Forum Rules! You must read.

[Tethys]

Originally Posted by Crystal

If a genuine poster would like to start a thread they are more then welcome to PM me or O'Sullivan and we'd be more then happy to consider their request and adjust their account manually. While commercial spammers could post within a thread, I can tell you this has not been the problem. In fact, I can't recall seeing a commercial spammer within a thread. My concern does not lie with who is annoyed, but rather are we compliant with the server providers. I also think it is a good thing if members become familar with our rules, the way the board works (forum locations, features), and what threads we already have prior to starting a new thread. I think it will help improve the quality.

I totally agree.

I have only picked up and reported one case of advertising spamming, but I realise there would be a lot that I don’t see because the mods are on the job spam-busting the forum for us. This must be awfully time consuming, so I can see the benefits of any automated system that restricts this abuse.

And I also agree it’s a good idea for new members to spend a little time on the forum prior to posting threads, for all the reasons stated. I can’t remember how long I was here before posting a tread (and I’m too tired right now to check it out!), but I certainly would not have been deterred by the 30-day rule. Even now, after over three months here, I focus on taking part in posted discussions, because there are still so many areas of the forum I have not even visited yet, and so many posters I have not yet got to know.

Actually, I feel quite strongly that the rules regarding starting threads need to be stricter than the general posting rules. In fact, if anything, I would like to see them strengthened beyond the new rules applying to new members. I believe conditions and guidelines for all members also need to be reviewed. Some people post a thread, and then never come back to it. I know you can’t make it a rule, but guidelines might help to reduce the incidence of this. Also, I really believe thread starters should take a role in monitoring their thread, such as reporting any problem poster to the mods, or at least trying to mediate.

It’s past 3 am in Sydney (and I'm normally an early-night girl!)…got to get some sleep.

Good night, Crystal.

And thanks for your PM, Malvolio. I had not realised there were all these replies to Marc’s thread before I PM’ed you with that question about where I could find the check box to agree with the new rules.

The dedication of all the mods is much appreciated.

Good night USPOLites.

Tethys

[Meridious]

It would take me all of ten minutes to create a program that is set to spam like mad at 30 days after creating an account. It won't hinder the true spammers, but it will hinder the dumb, localized ones and it will piss off every new user you get.

If I were to register in a FORUM to learn I could not create my own thread with my own thought for 30 days, I would leave.

/shrug

That rule is over the top, though I do understand its premise and spammers should, as a rule, be shot on site.

And how will new users know that they can PM you for permission prior to the 30-day rule?

Dig through this forum and read every sentence?

Post it in your rules section.

[Marc]

I agree we need to make this more clear to new members and will look into how this can best be done.

Thanks.

[Crystal]

Originally Posted by Meridious

It would take me all of ten minutes to create a program that is set to spam like mad at 30 days after creating an account. It won't hinder the true spammers, but it will hinder the dumb, localized ones and it will piss off every new user you get.

If I were to register in a FORUM to learn I could not create my own thread with my own thought for 30 days, I would leave.

/shrug

That rule is over the top, though I do understand its premise and spammers should, as a rule, be shot on site.

And how will new users know that they can PM you for permission prior to the 30-day rule?

Dig through this forum and read every sentence?

Post it in your rules section.

Even if you created a program to spam a board in 30 days it really won't matter because you would also have to have 30 posts to start the spam thread. 30 days AND 30 posts.

[winter6126]

I am learning ...

[iamwhatiseem]

Originally Posted by gem

Why a thirty delay before you can post a new thread? That sounds a bit controlling and excessive to me. Did you have to wait thirty days before you were allowed to post a new thread?

Just curious.

Gem

To stop bot post for one.
To stop people who logon to post only one thread promoting another website
To stop newbies from posting 8 paragraph copy and paste threads etc.

[iamwhatiseem]

DEar god winter - would you mind losing that incredibly annoying billboard you got there.

[iamwhatiseem]

BTW - I disagree with the extra large font thing - as long as it is not obsessive.
Sometimes you have to stand on a chair to get attention.
I use it every so often - it works.

