Signatures and links

[Brian Turner]

Background

Simply put, sometimes people will join a forum, dump their link in a post, and leave a link-rich signature on their profile.

I wouldn't call it "spamming". But it's not great manners, and it adds nothing to the community as a whole.

This place exists to allow people with different specialist backgrounds in business, marketing, webmastering, webhosting, webdesign, and professions, to add to a wider knowledge to help others.

In return for their generosity, members are not simply able to gain a postive personal and business reputation, but are also given signature links: so that human users can find their websites, and search engines be provided with meaningfull links to help rank those sites.


Signature Link Policy

With that in mind, all members must now reach a minimum of 20 posts before they can have an active signature. This has been applied to all current members without prejudice.

You can set your signature before or after reaching 20 posts - but the forum software itself it will add signatures to your posts until you have exceeded 20 posts.

Further regulations with regards to signatures will be provided in the new Acceptable User Policy.


User Titles

User Titles can also now be customised after 20 posts.


Links

The "Offers and Requests" board has long since served as a hole for spammy promotional posts.

While I have nothing against bona-fide members posting bona-fide offers, the vast majority of posts on that board are by new members who have no intention of joining in with the overall business community here.

Therefore vb code for the "Offers and Requests" board has now been disabled, and links will no longer show as active on that board - for *any* member.

If this seems unfair to existing members then I am open to other suggestions.


Feedback

Feedback is always welcome - if you would like to recommend changes to any of the forum's policies then feel free to make your suggestions.

[bumfluff]

Nice one Totally with you on this, its bloody frustrating when you get some t*t who posts a few lines of bollux to try and boost their search engine ratings.

On the links in the offers and services though: can the same principle not apply? If you reach a certain number of posts, then you can paste links? Its just that a lot of offers and services posts are going to need a link for more information or contact details...

[Brian Turner]

At the moment allowing/disallowing member use of active links doesn't seem possible - not within the default set up, anyway. Likely there will be a mod for that, and I'll certainly look out for applying it so I can make things a bit fairer.

[GoldDust]

*Phew* Im in!

Makes complete sence to stop people posting just for the sig link ect.

[temi]

Umm,
I run a few forums myself so I can see your point, I also see how directly or indirectly you have made having signature in your post a reward for 20 post or more, smart move
Temi

[Brian Turner]

ADDENDUM:

Active links have now been removed from the "Introductions" and "business start-up" boards, as they are ripe for abuse by people looking to dump a number of free backlinks on the forums with single posting.

Other boards will not be affected - the aim is to simply ensure that the forums offer constructive and useful information for members and unregistered surfers - this policy is to simply avoid this place turning into a links dump for fly posters.


(Note to self: Looks like I'll need to update the signatures in the admin panel, so that people do get their signatures backdated on <20 posts made.)

[g00gl3r]

Makes sence,

sensible way of dealing with the situaton.

[Janeth]

I now have to make 20 post before I get the benfits from my signature.

But if I make 20 post really fast then I would get 20 links

[Brian Turner]

You've only 11 posts left, Janeth.

Simply because business forums are so heavily spammed - some kind of brake has become essential, I'm afriad.

[g00gl3r]

I have over 20 posts and I can't find an option to change my signature anywhere..!

:confused :