Spam Crackdown
As many of you may have noticed, spam has become increasingly greater in quantity over the past few weeks. This was the direct result of a forum wide evaluation period (as I like to call it :p), to test whether the forums and their members could sustain a proper existance without aid or warnings from staff members.
It was, to be blunt, a complete failure. The members had a fair chance to prove to us that our methods of control were unfair (as many of you have always said we are too harsh), but you've abused that chance, and only proved to us that our methods are very fair and justified. Yes, I understand that we didn't inform you of this evaluation period, but doing so would have compromised the accuracy of our evaluation. We needed to see how you would react normally, not how you'd react knowing the consequences should you spam. This evaluation has also shown us that Oddworld General Discussion has decreased in posts per day to less than two (sometimes none), while Off-Topic Discussion has been dramatically boosted in post strength. As such, a complete crackdown on spam will follow, with anyone and everyone having their spam posts deleted immediately, and then swiftly warned. Alcar... |
I feel somewhat betrayed. :dodgy: Like I was part of a test, yet I didn't now I was in it.
Well, I am guilty of spam...:blush: You guys got me good. -oddguy http://69.93.88.162/forum/images/smiles/lame.gif |
Well, it was actually a coincidence. The Moderators seemed to be off with School (well, most of them, including me), so they didn't really get a chance to do anything. The evaluation was a coincidence as well. As it wasn't actually planned, it just happened.
Never the less, it just proves that we've got to shape up in time for OW4. And get General Oddworld Discussion (most of all) back in shape. We have a duty to perform, in maintaining the forums' Oddworldness. This thread was basically a warning to those that spam, and are warned. What was allowed in the past few weeks no longer is. Alcar... |
Don't worry, chap. I didn't know there was an evaluation period either. I just didn't give any warnings becuase my eyes have come to the point of glazing over things I can tell are pointless posts. Which actually weren't too many in OT...
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As I mentioned, it was a coincidence :p
However, it's more focused at General Discussion, as spam is more profound there, than in Off-Topic (as Off-Topic obviously contains things where spam-like posts are welcome). Alcar... |
Ummm, if GD only averaged about 2 or less posts per day as you said, then how could it be in need of a spam crackdown?
-oddguy |
Because up until the two posts per day, it was half-living on spam. Things completely unrelated the Oddworld were posted :| Then suddenly, all posting dropped, for no apparent reason. When I say crackdown, I mean, if GD becomes active once again, we'd want it to be meaningful posts, and not spam.
Again, I'll emphasise that this is really a large warning for those that are about to spam. Alcar... |
HA HA HAhahahahahaha Hehehehehehe HAHAHAHAhahahahaha!
Alcar... if it wasn't for "spam" this forum would have a setting similar to Margaret Thatcher's funeral... ie No one there and those who are are only there to lick arse! You can't ban natural conversation flow Alcar... nor can you stop people from drinking, smoking or f**king! Grow up! Its not the "spam" thats a immature waste... its your over reaction to it! IMHO whilst the mods were away revising for their exams ie the supposed experiment this forum had more life, humour and posts than ever before! If it goes back to the old "row ya b*stards... booom-boom-boom-boom" attitude I think you'll find it won't only be Death who'll be taking a walk! Lay a warning on me big boy! "C'mon 'ave a go if you think you're 'ard enough!" Oh and also... Hahahahahahaha hehehehehehe hahahahahah... stop Alcar I've got a stitch from laughing sweetie! |
The forums seemed to do quite well before such spam was introduced. And it will be enforced, you can choose to disobey and spam, but you'll be warned and banned should you do the neccessary actions to warrant it.
This isn't as funny as you seem to be making it out as. Alcar... |
Are you only trying to stop the "spam" on the OW general board or in the off-topic?
I ask because the off-topic board is by nature and title "spam" I have to admit that some people have veered off title a few times... indeed hy have people started to post pictures of their pets in the "What do you look like?" thread? (not that I agree with people posting their pictures on the web handily in close proximity to a "Where are you thread" for any perve and weirdo to track you down and and say "howdy!" to you) But I'm not gonna lose sleep over it!!!! Yeah.. it makes threads long... it may cause a few technicalities... but surely no one actually searches the off-topic board? If you log on here and do a search it'll be in the OW board!!!! I see no problem with "spam" Peter... I find it very ammusing when others do! you'll make a great father one day Peter I just pity you kids... tell me will they be allowed a life? |
Turning a forum into a spam heap isn't fun either. If you honestly want a good all round spam forum, I'd check out @forums or Off Topic Central. The fact is, spam will be deleted an dealt with accordingly. These are the rules, and they shall be adhered to.
