Spam: The Next Generation

[Neo]

Consider this a PSA (Public Service Announcement)...

Please, everyone, I've noticed a heavy increase in spamming, even from people who should know better. Now I'm not creating this as a threat or anything (we aren't to that point... yet) but more as a friendly warning.

Could yall perhaps think before you post a one liner or generally spammy post? Warboards isn't supposed to be that kind of a forum, y'know?

If you must spam, I am sure you can find any number of other forums to do it at!

Also, I'm thinking that perhaps we need to tone down the number of random/funny vids people keep posting. They seem to foster a lot of spam with things like "omg that was funny" and other such posts.

Now I'm not saying you can't post those, but I was thinking perhaps we could do like a monthly thread of funny links like that -- anyone want to start one? =P Kind of like the birthday thread, but really its just a monthly collection of funny vids'n'things yall run across.

Anyways, on another note:

Check this site out :D

http://www.bestofgooglevideo.com/index.php

Heres the more unfriendly warning:

If things don't get clean soon, I might go off on another one of those 1-day-for-spam sprees. Oh, and the next IBTL post (Regardless of whatever else is in your post) well get you banned for a week. I'm thinking we let that slide way to far since people are still doing it.

Also, please remember to report posts you know to be bad. I know I check the reported posts first whenever i get on, I get tired of finding posts that need moderated halfway through a thread i'm not really interested in just because no one can click the report post button.

-Neo

[WeekendLazyness]

Moderation seems a bit heavy handed as of late. Are you in a bad mood Neo?

Also, what's IBTL mean?

[Greyscale]

Also, what's IBTL mean?

I'm wondering the same thing.

I like the idea for the funny video thread. Someone should really start something like that.

[Neo]

"In Before The Lock"

No I'm not in a bad mood now, but I was getting there earlier.

-Neo

[Demon_Child]

Consider this a PSA (Public Service Announcement)...

Please, everyone, I've noticed a heavy increase in spamming, even from people who should know better. Now I'm not creating this as a threat or anything (we aren't to that point... yet) but more as a friendly warning.

Could yall perhaps think before you post a one liner or generally spammy post? Warboards isn't supposed to be that kind of a forum, y'know?

If you must spam, I am sure you can find any number of other forums to do it at!

Also, I'm thinking that perhaps we need to tone down the number of random/funny vids people keep posting. They seem to foster a lot of spam with things like "omg that was funny" and other such posts.

Now I'm not saying you can't post those, but I was thinking perhaps we could do like a monthly thread of funny links like that -- anyone want to start one? =P Kind of like the birthday thread, but really its just a monthly collection of funny vids'n'things yall run across.

Anyways, on another note:

Check this site out :D

http://www.bestofgooglevideo.com/index.php

Heres the more unfriendly warning:

If things don't get clean soon, I might go off on another one of those 1-day-for-spam sprees. Oh, and the next IBTL post (Regardless of whatever else is in your post) well get you banned for a week. I'm thinking we let that slide way to far since people are still doing it.

Also, please remember to report posts you know to be bad. I know I check the reported posts first whenever i get on, I get tired of finding posts that need moderated halfway through a thread i'm not really interested in just because no one can click the report post button.

-Neo

TLDR

Wasn't there another time in which the moderatoin was "supposedly" cracking down on the spammy posts say about 7 months ago? History repeats itself and the staff can't (or won't) do anything about it when even the staff have contributed in the spamming of their own. Most notably, their ability to spam their way in an already closed topic (ex. ZaA's thread that is full of posts from the staff that had been made AFTER it was closed).

[Spartan-II]

I remember that too, and what come to mind was 'Slap on the wrist.'

[Black.Ice]

Warboards is a discussion board. I come here and I like to see cool links to videos that people like because we have similar interests, and therefore, similar tastes... for the most part. We come here to relax, and sometimes, we don't feel like having long thought-provoking conversations about the creation of the universe; we just want to see Japanese TV shows where people get lifted through the outhouses. One liners aren't the living, incarnation of evil... sometimes they sum up what I want to say perfectly.

Yes, crack down on the spam, but I'd recommend not restricting the ability to post new videos and stuff that we find interesting. That's the basis of most of the discussion in the Members Lounge. A lot of interesting conversations spin off of videos and stuff like this, and it leads to an interesting read / discussion sometimes. Also, I don't recommend deleting all one liners or anything like that. Sometimes a one liner has all the information that's needed to be said.

Also, I find the hypocrisy of some of this amusing. Some pure spam threads are left open, while other good ones are closed. :(

[kongurous]

Oh please, do you honestly think people will listen to this? Half, if not more, of our staff are inept (and I mean no offense by that, but it is true).

