Help Us Fight Spam

[Seabody]

As a moderator, I would much rather see you report a post that didn't break the rules because you thought it did than to have you not report a post that did break the rules because you weren't sure about it.  If the report is earnest, I wouldn't even consider holding it against you.

Just to be certain, is this what you mean, Hosfac? I'm just unsure:
Do you mean that, as a moderator, you'd be happier for me to report a post that I am unsure about, even if it does not break the Forum Rules, than for me to think a post might break Forum Rules, and not report it? And if it turns out that I am mistaken and report a post that does not break Forum Rules, I wouldn't be in trouble?

I also have another question - are Site Affiliates exempt from breaking Forum Rules (That probably came out wrong)? As in, say someone says that they read on a particular site that hosts mod links and is an affiliate of the Forum/Guide, and they linked to the article, does that mean that I needn't report the post? Or should I report it to be sure?

[Hosfac]

Just to be certain, is this what you mean, Hosfac? I'm just unsure:
Do you mean that, as a moderator, you'd be happier for me to report a post that I am unsure about, even if it does not break the Forum Rules, than for me to think a post might break Forum Rules, and not report it?

Absolutely.

And if it turns out that I am mistaken and report a post that does not break Forum Rules, I wouldn't be in trouble?

If you genuinely believe that the post is in violation, absolutely not.  If it's not in violation of the rules, we'll explain why it's not and leave it at that.  I doubt that anyone here will hold anyone responsible for sending a report in good faith.

I also have another question - are Site Affiliates exempt from breaking Forum Rules (That probably came out wrong)? As in, say someone says that they read on a particular site that hosts mod links and is an affiliate of the Forum/Guide, and they linked to the article, does that mean that I needn't report the post? Or should I report it to be sure?

You definitely should report it.  This is something that people need to be careful of.  It's something that I ran afoul of before I was a moderator.

There is certain page that I linked to that contained some information that I thought would be useful.  However, earlier on that page, a utility program of sorts was discussed and linked to an external site that hosted the download.  I was aware of the link, but I wasn't aware at the time that the program was considered a mod.  Pam removed the link from my post, told me why, and I've been much more careful ever since.

It's easy to "bump into" a rule, and not even realize you've done it.

[Pam]

I don't expect members to always be up to date on rules and affiliates.  When it's all said and done, I'm probably the only one who knows and understands about our affiliates, so nobody is expected to know for sure what to do.  Best thing is to report is and let it get sorted out with the Moderators.  The only time a member will get in "trouble" for reporting is if a pattern becomes apparent that he/she is merely reporting things to be a nuisance.  We've never had that happen here and if it ever does, we'll handle it. 

[Serena Darrin]

Well, you all must be doing a really good job, as I've never seen spam posts anywhere on this forum.

Thank you.  It's nice to not run into spam for once.

[Sportsfan]

I hardly ever see spam, but one time a couple of days ago I reported 2 in 2 days. You mods are really good about ridding the forum of spam, I applaud you for it.

[Seabody]

You guys are FAST!
I saw a spam topic about a minute ago. I reported it. By the time I pressed submit, Schipperke had removed it. (Schip was the only moderator on at the time.) Thank you once again!

[Schipperke]

Thanks, Seabody.  I logged on to the forum and the spam post was the first thing I saw - I hadn't even received your notification.  So it was really just chance.  But it's nice when it works out that way.

[ZapKid]

Seems like I saw some spam couple of minutes ago. Lots of gibberish text and links and whatnot. It looks like it has already been deleted. Thanks, moderators who work so hard to help get rid of pointless posts 

[Pam]

Seems like I saw some spam couple of minutes ago. Lots of gibberish text and links and whatnot. It looks like it has already been deleted. Thanks, moderators who work so hard to help get rid of pointless posts 

I think I got that one.  Thanks to everyone who reported it. 

[AnnBeiFong]

Thanks to all of you moderators for keeping the forum free of spam! I really can't thank you enough. 

[Leto85]

Thanks to all of you moderators for keeping the forum free of spam! I really can't thank you enough. 

You have a very catching signature I must say. It was nice to read.

[Gameactive]

I must say the moderators here are really doing their jobs well; not once have I seen a spam post on these forums. But if I do find anything, I'll be sure to report it. Keep up the good work!

[Louise56]

I must say the moderators here are really doing their jobs well; not once have I seen a spam post on these forums. But if I do find anything, I'll be sure to report it. Keep up the good work!

I have seen spam a few times, but when I report it, it is gone in a flash! All the moderators are awesome!

[Leto85]

I have seen spam a few times, but when I report it, it is gone in a flash! All the moderators are awesome!

 Thank you for the compliment.
Why spam got deleted that fast has most likely a lot to do with the fact that we mods basically come from all corners of the world. I know for sure that the American, Australian, and European time zones are all covered. Though I personally am missing someone from the African continent there are still enough mods in totality to have a 24/7 watching eye as log as we all check in at least every two days.
Aside from that, spam got deleted upon first notice and as far as I know all my colleagues here do follow that same policy and as long as we keep on going that way (which we will) this forum will remain clean.
And of course in return do I have to thank you fellow members for That's well. Every report we get will speed things up. We may find all spam here ourselves eventually, it still is true that the faster it's gone, the better.
Thank you members.

[jeanamariex3]

Just saw my first spam today, after almost two years on this forum! It was written in Japanese or some other language. Glad to see the mods spring into action! Bummer, I didn't see Sportsfan's hilarious responses.