FYI: Old accounts cleanup - accidentally deleted members show up as "Guest"

[Dianyla]

As some of you have noticed, our registered users count was above 35,000! This can pose a high burden on our server and database, and so I have started to do some housecleaning.

Tonight, I have cleaned up about 1200 old accounts (registered more than 1 year ago) that did not have a verified/authorized email address. These never-completed new registrations are probably not going to finish by now...

In the near future, I will also be deleting the horde of registered bot accounts, there are about 3500 of those. Note that all 3500 were banned one-by-one by the moderation team over the course of the past year. That's a lot of work!

This is just an FYI. If anyone experiences any problems with their account or is suddenly unable to login, please contact the mod team. Thanks!


(adminly message)

[tigr]

Tonight, I have cleaned up about 1200 old accounts (registered more than 1 year ago) that did not have a verified/authorized email address.

Thank you!

In the near future, I will also be deleting the horde of registered bot accounts, there are about 3500 of those. Note that all 3500 were banned one-by-one by the moderation team over the course of the past year. That's a lot of work!

Thanks to the mod team for all their hard work!

[chopandchange]

Just a question though: if they aren't able to log in, how exactly are they going to contact the mod team? Is there some kind of general email address visible to non-registered members?

[Dianyla]

Just a question though: if they aren't able to log in, how exactly are they going to contact the mod team? Is there some kind of general email address visible to non-registered members?

Anonymous/unregistered members will hopefully see this here in Site Support, and then they can email the TLHC Staff account: tlhcstaff@gmail.com

ETA: They used to be able to reply without logging in here in Site Support but no longer.

[chopandchange]

Oh I see! Thank you, Dianyla. I didn't know that.

[Tresses]

Great idea, Dianyla. Have you also considered deleting members who've never posted and haven't even logged in after x-many years? Their accounts would be considered dormant, yes?

[LaurelSpring]

Anonymous/unregistered members will hopefully see this here in Site Support, and then they can email the TLHC Staff account: tlhcstaff@gmail.com

ETA: They used to be able to reply without logging in here in Site Support but no longer.

Thanks for posting this just in case. I didnt know this.

[Gumball]

Thanks for posting this just in case. I didnt know this.

If you also happen to need a way to remember it in the future, it's associated with the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of every page.

[snowbear]

Last time there was a clean-out I went from #4600 to #3028. I'm looking forward to seeing what my number will be now.
...Because I am a dork.

Thanks for your hard work, Dianyla!

[SimplyViki]

Last time there was a clean-out I went from #4600 to #3028. I'm looking forward to seeing what my number will be now.
...Because I am a dork.

Thanks for your hard work, Dianyla!

You mean our numbers change?!?! I had no idea. I wonder if mine has ever changed? Do the mods always announce clean-outs? I don't think there's been a clean-out since I've joined. Fascinating!