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Reporting spam

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by smorty71

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

I just wanted to remind everyone what we mean when we call something in the Forums spam. Lots of people are reporting things that really don't fall into that category.

Please report the following:
1. Messages about buying products and services that are not relevant to the topic or to IT professionals
2. Nonsensical strings of text "slkdjfksdjf"
3. Messages that are obscene or racially-insensitive or contain links to content that is obscene or racially-insensitive
4. Messages that allow you to access pirated software or other pirated content

Please do NOT report the following:
1. Messages suggesting a product or service that actually meets the needs of the original poster. For example, if someone is asking for the best AV app, it is not spam for someone to post a link to an anti-virus product, even if it is their own product.
2. Messages that you just don't like. We're not going to take sides in arguments, so please don't report something as spam when you just don't agree.

BTW, we are working on some new approaches to deal with spam. I'll post more on that as we get closer to launching them.

86 replies

by steffi28

Say that to you GG. I mean Im sure hes enjoying watching you playing with the button. ]:)

by gadgetgirl

Smorty!

You cowardy custard! ]:)

c'mon - don't you like me tickling and playing with your little button????

GG

by jamesrl

If you don't know what SPAM is, you should be here? I can only hope.

Technically I don't think the obscene or the pirate stuff as SPAM per se, but I don't see the point in adding another button.

And just a hint, don't feed the impure brigade, you will only enourage them.

James

by gadgetgirl

STOP SPOILING MY FUN!!

I'm enjoying playing with Smortys' little button....

oh, go on then, I'll play with yours, too, if you show me where it is......

GG

by jaqui

I only reported one post so far, it's not me :D
[ 2000 lines of products being sold cheap is spam ]
but that was the op, to sell their service of selling stolen goods.

by gadgetgirl

Must be me then.

There was one t'other day 'bout mobile phones.

Then there were 4 today from global ad somecrap or other.

But I haven't breached Smortys' "don't" list.

I wouldn't do that to the poor dear.....

]:)

(................. [i] yet [/i] ..............)

GG

by dmambo

And I don't mean the Impure stuff here ;)

A lot of the newly registered dorks post something that on the surface just looks stupid, but after a couple of replies they launch into ridiculous name-calling triades. I reported "Whatcha" and "Hay guy's" because it appeared that regardless of nature of the responses, it triggered the kiddies to start using versions of the f-word that bypass the filters.

I know it's a lot to ask, but is it possible to look at some of what these losers post and then delete their accounts? graham6666 immediately comes to mind.

by smorty71

at least not under that username. We booted him this afternoon.

I also killed that entire "Whatcha" thread because he had made it a real mess with all of his comments.

by charliespencer

It was a real mess to begin with since he was another of those new "members" looking for cracker guidance. I confess I let him drag me down to his level a couple of times.

by sleepin'dawg

Some of the stuff we see is downright crude and ridiculous. It might be tolerated from a regular but when a newbie like kev07 starts mouthing off with assinine comments and obsevations, off colour or not, there should be some way of calling them to account. I guess the spam button will have to do.

[b]Dawg[/b] ]:)

by tednyhan

Kev07 may be an Apple-loving imbecile but his posts are informative and interesting. So where exactly did he post "off-colour" remarks and what did he say?? Nothing i bet, you simply want to whine

by jamesrl

Let the Sleeping Dawg lie....

Here is one thread where Kev was being a jerk:

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=102&threadID=209388&messageID=2158251

The powers that be graciously edited out the racist bile he spewed.

James

by sleepin'dawg

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=102&threadID=209388&messageID=2158296

It's too bad someone edited this post, I'm sure a jerk off such as youself would have loved it in it's original form. Suffice it to say it was distastefully racist in tone. Try to remember you're judged by the company you keep. Does that mean you're a racist a$$hole too???

You want to take me on Chuckie??? Bring it!!!
It's been a while since I last kicked some butt around here. You might be a refreshing change of pace. Just be careful not to trip over your own dick.

So dick wad, how's that for a whine???

[b]Dawg[/b] ]:)

by hal 9000

Anyone who attacks someone as in his words a [b]Pedio[/b] doesn't deserve to be allowed to play with the big Boys & Girls.

Personally I haven't seen one single post by this troll that's worth reading. But as this particular person obviously has several Alter Egos deleting that one account will not stop the [b]Naughty Little Boy[/b] we are going to have to come up with something more inventive like allowing several Million Volts run through it's body when it pushes the Submit Button works for me. :D

Col

by michaelkenaney

i am interesyted in what u tink of apple and fully agree but i tink that apple is going to falter and a bigger and better company will come along soon and takeover

by faradhi

Smorty, maybe you should add a generalized crap button.

