Locking Instead of Deleting?

Quiglesigles · Post by **Quiglesigles** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 3:04 am

Why have the mods recently been locking instead of deleting bad threads? I can understand why they wouldn't need to delete something that was already in another thread or in the wrong section but why not delete threads such as this one...
http://forums.uesp.net/viewtopic.php?t=9489
I am in no way attempting to have more people view this thread I am just a little confused as to why this is not deleted. Isn't the point of having rules against this to make our forum more user friendly and family safe?
And if you have time, take a look at the front page. Look at how many of the threads are locked. Odd huh?
(if this has broken any forum rules please delete this asap and sorry for the inconvenience)

Oathbreaker · Post by **Oathbreaker** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 3:25 am

Well, one was sort of an "oops, I'll use the thread I didn't know was already here for this, lock please" kind of thing, although he said he'd delete it so that would've actually made more sense than a lock... weird. Anyway... another was (or could at least be considered to be) very offensive, and the rest are the usual spam.

But since people are replying to spambots lately... I'll remind everyone of something very helpful that ace posted.
http://forums.uesp.net/viewtopic.php?t=7603&highlight=
(Btw, it's an old topic, don't necro it)

Other than that, I don't usually see spambot topics deleted. o.O

Caz · Post by **Caz** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 3:50 pm

i was wondering about that...

if bots are that clever, surely they must be clever enough to realise when someone opens the thread, even if they don't post? or they could realise when it gets locked? in which case it wouldn't matter if people posted there or not...

as for the locking/deleting... well, if they deleted all locked topics, people might not see why it was locked and will start similar threads. i'm not sure why the spambot topics aren't deleted, i guess we need a mod to explain here

Bear · Post by **Bear** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 7:35 pm

Had it just been the spambot post, deleted no problem! When someone makes a post to it however, it is different to me. I don't delete members posts(even if unnecessary), unless it is absolutely recquired. There is no written rule as to exactly how to deal with a spambot post/thread. This is just my take on it.

Wolf · Post by **Wolf** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 10:55 pm

The weird thing here is that he's one of the most dangerous animals in the wild. However, in a contest between a pack of wolves and a Brown Bear, the wolves are favourable to win.

I honestly think that posting to spambots should be an official violation of the rules, not as an invoker of punishment, but just to prevent it from happening. Ace's comment about communication between the bots really brings to light any motivation for avoiding such a non-necessity. It will also allow those admins more hesitant in presence of human post to more effectively deal with the situation. I also believe that it should be stated in the rules that if any human player posts an absolutely idiotic, not needed and/or vulgar thread that any persons replying should forgo the condescending remarks and just PM the thread to an admin where he or she could lock the post and, if it's needed, PM the author about why it was in violation of the rules.

Quiglesigles · Post by **Quiglesigles** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 11:51 pm

Bear I don't think anyone here cares about their post count like I used to anymore. I think deleting 3 posts to make this a more friendly site is a perfect tradeoff.

Guy No. 2 · Post by **Guy No. 2** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 4:02 pm

Quiglesigles wrote:Bear I don't think anyone here cares about their post count like I used to anymore. I think deleting 3 posts to make this a more friendly site is a perfect tradeoff.

I have a strong feeling Bear wasnt talking about post count Quigles. I think he was saying that he didnt like interfering with other peoples posts because he doesnt feel like deleting posts is right. Just my interpretation anyway

Logius · Post by **Logius** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 5:22 pm

If Daveh asks us to start doing it, then I'd have no problem. But it doesn't feel like a decision that should be left up to the Moderators. Personally, I'd feel like I'd be overstepping my bounds.

I know it's just spam, but other than the occasional duplicate thread, deleting whole topics isn't something I'm comfortable with.

Sublymonal · Post by **Sublymonal** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 6:14 pm

I think that Logius and Bear are right....to a degree. If it's the normal:

Spambot wrote:"Wacky Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Droid! Wacky Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Droid! Wacky Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Droid!! I'm Mallory Content, but my friends call me Mal, and I'm the owner of the Wacky Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Droid Emporium, and due to a gargled space message, we are currently overstocked on Wacky Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Droids, and we're passing the savings on to you!!!"

Then I say let 'em be.

But if it's something like the thread for the ED pills, then I say you should delete it no matter how many other posts there are. Frankly, it's disgusting and I don't want to see it.

The Dog Whisperer · Post by **The Dog Whisperer** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 9:37 pm

Was that a spambot?

I thought it was a joke...

Quiglesigles wrote:Bear I don't think anyone here cares about their post count like I used to anymore. I think deleting 3 posts to make this a more friendly site is a perfect tradeoff.

Does deleting posts even lower post counts?

Guy No. 2 · Post by **Guy No. 2** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 9:48 pm

The Dog Whisperer wrote:Was that a spambot?
I thought it was a joke...

Quiglesigles wrote:Bear I don't think anyone here cares about their post count like I used to anymore. I think deleting 3 posts to make this a more friendly site is a perfect tradeoff.
Does deleting posts even lower post counts?

Yeah, it does.

Bear · Post by **Bear** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 1:50 pm

With this thread and the other, maybe it is time to reinstate the "report spam thread". It was removed after Daveh made the new posting recquirements, as it seemed it was no longer necessary. With this thread stickied to the top of the general section, any and all can report potential spam threads instead of posting in the thread itself. Then the spambot post can be deleted without the worries of deleting a user's posts. I know that some of the spambots are getting harder to identify, as I have been duped by a couple myself lately. My only real worry is that a potential new member may be thought of as a spambot, but I think if we all work together it shouldn't be a problem. Plus all the reports in one thread will make it easier for the moderators to find the latest post and take care of it easily.

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