Forum Feedback How to combat spam on TE?

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Mohit said:
Also, is a negative reputation system possible? And mods can keep a check on negatively rated members.
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That also makes sense but the privileges should be given only to the reputed and senior members. Else they're going to make a mockery out of the new system implemented!
 
greenhorn said:
reporting each and every post causes excess work for the mods. Plus you really dont want to report each and every trivial post. And it makes it personal
On the other hand, clicking to groan on a post is rather easy, and if a member accumulates sufficient groans from several members, then it will be easier for mods to look into that instead of individual complaints
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+1 agree :hap2: let me hide now
 
how about the system in use by engadget and dalytech? we could use some rating system here for the posts.

the negative rated posts gets grayed out or gets collapsed to a small block. so others dont have to view such posts.

btw, its true that many people here are just posting for the sake of posting. i mean even if the query has been answered they will give the same reply regardless with a +1 and what not. It might seem like an opinion from their side, but it only looks like useless talk to me.
 
Some ideas

1. Seems like "+1", "couldn't agree more", "rofl 10chars" etc are the major shareholders in the spam market.

Bring the rep status to the left side for all the themes. Then change the icon of the "rep" button i.e. "thumbs up" to "+1". The functionality remains the same. But let the number of reps earned by that particular post be shown in numbers just below post count along with the rep button. I'll give a picture for example

f5c4cg.jpg

I didn't bother about the size/proper alignments though. :P
Besides, whenever a post is reported, an automatic pm including the url of that post should be dropped in the persons inbox stating that his post has been reported ( shouldn't mention the reporter's id ). I don't know if its already there.

2. A lot of questions about the quality of posts and threads. Well, many of the threads in the Hardware section are about seeking suggestion about a new rig or some peripherals. I suggest add another sub-section "buying suggestion" like the CPU/mobo corner or PC Peripherals etc and pls put it to the top so that newbies can notice it.

Also put the "What should I buy" template as sticky to the new sub-section.

I know many of you wish to jump on me for suggesting to creat another sub-section. But trust me, its the only way to keep the suggestion threads apart from the "good" quality threads. :)

3. Newbies don't read the rules and regulations. I think new users have to tick a box to agree that he/she will abide by the rules. How about the following:

> Split the main rules into 5/6 pages but small numbers in each page.
> Now put a button ( labeled "Next" ) which will be active after 15 seconds after loading the current page. Thus he/she will read at least some of the rules if not many. :)
 
6pack said:
how about the system in use by engadget and dalytech? we could use some rating system here for the posts.
the negative rated posts gets grayed out or gets collapsed to a small block. so others dont have to view such posts.

btw, its true that many people here are just posting for the sake of posting. i mean even if the query has been answered they will give the same reply regardless with a +1 and what not. It might seem like an opinion from their side, but it only looks like useless talk to me.
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one major difference is that those are news blogs with comments on articles. And this is forum.
Its still not the bad idea as there are plenty of people who are simply posting wrong info as well. See the power supply and gfx card threads :P
 
mayanksahni said:
Here is my opinion guys :-

I think we should increase the moderation.
See we all know that we have 2 section mods for all sections. Lets take an example of CPU and MOBO section. Since we all know that it is really difficult for 2 mods to go through all the posts in that section then guys this is the time to grow the size of moderators. Say for example lets make that to 10 for that(I know it is hard but very effective too). Now every mod of that section should opt for the threads which he will look after (something like subscribed threads). Now that particular mod needs to look after that few threads only which i think is possible. And now he can go through each and every posts. Any new thread in that section which is unowned by any mod should be separately highlighted so that mods of that section can take initiative to opt for that one. I know that mods need to do too much work at starting but later on everything will go like charm.

Just my 2 cents. (Even I'm ready to do such work to save my forum)
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Hey guys plz comment on my opinion too, plz don't let it go lame. :(
 
For the most part, if members were to actively report useless/questionable posts, staff members would find it easier to take necessary actions and combat spam.

Each one of you can help make a difference. :)
 
If the quality of posts and the general nature of the forum is something that the administration is genuinely concerned about, then I suggest that TE new registrations go "invite only." Invites being given based on current post count or rep count or a combination of both.

Within this time of controlled influx, work on older garbage, improve on it or throw it out in a dustbin. Then you really don't need newer mods or heightened levels of moderation.
 
Oh please don't get me started on TBHP... I mean really....... We have to write poems on how great TBHP is and still we do not get in... I don't praise my manager even if my appraisal depends on him so I don't agree with that :bleh:

I wanted to suggest one feature... I have seen "thanks" button on quite a few *ahem* *cough-cough* sites... if someone thinks it was a kick ass review then he can click the thanks button instead of posting +1 or totally agree.. I think I have seen a thumbs up and thumbs down icon to each and every reply on some forum but am not able to recall the site or which BB it was using so as soon as I come across it will report it here. If people are concerned about reps then we can check if the thanks can be linked to the rating system..

Seriously I dont care about the reps or the post count :bleh:
 
Just disable the option "show the number of posts count". I think the Rep option is sufficient to filter out members who are contributing to this forum really... :)
 
^^ Well, I have a hunch you have a very dhamaka-type solution in mind. come on, tell us :)

My two cents: don't do anything radical.

May be bring back MOTM or may be uphold example of 2/3 good new members every one or two months. Don't give any tags but just mention the names. This acts as incentive to those who are really interested in tech and may lead to better posts.

Shripad mostly nailed it right when he outlined difficulties in maintaining QC at a public forum where everybody is more or less free to post whatever they want.

I think it's more of the sudden increase in number of members that is fueling chaos and once the whole TDF has arrived here, within a month or two situation will stabilize. :P

Also, there is no alternative to quality posts. Those who know their stuff has to, for once ignoring the obnoxious members or the manners, pitch in.

For example see this: http://www.techenclave.com/pc-peripherals/suggest-cheap-gaming-rig-155584.html#post1362875

The first post is something we don't want on TE.

But it's great that Amien ignored the language and listed some decent options. For good measure, he could have added a PS asking OP to be careful about his query next time, but more or less it's pretty ok.

The responses like this add value and in my opinion may keep the spammers away. Quality responses show troublemakers how vain their replies are and may even force them to shut up and learn.
 
morgoth said:
May be bring back MOTM or may be uphold example of 2/3 good new members every one or two months. Don't give any tags but just mention the names. This acts as incentive to those who are really interested in tech and may lead to better posts.
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We have a whole new plan in mind for MOTM, something tabgible. But it might involve placing another ad next to the logo. Will disclose only as much for now. Lets see how the experiment works out. Of course this means bikey loses his perpetual MOTM status. :rofl:
 
greenhorn said:
/OT we sound like a CMMI 3 company trying to level up to CMMI 4 :P
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OMG please don't start that here... already am tired with writing policies, processes, write-ups and what not cr@p at office. Please no certifications here :bleh:
 
BTW, some of the mods and members must've noticed a deliberate spamming attempt by a fellow who claimed to be bored spamming in the TDF and tried the same here just a while back. He'd posted stupid threads irrelevant to the sections, quickly caught the attention, the threads were reported and he was banned in no time!

I've no clue how do we keep a check of such instances in the future. I think invitations via members' the only way.
 
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