is this spam? - DPChallenge Forums

06/19/2009 05:09:35 AM · #1

i hate useless spam as much as the next person, and that word really is cropping up a lot around here (over 50 threads in the past couple months, over 750 overall). it *seems* to be getting worse...

but, i can't tell. one thing i do notice is that people are calling posters out for spam pretty quickly. even though they couch it with apologies, they still are quick on the gun with the spam label.

why not just use the [report post] button and let the SC deal with it? i can be as politically incorrect and insensitive as the next person, but, all the same, some of this spam calling gives threads an anti-community, adversarial tone that does not really promote dialogue...

Message edited by author 2009-06-19 05:10:10.

crayon

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1

06/19/2009 05:20:20 AM · #2

i dislike spam as much as i dislike door-to-door salesmen, and telemarketers

06/19/2009 05:22:53 AM · #3

I think that was a genuine mistake (if I am on about the same post as you) because the poster is not overly active on the boards. I guess when a name is not immediately recognisable and the post could easily be conceived as Spam then mistakes can happen.

Personally I think a good way to stop spam would be to have a "Spam" button alongside the report button, the alleged spam thread could then be hidden until looked at by one of the SC, as there are always active people on here then I think it would help minimise the exposure these people get and would start to make them see they are wasting their time.

Something would probably need to be in place to stop people abusing the button though :P

ETA: Another way would be to only have it hide the post after a certain number of people report it as spam... that might work.

Message edited by author 2009-06-19 05:24:00.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

06/19/2009 05:34:44 AM · #4

Originally posted by Mark-A:

ETA: Another way would be to only have it hide the post after a certain number of people report it as spam... that might work.

I like that idea. But it requires some action on the part of Langdon, so not likely gonna happen.
As it is, I think there has been a lot of spam and it's easy to identify. I always hit the report button when I smell it, but I can't help posting something as well. But then I don't think I've ever been wrong. ...about the spam posts, I mean.

Bottom line: I think it gives the community more of a an anti-spam tone and I would rather have that with the occasional mischaracterization.

06/19/2009 05:37:45 AM · #5

Originally posted by Skip:

but, i can't tell. one thing i do notice is that people are calling posters out for spam pretty quickly. even though they couch it with apologies, they still are quick on the gun with the spam label.

Yup...I stuffed up!

06/19/2009 05:39:27 AM · #6

the thing is, there is a real difference between a spam post and getting spam email. i think we'd all be better served it we treated those suspect post the same way we treat challenge images suspected of rules violations. just as we vote and comment normally after reporting the image, we could either participate in a useful dialogue (or ignore it) after hitting the [report post] button.

there's a lot of useful info that people can contribute to forums, even if they aren't 24/7 members of a community...

06/19/2009 05:43:20 AM · #7

I think Nudi Judi should have to take some of her own punishment! Who is first with the Whip? - We will have to have a vote on whether that person will have to wear the latex suit and gimp mask though ;)

Originally posted by Judi:

Originally posted by Skip:

but, i can't tell. one thing i do notice is that people are calling posters out for spam pretty quickly. even though they couch it with apologies, they still are quick on the gun with the spam label.

Yup...I stuffed up!

06/19/2009 05:43:22 AM · #8

A better plan is to put a 48 or 72 hour probation on people who just signed up... No Posting to the forums until you.

1. Submit a challenge entry.
or
2. Pay for a membership.

Ofcourse both should by default give person exemption from the probation period.

06/19/2009 05:46:28 AM · #9

Originally posted by Bugzeye:

the problem with this is that you lose potential members.

scalvert has pointed out how he came here with a technical question, that, had it not been answered as quickly as it was, he probably never would have come back...

06/19/2009 05:47:12 AM · #10

I agree Skip. I did report it to SC at the time....but in my email to SC I questioned whether it actually was Spam due to the posters history. Hence my post on that thread. But at least I admit to my mistakes and apolgize when needed. There isn't much more I can do.

BTW....bring on the whip...I take my punishment when it is due.

06/19/2009 05:55:13 AM · #11

Anyone have a better idea. Apart from maybe having SC work in shifts. So there is always someone on the clock 24-7 I am pretty sure that won't float.

