Need for moderation

[stagetec]

This is the only forum I go on where there appears to be absolutely no moderation - ppl can post whatever they want and we all have to read it!

I have noticed increasing amounts of posts that are either totally irrelevant to this forum or purely trying to sell us all something. There are also quite a few people who will reply to a question by simply trying to sell their services, regardless of whether they are actually right for the application in question.

Seems to me that this goes totally against what this forum should be used for if ppl can't rely on the replies as at least being someones opinion. Yes, we all try and sell our services when we can, BUT ONLY WHEN APPROPRIATE.

Just my thoughts for the day.

Andy

 

[Rob Holmes]

Morning Andy,

There are clear guidelines and moderation tends to stick to these. If we occasionally miss something then somebody usually points it out!

Feel free to PM any moderator if you've got any particular issues we are always happy to help!

You can tell the moderators by looking at the top of the forum pages but they are Ozzy (Guvnor), Alpha and myself.

Rob

 

[DuaneJackson]

The best forums are those where there appears to be no moderation.

 

[Ozzy]

I am aware the UKBF Offers forum seems to be getting a bit "spammy" at the moment, but to be honest I thought we were on top of everywhere else. Please let me, Matrixx or Alpha know if you think we have missed something!

 

[SmallBizSoftware]

Looks good to me, not too much mod to make it feel like censcorship and the majority of posts are informative, entertaining or both. Good job! (even my odd rant goes un-mod)

 

[TWD-Tony]

If you think that this forum is full of spam you should see some of the others!
I think that the majority of members on UKBF can spot spam a mile away

Being a forum moderator is a thankless job - I know!

If you go on a "delete" frenzie then that can put people off using the forums (not good) and not deleting things at all just fills the forum with spam - the trick is getting the balance just right, and I think the UKBF team does that just about right :wink:

 

[Rob Holmes]

I am aware the UKBF Offers forum seems to be getting a bit "spammy" at the moment

In the 'read this first' section of the offers forum it says..

"In order to make this worthwhile, please try to offer something exclusive to UKBF, rather than just the general offer you have on your website, or what you offer as standard. This will help attract more attention to your offer as it will be special."

Maybe if it read "the offers MUST be exclusive to ukbf" - it would knock out all the affiliate links and encourage better quality offers.

Just my tuppence

Rob

 

[Agri-Hire]

Two interesting points here:

1) If you think UKBF is bad:

Over the weekend I logged into a support forum for a software company. I complained that the product was not working properly and could someone help. One person wrote and told me that he had the same problem, that the company are still trying to fix it and he would let me know if any resolution was found. I wrote back saying 'oh it seems to be a common fault with this company then, lets hope the support is better than the product'

I was told by the moderator that I was being derogatory and abusive, they locked the thread and banned me from future postings!!


2. Has anyone else noticed?

Stagetec wrote:

I have noticed increasing amounts of posts that are either totally irrelevant to this forum or purely trying to sell us all something. There are also quite a few people who will reply to a question by simply trying to sell their services, regardless of whether they are actually right for the application in question.

So you've noticed an increasing amount of rubbish over the last seven days have you? You only joined on October 8th!!

:wink:

Agri

 

[Rob Holmes]

So you've noticed an increasing amount of rubbish over the last seven days have you? You only joined on October 8th!!

Yes I noticed but didn't say anything

Rob

 

[MichaelG]

Keep up the good work guys - its hard work keeping a forum clean. The UKBF is one of a very few forums out there.

Death to spammers

 

[Asteeleleith]

Hi all
Personally i cannot see any problem. I know i have posted a lot over the last few weeks. Some of it not relevant ot business but then it was posted in time out.

I agree with the previous posts if you start deleting stuff, you will put people off, and i am sorry to say it but it is the ppl who make the forum what it is.
I run another forum myself, and noted that by removing too many offensive threads i was becoming a dictator. NOt good.

However i feel i should add that through this forum i have made many valuable contacts for my business. And continue to do so.
Yes ppl including myself have offered services, but only where they have been asked for or warrnated.
I hasten to add that i have only ever offered services to those who would seem to benefit, and even then only Via PM.

By and large, keep up the good work.

If you need more mods at any time let me know. I would be interested.

Al

 

[Belladonna]

I think there is a fine line between over-moderating and moderating. I know I have been cut off in my prime on another forum I use when the moderator hasn't actually ready the thread properly!

However, my one criticism is when you log on to look at "new posts" and the same person has placed an advert for their services/company on every bloomin topic! Hmmmm - that is a bit much.

Not that I read them, the subject was enough to put me off so a waste of their time really.

Right - back to work for me!

 

[Asteeleleith]

I think the admin did place a thread against blatant advertising in the forum.

I think it is ok to offer a service, but only when the thread seems to suggest there could be a need (so use a PM), or when a service is actually asked for.
For example, claires with her bartering post.
Others asking for print services etc.

in terms of blatant advertising you are right, this is not the place for it. but i think indirectly, everyone gets the opp to mention their business and advertise their site in one way or another.
There is the Freebies forum as well where offers exclusive to UKBF forumers can be posted.
Plus it can be added to ones profile, so interested parties may look.
So is there really a need for blantant advertsing?

