I'd just like to say a big thank you to all the mods/admins on this site. You guys do a great job. Yesterday, I posted something that was against the rules, so I'd like to apologize for that. So, thank you mods/admins for the time you take out to moderate! :D
A big thanks to the mods/admins!
(18 posts) (12 voices)-
Well it's great to get appreciation from the members, so thanks :) It's not easy when sometimes spammers register and post a whole bunch of random spam topics. Plus we are all just regular people like you who can't live on this site 24/7. But we do do our best and remove anything against the rules as soon as we see it. I'd like to add that I definatley agree that the increase in mods has helped the community. I remember back when there was only Bubby and Lee and how sometimes spam would get out of control. We can never eliminate spam but we're all doing all best to keep it way down. So I'd like to thank you as well. It's the respectful members like you that keep this forum popular and outway the few annoying spammers.
Posted 16 years ago # -
From the point of view of an admin (other sites), I know exactly how troubling and time consuming it can be to remove spam (and spammers).
I appreciate the staff going to the trouble to keep things clean.
Posted 16 years ago # -
It is a shame that spammers are such thick & slow learners. Obviously the penny hasn't dropped yet that in some cases only minutes after they create an account and post spam - the spam is gone, and the account is banned.
Perhaps we could name and shame these companies - give them plenty of publicity for their ability to advertise deceptively and post/send spam. Perhaps not a reputation they would be proud of if brought to light.
Usually the software being spamvertised isn't anything special - usually a rebadged or relicensed audio or video converter going under another name. Perhaps the spam is just poorly disguised as a link to a 'helpful tutorial' using a bunch of commercial products that the advertised site 'just happens' to sell. Another technique is a "top5reviewed' type site that just has a rather lame review of 5 of their products - and surprise surprise they have links to buy those 5 products at their site - or they are affiliates and will take a cut of each sale (I usually choose to not deal with affiliates but deal direct with the developers site - I would rather 100% of the money go back to the developer and into the product).
Unfortunately there is the possibility that a legitimate new user might post a 'testimonial' for one of these products - and they have their first post removed, and they get banned... I guess it's just a risk of whom you associate with.
Just as a reminder commercial advertising is banned - unless it is quite clear that the user doesn't work for the company or stands to profit by mentioning the products. This is usually determined by the users past history on the forums and how long they have been around - a member who has been registered for 17 minutes and made 2 posts, doesn't qualify.
If you see a post you believe breaks the forum rules (like spam) click on the "Report" link following the offending post. This includes 'my friend told me' types of recommendations, links to sales, reviews then sales, or tutorials then sales, type of posts.
I would much rather have the opinion of another user I trust who can recommend a product because it is good, and not because they will make a few dollars if they can talk me into buying it also.
phew ;)
Posted 16 years ago # -
Buckleysmom
MemberAwe, you guys (and gals) all know I love ya so I'm not gonna go gettin all muushy on ya but I did want to reply to what BuBBy said:
I would much rather have the opinion of another user I trust who can recommend a product because it is good,
You know, I've gone to Consumer Reports to check on things before buying, and I don't know what planet those people come from who do their testing but I've been disappointed almost every time. I've gotten much better advice here on all sorts of things than I have there. So THANK YOU one and all! I've said it before and I say it again....this is one of the best forums I've ever been a part of. And the mods are just the greatest, most wonderful, sweetest, ......oops, I said I wouldn't get all muushy. Oh well.....so sue me! LOL
BKPosted 16 years ago # -
copmom
MemberI'll add my 2 cents by thanking all the mods and admin here! I've gotten more help here than anywhere else online.
Bubby.. maybe you could start a topic called "Shame On You" and list all the scammers and spammers. That would give all of us a chance to steer clear of them.. and perhaps once they realize they are on a list like that, they'll quit pulling their little stunts!
Posted 16 years ago # -
midori
MemberBuBBy's SpamBusters! Join BuBBy's BoomingBusiness:
BuBBy's BubbleBurstingBackfiringSpamBustingBattalion! Get on the Bandwagon and join our Bandleader Bubby! Siss-Boom-Bam! Put the Spam in the Can! (How does my cheerleading outfit look. A little too tight?) *@@&:-DPosted 16 years ago # -
Copmom,
Somehow I don't think that will work. When they choose names that include the spamming like products (medicines, medical conditions ...), they show they are trying to draw attention to themselves. I guess they think that bad attention is better than no attention.
I disagree that we should have a list of them. That would only ENCOURAGE them from what I've seen.
Posted 16 years ago # -
Of course the problem with the technique - it is open to abuse. eg. I work for company A so I post some spam for company B to make them look bad. Of course I'm probably attributing this mob with far more planning and ability to think through consequences than spammers can usually muster up.
Posted 16 years ago # -
thenameipicked
MemberWhen you sign up, does it require your email? If it does, why not change your privacy policy to something like "We won't send you emails without your consent unless you violate the above rules", and if somebody, lets say, is blatantly advertising or spamming (has to be caught by real people), they are put on our "forward the junk mail we get" list.
Most of this is in jest, but it *could* work :P
Posted 16 years ago # -
Buckleysmom
Memberthename....Hey! I like that idea :)
Posted 16 years ago # -
Except they could use "throwaway" email services, so they won't ever see any sign of it.
Posted 16 years ago #
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