Deleted post question. Was OP banned? February 18, 2013 9:06 PM Subscribe
I have the greasemonkey script that allows me to see deleted posts, and I saw that this post was deleted.
Not sure if others will be able to see what I'm talking about without the script I mention, but did someone actually try to plug their "homework assignment" site on MeFi? I saw the multiple refs to www.example.com and was puzzled for a sec until it clicked (I think).
Did the OP get the ban hammer? (I hope)
And, would it maybe be possible to have a mod always add the term "banned" to the reason for the posts deletion if that action was taken?
I know many will think this is a bit silly, but I quite enjoy seeing the "banned" part when some slime ball tries to spam Mefi.
I posted this under the "Etiquette/Policy" category because I don't quite feel this is a full fledged pony request, but maybe I chose incorrectly. If so, apologies to all.
Not sure if others will be able to see what I'm talking about without the script I mention, but did someone actually try to plug their "homework assignment" site on MeFi? I saw the multiple refs to www.example.com and was puzzled for a sec until it clicked (I think).
Did the OP get the ban hammer? (I hope)
And, would it maybe be possible to have a mod always add the term "banned" to the reason for the posts deletion if that action was taken?
I know many will think this is a bit silly, but I quite enjoy seeing the "banned" part when some slime ball tries to spam Mefi.
I posted this under the "Etiquette/Policy" category because I don't quite feel this is a full fledged pony request, but maybe I chose incorrectly. If so, apologies to all.
Did the OP get the ban hammer?
If you visit the poster's profile page you can see the profile has a "This account is disabled" note. Either the user was banned or they closed their own account.
posted by RichardP at 9:14 PM on February 18, 2013 [2 favorites]
If you visit the poster's profile page you can see the profile has a "This account is disabled" note. Either the user was banned or they closed their own account.
posted by RichardP at 9:14 PM on February 18, 2013 [2 favorites]
Yeah, he/she was banned. If you click on the username, you will see "this account is disabled". His/her only remaining comment (the other two - you have to make at least three to be able to post a thread - were presumably also deleted) is hilarious, as well.
It boggles the mind, but there is still a subset of internet spammers that believes that if THEY pay the $5 to open up a MetaFilter account to shill their stupid website, that THEY will get away with it.
posted by Curious Artificer at 9:15 PM on February 18, 2013 [4 favorites]
It boggles the mind, but there is still a subset of internet spammers that believes that if THEY pay the $5 to open up a MetaFilter account to shill their stupid website, that THEY will get away with it.
posted by Curious Artificer at 9:15 PM on February 18, 2013 [4 favorites]
Yes, he tried to spam. Yes, he's banned. You can check by clicking on his username.
Sometimes in our haste to kill these posts we omit full description of what has happened.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 9:15 PM on February 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
Sometimes in our haste to kill these posts we omit full description of what has happened.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 9:15 PM on February 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
Look at a profile page after a blatant spam attempt and check under the name for "This account is disabled." It is a substantial hint.
We don't have a particular rule about announcing a banning, and my personal work history has left me with the deeply-ingrained habit of keeping account-specific matters private, but it's not a secret, really. Obvious spam = ban, nine times out of ten (if not more.)
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 9:15 PM on February 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
We don't have a particular rule about announcing a banning, and my personal work history has left me with the deeply-ingrained habit of keeping account-specific matters private, but it's not a secret, really. Obvious spam = ban, nine times out of ten (if not more.)
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 9:15 PM on February 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
(MontgomeryBurns)
Excellent!
(/MontgomeryBurns)
Thanks much everyone! And I did notice just the single comment, which did register, but I didn't realize to think that two of those had been deleted.
In my defense, all I can say is this is my favorite site on the internet, and, frankly, I feel a bit protective of it. I enjoy seeing people who try to bring the site down in such a blatant fashion get the whack.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:22 PM on February 18, 2013
Excellent!
(/MontgomeryBurns)
Thanks much everyone! And I did notice just the single comment, which did register, but I didn't realize to think that two of those had been deleted.
In my defense, all I can say is this is my favorite site on the internet, and, frankly, I feel a bit protective of it. I enjoy seeing people who try to bring the site down in such a blatant fashion get the whack.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:22 PM on February 18, 2013
restless_nomad: "Look at a profile page after a blatant spam attempt and check under the name for "This account is disabled." It is a substantial hint.
We don't have a particular rule about announcing a banning, and my personal work history has left me with the deeply-ingrained habit of keeping account-specific matters private, but it's not a secret, really. Obvious spam = ban, nine times out of ten (if not more.)"
Ah, yes, you make a great point. I think you're right that account matters being kept private is the way to go, but I still enjoy a good bannination when it's such a blatant piece of spam.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:24 PM on February 18, 2013
We don't have a particular rule about announcing a banning, and my personal work history has left me with the deeply-ingrained habit of keeping account-specific matters private, but it's not a secret, really. Obvious spam = ban, nine times out of ten (if not more.)"
Ah, yes, you make a great point. I think you're right that account matters being kept private is the way to go, but I still enjoy a good bannination when it's such a blatant piece of spam.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:24 PM on February 18, 2013
Burhanistan: "Your "moderatiors" tag would drive me nuts if that was the sort of thing that drove me nuts. Does that rhyme with "abbatoir"?"
Um... I grew up in France? Eek! You are SO correct! Any chance a mod could fix that for me?
I understand fully if it needs to be kept there like a head on a pike as warning to others of the consequences of such sloppy posting.
*hangs head in shame*
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:27 PM on February 18, 2013
Um... I grew up in France? Eek! You are SO correct! Any chance a mod could fix that for me?
