Clarence,

The message board set-up requires users (including me) to enter a six-digit number, which changes each time you send a message, in order for the board to accept the message. By entering the number, you prove that a real person is writing the message, not some automated software designed to send malicious spam messages to the board. (Old-timers will remember that Tom Bowerman at one time had two message board associated with the Armed Guard website. The other board was literally destroyed by overwhelming numbers of spam messages; that board did not have the anti-spam capabilities that this board has.) Of course a real person could send a spam message by entering the six-digit number, but that's too much of a bother for all but the most dedicated spammers.

Of course it's a bother for legitimate users to enter a six-digit number each time as well. One has to find a balance between making the board too easy to use or too hard to use. This board gets a spam message maybe once every six months so I'm satisfied that the small inconvenience to legitimate users is worth it.

I'm not sure about the "forget name" problem that you mention. Can you (or other users) describe the point at which you encounter this?

Bottom line: as webmaster, I want you to be able to get your messages through to the message board. So keep at it, type in any codes as necessary, and help keep the conversation going. Thanks for your past contributions.

Ron Carlson, Webmaster
Armed Guard / Merchant Marine website
www.armed-guard.com