Author Topic: Zero-posters Purged  (Read 48033 times)

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Offline Gyro

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Re: Zero-posters Purged
« Reply #50 on: August 31, 2019, 08:09:09 pm »
That's one that has never ceased to puzzle me, even after thread discussions in the past. I've never seen a convincing argument.

Unless somebody lives under the threat of a particularly sensitive or vindictive regime, I can't see any reason for not setting a country flag. It is so helpful in many aspects, from being able to provide relevant/realistic component sourcing advice, understanding local mains supply, climatic conditions and other issues, through to being more understanding and forgiving of potential issues in translation by non-native speakers.

Given that many people  leak their locations in posts, given enough time anyway, being that paranoid just strikes me as stupid. Countries are big places, even the small ones!

Nobody needs to know your birth nationality, just what country you are located in.  :(
If you don't see a convincing argument you set a flag. If you don't see a reason for it you don't. I've never seen the need. If you ask a question which is location specific you obviously provide the information as is needed and that should be plenty. Some people can't resist pigeonholing others and not having a flag eliminates that. It's also obvious some people display their country of origin and some display their current location so it's ambiguous as it stands. Unless you want to crack down on this and start enforcing strict flag rules the situation won't change and I think we all agree this wouldn't befit the laid back nature of the forum.

Oh well, still lacking a convincing argument, and based on the practical benefits of setting a flag that I set out, I guess I will have to stick with my assessment for a while longer.  :-\

P.S. I don't agree that it has anything to do with the laid back nature of the forum, so not quite all.


EDIT: BTW, I didn't intend anything about making it compulsory. I just don't understand why people (apart from the few that I mentioned) would choose not to perform that simple act.
« Last Edit: August 31, 2019, 08:14:24 pm by Gyro »
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Offline Mr. Scram

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Re: Zero-posters Purged
« Reply #51 on: August 31, 2019, 08:17:11 pm »
Oh well, still lacking of a convincing argument, and based on the practical benefits of setting a flag that I set out, I guess I will have to stick with my assessment for a while longer.  :-\

P.S. I don't agree that it has anything to do with the laid back nature of the forum, so not quite all.
The lack of a convincing argument is mutual. The practical benefits put forward seem to be non-existent or approaching it. The forum is run on a "use some common sense and don't be a dick" policy in lieu of a detailed and fine grained rulebook and having a strictly flag policy wouldn't be in the same vein.

Post adjusted after the edit of the post responded to.
 

Offline Nusa

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Re: Zero-posters Purged
« Reply #52 on: August 31, 2019, 08:21:32 pm »
a) I didn't say a single thing about FORCING someone to set it.
b) What legislation could possibly apply to a voluntarily set flag? Please point at at least one actual example of such legislation, preferably one that that has jurisdiction over this forum.
c) A generic flags based on IP is EXACTLY what I suggested. Although I pointed out that VPN's allow anyone to change what continent they appear to be in.
Forcing users to set a flag is what this discussion is about. The legislation also applies to forcing users to set it. Making it voluntary or even encouraging it isn't an issue. IP addresses aren't the best way of determining someone's location for a number of reasons. By automating that you'll inevitably have a host of edge cases that'll cause a lot of confusion.

Yet you are the ONLY one this this thread that has brought up legislation, but have yet to point at any.

Although it just occurred to me that perhaps this is a language problem. "Legislation" typically means laws passed by governments that apply to their citizens. Perhaps you are misusing the word to mean rules?

And I still haven't said anything about FORCE, so that part of the topic simply doesn't apply when you are quoting me.
 

Offline Mr. Scram

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Re: Zero-posters Purged
« Reply #53 on: August 31, 2019, 08:30:08 pm »
Yet you are the ONLY one this this thread that has brought up legislation, but have yet to point at any.

Although it just occurred to me that perhaps this is a language problem. "Legislation" typically means laws passed by governments that apply to their citizens. Perhaps you are misusing the word to mean rules?

And I still haven't said anything about FORCE, so that part of the topic simply doesn't apply when you are quoting me.
This discussion is getting a bit confused. I'm not aware of any SMF plugin which does what you're suggesting so I gather there's little use getting into it.
 

Offline tautech

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Re: Zero-posters Purged
« Reply #54 on: August 31, 2019, 08:34:25 pm »
Has anyone thought that if a compulsory flag at forum registration could reduce the some 12k zero posters Dave has had to purge.

So a new member with a flag should serve us better and show intent that they’re intending to participate rather than just sit with 0 posts.  |O

So give a member the choice of a black flag or Antarctica and let’s move on.
« Last Edit: August 31, 2019, 08:52:49 pm by tautech »
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Offline Mr. Scram

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Re: Zero-posters Purged
« Reply #55 on: August 31, 2019, 08:38:40 pm »
Has anyone thought that if a compulsory flag at forum registration could reduce the some 12k zero posters Dave has had to purge.

