When will we forum members learn

***Alcar*** · #1 04-16-2002, 09:08 PM

Ever so recently spam has been popping up left, right and center. Posts that contain 4 or more words, even 1 word sometimes, im talking about the phrases like:

"oh cool!"

"oops"

"thats so sick"

Posts that have absolutely no meaning or relevance to the topic, or any topic in fact. The Admin's have stepped up on there stand on no spamming but because they are never online as much as some people, they miss seeing most of the spam people post. I see most of it, mainly cause im always online, its hideous stuff and even though it may not take up to much space on the server it is very annoying.

I dont know why i started this topic, i guess i wanted to state my anger, yes anger, in a few places in my above statements i said some very harsh words, but i restrained myself.

I guess i am also hoping for tougher actions by the Admins and Moderators on spammers, while we are at it how about people that constantly break the rules like having multiple forum identities.

I don't mean to sound like an ogre, but it's getting out of control now.

Alcar...

Danny · #2 04-16-2002, 09:19 PM

One thing to add: If Spam does appear, Ignore it! Posts that just say "That's Spam!" are as much Spam as posts that just say "cool"...

paramiteabe · #3 04-16-2002, 10:15 PM

I am with you mann I see it a lot especally within the last few weeks. I try to ignor it as much as possible because I spend most of my time in the fan fiction writing my stories. Something has to be done about that. It is becomeing like an all out computer war! I remember when it was more calm around these forums when I joined way back in November but in the last few weeks things have started to tense up with some people, you know? I mean I have been seeing spam everywhere We have to do something!

I say we should write a pitition and have everybody who agrees sign it and send it to the Admins. telling them are feelings towards this. It has to be cleaned serously!

I don't want to be mean but there are some members that are trying to get me very upset but it's not working because I am a pretty calm person. The point is that this has to be delt with.

MojoMan220 · #4 04-16-2002, 11:55 PM

I am with you guys and all, but the spam is not going to stop. Sure most mature members will try not to spam, but when it comes to newbies and imature people its still going to pop up in threads. Just ignore the spam, all the admins and mods can do is enforce the rule. Like Alcar said most of them aren't on as much as some people and the spam gets by. Even if the admins and mods catch you they will warn the person, they can't keep track of all the names of repeat offenders while still managing a website, so once again the spammer can get away. All I do is ignore it, no big deal.

munchman · #5 04-16-2002, 11:56 PM

sorry every one if i have posted spam befor, i see it every were it does not bother me "did i spam"?

Al the Vykker · #6 04-17-2002, 12:36 AM

True to the point. I know I have done that before mainly on fanfics. But in large discussions posts need to be a little longer, otherwise it seems you may just be trying to rack up posts. I too have also noticed paramiteabe, the more members we have gained the more problems we have gained. When I joined there was only 392 people, there our almost a thousand now, although half remain dorment. But we need some stronger crack down on spam.

The Shrink · #7 04-17-2002, 02:05 AM

Thank you for bringing this up Alcar. I have noticed that the forums are getting rather pathetic lately. The spoiler forum is basically dead since everyone has played MO and there is nothing new and Oddworldy to talk about in there. The general discussion is dying, again because there is nothing new and interesting to discuss. But when you turn to the off-topic discussion, it's all spam and stupid topics (most are quite funny though!) that go for pages and pages of spam. Members just want more of those stars under their avatars and so just keep posting spam for the hell of it to build up their post counts. Admins have to crack down on this!

Majic · #8 04-17-2002, 02:18 AM

I think the topics for stars have been narrowed down relatively nicely to "Online Hike". That seems to be the easiest way to get stars, I hope people aren't stupid enough to just want more and more stars though.

***Cloverfield*** · #9 04-17-2002, 03:45 AM

Spam seems to be a neverending problem on any forum, and lately on this one. I've been trying to delete some spam posts if I find them.

But I think we also need an effort from members to not respond to spam posts. I go to a post and see a spam message, and then immediately following it is a post by someone either telling the person not to spam or saying something about the spam post. If this happens, it is then irrelevant to delete the spam post because people are then discussing it. So think about what you are responding, don't respond to the spammer. Not only will they not get any attention from what they are doing, but we will be able to delete the post.

Perhaps I will start deleting any posts and posts telling people not to spam in future. As they are all as bad as each other.

There is also an option to disable post counts all together from any forum. But it probably wouldn't work as people might use it as a free will to be able to spam, and also intelligent discussion posts would not be counted.

Abe Babe...

Whistling kettle · #10 04-17-2002, 09:10 AM

:

Originally posted by The Shrink
But when you turn to the off-topic discussion, it's all spam and stupid topics.

Yes there is too much spam in the off-topic but not only in the off-topic. There are stupid topics but the most idioticly topics are closed.

:

Originally posted by Majic_Abe"Online Hike". That seems to be the easiest way to get stars

Yes. The most stupid reply's are in the online hike. It's is funny I think but it's during so long that it is not funny anymore and just a way to get much posts.

:

Originally posted by Abe Babenot respond to spam posts

Yes that is the bets thing to do.

Cool Paramite · #11 04-17-2002, 09:57 AM

Talking about huge spam topics, does anyone remember Glukkon meeting? It was HUGE spam from the beginning but it was funny!

