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Link Bait Threads in the OT

by Bill Farnham
51 replies
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If you are a regular here you probably have noticed a trend lately where people will start threads asking you for your favorite this or favorite that.

You'll also notice that the OP will very rarely come back to the thread.

Yet many of the regulars will get sucked into responding to the thread because of the benign topic.

Folks, you're being played here.

I have no idea who is teaching this tactic, but it is growing.

In essence, what is happening is the OT is being turned into a safe haven for sig spammers.

Is this a bad thing? The better question is "Is this a good thing?"

If the trend continues and the new folks coming here are not coming here because they want to join the community but rather suck from the teat of WF Google Love then I think we need to be aware of the consequences of turning over the OT to this trend.

It's already starting to dominate the board here. Let it grow stronger and once it reaches a tipping point this place will be spam heaven.

The above is simply an observation on my part. If you've noticed it, as well, you can do something about it. And that is to STOP FEEDING THE TROLLS.
  • Profile picture of the author Kurt
    I've noticed, but frankly don't care if the topic is of interest to me.

    I prefer the "favorite" threads far more than the threads with folks acting like a bunch of old hens, cackling and bitching about something and everything. I find the "soapbox" threads far more irritating.
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    • Profile picture of the author Bill Farnham
      Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

      I've noticed, but frankly don't care if the topic is of interest to me.

      I prefer the "favorite" threads far more than the threads with folks acting like a bunch of old hens, cackling and bitching about something and everything. I find the "soapbox" threads far more irritating.
      Yea, that's probably what the technique relies upon.

      I guess it might be a good time to step away from this forum for awhile and let folks see what this place will look like without a few of us doing some heavy policing around here.

      Give the people what they want.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    A cool song from "Give The People What They Want"


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  • Profile picture of the author jimbo13
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    • Profile picture of the author ThomM
      I think I disagree with you a little on this one Bill.
      We are the ones that first started posting those types of threads.
      It started right after politics and religion where banned the last time.
      Some I think are just started by new members trying to fit in.
      If they don't have a sig or the links in their sig are totally unrelated to the topic, what's the difference between them starting the thread or us?
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      • Profile picture of the author Bill Farnham
        Originally Posted by ThomM View Post

        I think I disagree with you a little on this one Bill.
        We are the ones that first started posting those types of threads.
        It started right after politics and religion where banned the last time.
        Some I think are just started by new members trying to fit in.
        If they don't have a sig or the links in their sig are totally unrelated to the topic, what's the difference between them starting the thread or us?
        Thom,

        Probably at this point in time not a lot.

        I actually wanted to float this idea here because the trend is growing and what is currently a mild case of using this forum as a way to drop in innocuous threads/posts and then come back later and add a sig link will grow with the success of the technique.

        It's your forum, Thom, I'm just a newer guest here and don't make the rules. But I do like a lot of the folks here and it's fun to play along. I just see a change that is not good for the long haul happening.

        Thanks for your input.
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        • Profile picture of the author ThomM
          It's your forum, Thom, I'm just a newer guest here and don't make the rules. But I do like a lot of the folks here and it's fun to play along. I just see a change that is not good for the long haul happening.
          No Bill it's our forum I know in reality it belongs to Allen.
          But to try something new for me and keep this in context, the forum is as much yours and every other member's as it is mine.
          Now with that said, I do understand your point and it is, I think, as valid as mine.
          It is getting harder to tell who's starting the thread for what purpose.
          But to me that just makes the game a little more fun and less boring.
          Heck I got to tell someone to bite my shiny metal ass today before their thread got nuked
          I think we have a good little core community here in the OT.
          We all have opinions, we all disagree with each other regularly, we all help each other regularly, and we are growing every day.
          Now we have a loose group coming into the playground and are trying to take it over.
          So I guess the question is, do we let them or do we keep on reporting their threads and kick their asses out of the playground?
          I know that all sounds 180 from my first post, but I think it makes sense if you put them together.
          Or I could be wrong
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        • Profile picture of the author waterotter
          Originally Posted by Bill Farnham View Post

          Thom,

          Probably at this point in time not a lot.

          I actually wanted to float this idea here because the trend is growing and what is currently a mild case of using this forum as a way to drop in innocuous threads/posts and then come back later and add a sig link will grow with the success of the technique.