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=102&threadID=208353&messageID=2156063

Personally, I still think it should be titled horse manure. But a simple crap will work.

by deepsand

That, and a whole bunch in a like vein.

It's available for use here, but at a price, such to including, but not necessarily limited to:
1) Fix the Search Function so that any and all content is searched;
2) Fix the "ALL" Discussions list, so that it's both static, rather than being re-ordered according to the most recent Post, and all inclusive, rather than but a truncated subset;
3) Tix "My Workspace" so that I can find ALL of the Discussion that I've participated in and/or subscribed to; and,
4) Restore access to all the "Old" Discussions that were taken offline, such as "EL."

by gadgetgirl

or three...

the splat button
the oblivion button
the BS button
the useless button

oh, the possibilities are endless!

Hey, if I have a really crap afternoon again, that may just be an idea for a silly Wednesday thread.....

]:)

GG

by faradhi

Suggestions to name the Not Spam but stupid button. Which may be one of my suggestions.

by dawgit

What Brand of Vitamins is that you've gotten ahold of now? (and were can I get some?) :D -d

by dmambo

In the threads I've reported, I have gone to top post and used the button from that location even though the really offensive stuff might be several posts down and a few levels deep.

Should the button be used directly from the post that goes over the line, from the top post, or does it even matter?

by w2ktechman

I was wondering that on a few other posts, but then I saw the responders and figured that it was already reported.

by #ath

To indicate that the post has been reported and is under review, that would save 1,000's of extra reports being sent through on the same post.

by smorty71

The link will send us the URL that you were on when you clicked the link. So it is best to use it when you are viewing the post you want to report.

by hal 9000

After all there are some like DM here who pervert all the nice Girls of TR into wicked ways. :p

Look at what has happened to GG, Shellbot, Tigger2, Mae and the like after having contact with DM! :(

I rest my case here. :D

Col ]:)

by jamesrl

You know I kind of imagined based on some of your past performance, what the response would be like, and I have a vivid imagination.

I don't want to sound like a whiner, but that was a good journeyman/sleeping dawg effort, but not a cut I would put on the "Best of" album.

You getting mellow in your dotage? (...ducks)

James

by stress junkie

I think that when someone starts a "discussion" with an ad for their business then that should be regarded as spam. Nevertheless it would pass as acceptable according to your rules. That should not be the case if for no other reason than the fact that your paying customers should be pretty upset if you allow free ads to be posted as discussion starters.

Should Sun Microsystems start a "discussion" with a list of their products? How about Oracle? Should Monster dot com or Dice start a discussion by listing some job openings?

If I were one of your advertisers I would want you to forbid businesses from entering free ads into the discussion forums.

Edit: title change => tech businesses

by av .

I would have considered them Spam too until I read Rule #1. I look at those posts as coming from scammers. Next thing you know they'll be selling enhancement pills.

This is supposed to be a discussion forum. There are plenty of ads on TR from reputable computer equipment companies. I can't understand why it isn't considered spam when people hawk computer equipment obtained from an unknown source in a discussion thread.

You made a good point SJ that there are many paid advertisers on TR that these people are competing with.

I think TR should reconsider Rule #1 when it comes to posts that are obvious solicitations.

AV

by w2ktechman

A perfect example of different interpretations from looking at it differntly. When I read it I did not see this point at all. I read it as we, as members can recommend products if they are legit. I myself have written about Ad-Aware, Spybot, HP, Dell, Gateway, ec. just in the last few weeks.
I am not selling anything, nor do I gain a commission on anything that I speak about.

I would assume (Smorty should be able to clarify) that posting ads or links for selling items would be spam button approved.

by kev07

Why don't you get a life and stop masquerading as an internet vigilante? You probably work at Microsoft with the rest of the losers. Why attack me on another thread? Cut the bull and lets put this racist issue to bed. One last insult= you're the biggest [deleted] on the forum. That's it I'm done. I'll send you a conciliatory present of our new primary school software package for children ages 6-10. will suit your maturity level perfect!! P.S Why can you explode and I can't????

Message was edited by: Moderator

by sleepin'dawg

you certainly prove my point for me quite nicely; thank you very much. Are you sure you're allowed out without any supervision; I ask only because so far you have only displayed extremely limited technical knowledge and poor reading skills; to such an extent I am led to wonder about your ability to walk and chew gum at the same time.

So you work at Renton, as what; floor sweeper or gofer. As for your exploding or not, does anyone care, after having seen the display of manners and character, or lack thereof, that you have exhibited here so far??? Don't let the knob smack you in the head as you crawl off to your imaginary Maybach.

