I have a free Minetest server available to first responder

[fstltna]

Hello! I have a free Minetest server available for free to first responder. Normally hosting is $14/month with first month free. Cancel before the month ends and you will be charged nothing. This server is running under Ubuntu Linux, and it is located in a datacenter so no worries about power or network outages...

To get the free subscription go to https://minecity.online/HostSplash and check out. Use the "offline" payment method to pay so you don't get billed. Hope to hear from you!

BTW: We will set up whatever mods or games you want added at no cost...

[fstltna]

Offer still stands!

[fstltna]

Really? I have never heard of someone having issues with it... What happened?

[Kimapr]

pls don't use captchas they ruin everything. They annoy everyone. They filter out legit users, they don't stop spammers and there are ways to circumvent it with bots. You will have less bots, but you also will have less users. Also consider those who don't want or can't use javascript for some reasons. They can't use google recaptchas, so they can't use your website. If you don't have spamming problems you should stop using captchas.

[micheal65536]

pls don't use captchas they ruin everything. They annoy everyone. They filter out legit users, they don't stop spammers and there are ways to circumvent it with bots. You will have less bots, but you also will have less users. Also consider those who don't want or can't use javascript for some reasons. They can't use google recaptchas, so they can't use your website. If you don't have spamming problems you should stop using captchas.

Most if not all of the above statements are false.

For most legit users, completing the captcha (assuming you're talking about the Google captcha, which is the most common one) requires no more action than ticking a single box. This is seriously unlikely to annoy anyone and if anyone is unable to figure out how to do this then it's a wonder that they even figured out how to get to the page in the first place. Users are also familiar with this process due to the Google captcha's widespread use that they are unlikely to find it confusing or unexpected.

In some cases, the captcha will require the user to select images matching a description. To be honest this is rather annoying but the instructions are clear and most users should be able to figure out how to complete the task even if they don't fully understand why it's necessary. So I would argue that very few, if any, users would be "filtered out" by this. If a user is sufficiently "annoyed" by this that they turn away from the site then they won't get very far online at all.

Captchas are also still significantly effective against bots. For smaller sites, they will tremendously cut down on the number of spam, or even erroneous, submissions by bots and drastically reduce the workload of the site owner (who would otherwise likely be overwhelmed with hundreds of bot submissions to filter through). Your argument to avoid using captchas unless you are dealing with spam is false because without captchas the spammers will soon come, if not intentionally then at least by accident (most simple spam bots don't even target specific sites but just fill out and submit any form that they find that looks like it might be useful to them).

Finally, the Google captcha does work without javascript. Without javascript, the process is somewhat more complicated (I believe the captcha will always require the user to select images instead of allowing them to simply tick the box, and at the end the user will need to copy and paste some text into a box) but it is still possible and users who browse without javascript are likely used to dealing with pages that require more manual intervention to work.

[fstltna]

That has been my experience as well. Those distorted numbers or the old-style recaptcha were sometimes a pain, but the modern checkbox is easy. Never had anyone comment on them at all before...

[yw05]

What Kimapr said is true for many users. I've heard dozens of complaints about endless "check all that shows image" captchas. You guys pass this easy because Google knows exactly who you are and where you're at, otherwise, they throw in "you're mistake, you're suspecious" and attempt to dig deeper. Google's a data mining corporation. I didn't use a proxy and even had java script enabled. I did sandbox however for some protection against potential javascript pilfering. I never use my real name or shop on this decive and I think that's why Google switched my correct answer into " A device with irregular activity, email help or something @ Google." I'm certain most users will have no problem with your site, I represent a small fraction of internet users. So good luck.

micheal65536
Google recently lost a big lawsuit in EU. Recaptcha is considered in violation of GDRP by many. US privacy laws suck or don't exsist. Sure the internet is much smaller for some of us who choose privacy and security over convenience, but I can live without all the extra.

You are always allowed to create you own anti-spam/-bit mechanism with the quality that is hood enogh to replace Google's recaptcha, and you are always welcome to submit your suggestions to Washington.

[Sokomine]

For most legit users, completing the captcha (assuming you're talking about the Google captcha, which is the most common one) requires no more action than ticking a single box. This is seriously unlikely to annoy anyone and if anyone is unable to figure out how to do this then it's a wonder that they even figured out how to get to the page in the first place. Users are also familiar with this process due to the Google captcha's widespread use that they are unlikely to find it confusing or unexpected.

You seem to lack information. That only-need-to-check-a-box only applies if Google knows you well enough. People who value their privacy are always required to work some time for Google (training their AI) in order to get on on a page using these captchas. You're free to let Google or similar sites know all about you if you want - but don't think you've got the right to ask the same of other people.

Finally, the Google captcha does work without javascript. Without javascript, the process is somewhat more complicated (I believe the captcha will always require the user to select images instead of allowing them to simply tick the box, and at the end the user will need to copy and paste some text into a box) but it is still possible and users who browse without javascript are likely used to dealing with pages that require more manual intervention to work.

Are you certain that it works without JS? I have some doubts regarding that and never had success without JS. I try to avoid sites using these captchas as well as I can.

But yes, some sort of captcha is sometimes required to at least reduce the amount of spam. The MT forum had a nice one with MT related questions some years ago when I joined. That was fine.

