I have forums that I run here and there. In the registration, I have a paragraph stating that we moderate new member posts, and spamming is not tolerated.

SpamSo yesterday, in my forum for teachers a new user registers and tries submitting a post about their software. It is moderated (not posted for the public to see). So the user immediately tries a different forum. It is moderated there as well, so they try once more. Yes, again it doesn’t show up.

So I get an email:

“I was trying to post a message with a link. How do I do that?”

So I respond:

“You don’t. We don’t allow spam in our forums. When you registered it was listed in bold what we do with spam posts, and your posts are spam.

If you would like to contribute to our community, you are welcome to do so, but registering just to sell your product is not tolerated, and it will get you banned.”

Apparently this did not sit well. He replied:

“Thanks for the nice, but harsh message. I don’t think you understood my question, but because of your ugly attitude…I won’t be involved in your website. I am a teacher and I can read!!! Next time, try to understand what a person is asking before you show your true colors!”

This is only partially true. I have an ugly attitude - that is because I am an asshole. But you are wrong in the fact that you can read. Because you can’t.

So I reply:

“XXXX,

Point is, we do not allow posts with links. You asked how you post a link. You can’t. That is the point. As for the comments about spam:

The following is considered spam - especially when it is attempted to be posted 3 times from a brand new member. Did I misunderstand your intentions?

I’m cutting out several paragraphs detailing everything that the software does..
Try It Today for 10 days free of charge. The home version cost $39 (per year) and the classroom version cost $69 (year). The school version cost depends on the number of students. Visit online at www.website-removed.com or give me a call at (XXX) XXX-XXX Name Removed to Protect the Stupid. I currently teach, so please call me after 6:00 pm (central time). Thanks.“

Now I can understand that a teacher would want to spam a teacher forum. Happens daily in my forums. But I am really getting sick of the attitude from these people - like I am the bad guy for not allowing their spam.

I see stupid peopleNot too long ago, I actually had a guy threaten to sue me for not allowing his spam to be posted. WTF??

Damn Stupid People.