News and Announcements

**TimSchroeder** · 02-08-2005, 10:01 PM

Webmaster-Talk Members must now have at least 5 posts in order to use the Webmaster-Talk Private Message system. I don't think that is to much to ask.

This new change should not effect our established members at all.

**DaveMo~** · 02-09-2005, 06:06 PM

Remember, if you have blatant spam sent to you from another member via PM or our email system, you can report in the Report PM or Email Spam forum. This doesn't seem to happen from the vast majority of our members, but an occassional spammer may join with just intentions to spam.

Dave

**David43** · 02-10-2005, 07:50 PM

Smart thinking guys. Hate them spam PMs that used to appear in my PM box.

**TimSchroeder** · 02-10-2005, 07:53 PM

I missed you David43! It's great to see you are still around

**bingo** · 02-13-2005, 06:20 PM

I think this is my 6th post but I can't use the private messages

**Christopher** · 02-13-2005, 06:29 PM

User status is updated hourly

**thevirus** · 02-13-2005, 08:08 PM

Brilliant idea fella's, glad to see you are constantly working to improve this site that many of use have grown to love...including myself!

**baze22** · 02-17-2005, 02:12 PM

Guess if I want to get to the PM's in my folder, I'd better get my post count up. A little frustrating not even being able to PM an admin to ask what the problem is. I haven't contributed in terms of posting, but I do contribute in terms of helping to make the forums useful buy purchasing advertising that is posted there, but I prefer to communicate via PM.

Question from one VB admin to another: does raising the post count really make a difference in terms of PM spam? If a person is going to spam, it really doesn't take much to post 5 "Me too" type messages and then spam.

So now I find myself finding 4 more places I can "contribute"/post to. Almost feels like I'm spamming - postijng just to raise my post count.

Contrary to the possible tone of my post, I do appreciate the forum you offer here. I guess I just use it differently than most.

Thanks,

baze22

**TimSchroeder** · 02-17-2005, 02:27 PM

Thank you for the comments baze22. You bring up some good points to think about.

The PM rule change will be re-evaluated.

**Christopher** · 02-17-2005, 02:42 PM

As it stands, the new 5 minimum posts does indeed help with PM spam. If we spot spam posts, then we do our best to get rid of them. Not many people will spend all this time posting, to spam a couple of people then get banned.

If you require assistance from the staff, then you don't need the PM system as we have the Confidential Talk forum for that.

**baze22** · 02-17-2005, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chroder

As it stands, the new 5 minimum posts does indeed help with PM spam. If we spot spam posts, then we do our best to get rid of them. Not many people will spend all this time posting, to spam a couple of people then get banned.

If you require assistance from the staff, then you don't need the PM system as we have the Confidential Talk forum for that.

I wasn't aware of the Confidential Talk forum.

I'd finally taken the time to put info concerning ad purchases into a spread sheet. I was frustrated that I couldn't get to messages (PM's) concerning those purchases without jumping through hoops that weren't there when I initially got some of those PM's. If that restriction had been there when I registered, I would probably have made 5 posts and continued on.

I still don't understand how 5 posts will deter somebody from spamming if that what they are here for. One "Hi my name is.." post along with 4 "glad to meet you, welcome to the board" posts and it hasn't really inconvenienced that person much at all - and you still can't really ban somebody for strictly just for posting 5 welcome posts. Just my 2 cents.

This is a nice forum, I've been coming here for a few months now and will continue to do so. Thanks for providing it.

baze

**Christopher** · 02-17-2005, 04:03 PM

Spammers like to spam as much as they can, and to make 5 posts before they can do so will deter most of them. It takes time to sign up, validate email addresses, then make 5 posts -- to do all that only to get banned, will be too much work for the average spammer.

**DaveMo~** · 02-17-2005, 04:44 PM

I've received quite a few spam PMs from members that only joined to PM other members with their "wares" and they all had zero posts. They didn't introduce themselves, post replies anywhere, only sent PMs. When warned about it, there were no replies. So, for me personally, that has been helpful.

