New members post requirements just lead to clutter.

[Phil Masteller]

I understand the need to prevent spammers, but I have very specific questions about specific e-cig models. As a responsible forum user, I do a little research before I make a double post. When I find a post that pertains to what I need but doesn't cover my exact question, I can't post on it, and instead have to waste time and server space by making frivolous posts such as this one

One down, three to go!

 

[notsoogood]

Wouldn't that be 4 to go?? I thought you had to get 5?

 

[Shan B]

yes i believe it is 5 total

 

[DocWyatt]

I used to have a stock market blog and trust me spam is a big part of any site. Filtering it is for the benefit of the readers as much as anything. Would I come on this site if it was filled with spam? No chance. Would it be filled with spam if not filtered? Trust me - no question. There would be so much spam on this site if not filtered it would make this site useless to readers that wanted legit info - without any question.

If you don't like the filter write your congressmen and ask why morality and values were stopped being taught in public schools 30 years ago. Other than that, spam is not going to stop as it is boils down to the basic concept of right and wrong.

 

[Para]

I understand the need to prevent spammers, but I have very specific questions about specific e-cig models. As a responsible forum user, I do a little research before I make a double post. When I find a post that pertains to what I need but doesn't cover my exact question, I can't post on it, and instead have to waste time and server space by making frivolous posts such as this one

One down, three to go!

If you've read much about the forum you'll know why there's a post requirement. FIVE posts isn't going to clog up the server and if you feel you are wasting time here....there are other message boards w/o the policy....you can try those

 

[Godzilla]

In all fairness, many here (including myself) are new to this much activity on a forum. I have never seen so much traffic and posts in a forum, and double posting is difficult not to do when the last day of posts is like 6 or 7 pages. I have now learned how to use the search function, but sometimes you dont even know what to search for.

I think when you first sign up you should be directed to some kind of brand new member forum, where maybe just a couple of stickys for info on navigation on the site, and a single thread that says "post your first 15 comments here" start the thread by welcoming the newbies, and to encourage them to engage with the other brand new posters for a total of 15 posts. It would be kind of cool, just like that connection you have with the people that were in your hiring group with your career.

It may be difficult to keep new members interested this way. In fact i know it would, but something like this might work well. With the security breaches on the internet these days, I dont mind the site trying to keep the spammers away.

 

[Phil Masteller]

5?! Dammit! Well I've posted on dozens of different forums in my day, and this is the first one that relegates you to a separate forum, and there are plenty of other ways to combat spam... but really, I just started this thread to burn through the arbitrary requirements. Which leads me to my next question... do the 5 posts have to contain substance? Or can I just literally say 1, 2, 3, 4, 5? In which case, you aren't fighting spam at all! But this is all just hypothetical chit chat for the sake of wasting time, and earning posts

 

[Phil Masteller]

I see that the responses here are from unrestricted members, so at least the new members forum isn't just filled with new people aimlessly asking questions.. so thanks guys

 

[Luvs5rugrats]

Five posts is not a lot. Two important aspects of any successful website are organization and participation. Just go through some threads that interest you and reply. You already have 3 posts. see? lol

 

[willbeein2003]

Say hello back to me and you will have another post out of the way.

 

[deback]

Five posts is not a lot.

I think the original poster's point is that the rest of us have to wade through all the new members' first five posts when we're catching up with new posts every day. It becomes very time-consuming, especially when those posts are of no importance to the subject of PVs. I think the OP was merely commenting on this, rather than complaining. And I'm not complaining, but it does add more time that we all spend when reading this forum. This requirement also adds a ton of messages that will show up when searching in the future. I don't think the OP was worried about ECF's server space...

 

[Elendil]

Trust me when I tell you that we turn away a lot of spam in any given day. With the 5 post requirement, we can at least keep the spam relegated to one particular area where it can be dealt with efficiently. While there are additional tools to combat spam, none of them are 100% effective, especially with the sophistication of today's spammers. This is the most effective method to provide a spam free experience for our membership.

While any rule may be viewed as pointless or a hardship by some, on the whole it is the best for both the forum and our membership.

Oh...............welcome to ECF

 

[StormFinch]

Also, though it sounds counter productive as far as forum post counts go, sometimes it really is easier just to ask your question in a new thread here in this area. New question topics get more attention than new questions piggy backed onto old threads, and a number of people pay extra attention to the new members' area so that they can provide help. Of course that doesn't mean that your question won't be answered if a thread happens to currently be active, but I've seen many a person have to start a new thread anyway because they originally chose one that was three months old to ask in.

BTW, welcome to ECF.

 

[DeepDrag]

What the OP said. I imagine it also deters some from ever starting to post.

Four to go...

 

[Bozzlite]

I understand the need to prevent spammers, but I have very specific questions about specific e-cig models. As a responsible forum user, I do a little research before I make a double post. When I find a post that pertains to what I need but doesn't cover my exact question, I can't post on it, and instead have to waste time and server space by making frivolous posts such as this one

One down, three to go!

Phil, just post your questions here in the New Members Forum until you have your 5 posts. More than likely someone will come along with the expertise and knowledge to answer it. Many full members troll this forum daily, just looking for new members to help and welcome.

 

[Mr.Self_Destruct]

You don't need to start a thread to get your post count up.

 

[AngusATAT]

Adding to what Elendil posted, you have to realize that we get some pretty unique types of spammers due to the subject matter. We get the typical spambots, which we deal with in the typical ways. We have the "hit and run" spammers that make an account, fire off a script to hawk their Nikes or Viagara... those get found fairly quick and dealt with. But we also have the sneaky spammers who are suppliers or manufacturers that like to make an account, act like an e-cig newbie, and give a little push here and there, trying to convince others to buy their stuff. These are the kinds of spammers the 5 post rule is meant to deal with, and it works very well.

Not to mention, the New Members Forum is the most active forum on the site, viewed by newbies and veterans alike, and is a great place for a new member to ask questions. It's bound to get an answer quickly.

 

[akingsley9000]

As you can see I have been a member here for over a year now. I lurk more than I post but have been posting quite a bit as of late.

I for one do not go to a particular forum section to check new posts, I just go to New Posts and although there is a lot of stuff to go through it has never bothered me to see several posts from newbies. I will say that I have never seen any posts for Nike or ...... so you guys must be doing a great job with things like that

I have seen on numerous occasions where manufactures or their employees have acted as newbies to push their product and the veterans here are usually fairy quick to recognize that and call them out on it.

 

[uba egar320]

yes i am also very upset that i have to spam 5 pages to actually get anywhere and say anything useful to the right company, no to mention you anti spam blocker 6000 that i had to go through to even make this account, the words that are all funky that you have to retype in the registration are way to long and hard to read. its not the pentigon ppl its a cig forum...

Welcome to ecf. If you need a tissue let me know lol. Dude, it's 5 post, chill.

 

[Rockington]

This seems like a good placeto clutter up post number 3!