[Question] What constitutes spam?

I just felt the need to bring this up as a point for general discussion - I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts about this, both moderators and general forum members.

I've just found out (from a moderator) that every single post that contains just an image or a smiley as original content will get an instant warning or an infraction. That's entirely news to me, since it's only just starting to occur (with the fixing of the report button).

However, do you think that if an image or smiley is used as a way to convey an emotion, that it should be classed as spam? Ie. take the following examples of posts (these represent entire posts, by the way):

Example 1:

quote

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Example 2:

quote

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Do you think these should be given warnings or infractions? Since they're so common, I can't help but think there must be a lot of warnings being given out...

Originally Posted by Astarrrrael

I just felt the need to bring this up as a point for general discussion - I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts about this, both moderators and general forum members.

I've just found out (from a moderator) that every single post that contains just an image or a smiley as original content will get an instant warning or an infraction. That's entirely news to me, since it's only just starting to occur (with the fixing of the report button).

However, do you think that if an image or smiley is used as a way to convey an emotion, that it should be classed as spam? Ie. take the following examples of posts (these represent entire posts, by the way):

Example 1:





-------------------

Example 2:





--------------------

Do you think these should be given warnings or infractions? Since they're so common, I can't help but think there must be a lot of warnings being given out...

I think the examples above are examples of spam because the point of posting is to continue discussion. Posting a smilely face, or a facepalm does not do that, and could also go down as flame.

Originally Posted by Ⓐⓤⓢⓣⓘⓝ

I think the examples above are examples of spam because the point of posting is to continue discussion. Posting a smilely face, or a facepalm does not do that, and could also go down as flame.

But let's face it...a good portion of the posts made in these forums don't really continue the discussion, or go off on a tangent, but still don't get warnings. Why should a smiley or a picture get special attention as spam?

Because if you make a post consisting of a single image you have to be aware that it's spam. At the very least, posts that don't continue the discussion or go off on a separate tangent have still had some form of effort put into them to create the post in the first place, and it's possible that posts like that can be branched off into another thread.

Originally Posted by Astarrrrael

But let's face it...a good portion of the posts made in these forums don't really continue the discussion, or go off on a tangent, but still don't get warnings. Why should a smiley or a picture get special attention as spam?

It is up to the mod on what to do. I think the mods should try a little harder, but that doesn't stop the fact that nothing can come out of a smiley face, or facepalm but anger and spam.

Okay, but let's just suppose that we use words, instead of a smiley. What if the words say exactly the same thing as the image?

I mean, I understand that it takes (a bit) more effort to type out words than it does to paste an image or print a smiley, but if the message or result is exactly the same, I'm afraid I still can't see why one is spam and the other isn't. In all honesty, I think there are many cases where I'd prefer the picture, since an image or an expression can be much more amusing, and often more to the point.

Originally Posted by Astarrrrael

Okay, but let's just suppose that we use words, instead of a smiley. What if the words say exactly the same thing as the image?

I mean, I understand that it takes (a bit) more effort to type out words than it does to paste an image or print a smiley, but if the message or result is exactly the same, I'm afraid I still can't see why one is spam and the other isn't. In all honesty, I think there are many cases where I'd prefer the picture, since an image or an expression can be much more amusing, and often more to the point.

The way I think of it is: still spam.

Whether it be a smiley, or

what the **** :O also mods sucks

...spam is still spam because it does not carry on the discussion and/or it is too breif.

Even if words are used instead of a picture yet it still says the same thing, it's still spam. An example would be if all the person did was quoted somebody else and say *facepalm* (as a parallel to your first example in the top post). Either say something else with the spam, to make it not spam, or don't post.

Of course, I'm fairly sure even I've done this kind of spam before, so I'm one to talk... >_>

I quote here the trite saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words." The practical application of that to forums is that I don't think posting a single image is necessarily spam in and of itself (it can be, of course, but by no means in every case). Sometimes just one picture can be enough to convey a thought or expression much more effectively than writing it out in sentence form. So I definitely don't think that a one-image post should automatically equal a warning. It, like all things, should be taken in context. (Just a smilie, however, is pushing it, I think.)

But in the case of the "facepalm" image above, it is a little bit spammy, as well as negative, to boot. (Sorry, Asty. )

Stupid
Pointless
Annoying
Messages.

That's the rule to go by, I guess. If it doesn't contribute to the thread, it's spam, and should be deleted.