I understand fully if it needs to be kept there like a head on a pike as warning to others of the consequences of such sloppy posting.
*hangs head in shame*
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:27 PM on February 18, 2013
Moderatieers.
Moderatieros.
Moderatinis.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 9:30 PM on February 18, 2013 [11 favorites]
Moderatieros.
Moderatinis.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 9:30 PM on February 18, 2013 [11 favorites]
Burhanistan: "You can fix your own tags there, frenchie."
Oui! Fin!
Thanks for that. I had no idea and it's nice to learn something new.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:31 PM on February 18, 2013
Oui! Fin!
Thanks for that. I had no idea and it's nice to learn something new.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:31 PM on February 18, 2013
I like my moderatinis with a twist of lemon, but not too much vermouth. All things in... well, you know.
posted by booksherpa at 9:44 PM on February 18, 2013 [28 favorites]
posted by booksherpa at 9:44 PM on February 18, 2013 [28 favorites]
booksherpa: "I like my moderatinis with a twist of lemon, but not too much vermouth. All things in... well, you know."
I see what you did there... (good one!)
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:50 PM on February 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
I see what you did there... (good one!)
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:50 PM on February 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
Moderato - clam juice and tomato, with a reasonable, judicious amount of vodka.
posted by Curious Artificer at 9:52 PM on February 18, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Curious Artificer at 9:52 PM on February 18, 2013 [2 favorites]
The modmeisters, the modinators, the moderinos, the modumentals, the eensybeensy moddymoddy mcmod mod mod bo bob banana fana fo fod fee fi fo mo moddities
posted by y2karl at 9:52 PM on February 18, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by y2karl at 9:52 PM on February 18, 2013 [4 favorites]
How badly do you have to miscalculate things to spend five dollars to put up such obvious spam here?
posted by codacorolla at 9:52 PM on February 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by codacorolla at 9:52 PM on February 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
One thing I have learned in my short time reading the mod email is that spammers are either very dim or very shameless.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 9:57 PM on February 18, 2013 [7 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 9:57 PM on February 18, 2013 [7 favorites]
Robots are really making no effort at all these days.
posted by Artw at 10:01 PM on February 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 10:01 PM on February 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
What a shameless plug for example.com.
And yet I cannot get example.com out of my head...
posted by mazola at 10:20 PM on February 18, 2013 [5 favorites]
And yet I cannot get example.com out of my head...
posted by mazola at 10:20 PM on February 18, 2013 [5 favorites]
Oh man, low-hanging banfruit and I was asleep on the couch.
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:27 PM on February 18, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:27 PM on February 18, 2013 [6 favorites]
I'm afraid you're going to ban me just because you're in the mood!
posted by mazola at 10:30 PM on February 18, 2013
posted by mazola at 10:30 PM on February 18, 2013
mazola: "I'm afraid you're going to ban me just because you're in the mood!"
Sometimes cortex has trouble controlling the urge to ban people. Luckily we distract him by using his excellent skills at composing impromptu song lyrics. He's the master of that realm.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 10:41 PM on February 18, 2013
Sometimes cortex has trouble controlling the urge to ban people. Luckily we distract him by using his excellent skills at composing impromptu song lyrics. He's the master of that realm.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 10:41 PM on February 18, 2013
Cortex just pulled this off on Larp Trek: 1, 2... which I thought was rather wonderful.
posted by Artw at 10:47 PM on February 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 10:47 PM on February 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
Each of the mods has a moderatoir set up to which we retire before a banning, as it's a delicate affair.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane (staff) at 10:58 PM on February 18, 2013 [10 favorites]
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane (staff) at 10:58 PM on February 18, 2013 [10 favorites]
El Moderinos, if you're not into the whole brevity thing.
posted by davidjmcgee at 11:01 PM on February 18, 2013 [8 favorites]
posted by davidjmcgee at 11:01 PM on February 18, 2013 [8 favorites]
One thing I have learned in my short time reading the mod email is that spammers are either very dim or very shameless.
Both.
posted by DreamerFi at 11:47 PM on February 18, 2013
Both.
posted by DreamerFi at 11:47 PM on February 18, 2013
dim, shameless and yet they can enjoybal with the best.
(note to self: less caffiene after midnight, even if it mostly no longer does anything but stave off the headaches a little longer.)
posted by mephron at 2:04 AM on February 19, 2013
(note to self: less caffiene after midnight, even if it mostly no longer does anything but stave off the headaches a little longer.)
posted by mephron at 2:04 AM on February 19, 2013
The only remaining comment from that account:
really enjoybal and impresed too........... make me laugh........
I ask you, people, is that really the kind of comment that a person - even a teenager with their tweeters and their beebers and the whatnot - think, "This person can help me with my homework"?
posted by smoke at 2:06 AM on February 19, 2013 [8 favorites]
really enjoybal and impresed too........... make me laugh........
I ask you, people, is that really the kind of comment that a person - even a teenager with their tweeters and their beebers and the whatnot - think, "This person can help me with my homework"?
posted by smoke at 2:06 AM on February 19, 2013 [8 favorites]
Now I'm curious about what an "enjoybal" might be. Whatever it is, it sounds good.
posted by A Thousand Baited Hooks at 3:02 AM on February 19, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by A Thousand Baited Hooks at 3:02 AM on February 19, 2013 [4 favorites]
Smoke, I had the same thought. I mean, the post itself was filled with really careless typos, and I honestly had a hard time at first understanding that it wasn't about yoga. I hope this site becomes incredibly successful, with many, many students paying to use their product. It will make separating the wheat from the chaff too stupid to buy their essays from an essay site with an actual grasp of the language.
posted by Ghidorah at 3:03 AM on February 19, 2013
posted by Ghidorah at 3:03 AM on February 19, 2013
The moderators were way too harsh and hasty here. Now we'll never know what the full solutrion is.
posted by Wordshore at 3:32 AM on February 19, 2013
posted by Wordshore at 3:32 AM on February 19, 2013
The solutrions are also plagarism free, which could be a clever loophole for providing plagiarized work... presumably to students who themselves are intending to plagiarize, though, so yeah, this is so many kinds of sketchy. Thanks for the bannination, mods!
posted by beryllium at 3:59 AM on February 19, 2013
posted by beryllium at 3:59 AM on February 19, 2013
THIS UKULELE KILLS SPAMMERS
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 4:13 AM on February 19, 2013 [33 favorites]
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 4:13 AM on February 19, 2013 [33 favorites]
Hey, great post.
