[Cspace]

I made a rather large update to the forums' rules, reflecting our current outlook instead of the rigid guidelines we set in 2004. Be sure to review the rules when you can.

In addition, to provide a little more freedom I added a "warn" tag. Some may think of it as a "NSFW" (not safe for work) tag, but I don't really like that term since it implies pornography, which is still not allowed at all.

The WARN tag is intended to be used when a member links to something that is effectively at the upper end of "PG-13" (or higher). Again, pornography is not allowed even with this tag. It's intended as a warning for violent or profane content.

This is how it works...

CODE

[warn=URL GOES HERE]Text for your link...[/warn]

... And it comes out as

WARNING! POTENTIALLY OFFENSIVE LINK

Whatever you do, don't click this link!

Don't abuse it, but it's there for anything that needs a warning. Moderators are still able to close such threads if they are really, really wrong... Or if replies to them start going off the edge.

Lastly, this tag is only for links. As for why... If you need to post a warning, there's no point to making the content visible on the same page.

Let's see how it goes.

[Neraphym]

Good job getting that up there. This should help us out a lot! Oh, btw, I fixed your link. It kept sending you to the homepage.

[Cspace]

Oh, btw, I fixed your link. It kept sending you to the homepage.

I actually intended for that, but E-Shrooms works too

[Dragonman]

Could a 'Spamming' section be added to the forum rules? There's been a lot of spam in the forums lately, so I was wondering what our official policy is on that.

[Cspace]

Could a 'Spamming' section be added to the forum rules? There's been a lot of spam in the forums lately, so I was wondering what our official policy is on that.

It hasn't really been causing much of an issue as far as I can see, but we've always just moved it to the Insanity Board since it's on-topic there.

At least that's what can be done about it if it becomes a problem. Topic continues, just doesn't increment one's post count.

[Neraphym]

Oh, btw, I fixed your link. It kept sending you to the homepage.

I actually intended for that

I know.

[Dragonman]

Could a 'Spamming' section be added to the forum rules? There's been a lot of spam in the forums lately, so I was wondering what our official policy is on that.

It hasn't really been causing much of an issue as far as I can see, but we've always just moved it to the Insanity Board since it's on-topic there.

At least that's what can be done about it if it becomes a problem. Topic continues, just doesn't increment one's post count.

Well, things like people replying with one-smiley posts, or "..."; or define what topics are generally categorized as spam (and thus would be moved to the Insanity Board).

[Cspace]

Could a 'Spamming' section be added to the forum rules? There's been a lot of spam in the forums lately, so I was wondering what our official policy is on that.

It hasn't really been causing much of an issue as far as I can see, but we've always just moved it to the Insanity Board since it's on-topic there.

At least that's what can be done about it if it becomes a problem. Topic continues, just doesn't increment one's post count.

Well, things like people replying with one-smiley posts, or "..."; or define what topics are generally categorized as spam (and thus would be moved to the Insanity Board).

The rules aren't really intended to provide guidelines for every potential mod action, just the things that apply everywhere. Spam is something that should probably be handled according to a forum, and not the board as a whole. There also isn't a single catch-all definition for spam.

-------------------------------------------------

- Some say that spam is any "short" post, but length shouldn't determine the intent of a post. Even a one-word reply can be on-topic and have a point in some circumstances... It just depends on the thread. Spam can be of any length, even paragraphs, so length shouldn't be an indication.

- Some say that spam is any "off-topic" post, but again, there are circumstances where expression may condone an off-topic reply if it has something to do with a thread's progression.

- Lastly, "pointless" is often used to describe spam. Spam is usually pointless, but a reply that's pointless isn't necessarily spam. We should allow some leeway for humor, and it doesn't always need to strictly follow a thread's progression.

--------------------------------------------------

I'll just say that one knows spam when he/she sees it.

