Discussion on the definition of spam
Some people have suggested we open a discussion as to the definition of spam. Currently, the definition of spam, according to the Oddworld Forums, as stated in the rules, is:
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Alcar... |
Eeeeerrr!
Here's the deal Peter wouldn't it be wise whilst we "discuss" the meaning of spam to STOP HANDING OUT WARNINGS... until it agreed upon... I'd like to contest my warning! My "spam" pointed out that i agreed with Death's sentiments and that i believed it uneccessary for him to apologise... therefore strangthening my opinions on how i percieve and define spam and how I rate the behaviour of some of the mods here. I CONTEST MY WARNING and ask for it REMOVAL! |
Warnings and bannings will continue. As far as we are concerned, the definition of spam is fine at the moment. But that can change, and that is the reason this thread has been opened. For people to prove to us that we should change the definition.
As for your contesting. Allow me to reply by replying how I said I would reply: "I don't give a crap". You spammed, you got warned. Take the issue up with me via Private Messaging, doing so openly on the forums only proves how petty you are for the attention needed to sway my judgement. Your warning will not be revoked. Alcar... |
Damnit Alcar......Go to the welcomes and birthdays and see how many people have left cos of this.There is no point in PMing you about our warnings cos you ignored mine.Even though I explained it I got no reply....The members are getting REALLY pissed of with you....And now that codek has gone.....Everyone liked him....so expect a riot from the members....Stop it dude.Just stop it now.Spam is things like ''ghdhlsmdijgt I like brocollie with mixed with my shoe so it makes choclate !'' . It makes utterly no sense and is done to annoy people . ''Yeah but anyway guys sorry for being annoying etc it won't happen again'' or ''Yes I played the game of it but have you guys seen the movie?'' . Spam is pointless posts which makes no sense. Talking about other stuff which has nothing to do with the topic at hand is off-topic not spam.And in the rules it does'nt say ''No off-topic'' . If a thread is off-topic its Boring and people would rather talk about something else
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Cyber slig is right. A forum is meant to discuss, but also to have fun! F-U-N!
When someone replies in a topic: 'I don't give a crap' Then thats no spam, its his opinion on the subject which he wants other members to know. How can someone see an opinion as spam? Spam, are posts not relevant to anything. Not to the topic, not to a recent post and not to a member. When it is directed at one of them, it aint spam. Its just one single post that slips trough inbetween discussion, and thats perfectly normal on any forum, exept apparently on the forums where you are in charge. You better fix your attitude as a mod, cuz this aint going the right way. More then enough members warned you by now, if your gonna listen is your choice but don't look suprised of all the steady members disappear soon. |
Spam:
* Excessive off-topic threads * Posting nonsensical messages * "Flooding" the forum with similar meaning messages * Post-Count farming * Inciting a forum war or riot * Outwar-style links * Blatant advertising * Messages without content * Fraudulent activity (Pyramid schemes, chain letters, etc.) |
I think it depends on "how" off-topic it goes and what it covers. I have often gone off-topic myself ... for an example, I remember talking about FF:CC in a thread about OW and the PS2. But it provided discussion of the GameCube console and games for that system. So it was "related" to the discussion in some way, even if not directly.
So for example if a thread is discussing a particular game, and someone goes on to talk about another game because they can see something to talk about that might relate to both the original game and the new game, then the thread moves to talking about that new game instead, then I don't see a problem with it. But if a thread is talking about a game, then someone goes and posts something about whether Coke is better than Pepsi or they start up a personal conversation with another member. Then that shouldn't be allowed. Honestly, I don't think the rules are why new members don't stay. IMO I see posts that many would consider spam or flames, but I don't do anything because it would be too harsh. But they are leaving because they get such poor welcomes. I was just reading through that forum and felt total disgust when posts by two good members [one a regular and the other a less regular poster] posted that they were back and they both got insulted. I've also seen it occur to newbies. If I joined a forum, I wouldn't be returning if I read that in my welcome thread. As for responses like "I don't give a crap". Yes, that is spam. The poster is basically saying they don't care ... but if they really don't care enough to give an opinion, then they shouldn't be posting there. If you say you don't give a crap because ... then that's fine as it adds to a topic. Although there are exceptions such as commenting on a flash game, etc. So sometimes you have to take it in context of the actual topic itself. Although on the other hand I can see where warnings are unfair and even I think maybe a little too many have been given lately. It kind of doesn't seem fair that someone can get a warning for borderline spam and then another person can get a warning for heavy flaming, and it's all worth the same. At ACF [another forum I admin at] we operate on a scaled warning system. Spam is worth 1-5 points [depending on how bad it is], flaming 5 points, posting porn/hentai 8 points, racist/offensive remarks 10 points, etc. A member has a total of 30 warning points. At 25% they get a one week suspension, 50% a two week suspension, 75% a one month suspension and 100% is a permanent ban. Although that's possibly a bit more than we would need for a small forum like this [ACF is a larger forum], so maybe a "unofficial warning" option [i.e. PM the member to point out the issue, but it doesn't count towards the warning count] may be an option to consider. Abe Babe... |
I think abe babe settled it up pretty good.I think this warning is completely unfair.I don't deserve it.Go to oddworld help and check ''Please Help'' and read thier posts.Thier posts are almost EXACTLY the same as this so I don't see why its spam
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At last Abe Babe speaketh... and she made the "Odd"world once more a ritious place to post... and it was good.
Thankyou Abe Babe :kiss: I think we should change the warning system as AB suggested... to something a lot less... less... annoying! |
Are useless warnings conciderd spam to? In that case I say ban Alcar :P.
j/k ppl, before I get my ass kicked out of this forum... by Alcar... |
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And secondly, not everyone liked Codek. This statement has a deeper meaning then it looks like if you've been on the forum long enough. |
Esus and Abe Babe, thankyou for actually contributing to the thread in a constructive manner :)
I'm intrigued with Abe Babe's new proposal for a warning system, and the next time I see her online I'll get to discussin that with her. However, ClaireBear, before your massive brown-nosing, it won't change how often we give out warnings. From what I've gathered, it's just a different method of tallying. Alcar... |
I like the warning system AbeBabe uses on the ACF. I think it would work pretty effectively on this forum. I stick by what I said as what spam is, I honestly believe that all things covered in my points are spam. However, I don't think spam is limited to what I pointed out.
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I think a reform to the warning system is definitely worth trying. They would still be warnings, but in the interests of fairness, they would have different values, proportional to the offence.
I think a thank you should go to Alcar as well for opening this discussion. Refinement of the rules is always appreciated if it's reasonable and constructive. Unfortunately people seem to have missed this, and continue their heckling despite Alcar's bending. :
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