Incidentally, have you guys heard that you can get great deals on V1@grA at my awesone online Canadian Pharmacy?
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 4:19 AM on February 19, 2013
Incidentally, have you guys heard that you can get great deals on V1@grA at my awesone online Canadian Pharmacy?
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 4:19 AM on February 19, 2013
His/her only remaining comment (the other two - you have to make at least three to be able to post a thread - were presumably also deleted)
This used to be the rule, but I don't believe the three-comment threshold for first posts still exists. Mods, can you confirm?
posted by Horace Rumpole at 4:52 AM on February 19, 2013
This used to be the rule, but I don't believe the three-comment threshold for first posts still exists. Mods, can you confirm?
posted by Horace Rumpole at 4:52 AM on February 19, 2013
It's one comment and some amount of time, I think it's a week. Not entirely sure.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane (staff) at 5:00 AM on February 19, 2013
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane (staff) at 5:00 AM on February 19, 2013
Moderatiosos.
posted by seanmpuckett at 5:05 AM on February 19, 2013
posted by seanmpuckett at 5:05 AM on February 19, 2013
Business idea!
1. buy rights to example.com
2. use it to sell homework essays
3. provide the full solutrion of the assignments which reduce the overhead of the students
posted by A Thousand Baited Hooks at 5:17 AM on February 19, 2013 [5 favorites]
1. buy rights to example.com
2. use it to sell homework essays
3. provide the full solutrion of the assignments which reduce the overhead of the students
posted by A Thousand Baited Hooks at 5:17 AM on February 19, 2013 [5 favorites]
I like my moderatinis
Look, can we stop using "-tini" as a suffix to mean "cocktail?" I expect we could come up with better names for our own moderator-themed drinks -- "The Deletion Reason," "The Call-Out," and "The Banhammer" (which is not allowed to be ordered by a single person; too much alcohol), and the showy but pointless "Flameout."
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:27 AM on February 19, 2013 [3 favorites]
Look, can we stop using "-tini" as a suffix to mean "cocktail?" I expect we could come up with better names for our own moderator-themed drinks -- "The Deletion Reason," "The Call-Out," and "The Banhammer" (which is not allowed to be ordered by a single person; too much alcohol), and the showy but pointless "Flameout."
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:27 AM on February 19, 2013 [3 favorites]
A Fluffy Mod would be delightful!
posted by h00py at 5:45 AM on February 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by h00py at 5:45 AM on February 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
A Fluffy Mod would be delightful!
Now I am imagining the mods wearing fake fur hats and coats, making snow posters, having snowball fights.... it is delightful!
posted by GenjiandProust at 6:00 AM on February 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Now I am imagining the mods wearing fake fur hats and coats, making snow posters, having snowball fights.... it is delightful!
posted by GenjiandProust at 6:00 AM on February 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
El Moderinos, if you're not into the whole brevity thing.
It's Los Moderinos, if you want to be pedantic about it.
posted by tommasz at 6:01 AM on February 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
It's Los Moderinos, if you want to be pedantic about it.
posted by tommasz at 6:01 AM on February 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
When you start adding ñ to words, ennui is on the way.
posted by Talkie Toaster at 6:12 AM on February 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Talkie Toaster at 6:12 AM on February 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
There... is a worm on my doorway?
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane (staff) at 6:14 AM on February 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane (staff) at 6:14 AM on February 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
Random question: I noticed that the only other action taken by the disabled account was one favorite that it gave to someone else's comment.
Judging by the date, since it's not old, and the context it looks to me like it's an obvious attempt to appear real and/or give some legitimacy to his/her account. Maybe the assumption is/was that would buy them time before the banhammer or some sort of filter busted them.
With that in mind is there ever any action taken to withdraw or scrub the site of their actions? I guess I just see things like that a a furtherance of the abuse that was perpetuated in the self-post instead of valid input/contribution to the site and think the site would be better without it.
Not that it's a big deal and there may be implications/policies in place that I'm not aware of, if so you probably know more about teh moderations of teh internets than I do, but I just wanted to mention it.
posted by RolandOfEld at 6:26 AM on February 19, 2013
Judging by the date, since it's not old, and the context it looks to me like it's an obvious attempt to appear real and/or give some legitimacy to his/her account. Maybe the assumption is/was that would buy them time before the banhammer or some sort of filter busted them.
With that in mind is there ever any action taken to withdraw or scrub the site of their actions? I guess I just see things like that a a furtherance of the abuse that was perpetuated in the self-post instead of valid input/contribution to the site and think the site would be better without it.
Not that it's a big deal and there may be implications/policies in place that I'm not aware of, if so you probably know more about teh moderations of teh internets than I do, but I just wanted to mention it.
posted by RolandOfEld at 6:26 AM on February 19, 2013
Correction: I looked at it wrong, the account's only other action is a one line comment, not a favorite of someone else's comment.
really enjoybal and impresed too........... make me laugh........
posted by myassignmenthelp11 at 8:15 PM on February 18 [1 favorite +] [!]
