other forums have a post count requirement before retards can start threads to spam their crap. is this an option perhaps for this forum too? if it’s not obvious, this is in regards to all the helpful threads lately for video conversions. thread-starter postcount??? one. that’s right. one single post, and said post being their spammy crap in their spammy thread. totally useful info. thanks idiots for spamming your crap here, and then again, and then again, and then AGAIN. the unicycling community salutes you.
p.s. where’s the icon for flipping the bird? i guess the thumbs-down will have to do instead.
Those are the easy spams to delete, even though they post one thread normally which doesn’t get through the akismet spam check, and then since it didn’t get through, they post another thread with random text, edit the thread, which bypasses the akismet check. The hard ones to catch are the ones that show up in the middle of threads. Some spammers are even getting clever and posting something that looks like it’s on topic, but then have their spam links in the signature.
Right now, the best way is to use the report button, which isn’t being used enough.
I’m open to any suggestions. But, it does have to not hinder legitimate new users.
Could a possible solution be to have a ‘sticky’ Hi, I’m new here’ thread and allow a new user to start a thread as soon as they’ve posted in that one particular thread?
I’m not sure if the software would allow that, but it doesn’t strike me as too difficult to rig up?
It’ll also give us a central “Hi I’m new here” repository and not impede new users unduly.
Thats how it works over at a guitarmodeling forum.
Before I could post there, or be able to use links used by other members in threads, I had to post a “Hi, im new” thread in the right section, then was able to freely post and download from the forum.
But I like the system now. Its not immediate, but it works. Another mod or two who can just remove spam could help, but the amount of spam isnt that bad.
I like the idea suggested above. In fact, I like any idea that promotes new users to read first and create threads later. Like starting them off where they can only post in existing threads for a while, or some sort of introductory period where they can’t create threads willy-nilly.
And possibly something for established users who get bored and start making garbage threads, at least outside of JC and the Trash Bin.
Rather than a “Hi, I’m new here” thread, how about a “New user needs help” thread for all newbies. Or even a small collection of these threads with subject categories. Example:
New User Needs Help - Choosing a Unicycle
New User Needs Help - Learning to Ride
New User Needs Help - Finding Nearby Riders
New User Needs Help - Other
Others you may think of
I agree with Gilby that new users should not be cut off from being able to ask questions. This might be the perfect vehicle to allow for this, while cutting down on the volume of same-subject new threads that are always being created. These threads will stay on or near the first page if they are getting traffic. If not, they can be made into stickies. New users can not only post, but read the existing content in those threads and possibly get a boatload of information specific to their needs. Then when they do post, their questions can be a lot more focued and we might be able to answer them immediately, without having to ask them for more details.
But for the above to work, new users should be allowed to initially post only in those threads. That would be enough to let them get their questions out while still getting a feel for the forums and the idea that their questions may be already answered. But in this case, possibly in a thread they can see right on the front page!
Some have a timer to limit how often you can post. Something like 2 minutes from your last post. This eliminates saturation posting with nonsense replies.
One forum I know insists that you must reply to 3 threads for every new thread you start. This prevents saturation posting of advertising threads or flame war threads.
Some have “trusted user” status. For the first 20 posts, there is a delay while your post is read by the moderator and cleared. This eliminates new -user trolls and marketing BS.
RSU works best by the sensible people not responding to the stupid posts.
I like the forums the way they are. The less regulation the better I think. A lot of your suggestions would indeed keep down spamers and stop the “flame wars”, but it would greatly hinder the people using these forums for the “right reasons”.
My favorite spam magnet thread is the one yoopers stared by asking about refilling 1nk c4rtidg3s (obfuscated so this thread doesn’t become a spam magnet as well). Every time that thread comes to the front page I know it was just found by a spammer.
A difficulty with spam links in signatures is that signatures can be changed. Make a post with a clean sig then change the sig a few days later to a spammy sig. If you see out of place links or spammy links in a sig then report the post.
Another difficult to notice spammy blackhat technique is c00kiestuffing. Look for posts that have an embedded hidden image usually something like clear.gif hidden as an image tag. It’s not really a gif, it’s a script and it’s likely trying to stuff a c00kie or some other form of cross-site scripting abuse.
If you quote a post and see a hidden gif like that, report it as spam and please don’t quote the hidden gif as well if you make a reply. It doesn’t have to be a hidden clear gif, it could be a smiley from a different site. This is a difficult type of spam to notice. One clue is that you’ll notice the page never completely finishes loading. The busy cursor in the browser will continue even after it appears that the page has loaded. The hidden fake gif is keeping the page from finishing loading so it can do its cross site scripting dirty deeds. Watch for it. Report it if you see it. I’ve seen it show up here and in other forums. This is also a good reason for forums to have images disabled in sigs.
he’s an archist? what’s wrong with archery? if it was good nuf for Rambo tis good nuf for me.
no really, i joke.
noticed another couple of spam threads the last few days. a part of me wants to click the idiot icon, but the other wants to see any clever replies first before the thread disappears.