Yes, I don't like it when people post a facepalm picture, or even those funny "in before the lock" pictures.
And while a picture "can be worth a 1000 words" I don't think you should ever just post a picture. It's lazy. If you don't have anything usfull to say, you shouldn't be spamming up threads trying to get attention.

Originally Posted by Panique

Stupid
Pointless
Annoying
Messages.

That's the rule to go by, I guess. If it doesn't contribute to the thread, it's spam, and should be deleted.

I agree. But I don't think that every image-only post is necessarily a stupid, pointless annoying message. Most are, but not all.

Originally Posted by Ty

And while a picture "can be worth a 1000 words" I don't think you should ever just post a picture. It's lazy. If you don't have anything usfull to say, you shouldn't be spamming up threads trying to get attention.

I don't think you fully understood my previous post. Not every image-only or short post is lazy. Sometimes wit is subtle. There are times you can make a very good point with a very short post or even just an image. I don't think it should be a kneejerk reaction to label it as "spam" just because it's only an image. Many such posts are, but not all of them absolutely.

I definitely agree that such pictures or smileys can be funny or meaningful if they're used at the appropriate time or in the right context, so shouldn't immediately be classed as spam. I mean, sometimes, there isn't really much you can say, so an image is straight to the point.

(I have to admit though, I will be cutting down on making short posts from now on - unless humour calls for it: "Brevity is the soul of wit")

Originally Posted by Rew

But in the case of the "facepalm" image above, it is a little bit spammy, as well as negative, to boot. (Sorry, Asty. )

No problem. I used that one as an example mostly because it's very commonly used.

Originally Posted by Astarrrrael

I definitely agree that such pictures or smileys can be funny or meaningful if they're used at the appropriate time or in the right context, so shouldn't immediately be classed as spam. I mean, sometimes, there isn't really much you can say, so an image is straight to the point.

(I have to admit though, I will be cutting down on making short posts from now on - unless humour calls for it: "Brevity is the soul of wit")



No problem. I used that one as an example mostly because it's very commonly used.

I would have to disagree. Either think of something, or don't post at all. I've seen serveral threads that seemed interesting, but I didn't know what to say, so I didn't say/type up anything. The point is to think about what you're going to say before you post, not just to post an image to just post something.

Originally Posted by Ⓐⓤⓢⓣⓘⓝ

I would have to disagree. Either think of something, or don't post at all. I've seen serveral threads that seemed interesting, but I didn't know what to say, so I didn't say/type up anything. The point is to think about what you're going to say before you post, not just to post an image to just post something.

Oh not at all, that's not what I was saying. I should have worded that differently - I meant that in some situations, an image is much more to the point than words could be.

Honestly, I would place both your examples under the spam category. Even if the person had just typed out *facepalm* instead of posting a picture, it STILL would've counted as spam. Why? Because it hardly ever adds to the discussion.

When is just an image always okay?
1. Scrapbook.
2. Graphic Design.
3. Art sections.

Other then that sort of stuff, just an image hardly ever says anything, and that makes it spam.

Yes, I don't like it when people post a facepalm picture, or even those funny "in before the lock" pictures.

By the way, the "in before the lock" posts are also on the list of ways to get in trouble for spam.

I recently infracted 3 people for posting 'in before the lock' as rent-a-modding and will continue this activity as required. :3

This is very serious business.

How about, for example, in a thread in General Gaming, someone posts:

Originally Posted by GK: 5895/9999

(above: fiction.)

It usually wouldn't be so big, but I couldn't find the PAL box art any smaller ,_,".

What about in other cases where only one picture is shown, but to answer an question?

For example:

What was the sequel to Final Fantasy X?

Or what if this happens;

Question

*Answer that contributes to the thread.*

Stupid pointless question

*Facepalm picture*


Would that still be considered spam?

Well, yeah, that's fine in my book, GK. As long as there's a reason to be posting the boxart to ffVII. Maybe for a "favorite games" list, or something. However, if there's a ton of simple pictures and one word posts showing up, I'd much prefer if people gave more of an explanation, than just posting a picture and being done with it.

It really comes down to personal preference with the mods. Sure, it sounds kinda lame, but that's just the way it is. We can't just all be one big hive mind, and have the same opinions and take the same actions. Just like police, they're not always going to pull you over for speeding, one might thing youre not going all that fast, one might really like your car, one might be asleep, but one might ruin your day and give you an extra ticket for your breaklight being out.