Eliminate NP$ for Posts?

[dgridley]

After getting so many short, meaningless, or unrelated posts to many of my threads (and seeing the same on others), what can we do to combat people who apparently post just to accumulate NP$? Any suggestions?

Should we eliminate NP$ for posts entirely in certain segments? Enable NP$ for posts only after a certain level of Rep has been established? Ideas?

 

[vip-ip]

Bah :o No way mahn :wtf_mate?:

 

[infinitomagazine]

combat? this is not a war. i post in several forums and all of this have similar sistem like NP$.

 

[dgridley]

You're missing my point.. and I'm sure at least some of the admins would agree that there are some here who post "only" to get NP$, and that's the issue I'm talking about combatting.

It's kind of disconcerting to post, then have replies where the person has not even bothered to read the original post and/or replies about something totally unrelated to the issue. At least give a little time and thought to what you've read before you reply...

 

[Chris]

Should we eliminate NP$ for posts entirely in certain segments?

There's already been select areas in which the NP$ earning has been disabled until a solution is came up with for those who feel it's necessary to post absolute crap to earn a few NP$. There are always a few bad apples in every bunch who have to wreck something for everyone....

You're missing my point.. and I'm sure at least some of the admins would agree that there are some here who post "only" to get NP$, and that's the issue I'm talking about combatting.

Absolutely, it's becoming a huge issue...especially among newer members who signup and think they can get a "free" name by spamming with junk.

combat? this is not a war. i post in several forums and all of this have similar sistem like NP$.

It's you who had about the whole first page of "Website Reviews" filled up with your name and worthless spamming posts a few weeks back. That's the junk we're talking about.

 

[TWM]

I think a simple script that calculates the number of characters in a post and awards NP$ appropriatly.

 

[dgridley]

Thanks, Chris..

I don't mind an occasional short or "thoughtless" post.. it's the spammy trends that bother me. It kinda devalues the whole concept behind the NP$ system, which is really a privilege anyway.

Good idea but hard to implement as it gives an award for quantity, but not quality, which is really what we're talking about IMO.

I think a simple script that calculates the number of characters in a post and awards NP$ appropriatly.

 

[Banned User]

Although in a sense I do agree senseless posts arent "Yummy" I think removing incentive would somewhat "combat" the spirit of using a forum in general.

 

[dgridley]

Maybe I chose my words incorrectly.. we're not talking so much about the "senseless" posts as much as the spammy senseless posts, those written specifically or primarily in an effort to accrue more NP$ and not to add to the thread.

Although in a sense I do agree senseless posts arent "Yummy" I think removing incentive would somewhat "combat" the spirit of using a forum in general.

 

[skrilla]

sensless spamming.....lol

sensless spamming.....lol

no but for real, i agree.... namepros is incentive enough by itsself, the np$ is just an upside, get rid of the people who r posting just to accumulate np$

 

[RJ]

Maybe I chose my words incorrectly.. we're not talking so much about the "senseless" posts as much as the spammy senseless posts, those written specifically or primarily in an effort to accrue more NP$ and not to add to the thread.

Although in a sense I do agree senseless posts arent "Yummy" I think removing incentive would somewhat "combat" the spirit of using a forum in general.

You're right Dave, it's the "NP$ spammers" that are combating on the spirit of NamePros. I'm sure our community is strong enough that even if the NP$ for posting was removed it would still remain active. There must be a way to keep it going and address these issues still. NP$ is intended to reward positive participation, not encourage the negative. What can we do to impove things?

The Domain Appraisal forum was the first place NP$ spamming was noticed to be out of control. A small number of spammers were posting every thread with posts containing nothing but '$xx', racking up NP$ like crazy. We added an approval process where members had to have an approved Appraiser profile to earn NP$ in that forum and it seems to work like a charm there.

Soon thereafter, the spamming then seemed to pick up in the Welcome forum. We'd have brand new registrants join NamePros and proceed to post a "copy & paste" welcome post to every in there, welcoming people that joined weeks before them. NP$ earning has been removed there, and things seem much better there.

More recently we had spam problems in the Expired Domain forum. Spammers were hitting every thread just saying nothing but 'Thanks'. The NP$ incentive was removed and these posts have stopped.

I don't like that we are headed in the direction of removing the NP$ for posts on the whole forum. Some remedies are being considered first, like removing NP$ for posts for new members until meeting a certain qualification, or having a toggle switch to turn it on/off on a per-user basis, so we could easily turn it off as soon as a member is identified as a spammer.

I hope this doesn't come off wrong. If you enjoy posting at NamePros and receiving NP$, that's great! This post isn't implying you a spammer. I'm not looking to scrutinize everyone's posts and say what is and isn't "worthy". It's that small fraction of a percent of members that have no interest in participating in a forum and simply spam senselessly for NP$ that are causing the whole system to come under review. Often its clear they didn't even bother to read the post before replying. You know the ones I'm talking about.