So I guess it's garnered a favorite and people *could* have replied to it, so removing it is problematic, or at least more so than it could be.
Sorry for the confusion.
posted by RolandOfEld at 6:30 AM on February 19, 2013
really enjoybal and impresed too........... make me laugh........
posted by myassignmenthelp11 at 8:15 PM on February 18 [1 favorite +] [!]
So I guess it's garnered a favorite and people *could* have replied to it, so removing it is problematic, or at least more so than it could be.
Sorry for the confusion.
posted by RolandOfEld at 6:30 AM on February 19, 2013
Moderatrons. You never hear about their nemeses the Extremabots these days, but I believe they are still working away in secret in certain threads...
posted by Segundus at 6:56 AM on February 19, 2013
posted by Segundus at 6:56 AM on February 19, 2013
Ok, I assume that example.com wasn't the actual URL the spammer used, but rather the post was edited by a mod after the fact, to remove all traces....right?
posted by Doleful Creature at 7:23 AM on February 19, 2013
posted by Doleful Creature at 7:23 AM on February 19, 2013
That's right, Doleful Creature. The page continues to exist even if it's no longer on the front page, and we'd rather not give them any clicks at all.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane (staff) at 7:24 AM on February 19, 2013
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane (staff) at 7:24 AM on February 19, 2013
I think enjoybal is somehow related to this "amazeballs" I keep hearing about. But singular and slightly less impressive. Like perhaps one of a set of two is just a little bit better than the other.
Maybe it's a dress left/right sort of thing? I dress left, so my enjoybal is the right?
posted by SpiffyRob at 7:30 AM on February 19, 2013
Maybe it's a dress left/right sort of thing? I dress left, so my enjoybal is the right?
posted by SpiffyRob at 7:30 AM on February 19, 2013
Was someone trying to tell us about thier delicious ham?
posted by The Whelk at 7:36 AM on February 19, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 7:36 AM on February 19, 2013 [3 favorites]
Meanwhile the folks at IANA are getting rich mopping up the click-throughs on example.com.
posted by stp123 at 7:36 AM on February 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by stp123 at 7:36 AM on February 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
It's one comment and some amount of time, I think it's a week. Not entirely sure.
Yep, one comment, down from three, before they can post; and one week, like it's always been. We brought the comment limit down because it seems to not be any less effective at gating spammers (even one throwaway comment tends to be obviously dumb if they're the "too stupid/illiterate/clueless to disguise themselves successfully as a normal new user" type, which is what that gate usually helps us catch), and it makes things slightly less weird for Askme-only users who don't get why they can't make a post on the front page once they figure out that that's a thing they'd like to try.
With that in mind is there ever any action taken to withdraw or scrub the site of their actions? I guess I just see things like that a a furtherance of the abuse that was perpetuated in the self-post instead of valid input/contribution to the site and think the site would be better without it.
What we have historically done is:
1. remove actual spam (self-links/etc in post or comment form)
2. maybe remove dumb chaff comments (but they're not a problem in quite the same way)
3. basically never remove favorites or contacts
Number 1 is job number one; we nix without apology.
Number 2 is sort of a how-we're-feeling sort of thing; I often will leave a dumb but innocuous non-spam comment from a banned spammer where it is if it's not actively derailing a discussion, because I kind of like them as odd sore-thumb artifacts that lead to predictably banned accounts.
Number 3 is getting into sort of weird monkeying-under-the-hood territory where unless someone has some very specific and very compelling reason to personally feel like there's something problematic with the favorite or contact, there's just not really any damage being done that justifies unusual measures. I can't think of a time that we have done something like that though it's not impossible it might have come up once or twice.
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:50 AM on February 19, 2013
Yep, one comment, down from three, before they can post; and one week, like it's always been. We brought the comment limit down because it seems to not be any less effective at gating spammers (even one throwaway comment tends to be obviously dumb if they're the "too stupid/illiterate/clueless to disguise themselves successfully as a normal new user" type, which is what that gate usually helps us catch), and it makes things slightly less weird for Askme-only users who don't get why they can't make a post on the front page once they figure out that that's a thing they'd like to try.
With that in mind is there ever any action taken to withdraw or scrub the site of their actions? I guess I just see things like that a a furtherance of the abuse that was perpetuated in the self-post instead of valid input/contribution to the site and think the site would be better without it.
What we have historically done is:
1. remove actual spam (self-links/etc in post or comment form)
2. maybe remove dumb chaff comments (but they're not a problem in quite the same way)
3. basically never remove favorites or contacts
Number 1 is job number one; we nix without apology.
Number 2 is sort of a how-we're-feeling sort of thing; I often will leave a dumb but innocuous non-spam comment from a banned spammer where it is if it's not actively derailing a discussion, because I kind of like them as odd sore-thumb artifacts that lead to predictably banned accounts.
Number 3 is getting into sort of weird monkeying-under-the-hood territory where unless someone has some very specific and very compelling reason to personally feel like there's something problematic with the favorite or contact, there's just not really any damage being done that justifies unusual measures. I can't think of a time that we have done something like that though it's not impossible it might have come up once or twice.
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:50 AM on February 19, 2013
So I guiltily enjoy watching the "work" of very dim and shameless spammers even though I know they are pains-in-the-asses of moderators I hold dear. It's pretty much the only reason I keep the Deleted Posts script running.
