I am considering making a change to block Tor users from accessing BLF. The reason is fairly simple: 100% of the persistent trolls and other problem users we’ve had around here use Tor, and they often use it to come back under other usernames.
But I wanted to check first with our users: Does anybody have a legitimate need to access BLF over Tor? Users behind the Great China Firewall perhaps?
Not that it would directly affect the forum, but I don’t think the admin would want to help facilitate users breaking company policy anyway.
It is kind of ironic that this could block users from the country where most of the products we’re interested in originates. However, I’m for blocking it if it’s causing a problem here. This is not a political or humanitarian activities related site where blocking tor could result in oppression or harm, unless you count not being able to find good deals on flashlights a human rights violation. Although I suspect some may see it as such.
Is sending a PM to members asking for an opinion an option? Especially if you’re able to know which members are using Tor? I think the majority of members are not active on a daily basis, let alone there is a likeliness they don’t see this thread.
I have emailed Dale at Haikelite China... I am not aware of them using this system. He is currently traveling from his home back to the factory so it may be a day at least before he gets the email and can respond.
Hmmm, I suppose that’s an idea. It’s just that it will never be possible to really get a consensus from all the users. Usually a rough percentage of the responses is enough to get a pretty accurate overview of a situation. If anybody is concerned about a particular Chinese vendor, feel free to contact them and send them a link to this thread.
I actually don’t anticipate that anyone will get totally blocked from using BLF if Tor gets blocked. I believe that most Chinese users usually use VPNs and not Tor, but I’d just like to make sure before making any changes.
I consider myself a complete computer noob, but Tor is related to torrent or not? Pirate bay… Illegal downloads and stuff. You cannot be traced, because the data traffic goes via thousands of different IP addresses… Or something. I’m just free styling here, but is sort of my understanding of Tor.