BTW nobody at Renton has ever even been invited for a ride in a Maybach never mind thinking of owning one, but I do so admire the magnitude and creativity of your dreams.

[b]Dawg[/b] ]:)

by tig2

"Go Away" mean to you?

The Dawg has been here and supported here for a much longer time than you. Were I you, I'd take that into consideration before opening my (textual) mouth.

Racist comments are not EVER tolerated here. Nor is your tone in general. If you want to play in this sandbox, I would get a copy of the rules first.

For some odd reason you are like the 8th or 9th jerk to surface from Ireland. Bad water? Poor pubs? What is fueling this???

Edited because I needed to

by shellbot

maybe the primary school out in Co Leitrim got a computer and the ol in-ter-net.
Must be frustrating as hell for this cum-sh0t though, he's probably on diall up..no broadband out in the bog.

I'm betting the 8 or 9 jerks are one in the same.

Amazing how one @sshole can make a whole country look bad. Thanks idiot, you've done your country a great service.

by gadgetgirl

(permission more than willingly granted to change/amend/add/obliterate via admin rights any part if I'm wrong! :x )

I think what Smorty is getting at is using common sense when it comes to products.

Allowable are the posts which ask for advice, and products are recommended by the peers. It's far better to get feedback from someone who has actually used a particular product than to read the manufacturers (obviously biased) spiel.

Also allowable would be recommendations of products to serve a particular purpose: not all of us on the board are hyper-techie; not all of us have the chance to be aware of a constantly changing market of both software and hardware.

What I think Smorty is stating isn't allowable is downright marketing; those eejets that find the board, and put up numerous posts advertising their so-called wares in the form of discussions. This is regardless of if they are IT related or not. (I know we've been hit by numerous ads for mobiles - I thoroughly enjoyed hitting the button on those ones!)

As for singular posts; surely it is again the application of common sense. If the post is downright offensive, pornographic, racist etc., then it SHOULD be removed to ensure it causes no more offense. People tend to forget this board has members from all over the world; we cannot afford to be racist or racially offensive or we run the risk of losing the camaraderie of the whole thing, which I'm sure none of us want at any time.

Idiot posts? Sure, there are some out there. But we're all different - some of us just ignore them, others feel compelled to reply {mental note: if I do, I must email Palmetto to take a b!tch slap!!!) But just because they are idiots, and prove it beyond doubt, doesn't mean that they should be obliterated. Left to stew in their own idiocy, maybe, but if they post enough, we know who to avoid.

The PTB have been good so far; we (as in, the regular crowd) know we're pretty much self moderating. Which is a good thing, from what I can see. It also means there cannot be biased moderation on this board; this happens elsewhere, and they haemorrage members because of it.

There is no reason to hit the button just because you do not like someone else's post, whether it's in reply to something or just an outright statement. The word here is tolerance. We are all different; if we weren't the world would be a very boring place. We have a choice; we can either ignore these people or try to change their views, but get their posts pulled? No. They, too, have a right to air their views, same as we all do.

As I keep saying, it really is the application of common sense.

GG

Note: This is just my view - please keep any throwing of insults/sledgehammers/underwear until Smorty has proof read after the weekend! :p

by jaqui

never hold back the throwing of underwear!!!

ever!!!!

it is always allowed to be thrown!!!

by rob mekel

How can that be ...

didn't know that that is a fetish of you Jaqui :0 ;) you know the saying

Once thrown ... it's for the finders keep :)

Rob

by w2ktechman

in depth than my post, but basically that was my point. Thanks for expanding it better GG.

P.S. I will not keep from throwing anything, especially your underwear!

by smorty71

That is a good summary of what I was saying in my original post.

The key with product recommendations is that they need to be solicited. If someone just starts a thread to promote their product, then it is spam.

If someone asks for a good anti-virus app and someone from Grisoft (or some other vendor) chimed in about their product, I think that is OK (as long as they are upfront about their identity).

by jdclyde

how many false alarms does someone get before you ban them? :0

Also, I prefer "abuse" as a label than "spam". Covers more instances.

by heml0ck

I think changing the button titile to "Flag as inappropriate" might serve well.
I also wonder about allow the people who begin threads to moderate them. Is this practicable?

by w2ktechman

"I also wonder about allow the people who begin threads to moderate them"

If they are the ones being inapropriate, and they are moderating the thread, how will this help?? Or, someone can control who/what is seen on the thread? That can lead to a very biased thread if one so wishes, which is a waste of a discussion. How would you like to see such large discussions cut in half because everyone with a different opinion was pulled?

