Since there are threads here announcing when GimpTalk is down, I think I'm entitiled to announce when it is back up.

Whereas there were some annoying database issues the last few days these seem to have subsided now. As usual we work mostly in the dark when it comes to our server - the server owners are not really big on communicating to us just what goes on in server-land. What that "account suspended" warning was some days ago - noone knows. And from experience I suspect we never will.

To stem the spam (which showed no sign of being affected by captchas nor by completely rewriting all security questions semi-regularly), we have now enforced a policy where new users need to get their first post approved manually by moderators. This means that there may take a little while before new users see their posts, unfortunately. The upside is that this should in one blow nearly completely hide the spambot postings from normal members, while streamlining spamfighting for the GT moderators.
.
Griatch

Great news Griatch. That idea may indeed work too. I would actually give new posters 3 times before allowing them carte-blanche. May the spammers all die I say.

Good thing about spambot posts is that they are easy to spot. Their first post is usually enough to recognize a legit newcomer from the bots. In the very rare occation when it's unclear we can always handle that separately. We'll see how it goes.

Great news Griatch. Thanks for the update. Yes you are most definitely welcome to post any news about Gimp Talk here.
Normally disallowing any links or attachments in newly registered users posts until they have posted 3-5 times will make most spammers give up after a couple of tries. Not allowing guest posting at all is another way to cut down on spam.

Of course! Many of us are Gimp Talk members and were before Gimp Chat came into being.

Very good news!