Oasiz Latest Latest Oasiz website news and events updated directly from the Oasiz newsdesk http://www.oasiz.net/forum/index.php Sun, 20 May 2012 09:03:27 +0100 60 Database Restoration http://www.oasiz.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=24659
Luckily we are extremely thorough with our backup programme/process and make regular backups. As a result we have completed the restoration from a backup taken yesterday (23/08/2011) at 9am GMT.

We apologise to those of you who have made accounts/posts/comments since that period, we have exhausted every possible option to avoid any loss.

We are investigating the cause of the crash and shall continue to monitor the situation/database over the coming days.

Thank you for your patience and continued support! smile.gif]]> Wed, 24 Aug 2011 17:25:51 +0100 http://www.oasiz.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=24659 Oasiz Account Prune - June 1st 2011 http://www.oasiz.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=24488 Oasiz Account Prune - June 1st 2011

As we move towards our upcoming site revamp, part of our preparation is to prune all accounts that have been inactive in over 12 months.

The proposed prune/clean-up will take place on June 1st 2011, which of course means all inactive accounts (not signed into since June 1st 2010) will be permanently deleted from our database.

If you haven't visited Oasiz for some time but wish to retain your account, simply Sign In (http://login.oasiz.net) before June 1st 2011. That's it!
We look forward to seeing you again, we have some exciting changes on the way.

If you've forgotten your password - don't worry! Details can be found below on how to apply for a password reset.

Important: Please be aware that if you have more than one account and cannot remember the email address(es) used to sign in, the accounts will be deleted as Oasiz CANNOT divulge email/account information due to strict security and privacy purposes. We will make no exceptions regarding this.

Kind Regards,

The Oasiz Development Team

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Account Sign In
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Click the "Sign In" button at the top right of all oasiz.net pages, OR visit the followung URL: http://login.oasiz.net.

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Forgotten Password
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Apply to have your password reset. To do this, click on the Lost Password link found on the log in page (http://login.oasiz.net), further instruction is available from there.]]> Fri, 29 Apr 2011 12:33:34 +0100 http://www.oasiz.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=24488 The recording and monitoring of personal conversations http://www.oasiz.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=24356

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 ("RIPA")

Telecommunications (Lawful Business Practice)(Interception of Communications) Regulations 2000 ("LBP Regulations")

Data Protection Act 1998

Telecommunications (Data Protection and Privacy) Regulations 1999

Human Rights Act 1998

The relevant law, RIPA, does not prohibit individuals from recording their own communications provided that the recording is for their own use. Recording or monitoring are only prohibited where some of the contents of the communication - which can be a phone conversation or an e-mail - chat room conversations are made available to a third party, ie someone who was neither the caller or sender nor the intended recipient of the original communication. For further information see the Home Office website where RIPA is posted.

If you are intending to make the contents of any communication available to a third party, you will need to inform and/or obtain the consent of the person you are recording.

Members are urged to take note of these laws when submitting complaints.]]> Sun, 27 Feb 2011 16:49:16 +0000 http://www.oasiz.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=24356 Server Reset http://www.oasiz.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=24157
At approximately 11am BST on October 19th 2010 the server will be reset. That is 6am EDT, 5am CDT, 4am MDT, 3am PDT.

Downtime will be approximately 15 minutes.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused.


Thanks smile.gif]]> Mon, 18 Oct 2010 21:56:15 +0100 http://www.oasiz.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=24157 Update (16/07/10) http://www.oasiz.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=24055 Security Update #2

Following on from our previous announcement, further updates have been completed and will be implemented today at 18.30 GMT after a full server/service reset.

Important: After the update, users must fully clear temporary Internet files in order to connect.

What has changed?

The Oasiz authentication protocol/algorithm has been adjusted in order to further control server connections and help prevent malicious users/activity.

What does this mean for me?

If you are a standard (webchat) user - nothing, you'll see no change.

Users connecting via non-supported clients (mIRC/pIRCh etc) will need to create and use an Oasiz Chat API Key in order to successfully authenticate with our servers.

An updated connection script for mIRC will be provided shortly (mIRC forum).]]> Fri, 16 Jul 2010 18:05:16 +0100 http://www.oasiz.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=24055 Update (13/07/10) http://www.oasiz.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=24054 Security Update

Due to various flood/spam reports, the following changes/updates have been implemented with immediate effect.

Webchat

  1. Invite: Webchat no longer responds to chat invitations from guest users.
  2. CTCP replies: Webchat no longer responds to CTCP requests (PING/TIME/VERSION etc).

