I do ignore its posts already. I haven't read anything it has written for quite some time. However, when I did read what it wrote, there was never anything of substance. Probably the sheer quantity of its spamming posts are why the censoring finally began. This is long overdue.

The punishment was allowing unending, useless spam to continue unabated. Putting a stop to it is hardly punishment. It really has nothing to do with disagreement or agreement, but with having actual content. And it's not only the "I agree" oneliners, there are also the virtually non sequitur self-focused posts that can crop up on any thread without reason or rhyme, and certainly without contributing substance.

As far as polls go, yes, I do think they are close to worthless, especially how they are employed here. Specifically, I think they become worthless, even as a curiosity-sating exercise, because the people who make them usually include at least one totally absurd voting option. Also, people do not vote according to the polls' requests. This problem is noted most often in the "Who do you think will win?" polls, where people select their favourite player rather than who they actually think will win. Anyway, that's not really the issue here, and it's not really the same thing. I think polls are worthless, but I don't care that they exist. Now, if someone were to create 15 polls a day on nonsense off-topic issues, always involving the life of the poll creator, then you'd have the same thing as we've been talking about. And yes, then I'd favour censoring of some sort, since it's spammy and worthless. It's not only "what", but "how much".

Niceforkinmove, your strawmen are not helpful. It is hardly only "the mod of the hour" who finds Chess Fan's manner of posting problematic. Instead, many, perhaps most, of ChessNinja's moderators have expressed a similar sentiment, as have many of the board's longest-standing members.

Similarly, you snidely ask whether Krish should get his own agreement thread. No, he does not need one. He does not need one because, as you see in the post above, he explains his reasons for agreeing. He discusses rather than simply restating or trumpeting support.

You also fail to grasp why I deleted or edited one of Chess Fan's posts. Saying I did so because of the content of that one post is another straw man. What I'm targeting here is a pattern of posting. If someone posted a message like the Anand one now and then, that would be fine. If someone posted similar messages ten or fifteen times a day for a few years, there would be a problem. If that same person continued to post in that manner even after being asked many times not to do so, there would be grounds for action. It's a case of "8500 strikes, you're out."

As for ignoring any posts that cause annoyance--in most cases that's the best solution. However, ignoring ten to fifteen posts a day, in all the most popular threads, is more than CN's regulars should be expected to do.

There is no intention to stifle discussion or prevent people from voicing agreement or disagreement. However, stating agreement or disagreement without otherwise contributing to the discussion should be held to a minimum. Again, if it happens now and then, fine. But if there emerges a pattern of several such posts a day for a few years, then something probably should be done.

I think the issue is one of pure volume. The occasional "I agree" post is largely harmless. I expect I have made a handful of such posts myself.

But when there are dozens of them every week, if not every day, from the same poster they are counterproductive. Simply ignoring them becomes a task unto itself and diminishes the quality of the overall discussion.

I agree . The issue is the volume and post pattern. Suppose I'd better add to that though. I support TGC's move as well. It may seem to be a way to pick on CF, and it probably would be if this were a mod's first step. But it is not. Short of banning, I think everything else that may reduce spam (including educating and setting examples) has already been tried, and failed.

I can ignore some posts, but when I click on Today's Active Topics and 8 to 10 of the 12 active topics were responded to with just spam, it is a bit of a downer. I come looking for interesting posts, stimulating discussion, some humour or joking with other posters, and having to scroll through post after post of spam to find what I'm looking for is becoming an annoyance. Most of us probably do post some spam here and there, or agree with something previously said, but seldom do we just agree with, or reword, what has been said, and never do we do it several times a day, day after day, etc in most of the active threads. This is not about post content, but about the post pattern.

Hey All.

Well, you DO have to admit that I am Number One in something here on this Message Board besides my post count.

Indeed, without question, I am, (probably by FAR), the Number One most detested, loathed, (and, yes, actually HATED by some people), regular poster here at ChessNinja.


