Can someone please tell me what's going on? Yesterday my posts were blocked, and it seems like today they will get the same treatment. I'm wondering why...?
Thanks.
Is Giveaway blocking my posts?
(15 posts) (9 voices)-
SkyFrontier
MemberPosted 13 years ago # -
Archangel
MemberPosts here or comments on the frontpage? I'd say your not blocked here or I wouldnt be asking you the above question.
To save a little time, if your talking about comments about current software being offered do a search in the forums and you'll find many discussions and possible explanations why some comments dont make it.
Good Journey,
ArchangelPosted 13 years ago # -
SkyFrontier
MemberHi, Archie! ; )
Thank you for answering.
I was meaning the main page, sorry for not mentioning.
If someone can contact moderators I will be glad to receive a notice on this - being it negative or positive.
I'm really wondering on (if it's the case) what's going on.Posted 13 years ago # -
Anonymous
UnregisteredIf you post a message on the software comment page the moderator really doesn't like, for whatever reason and YES it is censorship!, he will permanently block the 'offender's' email address. Suggest you get a hotmail or yahoo etc email address and use that instead! I know, it has happened to me, without any contact from the GOTD comment moderator! I just said God decides what is right or wrong!
Posted 13 years ago # -
SkyFrontier
MemberHi, Chazzo!
I believe that was not the case. I made a post 3 days ago with no problems at all and my post contents are never offensive in any way. But as you said, god is god...
Thanks for replying!Posted 13 years ago # -
Many have asked this before. There is an automatic spam filter that will catch some comments accidentally depending on the words you use. Here's some helpful hints. Avoid inserting links as they may make the filter think it's spam of some sort. Also, obviously, use appropriate language when posting. All I can say is try again and better luck next time.
Posted 13 years ago # -
As one of the moderators I know that there is no such feature where we can ban an email address. However we do use Akismet which is a spam filter widely used across the internet. Should you be recognised as a spammer on other sites, your reputation will follow you to GOTD. Also if you are detecteed as a spammer on GOTD, you ability to post on other sites may be affected.
Not all comments will appear on the website as they undergo a moderation process. (They will not appear in public until approved by a moderator).
The basic guidelines for posting comments on the main page are stated as:
"Please comment only on the software here. If you have technical problems or suggestions on our project, please leave us a note in our forums."
Comments outside of those guidelines may be removed. Comment moderation is left to the discretion of the Site Moderators.
Posted 13 years ago # -
SkyFrontier
MemberChip and Bubby,
Hi!
Thanks for the answers. And yes, unless I'm having a very bad season, my posts do not contain any kind of spamming I'm aware of - only commenting on features themselves, reporting previous experience with a given/similar soft, if/when linking, pointing to lighttek/xyplorer (which I did in the past with no problem at all), trying to anticipate user's doubts with *answers*. =(
Well.
Let's see what happens.Posted 13 years ago # -
SkyFrontier, you are not alone with this experience.
This happened even to us admins and mods. Things happen, there are lots and lots of posts, good and bad, and only a few moderators.
You'll find several threads to this topic here in the forums.graylox
Posted 13 years ago # -
SkyFrontier, just noticed you mentioned -
reporting previous experience with a given/similar soft, if/when linking, pointing to lighttek/xyplorer
Note that commenting even recommending products that are freeware/open source is usually ok.
You should know that commenting/recommending or making claims about competitors commercial products is an entirely different kettle of fish. The developers who are participating in the GOTD project are doing so (lets face it) as a commercial promotion. You could look at each GOTD as a giant advertisement for their software. Therefore the discussion should really centre around their software and allow users to test without it becoming a fanboy argument or worse, competitors trying to draw users towards their own commercial software.
This last point about blatant recommendations (even posting links to competitors websites) really does happen a lot (particularly in certain types of giveaways). As a result the line usually gets drawn at recommendations/suggestions/alternatives of pure freeware (as there is usually no commercial incentive there, and users often prefer a suggestion for a piece of software that is free - that is probably why they came to GOTD).
So it is only fair to mention that when making a suggestion - make sure it is of the freeware variety. Personally I would take an exception if a user wished to post they preferred another commercial product, an explanation of why - getting down to features, perhaps there was something important lacking in the Giveaway software, maybe an explanation of what it would take to add to the giveaway that would convince you to switch. Remember the developers of the daily Giveaway do appreciate feedback that helps them improve their own product - and competition is a good thing.
Also lots of users have favorite software - and it is favorite for little reason other than "that's the software I use". When users settle on a product, most are happy and don't often go out in search of "What else is out there". (As they say, you always find stuff in the last place you look). There have been a few offers on GOTD that were better than what I already use, and had GOTD not come along with the new version - The new software I am using today wouldn't be my favorite.
