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10-13-2005, 12:23 AM #1Temporarily Suspended
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Can we please stop garbage posts just to push a signature?
Greets,
I understand that WHT is a marketplace as much as it is a problem-solving resource, but the following repeat scenario is really beginning to grate on me...
The thread goes like this: a user is looking for information on what type of hosting they need, opinions on a certain host, etc. Answers then get posted by a few people, who all offer varying advice on what to do, and pretty much cover what needs to be said. Fine and dandy....conversation pretty much over. But then as comments move to passing shots, you get some real winners who trail the conversation posts that are either mundane, irrelevant, mock sympathy (my favorite), or a combination of all three. They type whatever their fingers can manage before it's too much effort, and bam, that all-important signature, plastered with links to their hosting site, gets slammed into another thread. Score! Here...let me find an example...the thread gets off to a decent start, then we come to a pretty resounding conclusion...and then WHAM, signatures invade. Nothing new added.
And for the devil's advocates, yes, I know the line between advertising and "helping" is razor thin around here. And yes, I know that "instead of bitching, I can simply ignore it." But after all this time, I'm seeing it everywhere, so I figured I'd say something. Maybe it's a point worth enforcing? Or maybe it's too hard to police? What do you think?
Cheers,
TripLast edited by Trip; 10-13-2005 at 12:28 AM.
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10-13-2005, 12:37 AM #2Eternal Member
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I have noticed a lot of what you're describing and I agree that it gets out of hand sometimes but I'm not sure how WHT mods could remedy the situation. Hopefully there will be some good suggestions.
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10-13-2005, 12:47 AM #3Originally posted by catfished
Hopefully there will be some good suggestions.
The number of posts that are reported because of this, is indicative that action needs to be taken, trying to figure out the best action is what we hope to achieve. So between out collective minds, maybe we can get something workable up and running soon.0
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10-13-2005, 12:50 AM #4Dennis Johnson
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Originally posted by anon-e-mouse
We hope so too We have been discussing this in the executive board room . . .
*unticks sig0
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10-13-2005, 12:59 AM #5Temporarily Suspended
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Thanks guys. Good to hear I'm not alone.
Haha SWR, nice post.
Trip0
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10-13-2005, 01:02 AM #6Eternal Member
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Originally posted by SoftWareRevue
You spelled bathroom wrong!
*unticks sig0
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10-13-2005, 01:45 AM #7Web Hosting Master
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I've never noticed about this until now.
My posts are just expressing my own opinion rather than pushing up and showing off my sig. Even if some of the posters have answered the OP's questions, I may still post the main points and break them down a little.
If signature is the issue here, why don't we disable all the signatures? I'm sure that'll help this problem here ~
The posts that bother me are the repeated ones that says, use the host quote feature, search the forum, look at the offer secton. I've seen those millions and millions of times!0
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10-13-2005, 10:44 AM #8Dennis Johnson
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Maybe signatures are just more noticeable now.
What if we went back to the signatures that didn't allow vb code?
When we introduced hyperlinking and colors, it was on a trial basis.
Maybe the perception of sig spamming is due to signatures being more noticeable?There is no best host. There is only the host that's best for you.0
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10-13-2005, 11:44 AM #9Eternal Member
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Hmm...I would definitely not mind the lack of VB code in signatures. It would definitely reduce the amount of people who just post to get their sig noticed.
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10-13-2005, 11:48 AM #10Web Hosting Master
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Originally posted by SoftWareRevue
Maybe signatures are just more noticeable now.
What if we went back to the signatures that didn't allow vb code?
When we introduced hyperlinking and colors, it was on a trial basis.
Maybe the perception of sig spamming is due to signatures being more noticeable?
Good luck with your new host bla bla
<<My company rocks>>
Some do it more than other, Like i say disabling VB code is a good idea i am all for it0
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10-13-2005, 11:50 AM #11Web Hosting Evangelist
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would it be complex to say allow vbcode after 100 posts, so the people that are chatting, can still usevb code, and the spammers carnt?
Note to self: Add something funny!
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10-13-2005, 11:51 AM #12Web Hosting Master
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Originally posted by tree-host
would it be complex to say allow vbcode after 100 posts, so the people that are chatting, can still usevb code, and the spammers carnt?0
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10-13-2005, 12:24 PM #13Web Hosting Evangelist
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In that case i say disable it
Note to self: Add something funny!
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10-13-2005, 12:31 PM #14Web Hosting Master
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Sig pimping is a problem, and members need to be discrete, where their sig is displayed. There's the untick sig option when making a post, and it's a personal thing as when to use it. If you're posting in a thread where you could be seen to gain a commercial advantage from, then untick the sig box.
I'm not sure how something like this could be enforced. It's such a grey area, and open to interpretation.• WLVPN.com • NetProtect owned White Label VPN provider •
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10-13-2005, 12:42 PM #15Retired Moderator
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It's not a personal thing when the moderators untick it though.
Rather than guess as someone's intentions, if a comment does not directly address the OP's topic or the natural extension of the topic's discussion, I've taken to just removing signatures. That way, if someone's intention was truly to contribute, then the contribution, however valueless, will remain and they shouldn't be upset about the signature leaving.
