Democratic vote - New classifieds rule

[BenjiBoy650]

Okay folks I'm tired of deleting stupid classified ads every day from people who have no interest in this forum but have something to sell. And I don't think it's fair that people can post 10 things that really don't contribute and then theoretically they should be allowed to post in the Classifieds. So I'm proposing that we add a new rule that says a person must be a member for a minimum of two weeks (or a month?) AND have ten posts in order to post in Classifieds. I'm putting this proposition up for comments because I don't want another fiasco where members feel like they've been shorted and they feel that this place is turning into a tyranny.

What do you guys think?

(EXLNavi, you had a good idea about each person being approved by a mod for their first post, but I'm not sure if it's possible with this forum software and it would be just as much work for us to approve every post)

[stiller fan]

well, personally, i voted for two weeks....

i am not sure though if this will help, or people will rack up 10 posts on here, wait two weeks, post in classifieds, then leave..... :dunno:

originally thought about one month..... but thought that that was too long to wait....

[BenjiBoy650]

I thought a month was too long as well. Two weeks would be a good deterrent though...maybe we'll make it three weeks...

[stiller fan]

good compromise there....

we'll see what the rest of the forum says when they wake up in mng and log in... :)

[stevencrosbie]

I vote 3 weeks! Same reason I don't buy things on Ebay when people have low feedback ratings. Trust must be established.

[BenjiBoy650]

Should have put 3 weeks as an option...now I can't modify the poll without deleting this thread

[stiller fan]

they'll just vote other then... :)

[VTECaddict]

I voted for 2 weeks and Other. I think 2 weeks should be enough time, but I also put other because I think their posts should be spread out, discouraging people from registering, making 10 posts in 10 mins, and waiting 2 weeks to post an ad or something like that.

[BenjiBoy650]

I voted for 2 weeks and Other. I think 2 weeks should be enough time, but I also put other because I think their posts should be spread out, discouraging people from registering, making 10 posts in 10 mins, and waiting 2 weeks to post an ad or something like that.
I'd like it if their posts contained useful info and were not stupid posts like "hey that's sweet, later." But I'm not sure we can really distinguish and still be fair.

[stevencrosbie]

I'd like it if their posts contained useful info and were not stupid posts like "hey that's sweet, later." But I'm not sure we can really distinguish and still be fair.


Now that's mean....what's Stillerfan gonna do if you made that rule :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

[stiller fan]

i think that voting for a change is a good thing, and tweaking the rules for posting in the classifieds section helps too........

but, i still think that we will still have this problem tho, no matter what we do..... :( i'm not saying that not to do anything, but at least it's progress.....

[stevencrosbie]

I meant the worthless posts..... :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

Guess I should be more clear......

[stiller fan]

Now that's mean....what's Stillerfan gonna do if you made that rule :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

hmmmmm, who's calling the kettle black here...... :smilemad: :lmao: ;)

ooooo, i could have went on another tirade, but i will refrain, for now.... :banana: :nuts:

[stevencrosbie]

Yeah...I should probably stop being a hypocrite. :yes:

[stiller fan]

I meant the worthless posts..... :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

Guess I should be more clear......

dude, i could do the same thing to you that i did to anysia months ago, and bring up all the useless posts that you posted..... ;)

i know, i am guilty of useless posts too, i will admit.... i am humble enough to admit my short-comings on here.... most times, neways... :lmao: :nuts: :deal: :naughty:

[stiller fan]

Yeah...I should probably stop being a hypocrite. :yes:

:yes: :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes:

[Inspector1]

The time line and amount of (quality)post should both be factors.

If it is just a time line I believe we will have people signing up just so they can sell down the road and not contributing to the forum.

Post count like you guy's are talking about (while changing the direction of this thread;) )should be in the equation.

I think 1 month and 50 quality post should prove the persons credibility on the forum. Of course we cannot be held responsible for deals gone bad and will not tolerate arguments about deals gone bad on the forum.
If you get burned then you can let the mods know and we can take it under advisement and watch the member for further deals.

Just my 2 cents

I1 :)

[stevel]

I think mod approval before the post actually shows up is the best way to keep spammers etc away.....

if all mods were able to do it, it wouldn't be that much work.