Of course if vendors or affiliates of competitors products really want to write comments pretending to be users who have nothing other than to sing the praises of their own product - they could always just contact the GOTD team, and offer their own product range up for users to decide.
When a user posts, "I use ABC because it is better than XYZ", this doesn't apply to anyone else. It has no criteria so someone else can determine if it would be better for them. The statement needs another "Because" at the end - followed by some reasons, comparisons, benefits. But this often doesn't happen because these users cannot think that fast, in the first 30 seconds of the giveaway to be the first to post.
Anyway, that is just something to consider when making comparisons or suggestions with other software.Posted 13 years ago # -
acr
MemberI can pretty much predict whether a post of mine will make it past the mods. If I write about a company being listed on hphosts (or some other similar site) as a malware, adware or spyware distribution site or those engaged in unethical behavior (such as forum spamming, deceptive advertising, etc) I can rest assured my post will be deleted. I always post a link to the site with the listing. And the spam filter could explain why the posts never make it to the board. But I have also had contact from other regular posters on well known sites and they have confirmed the same experience, even without links. I have never wrote about a company being listed as a malware distributor unless a legit site had the listing. But for some reason that is info the mods on this site don't really want posted. It's relevant just apparently not welcomed information.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Skye-hook
MemberI've seen many comments that said an offer was malware or a keylogger, or that WOT has them listed as a bad site, etc. I don't believe the mods poof a comment for that. It's probably that the URL was in the comment. I myself made a comment once that wasn't meant to sound hostile, but did complain about another comment that was against my beloved XP. :) That didn't get posted, & I understood right away. No need to make peeps feel bad. Of course. Thank heaven for moderators. I could've gotten in a quarrel for a stupid reason.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I tend not to believe chazzo's "past experience." However, if Chazzo was commenting on the software and said "*** decides what is wrong or right." I would have at least edited that if not thrown it away. It lends nothing to the discussion of the software and religion has no place on a discussion about software. To be honest, I'm surprised no one has edited Chazzo's comment on this thread as discussing religion is one of our no no's in the rules.
Speaking from my own past experiences in dealing with moderating, I would have to say that acr's comments about malware, and such, aren't making it through for a combination of two things; I'm not saying this is right. The first reason is that it is flagging your post because of the link. The second problem is that when you post without the link, you have no proof so the comment is deleted since there is nothing to corroborate your story. I know for a good amount of time there, GOTD was offering products from company's with less than stellar reviews, but I think they're starting to get back on track.
I just want to remind everyone that when you're going by WOT, PLEASE read the comments on why they flagged a site. Sometimes people flag a site for stupid reasons, such as GOTD being flagged because they couldn't install the software in time.
Posted 13 years ago # -
SkyFrontier
MemberAgain, it seems that my comment will be blocked - no "your comment is awaiting moderation" notice again.
I won't even bother in what's happening anymore - my posts generically are on the same fashion as this blocked comment, so I believe the one who will really miss this will be the affected users by stuff like the ones I point in the attached comment.
Thanks to all who replied to this - but it seems that forums do not affect main site at all. A pity. For them.
---
"Irrelevant, blocked comment:"
On the "use the alternative" verve I'd like to suggest you guys to try their "Secure Desktop" version of Aston.
It's pretty stable, has several options concerning access to your data thus making it the perfect choice to either limiting usage of your computer at home or work - and it's pretty the same cool-looking, skinable main product as today's.
Link: http://www.astonshell.com/astonsecuredesktop/
VERY important: despite the "activated" notice, you must activate the program via right click on tray icon, "enter registration key..." - the key is pre-filled.Posted 13 years ago # -
Come on guys,
do you really think that a "human" moderator is able to read the vast amount of comments coming in for a GODT? There are filters too (Akismet).
We have discussed this topic again and again, but it seems, nobody really reads it.
You are not alone, I would assume the majority of mails are NOT coming through.
Yes, of course, some users are blocked; every website/blog owner knows that there are a lot of trolls playing their annoying games, is it "censorship" to block them or "self defence" ?
Yes, of course, some "bad" comments are coming through though they shouldn't.
Yes, of course, some helpful comments disappear (like some of mine ;) ).
And then there can be technical glitches on the GOTD site, on your site of the cable and somewhere in between.
When you say:...no "your comment is awaiting moderation" notice again...
seems to fit into the last guess. My experience is, that in this case the comment doesn't even reach GOTD.
My recipe: cleaning the caches, deleting the GOTD cookies, rebooting the browser - system - router. An then hoping, GOTD makes some system maintenance too.To cut a long story short: be patient and don't take it personal!
graylox
Posted 13 years ago #
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