Server

  1. We are trialling custom open-proxy monitor software to limit server attacks.
  2. Per-channel flood limits have now been lifted, global class/limitations now apply:



Please note that channel ops (host/owner) are EXCLUDED from channel-based restrictions (DATA/NOTICE/PRIVMSG/WHISPER).

Also, operators sharing a common channel with the target user (DATA/PRIVMSG/WHISPER) are excluded from these restrictions.

In layman's terms, the changes mean the following:

  1. Webchat users will no longer experience issues with guest users externally spamming/inviting them to channels.
  2. Webchat users should no longer experience "flooding out" of chat rooms due to external PING/TIME/VERSION requests.
  3. Non-operators (HOST/OWNER) have a server-enforced one second delay time between messages (including whispers). Channel operators are not restricted.

If you are an IRC user, you'll be delighted as the global flood limit/level has almost doubled (40 commands/lines per second, previously 25).

For web chat users, the changes will hardly be noticeable, except you're now far more protected.


Tips to further protect yourself

Webchat Users

  1. Turn off invitations completely:
    Chat Room Options -> My Display -> Turn off all invites
  2. Block private/external PRIVMSG/NOTICE messages (prevents users communicating with you from OUTSIDE your current channel):
    Chat Room Options -> Advanced -> Block private PRIVMSG/NOTICE messages


Channel Operators

  1. Block guests from joining your channel. Add the following mask as an access DENY entry:

CODE
>*!*@*

Important; Are you up to date?

To ensure/check you are running the latest webchat version, type the following within the chat interface:

CODE
/version

The current/updated webchat version is: #1.2.04.00

Feedback/Support

Your comfort, security and protection/safety is our number one priority. If you have any questions about todays changes and/or have any further ideas/comments regarding our security implementations, we'd love to hear from you.

Please use our feedback forum section for further discussion.]]> Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:33:57 +0100 http://www.oasiz.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=24054 Spring Two for One Sale http://www.oasiz.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=23856
The spring sale is here!

Simply upgrade your account to VIP status and receive a free upgrade on another account, it can be another account for yourself or a gift for a friend.

Navigate your way here. When your secured transaction has taken place you will receive a receipt, send a copy and a link to the profile you wish to have upgraded for free to me via email.

Your email should be sent to: account.mgr@oasiz.net

It is really simple, but if you do have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email, or drop by #TechLodge and have a chat.

Thanks to people like you Oasiz is able to stay on the web, and we really appreciate your support.

This sale ends May 1st 2010 at midnight GMT]]> Wed, 21 Apr 2010 22:00:34 +0100 http://www.oasiz.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=23856 Oasiz Development and Operations Team http://www.oasiz.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=23379
In the new year we will be looking to team up with like minded members to run brainstorming sessions on where us as members want Oasiz to go in the future.

The team will be responsible for research, development and presentation of agreed ideas to the Lead Developer. He will have final say on implementation of any ideas.

We will look into all areas of improving, and maintaining the site, conducting feasability studies to support our ideas and ensure that Oasiz becomes fiscally sound.

We are looking for members with related background experience in all areas noted above, who would be interested in joining us to help make our online passion a better place to be.

Please send us an email detailing your views regarding Oasiz as it is and where you see it's future, together with your background experience and a link to your profile (make it real life please, role play profiles will be insufficient).

No time wasters please, over the past year I have read the forum and noted members displeasure and also some intelligent ideas, this is a chance to get involved and help make a difference. Depending on response a team will be formed, and work begin mid January.

Emails should be sent to dev.admin@oasiz.net

Thanks]]> Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:46:46 +0000 http://www.oasiz.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=23379 Thanksgiving Day Special http://www.oasiz.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=23293
To help our American friends celebrate in style. Make a donation of $5 US and I'll upgrade your profile to VIP membership for six months.

Simply make a donation of $5 US, email the receipt (along with a link to the profile you wish to be upgraded to VIP status) to account.mgr@oasiz.net, and we'll take care of the rest!

Happy Thanksgiving!]]> Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:06:26 +0000 http://www.oasiz.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=23293 VIP Membership Sale http://www.oasiz.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=23256
For the rest of this month our VIP Membership has been slashed to just £5! (approx $9 USD/CAD,€6 EUR)

Simply make a minimum** donation of £5 GBP or equivalent, email the receipt (along with a link to the profile you wish to be upgraded to VIP status) and we'll take care of the rest!

The contact address for receipts and/or you have any questions or concerns, want to buy multiple accounts etc is account.mgr@oasiz.net.



Important: This offer expires 12AM GMT 30/11/09 and payments must be processed before this date.

** If using currency other than GBP, please double check the amount is at least 5 GBP.



This offer is now closed!]]> Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:44:12 +0000 http://www.oasiz.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=23256