Lol, my children? I'm sure they'll have a blast. Because, in real life I'm the most whacked-out loopy-est person you'll meet, that is, if I'm comfortable around you. I come on the Oddworld Forums to commune with other Oddworld fans, in a fun, but civil manner. This, apart from my head-to-head deep discussions with friends, is where I come to share my honest opinions, and talk about Oddworld. Alcar... |
Aaaaaaargh! But that IS what the off-topic board is!!!!! "SPAM!!!"
Its just "spam" by like minded individuals... in this case OWG fans! Also, here's a tip for you, when someone challenges your reasoning concerning an issue here don't insult them by insinuating that they don't belong! That is how I've interpreted your pointing me in the direction of a "spam forum" (I wasn't even aware those places existed) and I'm sure other posters (maybe even those less sensitive than me!) would think that too! I'm really trying to understand your concerns and problems with "spam" but you haven't given any definition of your (and the other mods.. but I'm yet to see another colaborate with your statement here!) problems or difficulties with it and so have given us nothing other than "don't do it... or else!" And you haven't answered my question... Is it the OW board or the off-topic where majority of this policing is going to happen!?... Oh wait! Looking back you are talking about the OW general aren't you! Sorry! But my first question still stands... Your reasoning behind your complaint please! |
Off-Topic has existed without spam for ages. Yes, there is more of a tendency to have "more" nonsense, or chit-chit discussions in there, but those can easily be kept to a non-spam agenda. Off-Topic is not for spam.
As for which forums will be somewhat spared, well, none of them. If spam is posted, spam shall be deleted. A simple concept, which has been in place for a very long time. Do you see the immense difference in post and thread counts between GD and OT? It's one factor of what spamming has created. As for where this thread is heading, it is heading no where at the moment. I've stated what is going to happen, and it is no different that what normally happens. We delete spam. Alcar... |
Again! WHY!!!!!????!!!!
God damn you Alcar! Just answer the frickin question! Ohhh big post count eh? Explain to me why thats a problem!!! Enlighten me then I'll happily shut the f**k up and adhere to your "concentration camp" stylee... If you recall... whilst you guys were hitting the books revising the last few weeks I made a "spam thread" to stop people cluttering up other peoples topics... It worked for a while but then it seems people have forgotten about it! Maybe it should have been a "sticky" post! |
Why we need to delete spam?
I already explained. It's in our rules that members are not to spam. Again, it is in our rules, that we warn those that spam, and follow the usual formalities associated with it. Alcar... |
No stooopid! :D
Why the rule? And don't say something like... "because it always has been a rule!" Whats the problem with a large post and thread count... enlighten the Bear of very little brain... also justify yourself! You can't swan in and say "Riiight! Thats enough of that" "Why?" "Because I say so because the rules says it is so!" Thats like so... so... so... (something insulting and age related that would hack off and alienate alot of the other posters... so ain't included it :kiss: ) You're better than that! |
Why the rule? Because it eliminates the chances of the Oddworld Forums becoming a cesspit of spam. Something I'd like to avoid. I thought it was pretty obvious a no spamming rule was intended to cut spam out.
About the large post count. I'm simply stating that in an Oddworld forum, you'd expect that the Oddworld Discussion forum would have more attention. One of the reasons Off-Topic has more, is because of spam. Alcar... |
When reading a topic, I like to be able to read it, without having to wade through all the "omg lol yeah tomatoes r grate!" sort of comments. That's the whole idea of a message board, to me - to see other people's opinions on a topic. I don't think the natural progression of a topic from (for instance) cloning to bananas counts as spam, it's just the "conversations" in the topics that are irritating, since only the people having the "conversation" will find them remotely interesting and they could be better done in email or in IM.
