Another Spam suggestion - Tech Support Forums

uethello · January 20th, 2007, 11:15 PM

It may be difficult to implement, just a suggestion, but... For low post count members especially, limit the ability to post to every individual forum in two or three minutes. Maybe something that automatically puts a hold on posts in NON-FS/T forums with the word "sale" or dollar signs in them.

I know the ridiculous spam has to be bothering you guys too. I'm just trying to think of something that will reign it in a bit.

Milwaukee · January 20th, 2007, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uethello

It may be difficult to implement, just a suggestion, but... For low post count members especially, limit the ability to post to every individual forum in two or three minutes. Maybe something that automatically puts a hold on posts in NON-FS/T forums with the word "sale" or dollar signs in them.

I know the ridiculous spam has to be bothering you guys too. I'm just trying to think of something that will reign it in a bit.

I agree with you about that. We should find members who check this everyday.
Well I have another Idea if Scott could set new job for person who can help by remove spam that is annoy to us.

We should name Spammer remover Moderate

EXreaction · January 20th, 2007, 11:26 PM

Or how about some of the things my mod does for phpBB2?

Remove the ability to let users post URL's until they have at least 1 post(it would at least stop the stupid bots for a while).

howste · January 20th, 2007, 11:32 PM

Most of the spam posts are also huge lists of products. Does the software allow the option to limit the size of the posts for users under some number of posts? The spam tonight had 6773 characters and 1035 words....

Milwaukee · January 20th, 2007, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howste

Most of the spam posts are also huge lists of products. Does the software allow the option to limit the size of the posts for users under some number of posts? The spam tonight had 6773 characters and 1035 words....

Well if another new people want post long list because they have problem with Computers?

We could do is first approve those to join instead register then post spam.

large_nostril · January 21st, 2007, 01:33 AM

While I agree the spam is most definitely annoying, I think the current policies are working and the best option for a site such as this. The spam isn't that bad, and is almost always cleared up very promptly.

I've been to other tech forums that utilize some of the suggested features, and I must say they are very annoying. Not being able to reply to someones question with a post containing a URL until you have 3 posts etc. is ridiculous and does nothing but encourage people to make useless posts. That feature alone has deterred me from sticking around long on many other forums. Likewise, from the perspective of a user in need, it is often beneficial if they can provide a link in their post. And limiting the use of "$" or product names would effectively prevent any new comers from asking advice about component purchases.

The only spam prevention feature I could see being implemented would be a filter to prevent a user from making duplicate posts (i.e. a user can't post the same body text twice in X minutes etc.).

Vyx · January 21st, 2007, 03:54 AM

Actually I believe there is a filter about not bing able to post the same body text twice in 10 minutes.

I was replying to a post with the quick reply box a little while ago. After I hit the post quick reply button something came up saying my post had not been submitted...something like that. Then it took me to the advance reply page where I proceeded to hit the submit button. Thats when I got the "unable to post the same thing within 10 minutes" box.

**RobRich** · January 21st, 2007, 10:30 AM

Large_nostril has outlined the concerns present with many of the above suggestions.

During the day, spam is typically removed within minutes. During the night, spam can linger for an hour or so, but it is still removed within a reasonable amount of time. The best thing that can be done is for people to immediately report spam when spotted, that way we know it about faster.

Robert Richmond

EXreaction · January 21st, 2007, 01:47 PM

Or you can make more mods!

uethello · January 21st, 2007, 02:52 PM

I didn't mean "stop a thread from being posted". I meant If over three new threads are made in under three minutes by a user with no other posts, they should be held til a mod approves. No way a new user who isn't spamming or double posting is going to post like that.