[Malvolio]

Originally Posted by iamwhatiseem

BTW - I disagree with the extra large font thing - as long as it is not obsessive.
Sometimes you have to stand on a chair to get attention.
I use it every so often - it works.

That rule has been around for years now ... if you never got busted your attention seeking probably wasn't that bad.

[Marc]

I have added in the welcome e-mail the 30 post and 30 day thing and who to contact to get an exception. It should be pretty clear. Also setting up a welcome PM, but it is not working for some reason. It will have the same text.

Thanks.

[Meridious]

Originally Posted by Crystal

Even if you created a program to spam a board in 30 days it really won't matter because you would also have to have 30 posts to start the spam thread. 30 days AND 30 posts.

You do realize how easy that would be to accomplish...right?

Not that I care.

Your exception is now part of the rule, and can be seen by the new folks, so it doesn't matter.

[O'Sullivan Bere]

Originally Posted by Meridious

You do realize how easy that would be to accomplish...right?

Not that I care.

Your exception is now part of the rule, and can be seen by the new folks, so it doesn't matter.

It's just a spam deterrent, not a spam proof tactic. Hardnut spammers can and always will find a way. It should cut down on the volume, though.

The rule is also intended to prevent new registrants who like to 'depth charge' the forum with massive multiple threads from doing so. Too often we have had ideological extremists and/or trolls register and then immediately create 7, 8, or 9 extremely crappy, partisan and/or obnoxious threads in our most popular subforums in order to overwhelm and dominate the forum and effectively control its content. These types then often abandon the forum shortly thereafter to patrol and depth charge elsewhere.

With this rule, real conversationalists will join the discussion and quickly get their thread privileges. Those who are only interested in doing what I explained will go elsewhere. As stated, real conversationalists who have just joined can ask the mod squad for permission to post a thread if they really feel the need to do so and we will screen the proposal and the poster to approve or deny it. Indeed, some decent potential poster may decide not to join us because he or she doesn't like the rule, but there are pluses and minuses for every move made. IMO, the pluses of this rule outweigh the minuses.

[Tethys]

Originally Posted by O'Sullivan Bere

Indeed, some decent potential poster may decide not to join us because he or she doesn't like the rule, but there are pluses and minuses for every move made. IMO, the pluses of this rule outweigh the minuses.

I absolutely agree.

Tethys

[Tethys]

Originally Posted by Marc

I have added in the welcome e-mail the 30 post and 30 day thing and who to contact to get an exception. It should be pretty clear. Also setting up a welcome PM, but it is not working for some reason. It will have the same text.

Thanks.

A lot of newbies have been posting a new thread in the Welcome forum to say hello. The new rule will prevent this. So I think the Welcome PM should also direct new posters to the "Introduce yourself" thread.

Tethys

[Meridious]

Originally Posted by O'Sullivan Bere

It's just a spam deterrent, not a spam proof tactic. Hardnut spammers can and always will find a way. It should cut down on the volume, though.

The rule is also intended to prevent new registrants who like to 'depth charge' the forum with massive multiple threads from doing so. Too often we have had ideological extremists and/or trolls register and then immediately create 7, 8, or 9 extremely crappy, partisan and/or obnoxious threads in our most popular subforums in order to overwhelm and dominate the forum and effectively control its content. These types then often abandon the forum shortly thereafter to patrol and depth charge elsewhere.

With this rule, real conversationalists will join the discussion and quickly get their thread privileges. Those who are only interested in doing what I explained will go elsewhere. As stated, real conversationalists who have just joined can ask the mod squad for permission to post a thread if they really feel the need to do so and we will screen the proposal and the poster to approve or deny it. Indeed, some decent potential poster may decide not to join us because he or she doesn't like the rule, but there are pluses and minuses for every move made. IMO, the pluses of this rule outweigh the minuses.

I basically agree.

What I thought needed to be done has been done...a user who reads the rules NOW can see that he can request to have the ban on threads lifted prior to the 30-day mark.

I agree that...with that rule....you should not lose newcomers (At least those who are smart enough to actually read the rules)

With that addendum, I no longer think it is over the top. As I said, I think spammers should be shot on site.

: )