If you’ve had any problems logging in recently, the problem is now fixed. Something went wrong with implementing a feature to stop spammed registrations but has been resolved.
I’ve decided, after this good half-year of a break, to return to FlashStuf and continue updating– even go through with the changes I was at one point trying to make to it.
This is where I need your help. I’ve run this website for over six years now, starting in middle school until now, in college. Obviously my priorities, interests, et cetera have changed considerably in this time. I feel like you could learn most of my adolescent years by reading the archives of updates on FlashStuf.
Regardless, I want to continue to use the FlashStuf name. I’ve built a Facebook Application around it, there’s a Facebook Page, forums, over 800 members, more than 200 flash movies, games, downloads, and web tools, just to name a few. And that alone is enough to keep me from simply throwing it all away. So my question is this: what would you like to see from here?
I’ve already started development on a FlashStuf Apps platform (mostly for myself), for creating small web apps based on your FlashStuf user account. Profiles are still under construction. It’s becoming a more user-centric site. So if you have any ideas, give me a shout– on the blog, on the Facebook page, on the website, wherever. Let me know what you, the users, think.
FlashStuf Uploads (http://upload.flashstuf.com/) have been disabled for Flash uploads due to recent malicious files that have been uploaded. The issue was first reported on the forums and action was immediately taken, as the files were used to attack other sites.
Since it is much more difficult to tell which Flash files uploaded to the server are malicious and which are not, all uploads will be disabled for now. If you still need somewhere to upload your Flash file for submission to the site, you may do so through email or the forums. Also, note that you may still upload images and other files that were previously allowed (and aren’t Flash files).
Once we can beef up the security a bit more and look into the issue, Flash uploads should be allowed again.
Members who were part of FlashStuf before the addition of the points system (and therefore received 15 points for being an existing member) will have a point reduction if they are found to be inactive. Five points will be removed from any of these members to put everyone who hasn’t logged in recently on the same level as those who just recently registered for the site.
If you are one of these members and would like to keep your initial 15 points (but haven’t logged in other than on the day you registered), please sign in as soon as possible to prevent losing your points.
We are bringing two new FlashStuf sites live this week, Blogs and Hosting.
Blogs are available to anyone who wants a free hosted blog. It has the FlashStuf name on it because we hope for artists and members to use it mostly, however it is open to all members.
Hosting is currently available only by request, as it isn’t completely ready for the public yet. There also isn’t a set date for when it will be open to the public. However if you visit the hosting site and submit a request for a site, depending on your intentions for the site I might create an account for you. As you can tell, registration is currently very selective.
So check out both the sites, and if you’d like a blog feel free to sign up because registration takes a minute and is open to all.
I’ve decided to retire the Myspace Codes section of the site. This is because the section never really went along with the site– it was more just added in because I could easily add the codes that were needed at the time. It also is bringing in visitors that aren’t there for the rest of the site, so there’s no point in having them come there in the first place, as I see it.
Note that the section will still be on the internet at http://www.flashstuf.com/myspace/, but will no longer be linked to on the site (the means of retirement).
Hopefully this doesn’t affect too many of you. With the way Myspace is going these days, you more than likely won’t need the codes anymore.
We will be launching a Facebook application later this month, allowing members to share their high scores and other activities with friends on Facebook. It will also allow you to earn more points by referring friends to FlashStuf. Check back in the coming weeks to get the latest on this application’s development.
I noticed a user named BestelenViagra registered for the site today, obviously indicating that a machine registered as opposed to a real person with that username. So today, instead of adding more features to the site, I spent my time upping the security against bots like this one from registering. There are only two major things that potential members need to know:
- Don’t use spammy names in your username. If you try, you will be blocked from ever registering for the site again from that computer. This shouldn’t be a problem for anyone who doesn’t want something like “viagra” in their username.
- IP addresses. Unfortunately prevention against this kind of stuff needs to be better enforced so if needed, we’ll block your IP address from registering or visiting any user-created portion of the site. Again, this shouldn’t be a problem for anyone who isn’t wreaking havoc on the site.
That’s it. Registration was down for a few minutes during the changes but it is now back up and running.
Update (11/2/08): I’ve added a CAPTCHA verifier as an extra level of security when registering. This should prevent this even moreso.
Today, building upon the recent member Points System, the ability to rate Flash movies and games has been enabled. Rating a file will not only contribute to the site, but give you 1 additional point on your username. This can help you increase your level, unlock features, etc.
This is going to help further integrate a load of data about all the files of FlashStuf. For example, when a good amount of files have been rated, we will display high score tables listing the best and worst works on the site. High ratings on FlashStuf-artist work will even give you more points. Note that as of now, guests cannot vote on games and movies. This may be changed in the future, depending on how things go. Enjoy!
FlashStuf needs moderators! It has become too much for me to run alone, so I’m looking for people who want to volunteer to moderate and maintain the site. If interested, I’ll train you on how to do all the things I do, such as adding new content and posting news on the site.
This is not me giving the site up, but rather getting a little help in maintaining the content side of the site. This would give me a lot more time to work on the development of the site and not have to worry about updating all the time (although I still will be doing that).
So if you are interested, here are the only requirements.
- Must be a FlashStuf member (this is easy)
- Be fairly internet-savvy and willing to communicate with others
- Preferably have a good idea about current trends on the web
And you can be in charge of the following (you may pick what you’d like to do).
- Updating the site (uploading new content and posting news)
- Moderating the forums
- Getting new artists for the site
- Managing users, making sure no rules are broken
If you are interested at all, you can PM me on the forums or email me at webmaster at flashstuf dot com.