I'm going to start referring to that conflicted feeling as "enjoybal" from here on out.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 7:50 AM on February 19, 2013 [4 favorites]
I'm going to start referring to that conflicted feeling as "enjoybal" from here on out.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 7:50 AM on February 19, 2013 [4 favorites]
Although it would have been particularly delicious if the spammer had been using example.com as placeholder text and forgot to change it before hitting the post button and sealing her/his fate. Incompetence, evil, and lack of planning: three great tastes that taste great together.
Like a spam trifle
posted by Doleful Creature at 7:51 AM on February 19, 2013
Like a spam trifle
posted by Doleful Creature at 7:51 AM on February 19, 2013
if the spammer had been using example.com as placeholder text and forgot to change it
I have this vision of the spammer ethos (if you can call it that) where that's not even plausible, like The Link is the foremost thing to such an extent that they walk around at all times with it held out in front of them like a yardstick katana. Like they've sat through angry speeches by Alec Baldwin about how you must A. B. L.: Always Be Linking. Like they don't put the link into a post, they just chip away at the post material until everything that doesn't look like the link has been removed. Like the link is a shiny new car that if they can keep their hand on it longer than anyone else at the dealership, they'll get to take home.
Totem. Monolith. Holy nexus. You don't ever replace the link.
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:04 AM on February 19, 2013 [13 favorites]
I have this vision of the spammer ethos (if you can call it that) where that's not even plausible, like The Link is the foremost thing to such an extent that they walk around at all times with it held out in front of them like a yardstick katana. Like they've sat through angry speeches by Alec Baldwin about how you must A. B. L.: Always Be Linking. Like they don't put the link into a post, they just chip away at the post material until everything that doesn't look like the link has been removed. Like the link is a shiny new car that if they can keep their hand on it longer than anyone else at the dealership, they'll get to take home.
Totem. Monolith. Holy nexus. You don't ever replace the link.
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:04 AM on February 19, 2013 [13 favorites]
A Fluffy Mod would be delightful!
Once again, I encourage you all to cast off your yokes of bland mod oppression, and vote #1 quidnunc kid -- now available in Fluffy, Citrus-Scent, Non-Static, Family Size and Extra-Surly formats. #1 quidnunc kid: with super banhammering power, to get at those tough spots of leftover spam, if that's your thing, 'cuz really, it's a good look for you. Just sayin'.
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:27 AM on February 19, 2013
Once again, I encourage you all to cast off your yokes of bland mod oppression, and vote #1 quidnunc kid -- now available in Fluffy, Citrus-Scent, Non-Static, Family Size and Extra-Surly formats. #1 quidnunc kid: with super banhammering power, to get at those tough spots of leftover spam, if that's your thing, 'cuz really, it's a good look for you. Just sayin'.
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:27 AM on February 19, 2013
How's everyone's boners today? Droopy? I can't help you but you have my sympathy.
What? No, I'm on the puter doin spams, mom. Dammit now you made me mess that one up. Fine, I'll just go to law school, whatever, sheesh!
posted by Divine_Wino at 8:31 AM on February 19, 2013
What? No, I'm on the puter doin spams, mom. Dammit now you made me mess that one up. Fine, I'll just go to law school, whatever, sheesh!
posted by Divine_Wino at 8:31 AM on February 19, 2013
codacorolla: "How badly do you have to miscalculate things to spend five dollars to put up such obvious spam here?"
Perhaps it's a lack of knowledge of the site and cluelessness about how alert the mods are, combined with a sense that the diminishing returns might be worth it?
A poster who doesn't know much about the site might think the post could survive for a while and get clicks. Even so, "deleted" is a misnomer -- the page remains online even if they're not visible. If the post doesn't survive, that could conceivably still be searchable. And it will definitely still show up in the Blue's RSS feed.
If you don't know much about the moderation here and aren't aware that the mods not only quickly delete spam posts but replace also spam links with www.example.com, then $5 might seem like a low bar.
posted by zarq at 8:33 AM on February 19, 2013
Perhaps it's a lack of knowledge of the site and cluelessness about how alert the mods are, combined with a sense that the diminishing returns might be worth it?
A poster who doesn't know much about the site might think the post could survive for a while and get clicks. Even so, "deleted" is a misnomer -- the page remains online even if they're not visible. If the post doesn't survive, that could conceivably still be searchable. And it will definitely still show up in the Blue's RSS feed.
If you don't know much about the moderation here and aren't aware that the mods not only quickly delete spam posts but replace also spam links with www.example.com, then $5 might seem like a low bar.
posted by zarq at 8:33 AM on February 19, 2013
I really miss the three-comment rule. I understand why it was reduced to one, but I liked looking at spammers' comment histories for enjoybals and other treasures.
When it was three comments, I also occasionally saw spammers-to-be in the wild - e.g. a comment like "funny site, thanks for posting" by a user named something like "bestvacationsonlinenow48964" who'd signed up the day before. What should you do when you see a comment from someone who obviously plans to self-link but hasn't yet done so? Flag it? Leave it alone?
posted by Metroid Baby at 8:46 AM on February 19, 2013 [3 favorites]
When it was three comments, I also occasionally saw spammers-to-be in the wild - e.g. a comment like "funny site, thanks for posting" by a user named something like "bestvacationsonlinenow48964" who'd signed up the day before. What should you do when you see a comment from someone who obviously plans to self-link but hasn't yet done so? Flag it? Leave it alone?
posted by Metroid Baby at 8:46 AM on February 19, 2013 [3 favorites]
I'm going to give you a little advice. There's a force in the universe that makes things happen. And all you have to do is get in touch with it, stop thinking, let things happen, and be the link. Just be the link, be the link, be the link.
