New Members First Posts & Spam

[traveler]

It seems that there is an "irrelevant post" generation happening on many internet forums now (including here at ABX) whose purpose is not to discuss the things in the forums, but to only create and publish live hyperlinks in as many places as possible somewhere on the internet for purposes financially benefiting only the newly registered member who really has no interest in discussing things on any forum.

Good discussion started by ctal on the subject here

Do the google search mentioned in the thread.

Here at ABX, perhaps a kind and friendly mention to all newly registered members should be given at signup time saying that due to the current state of forum spamming on the internet that their first several posts will be reviewed, and if not posted in the correct forum and/or show relevance and/or substance in the spirit of these forums, they will be deleted. Or if they appear to be only spam with no substance.

It should eliminate new members from trying to hide little posts in big old threads for the purpose of adding a live link in their (many) sigs at a later date.

[Cogar]

One way of getting around this (at least in part) is to require the activation of new members by a moderator before they can post. Since we have essentially 24/7 moderator coverage, it would not cause a long delay for legitimate applicants to be approved.

[iMogal]

Originally Posted by Cogar

require the activation of new members by a moderator before they can post.

Thats got my vote.

[traveler]

Originally Posted by Cogar

One way of getting around this (at least in part) is to require the activation of new members by a moderator before they can post. Since we have essentially 24/7 moderator coverage, it would not cause a long delay for legitimate applicants to be approved.

I thought of that, but after activation one would still have to look at the actual posting to determine whether or not the new member wants to spam for the purpose of live link creation. I was thinking more (at least at this time) of one more nag screen at signup after the screen I mentioned above which says that - As a new member of the ABxZone Forums, I promise to promote the slogan of the forums 'Supporting Computers and Building Friendships' and that I have no other unrelated purposes for joining. A big affermative click the box "Yes I promise this" should do.

If we really wanted to get nasty adding - If it is later determined that my purpose for joining relates to personal commercial purposes then I shall pay over to ABxZone all profits earned plus all costs incurred to collect those profits - should be added.

[k0NG0]

Originally Posted by Cogar

One way of getting around this (at least in part) is to require the activation of new members by a moderator before they can post. Since we have essentially 24/7 moderator coverage, it would not cause a long delay for legitimate applicants to be approved.

But how would we determine that the user won't be posting spam if they have yet to do anything beyond signing up?

[Cogar]

Originally Posted by k0NG0

But how would we determine that the user won't be posting spam if they have yet to do anything beyond signing up?

You will not know for sure. However, based on my role as a moderator at another forum, some new members will set up links in their signatures or choose usernames that reveal their intentions to do something besides support computers and build friendships. It is a judgment call, but I suspect that after activating 100 people or so the criteria will become clearer. In the beginning everyone will have to be more lenient, but you will probably be able to pick up characteristics over time to make the screening process more effective.

Adding another afterthought, I think the activation approved message could include the comment that maintaining their membership depends on their refraining from any spamming and following forum rules (or words to that effect). Although this would not deter a determined spammer, it may cause some to reconsider their intentions.

[k0NG0]

But do we really have a problem with the users that post spam threads? I mean, as a mod I think we yank them pretty darn quickly (my record is probably less than 30 minutes after the user signed up). I doubt the ROI for the spammer is anything but spam itself (seeing as how we have that nice spammer e-mail address thread). OK, it's annoying, but easy enough to just skip.

Links in sigs and posts are disabled until you have > 12 posts or whatever, from what I know, so that should be a non-issue. Posts in the wrong forum may just be a user that made an error without realizing it. Using that as the single discriminant seems less than ideal. (Making honest mistakes must be allowed.)

I just fail to see that proactive schemes provide enough benefit compared to reactive ones to warrant them. Having legitimate users stuck in a review queue because of forgetfulness or low mod activity seems much worse than having any spam threads nuked ASAP. IMHO.

[Rick_EE]

I agree with kONGO. Plus, I kind of find these posts entertaining.

[Bofinn]

Originally Posted by Rick_EE

I agree with kONGO. Plus, I kind of find these posts entertaining.

What he said...