Update On The Evil Spam

Yes, I know, you're one of the ones I'm talking about.
And you sort of made my point about the 10-word reply thing.
And it's not only about length, it's about context. Sure, there are some things that you can say that matter that aren't exactly 10 words...but honestly, most of the things you post are exactly what Aberforth said - you're just repeating something someone else said or it's something that doesn't even matter at all...A lot of the things you say would be better said if you just PMed the person you're addressing. . .In fact, if you want to talk more about it, PM me, because I don't really want to have a public argument-type thing...
And you're not the only one who does this .. so I hope it doesn't seem like I'm singling you out.
Oh, and the Bored Room is a perfect place to just goof around. .. that's what it was made for, it seems. So it'd be cool if you could do all the 'spamming' there and not on every single post, you know?

No, I do not agree at all.
The little stuff makes it feel homey.
Personally, I don't care about the ranking thing. I am not impressed either way. For those who are impressed, so what? As long as they are real people who love Harry Potter, I don't care.
Brain-storming takes a lot of little things and a free atmosphere.

And anyway, the spam on these boards is always more than ten words. It's garbage, and/or trying to sell something. That's what annoys me.

I kind of have to agree with Mione. You say the little stuff makes it feel homey, but its always little stuff that nobody can resond to. And when people post a topic, they want a response that is more than just "I dont know, sorry." Now i'm not saying i've seen exactly that, but close. Making a rule where you have to post more than ten words would mean people would have to think and add somthing that will really make a topic move; whereas the posts we have now just kind of stop a topic dead in its tracks.

I haven't seen any of that.
Like the ones above? Post #2 has seven words, and post #3 has only one.

Randi-What about in the polls forum a lot of people (including me, but not all of hte time) just post what they pick and don't explain why they chose it. Sometimes they don't have to post a lot about it becasue someone already did. What are we supposed to do then? not reply at all?



Mione-You also do so of this 'spamming' so you can't talk much.
Not trying to offend just pointing it out.

Read carefully this time...and if it's not something that you can wrap your heads around, or not something you can agree with, I won't push it anymore, because I hate having arguments...

It's about context, not length.
Other sites have a rule where you have to post 10 words or more so that people actually have to think about what they post, I was just using that as an example.
I couldn't care less about how long the post is as long as it is relevant and not unnecessary.
Repeating something that someone just said is unnecessary. Irrelevant is when it's off topic and no one cares.
For example, if someone asks if anyone knows how to operate something, why reply with "Sorry, I don't know," instead of just not answering at all?
It's also not necessary to post "The movie is being released on Friday the 13th" on three different threads at the same time..
And when there's a post asking who the adult Harry Potter fans are, why post if you're not one of them? This person is not asking about you if you are not an adult Harry Potter fan! You know? Maybe not. . .
Look, when I come to this site I want intelligent conversation and ideas and fun.
Not: *giggle giggle* or "dude thats stupid lol" or anything to the extent.
Anyway, I suppose this is slipping right through people's brains and probably coming across as very...I don't know, something not good, so I'll stop ranting and let people continue as they were...

Sorry, for attaching you.





Does that have content, or do you need a full explanation?

It does have content...but it's irrelevant, lol.
That's one of those things that would better be said in a PM, you know?
But...whatever....I'm going to try to be aloof about the whole thing...

{In response to Mione, Jul 7, post #16}

...Read carefully this time...and if it's not something that you can wrap your heads around...
I do understand. The problem is that you do not.
The main concept that you are missing is that this is a diverse group. Little kids who can barely think, let alone write, mixing with normal teenagers, adults, old people, people who's first language is something other than English... Add to that different learning and expressive styles. Nit-picky rules will not improve this place in any way, but will inhibit the free flow of ideas.
Even the seemingly dumb ideas introduced by the less articulate members can grow on you.
I'm actually warming up to the idea of the accidental horcrux. When you open your mind and look at the evidence, it's not all that dumb after all.

...It's about context, not length...actually have to think about what they post, I was just using that as an example...
They do think about what they post. They just don't think the way you do. If everybody arrived with the same attitude and set of ideas, this place would not be worth having. Diversity is good.

...Repeating something that someone just said is unnecessary. Irrelevant is when it's off topic and no one cares. For example, if someone asks if anyone knows how to operate something, why reply with "Sorry, I don't know," instead of just not answering at all?...

Paraphrasing is not always unnecessary. Some of us benefit from an explanation in a different voice. Also, it helps to clarify, as in, "So you are saying bla bla bla? That's crazy..." To which the other person can respond, "no, you misunderstand..."

When a post goes unanswered, should we ignore it, or at least acknowledge, even if only to say, "good question -- I don't know."

...It's also not necessary to post "The movie is being released on Friday the 13th" on three different threads at the same time...
Such posts are not life-threatening. Nit-picky rules against them would be life-threatening to this club.

...And when there's a post asking who the adult Harry Potter fans are, why post if you're not...an adult Harry Potter fan!...
Thank you for your concern, but I think we old fawts can handle it.

...Look, when I come to this site I want intelligent conversation and ideas and fun...
And you are getting it. To the best of the abilities of each individual. Shall we ban people just because they are immature, foreigners, have a low IQ or gaps in their educations? Nothing would be gained by that.

...Anyway, I suppose this is slipping right through people's brains...
No, I do get it. Better than your limitations will allow you to grasp.

For those of you who have been around for awhile know that I keep pretty quiet on this board. I only respond when Rita or Mark are not around or I feel there is a need to intervene. Therefore, let me be the final word on this topic.

This board must be open to all ages, from the littlest one to the oldest one. We have kiddos who can barely type who enjoy learning to read on this site. We hear from parents who prefer how we let people express themselves in mature ways rather than using profanity. We also hear from people who prefer intellectual discussions. There was a time when we thought about separating out age groups so that people could have "mature" discussions rather than just reading "LOL" or other me too posts. However, we decided that keeping everyone together adds depth to the overall conversation. Older people have learned to reach out to the younger ones and the younger ones feel the need to improve their posts.

Over the years we have sent instant messages to a few people asking them to not just post one or two words. I would ask that moderators keep this type of request private so that a person does not feel attacked. Instead, we just ask. If they only feel like typing a word or two then we will not censor it (unless it is profanity or an ad). However, as people get older we are finding they tend to type better and their thoughts get more clear. The post count is not a race.

Finally, keep these two ideas prominent: (1) We must welcome everyone, and (2) remember to be kind to each other.