[Chirb] Uger 0.6.1 on Chirb.org / Absence of Guest RSVP Option

[Peter K Chan]

Hello,
	Just want to let you know that I have updated Uger on chirb.org
to version 0.6.1. This is a minor release, but I do want to point out
that the guest RSVP option has been hidden because of the security
requirement at Aon Center, such that everyone should RSVP for themselves
with their name (thanks to Josh at Thoughtworks for the reminder).

	Read on if you want to know the details for this new version.

	Another thing that you may have noticed, if you have tried to
RSVP recently, was the spamming done by automated bots. I have been
cleaning the spam entries manually, but I finally decided that a new
release with some built-in anti-spam mechanism would be in order.

	Normally, CAPTCHA would be a logical choice. However, I like how
easy it is to sign up and RSVP for events for Chirb, so I wanted to
preserve that ease and not to drop a CAPTCHA in and make everyone solve
a puzzle every time you want to RSVP for event.

	Currently, the anti-spam feature uses some heuristics to block
automated entries. First of all, Uger now enforces the rule that you
need to use a real email for your login name. Also, if you try to post
any hyperlink, your account need to be at least 1 hour old. Both fences
are meant to be invisible; you should not notice them if you have been a
regular Chirb-goer, but they should be a good defense against spambots
(unless they also read this list, which I hope they don't yet).

	I am aware that these are very simplistics rules, but I hope
that they can block most kinds of automated spamming. Of course, nothing
preclude us from adding CAPTCHA or other anti-spam features down the
road.

	Hope to see some of you at Monday's meeting.

Peter