Spamming...

Discussion in 'Forum Policy and Questions' started by Isaac Parks, Feb 21, 2016.

  1. Isaac Parks

    Isaac Parks
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    So I just saw that someone spammed the "Help Wanted Unpaid" forum. He posted the same thread like six or seven times. Is this allowed? I hope not, because it's really annoying. Also, some people keep replying to their own portfolios to keep them at the top of the forums. That wouldn't be so bad if it was once or twice a month, but some are posting once or twice a DAY. Are there any specific rules as to what qualifies as spam?

    I would appreciate it if an admin or someone could set this straight.
    Thanks
     
  2. NO9

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    I started wondering if I'm the only who noticed that.
     
  3. bantamcitygames

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    That's a good point. We have a spam filtering system in place, but it doesn't catch everything so definitely use the Report button to let me know about any that slip through the cracks. NO9, I saw you reported one recently, but without context the post did not look like spam. What I didn't know/check is if the same poster keeps posting about the same topic. I'll check on that now, but definitely include that in your message when you report something. I have a full time job, wife and two kids, and when I'm not doing that I do game development on the side, so this forum definitely doesn't get the full attention it deserves. I'll try to be better about investigating these occurrences, but definitely report them if you see them.

    I've gone ahead and banned the person that did this in the Help Wanted Unpaid forum.
     
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  4. NO9

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    I saw alert with your question but I don't know how to answer. Was it private message or something else?

    There were two or three pages of bumping one thread, almost every day. I asked in that thread 'if this is a spam bot?' and then the whole thread disappeared and new thread appeared with almost same content, without bumping. I asked then again the same question and this happend again. I don't know how this forum works under the hood and I don't know if you have access to the history of deleted posts but if you do, then you should look into that.
     
  5. bantamcitygames

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    @NO9 I see what you mean. Do you think it would be valuable to limit the number of threads an individual can start to 1 or 2 in the Art/Music/Other portfolio sections? I'm not sure about the bumping part of it.
     
  6. NO9

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    I saw two or three examples of this spamming and I think it can still be handled manually or just by issuing some warning to the users doing it. If this will repeat over and over again such limits can come handy.
     
  7. metateen

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    I've deleted things before (though like 1 once on the sane user mind you) though we just need to reestablish some activity in here and what not.

    While the anti-spam catches few things it doesn't catch everything unfortunately.
     
  8. NO9

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  9. metateen

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  10. Desktop Gaming

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    Would it be possible to have it so that if a thread is replied to by the OP (i.e. a "bump"), it stays where it is and doesn't go back to the top?
     
  11. metateen

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    That's seen in the recent activity where each post is bumped to the top, no matter thread location or sub-forum.

    In certain sub-forums. It'll stay where it is, for a limited amount of time.
     
  12. Isaac Parks

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    The thing is, I don't think that there is anything wrong with bumping a thread. A bump once or twice a month lets everyone know you are still available and ready for work. The problem occurs when people bump their thread too often. They try to keep their thread at the top of the sub-forum and in the recent activity box. I think we should edit the posting guide to include a rule about thread bumping. Maybe no more than once a week or something.

    Also, Sam Foster is now deleting her old posts with each new bump. She bumped her thread yesterday, then deleted the old bump and bumped it again today. Don't know if anyone has noticed this.
     
  13. metateen

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    I wasn't aware (mainly vacation) though it's over so i'll be more vigilant about the issues among us. Gonna need to watch over the for hire territories a little more, considering that's where more spam originates from and to be frank about it. I noticed it's also most present in the composers area, though I gotta play it and confront some more. it's much needed.
     
  14. NO9

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    I also don't see anything wrong in bumping threads if there is any good reason for that, such as new information comes in or just to remind something that could be ommited otherwise. But overusing it seems not polite to the other users or readers and makes forum look rusty/abandoned a bit.
     
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  15. bantamcitygames

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    I'll look to see if there are any settings around this in the Admin panel and report back.
     
  16. bantamcitygames

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    It doesn't look like there is much in the way of built in functionality or add ons to support this type of limitation. I guess I'll just have to keep a closer eye on it for now. I have toyed with the thought of requiring a very small payment to post into those types of forums, but I had decided against it to encourage more people to use the site.
     
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  17. Desktop Gaming

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    The Sam Foster thread did have an unacceptable level of bumpage - sometimes three per day.

    I've issued a warning in this case with a pre-emptive strike about further infractions resulting in a ban, so hopefully that one, at least, will now reduce.

    Obviously we'd rather not have to ban anybody but this forum isn't a free advertising vessel for anybody who decides they're going to make the site their own. Excessive thread-bumping does need a massive crack-down.

    And while we're at it, people who join *only* to advertise their game on Android, and never contribute anything else to the forum. I'd like to see that given more scrutiny, too.

    Almost forgot - if anyone sees a user who isn't "entering into the community spirit", shall we say. Just report the thread/post, and a moderator will be on it quicker than a ferret up a pant leg.
     
    #17 Desktop Gaming, Mar 1, 2016
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2016
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  18. Desktop Gaming

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    Well... that went well. After a very clear warning she once again bumped her thread which I've now deleted and the user in question has been banned. Call it "setting an example".

    Bumping threads several times a day is a) not fair on other site users, and b) not acceptable conduct and very annoying to others - particularly when they're deleting their previous posts and pretending the never existed (but moderators see all). Of course we all want work, but that is NOT the way to get it. To reiterate, if there are any others that need a polite nudge, hit the Report button and they'll be dealt with.
     
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  19. Desktop Gaming

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    Just issued yet another warning where a user is deleting his own posts to pretend they didn't exist, then reposting, thus bumping the thread without (as far as regular users are concerned) having posted anything new.

    Perhaps we need to disable the option that's letting users delete their own posts as it's clearly being abused?
     
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  20. NO9

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    Thanks.

    Well... The option for deleting posts is rarely useful to normal users so I think it can be disabled safely. If there is real need to remove a particular post I think moderation can handle direct requests from users.
     
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