Al

 

[Russ]

Hi

I think that the worst place for this is in the introductions section... Sorry about this Andy but as an example

Hi,

I run two companies, one importanting and distributing computerised lighting control systems mainly used in TV and the other offering lighting and sound consultancy services for anyone that wants it!

Andy

I'm not sure if this makes much sense to anyone but can you imagine going down the local pub or (perhaps more relevent?) to a networking event and just splurting out what your company does? The introduction section seems to me to be gradually becomming a platform for single posters that stumble accross the site to try and make a quick sales pitch..

There are a lot of active and frequent contributers that use this site to network with like minded people and give good sound advice to whoever asks for it.. I'm sure a lot of people's businesses benefit as a result of being involved in this forum but very much doubt that it is the people that only post once in the intro's..

 

[multilingual]

What does "importanting" mean?

Is it another word made up of two other words?

Important importing?

:wink:

JB

 

[ChrisSallis]

Maybe forums should have a spamming board where every spammer can do his / her thing an if people want to read it or want one of the services on there they can read it.

Saves putting people off with to much spam everywhere and saves having to delete loads of spam messages. Win Win

This forum doesn't seem that bad for spam though.

 

[clairemackaness]

I think this site is great, those that do pop on and spam for a day, tend not to come back.

Certainly the regular faces keep this a friendly place to do business, I think that there should perhaps be a bit of clean up when someone posts a blatant ad such as Help the needy at www.I'mrippingyouoff.com

But we dont get many of them and they soon go away once nobody replies.

Keep up the good work guys

Claire

 

[stagetec]

Hi

I think that the worst place for this is in the introductions section... Sorry about this Andy but as an example

Hi,

I run two companies, one importanting and distributing computerised lighting control systems mainly used in TV and the other offering lighting and sound consultancy services for anyone that wants it!

Andy

Sorry, I thought that was exactly what the introduction section was for, there isn't much point in my telling you about my pet dog and what I had for dinner tonight!!

Regarding the other point about me only being a member since 8th October, that is true, but I had been 'guesting' for a while before that and maybe it took me a few days to notice posts.

My point really was not that people shouldn't publicise their services, obviously we are all going to try to do that, the point was more that these should only be offered when relevant to the post.

Anyway, I'm off my soap box now.

Andy

 

[Asteeleleith]

Hi there

I think upon careful refection, that i am likely to side slightly with stagetec
here.
It is not like he was giving details of special offers, mobile, or groundline numbers opeing hours etc. He only explained what he does.
I has a look for my intro, though i could not find it, i do not think it was much different to that.
If there is a problem with this form of intro, then how does one go about introducing onceself esp in a business forum?

Al

 

[stagetec]

If there is a problem with this form of intro, then how does one go about introducing onceself esp in a business forum?

My point exactly, maybe someone could give us some pointers (although we are drifting a bit off the original point) or perhaps a template: hair colour, height, annual income, car type - might make for more interesting reading

Andy

 

[Asteeleleith]

Hi there

We yes indeed, and i know i am not backwards in coming forwards with my opinion.
I am also the first to admit when i am wrong.
I mean i could say as an intro.
Hello my name is joe bloggs, 38, i live in a town live with my wife, have three kids. etc. Hobbies....Music....etc
But who here would want to know that? :shock:

Confused

Al

 

[stagetec]

What does "importanting" mean?

OK, I've edited that out now and added some personal info, just to keep you all happy!

Andy

 

[Rob Holmes]

maybe someone could give us some pointers (although we are drifting a bit off the original point) or perhaps a template: hair colour, height, annual income, car type - might make for more interesting reading

then how does one go about introducing onceself esp in a business forum?

The pointers have always been there - in the Intros forum under the sticky title: IMPORTANT read this before posting here

http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=1118

Rob

 

[daveashton]

This forum rocks and is the best in the UK.

Yes you get a few spammers but I get those in my email and it does not stop me using email.

Yes you get some strange replies because people speed read a post and hence give a strange reply. But hay you should here some of the stuff my wife comes out with and I have no plans to leave her (yet)

Last but not least. This forum has many companies who have gone through the first 2 years and turnover 500K upwards. These companies have gone though the hardest part of setting up a business and hence thier advice they provide is direct and 99 times out of a hundred bang on the money.

That to me is what makes a good forum.

 

[Asteeleleith]

So according to this then there is nothing wrong really with stagetecs intro.

 

[SuffolkDesigns]

So according to this then there is nothing wrong really with stagetecs intro.

I don't see anything wrong with it, and definately wouldn't class it as spam.

If you are in a person to person business forum where each person syands up one at a time to introduce themselves they would generally start with their name and then their business description.

 

[Belladonna]

But hay you should here some of the stuff my wife comes out with and I have no plans to leave her (yet)

:lol:

Darn - that's a shame you could always re-marry, did I mention that I have a bridal website..................

[sorry - couldn't resist!]