Silk Road forums

Support => Feature requests => Topic started by: LexusMiles on January 30, 2012, 04:02 am

Title: FORUM: Newbie subforum [Jail or Initiation Station]
Post by: LexusMiles on January 30, 2012, 04:02 am
The problem: Spamming up the forum, trolling... to the extent that many regulars are having their experience here diminished. The moderators have stated that if they ban the spammer and troll, he will create a new account 5 minutes later, and continue with his nasty tactics.

The solution: This idea is borrowed from the implementation of the www.bitcointalk.org forums.

A forum section called "Newbies" is created. All new members can only post here, until they have at least 5 (or ten) non spam posts, and at least 4 hours of time logged in and browsing.  So after 4 hours of actually being logged in, and if they have contributed 5 (or ten) non spam posts, then they are promoted to regular status. Only then can the Newbie (now regular) post outside of the Newbie subforum.

I didn't make this up. It is a tried and tested formula of the bitcointalk forums. it does work. And for an anonymous playground such as SR, I think it'll  be of even more value.

This implementation is not designed to 'eliminate' and completely stop trolling or spamming, but it *is* designed to curb and inhibit their freedom of movement. The ultimate goal is for a safer, more meaningful, and more pleasant forum experience for all members of SR. Quite simply, there are no losers by implementation of this. Even the new members will appreciate the extra time they spent browsing the forums before they jumped right in and started posting.

For your consideration.
Title: Re: FORUM: Newbie subforum [Jail or Initiation Station]
Post by: abuttelmao on January 30, 2012, 04:33 am
I'm not sure about all of the ideas you suggest, but I do think a newbie forum is a very good idea, if for no other reason than having an obvious, consolidated place for new people to go and find the answers to all of their questions that have been answered before in countless threads.  Questions like "how do i get bitcoins" or "is using a fake name a good idea" or "do i really need to use PGP and how does it work"
Title: Re: FORUM: Newbie subforum [Jail or Initiation Station]
Post by: Raven1318 on January 30, 2012, 01:32 pm
I agree with the idea of creating a newbie forum to help newcomers. As for the prevention of spammers, it seems like the best way would be to limit the number of posts that new members can post per day.
Title: Re: FORUM: Newbie subforum [Jail or Initiation Station]
Post by: LexusMiles on January 30, 2012, 10:24 pm
Now that you all mention it, a newbie forum is a good idea on its own. I thought of it primarily as a holding cell, secondarily as a resource for newbies. The wave of troll seems to have subsided for now, but I dare see another is never too far away.

As for limit posts per day, the main caveat for that, is without a holding cell, the newbie (who happens to be a troll in this case) can easily make a new account in real time and continue to spam.

The holding cell eliminates the ability of a troll to react in real time, so the only trolls who would be effective would be the ones who plan at least a day in advance and create multiple accounts over a long period of time. Sure a few may do this, but I estimate that most simply wont have the patience. Trolling is cheap effort with little reward.
Title: Re: FORUM: Newbie subforum [Jail or Initiation Station]
Post by: Fr33M4rk3t on January 31, 2012, 01:47 am
Great idea.  There are many forums that do similar things.  Some make it to where you have to post on an introduction part of the forum, and until you reach about 4 or 5 you are very limited to what you can do.  I even know a website that has a chatroom but doesn't allow you to gain access to that until 200 posts.
Title: Re: FORUM: Newbie subforum [Jail or Initiation Station]
Post by: LexusMiles on January 31, 2012, 01:59 am
^ OMG 200 :]

The careful line to tread is to not invoke an atmosphere of elitism. We don't necessarily want an "us and them" type of environment, but just a nice succinct barrier to misbehavior and such. And also a nice area with lots of information for new-comers.
Title: Re: FORUM: Newbie subforum [Jail or Initiation Station]
Post by: v01d on January 31, 2012, 02:01 am
I definitely believe a newbie forum would be beneficial where there are some stickies and tutorials on commonly asked questions. Maybe a couple posts in there to get access to post in other forum topics.
Title: Re: FORUM: Newbie subforum [Jail or Initiation Station]
Post by: Fr33M4rk3t on January 31, 2012, 02:33 am
Definitely do not want an atmosphere of Elitism.  I have been on forums like that before and don't like dealing with it very much.  That type of atmosphere could have the potential to drive off some future clients.  Although some people wouldn't care either way.
Title: Re: FORUM: Newbie subforum [Jail or Initiation Station]
Post by: hairyballs on January 31, 2012, 02:46 am
You got my support Lexus!

A place to allow newbs to get assistance, and support from faqs and members. I would be glad to help out, since I remember the difficulty of perfecting everything when I first joined...
Title: Re: FORUM: Newbie subforum [Jail or Initiation Station]
Post by: mezzrow on January 31, 2012, 03:54 am
Love it!  This would be a great resource...I know I have screwed the pooch a few times learning the ropes.  I should probably be there now, in fact.   Show me the way!
Title: Re: FORUM: Newbie subforum [Jail or Initiation Station]
Post by: happyroller1234 on January 31, 2012, 04:25 am
I've seen this on a lot of XMB forums.  Seems to work quite well usually.
Title: Re: FORUM: Newbie subforum [Jail or Initiation Station]
Post by: fidocscentral on January 31, 2012, 04:35 am
Im all for this idea. My eyes hurt from reading crap posts that are crappily written.

And trolls that go bashing on vendors that have a well known rep here
Title: Re: FORUM: Newbie subforum [Jail or Initiation Station]
Post by: ShieLdz on January 31, 2012, 04:51 am
As Lexus knows, we discussed this topic in a different forum, where a few suggestions were added

http://dkn255hz262ypmii.onion/index.php?topic=9988.0

but just to reiterate my suggestion, (because I think it's a good one if it's possible)

"it would be ideal if we could link the "newbie-intake" with SR accounts.
Like you would have to log so many hours and/or make so many posts on the forums before you can even make an SR account. Then, you have to make at least one purchase from at least two different vendors before you can post outside of newbie-jail.

I think this would help to stop trolling on the forums, limit scammers and LE on SR, and manage sudden influx problems due to the increased publicity."
Title: Re: FORUM: Newbie subforum [Jail or Initiation Station]
Post by: LexusMiles on January 31, 2012, 07:14 am
I should clarify too that I <3 the real newbies. I was a newbie once, and will be again somewhere. The comment about spam and trolls is in regard to fake newbies. The real newbies will appreciate the dedicated space and time to read up and gain knowledge.

A lot of support for the idea so far. It was probably on a few peoples minds before I set down and wrote it. I wonder what the mods / admin are thinking of it....
Title: Re: FORUM: Newbie subforum [Jail or Initiation Station]
Post by: pwrmutt on February 01, 2012, 07:10 pm
If something like this were implemented, vendors should be exempt. People are already encouraged to create separate accounts for selling, it wouldn't be fair to ask that person to go back to newbie jail when they already know the basics.
Title: Re: FORUM: Newbie subforum [Jail or Initiation Station]
Post by: LexusMiles on February 01, 2012, 07:36 pm
^ couldn't agree more. excellent idea.
Title: Re: FORUM: Newbie subforum [Jail or Initiation Station]
Post by: redandgreeneyes on February 04, 2012, 07:21 am
all hail the noobie forum.  Sounds great!!  coddle and nurture the infants and they will grow big and strong.  May SR live 4ever