This has been under discussion for a while with staff and forum leaders. Suggestions and feedback, always welcome of course.

RJ

 

[Zeeble]

How about a system whereby, if users think someone is posting meaningless posts they can press a button similar to the report a post button however nothing would be reported. If the user recieves "x" amount of spam warnings, they go on an NP$ probabation period whereby they do not recieve NP$ for their posts for "x" number of days.

 

[Iravan]

I don't like that we are headed in the direction of removing the NP$ for posts on the whole forum. Some remedies are being considered first, like removing NP$ for posts for new members until meeting a certain qualification, or having a toggle switch to turn it on/off on a per-user basis, so we could easily turn it off as soon as a member is identified as a spammer.

I like this... would potentially eliminate people who just come for a free domain!

I dunno something like a month at namepros and at least 100 posts to start earning?

 

[RJ]

I dunno something like a month at namepros and at least 100 posts to start earning?

Yeah, though qualifying someone based on post count doesn't sound like it would work. We all know spammers would have no problem reaching any arbitrary number of posts that we set.

 

[Iravan]

I dunno something like a month at namepros and at least 100 posts to start earning?

Yeah, though qualifying someone based on post count doesn't sound like it would work. We all know spammers would have no problem reaching any arbitrary number of posts that we set.

Hmm I was thinking like at leat 100 posts and an active month (or two)

Also maybe someway for people to alert staff about people they see spamming...

 

[RJ]

How about a system whereby, if users think someone is posting meaningless posts they can press a button similar to the report a post button however nothing would be reported. If the user recieves "x" amount of spam warnings, they go on an NP$ probabation period whereby they do not recieve NP$ for their posts for "x" number of days.

Sounds viable, so long as it wasn't abused.

 

[wasistdas]

WEll, this is good thread and I point for myself to slow down a little with posting. Should appear to think about it. It is actually a sort of NP$ rush to post and, yep, I did that many times, sorry. I'm slowing down and thanx for the thread - good barrel of cold water.

 

[dgridley]

Thanks for the comments.. like RJ, I hope I'm not coming off wrong and no one feels I'm singleing them out.. those who spam know who they are.

I just tire of people abusing the posting system just to acquire NP$..

I like the idea of people being able to rate a post.. too many negatives and the person loses the NP$ for THAT post... conversely, if the post is helpful and gets alot of positives, maybe a small NP$ reward is in order. This is for posts, not threads... the only problem is, you may get negs from people who simply disagree with a post.

 

[NPQueen]

How about a system whereby, if users think someone is posting meaningless posts they can press a button similar to the report a post button however nothing would be reported. If the user recieves "x" amount of spam warnings, they go on an NP$ probabation period whereby they do not recieve NP$ for their posts for "x" number of days.

There is a similar system set up on the popular craigslist site. I am not sure how many people have to report the "spam" before the post is removed. That seems to work well in controling things there.

So, I am all for implementing a temporary suspension of earning NP$ for posting until reviewed by staff. I think it would be a great idea.

Although, more work for the forum leaders and staff.

the only problem is, you may get negs from people who simply disagree with a post.

I just thought of that. It seems like a good idea, but if someone does not like you or your views, so good bye to your hard earned NP$. :yell:

One of the wonderful things about Namepros is the Staff here. They are on top of things and are very, very fair. Of course if someone has received a temporary suspension of the earning privilage, the staff could review that suspension and then decide if it sticks or not. That would eliminate the problem of suspension due to simple disagreement with the post.

If the suspension is to stick, it could then remain temporary until such time as they prove themselves or permanent depending on if they have already had a probation period before.

 

[Iravan]

How about a system whereby, if users think someone is posting meaningless posts they can press a button similar to the report a post button however nothing would be reported. If the user recieves "x" amount of spam warnings, they go on an NP$ probabation period whereby they do not recieve NP$ for their posts for "x" number of days.

There is a similar system set up on the popular craigslist site. I am not sure how many people have to report the "spam" before the post is removed. That seems to work well in controling things there.

So, I am all for implementing a temporary suspension of earning NP$ for posting until reviewed by staff. I think it would be a great idea.

Although, more work for the forum leaders and staff.

the only problem is, you may get negs from people who simply disagree with a post.

I just thought of that. It seems like a good idea, but if someone does not like you or your views, so good bye to your hard earned NP$. :yell:

One of the wonderful things about Namepros is the Staff here. They are on top of things and are very, very fair. Of course if someone has received a temporary suspension of the earning privilage, the staff could review that suspension and then decide if it sticks or not. That would eliminate the problem of suspension due to simple disagreement with the post.

If the suspension is to stick, it could then remain temporary until such time as they prove themselves or permanent depending on if they have already had a probation period before.

Hmm maybe even create jobs for people to do this... sorta like forum leaders almost

Helps make the load for the staff lighter, and it allows them to work on more important things...