I realise posting this gives oxygen to their idiocy, but enough is enough.

We have tried some simple things to hold back a few people spoiling DiS for everyone. We turned off new user sign-ups back in November, but now a lot of people who want to get involved in the site, simply can not.

I'm investigating various options with the new site (which should finally be ready for a few people to test next week) and looking at what other sites do.

Was just sent this http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/2011/06/suspension-ban-or-hellban.html - and although it makes sense, it doesn't stop someone just signing up for a new account. And also means that a layer of sophistication would need to be coded to these boards, which are kept intentionally quite simple (although obviously there have been issues in the interim of us not having a full-time coder, and the ridiculous delays with the new site, meaning we've not fixed things with the current site...)

Anyway, I've had a few suggestions on Twitter, but open to your ideas - especially really simple ones, which won't ruin the site for everyone.

I guess the most obvious thing to do would be to have a top-level/premium level of access (which could be given free to existing regulars), and for new users to not really be able to do much but post 5 replies a day. Although this won't really encourage new users to really get involved, and may just mean the mentally ill sign up for lots of accounts.

Ideally I'd rather not introduce a payment system, but this too may be a way to filter people, whilst also paying for improvements to the quality of service.

Look forward to some of your ideas, as currently I'm at a bit of a loss, and don't want to do anything rash, but I would like to open up sign-ups again, without un-ending spam and idiocy ruining the site.

p.s. I guess the most evil thing to do would be to retaliate and get some hackers I know to ruin this troll guys life, but I think legal action, including compensation for lost business is the best way to go.