[FreeGamers]

This thread got derailed quickly.

I mean I think it was kind of a spammy / advertisement type post anyways, but I don't mind someone trying to start a hosting business. That space could probably use some more competition. I self-host so I ignored the post when I read it a few days ago. But since the web-design got brought up let me throw in my 2 cents if I can.

Anyways, I used to do a lot of web design and web-dev. I ran a gaming media news & community websites, as well as a small business's website. ReCaptcha v3 is really effective at stopping spam but its also extremely bad for users in that: it uses javascript, tracks users, and is making users do work for Google for free. It can be really infuriating to have to click on those things then have it fail and spend another minute going through more images. Its not always accurate and its insulting to users' time to have to wait for those images to slowly load. I've reached a point were I won't do recaptchas anymore and will instead bounce. I think you might find that people who use open and free software (your demographic, perhaps, since you are targetting Minetest players) are more sensitive to user tracking and privacy than those of closed and proprietary software alternatives. The experience I've had running a server seems to somewhat back this up. I would not say the majority of Minetest players are like this, but there is certainly a higher amount of privacy orientated players in Minetest than that of other games. I've met players who use VPN's to anonymize themselves and I've had discussions with several players about our interests in those types of topics. Here is a personal example: when I'm on Tor or a VPN, there are times I cannot even use Google's search because it will prompt me to do a captcha. So I bounce to a different search engine.

I'd take a alphanumeric or some other captcha over recaptcha anyday if I was doing another website. Better yet, there are some other nice ways to reduce spam like honeypot fields without breaking the UI/UX. The best user experience is one without captcha's but with anti-spam features still in place. Also setting your expectations that there will be some amount of spam that inevitably makes it through and combining additional methods to combat this like email verification can help weed them out. For user analytics, I think Matoma is a great solution for tracking information without selling out your user's data to another company like Google. Ultimately, a good UX can help close sales and give your site a professional look that is extremely easy to use for your visitors.

Good luck with your business.

[fstltna]

Thanks FreeGamers. I appreciate the comments and suggestions. I used to not require recaptcha but i had a lot of spam bot joins which it has pretty much eliminated...

[fstltna]

The demo server is up, you can get it if you want. Search for "Demo Server" to find it in the client's server list... If you take it you can of course regenerate the world, I just set it up to show what comes with it out of the box :)

[fstltna]

The free server is still available.... See above to view the server as above...

[fstltna]

I have another free server. See links above to request it or look for "New Server" in the server browser to see the actual game...

[fstltna]

No takers?

[micheal65536]

No takers?

I think you need to provide more information in your posts.

Does whoever takes the server get to choose their own mods? What about a completely different subgame? Can they upload their own map or is it limited to whatever map you've provided? Do you get everything that you would get if you were paying for the regular service or is this service limited in some way?

Your first post implies that whoever takes the server gets to run it however they want, but then you invite people to "view"/"look at" the server which implies that they're just getting what they're seeing ("come look at this server and decide if you want to run it as it is") and not the actual choice of making their own server. It's not clear why you would invite people to look at the server if they can run their own server whatever way they want (which may have nothing to do with the setup that you're inviting people to look at).

My recommendation: If you're just inviting people to run preconfigured servers as they are, then make this clear in your posts. (Also, don't waste your time because usually only noobs are interested in running servers like that anyway.) If you're offering the same service that paying customers get, including (presumably?) the ability to add/remove your choice of mods/subgame, configure stuff, and provide your own map file (the last two aren't actually specified on the website), then make this clear as well (and stop inviting people to look at the server because this doesn't mean anything).

[fstltna]

I've used her service before and at that time it was full root access to a vps. I had someone compile for me and I uploaded and installed mods and skins via ssh. Good for noob or tech savvy. I'd jump on this if I was still active in MT. I tried but Google captcha stops me, just read above about that. Anyhow, good servers.

Thanks! :)

[fstltna]

Does whoever takes the server get to choose their own mods? What about a completely different subgame? Can they upload their own map or is it limited to whatever map you've provided? Do you get everything that you would get if you were paying for the regular service or is this service limited in some way?

Yes, they can choose the mods they want or even different subgames. I only support the standard options but they are free to change it if they desire.

Your first post implies that whoever takes the server gets to run it however they want, but then you invite people to "view"/"look at" the server which implies that they're just getting what they're seeing ("come look at this server and decide if you want to run it as it is") and not the actual choice of making their own server. It's not clear why you would invite people to look at the server if they can run their own server whatever way they want (which may have nothing to do with the setup that you're inviting people to look at).

That is just to show them what they get to start with. They are free to regenerate the entire world if they desire.

My recommendation: If you're just inviting people to run preconfigured servers as they are, then make this clear in your posts. (Also, don't waste your time because usually only noobs are interested in running servers like that anyway.) If you're offering the same service that paying customers get, including (presumably?) the ability to add/remove your choice of mods/subgame, configure stuff, and provide your own map file (the last two aren't actually specified on the website), then make this clear as well (and stop inviting people to look at the server because this doesn't mean anything).

Better? ;)

[Agbaragba]

I want a free server... yeah!

[fstltna]

Follow the instructions at the top of this thread and I will get to it...