You're not being the link, cortex.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 8:54 AM on February 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
You're not being the link, cortex.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 8:54 AM on February 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
In a clear-cut case like "bestvacationsonlinenow48964", we may well already have them in our sights. But you can always drop us a note via the contact form and we'll keep an eye on them.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane (staff) at 8:55 AM on February 19, 2013
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane (staff) at 8:55 AM on February 19, 2013
Now I want to create an account named bestvacationsonlinenow48964 and be the most awesome user ever and not quit posting helpful comments and viral videos until I'm old and grey.
posted by RolandOfEld at 8:58 AM on February 19, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by RolandOfEld at 8:58 AM on February 19, 2013 [3 favorites]
bestvacationsonlinenow48964 will never be the most awesome user ever.
posted by bestvacationsonlinenow48965 at 9:02 AM on February 19, 2013 [33 favorites]
posted by bestvacationsonlinenow48965 at 9:02 AM on February 19, 2013 [33 favorites]
I hate you guys...
Welp, that brings the count of sockpuppets I've brought about to 2. Unless goodnewsfortheinsane gets credit for this one. No idea if that makes it any better honestly...
posted by RolandOfEld at 9:06 AM on February 19, 2013
Welp, that brings the count of sockpuppets I've brought about to 2. Unless goodnewsfortheinsane gets credit for this one. No idea if that makes it any better honestly...
posted by RolandOfEld at 9:06 AM on February 19, 2013
What should you do when you see a comment from someone who obviously plans to self-link but hasn't yet done so? Flag it? Leave it alone?
I've used the contact form to give the mods a heads-up, but I think potential spammers of the incompetent variety (like the one under discussion here) kind of show up on the mods' radar as soon as they sign up - if their account name is basically a marketing-oriented URL, and they list that URL as their personal website on their user info page, things look skeevy already.
posted by LionIndex at 9:08 AM on February 19, 2013
I've used the contact form to give the mods a heads-up, but I think potential spammers of the incompetent variety (like the one under discussion here) kind of show up on the mods' radar as soon as they sign up - if their account name is basically a marketing-oriented URL, and they list that URL as their personal website on their user info page, things look skeevy already.
posted by LionIndex at 9:08 AM on February 19, 2013
LionIndex: "I've used the contact form to give the mods a heads-up, "
Me too. I know they have a watch list, but am not sure how "formal" it is.
posted by zarq at 9:16 AM on February 19, 2013
Me too. I know they have a watch list, but am not sure how "formal" it is.
posted by zarq at 9:16 AM on February 19, 2013
I know they have a watch list, but am not sure how "formal" it is.
It's a real part of the back-end, not just a post-it and a sharpie if that's what you mean. We have a few things that we can note when we add someone to the Watchlist (which is basically just for potential spammers, out-of-nowhere assholes and a category tantalizingly called "other) and it's an easy way to see if a user has showed up on anyone's radar before whatever point caused another one of us to notice them. The most important aspect is that if you're on the watchlist, we get your first posts emailed to us, so we can really knock the spammers down almost as soon as they do anything.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:21 AM on February 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
It's a real part of the back-end, not just a post-it and a sharpie if that's what you mean. We have a few things that we can note when we add someone to the Watchlist (which is basically just for potential spammers, out-of-nowhere assholes and a category tantalizingly called "other) and it's an easy way to see if a user has showed up on anyone's radar before whatever point caused another one of us to notice them. The most important aspect is that if you're on the watchlist, we get your first posts emailed to us, so we can really knock the spammers down almost as soon as they do anything.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:21 AM on February 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Very. You need to wear a tuxedo to even peek at it.
As for the awesomesock, I plead innocent.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane (staff) at 9:22 AM on February 19, 2013
As for the awesomesock, I plead innocent.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane (staff) at 9:22 AM on February 19, 2013
Oh, we're doing serious answers now?
And no, we won't put you on the Watchlist just because you ask, but there is such a thing as asking to be put on the Watchlist.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane (staff) at 9:26 AM on February 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
And no, we won't put you on the Watchlist just because you ask, but there is such a thing as asking to be put on the Watchlist.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane (staff) at 9:26 AM on February 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
out-of-nowhere assholes
Furious socks on waxed wooden floor scamper towards band name/van club hooligan gang file folder.
posted by Divine_Wino at 9:55 AM on February 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
Furious socks on waxed wooden floor scamper towards band name/van club hooligan gang file folder.
posted by Divine_Wino at 9:55 AM on February 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
Metafilter needs more anatomy posts. This would assist in identifying "out-of-nowhere assholes."
posted by cjorgensen at 9:56 AM on February 19, 2013
posted by cjorgensen at 9:56 AM on February 19, 2013
and a category tantalizingly called "other
-Doesn't wash his hands after using the bathroom
-Unnecessary use of punctuation or not enough punctuation
-Drank the last of the milk in the fridge and put the empty carton back
-Once pulled on Mary Sue's pigtails in the fourth grade
posted by backseatpilot at 9:58 AM on February 19, 2013
-Doesn't wash his hands after using the bathroom
-Unnecessary use of punctuation or not enough punctuation
-Drank the last of the milk in the fridge and put the empty carton back
-Once pulled on Mary Sue's pigtails in the fourth grade
posted by backseatpilot at 9:58 AM on February 19, 2013
there is such a thing as asking to be put on the Watchlist.
Why would someone do that? Someone wants to be watched over by mods of loving grace?
posted by benito.strauss at 10:00 AM on February 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Why would someone do that? Someone wants to be watched over by mods of loving grace?
posted by benito.strauss at 10:00 AM on February 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
jessamyn: " It's a real part of the back-end, not just a post-it and a sharpie if that's what you mean.
