What if you had to finish (or at least join) a game before you could post in the forums? That should at least help prevent spam in the forums.

I like the idea, but some new people may need help figuring out that first game - at least in theory - I can't remember anyone doing that -

I would think a total newb should be able to at least join a game.  But if not, they could be prompted with the first availible game in the list:  "Click here to join a game!" 

Or something.

Well, you already have to go through the step of confirming your e-mail address (unless they managed to automate that somehow). So, if they are willing to do that then they might be willing to join a game also. That probably would just end up with more boots.

Alternately, a post could just be automatically hidden until reviewed by an admin if at least 2 or 3 people report it.

Korrun wrote:

Well, you already have to go through the step of confirming your e-mail address (unless they managed to automate that somehow). So, if they are willing to do that then they might be willing to join a game also. That probably would just end up with more boots.

Alternately, a post could just be automatically hidden until reviewed by an admin if at least 2 or 3 people report it.

+1

Korrun wrote:

Well, you already have to go through the step of confirming your e-mail address (unless they managed to automate that somehow). So, if they are willing to do that then they might be willing to join a game also. That probably would just end up with more boots.

Alternately, a post could just be automatically hidden until reviewed by an admin if at least 2 or 3 people report it.

How effective is the reporting? Do enough of us hit that button for that to make sense?

Honestly, I never really even noticed the button until this thread brought it to my attention. In the past, whenever spam has popped up I just never even opened the thread(s). Going forward (now that I know the button is there) I will report

I'll start reporting if it's going to make a difference.  I don't bother now, because I figure Yertle/Cram/etc. will eventually see it and not sure if my report would make them see it any faster.

Ozyman wrote:

I'll start reporting if it's going to make a difference.  I don't bother now, because I figure Yertle/Cram/etc. will eventually see it and not sure if my report would make them see it any faster.

I'm not sure if it would either. That's why I suggested an automated feature that could remove it more quickly. Yertle or Cram could still review it, but it could be hidden while waiting for them.

i've been deleting them as soon as i see them. now that break is over, i'll be on much more frequently and be able to get to them sooner. 

i also send a message to tom of the offender/offense so he can ban the account. 

@WT:

Can you comment on the effectiveness of reporting?

I've only been doing recently (like a couple of months) - I always figured it would just get caught.

no, i can't comment on effectiveness of reporting. tom might throw some input to the thread tho?

WT - do you get an email or something when a forum post is reported?

Ozyman wrote:

WT - do you get an email or something when a forum post is reported?

no, i don't see anything from reporting. i'm just a roving mall cop 

weathertop wrote:

Ozyman wrote:

WT - do you get an email or something when a forum post is reported?

no, i don't see anything from reporting. i'm just a roving mall cop 

Ditto.