[anysia]

(EXLNavi, you had a good idea about each person being approved by a mod for their first post, but I'm not sure if it's possible with this forum software and it would be just as much work for us to approve every post)


i actually think setting up basic rules for posting, but then having the how many mods all have access to just click "ok" this meets the criteria and can now be seen by the entire forum would solve any problems. (you guys added mods because of this kind of situation right??? so make some use of them!!!!!)

if you just put a time limit on things or a post count thing, that is still going to require someone to notice it and then either let a mod knwo so it can be removed or a mod to notice it and remove it.

and at any rate that will still result in people being able to post their stuff for some duration of time before being "noticed". ....

food for thought there. geez, i can't believe i'm agreeing with something exl posted :lmao:, but i have to admit it makes more sense than just adding more rules that would still result in them needing to be enforced and still let people get a certain amount of exposure before a post is deleted...

[anysia]

ps~poll, shouldn't it be in the POLLS area?????????

[EXLNavi]

2 weeks seems like a good rule.

I liked the idea of being pre-approved but if the software can't do it, I think this is a good compromise.

[jermy4]

ps~poll, shouldn't it be in the POLLS area?????????
I think it belongs in the forums forum so I moved it there. :thmsup:

[EXLNavi]

By the way, you're not approving every post, you're just approving a member's ability to start threads in the classifieds area. Once they're approved they can post whatever they want. If they're selling for the first time, how hard is it for them to PM a mod? I believe this version of vBulletin allows for something like that.

[anysia]

2 weeks seems like a good rule.

I liked the idea of being pre-approved but if the software can't do it, I think this is a good compromise.
hey ryan, you're the computer savvy one~if other forums can keep certain forums under wraps (aka read only, etc) until you've posted a certain number of posts and they're based on the vbulletin stuff, do you think it would be possible to do something like that on here? make the forum viewable to anyone, including guests, but make the classified area only able to be posted in once you've met those criteria. it would eliminate the requirement of "ok-ing" posts, but also eliminate the chance of someone posting who is under the threshold..... which happens and doesn;t get removed until a mod or someone catches it and brings it to a mods attention....

[EXLNavi]

There may be vBulletin hacks available to do that, but I don't believe this version can do it stock.

[princess]

I think 3 weeks to be "vested" plus AT LEAST 10 posts plus a STARTED thread.... but that's me..... :dunno:

Many have come & gone... I think some planned on posting a classifed & then didn't because they are following the rules. :thmsup:

Whatever the rest of you decide is really OK with me.

[anysia]

i think no matter what if there is no way to completely block them from posting until a certain point, there is always going to be the risk of people posting wihtout following the "rules". and it's always going to come up no matter what. and it's going to fall into member's hand to recognize and point those people out. and likely result in bashing by some members until the post is removed by a mod.

there has to be some way around that that would keep ANYONE from posting in there until the post was approved in some sort of way.....

[OwAce]

other. i really have no issues with classifieds as long they arent spam. why shouldnt ppl with accords etc try to sell their parts etc on our board. it just helps us out if we can get a good deal.

on the other hand if its a spammer then by all means bam delete.

[anysia]

other. i really have no issues with classifieds as long they arent spam. why shouldnt ppl with accords etc try to sell their parts etc on our board. it just helps us out if we can get a good deal.

on the other hand if its a spammer then by all means bam delete.
i guess the fear is that letting someone post once with something they're selling that that person may not be a good person to do a deal with.... :dunno: but hey, i don't know that people who have posted 200 or 2,000 posts are always going to be a good person to do a deal with either, so...........

but if we're gonna be over modded in some respects, might as well take ti all the way........... :lmao:

[princess]

I agree that if it's spamming.....it should go. The rules are just there to try to control that happening, not to over mod.

Sometimes it can be a fine line between protecting the people on here from spammers & censoring..... :dunno:

Simply enforcing the rules already here SHOULD be enough...but how can we tell the difference between a newbie wanting to sell or trade an item & someone in the selling or trading business???

[SSMV6]

I like the idea of a 1 month wait and mod approval for the first post in the classified section. That should deter most (if not all) spammers.

[SSMV6]

Another thing I want to add is once we have a rule set up, make a new thread, post the rule, then sticky and lock that thread! We don't need everyone who had his post deleted to start complaining in that thread. If you want, you could add a classifieds Q&A or FAQ in that thread.