Many of these threads you might not even see cause of our friends overseas. But from what I have been reading about is a lot of new threads that are crap, not just some people posting in someone elses thread. I have seen a few a week recently, but that is because many are caught and pulled before I login to TR.

by tig2

I am SO going to miss that!

Calm down, Smorty- certainly not referring to you. You did, after all, give us the treasured "Report as Spam" button which I myself have used.

There for awhile I was sending email to the hallowed servers of TR on a daily basis in an effort to keep the bogus "Tiggers" in control. I would only ask that you consider a number five to your list- when you see a new user who is using an obvious alias duplication (ish) the Spam button might be a good way to identify that person.

I will miss my DIE, DIE, DIE header. But since I stole it from James (sorry James) I suppose I can't say much. Frankly it will give me a zingy little thrill to reply to an inappropriate post with it... AFTER I hit the button.

TR continually strives to make this a better experience for all of the peers here. I applaud the efforts and look forward to the enhancements!

by dmambo

The button text can be "Kill, Kill, Kill This Spamming Scum!!"

That might give it almost the same emotional appeal as typing the words. :D

by w2ktechman

your long lost clones. They thought that they were you (well, are you technically), so you have actually been banning....yourself....

:)

by cathysgardens

I don't know but I might be in the wrong thread after all that was said above But I thought tech republic was about computers not all that crap. Can I ask a technical ??? I've been getting looks like porn E-Mails I have not opened one to know for sure but I keep reporting to Yahoo to Block as Spam and keep getting more and more everyday different sender but same messages is there a way to block the address as it seems they are blocking the sender name and not the address I have never gone to a porn site and I'm the only one who uses my PC the messages ( part that I can read without opening) are really awful such words as penis and how to enlarge and etc etc obviously porn Does anyone know how to stop it or at least try to stop it Or like who to report it to Yahoo keeps letting them thur a different name but they are the same word for word I've reported as spam every single one of them never just deleting them. Is there a way to get Yahoo to pay attention????? Thanks maybe one of you tech specialist can help, but with all the crap above I wonder now if this is really a tech forum or what. Oh and I have AV program and Spyware programs Lavasoft firewalls and all the security you should have on a PC. My primary Email service does not get Spam just Yahoo Mail so it must be internet connected thur Yahoo. Please could someone help???

by dawgit

Can't you just go out a wack a few of those punks for us all. After this weekend, it really doesn't matter which ones. :^0 Just tell them it's for 'kev' and co. (and tell them to pass it on.... nature will take it's course ;\ ) -d

by hal 9000

Now you know why there are so many Irish Jokes Floating around. People like this fool make it just so easy to justify them. :D

OH BTW I got to play with Smorty's Button earlier and I just hope that GG doesn't take it out on me for reporting this fool for another of it's posts. I know that she wants to be the one pushing Smorty's Button all the time but I just couldn't help myself. :(

I'll await my full punishment from GG in the fullness of time. :p

Col ]:)

by dmambo

I'M THE ONE WHO WAS PERVERTED! It only lasted a week, thank God, but it was those who you listed, and evil Steffi28, who dropped me into the gutter. It was hard, and I had to pull it out, but I did.

by hal 9000

It was you who forced the [b]Lovely Sweet Girls[/b] to act that way by you're [b]Holier Than Thou Attitude.[/b] :p

That was their only defence to protect themselves who are truly [b]Pure[/b] from your [b]Evil Vile Sexist Attacks[/b] upon them. :D

You drove all of those [b]Lovely Sweet Ladies[/b] down to your level by pretending to take the [b]Immoral High Ground.[/b]

I still feel so sorry for people like Mae who walked into the office and drove her sharpened shovel into the concrete floor and said to her boss [b]YOU WANT WHAT?[/b] I understand that the surgeons may be able to reattach the part of the foot that was cut off but are unable to do much with the smashed jaw as she pulled the shovel out of the floor and used the handle to shatter his jaw. :(

I feel so bad for what you drove [b]Poor Sweet Mae[/b] to that it's not funny. :D :^0 :D :^0

Col

by gadgetgirl

where did you put it after that??

]:)

GG

No, don't tell me, you found that old copy of Playboy again......... ]:)

by shellbot

..for Smorty's sake, that is.

But with all this talk of feeling for me...

anyways..

yes, thanks you JD, I'm only here because i moved here :)

OMG..i forgot to tell ya all the news..

I've got my Irish Citizenship :)
All nice and legal, getting a passport an all !

by dmambo

Can you keep your Cdn passport, too?

