Spam, Porn Etc...

[Myrph]

I can't be the only one to be offended by some of the rubbish that's been infiltrating this forum recently, and although I can see that someone is doing something to to kick it once its up, I can't help but wonder how it got back in in the first place. I'm probably not the only one who's been around long enough to know this isn't the first time this has happened, and probably was hoping it was the only time this would happen, but alas its not.

Nevertheless, there must be more that someone can and/or should be doing to return this place to the family friendly forum its supposed to be! Even if its allocating more moderators to help combat this threat from across the globe! Since this is an international phenomenon (VGL, not necessarily spam), only having Mods based in the US means people in other time zones are gonna be plagued with spam until the American moderators are able to get on and eradicate it!

So maybe its time that some of us stood up, and made a stand against this frankly insulting and offensive plague that has befallen us, and make this a safe and friendly place to be once more!

[Folap]

Yes it has gotten pretty bad, from electronics selling spam to having imbeded porn images. I no longer check the forums from work and I am sure it looks bad for people who are checking out the forum and VGL for the first time.

[Themo]

I admit that it's been my fault in failing to follow the links in the reported post e-mails I get. I guess I just had this mindset that the threads were the only problem and because they're so easy to spot I can just come along and delete them.

Well, not so for the embedded porn images posted within perfectly legitimate threads.

So from here on in, I'll make sure to follow the links in my e-mails to ensure that all is being done that can be. I'll also be asking Tommy about possibly implementing something that could at least stunt the amount of spammers coming in.

I also agree that we need somebody as well who can be online to spot this stuff when anybody else in my country would be asleep, I'll be mentioning that to Tommy as well.

P.S. IF there are porn/spam posts posted within a legitimate thread, please re-report them and I'll take care of them as soon as possible.

[Orionsaint]

I try my best guys. I can't be here every second of the day. What forums like this need to do is update their admin software. The newer ones stop spambots by requiring the user to type in those jumbled letter codes. Yes it's a little bit of an inconvience to have to type in a code everytime you wanna post, but it keeps the spammers out.

[Terraguy]

Yeah, I agree, it's gotten really bad in the last few weeks.

Generally, I only see the spam pop up when it's daylight here in the US actually... so maybe it is a US thing. (I never do see an admin on though...but that might be because you guys are invisible.)

Perhaps you should try to start eliminating the embedding of images on post. I think that would be on of the worst offenders currently, with all the innappropriate images that are easily visible on the forums. Maybe having all images actually be a picture file instead, or something of the sort.

And CAPTCHAs might work (although yes, they can get a tad annoying). Maybe a verification system, like when a user is affirmed to be a legitimate user and not a spambot then can he bypass CAPTCHA?

[j41m3z]

Even if its allocating more moderators to help combat this threat from across the globe! Since this is an international phenomenon (VGL, not necessarily spam), only having Mods based in the US means people in other time zones are gonna be plagued with spam until the American moderators are able to get on and eradicate it!


The only thing is how do they choose who would be a good mod?

[Terraguy]

I want to add that the spammers seem to LOVE the "Video Game Pianist" thread for some strange reason...

[Myrph]

Yeah, I'd noticed that one... Rather peculiar I must admit! That and the UK media thread...

But if anyone is interested, I'd be more than willing to help weed out all the rubbish from here! I'm usually able to get on everyday, so I could probably help out with the spammers... If you guys want me that is!

[Becky "Aktrez" Young]

Your wish has been granted Myrph. You are now a mod. Please feel free to clean up the boards and let me know if you need any further help with this. I can gladly promote another user to lend you a hand.

Becky@videogameslive.com

[Terraguy]

Myrph you lucky user you!

Congrats on the promotion. Good luck on cleaning up stuff around the forums. I'm sure if you needed any help, there will always be others on the boards to help you out.

[Myrph]

Thanks! I'll do my best to deal with the situation at hand! Just need to become familiar with all the buttons etc., and hopefully I'll be able to make an impact!

[Orionsaint]

You sound like me when I started. hehe. So optimistic. Welcome aboard! A mods job is never done.