Originally posted by Skip:

Originally posted by Bugzeye:
A better plan is to put a 48 or 72 hour probation on people who just signed up... No Posting to the forums until you.

1. Submit a challenge entry.
or
2. Pay for a membership.

Ofcourse both should by default give person exemption from the probation period.

the problem with this is that you lose potential members. scalvert has pointed out how he came here with a technical question, that, had it not been answered as quickly as it was, he probably never would have come back...

06/19/2009 05:56:47 AM · #12

Originally posted by Bugzeye:

Anyone have a better idea. Apart from maybe having SC work in shifts. So there is always someone on the clock 24-7 I am pretty sure that won't float.

Well that just explains why I said in that other thread, that it would be better to have SC representatives from many countries....not just one or two...different time zones means more chance of an SC online at any one time...which keeps arguments, spam, site errors and such in check.

06/19/2009 06:01:00 AM · #13

I am not too sure that Scalverts reason holds enough water. I have posted questions on this forum more than once and waited several hours even longer before anyone replied. Perhaps he was just lucky with his first question.

I think potential members who are really interested in learning would be more than happy to wait awhile before they are able to post.

Another option could be that the site keeps new registered user posts hidden until they can be checked by a member of SC to validate it is legit or spam. SC can then handle that first important tech question if that be the case with a helpful answer.

Originally posted by Judi:

Originally posted by Bugzeye:
Anyone have a better idea. Apart from maybe having SC work in shifts. So there is always someone on the clock 24-7 I am pretty sure that won't float.

Well that just explains why I said in that other thread, that it would be better to have SC representatives from many countries....not just one or two...different time zones means more chance of an SC online at any one time...which keeps arguments, spam, site errors and such in check.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

06/19/2009 06:11:58 AM · #14

Originally posted by Bugzeye:

maybe, but i doubt that someone with a err99 or someone who just dropped their camera in a pond or someone with a possibly corrupted memory card is really going to wait a couple days. i'm pretty sure shannon wouldn't be here today if he'd had to wait.

spiritualspatula

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

06/19/2009 07:10:23 AM · #15

In regard to the OP, I typically will put in a brief message like "reported as spam" so that other people won't continue to report it and put in more things for SC to go through. I regular the board at odd hours, so I see a lot of them. Of the ideas proposed, I worry that many of them just require more work from SC to deal with, which I'm not sure they want. The hiding option might be useful, but I have reservations about the potential for abuse.

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

06/19/2009 07:22:59 AM · #16

Maybe the initial sign in could involve an extra step - one of those "type in the letters you see in the box" kinda things (even though these people are people and not bots) followed by a message that says "If you are joining this community solely to post a commercial link, your link will be infected with the fleas of a thousand camels and your name submitted to the FBI as a potential internet terrorist. And Art will burn your village." Or something like that. (It's a slow day at the office - everyone went on a field trip.)

Leo

Apple iPhone Xr

06/19/2009 07:24:52 AM · #17

Originally posted by Skip:

Hi,
Not to steal anyone's thunder, but I believe Mr Rowland is calling me out on my post in this thread anyone with a camera can do it?
I called it like I saw it and Mr Rowland is giving me a public beat down. That's fine too. Mr Rowland thinks I jumped on the guy and slammed him, therefore I'm not very gracious. So be it, I shot from the hip and I'm not gracious. Like I said, I called it like I saw it. Do with me what you will, I defer to you.

LY

And BTW, I did report it using the "report post" button, then posted...

Originally posted by lky623:

Originally posted by motep:
�Why do photographers charge so much for services?�
Here is a good reason: //keiths.blog.keithbdixon.com/2009/05/18/�why-do-photographers-charge-so-much-for-services�

So is this spam??? This motep person registers June 15th, then posts a message with a link to his "blog" which sounds like a sales pitch for himself...
Quite ingenious to spam in another thread... If it's not spam, I apologize.