***Xavier*** · #12 04-17-2002, 10:18 AM

Sometimes One word can be more powerfull than a long explanation
I never post big messages cause a have some proble with english but I thry to not spam, I wope it works

Cool Paramite · #13 04-17-2002, 10:31 AM

It works. (Oops, that were only two words.....)

paramiteabe · #14 04-17-2002, 02:22 PM

Maybe there should be something that instantly gets rid of one word phrases or spam. Like if the membor writes a spam topic the system recognizes it as spam and it deletes it automatacally. That would be perfect if there was something like that. Because if you think about it no body would be abel to write spam and if they did, it will be automatically deleted. It would be like writing something and then trying to post it but then it never shows up. This would allow Admins to go about their business and not have to worry about deleteing the spam topics themselves because the system does it for them. I don't know just an idea I made up just now.

It could clean all the spam that is in these forums and people will know that writing spam does not process through the system.

Because the system will automatically delete it. So it is like a one way street you eaither write something worth talking about or your post will be automatally deleted try again!

Doug · #15 04-17-2002, 02:38 PM

:

Originally posted by Abe Babe
There is also an option to disable post counts all together from any forum. But it probably wouldn't work as people might use it as a free will to be able to spam, and also intelligent discussion posts would not be counted.

I think that as long as members are "rewarded" by the number of posts -- the only available objective criterion -- there will be a tendency for some members to post for the sake of posting.

Although the stars and changing rank names are kind of fun, they do tend encourage a certain elitist attitude, which is ironic in that some high post counts are generated by an awful lot of garbage.

I believe that disabling the post counts would minimize spam, because the incentive to post for the sake of posting would be removed. Right now, there is no disincentive to spam except for the knowledge that it is not considered appropriate. If the stars are gone, not only is the behavior frowned upon, but you don't get anything for doing it except for the disapproval of fellow members.

I'm not necessarily in favor of getting rid of the stars and ranks. I just think that except for harsher policing, we'll have to tolerate a certain amount of spam if the forums continues to reward for making a post regardless of the content. It would be interesting to see who would hang around here if not for the stars, though.

MunchOnThis · #16 04-17-2002, 02:40 PM

I agree with you all. It says so in the rules not to spam so why can't people follow that?? It's prefectly clear you're not supposed to spam.

SeaRex · #17 04-17-2002, 07:19 PM

:

Originally posted by Alcar
"oops"

Look, some ppl accidentally double post, OK...

Al the Vykker · #18 04-17-2002, 07:31 PM

You have a good point Abe Babe. Spam will always continue if we are too ignorant to even leave it alone. We have to stop spam by not supporting it, and not responding. But only time will tell if our spam problem will decrease.

***Alcar*** · #19 04-17-2002, 08:50 PM

SeaRex, if you double post then it is acceptable as long as you go back and delete the second post.

Alcar...

Danny · #20 04-17-2002, 09:55 PM

:

Originally posted by Al the Vykker
You have a good point Abe Babe.

I made that point in the second post in this topic, way before Kristen did, so why does she get all the credit?

I think that getting rid of post counts altogether would be a good idea. And I have the highest post count of anyone on the forums, so I'm sacrificing a lot here...

Sl'askia · #21 04-17-2002, 09:55 PM

Here's an idea...instead of replying to the spam topic itself to tell the poster not to spam...send him/her a PM instead...

Fazerina · #22 04-19-2002, 03:51 PM

I'd be okey with that, if we got rid of the post count. But we wouldn't have to get rid of the whole rank system... People could get more stars by the time they've been here. So veterans would have a high rank and newbies low and it would grow in time.

Some may think this is unfair if they post a lot, but posting a lot isn't always a good thing. If you just want to post a lot you'll spam and do just plain stupid topics...

Anyway, that's just a thought. And I already like the system as it is...

morphius · #23 04-19-2002, 04:21 PM

Why is the term spam used on this forum?

Gluk Schmuck · #24 04-19-2002, 07:43 PM

:

Originally posted by morphius
Why is the term spam used on this forum?

Because it's the term used to describe 'spam.'

morphius · #25 04-19-2002, 07:48 PM

what is the relevance with spam though?

Sl'askia · #26 04-19-2002, 08:06 PM

Spam is the term used for pointless and irrealivent posts/topics. Like posts that only have one or two words in it...

morphius · #27 04-19-2002, 08:09 PM

but why use spam?

Sl'askia · #28 04-19-2002, 08:26 PM

*shrugs* I have no idea why the online community used that term for the 'junk' posts. We also use it as the term for 'junk email'.

Gluk Schmuck · #29 04-19-2002, 08:44 PM

:

Originally posted by morphius
but why use spam?

Why call a cat a 'cat'?

MudokonOddball · #30 04-19-2002, 11:58 PM

"For what's in a name? For which a rose were called not a rose would smell so sweet?"

....Mkay. Enough of that.

Alcar, you continue to amaze me in your display in intelligence, maturity, articulation, and perceptiveness. No offense, but sometimes I can't help but doubt that you are younger than I am. (Despite the "Gift Basket" incident......) However, again, your respect is forever growing, and I thank you on behalf of all the forums members for your bringing up such a seemingly painful and for some reason deperately avoided by all topic. Again, you shall be commemorated for your deeds. And for my banner.