Keeping "sort-of-spam" under control
Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 5:16 pm
Hi All,
I've been away from Devnetwork for a while, and since I've come back, I've seen a significant increase in the amount of threads where the initial post seems to have at least one of the following attributes:
1. Non-Descriptive Title
2. Appears to be typed in a hurry (no or very little punctuation and/or formatting)
3. Requests to simply write code (and not as a job)
4. Very basic questions (not all bad)
I consider these "sort-of-spam" because while they are often legitimate questions, they're hard to understand, or may waste people's time. I think there are a few things that we could try to help this.
First, if we use a tag, as members of the forum to indicate non-descriptive titles, it would make it easy for the admins to find them. For example, simply reply with "NONDESC" in your post subject, to flag it as non-descriptive. Then follow with a better description so that the admin can just copy-and paste.
For example, someone posts "PHP Question".
I could post a response with the title: "NONDESC: Trying to submit form with check boxes"
I also propose a new "Beginner's Questions" topic. Most people have no problem admitting when they're new to this, and they often say as much in their post. Many times, though they don't know what to look up or search for to find their answer. Having a topic like this would cut down on these questions in main topics.
Similarly, a "Code Request" topic would help cut down on the "PLS write this for meeeee..." threads that crop up occasionally. Perhaps it could be run like a challenge of sorts. Each request could have a poll for the number of points, 1-5 that it would be worth, as well as a "Needs to be paid for" option. As you answer, you get the amount of points as voted on. The admin adds it to your score in a sticky on the thread. If it's too much trouble, I still think a "Code Request" topic would be useful if for no other reason than to cut down on the requests in other topics, and would help people determine if the code is complex enough that they need to hire someone.
Now, there are also the not-through-through topics and requests. Honestly, I don't know how to combat that. Any suggestions I'm sure would be appreciated by all.
Well, those are my thoughts. I just want to keep Devnetwork the helpful, professional, and "sort-of-spam" free forum I've always enjoyed.
I've been away from Devnetwork for a while, and since I've come back, I've seen a significant increase in the amount of threads where the initial post seems to have at least one of the following attributes:
1. Non-Descriptive Title
2. Appears to be typed in a hurry (no or very little punctuation and/or formatting)
3. Requests to simply write code (and not as a job)
4. Very basic questions (not all bad)
I consider these "sort-of-spam" because while they are often legitimate questions, they're hard to understand, or may waste people's time. I think there are a few things that we could try to help this.
First, if we use a tag, as members of the forum to indicate non-descriptive titles, it would make it easy for the admins to find them. For example, simply reply with "NONDESC" in your post subject, to flag it as non-descriptive. Then follow with a better description so that the admin can just copy-and paste.
For example, someone posts "PHP Question".
I could post a response with the title: "NONDESC: Trying to submit form with check boxes"
I also propose a new "Beginner's Questions" topic. Most people have no problem admitting when they're new to this, and they often say as much in their post. Many times, though they don't know what to look up or search for to find their answer. Having a topic like this would cut down on these questions in main topics.
Similarly, a "Code Request" topic would help cut down on the "PLS write this for meeeee..." threads that crop up occasionally. Perhaps it could be run like a challenge of sorts. Each request could have a poll for the number of points, 1-5 that it would be worth, as well as a "Needs to be paid for" option. As you answer, you get the amount of points as voted on. The admin adds it to your score in a sticky on the thread. If it's too much trouble, I still think a "Code Request" topic would be useful if for no other reason than to cut down on the requests in other topics, and would help people determine if the code is complex enough that they need to hire someone.
Now, there are also the not-through-through topics and requests. Honestly, I don't know how to combat that. Any suggestions I'm sure would be appreciated by all.
Well, those are my thoughts. I just want to keep Devnetwork the helpful, professional, and "sort-of-spam" free forum I've always enjoyed.