Happy Atheist Forum

Operations Desk => Forum Suggestions & Announcements => Topic started by: Tank on August 27, 2010, 07:12:36 PM

Title: MOD to stop links in first 'x' posts
Post by: Tank on August 27, 2010, 07:12:36 PM
http://www.phpbb.com/customise/db/mod/d ... e_x_posts/ (http://www.phpbb.com/customise/db/mod/disallow_links_before_x_posts/)

This MOD stops links being posted in the first 'x' post of a new member. The number of posts can be set in the Administration Control Panel.
Title: Re: MOD to stop links in first 'x' posts
Post by: pinkocommie on August 27, 2010, 07:20:35 PM
:up:
Title: Re: MOD to stop links in first 'x' posts
Post by: Tank on August 27, 2010, 07:29:08 PM
Well it could get us around the link spamming issue that has caused some disturbances recently. It would stop that multi-spamming moron dead in his tracks!
Title: Re: MOD to stop links in first 'x' posts
Post by: DaveD on August 27, 2010, 07:35:40 PM
What do you think would be the optimum number of posts before links are allowed? Restrictions that seem too strict can be off-putting.
Title: Re: MOD to stop links in first 'x' posts
Post by: pinkocommie on August 27, 2010, 07:40:24 PM
Quote from: "DaveD"What do you think would be the optimum number of posts before links are allowed? Restrictions that seem too strict can be off-putting.

Currently I think all Whitney asks is that your very first post not be a link.  I think that's reasonable.
Title: Re: MOD to stop links in first 'x' posts
Post by: DaveD on August 27, 2010, 07:48:07 PM
Perfectly reasonable, but a higher number might be justified, depending on how much of a nuisance spammers are at any given time.
Title: Re: MOD to stop links in first 'x' posts
Post by: Tank on August 27, 2010, 08:25:46 PM
Quote from: "DaveD"Perfectly reasonable, but a higher number might be justified, depending on how much of a nuisance spammers are at any given time.
The current rule only deals with the first post. I also think there are two types of 'sins' here, that of omission (haven't read the rules yet) and that of commission (couldn't give a shit about the rules anyway). In the first case there will be no problem as a genuine poster will get the message and do the right thing and in the second case the spammer will probably just bugger off.

We can start at one post and then increase if needed, although I personally think one will be fine.
Title: Re: MOD to stop links in first 'x' posts
Post by: DaveD on August 27, 2010, 08:34:10 PM
It could always be raised temporarily during periods of high spammer activity. I seem to remember at RDF we were inundated for a short period at a time, then things would calm down for a while.
Title: Re: MOD to stop links in first 'x' posts
Post by: Tank on August 27, 2010, 08:38:59 PM
Quote from: "DaveD"It could always be raised temporarily during periods of high spammer activity. I seem to remember at RDF we were inundated for a short period at a time, then things would calm down for a while.
We had a porn spammer attack a while ago, I don't know if links were involved in that case but if they were this feature may well have helped Will deal with the issue. Don't know the history here well enough to say.
Title: Re: MOD to stop links in first 'x' posts
Post by: Asmodean on August 27, 2010, 09:00:19 PM
I'd say five posts is reasonable before the links are allowed. All for installing that there mod.
Title: Re: MOD to stop links in first 'x' posts
Post by: Tank on August 27, 2010, 09:10:05 PM
Quote from: "Asmodean"I'd say five posts is reasonable before the links are allowed. All for installing that there mod.
Any particular reasoning behind 5 or just 'gut feel'?
Title: Re: MOD to stop links in first 'x' posts
Post by: Asmodean on August 27, 2010, 09:24:26 PM
Quote from: "Tank"
Quote from: "Asmodean"I'd say five posts is reasonable before the links are allowed. All for installing that there mod.
Any particular reasoning behind 5 or just 'gut feel'?
Enough for a proper introduction and a couple of replies to show you are not a complete hack, but not too long a wait if you want to post something with a link in it. Not everyone is like us, making 30 posts a day, you know  :P
Title: Re: MOD to stop links in first 'x' posts
Post by: Tank on August 27, 2010, 09:32:47 PM
Quote from: "Asmodean"
Quote from: "Tank"
Quote from: "Asmodean"I'd say five posts is reasonable before the links are allowed. All for installing that there mod.
Any particular reasoning behind 5 or just 'gut feel'?
Enough for a proper introduction and a couple of replies to show you are not a complete hack, but not too long a wait if you want to post something with a link in it. Not everyone is like us, making 30 posts a day, you know  :P
'tis true. I'd still say start at one, as it reflects the current rule, as Whitney can ramp it up if need be. If we start a 5 we may dissuade new members and we don't get too many who stick around anyway so I'd be worried about anything that upset the impact on new members.
Title: Re: MOD to stop links in first 'x' posts
Post by: philosoraptor on August 27, 2010, 10:36:56 PM
I think this mod is an excellent idea.  I'm also with asmodean-I think 5 is a good number to prove whether or not a poster is serious.
Title: Re: MOD to stop links in first 'x' posts
Post by: Whitney on August 28, 2010, 12:39:02 AM
I don't really see the point of adding this mod since all mods like this do is encourage people to make crappy non link posts until they unlock the ability to link.....either way you get spam and in order to avoid that you have to set it so high that it annoys new posters who genuinly want to participate.

Not to mention that posts with links are allowed as a first post if, for instance, the links are provided to support an argument.  It's self promoting linking and other types of spam that is not allowed.

I also simply don't have time to be messing with installing mods right now.
Title: Re: MOD to stop links in first 'x' posts
Post by: Tank on August 28, 2010, 07:39:43 AM
Quote from: "Whitney"I don't really see the point of adding this mod since all mods like this do is encourage people to make crappy non link posts until they unlock the ability to link.....either way you get spam and in order to avoid that you have to set it so high that it annoys new posters who genuinly want to participate.

Not to mention that posts with links are allowed as a first post if, for instance, the links are provided to support an argument.  It's self promoting linking and other types of spam that is not allowed.

I also simply don't have time to be messing with installing mods right now.

That's the reason not to do it. As it would be a blunt tool, and could put off genuine members.

Whitney, just suggesting a change/upgrade does not put a schedule on the date to implement it. Maybe you need a tech bod who you can farm this sort of thing out to? Again just a suggestion because if something like this is found to be a good idea you don't necessarily have to be the person implementing the change.
Title: Re: MOD to stop links in first 'x' posts
Post by: karadan on November 25, 2010, 10:58:25 AM
Quote from: "DaveD"What do you think would be the optimum number of posts before links are allowed? Restrictions that seem too strict can be off-putting.

Five?
Title: Re: MOD to stop links in first 'x' posts
Post by: The Magic Pudding on November 25, 2010, 12:32:53 PM
Quote from: "karadan"Five?

Five sound fine, but I don't follow links without some kind of reason anyway.