Spam Smackdown

Goblit said:
So you being a moderator of some sub-forums can you clarify which forums this DOES affect that you are a moderator for?
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Unless directed otherwise by Tek, or I start getting an obscene number of reported spam posts from them, the ToJ forums will remain as they are. I'll probably pay a bit closer attention to what is viewed as spam in the GENERAL DISCUSSION area, but will be leaving spam control up to the local mods of the ToJ sub-forums (such as WoW and GW areas) as I just don't have the time to monitor every post that stumbles out of folks' keyboards.

Reported posts will still be dealt with as normal.
 
Gods_Peon said:
I (and a great deal of others) use the WoW forums to keep in contact with each other during off gaming times. The spam that happens in there is really a continuation of our online relationships. [...] I'd personally be upset if a general mod or a mod from another set of forums came in and moderated what they felt was spam in the WoW forums.
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The announcement at the beginning of this thread applies only to the Christian Gamers Alliance Shared Forums. Affiliates are responsible for moderating their own forums; the Christian Gamers Alliance forum moderators have authority only to moderator the CGA Shared Forums.

In other words, the Redeemed General Discussion Forum is in no danger of being de-spammed.

EDIT: Emphasis added after reading through the second and third pages of posts.
 
Goblit said:
I agree with Icthus. I would like the new rule explained. A definition of what is considered SPAM would be nice. Knowing which parts of the forums it applies to would be nice as well.
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Atown said:
A definition would be nice, mostly because back in CS chapter we had the hotdog thread and 3 word story that run hundreds of pages, and the 3 word story ran in GW too. I guess what im trying to say is there is a difference between silly threads and spam ya know?
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ewoksrule said:
An official definition should be forthcoming, I doubt Tek would leave moderators to subjective deleting of posts.
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How does one define spam? It's not easy.

There are posts that are obviously spam. Replying only with kitty pidgin such as "lollerskates!" in a thread about microevolution v. macroevolution--that's obviously spam. But closing and deleting threads like the three-word story? That's much less likely to get the axe.

Let's not confuse "fun and silly" with spam.

One other note: The rule against spam isn't new. This post doesn't represent a change in the Terms of Service, it represents a shift in how strictly moderators enforce that policy.

Where does the ToS mention spam? Right here:
# Members agree to interact in a topic/thread in a direction that is consistent with the flow and interaction of that thread. Hijacking a thread will not be allowed.
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ajmucha said:
I have the question of: does this apply to only the shared forums? or the site as a whole? If it applies to the site as a whole, the SoE/SOE off-topic thread is dead meat..
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This rule applies only to the CGA Shared Forums, with special emphasis on the CGA General Discussion Forum. Several members of the staff complained (and rightfully so) about the amount of spam in CGA General.

I want to make sure that people feel welcome to join and post both serious and light-hearted content on the forums. I and others felt that the amount of spam was reaching a point where those interested in more serious discussion would abandon our forums in search for others.

That, and it was starting to get annoying.

I think we all need to contribute to a discussion that helps define spam. A common definition helps put everyone at ease.

That being said, I think deciding what is and what is not spam will always be somewhat subjective. I trust the moderators I appoint to make those sometimes difficult calls.

Let's continue the discussion and work on arriving at a definition of spam at least most of us can agree on.

Goblit said:
So you being a moderator of some sub-forums can you clarify which forums this DOES affect that you are a moderator for?
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Kidan moderates the CGA General Discussion Forum as well as several Tribe of Judah Forums.

As Kidan stated in a previous post, he does not get involved with the Redeemed and SoE/SOE forums. Activity is light enough in other ToJ forums that spam is not a concern.

EDIT: I just wanted to tack on a "PS" to my post and thank everyone for keeping a cool head during this discussion. The subject of spam can be a controversial one, so I'm glad to see serious discussion on the topic.

In the end, I don't think anyone has reason to worry, because:
1. Affiliates are in charge of moderating their own forums. Affiliate forums aren't affected.
2. The CGA moderators want to have fun on the forums, too. The forums will always be more like a chat room than a reference section.
 
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Ok, just to clear this up for me, considering i'm pretty good at getting the wrong message, the rule is that within the shared forums (i.e. CGA general, advice, prayer, Bible studies, etc.) if a post doesn't further the topic... don't post it?

is that correct? or would you like to elaborate a little more?
 