There's nothing wrong with a high post count so long as the posts are worth reading. :P And not just picking fights with the moderators. ;) |
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And don't you think the diference in post and thread count is that you can really only discuss the colour of Abe's Y's if he wears any at all a few times! The OT board has far more thread possiblities! :rolleyes: Teals suggestion actually answered my question so...Thanks Teal! I agree with you... I don't even class stuff like "Yeah! *thumbs up*" and "LOL! Wow there big boy!" as "spam" I class it as s**t! That stuff is worthy of deletion! What I don't want is Peter running onto threads and abolishing what you nicely termed the "natural progression" of a conversation. If Alcar actually defined what he classes as spam then I think he'd find we have similar views... I opened a spam thread for gawds sake to kinda herd it together!! but until he does so of course I'm going to take umbridge... I'm not "picking a fight with a mod"... I'm discussing a salient point with another OW poster... we are all equal on here ya know... except he's got a lock and delete function! EDIT: Oh wow! I haven't used the new smilies much til now they're really cute much better than before... good call Alcar not using Death's IMHO (no offence!) rather scary ones! |
Erm, I agree with Teal as well. So I don't see how you could possibly oppose what I'm saying.
I'm not going to abolish threads for replies that relate to the thread and are proper. Alcar... |
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So... what I term s**t... random text message style bollocks, plain arrogant "nice point" pooh and random giberish... is spam and so will be deleted! MEANING My stuff won't be!!!!! *phew* Thank Gawd! Hmmmm! Me thinks I should have come straight to the point with that question really :blush: *CB... runs away before Peter clobbers her for being a ninny!* Oh! EDIT!... And do you think Majic would put a sticky on my spam thread or open a proper one in the OT board? I really do think its a good idea because sometimes even the natural progression of a thread can divert way off base and sometimes what you have to say doesn't really warrant a new thread being made! Just a thoght.... |
*oddguy rides in to Alcar's aid on a white horse*
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Now...rules are good. If we didn't have rules, think of the chaos that would insue! Alcar isn't destroying natural conversation flow. Some topics flow a bit off-course, but if it's better exploring a subject, then cool. But if it turns into a dual topic, or an argument, a mod will step in and tell the kids to get back on topic. No big deal. I mean, if you want to continue a conversation that's off subject, PMing is a great tool. That's why it's there. Ah...I feel good! -oddguy |
*CB recoils at how Oddguys tongue seems to be wedged up Alcars arse* :D
Em... so comparison in two months doesn't count then? :rolleyes: Actually Oddguy... Alcar didn't make his intentions all that clear from the onset.. I simply required clarification on exactly what he classified as "spam" and what he was prepared to delete... Alcar certainly doesn't require any equestrian supported help! |
It's so sad that Death left before he could read this thread.
*sigh* I believe that he'd give out his smartass opinion very clearly about this matter. ...Did I say smartass? Oh, my... *runs away* |
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http://www.oddworldforums.net/showpo...1&postcount=31 :
-oddguy :fuzcool: |
Lol, thankyou oddguy. CB, I'm not going to bother to reply again, so listen to what oddguy has said. He's summed up everything perfectly.
Alcar... |
I think it's funny how CB thinks of us as so immature and such when she's the only one losing her temper and calling names and such, reverting to personal attacks when her arguments fall on their faces...
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God, how I wish I could ban people. |
Well... I can't say I noticed any change in Mod patterns over the past few weeks, but if you say there's spam I'll make sure I don't post any more foolish threads or replys.
I think the number of posts I put up is dropping since the quick reply came in. I end up typing something, realising it's spam-ish and just leave it! Since I didn't waste time waiting for a second page to load, I don't mind not posting! |
I feel like an accessory :crying:
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Damn son, we got pwned. Or something like that. :|
I was wondering why Alcar hadn't been breathing as much fire. I say kudos. This was a nice idea. [/spam] |
Exibit A:
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This is a good exaple of mild spam. Just another post mentioning a fact that isn't really relevant. By the way, don't feel like an accessory, sligslinger. You're not. Now, one, like this, isn't too bad. But the levels we're getting are not satisfactory. The're not the worst, but could, and should, be better. No-one wants to go through pages and pages of this to get to a relevant post. General conversation is fine, like in ClaireBear's thread, whatsitsname. But it is only fine in a thread made for general conversation. You may ask what's so bad about spam. You might as well ask what's so bad about vomit. It's only half-digested food mixed with stomach acid, isn't it? But when you look at it, you don't think that. You think, eww, that's gross! Spam isn't as bad as that, but that's the general idea. Phew! I'm done. |
Sorry if what I posted appears as spam, I'm only expressing how I feel. What SeaRex posted was SPAM too, he even acknowledged it. Why pick on me!? So I gathered that most of this test was coincidental. Does that mean that mods weren't in on it aswell, doesn't that make them part of the test?