          It's your forum, Thom, I'm just a newer guest here and don't make the rules. But I do like a lot of the folks here and it's fun to play along. I just see a change that is not good for the long haul happening.

          Thanks for your input.
          We'll nab them when they add that sig link Bill.

          I gave an infraction for a sig file violation - the poster hasn't returned to the forum since. I did give the poster the courtesy of a pm with the link regarding the rules but the poster ignored it.
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  • Profile picture of the author KimW
    Actually KJ I figured it was just me that was sick of the nonsensical threads.
    OT was where we used to have discussions on just about anything (except religion and politics). It was also a place to find out about others. While I'm not always the best judge of character, its here where I have met most of the people I consider friends.
    Like you I have started calling out some of the posters and threads,and I report probably 4 times as many as I comment on.
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    • Profile picture of the author ThomM
      Originally Posted by KimW View Post

      Actually KJ I figured it was just me that was sick of the nonsensical threads.
      OT was where we used to have discussions on just about anything (except religion and politics). It was also a place to find out about others. While I'm not always the best judge of character, its here where I have met most of the people I consider friends.
      Like you I have started calling out some of the posters and threads,and I report probably 4 times as many as I comment on.
      Posted the same time as me
      If we want it like it was we have to just keep nuken the threads and calling them out.
      I learned along time ago when I get sick of something I stop doing anything about it. That's why I look at this all as a game between them and us.
      And I really hate losing
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  • Profile picture of the author Fernando Veloso
    Know what you mean, it looks we're in a different forum, isn't it? All these copycat threads just to add post count - spam siglink...

    Thing is, how the heck can I report a thread/post/user just cause he created a thread in OT?

    Whats the motive, you know?
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    • Profile picture of the author KimW
      Originally Posted by Fernando Veloso View Post

      Know what you mean, it looks we're in a different forum, isn't it? All these copycat threads just to add post count - spam siglink...

      Thing is, how the heck can I report a thread/post/user just cause he created a thread in OT?

      Whats the motive, you know?
      The real question is why would you not report it just because it was in OT?
      The motive is just because its OT doesn't mean its a sewer trap catch-all.

      Jody,
      I'm with you.If a person is new and it looks like it might be an honest mistake, I will usually post that the need to read the rules and/or PM them. But if its a blatant attampt at just link juice (as everyone calls it nowadays) then I hit "report" faster than Wyatt Earp drew his gun at the OK Corral.
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      • Profile picture of the author Fernando Veloso
        Originally Posted by KimW View Post

        The real question is why would you not report it just because it was in OT?
        The motive is just because its OT doesn't mean its a sewer trap catch-all.
        Hi Kim

        If I get something weird, I report it - as usual. My question was more of a theoretical one: should we report a guy just because he opened a thread about favorites movies?

        Should we report it just because he opened the thread and didn't come back?

        You know?
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        • Profile picture of the author Bill Farnham
          Originally Posted by Fernando Veloso View Post

          My question was more of a theoretical one: should we report a guy just because he opened a thread about favorites movies?

          Should we report it just because he opened the thread and didn't come back?

          You know?
          Two tough questions.

          This is just an opinion based on observation...

          These "Your Favorite" threads are starting to crop up all over the WF. Go look at the MDF and see for yourself.

          I highly doubt it's coinky-dinky that lots of folks have suddenly decided to start these threads.

          Are they harmful? Not necessarily, they are TRENDING.

          So a good question to ask is at what point do folks wake up and start to pay attention? When the problem is out of control? When it's still early enough to be proactive? Never, it's not my problem...When?

          We generally don't lose valuable resources overnight, we lose them gradually and sometimes at exponentially accelerating rates.

          The trending here is on a hockey stick curve at the moment with these threads on the WF. The sky isn't falling, it's just not my favorite sky at the moment.

          But here is a simple thing you can do that requires no effort on your part...don't feed a thread if you see it as suspect. The game only works when people feed the threads. Otherwise they die a natural death and the trick is of no use in the search engines.

          Someone is promoting this kind of behavior. Do you really want to sit still until such a point as LOTS of people are teaching this method?

