Spam

[Unknown Webmaster]

Lately there has been a bunch of new users who's only purpose seems to be interested in promoting the worthless sites in their signatures.

They basically write posts consisting of 2 lines of broken English, usually just regurgitating what someone else has already written in the thread.

The result is that a lot of threads gets bumped, and sometimes people spend time writing a detailed reply to the spammer, probably because they only read the latest reply in the thread, and on their own some of the posts does seem legitimate.

I'm not sure what you can do about it, but it is beginning to really grind my gears, and I would really appreciate it if someone could take a look at it.

[Pokerkeep]

This is becoming a problem at many forums lately...
Why not block new users from posting links (url's) or adding links to their signatures until they have a minimum of 5 or 10 posts.

[GregW]

It was amusing at first but now the guy is getting pretty relentless. He has the uncanny skill of being able to give a vague commentary on any thread whilst saying everything and nothing at the same time.

I'm all for ignoring this stuff at first, but I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel on this one. I would say give a warning and then ban, but I don't think he's going to turn in to a valuable poster over night. I don't think anyone would object to a straight ban.

[Newjabber]

Why not block new users from posting links (url's) or adding links to their signatures until they have a minimum of 5 or 10 posts.

This will only add to even more spam posts. If doing something like this is should be minimum 50 posts to see if the new member is here to contribute, or advertise.
But i agree that something needs to be done.

[Pokerkeep]

I disagree. Most spammers are lazy, one hit wonders. If they can't get their links posted on the first try, they'll go find an easier forum to spam.

[Viriatu]

one could think now from the old discussion about making the boards public instead of invite only and the ones of us saying no that time sure saw this coming...

[xYassassinYx]

Yeah i found it a pain in the ass, every time i log in i go to new posts and every thread was reply by 'xxxxxx' with totally useless replies

[Haynesey]

I disagree. Most spammers are lazy, one hit wonders. If they can't get their links posted on the first try, they'll go find an easier forum to spam.

Some spammers are not doing it for their own gain (in terms of backlinks). But are instead paid by website owners to make these posts.

[pokerworx]

Make the forums private like GPWA or put a min amount of posts for sigs like 20ish and get a couple of eu based mods that are up way before the guys in the US.

Bit OT here but are forum back links a good thing??

[superiorword]

If doing something like this is should be minimum 50 posts to see if the new member is here to contribute, or advertise.

It won't be difficult for such guys to reach 50 posts. Just commenting on threads that are already "closed/dead" and within a matter of few days, reaching the 50 mark.