Post by Anshin on Jun 4, 2016 4:38:26 GMT -5
Lately, we've noticed a large increase in the amount of spam, particularly in the forms of:
We typically handle things on a case-by-case basis and do not have a standardized process of handling every one of these in the same manner. Sometimes, one of these small, pointless posts gets reported in a spam thread. Other times, we get completely off-topic posts or posts that will derail a thread into a completely different topic. Those ones usually involve a post in the thread informing everyone to bring the topic back, with repeat offenders getting a warning. There are even times when a post just needs to be moved, locked, or deleted because it's in the wrong place, killed the discussion, or bumped a dead thread; and depending on how often the reported user has made these offenses, we will provide warnings or just send a PM. Not every report ends with an actual warning level increase, sometimes a PM is enough.
But, lately, we've been getting more and more reports from more and more spam-related posts, and we need to reiterate that while off-topic posts are common, that doesn't mean that every other post in every thread is allowed to be. Keep it on topic, keep it concise. If you want to post random crap, use the spam forum. If you have something that you want to say in the thread, make sure it's on-topic and not going to derail the topic. Do you have an issue with something within a topic where you disagree with another user's opinion? Instead of just posting "I agree" or "I don't agree with your opinion;" provide some reasons as to why you agree or disagree.
It's been getting out of hand lately, and we'll be issuing out more warnings as necessary, instead of just PMs.
- small, pointless posts that do not contribute to topics (Ex: "I agree", "+1", Post)
- posts that derail threads entirely into a separate topic (Ex: Post)
- completely off-topic posts that don't contribute to and/or derail threads (Ex: Thread)
- duplicate threads on the same topic (Ex: Thread)
- bumping threads long after death (last post over a month old) that don't facilitate continued discussion
We typically handle things on a case-by-case basis and do not have a standardized process of handling every one of these in the same manner. Sometimes, one of these small, pointless posts gets reported in a spam thread. Other times, we get completely off-topic posts or posts that will derail a thread into a completely different topic. Those ones usually involve a post in the thread informing everyone to bring the topic back, with repeat offenders getting a warning. There are even times when a post just needs to be moved, locked, or deleted because it's in the wrong place, killed the discussion, or bumped a dead thread; and depending on how often the reported user has made these offenses, we will provide warnings or just send a PM. Not every report ends with an actual warning level increase, sometimes a PM is enough.
But, lately, we've been getting more and more reports from more and more spam-related posts, and we need to reiterate that while off-topic posts are common, that doesn't mean that every other post in every thread is allowed to be. Keep it on topic, keep it concise. If you want to post random crap, use the spam forum. If you have something that you want to say in the thread, make sure it's on-topic and not going to derail the topic. Do you have an issue with something within a topic where you disagree with another user's opinion? Instead of just posting "I agree" or "I don't agree with your opinion;" provide some reasons as to why you agree or disagree.
It's been getting out of hand lately, and we'll be issuing out more warnings as necessary, instead of just PMs.