Spam - Please read, it will affect you all.

[motorwatchercounter]

Hi all,

I have no problems with a bit of advertising (z for the States or Canada) but can we, as a forum, have a code to snuff out any pure adverts.

Pure scum bags in my, strong opinon, snuffing it out now will allow this forum to grow and be productive. This will benefit us ALL. Try another forum to find out how bad it can get.

How about the word "LEECH" to identify.

[CaribbeanChoice]

Hi all,

I have no problems with a bit of advertising (z for the States or Canada) but can we, as a forum, have a code to snuff out any pure adverts.
We spell it "advertising" here in the states as well. Perhaps you are thinking of recognize vs. recognise.

Pure scum bags in my, strong opinon, snuffing it out now will allow this forum to grow and be productive. This will benefit us ALL. Try another forum to find out how bad it can get.

How about the word "LEECH" to identify.
I think what is needed is moderators. That is what moderators do. But I think that moderators shouldn't be overzealous either. There are some forums I don't visit much anymore because the moderators or admins delete ALL external links and call it spam. Some of those links were actually useful, on topic and I wanted to visit!!!

I don't see too big of a spam problem here at all, and if it gets worse, some moderators would do the trick.

[CaribbeanChoice]

I think what is needed is a forum area specifically for people posting adverts or people asking people to review their website. Personally, I like seeing what other people are up to, BUT I don't want it mixed in with the other topics on the site. That way I have a choice to visit it or not.

I actually set-up a place on my forum just for people to post their adverts, and as long as it was legal and in good taste, I left it there. I originally set it up just so I could allow people to advertise their stuff, without me having to upset or ban people if they posted an ad. I just tell them to keep it in the correct forum and moved the post, if placed in the wrong spot. They are happy, I am happy, my visitors are happy.

And here is the weird thing! People were actually visiting the forum and looking at the adverts people left!!! I was actually surprised at the number of times the adverts were viewed. So apparently a percentage of my readers wanted to read the ads. Go figure. But at least it was out of the main discussion areas of the forum, which was my goal in the first place.

[Arne]

Oh, I'm worried now. Well, I would consider my signature as advertising. It's a small thing I made and I have it there so it might attacr one or two more people. Is this all right?
Can you maybe list some posts/threads that are examples of what you mean?

Having a link to your site in the sig is not spamming. Asking for help, advise with developing (espacially if there is rendering problem) your site is not spamming if you add a link, because to be able to help others need to see what you have done.

This is spamming (even considering the poster join the forum the same day he posted this) if you look att the post starting the thread.

http://forum.statcounter.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2692
http://forum.statcounter.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2377

[motorwatchercounter]

The comment was not intended for anyone who has posted to the thread so far. In fact I commented on how nice the Church site was.

Like you Arne, I try and be as positive, constructive and helpfull to all.

I also do not see posting a link as spamming. If I did I would not do it. In fact it has to be there if people are asking for comments and help. People are more than welcome to look at any of my posts. I think/hope that they would see that they normally have constuctive comments on them.

[Nomad]

I have no problem with sigs going to folks sites at my own place as long as there within forum guidelines. spirelli's sig would be highly acceptable ..It's not in your face but a 'Hey, you wanna visit - it's your choice' if you get my meaning.
I see some that have like 5-6 image/text links going to commercial sites at other places i visit(ed) - don't go there often as i used to now for that reason.

I hate spam, scams and 'in your face' internet marketing. If it's honest, reliable good content, well displayed with the user in mind then thats a good site to me. Not to many of them about IMHO.

My orn research shows that a big drive is underway to stamp all of these practices online. The sooner the better is my point of view!

nice one motorwatchercounter

Nomad

[JWJ]

Although there may be some posts that are 'woolly' with regards to their spamming intentions, some are blatant abuse of the forum and therefore membership.

I for one would very much appreciate a comment from our moderators.

[JWJ]

Last posts on Nov 16th and 26th respectively ... so they are active.

[JWJ]

... which is more than can be said for the moderators.

[rhondafae]

Hi!

If you have a problem and need support, please submit a support ticket.

We're a bit back-logged at the moment, but that's the surest way to get your problem resolved.

Thanks!

[JWJ]

In other words, StatCounter are happy to allow spam unless it causes actual problems.

I am very surprised. Raise a support ticket??? I would never a raise a support ticket unless I had a system problem for which I needed support. If you are encouraging users to raise tickets over relatively minor service issues, then no wonder you're back-logged.

If that is the only way the StatCounter team can moderate the forum then I choose to leave it unmoderated, unless the spam gets totally out of control.

[rhondafae]

John,

I misunderstood. You're complaining about spam here in the forum.

Agreed, not an issue for support ticket. My fault.

Unfortunately, I don't have the opportunity to browse the forum unless I am searching for something specific. If there's a real problem such as the one chrisooc reported via support ticket on Friday night, please feel free to use that method. Additionally, I can be reached by email (rhonda@statcounter.com) or IM (rhondafae@yahoo.com). I can address a specific issue, but honestly, I don't have the luxury of time to play "search and destroy". :lol:

Rhonda

[JWJ]

Understood ... and now I am aware that you do not watch over the forum in the way that I mistakenly thought you did.

If it ever gets bad enough to warrant taking you away from more pressing matters, then I'm sure there will be plenty of support tickets raised without me adding to the pile.

Thank you for your explanation.

[rhondafae]

I'll take the matter up with our webmaster when I get a moment of his time, as he is my advisor in all of these issues.

With regard to my opinion, well, thanks for the invitation. I'm reminded of a beloved quote:


It is not advisable, James, to venture unsolicited opinions. You should spare yourself the embarrassing discovery of their exact value to your listener.
Ayn Rand - Atlas Shrugged, 1957

:lol:

[rhondafae]

If there's really a blatant, annoying, disruptive or obscene post? Contact me. I've listed a number of ways under my profile. :D

It's not that i don't care about the forum; I do. But Those support tickets are my focus. They have to be. As a result it's really hard to get my attention in here.

Thanks!

[JWJ]

In other words, this forum is to be self-moderated by it's users who can contact a member of the support team if necessary. I can live with that now I know. Posting the names of StatCounter Moderators at the head of the forum caused me to believe all posts were being observed (which is what I thought 'moderating' involved).

Since it is not desirable for a whole heap of support tickets to be raised the next time we have some spam, may I suggest anyone raising a ticket post here so that we know the support team are on it. One tickets enough, right Rhonda?

I also agree with Spirelli that a proper moderator (no offense Rhonda, I appreciate your priorities) could be appointed, but maybe the situation isn't quite bad enough for that .... yet.

[rhondafae]

No problem, John. :wink:

Maybe there will come a day when I can hang out in here with you guys more often! Part of my reluctance to actively "moderate" has been due to lack of experience with forums. You all seem to maintain a degree of professional courtesy, even if it's sometimes laced with sarcasm. Far be it for me to come in here and begin imposing restrictions before I know what's commonly considered acceptable and what's not.

That's why I invite you to let me know if there's a severe case of abuse. Yes, I actually did remove an obscene link last week because it was clearly NOT appropriate, but there wasn't much doubt about that one.

Bottom line is, I'm available if you all need help, and happily so.

Thanks!