Thread: ANTI-SPAM: All Off-Topic posts shouldn't count

OK. I happened to express my view on that three times already, so I decided to simply suggest that and ask everyone's opinion.

The problem:

As we all know, OFF-TOPIC area is where anyone can write almost anything and thus increase his/her post count. Even though reputation is needed to get higher ranks, still, they're mostly based on how much we write. Thus we should ask ourselves a question: does chit-chat really matter and should it give us more privileges?

My answer is: NO.

Note: As for now writing in few areas only don't count - Introductions, Tutorials, Games.. and maybe something else, I dunno.

The solution:

1) All of the Off-Topic area posts shouldn't count - I see no good reason why they should.



2) Because some OT threads happen to create opportunities to help others or simply show ourselves from a good side, it should remain possible to gain reputation for our posts there (it'a s good place to gain it) - sounds reasonable to me.

Note: All the non-OT sections (like Help, BitTorrent Discussion, The entire Markerplace, Suggestions, The Chopping Block) are essential. We can assume that having a lot of non-OT posts means that an user is active, supportive, that he actually participates in the community for real rather than shoot the lemon - that's true because in these section you really need a reason to say something.

3) As a consequence of the idea I also suggest moving the General Section to the Off-Topic area and/or not count its posts as well. That's because what this zone is in fact is 'everything else to the OT area'. So when you wanna talk computers you go to OT, but when you wanna talk your cat you go to General Section. There's no doubt it's still OT.

4) To not make it that hard I'd turn on the post counter for Introductions (for those who passed them already and interview the newcomers, which I consider valuable input and hard work even) and Tutorials (guys writing them deserve that, guys discussing with them do too - and I've seen lots of serious discussions going on.. and guys thanking for them instead of pressing thanks button - banned :P )

The result:

I believe this solutiion will prevent newcomers from going post-frenzy once they pass the introductions even more and calm down the forum a bit by decreasing the spam posts amount (means less work for mods as well).

What ya think?

Good idea! Because I see the same username more then 10 times. They reply to every thread in order even if their not interested in it. Also this will get people to help more and post more in the Help forum.

I'm new here and I don't think so many of my posts would be considered as spam, but I think this is a great idea. I voted Yes, absolutely. A solution like this or that post count doesn't matter at all but rep and time will matter more would be perfect.

Not really neccesary

Which forum do you know not to count posts in off topic sections?

We juts have to be awar of the spammers that's all

Anyway they can't get into Trusted GA because they also need 20 rep

Originally Posted by Balauru

Not really neccesary

Which forum do you know not to count posts in off topic sections?

We juts have to be awar of the spammers that's all

Anyway they can't get into Trusted GA because they also need 20 rep

Good point but some people do not give good reply's to threads their not even interested in, like "lol good" or "Thats cool". Their so small and they post like that in 100 threads so they can get into other forums. But GA trust is the only forum they can't get in before they get ban lol.

I've been already repped for some stupid OT posts, Balauru. +20 rep is not that much really when you post a lot. I have to agree with you at the same time (hell, I defended how it is right now in the other thread very much), but I also think this solution would bring some basic order by saying: "we appreciate when you really got something to say and support the community by being an active member - besides, we don't care about the rest (unrelated chats)" (do you?).

This is not meant to work against classic spammers only. It's also meant to give more meaning to the ranks with all its consequences.

I just want to say, I hate:
say something random,off topic

Can someone lock it... please?

lol i just posted in that thread.. but you're right, for threads like the one above, the post should not be counted.. on second thought, that shouldn't even be there! lol i think that if we get rid of these spam threads the offtopic forums may become more useful..

and the funniest part about it is alot of newbs dont even know that posts in the off-topic dont even count. hahaha