Job posting: Night shift moderator - inquire within

[StormRichards]

Job description: Combat spam, empty trash cans, mop floors.
Salary: $0 plus accolades. Non Negotiable.
Qualifications: The ability to stay awake overnight.
Other details: Little to no appreciation.

Interested candidates should post below or contact the administrator.

[james.hendrickson]

Do you want the job?

[StormRichards]

I would apply if I were awake overnight. I start work at 7:30am

[frugal saver]

I generally turn off the computer at about midnight (3am ET) and do the same thing for my Neighborhood Watch group. We always seem to get Nigerian princes wanting to join the group around that time.

If you actually need something done, I can help.

[bjl584]

I usually log on the forums right around 6am most weekdays. I'll clean up whatever spam comes across throughout the night. This morning there were a handful of spam posts that I deleted.

[james.hendrickson]

Guys - if you do want to be a volunteer moderator, please PM one of the current mods.

We love community participation and want to encourage anyone who wants to get involved to get involved!

[StormRichards]

I am just not online when this forum needs the added help or else I would volunteer.

[bjl584]

I am just not online when this forum needs the added help or else I would volunteer.

We have a few things in the works that should help to further reduce the SPAM that makes its way to the boards when no one is watching.

[StormRichards]

We have a few things in the works that should help to further reduce the SPAM that makes its way to the boards when no one is watching.

Awesome. It really sucks to see a thread you created bumped thinking someone had genuine interest in it only to find out it someone is just trying to boost their post count in order to post spam.

[MooseBucks]

When I ran a vbulletin forum we used a mod that had a database of spam e-mail addresses that could automatically be blocked. If interested I can try and track down the name.

[james.hendrickson]

When I ran a vbulletin forum we used a mod that had a database of spam e-mail addresses that could automatically be blocked. If interested I can try and track down the name.

MooseBucks - we have that already.

The trick now will be to implement a rule so that new members have their first few posts moderated, this should prevent the "drive by" posting we have been seeing.

[StormRichards]

When I log on to the SA forum, the first thing I do is click New Posts. I love when there are many active threads I need to catch up on, but frustrated when there are a bunch of spam posts mixed in.

What is even more frustrating is when I observe moderators participating in real discussions when there are a bunch of spam posts that need cleaned up. I really value the opinions of the moderators and enjoy reading their posts, but is it too much to ask to clean up the overnight spam before jumping into discussions in the morning?

I know there is the report feature but it is probably similar to the clogged toilet at work. Everyone assumes that someone already phoned it in so it just stays clogged all day. The overnight spam is much easier to identify by just clicking New Posts. Often it stands out like a sore thumb.

/end rant

[disneysteve]

What is even more frustrating is when I observe moderators participating in real discussions when there are a bunch of spam posts that need cleaned up.

There are things that are "spammy" but aren't really spam. For example, someone posting, "Great idea. Thanks." I generally leave those posts alone unless it is a brand new poster and they posted the same thing to 15 different threads overnight because in that case, I know that post #16 is going to be a link to some questionable site. But if they only make one or two posts, I don't rush to delete them if the content of the post is benign.

I do my best to delete outright spam and posts that violate the site guidelines.

If anyone sees posts that they think are breaking the rules, please do not respond to them. Report them.

And I still wish we had some system in place to prevent new posters from posting 16 posts in 5 minutes.

[GoodSteward]

There are things that are "spammy" but aren't really spam. For example, someone posting, "Great idea. Thanks." I generally leave those posts alone unless it is a brand new poster and they posted the same thing to 15 different threads overnight because in that case, I know that post #16 is going to be a link to some questionable site. But if they only make one or two posts, I don't rush to delete them if the content of the post is benign.

Right, a lot of people lurk and never post. Reason? Even though this is much more anonymous, many people are not comfortable posting to the world. Sometimes they just start light with a simple acknowledgement.