DC brings up a good point with spamming a thread after it's been locked. I was under the impression that a locked thread was the signal that discussion was supposed to end, not a signal flare for mods to abuse their ability to post in locked threads and spam it to oblivion.

My actions were perhaps not justified, but I was fed up with Pirahordica at that moment and plenty of others on IRC were as well. Of course, this may make IRC frequenters sound like spiteful little sluts, but I take planning a spammy response to an annoying poster over an ineffective staff who either don't look at the reported posts or aren't even here.

[Spartan-II]

Actually, we are spiteful little sluts who take great joy in baiting others.

I agree with Kong, sometimes one liners are the best way to communicate. I don't feel like wading through a fucking novel when I read a simple thread. This site is about having fun and discussing things, but I realize that has limits and stuff like 'lol i agree' is innapropriate.

I remember the last spam crackdown, and honestly, it didn't fucking do much.

[Schwitzer]

Okey, wow.

At the end of the day, we're all here to have fun and enjoy ourselves. The interesting part is trying to find the delicate balance between what's entertaining and what's just absolute stupidity. In fact, complicate this by the fact that everyone has differing views on where the balance lies and you get what we've got here; a few people saying it's not enough, and another few saying it's too much.

So what do we do? We try. And what more can we do?

None of the moderators get paid for their positions on the staff. They sure as hell never get thanked for it. In fact, all they receive is one side yelling at them for being heavy-handed and power-hungry, while the other side berates them for being useless and ineffective. At least they get a pretty-coloured name, I guess.

So what if the moderators made a few posts in a single closed thread? Who cares if people give us links that entertain us and we thank them for it? Obviously we're doing something right, 'cause you all keep coming back here.

What I'm trying to say is chill, shrug your shoulders and try not to get too caught up in this sort of petty nonsense, because it really detracts from the very point of the site.

[kongurous]

Still doesn't excuse the fact I've reported this post (http://www.warboards.org/showpost.php?p=328901&postcount=8) 4 times and it was never dealt with, or my thread was locked for no actual reason.

[Schwitzer]

Kongurous, your thread was closed because it was stupid. You linked to a picture we've all seen and added some Initial D background music. Get over it, get over yourself, and bugger off.

Oh, and I looked at the reported posts. All I could see were two reported posts for the same post that were made two minutes apart. Sorry?

[kongurous]

Kongurous, your thread was closed because it was stupid. You linked to a picture we've all seen and added some Initial D background music. Get over it, get over yourself, and bugger off.

Then you should have chosen a better reason that 'it's been posted before', and I asked why it was locked; not to be chewed out. Chill.

Oh, and I looked at the reported posts. All I could see were two reported posts for the same post that were made two minutes apart. Sorry?

No, I'm fairly certain I reported the post linked to at least 3 times. Thanks for deleting it, though.

[EvilEggCracker]

Ah, yes this does bring me back.

*nostilga (sp?)*

The last time you guys cracked down on spam (oh how I remember it so) all it did was well...nothing really.

[Ktan]

One liner posts are annoying, but sometimes it's actually easier to get a point across in one line. Just as long as the thread doesn't degenerate into one liners.

[pixels]

viva la blizzforums policies on spamming.

i know thats what aj doesnt want this place to turn into, but its always worked the best in my eyes.

:)

[Darmago]

This leaves me with the question, what are we supposed to post in the Members lounge if at all?

[KexMex]

I suppose regular links to funny things we've found, or just plain social stuff. Or something. I don't know, I'm stupid.

[ScottieIWU]

The idea of creating a thread for funny videos is kind of bad, simply because people will easily get confused. If I post a video and people talk about it for 3 pages, then suddenly Kong posts a funnier video, not only is discussion on my video going to be considered OT by the heavy-handed modding of late, but then it may have ended a very good discussion.

Anyway, what's wrong with someone posting a video and us posting "haha that was awesome." The Japanese outhouse video had few responses other than either "omg wtf" or the "haha awesome" reply. Not many people are going to be able to discuss, in detail and without one-liners, the time that happened to them. That doesn't make the video posts any less valuable.

[kongurous]

Instead of placing blame, I have come up with an idea. But before you think, "Oh crap, kong got an idea. Run for the hills!", hear my out.

I think everyone would agree that we have a lot of inactive staff members. This may be because they're lazy, or they're on vacation since summer is pretty much do whatever you please time in the States for people without a job. Thus, I make this proposition: we have a seperate set of staff in the summers when the normal staff are out making the best of their free days.

When AJ goes on vacation for a long period of time, he appoints Schwitzer to the level of administrater. The most active staff member I have seen lately is Schwitzer, as well. What is the problem with finding people to act as a staff when the other staff members are not around, other than the obvious problem with qualified people?

[Kingscrab]

Consider this a PSA (Public Service Announcement)... Really, why is there even a discussion about this? If you truly think something is spam, just delete it and PM the spammer to chill on the spamage.