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The Moderators were not informed, but should they have spammed, they would be included. I guess it was another coincidence that the Moderators didn't spam. Or maybe we just chose the right people for the job.
It was certainly a period where I could see who could contain themselves. Alcar... |
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Hmm... Maybe a bit late, but here's my opinion about CB saying OT is meant for spam.
Take a look at the two largest sub-fora: General Discussion and Off Topic. GD explains itself; GD is meant for discussion of Oddworld related topics. As for OT, it is meant for topics which don't fit in GD, SF, OWH, FS&H, FC and OWRPG. Got it? Now for the meaning of Spam: From www.dicionary.com : _________________________________ spam 1. "Spam" song) To post irrelevant or inappropriate messages to one or more Usenet newsgroups, mailing lists, or other messaging system in deliberate or accidental violation of netiquette. It is possible to spam a newsgroup with one well- (or ill-) planned message, e.g. asking "What do you think of abortion?" on soc.women. This can be done by cross-posting, e.g. any message which is crossposted to alt.rush-limbaugh and alt.politics.homosexuality will almost inevitably spam both groups. (Compare troll and flame bait). Posting a message to a significant proportion of all newsgroups is a sure way to spam Usenet and become an object of almost universal hatred. Canter and Siegel spammed the net with their Green card post. If you see an article which you think is a deliberate spam, DO NOT post a follow-up - doing so will only contribute to the general annoyance. Send a polite message to the poster by private e-mail and CC it to "postmaster" at the same address. Bear in mind that the posting's origin might have been forged or the apparent sender's account might have been used by someone else without his permission. _________________________________ Spam isn't just any off topic message. It's an unwanted, unrelated, illogical message/topic, which is always a pain in the arse of most forumpeeps. Spammers should be killed. Okay, the last thing was a joke. |
*applaudes Alcar*
Yep, for a couple of reasons, I, along with other mods, have been kept away from the Forums a fair amount. I didn't know anything about this experiment. Not even while chatting to Alcar did he bring it up (and hence I wasn't aware even of this new insta-deletion policy). I have noticed that spam in GD has decreased quite a bit, hopefully a (delayed) reaction to my announcement there, but the odd example still pops up, and possibly will more so when there's anything substantial to talk about. Posts with humorous asides are perfectly legitimate in General Discussion, as long as that's all they are: asides. A post used solely for the purpose of a joke merely using the situation counts as spam. There's enough opportunity for this frolicing in Off-Topic. *unloads spam situation onto Majic and DI* |
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... Who is this moron? |
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So far I have one, nay two, valid reasons for cutting down on "spam" from the whole of this thread.. 1) Teal suggested that it is difficult to have to trawl through it all when you're interested in a particular topic. I agree... 2) No wait! Just the one eh! And Mac my dear... I ain't agressive... if you actually think that my style of post is such then... you ain't never experienced hurt/pain/anger! My can of whup-ass is very much unopened! Its just a shame you feel the need to simply quote my "agression" out of context to prove a half arsed point and score some imaginary points off me as you obviously can't come back at me in any other way... thats sad mate.... join a debating society you'll soon be hitting me with all cylinders... and then I may actually be bothered and/or impressed! My opinion on spam still stands no matter how many definition links people trawl up from the mists of cyber time... Natural deviation and progression and the odd funny.... YES! Random weirdness, excessive quotations to "prove a point," comment with out backing up statement with reasoning... NO! Hang on! Mac! Fascimile! What a shame you guys are spammers... tsk-tsk-tsk! :rolleyes: |
She's starting to sound a bit like Death, in his worst times...
Serious, if you don't like our policy, shut your yap, or leave. Or go find another forum to spam, and only post useful messages here. It's gettin' really annoying, y'know... |