Guest Postings

[Greg]

Simon

You should disable guest postings. I just deleted a post that was full of obscenities. Not from a member but from a guest. Your call though.

[cgc0202]

Simon

You should disable guest postings. I just deleted a post that was full of obscenities. Not from a member but from a guest. Your call though.

That is why Simon has persuaded pro-bono moderators like you. :D We should consider the impact of disabling. Some people may not just be ready to be part -- but the fact that they are even coming, then posting, is a good sign.

The question is: How many guests (as percent) post obscene or other unwanted stuff?

What's that saying again? "Do not throw the baby with the water"?

cgc0202

[Greg]

Well if you would of seen the posting, you may think differently. If I didn't happen to see it (it had been up for about an hour) who knows how long it would of been seen?

I just don't see the reason to let guests post. And I agree, you don't punish all for a few idiots. But we'll let Simon decide. :)

[vkaryl]

It's a knife-edge.... I saw the post, and of course could do nothing about it....

My preference would be to require a legit email address prior to allowing posting. The poster can still post anonymously, but at least there's a legit addy on file. And sure, that could be as fake as a "fake" email addy. But having to wait for approval might stop some of the stuff like that post.

[I have my own suspicions about that post and poster. Simon can email me direct if he'd like my thoughts.]

[Greg]

Hi vkaryl

Well I'm glad someone else saw it. Sorry it was a lady. But I could take a guess from where it came from. I guess it's a hard call when your selling a product. But then again, how long does it take to register, if someone was truly interested in the script.

Even then they could still post, but at least it would be a deterrent.

[vkaryl]

Heh, not to worry.... I cuss like a sailor myself.

The post and the poster are juvenile and silly; it required mod intervention which wasn't the point really - the point seems to be that this person has a beef of some sort, though obviously NOT a good one or the individual would have gone through appropriate channels.

Regardless, a register-to-post-even-as-guest does place another layer between "explosivity" and those who thrive on it.

[vkaryl]

Hmmm. Are we talking about this one?

http://www.esyndicat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3737#3737

It's still there....

[echopulse]

That's the same one I saw around 7 hours ago, but I couldn't delete it cuz I'm not a moderator of the strategy forum. I do wish Simon would disable guest postings though.

[cgc0202]

I understand your point RadioGuy.

To be honest, if I open a forum right now in my own website, I will do as you stated -- not allow any posting from unregistered users. In fact, one of the reasons why one of my earlier suggestions was about registration-validation-login when I joined here was because I want to tighten security.

The aforementioned precautions are relevant to what vkaryl already stated in her post. I have no time to be dealing with wacko's, as you stated.

However, one difference between my sites and eSyndicat is that I am not selling anything right now; I am not even selling my services. In fact, I tried to hide my email because I did not want people to contact me -- but some still found my official email for the website.

In the case of eSyndicat, it now has commercial products. It has to welcome as many potential sources of customers as possible -- including guest posters. Most of these guest posters (perhaps 90-99%) come here really to ask and to be clarified with critical issues about the eSyndicat Links Directory.

One of the reasons why I chose my webhosting service is that they allow guests to post -- ask questions about the service, payment, money back guarantee, technical services, etc. etc.

I thought that was nice. It means that the webhosting company care about potential customers. And, when I had more time, I was answering some of these guest posters myself. The newcomers liked the process so much, they were signing because the forum was very friendly.

How about this as a suggestion? It may also be a good compromise.

Aside from the one that vkaryl suggested, how about if guests posts go through screening, i.e., they are not automatically posted. [Correct me if this is not valid: I assume there aren't as many as 5% guests relative to registered members who are posting. And, only a very minute minority relative number of guests t would be posting something as terrible as the link shown by vkaryl.] Then, it will require a moderator's approval before they are posted? Just like what is in place now for approval of links.

Just a thought. And, let me repeat what I stated in a previous post: "Let's not throw the baby with the water."

There's also another saying here in America: "A rotten apple spoils the whole basket." The answer to that is find a way to isolate the rotten apple.

As you stated, it will be Simon's call. At the same time, you have more say that I do, because you are a moderator and I am just one of the many participants here. I have one vote, you may, at your judgement as moderator opt to exercise your power, if I overstep the line.

cgc0202

Note:
Philosophically, I am not too fond of any form of censorship. For as long as it does not cause physical (or obvious psycho-social) harm on people, there must be free exchange of ideas.

There are limits in a forum like this though, because every poster must stay within the bounds of the policies of the Forum.

For example, Simon could state a maximum of 100 words only. :D And, he has every right to do so. Only a wacko will attempt to criticize him for that. Of course, most of my posts would be rejected.

But, such is life when you agree to be bound by the rules of the group you join. If he decides after this that there would be no more guest posting -- who am I to criticize his verdict? I have already stated my point.

[vkaryl]

Little rebuttal: CubeCart. Commercial program with a free use option much like SynCat. http://cubecart.com/

NO guest posting. Works fine there.... In the months I've been using that program, and accessing the forum for same, I've seen some arguments among members, and a bit of nasty-sniping, but nothing like this zip guy posted today. It doesn't appear that use of the program or the forum is reduced due to no guest posting either.

In fact, I think that most people assume it as a fact of life on the 'net today: if you can't find what you need to know by simply reading the forum, if you need to post a question, you expect to register.

