu Nov 16 12:08:01 2006 (Public)
To: VESTIAN
From: INFEST
Subject: well...not positive bout the bounce...but heres what i recieved
Thats the address I used. I know he also goes by dragelet@sst.mob.net
- at least back in the old days of starshiptraders.com
Message: 20 Fri Nov 17 00:32:21 2006 (Public)
To: ALL
From: DRAGELET
Subject: the game
Greetings all.
Well this has taken an interesting turn from what I was expecting. Now
here comes my winded response:
First of all. As I've mentioned in the start page and the main login page,
if you don't tell me who you think is cheating then I won't see it and
I won't know to take action. Don't expect me to drop in here to look for
public messages on a regular basis. Between more than 60 hours a week
of regular work, contract work on the side, and a toddler in my life I
just don't have time for logging into more games than the few that I already
do. For the Vestian (who couldn't email me) I'm not sure what the story
is there. I've received email from Infest this week and more than a few
from Ayradyss a while back. So unless something hiccuped on the mail server
I don't think it was ever not functioning. But no, I didn't get a mail
from Vestian. Please resend it Vestian.
Second. I'm not disabling the login page or blocking anyone at all. If
you're have a problem seeing the page it has nothing to do with my server.
You really need to take that up with your ISP. If you are having problems
getting to the page, just let me know who you are and I'd be happy to
set up a cron job on my server to send you a daily email of the logins
until you can sort out your technical problems. Or if you want to troubleshoot
it with me then take it up in private email, not on the message bases.
This board is for SST talk, not tech support for your PC problems.
Third, per the login log page I can see that this Firefly guy is Bestark
(or someone from his network). I'm a bit disappointed in Bestark for that.
And if Sivart is right about the other person being KRY (who i don't know
his IP but I know he's one of Bestark's henchmen) then I'm a little concerned...
I don't know what you guys are up to but if you're out to stir up trouble
for my quiet SST server then I'd appreciate if you quit. Is there something
that me or the users have done to cause you enough distress to launch
this stealth propaganda campaign against me and the site?
I guess the lesson to learn here is to check in more than once a month.
And to never assume common decency from those who I've never been hostile
towards in or outside of the games. Perhaps I unknowingly pissed off
Bestark and his henchmen but I'm not aware of when/how. I would just expect
far better behavior from fellow vets. Or perhaps I'm just naive about
sst players in general.
Hopefully this will stem some of the stupidity going on here. Just go
play the game and save the conspiracy theories for the players in the
game rather than the server admin.
Dragelet (dragelet@sst.mob.net)
Message: 21 Fri Nov 17 06:27:44 2006 (Public)
To: DRAGELET
From: ANONYMOUS
Subject: the game
lol Well I'm busted, but it's not like I was trying hard to hide my
identity :)
I don't actually play here, mainly due to your anti-client policy, but
several players have mentioned to me that they felt users were abusing
the ship-limit policy. Your post now makes it clear that they should
notify you via email with their concerns.
As for the login page, there are definitely issues there. I often get
asked to check the page due to other users appearing to be blocked.
What really seemed strange is that I've always been able to get to the
page, until last week when it worked one day, and hasn't worked since!
And of course I'm trying to stir up some trouble... without it all of
our conspiracy theories would of remained unanswered!!!! :P
But let's save the other players from having to listen to our verbal
drool. If you want my assistance in resolving the log page issue send
me an email...
KRY (tlr.kry@gmail.com)
Message: 22 Fri Nov 17 11:01:57 2006 (Public)
To: ANONYMOUS
From: SIVART
Subject: the game
If you don't like the "anti-client policy" (that I've never heard of before
you said it now) then why do you log in? I don't like the TLR format so
I don't log in there anymore. Rather than logging in and complaining about
this and that, just don't log in.
Or rather that spewing attacks at the effort the admin is making to stop/detect
people over the ship limit just because you don't like something about
here, you ought contact him and ask him to alter whatever you don't like
about the server. He's written messages many times before asking for advice
on game changes and has been very receptive to suggested changes. And
even if the cheating effort he makes is somewhat minimal and also not
difficult to work around, its a hell of a lot better than what I see in
other games of sst.
Per the admin's message, if you or these "other users" (that for some
reason come to you for these things) can't figure out how to view the
logs you need then he offered to email them to you. It seems pretty straight
forward and honest to me.
Message: 24 Fri Nov 17 19:10:23 2006 (Public)
To: ANONYMOUS
From: INFEST
Subject: the game
how could there be an anti-client policy? it would be impossible to enforce.
I just tried and was able to log in with one of my old saved clients from
TLF. So I know they are capable of being used even if there against some
policy of Drag's. don't be such a hater.. just play the game and enjoy.
