Suggest a 100 post minimum for SPAM too?
 

Hi Randy,

I'd like to suggest a 100 post minimum for SPAM too (similar to the Coupon Connection). I started a thread for free iPod mini's - a referral conga line - that appears to have pretty much blown up. The intention was to have FT'ers help other FT'ers get free iPods - which it has done - however, a LOT of newbies have joined Flyertalk (not that they aren't welcome to - as FT is a very welcoming place) but they've joined not because of the points, miles, and travel aspect, just for the freebie aspect - so I was thinking of making a recommendation & wondered yours & the communities thoughts on it.

Similar to the Coupon Connection & even OMNI - posting privileges for non-travel related forums (these are pretty much the only 3) should be restricted to FT'ers with a certain post count - maybe 100 like Coupon Connection - or maybe by request, like OMNI - or maybe you one has to have at least 6 months as an active member or something - just a thought.

Anyone else agree or disagree?

I like this idea. It would be a shame if FT turned into "fatwallet" or "bensbargains"...

...or Flyertalk Freebies?

Yeah, I like the idea of a minimum post (or request as some long-time FTers do not have 100 posts) for S.P.A.M.

I also noticed that thread blowing up and had the same thought. Lots of newbies in there that haven't posted anywhere but SPAM on that thread and now the flat screen thread.

How about having the mod just delete your post to have it stop? As the topic starter you could do that. I know you had the best of intentions, but this one just blew up. JMHO.

I agree. But I would go on to say that In actuality, the entire thread doesn't really comport with what the SPAM forum was originally meant to be, IMHO. It has nothing whatsoever to do with miles & points or flying or staying, etc. And, therefore, I think the decision to start the thread itself is as much to blame as all the teenagers it brought in. Again, MHO.

I would have no problems with a 100-post minimum, however...

If we establish a 100-post minimum for SPAM priviledges, you may have newbies (only interested in the ipod/flat screen promos) posting random (perhaps disruptive) things in all other forums to increase their post count.

If we establish a 100-post minimum AND remove the post, we will have all sorts of posts in other forums with titles like: "Where is the free ipod forum?"

Perhaps I'm thinking worst-case scenario...

That hasn't happened yet for Omni or CC...

I agree in principle ...
 

but am also wary of the possible disruption factor. The ipod thread seems to be imploding. Now there's someone suggesting they not even use the thread, and is diverting them elsewhere. Not that that is a problem at all! The bane of my existence, David087, has moved there and is pulling the same antics (posting his link over and over, flying in the face of the rules and others who follow them).

I trust your judgment. We need some sort of solution!

Thanks for all you do for/at FT.

Though I do not often make posts in SPAM, I do think a minimum post count would be a good qualifier. Combining this with a minimum time as a member would prevent people from going over to Omni and padding their post counts in a day or two.

I wondered how long this would take to come up ;)

Of course an easy answer would be to put the conga in Coupon Connection, maybe with a post in SPAM linking so regulars dont miss it.

I'd think the recent GMail "Conga" list would also be a good example of why a 100 post min. would be needed (seeing how people joined FT just to see if they can "smooch" an account out of an established FTer).

aloha

I think it's a great idea.
I know I am brand new, and joined FlyerTalk here just for the iPod thread, and I wouldn't have received the assistance I have gotten from this community. But I think it's important for a community to help eachother out, and I feel it might have been lost upon the newb's with the defiance and such they have demonstrated.

Interesting to see this thread.

I actually sent a message to the SPAM moderators asking for their help on this exact issue.

It was getting tiring seeing all the people coming in with one post and wanting referrals without taking the time to even understand the rules of the CONGA.... not like you could miss them, established members have done a great job detailing them.

I have a feeling most of these people will never become "productive" members of the community... no travel interest. They are only here for the freebie.

So, I think most will go away when they see that they have to get lots of posts sowhere else.

So, I would highly recommend the 100 post requirement....

William

I think that is a virtual certainty.

I completely understand & I would do that - but that wouldn't be fair to all the people that were legitimately a part of this. If I had known that was going to happen, I honestly wouldn't have started it. :(

I agree - the only thing is that when I posted it, I was under the impression that Conga lines were permitted & this is an alternative type of points (you have to get referral points to get the goods). If the SPAM Mods want to close it &/or if Randy wants to close, that's perfectly fine with me - I didn't mean for it to go the way it did - I meant for FT'ers to hook FT'ers up - also, I didn't think it was a bad thing to do because when it first was started, people, including a couple of people who are Mods & yourself included, JonNYC, posted & no one said that it was an improper post at the time - had a Moderator decided to move/delete it, that would have been fine with me at the time.

I do assure you all that Mary2e above is correct - I did have the best of intentions - I just didn't realize that it'd get out of hand - which is why I'm making a suggestion about the minimum time/post count (and I'm echoing boilermaker's suggestion of having those who don't have the minimum post count, but a long time membership with FT having to request permission to post).