A news section?

[Disk_Contented]

IT news I mean. At the top maybe?

[Disk_Contented]

Never mind.

[The Tool]

There used to be one, but was removed because majority of the posts were spam. You can post important news in relevant and chit-chat section.


I usually check forum and email every 3 hours, 24/7, including 12 mid-night and 4 AM. On average, every single day 5 spammers are banned and 10 posts removed.

Feedback section of the forum might be empty but I receive many private messages and email.

Spam reports and website errors are priority. For all other issues I reply in the order received. A private message or email received on 30th will receive a reply before your post in feedback forum on 31st. All members are equal.

There is always backlog of issues. So there may be 2-3 days delay in reply. This doesn't mean I'm ignoring you.

[Disk_Contented]

I've run a board for some years. Successfully I might add, and this particular one frustrates the hell out of me. It reverses everything I consider important.

Originally Posted by The Tool

Post important news in relevant and chit-chat section.

Then it becomes lost in the other chit-chat etc. It loses importance.

On average, every single day 5 spammers are banned and 10 posts removed.

They still get several hours of free exposure and cause disruption. They should be wiped out within minutes. It needs regular staff.

Spam reports and website errors are priority.

Spam is easily resolved. Right at the registration stage in some cases.
Website errors should hardly be a concern unless somebody is tampering, or messing up.

All members are equal.

But not able to advance, nor are they the main concern. They should be. Since without them, this is all useless code on a server.

So there may be 2-3 days delay in reply. This doesn't mean I'm ignoring you.

Too late. Admin has been on at least twice before I posted the second comment. You can't contact him direct. It implies ignorance. See above.

I realise I'm pretty much wasting my time with this reply, but there you have it. I may as well take a back seat like the majority.

[The Tool]

Spam is easily resolved. They should be wiped out within minutes. It needs regular staff.

Not possible for a hobby website.


For example sake - CNet and Digg have full time paid staff doing nothing but deleting spam. See their forums, you will find spam older than 24 hours.

No amount of filter stops spammers, they will do anything (use junk characters etc...) to get their message posted.

But not able to advance, nor are they the main concern. They should be.

Trying to be different here. A new member or normal member should not feel his post is inferior, or scared to disagree, to a post made by fancy title member.

Admin has been on at least twice before I posted the second comment. You can't contact him direct. It implies ignorance.

I read all the messages, but reply in the order received. Admin is my account when I login to admin control panel.

[Disk_Contented]

Originally Posted by The Tool

Not possible for a hobby website.

If you think it not possible to maintain forum order with a dedicated staff, for no cost, you are wrong.

For example sake - CNet and Digg have full time paid staff doing nothing but deleting spam. See their forums, you will find spam older than 24 hours.

They reap what they sow don't they. Get in everyones face, take the consequences.
The staff get paid and still can't cut it? Useless.

No amount of filter stops spammers, they will do anything (use junk characters etc...) to get their message posted.

They do it here because it can last a while.
You can still take some pre-emptive measures.

Trying to be different here. A new member or normal member should not feel his post is inferior, or scared to disagree, to a post made by fancy title member.

Yes, I get your point, and on some boards it's a problem.
But..
You mean anyone who has been promoted. Why should that make any difference? Staff of any rank are still members. They don't become "Elite" and somehow above the board rules.
Even with a title, promoted members can still be "one of the boys", if they don't let it go to their head.

I read all the messages, but reply in the order received. Admin is my account when I login to admin control panel.

I see.

Anyway. Thanks for responding as you have.

[Monty007]

Hi Guys, wow Disk this topic really means something to you! So I would like to add my ideas.
Iam only active in two forums, of course this one and http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/
I dont rate one better than the other as they are both different and have there good and bad points.
But what I can say that Bleeping computer have volunteer staff that have certain privilege's from admin to just advisers. This works very well, keeping the forum running well and advising new users about rules ect.
I believe this could work here too, there are a few regulars that show responibilities in regards to what should and should not be posted.
Maybe certain regular users can have limited rights, to help the forum to run smoothly as Bleeping computer do?
Just a thought as the regular users enjoy this and it would mean a lot to some people (sorry not me, so I not pushing my own barrow so to speak).

[The Tool]

I'm able to manage the forum currently.

I was giving an example why its practically not possible to have all spam eliminated within minutes, all the time.

Suggestions are not implemented instantly for another reason: don't fix, if its not broken.

[Disk_Contented]

Pretty much what I expected....

Originally Posted by The Tool

I was giving an example why its practically not possible to have all spam eliminated within minutes, all the time.

I have over 3 years experience, that says it is.

Suggestions are not implemented instantly for another reason: don't fix, if its not broken.

Correct, if you don't care, why bother eh.

[The Tool]

You are wrong to think I don't care. Forum has been redesigned 3 times (full layout not just colors: grey - orange - dark blue) because members were finding it hard to read.

Recently time till it auto logs out and time till post can be edited has been increased.

[Disk_Contented]

Nowhere near approaches my definition of caring, buddy. Routine maintenance is how I see it.

I need to spread out a bit I think.