--- In gevincountdown@...,
Howard Somerset <drawoh_tesremos@y...> wrote:
>
> I only came across this group earlier this week, and
> on first glance was reluctant to join because of the
> obvious spam. However, I looked further, and
> recognise a number of names from another group where
> I'm a member, so signed up.
>

Good to have you here Howard - welcome aboard.

Howard Somerset <drawoh_tesremos@y...> wrote:
>
> Regarding the spam, I'm pleased to see that posting is
> now restricted to members only. I'm surprised that
> you ever allowed posting by non-members, as, I've not
> yet seen a successful yahoo group which allows
> non-members to post.
>

A very good point Howard. Allowing non-members to post
messages, while on the face of it entirely laudible, had
one very major drawback. That drawback came into play
when non-members posted trolling messages.

Because of that drawback, if members posted trolling
messages? They could have their posting rights restricted
(being placed on the "moderation list", or having posting
rights to this forum completely removed).

But when non-members did the same thing? No such sanctions
were available - IMO making a complete mockery of my earnest
attempts to ensure that repeated forum misuse would be
prevented from taking place.


Howard Somerset <drawoh_tesremos@y...> wrote:
>
> I'd predict that the new policy should eliminate the
> spam posts, but if any do recur, you (moderator and
> owner) have the option to terminate the membership of
> whoever makes such posts.
>

Since June 2006, Gevincountdown has had 2 people who can
moderate - Gevin ("List owner") and myself (moderator).

Now that posting is "members only"? We can quickly
dispose of anyone attempting to sneak in "under the wire"
to spam this forum.

Howard Somerset <drawoh_tesremos@y...> wrote:
>
> I hope that, once it's realised by the members that
> action has been taken, posting will return to the
> earlier standard.
>

The standard of posts upon this forum should be improved,
automatically, by the very absence of the spammers & the
non-member trolls! :-)

The frequency of how often anyone or everyone posts (or
doesn't post) upon this forum is entirely a matter for
each individual person's own free choice - so I can make
you any promises about how often anyone will (or won't)
post messages here in future.

But this recent removal of the posting rights of various
forum misusers should now make Gevincountdown forum into
a safer & more comfortable place. Why? Because the
Gevincountdown forum is somewhere for everyone who wants
to messages about Countdown in an environment where
absolutely NONE of the moderators have a track record for
involvement in repeatedly making insulting postings - or
harrassment that probably breaches umpteen Yahoo rules.

That statement is not however something which I could say
about the entire current line-up of moderators (below the
level of "list-owner") at a certain other Countdown forum
within the Yahoogroups system ....


Zef