For those that are going to stick around and use the forum, even if they don't post, a few posts for the PM privilege shouldn't be too much. BTW, if someone posted 5 intro threads, 4 would get deleted, and they would be back to 1. They can say "hi" to a few members and get that necessary post count (but the spammers won't take the time).

Baze, I'm glad you're sticking with the forum and hope the forum proves useful to you!

Dave

**baze22** · 02-17-2005, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveMo~

I've received quite a few spam PMs from members that only joined to PM other members with their "wares" and they all had zero posts.

That's the main reason I've avoided posting in a forum when I'm interested in purchasing somebody's ads or a site for sale. Don't want to be contacted by others.

Quote:

For those that are going to stick around and use the forum, even if they don't post, a few posts for the PM privilege shouldn't be too much. BTW, if someone posted 5 intro threads, 4 would get deleted, and they would be back to 1. They can say "hi" to a few members and get that necessary post count (but the spammers won't take the time).

Nothing I hate more than a lazy spammer.

If somebody introduced themselves 5 times, they deserve a dunce cap. I was suggesting it would be simple to post 1 intro and then copy/paste welcomes to 4 others (heck, then you could PM them an ad and it wouldn't be a cold call, 'cause you've already introduced yourself

).

Quote:

Baze, I'm glad you're sticking with the forum and hope the forum proves useful to you!

Dave

Unless you get tired of my witty commentary and give me the boot, I'm sure I'll continue my daily checking in.

BTW, (just checked) on my own board, I've got at least 25 people with a higher post count than me.

Guess I gotta work on my posting....

baze

**TimSchroeder** · 02-17-2005, 06:05 PM

baze22, who are you? Maybe you can PM me

**baze22** · 02-17-2005, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimSchroeder

Maybe you can PM me

I can now.

I'm just watching my post count soar now.....

baze

**european_** · 03-08-2005, 07:14 AM

1 I think 5 posts are quite a lot.

Don't you think some people might post nonsense just to be able to start private messaging?

J.

2

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveMo~

Remember, if you have blatant spam sent to you from another member via PM or our email system, you can report in the Report PM or Email Spam forum. This doesn't seem to happen from the vast majority of our members, but an occassional spammer may join with just intentions to spam.

Dave

Well I think under the circumstances it's ok to put this rule up, if spammers won't get the chance to do their miserable work ;-)

3 Do I have to wait one day?

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimSchroeder

Webmaster-Talk Members must now have at least 5 posts in order to use the Webmaster-Talk Private Message system. I don't think that is to much to ask. This new change should not effect our established members at all.

Do I have to wait until I can reply to PMs? I have over 5 posts and private messaging is still restricted!?!

**Kyrnt** · 03-08-2005, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by european_

I think 5 posts are quite a lot.

Don't you think some people might post nonsense just to be able to start private messaging?

J.

European, apparently you have answered your own question with three consecutive posts in a thread largely asking the same vein of question.

The process used to update who has posted 5 times to enable PMs runs hourly -- so it will not take effect the very moment you reach 5 posts (which you have).

**DaveMo~** · 03-08-2005, 10:12 AM

Just for information:

When I see someone that has double or triple posted within minutes of their own post, I usually combine the replies. This means that their post count just went down due to something that is considered unethical forum conduct. Sometimes, I just delete the post if it doesn't have some good meaning to the rest of the thread.

Remember, you can edit your own posts! When someone hasn't replied to your post, edit it instead of double or triple posting.

Dave

**Christopher** · 03-08-2005, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Do I have to wait until I can reply to PMs? I have over 5 posts and private messaging is still restricted!?!

Please read our rules thoroughly.

Quote:

You must make at least 5 posts before you may create new messages, or reply to any messages you receive. This is to reduce the amount of PM spam.

User statuses are updated hourly, so once you gain your 5 posts you will probably have to wait a little while.