Call For Feedback: Delete Spam Button + New CPAPtalkers

[forumadmin]

Howdy,

I recently received an suggestion from a respected CPAPtalker that the delete spam button not to given to new member until they've been registered for a month. Delete spam was built to really, seriously and only delete spam but it has come to be a tool to clean up objectionable community material. This is a dangerous trend and I don't like it. On its face, I do like the idea of making people wait and participate for a month before they get a spam vote, especially since its often used as a weapon by abusers instead of a true spam clean up tool.

I really don't know the right way on this one. Frankly, my head is in the clouds lately bracing for all this change I can believe in, so I've not been on top of things on CPAPtalk as I'd have liked. Thank you to all the members who have put up with and/or actively policed the streets of our fair CPAPtalk city in my stead.

I'd like to hear feedback before I order this change. Please let me hear it.

Johnny

[Babette]

Well, that's an interesting thought, making the newbies wait for that privilege.

What I'd like MORE, however, is not to have MY Spam button privilege completely taken away from me, because a forum member "spam deleted" one of my posts. She was upset that I had publicly posted something that was private, and before I could edit the post, she had taken it down via Spam button. She apologized, I apologized, all is well. However, since then, I have not had access to the Spam button.

But c'est la vie. None of the other forums I belong to allows access to a Spam delete function by members. Perhaps this forum would mind it's manners better if there was no access to community deletion, and that function was kept solely by the moderators.

Cheers,
B.

[mdbarthe]

Hi, Johnny:

I've been a registered user for less than a month and I have no objection to your suggestion.

[JimW203]

The few times I have used the Spam Delete function were in response to what was patently obvious spam: the most egregious were posts from gibberish names linking to huge posts of music links.
My inital impression was that the Spam Delete merely reported a suspect post to the admin; little did I suspect I would be given the power of a life or death decision over another's posts. Personally, I would prefer the function report not terminate a post. A section allowing a coment related to the report would be very helpful in communicating the reporter's rationale.

JimW203 (definitely a Newbie with a mere 75 hose-nights and well aware of my lack of judgement)

[Gerald]

Johnny.....

I believe that requiring newbies to wait a month....maybe even two months....before being able to delete...is the right way to go.

[tattooyu]

The few times I have used the Spam Delete function were in response to what was patently obvious spam: the most egregious were posts from gibberish names linking to huge posts of music links.
My inital impression was that the Spam Delete merely reported a suspect post to the admin; little did I suspect I would be given the power of a life or death decision over another's posts. Personally, I would prefer the function report not terminate a post. A section allowing a coment related to the report would be very helpful in communicating the reporter's rationale.

JimW203 (definitely a Newbie with a mere 75 hose-nights and well aware of my lack of judgement)

Even though I'm a newbie to CPAP, I've been around computers and the INTERNETS () for a long time. I've never seen another forum that allows users to delete posts. [The few posts I deleted here were truly SPAM and linked to sites selling Viagra.]

My opinion on the Delete Spam button (in order of preference):

• Have the Report Spam button do just that. Report it to moderators who make the final decision.
• Have the button be only available to moderators.
• Have the button become available after x number of posts rather than just time.

[bunkit]

Perhaps this forum would mind it's manners better if there was no access to community deletion, and that function was kept solely by the moderators.

Cheers,
B.

I know I'm knew but I just thought I'd say I agree to the above. Good idea.

[Snorebert]

I too have been registered for a very short time but absolutely have no problem with a time and/or posting requirement. This forum is so very active with a bunch of really good members that I would trust them to anti-spam on my behalf until I had aged up. One month might actually be a bit too soon.

[SharkBait]

I like the idea of the Report Spam button deleting a spam post. I for one use the dog out of that only deleting true spam, and I bet I've used it 25+ times. Frankly I'm kind of shocked that anyone takes the time to spam here because it's obviously repeat offenders that are doing it...

I wonder if it's possible that it only delete the post if it's a non-registered user. 100% of the spam I've deleted has been non-registered posts.

[40 Winks]

Another NooB here. Didn't know the Report Spam button actually deleted the post, haven't seen any spam either, and I certainly wouldn't be offended if that option were not available to me.

Just to throw out this for your consideration. I belong to a board that covers youth soccer in my state. They have a policy to delete any post anyone finds objectionable without research or question. I've never used it, and for all I know reporting objectionable content may very well delete the post without a moderator even seeing it. What has happened over the years is that board has no meaningful conversation on it anymore, its ruined because people cannot accept opinions other than their own. In fact, some clubs have "police" that see to it any negative comments about their clubs or opinions not in concert with their own are deleted.

What would happen if companies assigned "CPAPtalk police" here to remove any post that reflects negatively upon their products or company?

4TW

[packitin]

I've had a few run-ins with up-starters and rambunctious newbies who were out of line.
I'd favor a compromise - you said one month, maybe two. I'd vote for six weeks.

[SharkBait]

There went another one... Usually when Little Larissa and the "Texas Hurricane" thread are bumped up it's some idiot who has posted a spam link. I find it hard to believe that they have gained the first dollar from that kind of crap, but I guess if they didn't they wouldn't mess with it....

[Gerryk]

Johnny, I haven't been on here that long coming up on two months now. I do normally get a chance to pop on here throughout the day on and off. I don't always post something or have anything to say just being Mrs. Kravits. I sure hope there isn't anyone on here by that name. But I have used the spam button several times for obvious spam.
What about two buttons, one for spam and one for non spam inappropriate postings. The spam button could be for people who have been around for a while or know their way around and the second button coulde be used to flag inappropriate postings or un necessary postings. The spam button would delete the post immediately and the other would need say two people to report it before it's gone.

[ichitumi]

Thanks for providing us with such invaluable forum. I have learned so much since I started reading stuff here.

Maybe you can make the spam button an alert to admin. to review instead of just delete by any user?

Thanks.

[Georgio]

Johnny,

If you can have the button REPORT spam to moderators or admin, and let moderator or admin evaluate and delete it that would be best. Otherwise just appoint about 10 deputies you trust and give only them the ability......they will keep the cpap.com streets clean!

Georgio