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Spam

  1. #1
    Forum Expert shg's Avatar
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    Spam

    Speaking of spam, how do we remove the spam message banner?
    Entia non sunt multiplicanda sine necessitate

  2. #2
    Forum Expert Sam Capricci's Avatar
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    Re: Spam

    I was wondering if this would eventually be addressed and kept looking on the water cooler for the topic. Also wondering who it was that instructed the moderators to leave the spam alone? And what if anything we could do as participants to move things along. Thanks shg for starting some discussion on it.
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  3. #3
    Forum Moderator AliGW's Avatar
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    Re: Spam

    To reply to both queries:

    1. We've deliberately made the banner permanent whilst this situation continues.
    2. It was one of the admins who instructed us to leave the SPAM alone. I am not going to go into great details, but no, there is nothing you can do to help I am afraid. Just don't bother reporting SPAM until that banner disappears.
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  4. #4
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    Re: Spam

    I actually came to ask if you wanted us to keep reporting, even if it felt like screaming into the void, to drive reporting numbers you could point to and be like "see how much of a problem this is"
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  5. #5
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    Re: Spam

    I gave the instruction to the mods to stop deleting spam (for now). After many many ignored requests to the TT AND management to try suggestions, I rarely even get a "we will look into it" any more.

    You can continue to report it, that may help, who knows.
    1. Use code tags for VBA. [code] Your Code [/code] (or use the # button)
    2. If your question is resolved, mark it SOLVED using the thread tools
    3. Click on the star if you think someone helped you

    Regards
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  6. #6
    Forum Guru TMS's Avatar
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    Re: Spam

    Given that the TT and Management don't respond to your request for hep, information or action, perhaps it's time for the Moderators and Administrators to "down tools" completely?

    It's a thankless task at best so, when you don't get any backup, maybe it's time to walk away?

    Just a thought ...
    Trevor Shuttleworth - Retired Excel/VBA Consultant

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  7. #7
    Forum Moderator AliGW's Avatar
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    Re: Spam

    Trevor - I understand your comment. Personally, however, I care too much about those coming here to seek help: it is not their fault that the management can't be bothered.

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    Re: Spam

    What I am having a hard time understanding is that the spam threads are still getting so many views. Are that many people (30 and up in some cases) actually clicking on those threads?
    Consider taking the time to add to the reputation of everybody that has taken the time to respond to your query.

  9. #9
    Forum Moderator AliGW's Avatar
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    Re: Spam

    I don't think so. I think most of those hits will be SPAM bots and search engine crawlers.

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    Re: Spam

    Thank You. Didn't realize that spammers would employ those methods to drive up their hits, but guess that it should not be a surprise either.

  11. #11
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    Re: Spam

    I am just wondering: What exactly do we benefit here, at this forum from allowing SPAM and think that it is perfectly fine? It is a mystery to me
    If you like my answer please click on * Add Reputation
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  12. #12
    Forum Moderator AliGW's Avatar
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    Re: Spam

    We don't think it is perfectly fine. Did you read the banner? We don't benefit in any way from it, but I am not going to go into details about why we are doing it: the banner says enough to make that pretty clear.

    This situation will not go on forever, however it is ongoing at the moment.

    Ford will decide when it ends.

  13. #13
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    Re: Spam

    Alkey, I feel the same way you do, believe me!! You (and most others) are completely unaware of the constant battle I have with TT and management, to get ANYTHING done from their side. I either get zero reply (ignored) from their side, or I get empty promises or they "fix" something that wasnt even requested, wasnt even broken and is probably way down on the list of priorities.

    In an attempt (futile so far, it seems) to get their attention, I instructed the mods to ignore all spam (at least for now), hence my banner post above.

    I have asked mods for any other suggestions on what I might try, but I am rapidly (maybe already have) reaching the end of my patience in this extremely frustrating process.

    So far, I have attempted to keep the haggling in the background, so as not to involve/impact the rest of teh forum, but I really dont care at this point who knows what we have to deal with due to inept, dysfunctional and uncaring management!!

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    Re: Spam

    Just a question, as I don't know much/anything about how this works. Could it be that the hits being made on the spam threads are included in the overall hits on the site and be used in an attempt to show existing/potential advertisers that the site is being utilized more than similar sites? I never see ads on this site, but I do on others (possibly because I am not a member on other sites) so I assume that they are here also.
    If this is something that should not be printed "out loud", feel free to delete.

  15. #15
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    Re: Spam

    Quote Originally Posted by JeteMc View Post
    Just a question, as I don't know much/anything about how this works. Could it be that the hits being made on the spam threads are included in the overall hits on the site and be used in an attempt to show existing/potential advertisers that the site is being utilized more than similar sites? I never see ads on this site, but I do on others (possibly because I am not a member on other sites) so I assume that they are here also.
    If this is something that should not be printed "out loud", feel free to delete.
    "Johnny ... we have a winner !"

