Spam Spam Spam

[ZippyTheChimp]

This forum receives a lot of spam, and while it is annoying, most people who visit here never see the majority of it. The moderators frequently scan new members and remove any objectionable posts or threads.

If a post or thread that violates the rules is encountered, use the "REPORT BAD POST" icon. Emails are generated to the administrator and moderators. If at least one of us agrees with the report, the post or thread is removed without discussion. If the poster questions why it was removed, we explain it via PM.

If the post or thread remains, that indicates that all of us disagree with the contention, and that should be the end of it. That avoids what happened here. The idea is not to treat every post as a potential crime that must be solved, but to keep the forum readable.

This thread (http://www.wirednewyork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10179) was also reported as an ad. Is it? I can't tell, so the poster gets the benefit of my doubt. If any other moderator responded to the alert, they agreed with me. Has it disrupted the forum? I don't think so.

Some of the attempts to hide spam and/or avoid deletion are quite funny, and after I LOL, I zap them.

Sorry to deprive others of some comedy.

[ablarc]

When a thread is locked that some think is spam, does that reflect ambivalence?

I know most unequivocal spam is summarily expunged.

[ZippyTheChimp]

Spam is deleted.

Threads are locked for a variety of reasons.

Examples?

[Ninjahedge]

I have been seeing a rash of spam in the last month r two.

It is kind of funny when you see the automatic generators out there trying to do this kind of thing.

Youhave a few basic types of spam:

Political (Juna -> Jula and 'her' rants on china are a good example)
Real Estate
Financial
"general"

Most come from a new member that has very little imagination in a name that looks like a randomly generated Hotmail address (Bob1234). They come on with their first post to tell us about something GREAT in their life that you need to click on to believe.

You would think that some of them would take a bit more time to soften the blow before they go for the sale. Post a link on te 3rd or 4th post, but no, that would not yeild them the results they need.

But whatever. I will keep reporting them any time I see them.

[ablarc]

use the "REPORT BAD POST" icon.
Where can that be found?

[ZippyTheChimp]

Top right of each post.

! inside a white triangle.

Emails will automatically be sent to all moderators.

[ablarc]

^ Thanks.

[ZippyTheChimp]

88 of the last 500 new members (17%) were banned for spamming.

[pianoman11686]

I hear that Hormel (the creator of SPAM, i.e. the spiced-ham product) is looking to sue software companies for copyright infringement because of their use of the word in promoting anti-spam programs.

[Ninjahedge]

At the same time they should have to pay them for all the free advertisement.

Call it even and leave it at that.

[pianoman11686]

Well, I don't know about that. Spam (the internet kind) is looked down upon as a bad thing. And while SPAM isn't exactly the healthiest food at there, that doesn't mean it needs any more negative connotations.

[ZippyTheChimp]

When in Austin, Minnesota, be sure to visit the SPAM Museum (http://media.hormel.com/templates/knowledge/knowledge.asp?id=9&catitemid=16)