          The ploy only works if we let it. Feed the trolls and you get more trolls. It's Forum 101, that simple.
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          • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
            Bill, thanks for bringing this up; it reminds us all to stay vigilant and not to just focus on the obvious spam-type activity.

            I have to admit, I find it almost impossible to stay out of a music thread, no matter who started it - and, to be fair, there've been some great threads (not just music) that have taken flight and soared despite having a drive-by thread starter. [Isn't it possible to report a post or poster without getting the thread nuked?]

            Regardless of the motive, in my eyes, anyone who starts a thread and then fails to participate or at least acknowledge the responses, is just plain rude.

            But when a new member does that, it's probably a warning sign.


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            • Profile picture of the author Roaddog
              Originally Posted by Frank Donovan View Post

              Bill, thanks for bringing this up; it reminds us all to stay vigilant and not to just focus on the obvious spam-type activity.

              I have to admit, I find it almost impossible to stay out of a music thread, no matter who started it - and, to be fair, there've been some great threads (not just music) that have taken flight and soared despite having a drive-by thread starter. [Isn't it possible to report a post or poster without getting the thread nuked?]

              Regardless of the motive, in my eyes, anyone who starts a thread and then fails to participate or at least acknowledge the responses, is just plain rude.

              But when a new member does that, it's probably a warning sign.


              Frank
              Yea, what Frank said...The music threads are hard for me to resist too.

              Just have to keep a closer eye and not participate in suspect ones.

              There does seem to be a pattern forming.

              Getting downright Machiavellian around here....
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              • Profile picture of the author HeySal
                Originally Posted by Roaddog View Post


                Getting downright Machiavellian around here....
                Well gee - you have your own forum Cossack right here - get me permission from the Czar - give me a horse and open the gates. I'll fix it. Trust me on that one.
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  • Profile picture of the author KimW
    OK, my bad, I misunderstood you.
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    • Profile picture of the author MerlynSanchez
      Well, I've noticed this trend as well as responses to legitimate threads that make no sense.

      What's really funny is that I've come across a thread or two where the only participants are sig spammers! The whole thread makes is nonsensical but is actually pretty funny to read!
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    This is my favorite thread.

    It is hard to nuke idiots who haven't really done anything wrong. If the problem gets bad enough, do we put up a "no favorites" rule or what? I have a problem with these threads because they are usually so damned inane that the only thing that's fun about them is harassing the poster - and that has to be done so carefully sometimes that it takes the fun out of it, too. But I came in here the other day ready to take a break - and that's almost all I saw was "what is your favorite........."

    I just don't answer em until I see something worth going in and causing a brew-ha-ha about.
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  • Profile picture of the author Patrician
    Here I was thinking a bunch of little newbies that think they are at Campfire Girls camp. I have found it irritating for a long time.

    It never occurred to me that something trollister was happening - even though I busted one of them who was two of them and it/he/she/they got banned.

    In that case it was obvious - now I forget why. I think the signature was a clue (just real neat and bot like one line) - plus something like the usernames were similar and they always posted in each other's threads.

    When I had the Admin check they had the same IP so goodbye 2 U/them.

    Now back to the Campfire girls. I remember at one point this was becoming the garbage dump for everything that got kicked out of the main forum - I hadn't noticed that so much anymore or maybe I am oblivious.

    Yeah I think it is 'there goes the neighborhood' - the one they call 'Warrior Hell' - (what nerve).

    WITH THAT SAID: What if somebody took offense at our music threads. Those plus controversy are the ones I try never to miss. I mean what is this a clique where only the good old people can participate? That doesn't seem right either.

    HOWEVER, If we can clearly identify trolls and bots then they are fair game for the old BBQ flame broiling which is more fun than infractions and reporting posts - although both are fair game and should be employed diligently.

    However you may note how popular these inane 'favorite' threads are? I have been bored silly a few times and actually participated. But you are right - whoever said the OP never responds or comments again -

    I can only think of one way to deal with the ones we can't clearly ID as miscreants - and that is a good old fashioned BOYCOTT - I will never participate in another one -

    It really does look almost like a spam bulletin board here especially when they all start bouncing to the top...

    Is this War, Warriors?
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  • Profile picture of the author Bradley J Anderson
    What is your favorite link bait thread?

