Trial accounts can (supposedly) only speak in the Help channel, they shouldn't have access to General. Having made a new char recently, I can attest to the fact that they spam hit the Help channel quite a bit. I also rarely see them in GC.
I like the .99 cent for a trial account idea, though it might be enough of an annoyance to new players to put them off trying UO as well. I think its worth a try though.
As for the RMT sites, it would really be quite easy to gut them like fish with a simple sting operation. Make a purchases on different shards. follow them back to their storehouses, then delete the whole thing and then ban all accessed accounts. It might take a month or two, and the expenditure of some cash, but its well within a GM's abilities to investigate and gather evidence for Mesanna to act on.
I like the .99 cent for a trial account idea, though it might be enough of an annoyance to new players to put them off trying UO as well. I think its worth a try though.
As for the RMT sites, it would really be quite easy to gut them like fish with a simple sting operation. Make a purchases on different shards. follow them back to their storehouses, then delete the whole thing and then ban all accessed accounts. It might take a month or two, and the expenditure of some cash, but its well within a GM's abilities to investigate and gather evidence for Mesanna to act on.