    This website will soon be sold and ads will appear.

    Thank you ... NOT !!!

  16. #16
    Administrator FDibbins's Avatar
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    Re: Spam

    Of only the owner would sell this site, then perhaps we could get it working properly!

  17. #17
    Forum Expert shg's Avatar
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    Re: Spam

    It's a great site for Excel, but I can't imagine who would want it, other than as an act of love. I don't see any way it's monetized.

    I'm not surprised it receives no attention from the owners; paying for a server seems sufficient. If no one is willing to moderate, que sera sera.
    Last edited by shg; 08-20-2019 at 06:53 PM.

  18. #18
    Administrator FDibbins's Avatar
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    Re: Spam

    Quote Originally Posted by shg View Post
    If no one is willing to moderate, que sera sera.
    That is neither true nor fair, shg!

    W are currently going through a stage where spam is temporarily not being dealt with, thats all. To say there is no moderation is an insult and a slap in the face to all the mods that really work hard on - and for - this site.

  19. #19
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    Re: Spam

    It's the same discussion as when this site was sold to that Indian Car company.
    It led to the exodus of almost all moderators and valuable helpers.
    It's not a 'stage', it's permanent since then.



  20. #20
    Forum Expert shg's Avatar
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    Re: Spam

    No slap intended, Ford; the mods are unpaid, and there's not much satisfaction. But having an intrusive banner and leaving spam in an attempt to shame parties unknown and indifferent doesn't make things better.

  21. #21
    Forum Moderator AliGW's Avatar
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    Re: Spam

    I can understand the irritation. However, this:

    If no one is willing to moderate, que sera sera.
    is a complete misrepresentation of a situation that has been clearly explained to you above.

    If you aren't willing to accept that explanation, que sera sera.

  22. #22
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    Re: Spam

    Maybe time for us, as a community, to move to another site - or for one of us to set up an alternative?
    let Source = #table({"Question","Thread", "User"},{{"Answered","Mark Solved", "Add Reputation"}}) in Source

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  23. #23
    Forum Moderator AliGW's Avatar
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    Re: Spam

    This has been discussed on the mod forum: I suggested a buyout, but with the owner unwilling even to talk to Ford and refusing to respond to missives from anybody else, that's a no-go.

    The problem with starting a new forum is that you would get the inevitable watering down effect (not everybody would migrate) AND it would take years to build up the traction this site has with search engines. I have seen this done on another beloved forum of mine, and it didn't work: the breakaway forum lasted only two years before it faded and died. Much as I like the idea in principle, it's pretty much a non-starter in practice.

  24. #24
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    Re: Spam

    I think the number of new threads and responses is diminishing, compared with when I joined 8 or so years ago. There are so many alternative places for people to find help on Excel, so leaving spam visible is, I feel, likely to deter new visitors from using this forum rather than other sources.

    Pete

  25. #25
    Forum Moderator AliGW's Avatar
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    Re: Spam

    It's still by far the busiest of the forums I frequent!!!

    I hope the SPAM protest will soon draw to a close and that normal service will be resumed.

  26. #26
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    Re: Spam

    Quote Originally Posted by AliGW View Post
    If you aren't willing to accept that explanation, que sera sera.
    Ali, there's nothing to accept. You have your reasons; that makes it received wisdom among the mods, not a litmus test for members.

    I think it's counterproductive.

  27. #27
    Forum Moderator AliGW's Avatar
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    Re: Spam

    Please don't accuse us of not being willing to moderate: that simply is NOT true.

  28. #28
    Forum Guru TMS's Avatar
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    Re: Spam

    I don't think anyone said you were unwilling to moderate. However, I did suggest in post #6 that maybe the mods should down tools completely.

    I doubt that would affect new users and threads and many, if not all, of the regular responders wouldn't be too worried about answering threads with improper titles or missing code tags.

    That said, maybe you should be encouraging all the regulars to go elsewhere. Perhaps you could have a banner that advocates one or more of the other fora ...

  29. #29
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    Re: Spam

    OK, point made (with zero impact). If anyone watched the mad max - beyond thunderdome movie...Lift embargo!

    Mods, please return to dealing with spam as we always have - we can expect zero help from the owner.

  30. #30
    Forum Moderator AliGW's Avatar
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    Re: Spam

    I don't think anyone said you were unwilling to moderate.
    No, I didn’t mean you - it was post #17.

    Anyway, the SPAMbargo is over.

  31. #31
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    Re: Spam

    Lo que será fue de hecho.

  32. #32
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    Re: Spam

    Should I move this to the non-english forum?
    lol

  33. #33
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    Re: Spam

    You folks do a good job. Sorry it's so frustrating.

  34. #34
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    Re: Spam

    Thanks, appreciated

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