Wes
Message: 29 Sat Nov 18 05:43:21 2006 (Public)
To: INFEST
From: ANONYMOUS
Subject: the game
The anti-client policy I'm referring to is the blocking of the
'client' port that my client uses. It's the same port that
Kirelli's GUI client utilised.
I could rewrite my client to use telnet, or even http, but
there are features with the client port that makes clients
easier to use and control.
KRY
Message: 30 Sat Nov 18 06:05:13 2006 (Public)
To: SIVART
From: ANONYMOUS
Subject: the game
LOL I log in here very rarely, I'm lucky if it's once a week.
I've noticed the radio on TLR is a lot quieter now that you're not
logging in complaining and telling everyone that this is the better
game! :P
And I'm not spewing attacks at anyone, I was just pointing out that
there was a coincedence between someone posting about potential
cheating, and the sudden increase in problems accessing the login page.
And what cheating in the other sst games are you referring too?
Apart from ppl exceeding the ship limits (which is a problem in all
sst games), I'm not aware of any other cheating?
Honestly, I think Dragelet's intentions to try and reduce cheating
should be commended, but as he's finding out, it's very difficult
to deliver.
Now for the login page problem... I've had the occasional look (when
it use to work for me), but then I kept hearing about difficulties
in accessing it. As it stands right now, I'm unable to access the
page from home or from work. I've tested with NT4/2000/XP/2003/Vista
and every browser that I know of. But as per Dragelet's request, I'm
going to email him and see if we can get this problem resolved.
KRY
Message: 33 Sat Nov 18 12:49:34 2006 (Public)
To: ANONYMOUS
From: DRAGELET
Subject: the game
Can you give me any non-selfish reasons that I should open a port that
is used exclusively for software for certain users that most or all others
don't know about or have access to? My opinion of clients on the client-port
is that it gives the user an advantage over ther other interfaces or otherwise
they wouldn't be using them. I believe a game should have a level playing
field for all.
And Infest is right, I can't stop one from working over telnet. So if
you wanted one bad enough to rewrite yours then you could get your way
whether I liked it or not.
Message: 36 Sat Nov 18 14:16:15 2006 (Public)
To: ANONYMOUS
From: DRAGELET
Subject: the game
I starting replying to your email a little bit ago but then I came to
the realization that it didn't make sense to. You aren't a player. You
don't intend to become one. The logins are of no concern to you. Am I
right or is that an unreasonable statement?
Message: 38 Sat Nov 18 18:21:08 2006 (Public)
To: ALL
From: VESTIAN
Subject: who mentioned katrina kirelli ?!
*ssiiggghhhhh*
wheres Kat when you need her...she'd slap these newbs around a bit...
for everyones sake...
~-= =-~Happy Hunting~-= =-~
-ick
Message: 40 Sat Nov 18 18:52:10 2006 (Public)
To: DRAGELET
From: ANONYMOUS
Subject: the game
No I'm not a player... but that's a lame excuse for not fixing the
problem that is affecting some of your players.
How about a compromise then? I'll help you fix and identify the bug,
and then you'll never hear from me again!
*sigh*
KRY
Message: 41 Sat Nov 18 18:57:13 2006 (Public)
To: DRAGELET
From: ANONYMOUS
Subject: the game
You're right, my usage of the client port is selfish...
And yes there are a few advantages the client port gives the users,
but that's the way Ray wrote it.
The fact that I don't rewrite my client is due to laziness, and also
out of respect that you didn't want clients playing here.
That's why I DON'T play here... does that mean I shouldn't log in
and check the boards every now and then?
Cheers,
KRY
Message: 43 Sat Nov 18 20:48:58 2006 (Public)
To: ANONYMOUS
From: INFEST
Subject: the game
lol!
So, let me get this straight. I can view the login history, Sivert can
(since he posted it), Bestark can (since he also posted it), and no one
besides you has complained. But yet you insist its a problem with the
server? Well that makes all the sense in the world!
Message: 44 Sat Nov 18 23:34:17 2006 (Public)
To: INFEST
From: ANONYMOUS
Subject: the game
I'm trying really hard to stay objective about this...
You're correct I no longer have access, and yes there are no
other people complaining, because have you looked at how much
trouble I'm having to go through?
Is it any wonder nobody else has complained?
There is a problem, and it affects me both at home and at work...
I have asked members of my family to try, all with no luck.
That's a total of 7 different source addresses?
The only other explanation is that the admins have blocked access
to that page, but why would they do that?
KRY
Message: 45 Sun Nov 19 03:52:41 2006 (Public)
To: ANONYMOUS
From: INFEST
Subject: the game
So you're saying that just because you and these presumed third parties
(aka, your relatives) can't configure your PCs or network setting well
enough to view some web page that vast numbers of people are having the
same problems and yet no one has complained? You spin quite the story.
