Another one, yes.
But it's simple: make it so that users need to have at least 1 post to start new threads (with exception of Troubleshooting forum and - if the notion passes - the Introductions forum ).
This way the register-bots will not be capable of posting their junk, and human users just need to participate in any discussion going on at the time to be free from the restriction.

What about the bots raising the member-count to irreasonable hights? :huh:
Doesn't matter or will it they cleansed from the member-list.

(Oh my, even more cleaning to do... We could use an Abandonia charwoman! :blink: )

That's something that might be remedied by deleting them.
They won't do much harm if they cannot spam, though.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Icewolf @ Apr 23 2007, 03:18 PM) [snapback]288103[/snapback]</div>Well, there were some discusions before about deleting members with 0 posts...

Anyway - I think Horeseman's idea has potential. There was something I saw on a Slovenian forum - you couldn't open a new thread unless you were an member for two weeks (don't know if that could help against the bots though).

We've had a lot of hit-and-run bots in 3xBlah recently (they sometimes pop in other forums as well).
They just register, post a single thread full of adlinks and then vanish.
So, if they're unable to post new threads -> they won't spam -> less work for the staff cleaning it up.

I think it's a great idea, particularly because the majority of the 3xblah bots are all about hardcore porn lately and it's pretty repugnant.

It sounds very practical to me :)

Another option would be to add a CAPTCHA (huh?), to distinguish users from bots. Not for every post off course, but only when starting a new discussion. It's not watertight, but still...

Its a little weird tought that all the bots spam by starting topics. On the other forums where I go, bots spam just by posting whereever they can.

Great idea fifth!
...and what about insert a time limit?(You can't post for XX minutes)

The time limit is currently set for 30 seconds. Anything above that might end up being inconvenient for the forum users.