If it is possible to replace such links with "Link Removed" maybe it is also possible to move these threads automatically to an internal forum area only visible for moderators and higher
In this case they can kill these threads and clear some active threads and move these back.
Or, instead of moving, make these threads invisible (deactivated) for users as an alternative option.
In these cases the "New Threads" part remains free and clear for users.
Something like that would be good - sometimes the spamming is completely getting out of control
If it is possible to replace such links with "Link Removed" maybe it is also possible to move these threads automatically to an internal forum area only visible for moderators and higher
In this case they can kill these threads and clear some active threads and move these back.
Or, instead of moving, make these threads invisible (deactivated) for users as an alternative option.
In these cases the "New Threads" part remains free and clear for users.
Something like that would be good - sometimes the spamming is completely getting out of control
In most cases it is not new threads but posts on existing threads, but either way they should make it so that any post or thread that would trigger the code that censors links will be blocked, but as far as the spammer knows it was successfully posted (see "shadow banning"), at least if the user has less than a certain number of posts (new users occasionally have posts being incorrectly marked as spam, seems odd though that actual spam doesn't seem to be affected).
Also, if a post is deleted it should also be removed from notifications - nothing like seeing that I have 10 notifications but there are no new notifications listed because the posts were deleted; this also appears to hide threads with legitimate replies prior to the deleted ones (unless you go to the notifications page).
Either way, I'm surprised that no stricter measures have been taken yet; 90% or more of all new posts on this site are spam if the comments on the front page news articles are any indication (the latest one says there are 21 comments but the actual post numbers go up to 122, and many of the visible ones are spam. Older articles are often even worse; this one currently has 34 comments with numbers well over 700, again including spam).
I also find it frustrating that necroposted threads are locked when they are revived on-topic and to a current and relevant subject.
Meanwhile, threads that receive mostly spam such as update threads are left open for people to comment on simply because they are in continuous use (but really, the actual useful posts are only occasional at best).
If it is possible to replace such links with "Link Removed" maybe it is also possible to move these threads automatically to an internal forum area only visible for moderators and higher
In this case they can kill these threads and clear some active threads and move these back.
Or, instead of moving, make these threads invisible (deactivated) for users as an alternative option.
In these cases the "New Threads" part remains free and clear for users.
Something like that would be good - sometimes the spamming is completely getting out of control
Consider also that useful threads contain these spam posts.
It's also important to differentiate between immature and silly posts from new, young, or inexperienced users, and actual robot posting.
In most cases it is not new threads but posts on existing threads, but either way they should make it so that any post or thread that would trigger the code that censors links will be blocked, but as far as the spammer knows it was successfully posted (see "shadow banning"), at least if the user has less than a certain number of posts (new users occasionally have posts being incorrectly marked as spam, seems odd though that actual spam doesn't seem to be affected).
Also, if a post is deleted it should also be removed from notifications - nothing like seeing that I have 10 notifications but there are no new notifications listed because the posts were deleted; this also appears to hide threads with legitimate replies prior to the deleted ones (unless you go to the notifications page).
Either way, I'm surprised that no stricter measures have been taken yet; 90% or more of all new posts on this site are spam if the comments on the front page news articles are any indication (the latest one says there are 21 comments but the actual post numbers go up to 122, and many of the visible ones are spam. Older articles are often even worse; this one currently has 34 comments with numbers well over 700, again including spam).
More to my point, thank you.
The risk run with shadow bans is that users who are genuine but are childish or otherwise new to forum culture are going to be banned for "spam" when they aren't posting harmful and unuseful links.
This is why I suggested to only delete posts with 'link removed' in it.
The risk run with shadow bans is that users who are genuine but are childish or otherwise new to forum culture are going to be banned for "spam" when they aren't posting harmful and unuseful links.
This is why I suggested to only delete posts with 'link removed' in it.
This is what I was suggesting, only posts that would trigger the system would be hidden, but still appear to have been posted to the user since otherwise they might try to circumvent it (some already do).
We are doing the best we can with the tools we have.
They are not spam bots, they are normal people who think they can earn some free money.
It's all down to a guy on YouTube who decided to make a video telling people how to make ad links to popular YouTube videos and then to post the links here to 'make money', yes he directly suggested spamming this forum, but even with that YouTube have not taken the video down.
Also if you see some of the spam report it, don't just post a comment in the thread/news moaning about it, reporting the post brings it directly to staffs attention so we know it needs to be removed, we can't look at the forum 24/7 and review everything posted without some help from you making reports
And where do we get the staff/time to review all of the posts?
also nothing to stop people posting normally for a few posts, then posting the spam, that is a know method of spammers, we often see what looks like a legit post edited days later to have spam links put in
Asking staff to look over posts is way too much. You guys have your own lives and enough trouble here as is.
I was asking for whatever bot that currently removes links to just also remove posts containing the links. I don't think this is a big jump nor a particular invasion of speech.
Asking staff to look over posts is way too much. You guys have your own lives and enough trouble here as is.
