The Spam Thread (RIP)
 

Okay, I'll do this the right way and put it to the mods politely and calmly and not use words like 'power trip', 'evil', 'disfunctional' and 'Alcar' in the same sentence. ;)

But seriously, I think it was a mistake for you to get rid of the spam thread. The main reason for getting rid of spam is because it gets in the way of a normal thread. But the spam thread was not disturbing anyone in its little niche filled with shoe and puppy-based discussion. In fact it may have actually reduced the spam elsewhere because now people don't have to interrupt a legitimate thread about Stranger to get everyone up to date on their new haircut. Plus, on a more personal level, I think the spam thread was a great way for us to get to know each other better outside of the constraints of a specific topic; the discussion could twist and turn just like conversations in real life.

So, to summarize, say what you want about me. I can take the slings and arrows, but stop slandering our poor, defenseless Spam Thread.

Hmm...well, I have to agree with you to a certain extent. I know I may be pummeled and sworn at for saying this, but I really believe OWF is a bit too strict on classifying spam. I mean, I believe that in order to have a strong, tightly knit community, we should just let threads go in the direction that they go. Of course, we should obviously crack down on the blatant spam, such as posts like "oh ya lol" or "w3rd up", but I think that the careful watch on if a post is ever so slightly off the initial topic shouldn't be carried through so strictly. Let the conversation flow; that's what conversations do. I mean, I have seen many a forum that are a tenth as strict as this that get along better than we do.

So all in all, I believe that we should get a new system of "cleaning" the forums. I would like to see here what they do at The Aquabats message board; don't give out warnings and such, as that may be trivial with different members. Instead, if a thread has done its purpose and can go nowhere else, lock it. For example, if there is a thread asking "What systems will the next game be on?", then members would answer the question, and once it has been answered, the thread has no further purpose and should be locked. Or if someone creates a thread on a subject which already has a thread for discussion, it will simply be locked. There would be no more of these horrible, heated arguments about the rules and such. It may not sound very effective simply typed up, but trust me; it works.

Ok, you are free to throw your stones and insults at me now.

I didn't ask for the spam thread to be closed. I don't read it, I don't care about it. It never hurt me.

I agree with both of you guys.The spam thread practically ate the spam so it would'nt go anywhere else...I have 2 warnings already for pathetic reasons 1. was for replying to resolved topic bye saying ''yes you are my irish cousin'' and then another warning for saying ''I did too ^^ lets see ferril pay money to keep the site open for us''....I think the forums have gotten too strict....Im actually even afraid to post anything now in fear of a warning....I kinda have a suggestion for it.What if...we spam on a thread we dont immediatly get a warning we get a row and told not to do it again and if we do time for warning....anywayz I would love to see our spam thread come back.I really would

Aaaaaaawwwwwwwweeee MAN!

Has some f**ker killed my spam thread???????

Great! you go away for the weekend (canny how it was deleted on a weekend when I don't have internet access like... nice!)

Fine! fine! fine! Whatever....

But I think for a long time the spam thread has made a valid contribution in stopping spam from corrupting other discussions... destroy that and some people will start talking about badgers, posting in meet and enthusing about their beautiful sexy partners elsewhere!!!!

So well done! Job well done!

"Extreme Law Enforcement" more like how to annoy and lose valid forum members in one easy step!!!!

That thread has been running for months with no problems....

But fine... whatever... if you actually read my thread starter I did say that if this were to happen I'd start a "Calling all habitual spammers part deux" thread but to be honest under such an uneccessarily strict regime is it gonna be worth trying to make this place a fun forum to post in?

Before you press post reply, think about what relevance your post has. If it serves no reason, then don't post it.

I'll address the issue of the spam thread first. The major argument here is that it detracted spam from other threads. However, in the very short time we've been cracking down on spam, there has been an extreme number of people spamming. When you take into account that these people post more than once, you have an incredible amount of spam. The spam thread has actually done the opposite. People see the spam thread, and will post spam in there. However, this leads them to believe that spamming is okay anywhere else. This is the reason the spam thread was closed. It would be ironically stupid to keep a spam thread open, when we're under a no spam policy.

As for Mac's suggestions :) I do agree with you on the most part, and blatant spam has always been deleted without any thought what so ever (it's just so blatantly obvious :p). And I agree with natural conversation flow. I've been very careful in Off-Topic Discussion (and you'll notice that most of the deletions aren't in that forum) as it is just that. Off-Topic. So, basically, anything can happen. Although, there are certain things that are once again blatantly obvious to be diverging from the topic, or natural conversation flow. It's a lot easier in General Oddworld Discussion, because if it isn't about Oddworld, it's spam :p

We do this already. Though it's mainly only in General Oddworld Discussion that this occurs. I don't think we've given out a warning for this, though we could have if it was for multiple times and deliberate.

