Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

davidflas · Mar 29, 2005, 07:40 AM

I second the proposal forwarded by anthonyvthc in the Marketplace, let's have a probationary period for new members. They can't post new topics until they've had 20 posts.... what does everybody think?

starman · Mar 29, 2005, 07:50 AM

No. The whole point of a community is to allow people to speak. I've seen sites that have this restriction and it deters people from posting at all. Think about how many people on NN have been helped by asking for help on their first post. I say that any restriction in posting is a bad idea.

Mike

Mithras · Mar 29, 2005, 08:07 AM

It would be nice if you couldn't post any URLs for your first 5 posts. It would prevent spamming.
But that would probably have to be built into the forum software.

starman · Mar 29, 2005, 08:08 AM

Originally posted by Mithras:
It would be nice if you couldn't post any URLs for your first 5 posts. It would prevent spamming.
But that would probably have to be built into the forum software.

That I agree with.

Mike

Teronzhul · Mar 29, 2005, 08:44 AM

Like many others, my first post and topic was asking for help with a problem. My powerbook was on the fritz and I came asking for help.

willed · Mar 29, 2005, 08:57 AM

Originally posted by Teronzhul:
Like many others, my first post and topic was asking for help with a problem. My powerbook was on the fritz and I came asking for help.

Contrary to popular belief, the main point of MacNN forums is tech support and discussion, not the Lounge. Don't stop people asking for help. Maybe no new Lounge topics until you have > 20 posts?

f1000 · Mar 29, 2005, 08:58 AM

Originally posted by starman:
No. The whole point of a community is to allow people to speak. I've seen sites that have this restriction and it deters people from posting at all. Think about how many people on NN have been helped by asking for help on their first post. I say that any restriction in posting is a bad idea.

Mike

I agree with Mike. Many first-time posters have also made invaluable contributions to the forum. I wish mods would delete offensive posts, though, instead of just locking them. Locking a thread is sort of like placing sapphire crystal over graffiti. Such a tactic only serves to encourage more vandalism.

f1000 · Mar 29, 2005, 09:06 AM

Originally posted by willed:

Contrary to popular belief, the main point of MacNN forums is tech support and discussion, not the Lounge. Don't stop people asking for help. Maybe no new Lounge topics until you have > 20 posts?

Or how about 1 Lounge post for every 100 Mac-related posts?

Apple Pro Underwear · Mar 29, 2005, 09:24 AM

this request is not worth it. a spam here and there is no big deal

i would like a feature/policy that would let the forum members ban annoying members or suspend them.

ReggieX · Mar 29, 2005, 09:27 AM

Originally posted by Apple Pro Underwear:
i would like a feature/policy that would let the forum members ban annoying members or suspend them.

How exactly would you enforce this? Reporting a thread/post to the mods is a far better vehicle for this.

Apple Pro Underwear · Mar 29, 2005, 10:14 AM

Originally posted by ReggieX:
How exactly would you enforce this? Reporting a thread/post to the mods is a far better vehicle for this.

if there is a consensus that somebody is very annoying and they have like a gimmick SN...

"bin laden is leet", or ""wd hate" and they consistently post "in character" or something but never fully say anything outrageous enough to report... we should have poll and vote them off for a few months so they give up the nonsense

currently the JohnbXtreme or whatever guy is quite annoying but he never says anything worth reporting. just bad vibes in every thread he ventures in

OreoCookie · Mar 29, 2005, 10:34 AM

How about moving that to the Suggestions Forum?

Well, it looks like this measure is only against spam. I think it'll be contained when switching to VB3.

xi_hyperon · Mar 29, 2005, 11:32 AM

Originally posted by Apple Pro Underwear:
this request is not worth it. a spam here and there is no big deal

...until it becomes more than just here and there. An ounce of prevention and all that stuff.

nredman · Mar 29, 2005, 06:48 PM

Originally posted by willed:
Maybe no new Lounge topics until you have > 20 posts?

but what if i really need to know some information about badgers, rickey henderson, or posting a "look i have 10 posts" thread!!!??!?!

anthonyvthc · Mar 29, 2005, 06:52 PM

Originally posted by davidflas:
I second the proposal forwarded by anthonyvthc in the Marketplace, let's have a probationary period for new members. They can't post new topics until they've had 20 posts.... what does everybody think?

Just to clarify, my suggestion was a 20 post probation for posts in the marketplace. I know it's not the only place that spam occurs, but it is the most frequent.

Captain Obvious · Mar 29, 2005, 06:53 PM

25+ posts requirement to start a thread in the Marketplace forum

ManOfSteal · Mar 29, 2005, 07:22 PM

Originally posted by nredman:
but what if i really need to know some information about...rickey henderson...

PM me, I know a few things in regards to this matter.

ManOfSteal · Mar 29, 2005, 07:23 PM

D'oh, I almost forgot...

CD Hanks · Mar 29, 2005, 07:48 PM

Any and all post restrictions should be made in the lounge and no where else.

chris v · Mar 29, 2005, 07:56 PM

Fat Barry has 24 posts.

Case closed.

brapper · Mar 29, 2005, 08:05 PM

Originally posted by davidflas:
I second the proposal forwarded by anthonyvthc in the Marketplace, let's have a probationary period for new members. They can't post new topics until they've had 20 posts.... what does everybody think?

Being that people come to forums to have their questions asked, I'm pretty sure that you're idea is flawed.
Perhaps for the lounge, but it a soilly idea for the support forums.

Cipher13 · Mar 29, 2005, 08:18 PM

Why not limit it to 20 posts and 5 topics?

Surely 5 topics is plenty for a first-timer?

Zimphire · Mar 29, 2005, 08:22 PM

Originally posted by Apple Pro Underwear:

i would like a feature/policy that would let the forum members ban annoying members or suspend them.

Even if it meant they ganged up on you and banned you?

Apple Pro Underwear · Mar 30, 2005, 07:39 AM

Originally posted by Zimphire:
Even if it meant they ganged up on you and banned you?

in my years here, serious provacation of the members happens rarely. and one of those reasons is the person has been warned a jillion times but won't change

i have been warned by the moderators for 2 things: saying the word: "gay" (which i have stopped) and posing with my pants off (do a search)

even you would have a hard time being sacked as long as you followed the rules

buffalolee · Mar 30, 2005, 08:08 AM

I just did a google search for "apple pro underwear." Guess what is the first thing on the list?

Family-destroying "Bitchy Taiwanese hooker" (jpg)

Zimphire · Mar 30, 2005, 08:21 AM

Originally posted by Apple Pro Underwear:

even you would have a hard time being sacked as long as you followed the rules

Not when the rules change daily