Join Now
Join ePHOTOzine, the friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more for free!
to bring it slightly back on topic then, the point is how to treat new visitors only suspected of being spammers rather than how we deal with the real ones.
personally my preferred approach would be for anyone suspecting a spammer should report it, not jump on the post, it can then be looked at properly rather than have the forums look really unfriendly.
And incidentally a fair few posts actually reported as 'spam' turn out not to be.
Quote:
personally my preferred approach would be for anyone suspecting a spammer should report it, not jump on the post, it can then be looked at properly rather than have the forums look really unfriendly.
Be quite useful if there was a "Report this as Spam button" instead of having to write a report, I've gone to report a few in the past started the report and though I can't be bothered and then stopped typing.
Quote: personally my preferred approach would be for anyone suspecting a spammer should report it, not jump on the post, it can then be looked at properly rather than have the forums look really unfriendly.
Definitely! It takes just as long to report it as to type a sarcastic comment!
All you have to do is click a few buttons and type 'Spam' or 'Advert'!
Quote: Be quite useful if there was a "Report this as Spam button" instead of having to write a report
Good idea. Current system is a bit clunky. A "Spam/Abuse" button or link which automatically generates a report without further input is the norm on many sites.
I joined a facebook group I was invited to - uploaded a photo and got some snotty reply from the group owner telling me to read the T&C's before posting.
Turns out I needed to write "Midweek Challenge" in the "about" part of the post...
I left the group - seemed very "picky" and that kinda response just pissed me off anyway
I guess that's what'll happen if everyone pounces on new people who've not read the T&C's for this site - and face it, after 8 years, I've never really read them either... kinda know what they are from experience.
Quote: I left the group - seemed very "picky" and that kinda response just pissed me off anyway
exactly. I think it's really important to be open minded and tolerant on the first posts.
I had the same thing on a php coding site. I posted in the wrong section and got a quick slamming. I never went back.
And not to have loads of rules making barriers to entry.
I quite like the idea of the spam button alert
The other thing is that there are a LOT of photo sites and options available now - so making things easy and friendly is more important than ever.
I wonder how many "groups" there are on Faceache/Twitter/Flickr....
If EPZ seems tricky or miserable, it's incredibly easy to just google and find an alternative...
The button is a good solution, pass the buck to the mods, let them deal with it
One of the issues when there is suspected spam, is nobody knows if someone else has reported it. Not sure whether a thread could be temporarily locked once the spam button, or whatever, is clicked?
This in itself would stop the bandwagon effect as people pile in to heap abuse on the suspected spammer.
Hi Everyone,
Just letting you know that we are working on a solution based off the feedback.
If you don't mind, i'd like to add my 2p in:
The report button ideas are good, but is that going to change the way people view and treat new members who post in forums, which is what the topic was originally about? How are legitimate poster going to feel when their comment is flagged as spam or the forum topic is locked for review? Will that make them feel any better about the ePHOTOzine community over what is currently happening (ie: people commenting that they are spammers)? Is it going to even stop all the current members from posting a negative comment as a reply?
Surely it's the frame-of-mind of us, as ephotozine members, that needs to be reconsidered to give new forum topic members the benefit of the doubt. Realize, that not every new member posting a forum topic with a link is doing it for spam reasons. Many are doing it for honest reasons. If we really want to welcome new users, we have to become a more welcoming community to new users. Trust me, i'm fed up with spam just as much as the next guy, but I also don't want to demotivate our new members.
Quote: Just letting you know that we are working on a solution based off the feedback.
Excellent! 
Quote: How are legitimate poster going to feel when their comment is flagged as spam or the forum topic is locked for review?
Depends how it is treated. If all it says is "This thread is temporarily locked" then it makes no comment on the nature of what has been posted.
Quote: Surely it's the frame-of-mind of us, as ephotozine members, that needs to be reconsidered
Ah, so we are asking to change human nature/ behaviour patterns etc? Far easier to find an IT solution! 
Quote: Ah, so we are asking to change human nature/ behaviour patterns etc? Far easier to find an IT solution!
I think thats partially the point, the only solution is to change human nature. Any IT solution still won't truely resolve the problem. IE, people may decide to slag off the accused, then mark it as spam, so users won't even bother reporting. etc etc etc.
Just being honest
Add a Comment
ePHOTOzine, the web's friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more.
Related Content
Join Our Free Newsletter
Awards
Current Competitions
Olympus 'Portraiture' Competition - Win £1000 Worth Of Gear!
30th April 2013 - 31st May 2013
This month, to celebrate the launch of Olympus' new micro site Olympus Image Space, Olympus are giving you the chance to win £1000 worth of Olympus gear!...
Featured e2 Photo
May's Photo Month
Check out ePHOTOzine's inspirational photo month calendar! Each day click on a window to unveil new photography tips, treats and techniques.
