Dealing with spammers

[Ron Z]

I move that when we see a new post, that we fill the thread with dumb jokes, memes, cat photos. After all, wasn't the original post a joke?

[Farmboy]

https://youtu.be/ghC8Mil4zbI

[Deb]

https://youtu.be/FAFZ7lUlNVU

[Chrissy]

(Enter them as a direct video clip by using the cine/movie icon on the second row "insert video")

[dneal]

A suggestion, and what I do:

If you believe the particular spam to be created by AI or some other bot-like entity, simply place that user on "ignore". Report away, although we all know it's done with little to no result. Posting that you reported it is useless. Posting another picture of a Spam product is useless (although sometimes entertaining) is useless. Posting that it's spam is useless.

I do suppose if you find merit in increasing post count, it's not completely useless; but you get the point.

However, if the "spam" is actually malicious, and done by a real human (which we have evidence of); then perhaps treat it more like a troll than spam and simply ignore it (to include adding that user to your "ignore" list). If it is a form of malicious trolling, then any comment is merely giving the troll satisfaction that they are getting under your skin.

[Jon Szanto]

”Just lie back and think of England.”

[dneal]

”Just lie back and think of England.”

Not sure if you're characterizing my post as advocating that, but feel free to think of England (or shout your objections to an uncaring universe). You're getting screwed either way.

I choose to ignore the initial advances.

[Jon Szanto]

”Just lie back and think of England.”

Not sure if you're characterizing my post as advocating that, but feel free to think of England (or shout your objections to an uncaring universe). You're getting screwed either way.

I choose to ignore the initial advances.

Yeah, I suppose I was. You do you. This stuff pisses me off and I am never one to just let things roll as if they don't exist. I am 110% aware that we are in an inexcusably untenable position, one that makes it harder and harder for me to come back to what is my last real place to chat about pens. The only thing left would be a concerted effort from several people to confront the owner to do something about the situation actively, but I have the distinct impression that no one else is interested in that path, and that is understandable.

So, yeah. You handle it how you feel best. I'll do the same. And in case anyone is new to all this and doesn't know about the owner, he is still very active in the pen world, and doesn't have time to deal with this mess. He spends his time being a pen celebrity, among other activities (I imagine).

[Sailor Kenshin]

I wish he'd appoint someone to deal with all the accursed bots.

[dneal]

”Just lie back and think of England.”

Not sure if you're characterizing my post as advocating that, but feel free to think of England (or shout your objections to an uncaring universe). You're getting screwed either way.

I choose to ignore the initial advances.

Yeah, I suppose I was. You do you. This stuff pisses me off and I am never one to just let things roll as if they don't exist. I am 110% aware that we are in an inexcusably untenable position, one that makes it harder and harder for me to come back to what is my last real place to chat about pens. The only thing left would be a concerted effort from several people to confront the owner to do something about the situation actively, but I have the distinct impression that no one else is interested in that path, and that is understandable.

So, yeah. You handle it how you feel best. I'll do the same. And in case anyone is new to all this and doesn't know about the owner, he is still very active in the pen world, and doesn't have time to deal with this mess. He spends his time being a pen celebrity, among other activities (I imagine).

So directing your anger at me is a solution?

[TSherbs]

You handle it how you feel best. I'll do the same.

Sounds about right <check>

I enjoy throwing some shade on spammers and trolls occasionally. I also enjoy the wit of others, at times. My jam.

Cat photos tho? Heavens to Mergatroid, no!

[dneal]

I suspect spambots are indifferent to shade being thrown at them.

[FredRydr]

So directing your anger at me is a solution?

Oh brother!

[Jon Szanto]

So directing your anger at me is a solution?

Any anger I have is about the situation, not you. While I might be disappointed in some approaches, not to mention complete indifference, I reserve my anger for the parties that initiate the problem, and any that allow it to continue through willful lack of action. Even then, anger might be too strong a word.

So, yeah, you misread me.

[TSherbs]

So directing your anger at me is a solution?

Any anger I have is about the situation, not you. While I might be disappointed in some approaches, not to mention complete indifference, I reserve my anger for the parties that initiate the problem, and any that allow it to continue through willful lack of action. Even then, anger might be too strong a word.

So, yeah, you misread me.

I reserve my anger for the universe. It's yet to bend to my wishes.

ah, j/k

the universe is too beautiful

[dneal]

So directing your anger at me is a solution?

Any anger I have is about the situation, not you. While I might be disappointed in some approaches, not to mention complete indifference, I reserve my anger for the parties that initiate the problem, and any that allow it to continue through willful lack of action. Even then, anger might be too strong a word.

So, yeah, you misread me.

Jon, I simply offered an alternate mitigation strategy, in line with the thread topic.

You chose to mock it. I asked, you confirmed. You said you were pissed off. Some might reasonably think that could also mean anger.

I get there’s a beef with Eric’s choices. It’s no secret what he’s busy with now.

I’m not interested in the internet drama.

[TSherbs]

FFS

Cat pics are looking better now.

[TSherbs]

Or maybe we could turn the negative reputation comment section into one of those 3-wd story threads: in your comment, add three words that continue the story from the last spammer negative comment (you know, for a lark).

[Farmboy]

Having run a very similar forum instance I can assure you the admin is more involved that it may appear.


Be glad you don’t get 7 ads and 44 trackers each time you load a page.

[Chrissy]

This stuff pisses me off and I am never one to just let things roll as if they don't exist. I am 110% aware that we are in an inexcusably untenable position, one that makes it harder and harder for me to come back to what is my last real place to chat about pens. The only thing left would be a concerted effort from several people to confront the owner to do something about the situation actively, but I have the distinct impression that no one else is interested in that path, and that is understandable.

So, yeah. You handle it how you feel best. I'll do the same. And in case anyone is new to all this and doesn't know about the owner, he is still very active in the pen world, and doesn't have time to deal with this mess. He spends his time being a pen celebrity, among other activities (I imagine).

Doesn't Brian say that Eric was awarded some sort of an "award" for setting up this forum? (The magazine that did that should ask for it back now.)