The problem I see with not handing out warnings is multiple offendors, who, if they have no punishment, will continue to do break the rules. I can understand with newer members, who've posted next to nothing, and we usually just tell them what they're doing wrong rather than warn them first. I just don't see the members of the Oddworld Forums being that fantastic when it comes to the rules (which isn't everyone, we have a lot of good members).

Mac, I'd be glad to hear from you again on this matter. And perhaps delving into a few more suggestions? :) I'll take into consideration the natural thread flow suggestions next time I'm confronted with the problem.

Cyber-Slig, ''yes you are my irish cousin'' is what we deem blatant spam. Because it's blatant spam.

Alcar...

Pffft, the spam thread was, in my opinion, an utter waste. The Forums don't do spam, it's as simple as that. And the staff let that slip, so now we're making up for it. If you want to spam, then go somewhere spammy, email each other with pointless quips and just be random out of boredom.

I never went into the spam thread, so I don't know the precise contents, but if you've been talking about your lives, then do that decently. There are other threads that discuss that without any problem. Maybe there should be a general "blog" thread where you can all talk about what's going on in your lives. But still spam would eliminated from that. Threads are allowed to change their course, and most of them end up doing just that. It's when a post has no relevence whatsoever that it is removed, such as Cyber-Slig's Irish quip If you're just being random and pointless, then don't. There's no need for it whatsoever. There's no need for a place to "get it out of your systems." If you feel the need for spam, then get off the Forums and do something a little less sad.

Okay, if you people are not in enough control of your bodies that you can't stop yourself from typing spam on this forum, you have problems. There is no need for a spam thread, it's the stupidest idea ever. It's like you are calling out that you are insecure with only posting meaningful posts.

I'm sorry but personally I find a lot of this "law enforcement" is taken to the extreme by far too many mods...

Personally I think the best mod here is DI... his retorts are simple yet effctive... he even takes part in the odd flaming or spam session himself while yet keeping a lid on things... THAT is a mod and a good mod... not someone who goes away comes back and starts panicking and screaming about the amount of FUN the members have had since their absense.

But then thats just my view... I actually felt that the forums ran much more smoothly without domination, rigid control and the threat of warnings and barrings... I for one am now retisent to post and I believe many members especially the younger members will share my feelings.

I haven't gone away, CB. I've been here the whole time.

If people are to leave, obviously it is because they realise they can no longer spam. Therefore it is known to them that they are breaking the rules, and spamming. It's nothing innocent as you want to make it out to be. It's breaking the rules. It's spamming.

There is a reason the majority of online bulletin boards ban spam. It's because they strive to achieve some sort of intellect.

Alcar...

Just indulging in a little voyuerism then were we?

Who's rules are these anyway? Was there a democratic vote when the forum started?

Spamming IS innocent!!! Only these hightened rules make it a barring offence!!!!!

The majority? I think that is a slight over statement... over the years I have frequented at least a dozen forums THIS is the ONLY one where the enforcement of such is taken to such a degree... in fact in a couple of the forums there wasn't even any rules or AUP!

The conversation was/is in no way less intellectual or enlightening due to "spam" it was/is funny, witty and lighthearted.. yes I must admit that the spam in the other forums was never as childish as some here... but the fact of the matter is alot of the members here ARE CHILDREN and its only to be expected!!!!!!

I agree with CB.The spam thread doesnt encourage people to spam anywhere else they knew it was a thread where they could talk about anything.These rules......it's like we can't type like normal and have to type like some mindless robot who will folows his master's every order.Its not really how we would type.And the spam thread helped allot.What if it wasnt there and everything people wanted to say on it had to make a thread.We'd have atleast 10/20 more threads in off-topic....

No it isn't. Posts are required to be relevant to the current topic or discussion. If they contribute something worthwhile to the conversation, then it isn't spam.

You can make on a topic on next to anything, so it isn't following a masters every order.

I went in the spam thread from time to time, but I wasn't a frequent visitor...so I was not sad to see it go. But I can see how others that invested their time there may be outraged. Although the spam thread contained the obvious, I also saw conversations there that flowed naturally...not constrained to a single topic.

I think a better thread would be a "Natural Conversation" thread. A thread where people can just chat about what is on their mind.

-oddguy

Isn't it wonderful that almost all those saying how stupid the spam thread is are those who admit to never having read it. It seems your only objection to it is the fact that it is called the SPAM thread. But I object to a thread called the Natural Conversation thread. That would make me feel like an absolute tosser.

Okay..."The Natural Conversation" thread sounds lame. How about..."The Random Thread"?--sounds better, and it doesn't have spam in the title. Of course, I see that NDW has allready made a "spiced ham" thread. I like my title better. ;)

-oddguy

Yes thats quite true... it appears that the individuals who have no "problem" with the rigid constraints on spamming and the demise of MY spam thread are those members who don't "spam"... infact do these members actually post anything of humour and/or interest to promote a discussion forward?...

probably not cos remember its SPAM!!! :rolleyes:

Surely the fact that spam was appearing elsewhere in the Forums speaks for itself.

