Minimum Post Count to post a Link
Jan 31, 2006 | 2:42 pm
#1
Original Poster
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Minimum Post Count to post a Link
I suggested this in the other thread about newbies and thought it might deserve it's own thread 
.
Very often I see newbies with 1 or 2 posts signing up simply to post links to other sites, usually referral sites. On one occassion there was a persistant person posting links to his ministry. Of course, I use the report post function and more often than not, the post is removed very quickly.
On a few other boards I frequent I've seen a post count limitation in place before a user can post a link.
A major benefit to this would be less work for the moderators. Heaven knows, they have enough cr@p to deal with, and using their volunteer hours cleaning up after self-serving newbies should not be one of them.
A side benefit may be that the newbie will stick around to see all that FT has to offer.
Perhaps it would be a good idea for FT to institute a similar limitation - like 10 or 20 posts before being able to post a link.
.Very often I see newbies with 1 or 2 posts signing up simply to post links to other sites, usually referral sites. On one occassion there was a persistant person posting links to his ministry. Of course, I use the report post function and more often than not, the post is removed very quickly.
On a few other boards I frequent I've seen a post count limitation in place before a user can post a link.
A major benefit to this would be less work for the moderators. Heaven knows, they have enough cr@p to deal with, and using their volunteer hours cleaning up after self-serving newbies should not be one of them.
A side benefit may be that the newbie will stick around to see all that FT has to offer.
Perhaps it would be a good idea for FT to institute a similar limitation - like 10 or 20 posts before being able to post a link.
Jan 31, 2006 | 4:09 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: West Seattle, WA
Posts: 10,469
Is this really that big of an issue? I can see how it can be abused, but I'm sure there are many initial (legitimate) posts by new members that include a link (of some sort). I think the inability to post a link would just prohibit their use and interest in FT.
I see how a post count req. could stifle someone from spamming the forums, but I think that it is better for the Community as a whole to allow anyone to post links. Like you said, the community and the moderators are pretty damn good at policing and taking care of abusers.
And finally, is this even possible in the software? Just my $.02
I see how a post count req. could stifle someone from spamming the forums, but I think that it is better for the Community as a whole to allow anyone to post links. Like you said, the community and the moderators are pretty damn good at policing and taking care of abusers.
And finally, is this even possible in the software? Just my $.02
Jan 31, 2006 | 4:33 pm
#3
Flyertalk Evangelist and Moderator: Coupon Connection and Travel Products
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Location: Milton, GA USA
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I agree with Chexy on this... as a moderator... I do not see this as a major problem.
If you don't like that new posters are posting links, then don't click on them...
I really do not want to see us do anything that limits the early positive experiences for new members. We were all newbies once on Flyertalk...
If you don't like that new posters are posting links, then don't click on them...
I really do not want to see us do anything that limits the early positive experiences for new members. We were all newbies once on Flyertalk...
Feb 1, 2006 | 8:04 am
#4
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Thanks Guys .
I see your points and agree with them. Really I do.
It's not that I don't like the links, it's that some people only come here to get clicks on their links to referral sites or to advertise their business. In the past 2 weeks I have seen 2 of them and that's only in the 10 or so forums I check regularly. I would imagine that collectively the mods are deleting quite a few of them. Especially in Milesbuzz, since that forum appears first.
I would think that most newbies don't have a need/desire to post a link anywhere. I rarely post links to outside sites. Establishing the requirement would get rid of the spammers. A legitimate newbie with the need could then bother a mod to get the link posted or even spell out the url without it being a direct link.
It was just an idea because I thought, without having the access to what goes on behind the scenes, that if I saw 2 of them, there had to be many more & the mods might appreciate not having to clean them up.
.I see your points and agree with them. Really I do.
It's not that I don't like the links, it's that some people only come here to get clicks on their links to referral sites or to advertise their business. In the past 2 weeks I have seen 2 of them and that's only in the 10 or so forums I check regularly. I would imagine that collectively the mods are deleting quite a few of them. Especially in Milesbuzz, since that forum appears first
.I would think that most newbies don't have a need/desire to post a link anywhere. I rarely post links to outside sites. Establishing the requirement would get rid of the spammers. A legitimate newbie with the need could then bother a mod to get the link posted or even spell out the url without it being a direct link.
It was just an idea because I thought, without having the access to what goes on behind the scenes, that if I saw 2 of them, there had to be many more & the mods might appreciate not having to clean them up.