How many "spam" offensives are there until you get kicked/banned?

For the unknown joiners, they seem to get banned immediately, what about known members? Warning -> Kicked -> Banned?
 
Kind of an easy way to tell if you're posting spam... if you're interjecting something useless into a serious thread...you know that while you're typing it out. If you know that the only reason you were posting was to cause trouble/derail/change focus/whatever, expect it to get deleted.

As for bannings? I'm guessing that if your postcount is more than 10, you won't get insta-banned for goofing off and spamming a little. With that said, if your postcount is less than 10, and they're all spam for a great new company, website, cellphones for free place you "heard about" ...you're probably eating a ban. :)

I can tell you from being a mod in a sub-forum (WOW-TheForgiven) that we don't take it lightly. If I'm going to moderate a post, it's because something was seriously wrong with it. And yes, I agree with Tek, turning every single thread into spamwars counts as something wrong :)
 
Corpfox said:
How many "spam" offensives are there until you get kicked/banned?

For the unknown joiners, they seem to get banned immediately, what about known members? Warning -> Kicked -> Banned?
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I agree it also needs to be clear the reprecussions of doing so...ie. post deletion or more serious consequences?
 
Goblit said:
I agree it also needs to be clear the reprecussions of doing so...ie. post deletion or more serious consequences?
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Good question.

A person would need to post several spam messages in the CGA Shared Forums to get even a single infraction. Users are banned after five infractions. Infractions are not permanent; they can be cleared after a period of "good behavior." Even most bans are not permanent. Several forum members have been banned for a short period and returned with the slate wiped clean after a brief time.

The crackdown on spam isn't meant to punish people who post a single spam post every once in a while. It's meant to keep forum members from posting a large volume of spam.

If a member in good standing posts a few spam message in a short period, then they may receive a PM or a single infraction with a gentle warning. One infraction should be sufficient in the large majority of situations.

A spam post may be deleted without the moderator giving the member posting spam an infraction or even a reprimand.

I hope that answers the question satisfactorily. :)
 
|CoR|Braveheart said:
Yes, thats why i said that:D
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The Shared Forums "label" does not include affiliate forums.

Click here to see a list of CGA Shared Forums.

As stated previously, CGA affiliates are responsible for moderating their own forums.
 
You've still got it wrong, Braveheart. :)

The CGA Shared Forums are only the first 5 shown at the top (cga General Discussion, Creative Writing, Alpha Complex, Editor's Guild, Federal/ISP Review) plus the Prayer & Advice, Religious Discussions, Lydia's, David's Mighty Men areas. Everything else (GFC, ToJ, Redeemed, SOE, EVE, TF, PureFun, etc) are moderated by specific people in those groups. Some of the shared forums also have other specific moderators - for example, I mod the 2007 Daily Devotional within the RD boards.

Which reminds me, I need to get that caught up again.

However, If you look in The Forgiven's area, the moderators are Allanon, Wend, example42, Durruck, imcrazy, and [7F]Griswald. The CGA admins (Kidan, SirThom, et al) have mod privileges, but rarely use them in our sub-forums.

*edit* Dang. I type too slow. Tek > Me.
 
Tek7 said:
Good question.

A person would need to post several spam messages in the CGA Shared Forums to get even a single infraction. Users are banned after five infractions. Infractions are not permanent; they can be cleared after a period of "good behavior." Even most bans are not permanent. Several forum members have been banned for a short period and returned with the slate wiped clean after a brief time.
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One final question by me (well my first question I guess) but does this thing you're talking about leave behind a "+" next to my name on the "users currently online" and the "users viewing this thread" things? Because, and this is just an example, let's say I'm in the "devona's tavern" thread in the GW general discussion. Under "users viewing this thread", I would see, say, "Cloud G, vibrokatana, ChickenSoup+"
 
If it does not apply to the CGA shared forums, I'm not worried at all as I generally don't spam them, at least not on an annoying level.
 
ChickenSoup said:
One final question by me (well my first question I guess) but does this thing you're talking about leave behind a "+" next to my name on the "users currently online" and the "users viewing this thread" things? Because, and this is just an example, let's say I'm in the "devona's tavern" thread in the GW general discussion. Under "users viewing this thread", I would see, say, "Cloud G, vibrokatana, ChickenSoup+"
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It's the mark of the spam.

(sorry couldn't help it)
 
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