As for those video clip threads... What do you expect people to write in their responses? A thesis on how cool the clip is? A thread for that type of item would be a great idea, but expect "OMG that was a RAD clip!" type spam in it. *shrug*


I mean really, is this such a crisis, Neo? :confused:

[CrazyTom]

I guess he thinks it is. Otherwise he probably wouldn't have made the thread... :P

[frazz]

Thanks Neo :D
Sometimes I feel that one liners bring down a topic. Especially in the IR. Almost all the time when someone makes a good valid point, a dozen people post poorly constructed yet barely-within-the-rules posts. This destroys the topic itself(as has happened to more than a few topics). I admit I've done thsi myself, but I learned my lesson. Also, most topics in the IR are poorly based and many end up getting locked.

I guess I'll stop saying IBTL and actually report the post.

[Neo]

First off: I'm not saying you can't post links to funny videos. I've done it before -- others have done it, its not that big a deal.

What I am asking is that you all chill on the spammy one liners in said posts >_>

DC: First off, you know, its fine and everything that you wish to live in the past, but its really becoming old. While you were on the staff here on WB, you did seemed to bitch often about the administration because you werent given total and absolute control -- seriously, what do you want us to do? Black.Ice left, Whiteknight is off doing WK-y things, and we've got AJ, GD on vacation -- Are pixels, Ender, Schwitzer, and myself supposed to like be omnipresent on the forums and screen every single post for correctness?

Comparing my request (read: request) for members to maybe think before posting, is not equivelant to (the past) BF's rules. Last I checked AJ doesn't ban people for no reason. Last I checked, we don't have staff members who outright flame members (barring Fengy when drunk, damn is he annoying :P). Last I checked, we don't have staff that rival the number of active members.

And last I checked, we don't: censor words, censor links, censor posts just because we don't like them, close threads for no reason, or generally "abuse" our powers.

Is it really to much to expect that members who've been here for months -- if not years -- adhere to the rules we've got? =P I didn't think it was.

I don't know, should I really take the time to pm each and every person that spams and ask them to stop?

I cleaned up a bunch of posts the other day, and closed a few threads, and I found most of the problems resulting from "vet members" y'know?

I'm not saying don't have fun -- I'm not even saying don't spam -- I'm just asking that if your going to spam, make it at least funny or something. Posting half-ass remarks is pretty lame. See the loophole here? If you spam and its actually on topic, funny, or a smartass remark, go ahead -- I know quite a few people who do that (sometimes I even get a laugh out of them sometimes) -- but posting stuff like "omg thats funny!!!" or "wow, i agree!" or whatever is really inappropiate. Especially from members who should know better >_>

I dunno. I mean its fine if you think we (i) abuse our powers, since usually you only "notice" that when its one of your posts or threads that gets 'nixed, but what about everything else we do?

Schwitzer is right, this is a somewhat thankless "job" -- It kind of wears on you after awhile.

Oh, and is this a big deal? No, not now it isn't. But it could become a greater problem then it is. Should we wait to do something until it becomes a big problem? I really love Warboards, and the community we have here. I just don't want to see it devolve into a cesspool of empty posts, and where spam roams free!

-Neo

[kongurous]

I dunno. I mean its fine if you think we (i) abuse our powers, since usually you only "notice" that when its one of your posts or threads that gets 'nixed, but what about everything else we do?

This doesn't mean you're supposed to post in a locked thread. The hypocrisy of that is downright infuriating and I die a little inside everytime I see a moderator, someone who is supposed to set an example of good conduct, posting a locked thread for no reason other than to spam.

[U-238]

And to further the topic of moderators being on vacation or not being active I've been reporting quite a few spam posts in the SC area lately and I havn't seen anything done about it. The spam is still there, topics arn't being moved. GrassDragon who's supposed to be moderating there is nowhere to be seen (allthough that's partly due to being on vacation). But my point is, is that the administration isn't substituing proper staff around to fix the problem. I've pm'd Schwitzer asking him to deal with the situation but I don't see anything happening yet. Yea it might just streach the staff out a little but, you know, if it becomes too big of a problem then add onto the staff some of the old staff members again. Just as temp mods would be fine, until the regular members come back. Something needs to be done as there is quite alot of spam around not just the SC area but in general. (The SC area just isn't being cleaned up.)

[Schwitzer]

GrassDragon has already returned from his short vacation. There should be no issue with the StarCraft forums.

I'll comment on the "temporary moderators" idea that a couple of you are getting excited about. First and foremost, if anyone is elevated to the position of moderator, it will be a permanent promotion. Any moderators will retain their positions until they retire, or the unlikely event in which they are "fired". We're never going to set up a system of "Whenever moderator X becomes inactive, member Y will replace them"; it's just infeasible.

