A letter to my fellow Smoothians

[mokapi]

I also really dislike when people tell me not to tell someone who is spamming, not to. I really wanted something I could refer people to if they argue. Hopefully this will help'

There's a good chance they tell you that because they consider it mini-modding, which can be just as much of a problem as spam. From what I've seen, you have a much better chance of irritating people than you do cutting down on spam unless you're a legitimate mod.

[June Bug]

I also really dislike when people tell me not to tell someone who is spamming, not to. I really wanted something I could refer people to if they argue. Hopefully this will help'

There's a good chance they tell you that because they consider it mini-modding, which can be just as much of a problem as spam. From what I've seen, you have a much better chance of irritating people than you do cutting down on spam unless you're a legitimate mod.

True, but giving a personal warning is nicer than reporting it so the mods intervene. If they throw a fit, then I report them, but usually I like to try to save the mods some trouble. Just because I don't have an official status doesn't mean people should ignore me or get mad when I try to help them.

also Telling people "don't spam" and (usually) ending the conversation there, rather than let it continue until a mod does come, cuts down on how much spam they have to deal with when they get to it.

[mokapi]

I also really dislike when people tell me not to tell someone who is spamming, not to. I really wanted something I could refer people to if they argue. Hopefully this will help'

There's a good chance they tell you that because they consider it mini-modding, which can be just as much of a problem as spam. From what I've seen, you have a much better chance of irritating people than you do cutting down on spam unless you're a legitimate mod.

True, but giving a personal warning is nicer than reporting it so the mods intervene. If they throw a fit, then I report them, but usually I like to try to save the mods some trouble. Just because I don't have an official status doesn't mean people should ignore me or get mad when I try to help them.

also Telling people "don't spam" and (usually) ending the conversation there, rather than let it continue until a mod does come, cuts down on how much spam they have to deal with when they get to it.

I wasn't aware that spamming ("conversations" to the members who are talking in a friendly manner amongst themselves) was a reportable offense. I can understand if people are being rude to other members, but not beyond that. I mean, I'm sure the RP boards take up just as much space if not more, and there are plenty of other sites dedicated just to RP'ing. Why shouldn't they have to move? Should they only have IC talking, since OOC isn't RP'ing? Many of the posts in threads that have either been locked or have "spam" have at least a little bit of the thread-related topic involved.

[June Bug]

Well, that's where the forum vs. chat room part comes in. Even if people are being civil, forums are for relevant discussion. If the OOC talk isn't about the RP (I see discussions on what should happen next go on and that's okay since it's relevant) it's spam. Same with everything else. If it as nothing to do with the topic it's considered spam. I love the idea of having a private chat room for a thread. That way, people can chat as much as they want with their friends from that thread without spamming.
Tess and Nick probably added the RP boards because of popular demand. You can't RP in a chat room, at least not well, so setting aside a section for RPs was very kind of them and not unusual as many non-RP sites have RP boards.

[Labbtillverkad]

Stupid
Pointless
Annoying
Message

That's what I've always been told, so I just try to avoid that. x'= It's really nice to actually be able to read what's considered spam on this site. Usually I have to think 'Is this stupid, pointless or annoying? Am I the only one who might think this isn't spam?' and stuff like that before I post.

[Jeweled]

Well, that's where the forum vs. chat room part comes in. Even if people are being civil, forums are for relevant discussion. If the OOC talk isn't about the RP (I see discussions on what should happen next go on and that's okay since it's relevant) it's spam. Same with everything else. If it as nothing to do with the topic it's considered spam. I love the idea of having a private chat room for a thread. That way, people can chat as much as they want with their friends from that thread without spamming.
Tess and Nick probably added the RP boards because of popular demand. You can't RP in a chat room, at least not well, so setting aside a section for RPs was very kind of them and not unusual as many non-RP sites have RP boards.

I know that often times mini conversations stem off from the main topic and somewhat pertain back to it. If the topic is about wolves and people are talking about cookies I can see it being called spam, but what if they're talking about dogs? Something that isn't the exact subject but related or close to it? Is that spam?

I find pointless chatter like "hello" and "goodbye" to be annoying but I think small side conversations that occur in a controlled amount (in other words, they don't go on for pages and pages and only take a post or two) aren't quite spam. It seems a little strict to have to limit each and every topic to exactly what it's about and only that - doesn't that defeat the purpose of a forum? ^^

Anyway, I've probably rambled enough and given too many weak points so I'll stop now. ^^ I admit I could be wrong but I just wanted to voice my opinion and questions. Cx

[June Bug]

If it has to do with the topic in any way, it's usually fine. Like you said, when the conversation is completely off its spam, but if, say, on a topic about wolves, people are discussing the domestication of dogs from wolves, it'd be okay as long as the conversation doesn't venture too far from the topic and become something about, say, how their dogs like to wear tutus or something. Most of the time, the conversation ends or is brought back on topic before it gets out of hand.

That is the purpose of a forum. To discuss the topic of the thread =3 Any relevant conversation is welcome there. I don't find it all that strict, unless someone posted a topic that has little or nothing to discuss for very long.
Many times, in topics with many people, a relevant question will be presented as a starter for conversation. For example, some one may post "How does '-topic-' relate to your own everyday life?". This is an excellent way to spark a good, on-topic conversation =3

[Jeweled]

If it has to do with the topic in any way, it's usually fine. Like you said, when the conversation is completely off its spam, but if, say, on a topic about wolves, people are discussing the domestication of dogs from wolves, it'd be okay as long as the conversation doesn't venture too far from the topic and become something about, say, how their dogs like to wear tutus or something. Most of the time, the conversation ends or is brought back on topic before it gets out of hand.

That is the purpose of a forum. To discuss the topic of the thread =3 Any relevant conversation is welcome there. I don't find it all that strict, unless someone posted a topic that has little or nothing to discuss for very long.
Many times, in topics with many people, a relevant question will be presented as a starter for conversation. For example, some one may post "How does '-topic-' relate to your own everyday life?". This is an excellent way to spark a good, on-topic conversation =3

Ok, thanks. ^^ I just thought I'd give my two cents and see what came of it. Spam can be a hard thing to judge sometimes so I give you props for writing this. C:

[June Bug]

It's good though =3 It makes me think about it so I can revise the guidelines if need be X3
I did a lot of mod-stalking to draw some of the lines XD But I think it was worth it

[Sorren Fey]

You forgot 'bookmark posts'. They annoy me to death and are pointless as we have a bookmark button.