Trying to set more realistic expectations for able2know

@roger,

Not sure...but hitting people with sticks is probably frowned upon.

@dlowan,

Not if everyone looks away . . .

0 Replies

@Robert Gentel,

Question: If someone signs on as a low-level spam-zapper, is there any commitment to devote a certain amount of time to a2k?

I know I don't want to have any sort of disciplinary authority over anyone (having power has always made me feel uncomfortable), but I could see myself zapping spam in the middle of the night when no one else is awake.

BUT.... I'm a somewhat chaotic person. I might check in to a2k regularly for a stretch of time, and then suddenly go a couple weeks without visiting a2k at all because I've found something interesting that briefly occupies all of my attention.

Also my computer finally died, and until I build a new one I'll only be online when I borrow someone else's computer to post with. And I haven't even started building the new computer.

Is there a way to unzap a message if I zap something as spam and then realize that it wasn't spam?

2 Replies

@oralloy,

I can answer these.

oralloy wrote:

Question: If someone signs on as a low-level spam-zapper, is there any commitment to devote a certain amount of time to a2k?

Do what you can; you'd be a volunteer. Every bit helps. All I ask is to give an idea if you'll be out for a long time, and that's only because I'm a worrier.

oralloy wrote:

I know I don't want to have any sort of disciplinary authority over anyone (having power has always made me feel uncomfortable), but I could see myself zapping spam in the middle of the night when no one else is awake.

That's help we can ALWAYS use.

oralloy wrote:

BUT.... I'm a somewhat chaotic person. I might check in to a2k regularly for a stretch of time, and then suddenly go a couple weeks without visiting a2k at all because I've found something interesting that briefly occupies all of my attention.

Also my computer finally died, and until I build a new one I'll only be online when I borrow someone else's computer to post with. And I haven't even started building the new computer.

No problem.

oralloy wrote:

Is there a way to unzap a message if I zap something as spam and then realize that it wasn't spam?

Yes.

0 Replies

@oralloy,

oralloy wrote:

Also my computer finally died, and until I build a new one I'll only be online when I borrow someone else's computer to post with. And I haven't even started building the new computer.

I made arrangements to have this computer overnight most of the time (it's a 10 year old laptop), so I can probably be online a bit more often even without my own computer.

0 Replies

@jespah,

Hey there. Smile

I hate to ask a dumb question. I honestly never really even thought about or realized what an issue spam might be here. I would have no problem reporting it, if I saw and recognized it. So, could you give me some things to look for?

1 Reply

@onevoice,

Better that you ask. Smile

Spam is (usually) -

A clearly commercial post (buy this product!)
A survey from someone who has never been here before (we don't really care if it's for their PhD, sorry)
Obvious porn (just report it; we will take care of it)
Newbies begging for crowdfunding $$

That is most of the low-hanging fruit. Please, never click on a suspect link; just report it. We will investigate if we think it's worth the time.

Most of the time, if it looks like spam, it probably is. However -

Newbies look for art help who post a link to an image because they don't know how to post an image are usually not spamming us
People looking to get help with overseas shipping are not always spam; we will determine that (but we don't mind if you want to point it out)
People posting links to large sites, even if it's a first post, are not always spammers but sometimes these have referral links. E. g. if you drop a link to eBay and ask if such and such pair of shoes is comfortable, it may or may not be spam. But if it's got your referral link so you get some $$ for clicks and/or sales, then it tips into spam.

Clear? If not, I'll try to answer. We generally don't respond through the Help Desk unless it's vital (e. g. someone can't get into the site or they're suspended and have a question) so feel free to ask here and I'll try to answer in a timely fashion.

1 Reply

@jespah,

Thank you very much! That was very helpful! Smile

0 Replies

@Robert Gentel,

Good to know!

0 Replies

Trying to set more realistic expectations for able2know

Related Topics

Quick Links

My Account

able2know