Chess Fan

The irony is I was I believe the very first person to complain about post-count spam. I remember when CF first came out of the gates on CN with dozens of spam posts each day, at that time I was the #1 post count holder and I did so with quality hate-filled threads

Naturally it didn't take long for CF to become #1 spam, and I suggested the boards should adopt a point system like gamefaqs does. This is where you only get one point per day no matter how many posts you make, causing spam to be no longer worthwhile. Indeed post counts are entirely removed in such a system. When someone spams under that system, they are immediately suspended and eventually banned if repeat offenders.

Well we all, of course, have things that may bug us. Perhaps when it and itII are constantly thanking and complimenting eachother some are annoyed. That doesn't contribute to the discussion. But this is a message board so we should grin and bear it.

When I have to read through constant posts where it is telling us it will or will not participate in the discussion and why, that is somewhat of a bother. Especially annoying is when it uses this as technique to give a sound bite but then refuse to allow that sound bite to be be closely analyzed. But this *is* a message board so we should grin and bear it.

Some may be annoyed and consider it wasteful when it can't for its life seem to stay on topic. It constantly goes off course to make some statement about some posters personality, or go on about why in its opinion they make bad posts. Its conduct really furthers no discussion. Those of us who are here to exchange and share ideas as opposed to judge others might be annoyed. But this *is* a message board so we should grin and bear it.

Really I think we should all just stop being so critical about what others are saying and whether they should be allowed to post. If something gets out of hand and violates clear rules then fine. But in the meantime lets try to be considerate of others views if they are sincerely expressed. Not everyone will appear to be witty or intellegent or interesting to everyone else. But that doesn't mean they should be singled out and have thier posts deleted. Lets try to be considerate of others and thier feelings and not elitist snobs.

Am I wrong to find this post tremendously insulting and unneccessarily antagonistic towards me? I am trying very hard to be charitable towards NFM (see my post in the religions thread) but this particular piece of invective makes it extraordinarily difficult.

In my defense, I have thanked GC exactly once, so far as I can remember, which can hardly be construed as "constantly thanking and congratulating" him. I can't remember GC ever congratulating me for anything. I don't consider myself elitist or a snob. I believe we all have something unique to contribute. I try to be open to new ideas.

And NFM, your opinion with respect to spam is perfectly valid, of course, but your opinion is not the only one that counts. CF's constant spamming really bothers some people. Members have threatened to leave CN because of him. Members have left CN because of him. Closing your eyes to the problem, simply because you can, won't make it any less of a problem.

Sigh.

Okay. Just thinking out loud here, but this entire site, for all of its merits, is not worth being targeted with this sort of mean-spirited and groundless condescension. Life is difficult enough without feeling compelled to write ridiculous responses like this. Right now my son wants me to play with him and I'm telling him to wait patiently so I can finish this stupid message.

So. NFM, you have shown me what is truly important, so thank you. Time for me to take a time out, enjoy my family, spend more time at the chess club, more time reading.

I'm sure I'll be back in a while. Until then, have fun everybody.

Is that the post where you say I am condescending and that you would gladly discuss issues with anyone but me because I'm so combative?

If that is what you consider charity I would hate to see you being stingy.

NFM and rondino, allow me to say something. You both have so much in common starting from chess, religion etc all the way till issues concerning the world. It is incomprehensible why you would fight over a tiny difference is beyond me. All I can say is, Peace! Peace!! Peace!!! I would be the wrong person to call for peace, but still.

Atleast for sheer entertainment value, we should talk about Florida's beaches, Brazilian girls, beers, rum and drums Every single day, we are getting closer to death. So, let us enjoy the funs of life as long as it lasts. And now, here is my proposal!

Budweiser for NFM, Heineken for rondino.
Marijuana for GC, Beautiful babes for Krish.
CF is the DJ.
If inky is too busy to join, she can send her cats.
Let the carnival begin!

Edit: No entry for very nice and sincere people. So, LF and Eduardo Lucas are banned from this carnival.