Yeah. I wasn't sure if it was built into the site. Thanks for clarifying!
posted by zarq at 10:01 AM on February 19, 2013
Yeah. I wasn't sure if it was built into the site. Thanks for clarifying!
posted by zarq at 10:01 AM on February 19, 2013
Metroid Baby: When it was three comments, I also occasionally saw spammers-to-be in the wild - e.g. a comment like "funny site, thanks for posting" by a user named something like "bestvacationsonlinenow48964" who'd signed up the day before. What should you do when you see a comment from someone who obviously plans to self-link but hasn't yet done so? Flag it? Leave it alone?
I saw a couple "Wild Enjoybals" a few days ago and used the Contact Form. The guy had two content-free comments, and I assumed he was just waiting to sneak the third one in there before going all Dr. Zizmor on the Blue. No activity since then, though. I guess he's playing the long con. Good luck, buddy. Cortex and I have our eyes on you. *makes "I'm watching you" gesture*
posted by Rock Steady at 10:24 AM on February 19, 2013
I saw a couple "Wild Enjoybals" a few days ago and used the Contact Form. The guy had two content-free comments, and I assumed he was just waiting to sneak the third one in there before going all Dr. Zizmor on the Blue. No activity since then, though. I guess he's playing the long con. Good luck, buddy. Cortex and I have our eyes on you. *makes "I'm watching you" gesture*
posted by Rock Steady at 10:24 AM on February 19, 2013
Why would someone do that?
gnfti was playfully dissecting the polysemy of "asking for" something is all. No one has ever literally asked to be watchlisted that I know of, just as spammers generally don't literally yammer for the banhammer, much though they are often very much yammerin' for a banhammerin'.
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:27 AM on February 19, 2013 [4 favorites]
gnfti was playfully dissecting the polysemy of "asking for" something is all. No one has ever literally asked to be watchlisted that I know of, just as spammers generally don't literally yammer for the banhammer, much though they are often very much yammerin' for a banhammerin'.
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:27 AM on February 19, 2013 [4 favorites]
cortex: yammerin' for a banhammerin'
Ben Grimm is now a mod?
posted by Rock Steady at 10:32 AM on February 19, 2013
Ben Grimm is now a mod?
posted by Rock Steady at 10:32 AM on February 19, 2013
a user named something like "bestvacationsonlinenow48964"
I think that if I were to get a sockpuppet account, I'd want to call it something like bestsocksonlinenow but now I cannot because I have pre-outed myself.
posted by jeather at 10:51 AM on February 19, 2013
I think that if I were to get a sockpuppet account, I'd want to call it something like bestsocksonlinenow but now I cannot because I have pre-outed myself.
posted by jeather at 10:51 AM on February 19, 2013
Ben Grimm is now a mod?
(writes I will not match the Mods up to their Marvel Universe equivalents 10 times on the blackboard)
posted by The Whelk at 10:54 AM on February 19, 2013
(writes I will not match the Mods up to their Marvel Universe equivalents 10 times on the blackboard)
posted by The Whelk at 10:54 AM on February 19, 2013
The mods should create a spambot gulag, where you post url-stripped mumbo jumbo that some Markov model has decided to spew on to the site. Hell, I'd read it.
posted by codacorolla at 11:11 AM on February 19, 2013
posted by codacorolla at 11:11 AM on February 19, 2013
You're soaking in it.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 11:15 AM on February 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 11:15 AM on February 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
codacorolla: The mods should create a spambot gulag, where you post url-stripped mumbo jumbo that some Markov model has decided to spew on to the site. Hell, I'd read it.
shitmycontactformsays.tumblr.com
posted by Rock Steady at 11:17 AM on February 19, 2013 [12 favorites]
shitmycontactformsays.tumblr.com
posted by Rock Steady at 11:17 AM on February 19, 2013 [12 favorites]
Rock Steady: " shitmycontactformsays.tumblr.com"
I'm thankful that's not updated more frequently. I'd never get anything accomplished at work.
posted by zarq at 11:27 AM on February 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
I'm thankful that's not updated more frequently. I'd never get anything accomplished at work.
posted by zarq at 11:27 AM on February 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
██████ ██████.”{JOHN 3;16}”. “{THANKYOU AND GOODBYE}”.SELAH
Man, I'll never get the hang of jQuery.
posted by benito.strauss at 11:28 AM on February 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Man, I'll never get the hang of jQuery.
posted by benito.strauss at 11:28 AM on February 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Missed it by thaaaaat much
posted by zarq at 12:03 PM on February 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by zarq at 12:03 PM on February 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
You can fix your own tags there, frenchie.
I was a back-handed super-stud on Metafilter.
Ok, I assume that example.com wasn't the actual URL . . . right?
That's right, Doleful Creature.
I am totally going to start addressing everybody like this. In the voice of the Guardian of Forever, of course.
*ahem*
A questionnunnunnun . . .
Since before your sun burned hot in spacepacepacepace
and before your race was born, Doleful Creatures, I have awaitedtedtedted . . .
a questionnunnunnun
posted by Herodios at 12:06 PM on February 19, 2013 [4 favorites]
I was a back-handed super-stud on Metafilter.
Ok, I assume that example.com wasn't the actual URL . . . right?
That's right, Doleful Creature.
I am totally going to start addressing everybody like this. In the voice of the Guardian of Forever, of course.
*ahem*
A questionnunnunnun . . .
Since before your sun burned hot in spacepacepacepace
and before your race was born, Doleful Creatures, I have awaitedtedtedted . . .
a questionnunnunnun
posted by Herodios at 12:06 PM on February 19, 2013 [4 favorites]
Moderatinis.