If the server has been up since last December and this problem has existed
since then I'm sure people weren't holding out an entire year waiting
to see you challenge the admin here rather than write in on their own
to ask about the problem.
It's clear that you don't know that the word Objective means. Its egregious
that you are letting your personal feelings get in the way of rational
thought here. I've seen your blog. Its clearly anti ELF (isn't that what
this place is called?). You can pretend to be innocent all you want but
you have some sort of flagrant hatred or at least dislike for this SST
game server. If you've fogotten go look at your blog posts saying there's
a conspiracy to hide cheaters or that this is the play server where no
challange exists. I personally don't blame Dragalet for not going out
of his way to help you fix you and your relatives PC problems... hell,
if I were him I'd just block you from even logging in for as much of a
pain as you are being.
Dragelet has done an excellent job and providing a good home to the old
SST users who don't like the new formats. If you don't like that then
just go away.
Message: 46 Sun Nov 19 05:36:04 2006 (Public)
To: INFEST
From: ANONYMOUS
Subject: the game
If you've got a problem with my blog, take it up with me there.
It's definitely not anti-ELF though? There's a total of 3 posts
about ELF, and I've had this game listed in the Active Games area?
Now, if you weren't so busy trying to abuse me, you'd notice that
I have on several occasions mentioned that the login history page
DID work, until recently. That is what I'm trying to resolve.
I've started a poll on my blog about whether the login history page
works for you or not... I suggest you use one of your many IP's to
cast your vote for the affirmitave.
KRY
http://kry.is-a-geek.org
More messages from the ELF boards
Message: 47 Sun Nov 19 08:52:34 2006 (Public)To: ANONYMOUS
From: DRAGELET
Subject: the game
Hah. Kry, you crack me up. Do you honestly think I'm sitting at home with
all my spare time watching the apache logs looking for you and your relatives
(how the hell would I know who your relatives are anyway?) and setting
up blocks in apache for you? You really do flatter yourself that I would
go so far out of my way to block you and your extended family. Just so
you understand the magnitute of my efforts, I have also blocked your neighbors'
IPs, your mistress's IP, your dentist's IP, your old college roomate's
IP, your driving instructor from High School's IP, the IP of the young
man who you claim to be "just friends" with in Ohio, and the boogey man
who lives in your closet's IP address. All just so you can't access some
page that doesn't amount to squat let alone this big stupid back and forth
conversation.
Message: 48 Sun Nov 19 08:53:53 2006 (Public)
To: INFEST
From: DRAGELET
Subject: the game
Thanks Infest. You have some good points but lets net get over zealous
about this. I think someone needs to spend some time in the funny farm
to tone down his conspiracy theories. Kry is downright being a troll (http://en.
wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_trolls). Don't "feed" the troll by replying.
Message: 49 Sun Nov 19 09:01:59 2006 (Public)
To: ANONYMOUS
From: DRAGELET
Subject: the game
So far (while looking at the working login history page) I've seen Infest
only log in from a single IP/network.
Just so you know, I'm not going to continue with this insanity here or
over there. Its clear that you're trolling and have no reason to even
be having this conversation. This has far surpassed the 5 minutes this
entire conversation should have taken. If Infest wants to follow you to
troll land then he can.
Good day KRY, Bestark, and whichever other trolling henchmen show up.
Dragelet
Message: 50 Sun Nov 19 11:33:15 2006 (Public)
To: VESTIAN
From: RED OCTOBER
Subject: who mentioned katrina kirelli ?!
does Kat still play? Haven't seen her in any game in many many months.
Message: 51 Sun Nov 19 11:35:50 2006 (Public)
To: ALL
From: RED OCTOBER
Subject: team
anyone looking for an old player to join there team to help drive up the
score a little? I'm rusty... i haven't played for a while because i thought
ray took the domain offline. but low and behold, a google search brought
me back here! Any interested parties, just PM me and i'll app to your
team. thanks
Message: 55 Sun Nov 19 20:37:42 2006 (Public)
To: ANONYMOUS
From: SIVART
Subject: self-selected internet poll
Internet on-line polls do not ever gather valid information. Use them
for entertainment only.
First off: an on-line poll cannot be valid because it is a self selected
poll. Even if the objective is to find the opinion of those who select
themselves, participation rates will vary according to the answers.
Secondly: only a very select set of people will even know about any particular
on-line poll. It will never be a valid demographic cross section.
Third: the questions, as with most targeted polls, such as those put forth
by political "researchers" are likely to be tailored to get particular
answers.
Most Important, if the poll is on any meaningful subject, it will be stuffed
and distorted. The internet enables very fast communications, and the
word to stuff the poll will be quickly broadcast within particular interest
groups.
^ Text stole from: http://www.aaxnet.com/topics/polls.html
In summary, your poll will be as ineffective as your ability to browse
working websites.