It's a long story, but after my mum-in-law had her Cdn citizenship pulled after 55+ years, and got her American citizenship straightened out, she was able to go back and file for her Cdn citizenship again and now has 2 passports.

by shellbot

far as i know, i am allowed dual citezenship, so i'll be keeping both.

if i couldn't, i'd just keep my canadain passport, cause we can go anywhere in the world with very few questions asked and not a lot of hassle :)

by heml0ck

buttfluff kev just needs to remember the Jameson's, Guiness and keyboards do not mix!

Now, as to "one @sshole making a whole country look bad".... maybe he's a politician?

by hal 9000

GG Sent it to me. :D :^0 :D :^0

Insisting that is what she had in mind for you. :p

How was I supposed to know that you sent it to GG? :(

Col ]:)

by jdclyde

It is a good thought, but like you said tech, it would end up taking more away from the free flow than it would add.

by heml0ck

I still can't help but think that there should be a relatively easy way to share the moderators' load....

Of course, if everyone behaved as if their mothers were watching we wouldn't have this problem.

by w2ktechman

maybe there would be less 'IMPURE' items listed..

Wait......

That's not right. I think that the impurity squad would be quadruple what it is now. Then Col would have a bigger fight on his hands :)

by gadgetgirl

we aren't actually related, are we?!

My daughter says exactly the same about me..... !

GG

]:)

by steffi28

I dont think so :| lol. I dont know anyone from Newcastle, but then again... ;\ Imagine our poor family having to put up with all of us. Maybe theres a reason why were not related lol.

by hal 9000

She would be insisting that I slap you all down to make you behave. [u]She Used to be a Red Headed School Teacher[/u] :(

NUF said on that one. :_|

Col ]:)

by w2ktechman

I had to retract my first comment. The impurity squad would be much bigger (and worse) than it is now.

by deepsand

Having a dynamically selected random display name is easy to implement & would surely serve to amuse.

by jaqui

yahoo, hotmail and msn email addresses are prone to spam. someone has a few hundred thousand zombie systems sending email to all their email addresses constantly.

The only thing to do is click the report as spam link until the offending systems are all caught by the anti spam software the email service [ yahoo ] catches them all.

You can manually block some of them, by adding a filter or blacklisting the domain used by the senders. you have to view all headers to see that information and be able to pull it out to create the filter or blacklist.

by cathysgardens

Is there a way to see the headers without opening them?? And they all do go into my Bulk folder, but sometimes my good mail goes in there too so I have to always check it. and for some reason you have to send the spam to the inbox to be able to report it as spam and get rid of it which really makes no sense. Is there a way to talk to yahoo about it. It is a flaw in Yahoo they should change. I'm always afraid one will slip by because when you delete from your open mail it will go straight to the next message opened and not back to the inbox. Thanks again Cat

by jaqui

nope, the only way is to open them.

the bulk mail folder in yahoo, just mark as not spam those that are not spam, when yahoo empties the bulk folder anything in it is processed into the anti-spam software to improve the performance, that is the purpose of it, they supsect it of being spam, so a no it's not report is all that is needed from there.

edited to add:
This report spam thread wasn't about spam email originally, it was about spam posts on the discussion forums here on TechRepublic. :)
any post in these forums can be reported to TR as spam, the details as to what is and isn't spam postings are in the first post of the thread.
There is a small link on the top of the open post "Discussion - Post 86 of 86 Report as spam". When it was introduced the TR staff started this thread to make sure that it wasn't abused.

by cathysgardens

Thanks I knew I was missing something here I just can't understand how or why anyone would spam a forum. After my last message I looked again in Yahoo help and other places and realize that about putting them back in my inbox to delete them as spam I made adjustments so they would get rid of the spam,in the bulk folder, in a week instead of a month and changed the settings so I would go to my inbox and not the next opened message too(.when I delete from the open messages) while I was there I seen all the blocked addresses unbelievable how many there already was and it said 500 of possible 500( This was on the top of the help page) so I don't know now if its full or not I need to do a bunch more research I guess. All the address there were crazy unrecognizable addresses but a few actually had yahoo addresses.Amazing how fast a few a day add up to so many and I know they are coming from the same place with so many different addresses and I figured I would just have to wait it out till they ran out of addresses,but with some of those crazy addresses it may be a while and why open one when I now know they all have different addresses anyway But in my travels I found this I thought was interesting. http://spamprobe.sourceforge.net/ and on the home page there was a lot more programs I'm all for open source. it looks like a lot of them are still being worked on to improve further Thanks again and sorry about the not understanding the thread but its so unbelievable that someone would spam a forum or thread( what a waste of intelligence ) The Garden Cat

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