[Themo]

Way to go, Myrph! The buttons aren't too difficult to figure out, I'm sure you'll sink right into it.

[Myrph]

Yeah, I think I've found my way around! Its not too bad ploughing through it really...

[Folap]

Another user-mod eh... I nominate Terraguy!

[Terraguy]

Why, thank you Folap. I'm honored for the recognition.

[Folap]

Well, ive noticed you always seem to be the one that answers the questions about cameras and theater opening times. :cool:

[Myrph]

Lol yeah, You seem to have racked up a higher post count than me! If ever we needed another one, I'd probably vote for you as well! ;pp

[Swish]

Speaking of postcounts, I'd put myself forward to assist too, but for the fact I've not really had time to visit more than once a day lately.

Anyway, looks like either you're doing your job really well or the spam coincidentally dried up at approximately the exact same time as your appointment to mod.

Good show, sir.

[Terraguy]

If we're going to go postcounts, then I'd definitely point to our top two right now (Swish and Brainiac).

And speaking of drying up, I just came on this morning, and BAM! There's like another 5 new spam topics. Maybe they work at prime times of the day?

[Myrph]

I think its more a reflection of the fact I spend way too much time surfing the internet, so can afford to check every couple of hours to see if anything untoward has popped up!

Obviously I can't be on all the time, so some will slip through the net, but I'll do the best I can! And I agree, it seems they seem to come along in great waves...

[Myrph]

I'd also like to thank everyone who continues to report the unwanted posts, it makes my job a heck of a lot easier, especially as it means I don't have to root through large numbers of posts in an attempt to find the ones that shouldn't be there!

Please continue to do so and I'm sure we will get back on top of this problem!

[Brainiac]

Don't deny your postage, Terraguy. The only reason you're lower than me is the forum restart and your brief hiatus. You were always the top dog on the old forums.

[Themo]

I try to check these boards every chance I get, pity it can't be the very second those threads pop up... ah well, I'm not superman, I guess.

It's funny though, my original job was to just collect the questions posted here and send them along to Tommy, Jack, Becky and Chris... but the spam problem has been getting so bad, especially because of the spam posts within legitimate posts, that I felt I needed to step up and delete that trash immediately before too many see it.

[Jet Pilot]

It's funny though, my original job was to just collect the questions posted here and send them along to Tommy, Jack, Becky and Chris...

Can you please direct them to the "Where is the Greatest Hits CD?" thread that has been viewed over 32,000 times by VGL fans and ask them to respond?

http://www.videogameslive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1071

[Themo]

Can you please direct them to the "Where is the Greatest Hits CD?" thread that has been viewed over 32,000 times by VGL fans and ask them to respond?

http://www.videogameslive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1071

I'll be sure to this Friday when I usually send them along the questions.

Personally, I imagine the reason why the greatest hits CD isn't out yet would have to be finding the time to get together with each company and asking their permission to use their work. It was probably on its way to happening, but complications happen. I personally prefer to just go to the shows, like the one or two that's going to happen in Dallas, TX this Summer *HINT HINT*

[Terraguy]

Don't deny your postage, Terraguy. The only reason you're lower than me is the forum restart and your brief hiatus. You were always the top dog on the old forums.

Thanks Brainiac. You know, that reminds me about a "monkey" or something back on the old forums...?

[Jet Pilot]

I'll be sure to this Friday when I usually send them along the questions.

Thanks


Personally, I imagine the reason why the greatest hits CD isn't out yet would have to be finding the time to get together with each company and asking their permission to use their work. It was probably on its way to happening, but complications happen.

If that is the case then fine. We're more annoyed about the fact that they've been completely ignoring the issue for months. They missed the second release date without even bothering to tell the fans what is going on. It's as if they think they can just ignore the question and it will go away.

[Brainiac]

Thanks Brainiac. You know, that reminds me about a "monkey" or something back on the old forums...?


Ah yes, the term "postmonkey," applied to those who seem to be posting simply for the need to accumulate posts. I believe it was applied to you due to having the highest post count on the board. At this point, you, Swish, and I are all the resident postmonkeys since we all outweigh all the mods and admins.