True, registration does NOT stop idiots. However, it might slow them down some.

[cgc0202]

True, registration does NOT stop idiots. However, it might slow them down some.

vkaryl.
That is very true. As I pointed out, that is what I plan to do in all my sites.

But, here's a counterpoint -- ala music. Sometimes, I find a link that recommends an article in a paper that I seldom read. When I go to the source and they require a registration to be able to read the article -- most likely I do not go any further. I have lost something because I did not get a chance to be informed. The paper lost something too, financially because the less people read their paper in the internet, the less ad revenue they get.

As to the point on the number of guest postings; as I stated previously, they make a very very very small percentage of posting here. It is once in a blue moon, if that, when I ever encounter guest posts. Even if a more accurate study of it is done rather than our own hunches, let's take this example:

1000 total posts (+/- 5 guest posts) will not swing the pendulum

In fact, from a commercial point of view, eSyndicat should be very very happy if there are many guests postings -- that means there are people out there who have heard of eSyndicat.

Any warm body and an inquisitive body at that (by posting) is a potential customer --> $$$.

cgc0202

[Greg]

Hmmm. Are we talking about this one?

http://www.esyndicat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3737#3737

It's still there....

Haven't been online since that posting. But I did delete it at that time.

@ cgc0202
Note:
Philosophically, I am not too fond of any form of censorship. For as long as it does not cause physical (or obvious psycho-social) harm on people, there must be free exchange of ideas.
I agree with you 100% At the time I became modertor, I posted here or in a email to someone that I didn't want to be a cop, just a guy who would try to keep postings in order. Plain and simple. More important things in life (which I sadly realized in the last year) that this internet stuff is not as important as some foks belive it to be. :)

[echopulse]

How did you delete it if it was in the Strategy forum. I didn't think they had moderation turned on in that forum?

[Greg]

echopulse

Post something there and I'll delete it.

[Simon Gooffin]

well,
guest posting.. to allow or disallow guest posting in our support forums? this question bothered me when I created our support forums. Let's try to overview all Pro et Contra
all you know there are really many persons who do not like to give their email addresses and register themselves. when they come to our forums they can see interesting topics and would like to post their own thoughts. they just click and see the form asking them to register. Hmm, personally I do not like all these forms. For say, I came here just once in my life. why should I register to post a thought (quite possible really interesting)? I would not register, I'm sure.
On the other hand, we should not forget it's not a common forum. It's just a support forum for eSyndicat users and if you have a copy of eSyndiCat you should already know your forums login and password, that we send during registration in our system.
That's why I thought I found a compromise. If you are a member there are special areas that are available for registered members only. If you are not a member you can post your ideas in our general chat and link exchange strategy.
In general, I just think we should forget about these posts. They are useless, and I do not even pay a great attention to them. I do not think we should lock posting for guest as this step won't stop these guys(as vkaryl mentioned), who can do nothing except posting obscenities in different forums :) I think we should not change anything in our forums, we just have some more guys (moders) who can help us to build a script for you and isolate us from posts like we could see here..
P.S. thanks all. I do see you have a discussion here and you offered your ideas about forums improvement. I do appreciate your thoughts.

[Greg]

Did you get my pm Simon? This person isn't going to stop. He or she isn't to fond of you.

[cgc0202]

First, RadioGuy. If we are in opposing camps in this, it's nothing personal. I usually do not tease people, in person, or even in the internet,, because as I stated previously, many people misunderstand me sometimes.

So, if I teased you in another post -- as one who pesters Simon a lot -- it was more a sign of familiarity. And, in my case, a recognition and a sign of respect of the other person -- because of the things I have seen you do.

Heh, not to worry.... I cuss like a sailor myself.

This is true... Until I was in college, the hair all over my body literally stands, when I hear people cuss, especially the F-word. I believe they call it "turkey skin"? I can feel the hair at the back of my head also sort of tingle, and my face warms up.

It was not that I have not heard the word before, I was just no used to it.

Then I came to America. In a year or so, my hair did not stand anymore. I didn't warm up anymore -- when I hear those words, and more.

I was not even shocked by the link you showed us, anymore.

[An old friend of mine was smiling when he heard me slipped, and I uttered "sh.t". Well, that is the "best" I have gotten so far.]

I advocated against censorship in the previous posts. Having lived in a country where there was too much censorship from the government, I remain an ardent advocate agains censorship.

And, yet somehow, when I ponder things, I felt robbed of a certain form of innocence, about the world I would rather have lived in.

cgc0202

[Greg]

cgc0202

I don't have any beef with you. :) I thought the word pestering was so,so :)

Anyhow being misunderstood I can relate to. Love him or hate him Howard Stern at the end of his movie made a statement something like this:
"Being misunderstood, is the fate of all true geniuses."

In fact that was my sig for a year or so at a forum I've been a member for goimg on 6 years. I was always being "misunderstood"

Simon would this help at all?
http://phpbbhacks.com/download/5338

:)

[cgc0202]

Kudos to you.

I believe that was what my webhosting service did also.

And Radioguy: we're kosher. I am not sure if that is the correct phrase. :D

cgc0202

[Greg]

cool :)

[Simon Gooffin]

Simon would this help at all?
:)
It prevents from automatic sending only. And we have manual posting..
Anyway, I think that guy should stop footling here