[Gator Bait]

Thanks EXLNavi for pointing me to this thread. I was looking for it in the "poll" area, go figure. Sorry to have made posts in the classified sticky that I would have put here. Maybe I can delete them.

I voted for one month but anything works for me. I like Inspector1's comments (and others too) about quantity and quality of posts. "Quality" is in the eye of the beholder, but some posts are definely just taking up space. Also, some started threads like princess suggested would be a plus. I don't know the limations of the software but having a member flagged read-only until a mod has cleared it would be a way, if doable. (Along the same line I would like to see the user profile only available to signed in members.) In the OdyClub forum I belong to, members must have 20 posts or have been a member for 6 months in order to sell items. There are now over 23K members there and I don't see many problems.

Lastly, like SSMV6 said, lock the sticky and only let mods add to it. That'll keep me from posting there. I think all stickys should be locked.

[anysia]

Thanks EXLNavi for pointing me to this thread. I was looking for it in the "poll" area, go figure. Sorry to have made posts in the classified sticky that I would have put here. Maybe I can delete them.




:lmao: i earlier today said this should be in the polls, not the pit. it was moved here as a result.... go figure someone would actually look for a poll in the POLLS section.... :lmao:

[EXLNavi]

Don't look now, but here we go again.

(look at the classifieds section).

[Gator Bait]

:lmao: i earlier today said this should be in the polls, not the pit. it was moved here as a result.... go figure someone would actually look for a poll in the POLLS section.... :lmao:

Yea, poor Spock couldn't have handled it! :D Beam me up, Scotty

[anysia]

Don't look now, but here we go again.

(look at the classifieds section).
more power to them.

[anysia]

Yea, poor Spock couldn't have handled it! :D Beam me up, Scotty
so let's see how long it takes before

a. someone says it belongs here because it has to do with forum set-up.
or
b. it gets moved to the polls section..........



sometimes i feel like i'm in the twilight zone around here......

[anysia]

er, wait jermy moved it here because he feels it belongs here....

but wait, haven't other polls been moved out of forums where a generalized discussion regarding that poll would belong and shipped off to the poll area???

thought that's why we had a poll section.... could always make this one a sticky for now so it doesnt get lost in the shuffle......

[Gator Bait]

so let's see how long it takes before

a. someone says it belongs here because it has to do with forum set-up.
or
b. it gets moved to the polls section..........



sometimes i feel like i'm in the twilight zone around here......

Hey, I have "Senior Moments" all the time. Just think what you have to look forward to, its a lot like the twilight zone. :D Anyway, they can move it around and I'll just think it was me not remembering.

[anysia]

can i have some senior moments so i can stop remembering things i don't want to remember? :lmao:

[psyshack]

I voted other.

The mods should get together. Figure out how they want it ran. After all it is there time spent on it.

Mods do as you please. The uesers arent the ones doing the work.

[BenjiBoy650]

I voted other.

The mods should get together. Figure out how they want it ran. After all it is there time spent on it.

Mods do as you please. The uesers arent the ones doing the work.
Thanks psy. I just wanted to throw this out there so there wouldn't be any problems.

[anysia]

I voted other.

The mods should get together. Figure out how they want it ran. After all it is there time spent on it.

Mods do as you please. The uesers arent the ones doing the work.
mods aren't either, and if they don't want the workload, they should not be a mod to begin with. mods do have an extra responsibility beyond regular users and if they dont' want that responsibility, then step down from the position. don't make the board suffer because they don't want to be proactive on things.

[princess]

The mods should get together. Figure out how they want it ran. After all it is there time spent on it.

This wasn't said BY a mod..... none of the mods have said they didn't have time.... most of us are on here multiple times per day. Some have turned down being a mod because of figuring they didn't have the time....

As far as this dept. (classifieds) I'm comfy with whatever decision y'all make. Some boards are strict about it, some aren't.... :dunno: It's not easy to enforce whatever the rules are. There's always going to be some that don't think they apply to them.

[BenjiBoy650]

mods aren't either, and if they don't want the workload, they should not be a mod to begin with. mods do have an extra responsibility beyond regular users and if they dont' want that responsibility, then step down from the position. don't make the board suffer because they don't want to be proactive on things.
I'd hardly call this the board SUFFERING. All I'm trying to do is prevent spam and wasted bandwidth from people who have only one objective coming here.