If the thread contained, as the spam-supporters seem to claim, natural conversations, then that's not spam, and hence the title was a silly move.

That's a decent idea. OWF does not ban socialising, and the natural flowing of a topic is expected and allowed. But surely if you're going to suddenly come up with something that's on your mind that is in no way related to what was there before, it would be prudent to actually start a thread about it, hmm?

If it promotes the ongoing development and progression of a discussion, then it's not spam!

There always has been spam, there always is spam and there always will be spam. What you said is like claiming that this small stone shields me from tigers because - look - I can't see any tigers around here.


Ever heard of a thing called humour?

The amount of spam was to the extreme. Before hand, there wasn't a lot of spam to contend with.

Childish humour cloaking frustration, yes.

Alcar...

Here's my two cents on the whole matter...

I will be bashed for being age-ist buuuut what the f**k!

Of late there has been an influx or return of large numbers (well about 3!) members under the age of 13... this appears to coinside with the emergence of excessive spamming... even in my spam thread I didn't appreciate the badgers or the meet...

That to me is spam... but the odd comment, joke or natural divergance of a thread is not spam... which is where the confusion begins.

Personally in a forum where you get young members there's gonna be spam... of the real kind... you have three options Alcar

1) Ignore and hope they learn and send a PM of the rules on spamming toanyone in that age bracket on registration!
2) Keep warning deleting and closing and so causing upset amongst existing olderemembers and scaring the new younger members off.
3) Stick an age limit on here...

I'd go for option one!

1.Better idea
2.Probably gonna be used
3.No forums have an age limit and if im correct lots of kids like oddworld due to it's cartooniness and humour.Putting an age limit is wrong.....

So you're telling me teens never spam and talk about stuff?I don't think age limit is an option...

No offense CS but it was you and your mates that got MY spam thread closed!!!!!

*CB checks out CS's age indicator*

The prosecution rests your honour!

They closed the spam thread? NOOOOOOO! You inhuman monsters! *cries for six hours*

A minimum age requirement is silly and pointless. There is no correlation between age and post substance. I know tons of kids 13 and younger who are smarter and more mature than most teenagers, and a whole lot of people older than me that act like childish morons. The idea of an age requirement is entirely unnecessary, and will never be implemented.

To put an age restriction would just be stupid. I remember back when there was an age restriction of 13 on these forums, me and my friends joined anyway and declared we were 13. I think we were 9 and 10 at the time. So the moral of that story is, kids don't listen to restriction, that makes it better because they're not supposed to be on there.

I feel so old now *cries and grabs walking stick*

The spam thread was just totally moronic. I never read it so I cannot pass judgement (because that would be plain silly ^_^), but it's really off putting when there's a huge thread dedicated to spam. It's a nightmare to read because due to the spamming thread many members thought it was okay to spam elsewhere.

If you want to spam create your own forum on ezboard dedicated to spam, email/PM your fellow spamming chums or join a forum that adores spam.

So you're saying that every single young person of the age 13 and downwards will spam? Heh ^_^ Your sillyness makes me giggle.

Partly... what I'm saying is that on a board where there is a large number of younger posters... who for many this may be the first time they've registered with a forum.. the possibility of spam is greatly increased...

Its like expecting a primary child to be able to write an A level standard essay on "War and Peace" with out instrustion or guidance... it ain't gonna happen... Offer the child guidance and the results may be surprising.

But they need ADVICE and GUIDANCE not supersilious wrist slapping and humiliation!

And CB what mates would that be ?I'm not exactly perfect and good buddies with anyone but I like to chat and converse.....And how did I get t closed?I think alcar said ''due to the new rule enforcement this thread must be closed sorry guys''......So don't go about blaming me..anyways to not class this is spam I bettert say something on the matter...Make the rules enforced a little.Or just delete the posts and PM not to do it again.as soon as you say one thing which you don't think is spam ooh look a warning/banning.But if they constantly post on a thread to piss you off on purpose like after you delte the post they type ''Dont delete my posts again bitch Ill say what I said again''...that deserves a warning not something they think is relevant.

I'm talking about the badgers... the conversations in meet.. the incessant posting of pictures...

THOSE were the things that got it closed!

I opened the damn thing during the last time we had problems with spam and it did fine until those things began... I even tried to discourage that kind of spam in my own spam thread if you'd care to take a look.

I'm sorry CS but it seems that a lot of the people who have received warnings and bans so far are those under 14 you can't deny the truth.. that isn't a bad thing... its actually understandable and what I'm calling for is more information, guidance and understanding being offered to the younger OWF poster because of this.