As for its negative impact... What harm does an isolated "spam" reply do? We shouldn't get too nitpicky over every instance, even I sometimes post replies with a mere emoticon if I feel that it makes sense. If we start a witch hunt for spam it'll make people afraid to post.

As always though, if a thread is spam in itself, it should be moved to the Insanity Board. If spam overwhelms a thread, the thread should be moved there as well. If within a non-spam thread there exists an isolated concentration of spam (string of sequential spam replies), it should be split to the Insanity Board. If among many on-topic replies there exists a single isolated spam reply, mods should just leave it alone, it doesn't hurt anything and picking threads apart will cause problems.

Honestly, the spam isn't that bad, and we shouldn't encumber the board's atmosphere by seeking it all out. Our site revolves around entertainment, and unless the spam actually becomes an inconvenience, we should allow for the atmosphere to remain light.


And for all mods, just a friendly reminder because I smell the Cafeteria entering this conversation (the hot dogs have a unique smell )... Remember that it's there to contain the repetitive threads that would otherwise make General Discussion annoying. Complaining about sub-serious posts there would be like using the same argument against the Insanity Board.


Aaaand... This thread turned into a spam guide. Consider it a reply for everyone, I'm just elaborating on how I see spam. Just be glad that I didn't relate it to a boot, even if many boots smell like it.

[x..]

Can it be for swearing aswell? o.O

Like this:

WARNING! POTENTIALLY OFFENSIVE LINK

LOLS Ninja'd word

Or do you allow that I dunno

[Cspace]

Can it be for swearing aswell? o.O

Like this:

WARNING! POTENTIALLY OFFENSIVE LINK

LOLS Ninja'd word

Or do you allow that I dunno

Indeed, if the link goes to a page with a lot of it.

[Dragonman]

What about someone who incessantly spams, such as a ton of very off-topic replies (like saying "Smell my shoes!" in some RuneScape event topic), or a ton of one-word/one-smiley/ellipse replies?

Just trying to think of all of the scenarios.

P.S. Plagiarism? I know it's a law, but it still happens. Places people could do it is in the Creativity Corner, guides for games, ripped images/signatures, and basically anything in the Submittions area.

P.P.S. And advertisements? Particularly cases where people join just to advertise something, like here: http://www.cspacezon...mp;#entry394240

[Skyone]

gj

[Cspace]

What about someone who incessantly spams, such as a ton of very off-topic replies (like saying "Smell my shoes!" in some RuneScape event topic), or a ton of one-word/one-smiley/ellipse replies?

Just trying to think of all of the scenarios.

P.S. Plagiarism? I know it's a law, but it still happens. Places people could do it is in the Creativity Corner, guides for games, ripped images/signatures, and basically anything in the Submittions area.

P.P.S. And advertisements? Particularly cases where people join just to advertise something, like here: http://www.cspacezon...mp;#entry394240

For the spam scenario, I think we should cross that bridge when we come to it, that sort of thing doesn't usually happen.

As for plagiarism, I think it would be safe for mods to stand up against something breaking [semi-]international laws.

For the ads, we used to say they were allowed within reason in the Cafeteria, but I removed that from the "purpose" thread. They can safely be removed at this point (from any forum), but this would probably make a good discussion in the future. So I guess mods can DA any threads obviously used for advertising if posted by someone who's new, but we've always given a little leeway if active members post about sites that they're trying to get off the ground.

[Kimojuno]

Smell my shoes!

Non-Kimo Edit: Good Job!

[Nuu™™]

Could a 'Spamming' section be added to the forum rules? There's been a lot of spam in the forums lately, so I was wondering what our official policy is on that.

It hasn't really been causing much of an issue as far as I can see, but we've always just moved it to the Insanity Board since it's on-topic there.

At least that's what can be done about it if it becomes a problem. Topic continues, just doesn't increment one's post count.

Well, things like people replying with one-smiley posts, or "..."; or define what topics are generally categorized as spam (and thus would be moved to the Insanity Board).