Spammers, Reporters and Bullies

[AB Editor]

Good Day everyone, hope we're well.


I wonder if we can discuss and agree the best way to deal with spammers?

The Editors do their best to get to reports as soon as they come in. Those which have come through today have been picked off asap.

I would suggest though that those who spot spammers avoid posting on their threads. By posting on their threads - even to say "reported" pushes the post back into the "latest posts" box which encourages others to look and comment.

While this is of little benefit to the spammers (they'll be gone shortly after anyway) it is a bit like forcing ad breaks into everyone else's AnswerBank viewing.

The following is mostly directed at the CB crowd:

There also seems to be a habit of some users of trying to "shout down" anyone who reports - something along the lines of "no one likes a grass".

This is nonsense. We provide functions to keep the site free of trolls and banned users. Use them.

The only time "no one likes a grass" has weight is in prison. If you are currently serving time in jail, I can only suggest a visit here: http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Law/ to see where you went wrong.

I noticed a rash of bullying bubbled up last night. If you've found your account suspended, and you were involved, please don't contact us about it - it is permanent.



I hope you have a good weekend.

Spare Ed

[AB Editor]

This looks like a terribly efficient way of getting a few points I want to make across Pasta, so I am answering your question as a spring board (but don't think it is all aimed at you alone!)

///(1)Does that mean that the perma-suspended member can come back with a new username?...(2)and if so-do they need to hide their identity in order to stay on....? (3)Will they get zapped in the same manner as banned members? ///

1. Yes, they can. In the same way anyone can.
2. If they want to stay on here for more than 20 minutes, yes.
3. Absolutely

///See-this just leads to more questions. ///

No it didn't! Not at the time of writing anyway.

///And-not knowing or wondering why someones been suspended-when it is not obvious-can leave us even more in the dark about the reasoning behind suspensions.///

There is no secrecy about it - the rules are there. Apply them to a suspended user until you work out the one broken.

If you can't see it ask yourself the following questions: "Are they my mate?" & "Is it me?" - If you answer yes to either of these you may be suffering from a social illness known as "bias"

I don't really think we're obliged to tell everyone what someone else was suspended for - it isn't a constructive use of our time.

And if Jno keeps fielding these questions this well I may as well resign and just give her the editorial hat.

All the best,

Spare Ed

[ummmm]

Dotty...yes. I like Jayne. Just hate Wagner....lol

[jno]

keep your eyes open for the next series of Strictly Come Flouncing, it will contain manoeuvres never before attempted before the crowned heads of Europe

[merciasounds]

Where were you when *I* needed you?

[dotty.]

Ed, don't you think, on re-reading your last post to pasta, that you sound a wee bit tetchy? Not quite rude, but the leaward side of blunt maybe?

[AB Editor]

You're opening up all the good lines of communication today today Pasta:

///I think what's a bit worrying is that there seems to be no warning system....ie-the Ed saying publicly to someone that they are treading a fine line...and to be very careful in what they continue to post. ///

You're grown-ups! Most of you anyway. Deal with it!

I would like everyone to remind themselves that AnswerBank is bigger than ChatterBank.

All the best,

Spare

[B00]

Didn't think he came accross as tetchy Dotty? Just matter of fact, though maybe with a twinge of "Oh Gawd why did I post the original topic?"

[AB Editor]

Please read the top part of my post again Dotty.

It was possibly a bit blunt, but Moderating AB is more like building a shed than heart-surgery - you need a hammer more than you need a scalpel.

Spare Ed

[AB Editor]

I agree with B00 astute diagnosis.

Spare Ed

[dotty.]

Morning B00, guess what, the new store I work at is next door to a cake shop that sells Greenhalghs!

[pastafreak]

///And-not knowing or wondering why someones been suspended-when it is not obvious-can leave us even more in the dark about the reasoning behind suspensions.///

Like you Ed-we do not see everything that's posted on here. If we know someone has been suspended-we can only go by what we know of the general tone of that persons 'typical' posts. So-sometimes it is more obvious than others....as in "Ahhhh-he/she was
heading for a fall"......

[dotty.]

tut , my attention span is rubbish lol
You're normally so patient, it just seemed out of character,

[B00]

Bakery?

More of a Greggs gal me, though I do like Cissy Green's cakes.

Just ot clarify too, i wholeheartedyl agree with what Ed says, that is, until he tells me off, bans and or suspends me- then expect a tantrum on an epic scale.

[pastafreak]

///You're grown-ups! Most of you anyway. Deal with it!///

I do wonder about that sometimes Ed........

[dotty.]

There is a Greggs aswell, but that's 3 shops the other way and I can be as lazy as you B00!

[pastafreak]

*cakes*????

isn't that a bit off-topic?...unless they are banned cakes...;-))

[AB Editor]

It would be nice, socially, to be able to apply narratives like this Pasta, but it is simply a matter of available time.

Spare

[B00]

Banned cakes?

Do you want to see a grown woman cry pasta?