[Terraguy]

Ah yes, the term "postmonkey," applied to those who seem to be posting simply for the need to accumulate posts. I believe it was applied to you due to having the highest post count on the board. At this point, you, Swish, and I are all the resident postmonkeys since we all outweigh all the mods and admins.

Haha. I don't think we post for the need to accumulate posts anymore...I think...

[Brainiac]

Haha. I don't think we post for the need to accumulate posts anymore...I think...

You think? You'd better know - you don't want to get caught up in the anti-spam crusade...

[Terraguy]

Ah, I've already got caught up with the anti-spam crusade (and got a ban because of it).

[Jet Pilot]

I'll be sure to this Friday when I usually send them along the questions.

Did you get around to forwarding along our request as to why they won't tell us what's going on with the CD? That thread is up to over 36,000 views now.

Thanks!

[Themo]

Did you get around to forwarding along our request as to why they won't tell us what's going on with the CD? That thread is up to over 36,000 views now.

Thanks!

Yes, I did. And I'll keep reminding them on a weekly basis. Remember, they're really busy people, they didn't even have time this or last week to answer of the questions I sent them! And no, don't start with "because they don't care about their fans," otherwise they wouldn't have asked me to come here for them to send them e-mails about the questions being asked.

One more thing, I know you're upset from the lack of communication, but I think I can speak for them when I say that of course you, the fans, matter to them. Without the fans, VGL is nothing. Tommy knows that, Jack knows that, everybody involved knows that. Do you honestly think they'd do anything to jeopardize VGL after everything they did to get it off the ground and running in the first place? I'll tell you right now, that's the last thing they want.

Just sit tight, man, they're doing what they can.

[foreversonic]

You sound like me when I started. hehe. So optimistic. Welcome aboard! A mods job is never done.

I agree. (I know it's old news now). I'm a moderator for RadioSEGA (http://www.radiosega.net) and a Forum Administrator of FastFeet Media.NET (http://www.fastfeetmedia.net); and some of the posts can be all over the place. It doesn't help when members register just to pick a fight with someone, or to be down right annoying.

I'll be sure to this Friday when I usually send them along the questions.

I tried to contact them, particularly Tommy, Jack and Chris and as yet had little to no reply from either of them. I know they are busy but it does feel as though there is no-one on the other end.

[Terraguy]

I tried to contact them, particularly Tommy, Jack and Chris and as yet had little to no reply from either of them. I know they are busy but it does feel as though there is no-one on the other end.

Well, with their recent announcement about the 50-show tour they're going to put on, I'm sure they're very busy planning things. Give it some time, and they're bound to get around to us.

[Tommy Tallarico]

Yo! Here I am!

:)

If you check out the front page of the VGL site you'll see ALL the stuff we're working on. It's a 20 hour a day job for me & Jack. We're just getting ready to leave for the Las Vegas show this weekend. Rehearsals and set-up start tomorrow!

In terms of the album... we just finished working on the press release yesterday and should be out within the next week or so.

The album will be released at the end of July but will be available for download a little earlier than that.

thanks,

T.T.

[Rivercity88]

yeah I just noticed a new post today called "Lets discuss internet video" which is links to so called "videos" all lead to viruses.

[Terraguy]

Don't worry about it. It might take them a bit of time, but eventually the admins will sweep by and eradicate it all. You can also report posts too, and help them out.

[Myrph]

Yeah, by the time I spotted your post mentioning it, it was already done so I didn't have to do anything!

I'll just reiterate what Terraguy said though, reporting posts is one of the best things you can do for us! The first thing I look at when I turn my computer on is my emails, so if I see something telling me there's a reported post on VGL, I can go there straight away and eradicate it, instead of waiting until I make my way there myself. This is especially useful for spam lurking in legitimate threads that I may otherwise miss!

All in all, report posts when you see them to make sure one of us gets rid of it as quickly as we can!

[Themo]

Yeah, by the time I spotted your post mentioning it, it was already done so I didn't have to do anything!

'Cause I'm a Ninja about spam, ya know! :P Except I'm not going to answer any questions in a humorous fashion with lots of gesticulating or anticipation of killing you soon! :P