    Just kidding, guys!

    Been gone for a minute and had to add some humor in there. Seriously, though, I've been noticing this for a LOOOOONG time now.

    KimW - sent you a PM to ask you a question, buddy.

    Next thing, and I'm sure we all know the answer as to why they won't do it, is just lock any thread over so many days old. It sucks, yes, and we all know why, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

    Then next time we see the question: "What's your favorite ice cream?", we can all just slam 'em.
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    • Profile picture of the author Bill Farnham
      Just a reminder for those who think this stuff is going to go away on it's own.

      Please feel free to tell us your favorite Crayola color.
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      • Profile picture of the author Roaddog
        Originally Posted by Bill Farnham View Post

        Just a reminder for those who think this stuff is going to go away on it's own.

        Please feel free to tell us your favorite Crayola color.

        I can't decide between Peach, Mauve or Robin's Egg Blue.

        Your thought's?
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        • Profile picture of the author Bill Farnham
          Originally Posted by Roaddog View Post

          I can't decide between Peach, Mauve or Robin's Egg Blue.

          Your thought's?
          I've never tried the Robin's Egg Blue.

          What does that taste like.

          The peach tastes more like candle wax if you ask me.
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          • Profile picture of the author QuickSurf
            You mean you don't want to say what your favorite position to sleep is? lol.... yeh there are some weird threads here, either their just dumb people, or sig spamming.
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          • Profile picture of the author Roaddog
            Originally Posted by Bill Farnham View Post

            I've never tried the Robin's Egg Blue.

            What does that taste like.

            The peach tastes more like candle wax if you ask me.


            To answer your all encompassing question Bill,

            the Robins Egg Blue tastes like chicken...lol
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      • Profile picture of the author MerlynSanchez
        Magenta


        Originally Posted by Bill Farnham View Post

        Just a reminder for those who think this stuff is going to go away on it's own.

        Please feel free to tell us your favorite Crayola color.
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  • Profile picture of the author Thomas Wilkinson
    In any community of people there will always be a few who take on the mantle of the old guard looking down their noses at anyone who isn't in their little group. Get over it. I've just about quit posting anywhere on account of this. I never start a thread anymore because if its a fairly good thread it gets locked and if its a really good thread it disappears altogether. I no longer have a meaningful signature and I no longer donate hours of my time trying to help people on here. More than one way to look at this.

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    • Profile picture of the author Bill Farnham
      Originally Posted by Thomas Wilkinson View Post

      In any community of people there will always be a few who take on the mantle of the old guard looking down their noses at anyone who isn't in their little group. Get over it. I've just about quit posting anywhere on account of this. I never start a thread anymore because if its a fairly good thread it gets locked and if its a really good thread it disappears altogether. I no longer have a meaningful signature and I no longer donate hours of my time trying to help people on here. More than one way to look at this.
      Thomas,

      Appreciate the thoughts.

      But this is about a huge increase in link spamming that goes on here that you are probably not aware even happens. The amount of policing to keep this forum viable is also something your comments indicate you're not aware of.

      The reality is people who interact here are welcomed by all. This forum is about interaction. It's a discussion forum.

      It's not about dumping threads on here and looking for link juice in the serps. It's a fine line to be sure, and one far too often abused by one hit wonders that are nuked so fast most people don't see the activity.

      And I'm not speaking for anyone but myself in this response.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alan Petersen
    I had noticed those type of threads as well but wasn't sure if they were zappable but in reading the OT description it does state that this is the forum to have off topic discussions.

    Asking what my favorite color, bean, peanut, etc. isn't really having a discussion so what's the point? Ta-da... link bait!

    I guess my guard in the OT was set way too low! Although those threads annoy me and I don't participate I didn't think they were doing it for link bait. But I just took a close look and it is fishy. They're like dominating the OT!

    No offense to young warrior members but they're turning the the OT into high school with those inane threads. I'll start reporting them as well. Good catch Bill.
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  • Profile picture of the author Patrician
    (edited out by Pat)

    never mind

    I see some of the people in this thread complaining are participating in the What's your Favorite Threads.

    That confuses the issue....
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    • Profile picture of the author MerlynSanchez
      LOL!