If they are upset, then this means the removal was probably justified
Maybe upgrading to vB 3.5 will allow us to remove signatures via inline moderation (maybe a small hack necessary there)? If so, moderating like this will be the easiest thing in the world. Sig spammers will get tired of playing a losing game very quickly, and will either fall off the forums (good riddance), or start making meaningful contributions, thereby earning the right to display signature adsStudio1337___̴ı̴̴̡̡̡ ̡͌l̡̡̡ ̡͌l̡*̡̡ ̴̡ı̴̴̡ ̡̡͡|̲̲̲͡͡͡ ̲▫̲͡ ̲̲̲͡͡π̲̲͡͡ ̲̲͡▫̲̲͡͡ ̲|̡̡̡ ̡ ̴̡ı̴̡̡ ̡͌l̡̡̡̡.__Web Design0
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10-13-2005, 01:02 PM #16Retired Moderator
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Maybe removing signatures in the Advertising forums and in the Lounge would be a good idea, just to start out with?
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10-13-2005, 01:04 PM #17Web Hosting Master
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Originally posted by the_pm
. . . Rather than guess as someone's intentions, if a comment does not directly address the OP's topic or the natural extension of the topic's discussion . . .
Something needs to be done. There's just no simple solution.• WLVPN.com • NetProtect owned White Label VPN provider •
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10-13-2005, 01:21 PM #18Retired Moderator
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But, most sig pimping is actually contributing to the thread, in an ontopic and somewhat (maybe underhanded) meaningful manner.
I think the following situations should result in sig removal, but the post stays:
1. Posting sympathies.
2. Posting in agreement with an earlier post, without giving any unique insight.
3. Restating points already made, even if done in different words, without adding any unique insight.
4. Linking to pages with tools, or to other forums/pages within WHT, unless the thread starter specifically asks for this type of feedback.
#4 example:
OP: I'm looking for a reliable host with the following features: X, Y, and Z. Please post recommendations.
Reply: Try doing a search here: wherever.com/
Ok, that's not necessaily a bad contribution, but it doesn't offer a recommendation based on the information in OPs post. Signature removed, post stays
There are probably other cases where a judgment call must be made. I just thought I'd give a few off the top of my head.
Also, see the poll I started regarding signatures in advertising forums. Not only do I believe postcount should not increment when someone posts in advertising forums (2:1 in favor of this when I posted a poll last), I also believe sigs should just be stripped out of advertising forums entirely.
But that's just meStudio1337___̴ı̴̴̡̡̡ ̡͌l̡̡̡ ̡͌l̡*̡̡ ̴̡ı̴̴̡ ̡̡͡|̲̲̲͡͡͡ ̲▫̲͡ ̲̲̲͡͡π̲̲͡͡ ̲̲͡▫̲̲͡͡ ̲|̡̡̡ ̡ ̴̡ı̴̡̡ ̡͌l̡̡̡̡.__Web Design0
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10-13-2005, 01:21 PM #19Eternal Member
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It is a slippery slope indeed.
I feel sorry for the mods, as this is a daunting task, as insidiously helpful posts are not always what they appear. Many times, they are made for the express purpose of strategic sig placement.
We discussed this recently and clearly, the privilege of membership is being abused by some.
IMO, all we can do is help the mods as much as possible by reporting suspect posts, so that they can isolate and deal with them as efficiently as possible.
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10-13-2005, 01:58 PM #20Retired Moderator
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Originally posted by vito
I feel sorry for the mods, as this is a daunting task, as insidiously helpful posts are not always what they appear. Many times, they are made for the express purpose of strategic sig placement.
We discussed this recently and clearly, the privilege of membership is being abused by some.
IMO, all we can do is help the mods as much as possible by reporting suspect posts, so that they can isolate and deal with them as efficiently as possible.
I still vote to do away with signatures, but that's just my opinion.
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10-13-2005, 02:42 PM #21Eternal Member
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One thing that may be useful is getting rid of "color" tags in signatures and reducing the max size to 3 lines.
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10-13-2005, 03:13 PM #22Retired Moderator
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I think doing away with signatures would be as much a loss as a gain. I have found many great websites by clicking on links in people's signatures. I don't see how getting rid of colros or shortening the signature would help anything. If you reduce the number of lines to 3, a company can write:
We are a Great Host!
155% Uptime!
http://www.companiesurl.com
Theres no point in reducing the number of lines, IMO.
I have to agree most with the_pm. Probably the Proslacker can code an inline mod hack into vb 3.5, and then the mods could easily remove signatures from posts. Disabling signatures in the Advertising forums might also be a good idea.0
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10-13-2005, 03:18 PM #23learning is in the doing
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I'd suggest: go with one line, max. 60 - 80 viewable characters, colours allowed.
Some would disagree, but colours in Sigs do have a way of "brightening up" threads. Black on white/grey can get so boring.
I would have no problem following whatever Sig guidelines are in place, such as a I do now , but I also agree the Sig Spamming is getting out of hand. Will never be able to prevent useless posts, but restrictions that will help to cut down on them would be applauded.• PotentProducts.com - for all your Hosting needs
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10-13-2005, 03:23 PM #24Web Hosting Master
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I agree with the one line sigs. This is a great forum, but everytime you refresh you are lost again, and its all the people just pushing their sigs.
Maybee allows 1 line only and then allow VBcode after 1000 post or something.0
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10-13-2005, 05:08 PM #25Web Hosting Master
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I think the problem is not related to how many lines or how attractive the signature is. The problem is that people posting garbage just to push their signature. No matter it is one line or one word or not, they simply post just to show off the signature.
I'd say disable it is the best choice to handle this if you don't mind ~
Doesn't mean I want it disable, but if you think signature causing people to post garbage, you have to disable it ~
Or make the signature no links or no URL or whatever you could think of to stop the advertisement ~
Sometimes, people post is just to express their opinion rather than showing off the signature. That's what I think when I do my posting ~ I have never thought that my signature can really do boost up my sales or make my site become popular since 99% chances here are simply hosts.Last edited by YUPAPA; 10-13-2005 at 05:16 PM.
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