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I won't post any links to protect the perhaps innocent, but I do need to ask this question as it is really bugging me.
We do squash spammers that turn up here regularly for nothing but spamming the forums, but what about "esteemed" and well known members that "push the envelope" just to get attention for promoting their own endeavours.
I've seen two of this kind today and am not amused as this implies we are using some kind of double standard here in dealing with SPAM.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I would at least like to have some clarification when such behaviour is deemed appropriate or better yet acceptable.
As a side note: I'm aware that members that just signed up and start to SPAM deserve being banned. Not understandable for me is why people hanging around here for long enough to know the rules are somehow exempt from these rules as if there was some kind of entitlement that comes with being an "active member" or in whatever way.
Curiously awaiting an enlightening response,
Manfred
"I had the right to remain silent, but I didn't have the ability!"
Ron White, Comedian
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Regardless of how long a member has been with us, if they spam they should get the same treatment as a new signup who spams. They should know better.
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So what do I make of these "promotions" as of late? I still can't make heads nor tails of it.
I've taken no actions, but I'm still curious.
Me thinks you know at least of one of the posts I'm talking about.
Cheers,
Manfred
"I had the right to remain silent, but I didn't have the ability!"
Ron White, Comedian
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Well, at least some of the more well-known members put in real, measurable, cumulative hours FOR FREE mind you to help the community, what would it bother me (and probably most other members) if that person shamelessly promotes a project or something that might net them a couple bucks?
As long as they aren't live-stream spamming, or really posting malicious or even really flooding the forums I wouldn't mind. The CP brass is probably the best to weigh in on this though.
Edit: Most spam has a malicious intent, you think the live-stream is really free TV? Probably tons of viruses, email bombs, phishing, etc on those sites. What the members are doing isn't meant to cause harm to anybody, so no harm, no foul in my opinion.
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Exactly what I was asking about.
So spamming is Ok if you're an active member?
I think not! All it promotes is double standards.
Still hoping to be enlightened!
"I had the right to remain silent, but I didn't have the ability!"
Ron White, Comedian
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I don't consider the lounge as spam...
I think you should double check your links.
M.D.V. 
If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about?
Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you
Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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Ron Beyer wrote: hat would it bother me (and probably most other members) if that person shamelessly promotes a project or something that might net them a couple bucks?
It'd be a double standard; you'd be abusing a position, and you'd be flagged by me as a spammer.
Doing things "for free" means that it really needs to be free - no extra rights or privileges.
..and yes, I expect people to know better than to come up with something like this. Having helped (whatever hours, before we get into the discussion how many hours justify a spam-link) does not entitle you to anything but a good feeling.
C'est tout.
Bastard Programmer from Hell 
If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^]
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Indeed. This is one of many reasons* that I do not link to my company here on CP. I would be abusing my position here if I were seen to be trying for free advertising.
*My biggest reason is that I don't want anything I say here to be seen as an official position of my company.
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I personally do it ponderating.
If a new member starts posting what clearly is spam... no mercy.
If a new member starts posting legitime and after a while starts with some messages of spam... report messages, warn user and report user if reincidence occurs.
If an "old" member starts posting what clearly is spam... report message, not account at first moment. But after several incidences... same as on #2.
If it is a sporadic / unique post trying to promote something done by him/herself... I would say a warning like "you should know better..." or something like that. But I do would take in consideration the participation in CP and the help to the others.
M.D.V.
If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about?
Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you
Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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Well this "old" member did post a link that went to amazon. As if just posting the title of his book wouldn't have been enough. What was he assuming? We're to dumb to search for it if we cared enough to look it up anyhow. Be serious!
If there is some kind of legitimation needed for that kind of behaviour, I'd just like to know about it.
It seems like a sensible request, but maybe it's only simple for me.
Still haven't a got clue!
"I had the right to remain silent, but I didn't have the ability!"
Ron White, Comedian
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Ah, so that was the spam message. To be honest, I hadn't even considered it as spam, but you're right, it is. I've been that excited that he finally got his book out the door that I replied to him without thinking about what he posted, yet I have censored another long term poster for doing exactly the same thing. Oh lord, I have double standards.
Vote the post away then. I would leave the account alone though.
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Manfred R. Bihy wrote: Well this "old" member did post a link that went to amazon.
then I would use the #2: Report the post, leave a message "you should know better" and wait what happens later.
M.D.V.
If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about?
Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you
Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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It's a difficult call, but I have to agree with you to an extent. We should not have a double standard, so "senior members" should know better than to blatantly promote themselves.
I would say on balance that all spam should be treated the same way: do not forget that the hamsters can restore an account after it has been automatically removed, of the owner apologises and promises not to do it again - so a spam report is not permanently damaging, just inconvenient if they forget the rules a single time.
The only instant messaging I do involves my middle finger.
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Just my 2c
If some unknown noob posts about their new book, there is a large suspicion that they are doing so purely for self-promotion.
If some regular (say) publishes a book and posts a single post, letting their 'friends' learn of their proud accomplishment, then maybe it's as much pride in an achievement as self-promotion.
Same reaction to a stranger trying to sell you a dodgy watch on the sea front vs one of your long-term work colleagues letting you know they just imported some fake rolexes & you can buy some cheap.
It's a double standard in that regulars may be letting us all know rather than shameless self-promotion.
Of course, some members do rather seem to break the mold and bang on about their products in the guise of friendly banter (you know, the "Oh, I had real trouble setting up my website at www.cheapshit.com, I'd be interested in your comments..."
I guess we have to treat each on on an individual basis.
Did I mention that I'm writing an iPhone game called PooperPig?
MVVM # - I did it My Way
___________________________________________
Man, you're a god. - walterhevedeich 26/05/2011
.\\axxx
(That's an 'M')
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_Maxxx_ wrote: PooperPig?
No sh*t! 
You can let us all know in the lounge when it's finished. 
"I had the right to remain silent, but I didn't have the ability!"
Ron White, Comedian
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I think you have to balance a user's contribution to the community against any indiscretions, but, at the same time, you have to give the appearance of being even-handed, or, shall we call them "lesser contributors" will use any sign of leniency as a reason for even worse behaviour, and it's all downhill from there (I imagine I'm not the only person here who has seen good newsgroups and fora disintegrate into pits of aggression and bitching.
If someone has spent a lot of their free time on something AND a lot of time in the forum, there's bound to be some overlap; it's just a matter of the hamsters judging where the overlap goes too far, and trying to (politely, preferably) keep them from crossing the line.
I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!
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Done
M.D.V.
If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about?
Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you
Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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The spammer is gone, but there's one more post that needs a couple more "nudges". 
Cheers!
"I had the right to remain silent, but I didn't have the ability!"
Ron White, Comedian
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All links in your original post are nuked. Maybe you are landing in non-synch server. Try F5
M.D.V. 
If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about?
Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you
Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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My bad! The spamming posts turned up so quickly that I couldn't include them all in my report.
Nevertheless, all of the posts have now been nuked.
Thank you Nelek!
Cheers,
Manfred
"I had the right to remain silent, but I didn't have the ability!"
Ron White, Comedian
modified 3-Oct-13 19:52pm.
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Message is gone, the user needs another kick.
The only instant messaging I do involves my middle finger.
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