      I know what you're talking about it and don't quite understand it either.
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      • Profile picture of the author waterotter
        Be nice if there was a sensor that recognized 'favorite' and nuked it automatically....like something on 'auto pilot'!

        ...just my 2 cents.
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        • Profile picture of the author Bill Farnham
          Originally Posted by waterotter View Post

          Be nice if there was a sensor that recognized 'favorite' and nuked it automatically....like something on 'auto pilot'!

          ...just my 2 cents.

          Here Jody, in case you ever get a forum of your own you can use this on those scoundrals...


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          • Profile picture of the author ThomM
            Originally Posted by Bill Farnham View Post

            Here Jody, in case you ever get a forum of your own you can use this on those scoundrals...
            Bill I just saved that to use here
            By the way since you started this thread and I've thought about what you said and what I said, I've reported more posts then I think I ever had before.
            Thanks for putting that bug up my butt
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            • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
              Originally Posted by jeffrey73 View Post

              YOUNG Warrior members??? The guy that starts all those "favorite" threads has got to be in his late 40's or 50's! ( No names shall be mentioned ) LOL
              Originally Posted by Alan Petersen View Post

              I can see from his profile pic the main link-bate poster is not in his teens.
              Why would anyone expect a link bait poster to publish a true photo of himself? :confused:


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            • Profile picture of the author Bill Farnham
              Originally Posted by ThomM View Post

              Bill I just saved that to use here
              By the way since you started this thread and I've thought about what you said and what I said, I've reported more posts then I think I ever had before.
              Thanks for putting that bug up my butt
              You're welcome, Thom.

              Seeing Sumit's thread when I came here this morning started me off writing a long response about nuking obvious troll threads like the ever popular "Which Toe Nail Do You Clip First?" threads.

              But it just kept getting longer and longer....

              So I didn't hit the post button because it's hard for me to judge the level of support for a more intelligent atmosphere here. I just feel all these idiotic threads started for no other reason than to start a thread need to be nuked on sight and reported as trolling.

              So I'll suggest we start reporting these thrash threads and let the moderators put them back up if we are going overboard.

              Who knows, we may start attracting a better crowd and actually have the opportunity to meet new folks and have REAL conversations.

              I know if someone came up to me at a party, for instance, and used "What's your favorite vegetable?" as an opening line I'd look at their shoes to see how bad the urine stains were before I answered the idiot.

              Why that level of conversation is tolorated by people here is a mystery. Lot's of bright folks here, and I enjoy reading their points of view on topics that are real topics.

              But lately it's just inane drivel that's dominating the board.

              Anyway, it's nice to see you being proactive. I'll save the rest of my rant for my hard drive...
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    • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
      Originally Posted by Patrician View Post

      (edited out by Pat)

      never mind

      I see some of the people in this thread complaining are participating in the What's your Favorite Threads.

      That confuses the issue....
      Me too! What's Up With That? Hard to Resist Isn't it ... Admit it!
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  • Profile picture of the author Patrician
    L O EFFING L

    Hi Merlyn - could you please delete the quote? - I would rather not be quite so honest.

    I want to have two faces too.

    Thanks.
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  • Profile picture of the author waterotter
    Just a thought...maybe Allen would consider adding a 'thesaurus' to the CP so folks can find an alternative to 'favorite'! :p
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  • Profile picture of the author mattlaclear
    I personally would love to see the whole off topic section of the forum deleted from existence. I see established Warriors with anchor text sig files just piling on the posts in there.

    How is that not the same thing Bill is rightfully bringing to light?

    Just because your favorite color happens to be orange or that you believe the ancients owned chia pets does that give you the right to suck off link juice from other more legitimate posts?

    I get the whole social aspect of the off topic forum. It acts almost like a social network within WF.

    But why not make all the links in that section no follow?

    That would stop this nonsense in it's tracks and would also keep that section of the forum open for socializing.

    Make sense?
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    • Profile picture of the author Bill Farnham
      Originally Posted by mattlaclear View Post

      But why not make all the links in that section no follow?

      That would stop this nonsense in it's tracks and would also keep that section of the forum open for socializing.

      Make sense?
      Matt,

      Personally, I'd like to see sigs completely disabled here in the OT. People don't come here to shop MMO products, they come here to socialize.