I was asking for whatever bot that currently removes links to just also remove posts containing the links. I don't think this is a big jump nor a particular invasion of speech.
This isn't as simple as you think. It's not a bot.
The "Link Removed" system is quite simply just a "filter" on top of posts. All it can do is alter post contents, such as making links clickable if you don't use the "Url" button, embedding images, and such. It doesn't have the ability to delete posts. It also means that the system applies retro-actively, so if we add a new link, it will just "naturally" hide those links from any posts, because it's done at render time.
This isn't as simple as you think. It's not a bot.
The "Link Removed" system is quite simply just a "filter" on top of posts. All it can do is alter post contents, such as making links clickable if you don't use the "Url" button, embedding images, and such. It doesn't have the ability to delete posts. It also means that the system applies retro-actively, so if we add a new link, it will just "naturally" hide those links from any posts, because it's done at render time.
people who make spam for the purposes of advertising or spreading false information or malware constantly make new emails and accounts, and it's not always bots involved.
and sometimes people who post links on here are genuinely trying to help others or share ideas, but their links get removed anyway, which I presume is an anti phishing measure people who run the site built into the forum to protect users on here, as with other security software, false positives do happen.
It's becoming impossible to read some threads.
I think an efficient thing is to hide and de-notify any post with 'Link removed' in it.
If it is possible to replace such links with "Link Removed" maybe it is also possible to move these threads automatically to an internal forum area only visible for moderators and higher
In this case they can kill these threads and clear some active threads and move these back.
Or, instead of moving, make these threads invisible (deactivated) for users as an alternative option.
In these cases the "New Threads" part remains free and clear for users.
Something like that would be good - sometimes the spamming is completely getting out of control
In most cases it is not new threads but posts on existing threads, but either way they should make it so that any post or thread that would trigger the code that censors links will be blocked, but as far as the spammer knows it was successfully posted (see "shadow banning"), at least if the user has less than a certain number of posts (new users occasionally have posts being incorrectly marked as spam, seems odd though that actual spam doesn't seem to be affected).
Also, if a post is deleted it should also be removed from notifications - nothing like seeing that I have 10 notifications but there are no new notifications listed because the posts were deleted; this also appears to hide threads with legitimate replies prior to the deleted ones (unless you go to the notifications page).
Either way, I'm surprised that no stricter measures have been taken yet; 90% or more of all new posts on this site are spam if the comments on the front page news articles are any indication (the latest one says there are 21 comments but the actual post numbers go up to 122, and many of the visible ones are spam. Older articles are often even worse; this one currently has 34 comments with numbers well over 700, again including spam).
TheMasterCaver's First World - possibly the most caved-out world in Minecraft history - includes world download.
TheMasterCaver's World - my own version of Minecraft largely based on my views of how the game should have evolved since 1.6.4.
Why do I still play in 1.6.4?
I also find it frustrating that necroposted threads are locked when they are revived on-topic and to a current and relevant subject.
Meanwhile, threads that receive mostly spam such as update threads are left open for people to comment on simply because they are in continuous use (but really, the actual useful posts are only occasional at best).
Consider also that useful threads contain these spam posts.
It's also important to differentiate between immature and silly posts from new, young, or inexperienced users, and actual robot posting.
More to my point, thank you.
The risk run with shadow bans is that users who are genuine but are childish or otherwise new to forum culture are going to be banned for "spam" when they aren't posting harmful and unuseful links.
This is why I suggested to only delete posts with 'link removed' in it.
This is what I was suggesting, only posts that would trigger the system would be hidden, but still appear to have been posted to the user since otherwise they might try to circumvent it (some already do).
TheMasterCaver's First World - possibly the most caved-out world in Minecraft history - includes world download.
TheMasterCaver's World - my own version of Minecraft largely based on my views of how the game should have evolved since 1.6.4.
Why do I still play in 1.6.4?
Ok, how do I go about making reports then?
-eh nevermind, there's a button
Why not just have new people's first couple posts vetted before they are posted? That would prevent almost all of the trouble.
Asking staff to look over posts is way too much. You guys have your own lives and enough trouble here as is.
I was asking for whatever bot that currently removes links to just also remove posts containing the links. I don't think this is a big jump nor a particular invasion of speech.
This isn't as simple as you think. It's not a bot.
The "Link Removed" system is quite simply just a "filter" on top of posts. All it can do is alter post contents, such as making links clickable if you don't use the "Url" button, embedding images, and such. It doesn't have the ability to delete posts. It also means that the system applies retro-actively, so if we add a new link, it will just "naturally" hide those links from any posts, because it's done at render time.
I see, so it's far away from easy...
it's never easy to filter out spam
people who make spam for the purposes of advertising or spreading false information or malware constantly make new emails and accounts, and it's not always bots involved.
and sometimes people who post links on here are genuinely trying to help others or share ideas, but their links get removed anyway, which I presume is an anti phishing measure people who run the site built into the forum to protect users on here, as with other security software, false positives do happen.