Originally posted by Skip:

Originally posted by lky623:

Originally posted by motep:
�Why do photographers charge so much for services?�
Here is a good reason: //keiths.blog.keithbdixon.com/2009/05/18/�why-do-photographers-charge-so-much-for-services�

So is this spam??? This motep person registers June 15th, then posts a message with a link to his "blog" which sounds like a sales pitch for himself...
Quite ingenious to spam in another thread... If it's not spam, I apologize.

no, it is not spam. his post links to a nice, succinct overview of the differences between professional services and what you stand to get from well-equipped, well-intentioned, untrained, inexperienced camera-owners. his blog post is relevant to the context of the discussion in this thread. it would also appear that he, motep/dixon might also have more insights that could be useful here.

so why even call him out as a spammer, even if you want to apologize in advance? rather than thank him for his contribution, you want to slam him? just because his first post is to contribute some professional insight, you want to jump on him? not very gracious.

hopefully, he'll toss more relevant postings our way, whether through links or through other contributions.

06/19/2009 07:35:25 AM · #18

LOL well to be honest I would really worry about it Iky623, the only board that seems to stay on topic these days is Rant anyway and even then I was involved in one recently on that board that went from a Rant to a marriage proposal ;)

06/19/2009 07:37:48 AM · #19

Originally posted by Mark-A:

Did you say yes?

06/19/2009 07:41:36 AM · #20

Maybe set it up so only registered users see the thread for the first 24 hours. That way there will still be people reading the legit posts and the desperation questions would still get a rapid reply. Kind of like the advertising on the front page that you see if you are not logged in as a member.

I would agree SC is busy, However I have noticed that some members of the SC can find countless hours to argue with members and Registered Users in these forums including the most recent thread about DQ's etc. I would rather see them spend some of that time doing things that are more constuctive for the site instead of wasting the time beating the dead horses and maybe even chasing away members and or potential new members.

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

I worry that many of them just require more work from SC to deal with, which I'm not sure they want. The hiding option might be useful, but I have reservations about the potential for abuse.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

06/19/2009 07:43:24 AM · #21

I asked Jeb to marry me still haven't had a reply, I wonder if he is just stringing me along now! ;)

Originally posted by Judi:

Originally posted by Mark-A:
LOL well to be honest I would really worry about it Iky623, the only board that seems to stay on topic these days is Rant anyway and even then I was involved in one recently on that board that went from a Rant to a marriage proposal ;)

Did you say yes?

spiritualspatula

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

06/19/2009 07:45:40 AM · #22

Originally posted by Melethia:

...even though these people are people and not bots)

Does anybody know if they are people or bots? I've wondered this...

Originally posted by Melethia:

...followed by a message that says "If you are joining this community solely to post a commercial link, you will be infected with the fleas of a thousand camels and your name submitted to the FBI as a potential internet terrorist. And Art will burn your village." Or something like that. (It's a slow day at the office - everyone went on a field trip.)

I support the ammended punishments.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

06/19/2009 07:45:54 AM · #23

Originally posted by Mark-A:

I asked Jeb to marry me still haven't had a reply, I wonder if he is just stringing me along now! ;)

Originally posted by Judi:

Originally posted by Mark-A:
LOL well to be honest I would really worry about it Iky623, the only board that seems to stay on topic these days is Rant anyway and even then I was involved in one recently on that board that went from a Rant to a marriage proposal ;)

Did you say yes?

No he can't....I had heard that he had said yes to Art....unless he is just using Ken and really wants you!!! Hmmm....is this spam????? LOL!

spiritualspatula

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

06/19/2009 07:50:04 AM · #24

Originally posted by Bugzeye:

some members of the SC can find countless hours to argue with members and Registered Users in these forums including the most recent thread about DQ's etc. I would rather see them spend some of that time doing things that are more constuctive for the site instead of wasting the time beating the dead horses and maybe even chasing away members and or potential new members.

It's unfair to say that SC is bickering with users and beating the dead horse, since it is always users that bring that damn horse out and start complaining about the smell in the first place. If SC didn't respond to threads like that (where they are often publicly invoked with comments like "I'd like to hear SC's side") they would be faulted by the population for ignoring issues. What do you expect them to do?

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D