      Is that drastic?

      Perhaps.

      Would it help stop the trolling and spamming?

      You bet!
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      • Profile picture of the author mattlaclear
        Originally Posted by Bill Farnham View Post

        Matt,

        Personally, I'd like to see sigs completely disabled here in the OT. People don't come here to shop MMO products, they come here to socialize.

        Is that drastic?

        Perhaps.

        Would it help stop the trolling and spamming?

        You bet!
        Either that or make sig files do not follow as well. To be honest not all that much link juice flows from the sig files anyways. I have several pr 0 sites that if you put 2000 anchor text links on them you would see huge juice flowing from. But here even with the amount of posts I have I get less than a trickle of juice from when I use anchor text in my sig file.

        So changing the sig file and the off topic forum to no follow would go a huge way towards cleaning this sort of thing up.
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        • Profile picture of the author Bill Farnham
          Originally Posted by mattlaclear View Post

          So changing the sig file and the off topic forum to no follow would go a huge way towards cleaning this sort of thing up.
          Matt,

          Help me out here with a little guidence...

          How are people who appear to lack the skills to tie their own shoes expected to know the difference between a do follow and a no follow situation?

          Seems like they would just continue on with their 'hope marketing' and drop the link.
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          • Profile picture of the author mattlaclear
            Originally Posted by Bill Farnham View Post

            Matt,

            Help me out here with a little guidence...

            How are people who appear to lack the skills to tie their own shoes expected to know the difference between a do follow and a no follow situation?

            Seems like they would just continue on with their 'hope marketing' and drop the link.
            A lot of it may have to do with monkey see monkey do. Established warriors starting off topic conversations to get juice to their anchor text links. Trolls see it and think 'hey, I can do that too.' So they set up their own thread and the rest is history.

            Once the practice is stopped by established warriors a portion of the trolls will follow suit.

            The mods could put together a sticky as well to let everyone know about that since the sig files are now no follow they will not receive any juice from their efforts.

            A lot of seo practioners use the firefox plug that allows them to examine links on a site to see if they are no follow or do follow. Those folks would know instantly and move off to look for other forums to spam.

            Those trolls that do not use the plug in most likely make their way here via a purchased list of do follow forums. Once WF went no follow it would be removed from those types of lists. So that would mean still less trolls spamming here.

            It may not stamp out 100% of what you brought up. But it would be one hell of a start in the right direction to making it happen.
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      • Profile picture of the author ThomM
        I know if someone came up to me at a party, for instance, and used "What's your favorite vegetable?" as an opening line I'd look at their shoes to see how bad the urine stains were before I answered the idiot.

        Why that level of conversation is tolorated by people here is a mystery. Lot's of bright folks here, and I enjoy reading their points of view on topics that are real topics.
        See that's where we differ Bill.
        I'd reply "you" and head butt them into last week.
        But I'm not really a peoples person:rolleyes:

        I still like to mess with some of these posters. If it's obvious the post is for their links I'll usually (now) just report it.
        Sometimes I'll reply just because I'm bored and the topic slightly interests me (see the what do you drink thread).
        Sometimes it's just fun to call somebody an idiot. Not as much fun as doing it in person, but still fun none the less
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  • Profile picture of the author Patrician
    We were doing machine gunning this morning -- I tried to report 2 or 3 threads that I did still see and got 'the thread doesn't exist' - I guess someone was just a few seconds ahead of me.

    Then we have one guy who is always up for any kind of an argument or conflict (he is one of two I call 'Mary Mary Quite Contrary' - who is no dummy otherwise (just too much hatred inside, I guess) and he has started a new favorites thread just this morning.

    I have no doubt in my mind that it is no coincidence.

    Had he not done this to antagonize he could have had the same thread without using the word 'Favorite' - that is the major clue.
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  • Profile picture of the author Thomas Wilkinson
    .... and every week there are three or four anti-linkbait threads going on at the same time started and participated in by the same small group of "we're the good guys", "we're the insiders", "blah, blah, blah".

    Thomas

    (Just for the record I also think sigs probably ought to be disabled here. You guess why.)
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    When you hear someone telling you what YOU can't do, they are usually talking about what THEY can't do.
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