So a new member with a flag should serve us better and show intent that they’re intending to participate rather than just sit with 0 posts.  |O

So give a member the choice of a black flag or Antartica and let’s move on.
It doesn't seem that adding a single checkbox to the entire sign up process would change much. That process is a much bigger commitment already.
 

Offline tautech

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Re: Zero-posters Purged
« Reply #56 on: August 31, 2019, 08:52:11 pm »
Has anyone thought that if a compulsory flag at forum registration could reduce the some 12k zero posters Dave has had to purge.

So a new member with a flag should serve us better and show intent that they’re intending to participate rather than just sit with 0 posts.  |O

So give a member the choice of a black flag or Antarctica and let’s move on.
It doesn't seem that adding a single checkbox to the entire sign up process would change much. That process is a much bigger commitment already.
Well you write a SMF plugin that allows that !

Dave only has the SMF tools/updates he can find and install to work with to shape the forum how HE wants.
That we each get the chance to suggest improvements and discuss them is a luxury not offered by many forums.
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Offline Mr. Scram

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Re: Zero-posters Purged
« Reply #57 on: August 31, 2019, 09:00:45 pm »
Well you write a SMF plugin that allows that !

Dave only has the SMF tools/updates he can find and install to work with to shape the forum how HE wants.
That we each get the chance to suggest improvements and discuss them is a luxury not offered by many forums.
I'm not suggesting or demanding Dave should do anything. I'm not sure why you interpreted my comment that way. You suggested requiring new users to set their country flag as it would encourage participation. I'm saying it's unlikely to make a difference as the sign-up process is already a much larger hurdle and commitment.
 

Offline tautech

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Re: Zero-posters Purged
« Reply #58 on: August 31, 2019, 09:12:38 pm »
Well you write a SMF plugin that allows that !

Dave only has the SMF tools/updates he can find and install to work with to shape the forum how HE wants.
That we each get the chance to suggest improvements and discuss them is a luxury not offered by many forums.
I'm saying it's unlikely to make a difference as the sign-up process is already a much larger hurdle and commitment.
My reply to that is tough luck !
Every forum has rules.

It's plain Dave doesn't give a shit about the #'s of forum members to wave to the world like my forum is this big instead he wants active participation from committed members and doesn't need thousands of zero poster registrations sitting on his server.
In my memory this is the third time he's had such a purge and a scroll through the members list using the post # count always finds a long list of zero posters.

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Offline Mr. Scram

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Re: Zero-posters Purged
« Reply #59 on: August 31, 2019, 09:24:30 pm »
My reply to that is tough luck !
Every forum has rules.

It's plain Dave doesn't give a shit about the #'s of forum members to wave to the world like my forum is this big instead he wants active participation from committed members and doesn't need thousands of zero poster registrations sitting on his server.
In my memory this is the third time he's had such a purge and a scroll through the members list using the post # count always finds a long list of zero posters.
No one is saying there shouldn't be any rules and no one is arguing to leave zero posters alone. I'm not sure why these replies don't quite correspond with the messages they're a reply to.
 

Offline wilfred

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Re: Zero-posters Purged
« Reply #60 on: September 01, 2019, 01:55:31 am »
Has Dave ever said why he thinks purging zero-posters is something of benefit to him and/or the forum? I don't see it myself since the forum has gradually accumulated zero-posters for quite some time without obvious detriment.

Nor do I see compulsory flags as vital. Sure it occasionally benefits someone asking for help where location specifics might better target an answer. MY gut feel is it was more useful in the past. There seems to be a change in the type of post the forum gets these days. Not so many people asking for help.
 

Offline Mr. Scram

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Re: Zero-posters Purged
« Reply #61 on: September 01, 2019, 02:04:40 am »
Has Dave ever said why he thinks purging zero-posters is something of benefit to him and/or the forum? I don't see it myself since the forum has gradually accumulated zero-posters for quite some time without obvious detriment.

Nor do I see compulsory flags as vital. Sure it occasionally benefits someone asking for help where location specifics might better target an answer. MY gut feel is it was more useful in the past. There seems to be a change in the type of post the forum gets these days. Not so many people asking for help.
Keeping the statistics relevant was mentioned in the first post.
 

Offline tautech

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Re: Zero-posters Purged
« Reply #62 on: September 01, 2019, 03:49:43 am »
Has Dave ever said why he thinks purging zero-posters is something of benefit to him and/or the forum? I don't see it myself since the forum has gradually accumulated zero-posters for quite some time without obvious detriment.
The most obvious would be a greater choice of user name options with zero posters gone.

I can't understand why someone would sign up and not participate.  :-//
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Offline BravoV

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Re: Zero-posters Purged
« Reply #63 on: September 01, 2019, 05:18:31 am »
I can't understand why someone would sign up and not participate.  :-//

Handy, should someday, at annual free scopes contest, Dave makes new rule with min. post count AND not a new comer.  >:D

Offline wilfred

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Re: Zero-posters Purged
« Reply #64 on: September 01, 2019, 06:54:01 am »
Has Dave ever said why he thinks purging zero-posters is something of benefit to him and/or the forum? I don't see it myself since the forum has gradually accumulated zero-posters for quite some time without obvious detriment.

