Part Two: But what is spam, Avron?Here at UESP we consider “spam” posts that don’t contribute to the thread they are in or serve a real purpose; for example,
The Rules wrote:
No Spamming - No commercial posts, advertising, or post flooding the forum with useless content. Replies and comments to increase your post count will be deleted.
This also includes one word replies, most one liners, posts that troll, and posts that go off topic. Think of it as “chatroom mentality” (one word replies) versus “forum mentality” (replies that are a discussion).
Here are some examples of what I mean:
1) A reply in the Welcomes and Goodbyes thread:
A Member wrote:
'Wailord man'? I refrain from being called that, as I'm 190 and weigh only 54 kilos. That's no whale!
But it fits alright with the chandelier.
Why is this spam? – It does not contribute to the thread it is in. This thread is particularly important because it is where fellow members tell us when they are leaving and new members tell us when they’ve arrived. Would you feel welcomed to UESP if your post was missed because it was hidden by spam and inside jokes? (No!)
What would Avron do? – Send this as a joke in a PM in response to who it is for. That way you still get to have your “Hah hah” with the other member, and you don’t interrupt the flow of the thread!
2) A reply in a Multimedia thread:
Original Post wrote:
Does anyone here still play This Awesome Game? What do you think about it?
Reply wrote:
I've never heard of it.
Why is this spam? – It is a “post for the sake of posting:” the replier doesn’t even know what the game is, and yet he or she feels the need to reply. This is an easy temptation to fall prey to – but don’t!
What would Avron do? – Solve my curiosity by Googling this game, or by sending a PM to the original poster for some helpful links about the game, if I think I might be curious. Lots of friends are made this way!
3) A reply in an Oblivion thread:
Original Post wrote:
HEY GUYS I CAN’T FIGURE THIS THING OUT AND I AM TOO LAZY TO LOOK AT THE WIKI, CAN YOU HELP ME PLEASE?!
Reply wrote:
First of all, caps lock does not make people get to your post faster.
Why is this spam? – It doesn’t answer the question, one, and it’s rude. If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t be a jerk…say nothing!
What would Avron do? – Point the poster in the proper direction, kindly point out that caps lock is hard to read, and use the REPORT button (the red exclamation button in each post) to alert a moderator to this thread, so that they can correct the caps lock and make sure the original poster is aware of the rules.
(Note: Please use the report button. We do actually read reports, take action, and reply to let you know we have. It’s not for show!)
4) A reply in a General Banter thread:
Original Post wrote:
What is your favorite flower? I love tulips because they are so beautiful, but I think daisies are great, too! I am a gardener so I think this is interesting. What about you?
Reply wrote:
Roses.
Why is this spam? – It’s a one word post, and it doesn’t contribute to the thread. Yes, you like roses, and I’m glad – but why? Do you like the color? Are they romantic? Did your grandma always grow them in her garden? The forums don’t move the same as a face-to-face conversation, since we cannot go back and forth in a few seconds…so let us into your head a little!
What would Avron do? – Tell you all about my love for roses, of course – and if I didn’t have one, I wouldn’t post for the sake of posting!
5) A thread in a General Banter thread:
Post wrote:
What’s your favorite kitchen appliance?
Why is this spam? – It isn’t really a discussion (
and you know it), and furthermore it aims to just serve as a place to post lists. Lists are not discussions, so stay away from them.
What would Avron do? – Not partake in this and alert a moderator so they can shut this nonsense down!
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Huzzah!
"[...] for the lives of gods are not what mortals think and matters that weigh only years to mortals weigh on gods forever."
The Tribunal Temple, Nerevar at Red Mountain
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