Workload? Sorry but as mods, we determine our own "workload" since we're not paid. That's not for you or anyone else to say. Given that this is a voluntary thing, we are not going to be here 24/7. That's why we needed more mods in the first place. For you to say that we need to step up to our "responsibilities" is like telling a volunteer at the Boys and Girls club that they're not dedicated enough. All help should be WELCOME and if you don't want some of us to be mods and want to have the job yourself, say it outright instead of beating around the bush.

To make it short and simple: we have lives too. We are not machines, we are not algorithms. We'd love to quit our jobs and college educations to be here with you guys 24/7...but it ain't happenin :biggrin:

Anysia, boards were rollin along real smooth until you came back and started saying that the forums are suffering cuz the mods aren't working overtime :dunno:

[Inspector1]

I'd hardly call this the board SUFFERING. All I'm trying to do is prevent spam and wasted bandwidth from people who have only one objective coming here. Hmmmmm thats true!!!

Workload? Sorry but as mods, we determine our own "workload" since we're not paid. That's not for you or anyone else to say. Given that this is a voluntary thing, we are not going to be here 24/7. That's why we needed more mods in the first place. For you to say that we need to step up to our "responsibilities" is like telling a volunteer at the Boys and Girls club that they're not dedicated enough. All help should be WELCOME and if you don't want some of us to be mods and want to have the job yourself, say it outright instead of beating around the bush. Good point

To make it short and simple: we have lives too. We are not machines, we are not algorithms. We'd love to quit our jobs and college educations to be here with you guys 24/7...but it ain't happenin :biggrin: It's not 24/7 just during working hours when others have free time!!

Anysia, boards were rollin along real smooth until you came back and started saying that the forums are suffering cuz the mods aren't working overtime :dunno:

Hey Benj,
Let me know when you get out of school and get a job where you can be on the forum during your lunch hour that last from 8AM to 5PM..... that would be sweet, the only problem is I would have to find something else to complain about;) ;)

I1 :thmsup:

[BenjiBoy650]

Hey Benj,
Let me know when you get out of school and get a job where you can be on the forum during your lunch hour that last from 8AM to 5PM..... that would be sweet, the only problem is I would have to find something else to complain about;) ;)

I1 :thmsup:
I1, if I get a job like that you guys will be the FIRST ONES to notice. My post count will be >> than stiller's post count.

You should get WWAN for your laptop, you could be on DA practically the entire day while you're on the road, but I don't think that would go well :lmao:

[anysia]

I'd hardly call this the board SUFFERING. All I'm trying to do is prevent spam and wasted bandwidth from people who have only one objective coming here.

Workload? Sorry but as mods, we determine our own "workload" since we're not paid. That's not for you or anyone else to say. Given that this is a voluntary thing, we are not going to be here 24/7. That's why we needed more mods in the first place. For you to say that we need to step up to our "responsibilities" is like telling a volunteer at the Boys and Girls club that they're not dedicated enough. All help should be WELCOME and if you don't want some of us to be mods and want to have the job yourself, say it outright instead of beating around the bush.

To make it short and simple: we have lives too. We are not machines, we are not algorithms. We'd love to quit our jobs and college educations to be here with you guys 24/7...but it ain't happenin :biggrin:

Anysia, boards were rollin along real smooth until you came back and started saying that the forums are suffering cuz the mods aren't working overtime :dunno:

like i said, if the workload is too much, then step down. volunteers in any volunteer position do it because they love to do their volunteering, not because they are getting a paycheck for it. simply put, you're a volunteer.

stevel was cut from the mod position because as a volunteer he was not living up to the business mgmt aspect of the JOB and was allowing other users to see what he had access to??

try getting everyone on the same page before you declare it "not a job" and volunteer work and that all help is welcome, when obviously it is NOT welcome.

suffering via number of members? maybe not. but has the content entirely shifted? has the feel of the board shifted? have many regulars not posted as regularly lately? has the board lost it's friendly feel? what else would you like me to point out. you know it's true.

and like i've been told, if i there is something said that you dont personally like but is not offensive to members, then ignore it.

amazing how the post where you started a similar line of conversation was locked and deleted yet this one remained standing??? i imagine it will now be deleted since i said something in it....