Nor do I see compulsory flags as vital. Sure it occasionally benefits someone asking for help where location specifics might better target an answer. MY gut feel is it was more useful in the past. There seems to be a change in the type of post the forum gets these days. Not so many people asking for help.
Keeping the statistics relevant was mentioned in the first post.
The statistics of zero-posters was never in question. Was it?

The stats that I questioned were related to the massive numbers of new members with respect to the actual number of forum members. If you go here and look at the reported new members each of the last 4 years you find it adds up to 5 times the number of actual members. 70K new members in 2019 alone.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/stats/

Kinda makes you question all of the stats doesn't it. There has to be a bug somewhere. The new member stats should really reflect the actual members, possibly minus the number Dave has been purging.
 

Offline PA0PBZ

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Re: Zero-posters Purged
« Reply #65 on: September 01, 2019, 08:17:34 am »
I can't understand why someone would sign up and not participate.  :-//

To be able to send a PM, I've had several from zero-posters.
Keyboard error: Press F1 to continue.
 

Offline tautech

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Re: Zero-posters Purged
« Reply #66 on: September 01, 2019, 11:17:21 am »
I can't understand why someone would sign up and not participate.  :-//

To be able to send a PM, I've had several from zero-posters.
Oh yes that, me too.

I always point them to a thread in which they can participate but not all do.
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Offline EEVblogTopic starter

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Re: Zero-posters Purged
« Reply #67 on: September 01, 2019, 11:46:14 am »
Kinda makes you question all of the stats doesn't it. There has to be a bug somewhere. The new member stats should really reflect the actual members, possibly minus the number Dave has been purging.

 

Offline wilfred

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Re: Zero-posters Purged
« Reply #68 on: September 01, 2019, 12:28:49 pm »
I was looking at the new member stats. Those stats you are showing look correct but are not the ones I can see. Here is an excerpt.

 

Offline EEVblogTopic starter

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Re: Zero-posters Purged
« Reply #69 on: September 01, 2019, 12:39:49 pm »
I was looking at the new member stats. Those stats you are showing look correct but are not the ones I can see. Here is an excerpt.

The stats must be counting spam registrations.
Many hundreds of spam accounts get set up every day, but almost all of them get trapped by the spam filter and the accounts are not activated, but they are still accounts in the database. I go in manually and purge those every week or two (easy, just a few clicks to kill them all)
I have just enabled another spam trap and I think it's working, as I only have 46 members "awaiting approval", normally that would be a thousand by now.
 

Offline StillTrying

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Re: Zero-posters Purged
« Reply #70 on: September 01, 2019, 12:48:54 pm »
Before the purge there was a zero poster named  stilltrying2  who'd appeared about a year ago.

I'm surprised the Super Contributors count is as low as 315,  :o and that even I'm one. :o

About 18 months ago I noticed that the message numbers increment about 10 times faster than the number of new posts that do appear.
« Last Edit: September 01, 2019, 12:50:40 pm by StillTrying »
.  That took much longer than I thought it would.
 

Offline EEVblogTopic starter

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Re: Zero-posters Purged
« Reply #71 on: September 08, 2019, 11:39:57 pm »
I'm surprised the Super Contributors count is as low as 315,  :o and that even I'm one. :o

It takes a 1000 posts to get Super Contributor status, that's a lot of posts!
 

Offline Psi

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Re: Zero-posters Purged
« Reply #72 on: September 09, 2019, 12:59:13 am »
I'm surprised the Super Contributors count is as low as 315,  :o and that even I'm one. :o

It takes a 1000 posts to get Super Contributor status, that's a lot of posts!

Says the person with 29381   ;D
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Offline EEVblogTopic starter

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Re: Zero-posters Purged
« Reply #73 on: September 09, 2019, 01:28:24 am »
EDIT: BTW, I didn't intend anything about making it compulsory. I just don't understand why people (apart from the few that I mentioned) would choose not to perform that simple act.

The country flag is compulsory at registration, but there seems to be a bug in the plugin that screws that up.
 

Offline tautech

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Re: Zero-posters Purged
« Reply #74 on: March 13, 2021, 06:51:50 pm »
EDIT: BTW, I didn't intend anything about making it compulsory. I just don't understand why people (apart from the few that I mentioned) would choose not to perform that simple act.

The country flag is compulsory at registration, but there seems to be a bug in the plugin that screws that up.
Reviving an old thread.

I thought that was fixed and it certainly seemed to be however a recently joined member has been able to mess with his profile to hide his flag.  :-//
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/profile/?u=764816
Maybe you need a compulsory Location also with locations only selectable from a popup menu.
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