Lovely drink; but you have to be careful and only have them in moderation 'cuz they pack a kick.
posted by never used baby shoes at 12:50 PM on February 19, 2013
Lovely drink; but you have to be careful and only have them in moderation 'cuz they pack a kick.
posted by never used baby shoes at 12:50 PM on February 19, 2013
Has anyone started METAL FILTER? I can't decide if it should focus on guitar riffs or iron filings.
posted by maryr at 1:42 PM on February 19, 2013
posted by maryr at 1:42 PM on February 19, 2013
I want to work as gigalo, i am a profesional model
Another vote for hoping you'll update shitmycontactformsays.tumblr.com more often!
posted by Melismata at 1:51 PM on February 19, 2013
Another vote for hoping you'll update shitmycontactformsays.tumblr.com more often!
posted by Melismata at 1:51 PM on February 19, 2013
the showy but pointless "Flameout."
Fireball and water, room temp.
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 1:57 PM on February 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Fireball and water, room temp.
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 1:57 PM on February 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Has anyone started METAL FILTER? I can't decide if it should focus on guitar riffs or iron filings.
And then there are the Sonic Youth fans who wonder why you'd need to make that decision at all.
posted by LionIndex at 1:58 PM on February 19, 2013
And then there are the Sonic Youth fans who wonder why you'd need to make that decision at all.
posted by LionIndex at 1:58 PM on February 19, 2013
there is such a thing as asking to be put on the Watchlist.
Why would someone do that?
I took this to be the same as the idea that you are a badass if the FBI has a dossier on you. What's the easiest way to make sure you get an FBI dossier created? Ask for a copy of your dossier.
posted by CathyG at 1:58 PM on February 19, 2013
Why would someone do that?
I took this to be the same as the idea that you are a badass if the FBI has a dossier on you. What's the easiest way to make sure you get an FBI dossier created? Ask for a copy of your dossier.
posted by CathyG at 1:58 PM on February 19, 2013
What's in a Deletion Reason, do you think? Something with a float of Chambord and a twist, I want to say. I think a Callout would be rye, Fernet Branca, and lemon juice: comes on strong, sour, and bitter, and packs a wallop -- but not really like you want it to.
posted by KathrynT at 2:08 PM on February 19, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by KathrynT at 2:08 PM on February 19, 2013 [3 favorites]
A Banhammer would involve Tequila...
posted by RolandOfEld at 2:11 PM on February 19, 2013
posted by RolandOfEld at 2:11 PM on February 19, 2013
A bar I used to frequent made a drink called a Velvet Hammer that involved brandy, Grand Marnier, and cream. I forget what else was in it, but it tasted like a very gentle drink -- until you tried to stand up, at which point the "hammer" became a lot more evident.
posted by KathrynT at 2:15 PM on February 19, 2013
posted by KathrynT at 2:15 PM on February 19, 2013
I picture a Pony Request tasting of apricot and passionfruit, but maybe I just like those flavors.
posted by maryr at 2:45 PM on February 19, 2013
posted by maryr at 2:45 PM on February 19, 2013
Oh! No, I am totally wrong! A Pony Request would come with a sugar cube!
posted by maryr at 2:45 PM on February 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by maryr at 2:45 PM on February 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
I propose that a list of these drinks and recipes be made available for the Metafilter get-together.
posted by annsunny at 3:17 PM on February 19, 2013
posted by annsunny at 3:17 PM on February 19, 2013
You guys know we had a pot-Luck in NYC with actual Metafilter theme cocktails right?
posted by The Whelk at 3:33 PM on February 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by The Whelk at 3:33 PM on February 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Like the menu was a copy of Metafilter's front page, with drink specials.
posted by The Whelk at 3:35 PM on February 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by The Whelk at 3:35 PM on February 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
I'm gonna have to make extra time for a meetup next time I'm in NUC, aren't I?
posted by Artw at 4:51 PM on February 19, 2013
posted by Artw at 4:51 PM on February 19, 2013
Can I get a fucking banbanana over here? I heard about some banfruit in the area.
posted by lordaych at 7:16 PM on February 19, 2013
posted by lordaych at 7:16 PM on February 19, 2013
I'm a little bit sad that the posting limit has been reduced. I caught three spammers plus one Matt pre-emptively deleted making a trio of posts in long dead AskMes and it always gave me a little thrill to watch the spammer follow through his dastardly plan and then watch the hammer fall.
posted by Mitheral at 7:30 PM on February 19, 2013
posted by Mitheral at 7:30 PM on February 19, 2013
I would like to be added to the watchlist under the category "other". How can I achieve this? Please advise.
posted by medusa at 9:28 PM on February 19, 2013
posted by medusa at 9:28 PM on February 19, 2013
jessamyn: "The most important aspect is that if you're on the watchlist, we get your first posts emailed to us, so we can really knock the spammers down almost as soon as they do anything."
I was secretly hoping for something like this.
posted by zarq at 6:47 AM on February 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
I was secretly hoping for something like this.
posted by zarq at 6:47 AM on February 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
How you feel about it:
...can use the Banhammer only if you're in the mod.
posted by mule98J at 11:10 AM on February 20, 2013
...can use the Banhammer only if you're in the mod.
posted by mule98J at 11:10 AM on February 20, 2013
Anatomy comes under the branch of science that deals with the realistic world.
I don't know why, but I'm in love with this sentence.
posted by steambadger at 1:37 PM on February 20, 2013 [2 favorites]
I don't know why, but I'm in love with this sentence.
posted by steambadger at 1:37 PM on February 20, 2013 [2 favorites]
this post really enjoybal and impresed too........... make me laugh........
posted by exlotuseater at 7:28 PM on February 21, 2013
posted by exlotuseater at 7:28 PM on February 21, 2013
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:08 PM on February 18, 2013