[princess]

Looks like the majority want newbies here for a month before posting in the classifieds.... sounds fair.

As one of the old timers.... I think the forum does quite well. Everyday there's new questions being asked in the "problems" area for car advice, everyday there's comments on the pride of ownership of their Accords, the jokes in the "friday" thread have made my day many times!, the members asking for prayers for some life's concerns going on & the giggles from just funny things in life are the cherry on top for me.

None of us are perfect.... I seem to remember a story about a stone throwing along that line..... Yep, we complain. Yep, we handle some things in a way that others don't like sometimes. Life goes on. We can't please everyone. We can't change the world.

I kinda feel like we're like the OLD Battlestar Galactica....a ragtag group just pluggin' along.....

The mods are not in control....we're moderators.... not wizards, not anything special...just mods. When we mess up...oh well, that's life. Sometimes we DO take the bait....for the most part we don't do too badly. We hear from many new comers about this forum being very informational AND friendly with a family-like atmosphere. Most families have spats from time to time. I can't think of a family that hasn't!

So tomorrow is another day. One to start fresh or to rehash old stuff. It's each of us to choose how we approach the day.

[stiller fan]

now that's over with, i say let's party.... :salue: :drink: :jumping: :banana:

[princess]

:D :thmsup:

[stiller fan]

where will it be???? :dunno: ;)

[princess]

Um, well right now I'm watching 24...... so I guess we'll do a party tomorrow!!! :dunno:

We'll all show up at Ward's house!!! :lmao:

[BenjiBoy650]

We'll all show up at Ward's house!!! :lmao:
That's far...can we take the Pilot and carpool? :D

[stiller fan]

hey, i gotta work tomorow...

can we do it wednesday? i can just take a more scenic route to pitt... :lmao:

[princess]

Sure, but I get shotgun!!! :D

[BenjiBoy650]

Sure, but I get shotgun!!! :D
Fine, then I'll drive :lmao:

[princess]

He said NOT!!!! :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

[SiClone]

Back to the actual topic and the idea of mod approval prior to being able to post a classified ad....

What is the point of mod approval? What exactly would be required to gain approval? Seem like a hassle for both parties. Also, I think mod approval could create unnecessary liability for the board itself, i.e. someone gets scammed from a mod approved seller and will want the board (or mod who approved the seller) to do something about it. Seems like a headache waiting to happen. :thumbsdow

As for the poll, 2-3 weeks seems fine and maybe something like 30 posts. :thmsup:

[princess]

Seem like a hassle for both parties. Also, I think mod approval could create unnecessary liability for the board itself, i.e. someone gets scammed from a mod approved seller and will want the board (or mod who approved the seller) to do something about it. Seems like a headache waiting to happen.

Good point!

[anysia]

Back to the actual topic and the idea of mod approval prior to being able to post a classified ad....

What is the point of mod approval? What exactly would be required to gain approval? Seem like a hassle for both parties. Also, I think mod approval could create unnecessary liability for the board itself, i.e. someone gets scammed from a mod approved seller and will want the board (or mod who approved the seller) to do something about it. Seems like a headache waiting to happen. :thumbsdow

As for the poll, 2-3 weeks seems fine and maybe something like 30 posts. :thmsup:
i think the point of mod approval (at this point) would be to make sure noone posts before they have the time/posts on the board before posting ot the classifieds. unless the software for the forums can handle blocking people from posting altogether in the classifieds until they meet those requirements, that's where the mods would have to come in and "approve" the ad. :dunno:

[EXLNavi]

Back to the actual topic and the idea of mod approval prior to being able to post a classified ad....

What is the point of mod approval? What exactly would be required to gain approval? Seem like a hassle for both parties. Also, I think mod approval could create unnecessary liability for the board itself, i.e. someone gets scammed from a mod approved seller and will want the board (or mod who approved the seller) to do something about it. Seems like a headache waiting to happen. :thumbsdow

As for the poll, 2-3 weeks seems fine and maybe something like 30 posts. :thmsup:

Mod approval for posting in the SECTION not posting for an individual ad.

Then to cover the board and mods, all that's needed is a disclaimer at the top as a sticky, with the words, "By posting in this section you hereby agree to..."

It's not a hassle. Everything is a hassle, come to think of it. Each member will only need to be approved ONCE in their life.