[GenocideAlive]

Why's everybody flipping Neo shit over asking everybody to chill? :/

[Veeger]

My only take on this is that if the 'one liner' is on topic with the thread, here in the member's lounge I don't see what the problem is. I mean, yeah, the "OMG, that was funny!" comments are uncalled for (because it is not 'on topic', but is instead a generic response), but if they say, "OMG, I loved the chicken being raped by that dog!" is still a one-liner, but is still on topic and not a general statement.

You need to focus on the general statements being posted: not just generalize them as 'one-liners'.

Adding on a few more moderators would not be a bad idea, I think. Not many, no, but maybe one or two, just to help tighten up the slack.

[Neo]

This doesn't mean you're supposed to post in a locked thread. The hypocrisy of that is downright infuriating and I die a little inside everytime I see a moderator, someone who is supposed to set an example of good conduct, posting a locked thread for no reason other than to spam.
Oh for the love of christ kong. That happened what, twice in the history of warboards? I mean, in any manner where the mods continued to post in the thread?

FFS, your just upset the thread was closed and you can't post in it anymore.

There have been times where I responded to a closed thread without realizing it was closed until afterwards though O.o

But seriously kong. Let it go. Geez.

-Neo

[kongurous]

Oh for the love of christ kong. That happened what, twice in the history of warboards? I mean, in any manner where the mods continued to post in the thread?

FFS, your just upset the thread was closed and you can't post in it anymore.

There have been times where I responded to a closed thread without realizing it was closed until afterwards though O.o

But seriously kong. Let it go. Geez.

-Neo

It's happened more than twice. Yeah, I am upset because it's closed and I can't reply, because a locked thread is supposed to mean conversation is over, and by posts, it means the topic is obviously still open to discussion. Or in this case, open to spamming by hypocritical staff.

If you're going all out on spam, then go out on your fellow moderators too. Everyone spams. Everyone.

[Neo]

It's happened more than twice. Yeah, I am upset because it's closed and I can't reply, because a locked thread is supposed to mean conversation is over, and by posts, it means the topic is obviously still open to discussion. Or in this case, open to spamming by hypocritical staff.

If you're going all out on spam, then go out on your fellow moderators too. Everyone spams. Everyone.
I'm not going all out on spam.

Locked thread means nothing more then a locked thread. Yes generally it means that no furthur discussion is to go on, but I can think of plenty of instances whena locked thread can be/is used for different purposes.

oh, and:

zOMG TEH STAFF SPAMMED A LOCKED THREAD, LIKE OMG, NO ONE EVERY GETS AWAY WITH SPAMmING ON WB...

oh wait.

damn, I forgot the staff isn't allowed to have fun :(

-Neo

[Veeger]

damn, I forgot the staff isn't allowed to have fun

Neo, I don't think Kong is saying that the Staff should not have fun, or that the Staff should not be allowed to post in a locked thread. But, a new post in a locked thread should be to further explain the reason behind locking the thread, should there be a general questioning of the decision by the forum. That ability should not be used by moderators who merely want to have the 'last say' in a matter after it's been locked by another mod.

That would be like a policeman arguing that they can speed whenever they want, just because they have the right to speed when they are answering a 911 call. Unless they have a specific reason to speed, the law specifically states that a law enforcement officer is still bound by the laws that we all are, and they are held accountable when that privalege is abused just like anyone else.

Who holds moderators accountable if they assume a privalege they shouldn't?

[Neo]

Yes, but kong is complaining about something that has happened (severely at least) like 2 or 3 times in the history of wb.

There have been other times when mods post in a locked thread either on accident, or for whatever reason. I can recall a few times it happened where the discussion was continued just for humorous reasons or w/e.

Kong seems to think that (we) the staff only does it to +1 their post counts.

Pretty sure that most of the staff don't need to do that. Considering that, if we wanted (we dont!) we could just create some spam thread in the staff area and no one would ever know :P

Yes some of the staff (myself included) skirt, and/or blatently break a rule here or there... But to be perfectly honest, so does almost every member here on warboards. We are very lax. It seems strange that (kong) we are to be held to some impossible strict standard O.o

I agree the staff could be a bit more unified and friendly towards one another (in public :O), but pfft.

Its not an epidemic or anything.

-Neo

[hammocksleeper]

This thread is done. Bottom line: get the point, and don't fuck up the forums please.

[Schwitzer]

Who holds moderators accountable if they assume a privalege they shouldn't?
The administrators.

And no-one holds administrators accountable, because... well, it's their damned site. :/

Look Kongurous, stop acting like the staff making a few posts in a closed thread is such a big deal. If the moderators start banning people on a personal whim then you might have a basis to complain. But really, this is just petty.