Pon... July 10, 2009 6:47 PM Subscribe
MinorPony: Can't we limit the above-the-fold field length so that this doesn't require mod intervention?
I know that you have to use a little JS, and validate on the backend, but this is a quick fix--a character count of 1,500 allows posts like this still, but capping it somewhere under 2,000 would make sense, no?
I know it's a slippery slope, what with replacing mods with machines, but I think an exception makes sense here...
I know that you have to use a little JS, and validate on the backend, but this is a quick fix--a character count of 1,500 allows posts like this still, but capping it somewhere under 2,000 would make sense, no?
I know it's a slippery slope, what with replacing mods with machines, but I think an exception makes sense here...
The main problem there is not that we don't limit the text but that it was a post by some shitnozzle shill.
But, practically speaking, too-much-outside posts happen pretty rarely at this point and mod intervention usually takes care of it pretty quickly when it is an issue, so the costs involved (coding time, testing time, false positive or extra-complex length-detection to avoid counting href or title fields against the actual visible length of the post) in applying an arbitrary limit probably outweigh the limited benefits.
posted by cortex (staff) at 6:52 PM on July 10, 2009 [2 favorites]
But, practically speaking, too-much-outside posts happen pretty rarely at this point and mod intervention usually takes care of it pretty quickly when it is an issue, so the costs involved (coding time, testing time, false positive or extra-complex length-detection to avoid counting href or title fields against the actual visible length of the post) in applying an arbitrary limit probably outweigh the limited benefits.
posted by cortex (staff) at 6:52 PM on July 10, 2009 [2 favorites]
The first thing that comes to mind are those pithy posts where every character is a link. It's one sentence long displayed on the front page, but when you're composing that post all those URLs add up.
Also, why do you hate cortex?
posted by carsonb at 6:52 PM on July 10, 2009
Also, why do you hate cortex?
posted by carsonb at 6:52 PM on July 10, 2009
I'll admit it. I clicked the link to see what it was about. Yep, cash gifting scam.
posted by P.o.B. at 6:52 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by P.o.B. at 6:52 PM on July 10, 2009
I'm pretty sure the above-the-fold length of the post wasn't the main problem with the post you linked to.
posted by !Jim at 6:52 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by !Jim at 6:52 PM on July 10, 2009
Hmm. I made it as 11 minutes between posting and deletion. Not bad for a Friday night. I see your point though- badly formed posts should maybe go into a holding queue for moderator review. If it's just a case of newbie oops, well, it won't hurt to have the post delayed a bit. Shit like this need not ever see the front page, which I find a huge plus.
posted by pjern at 6:54 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by pjern at 6:54 PM on July 10, 2009
The first thing that comes to mind are those pithy posts where every character is a link.
I *hate* these. HATEHATEHATE them. Hate with a thermonuclear passion.
posted by pjern at 6:56 PM on July 10, 2009 [6 favorites]
I *hate* these. HATEHATEHATE them. Hate with a thermonuclear passion.
posted by pjern at 6:56 PM on July 10, 2009 [6 favorites]
Yeah, definitely not arguing that the mods are on it like white on rice, but it just seems relatively trivial to keep it from ever hitting the FP. Appreciate the reply and stellar-quick modding, 'tex.
posted by disillusioned at 6:56 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by disillusioned at 6:56 PM on July 10, 2009
In related news, www.example.info doesn't resolve for me. Whatever happened to example.com?
posted by carsonb at 6:57 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by carsonb at 6:57 PM on July 10, 2009
Yeah, definitely not arguing that the mods are on it like white on rice
Nope. Rice has a more professional white background.
posted by qvantamon at 6:58 PM on July 10, 2009
Nope. Rice has a more professional white background.
posted by qvantamon at 6:58 PM on July 10, 2009
Cash gifting is actually one of those scam trends that we saw a rash of weirdness sprout from on askme a while back—a negative "is this a scam" "yes, yes it is" askme got some good google juice and ended up bringing in a few different scammers posting either "no, cash gifting is not a scam, LOOK AT MY WEBSITE" rebukes or "yes it is a scam read more about it AT MY WEBSITE WHERE I SHOW YOU THE REAL SECRETS TO CASH GIFTING 4 SUCCESS" feints.
So it's kind of weird to see it spill over into the blue months later. I wonder if that particular asshat got her via the askme search result and did some lateral thinking.
I really hate spammers. A lot. They suck.
posted by cortex (staff) at 6:59 PM on July 10, 2009
So it's kind of weird to see it spill over into the blue months later. I wonder if that particular asshat got her via the askme search result and did some lateral thinking.
I really hate spammers. A lot. They suck.
posted by cortex (staff) at 6:59 PM on July 10, 2009
I believe I have never flagged a single, solitary post or comment. If I did, I've either done so accidentally, or forgotten about it completely.
My first thought upon seeing this (already deleted) post was, man, I wish it hadn't been deleted so that I could flag it.
Kudos, askdeszign!
posted by Flunkie at 6:59 PM on July 10, 2009
My first thought upon seeing this (already deleted) post was, man, I wish it hadn't been deleted so that I could flag it.
Kudos, askdeszign!
posted by Flunkie at 6:59 PM on July 10, 2009
Hate with a thermonuclear passion.
Duly noted, and thank you for your considered opinion. How do you feel about posts that only have a few links, or some links, but all the title fields have paras of text? Everyone please take heed pjern's reply.
posted by carsonb at 7:00 PM on July 10, 2009
Duly noted, and thank you for your considered opinion. How do you feel about posts that only have a few links, or some links, but all the title fields have paras of text? Everyone please take heed pjern's reply.
posted by carsonb at 7:00 PM on July 10, 2009
Cortex, can you link to the askMefis? This is so obviously ridiculous, I want to read them.
posted by orthogonality at 7:02 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by orthogonality at 7:02 PM on July 10, 2009
I haven't laughed so hard in days. The comments in that thread rule. I think I favorited like 5. It should have survived on the merits of the comments.
posted by cjorgensen at 7:02 PM on July 10, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by cjorgensen at 7:02 PM on July 10, 2009 [1 favorite]
Ooooh! I know! Lets make MeFi's source code look like google.com's source code!
pb won't mind. At this point he just sees blondes, brunettes, redheads...
posted by cowbellemoo at 7:02 PM on July 10, 2009
pb won't mind. At this point he just sees blondes, brunettes, redheads...
posted by cowbellemoo at 7:02 PM on July 10, 2009
I really hate spammers. A lot. They suck.
Enough to dedicate a website to making fun of them?
posted by cjorgensen at 7:19 PM on July 10, 2009
Enough to dedicate a website to making fun of them?
posted by cjorgensen at 7:19 PM on July 10, 2009
And even if this one had been in one block on the front page it would have still kicked ass.
posted by cjorgensen at 7:21 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by cjorgensen at 7:21 PM on July 10, 2009
but it just seems relatively trivial to keep it from ever hitting the FP
If the posting form had rejected the post on length, said shitnozzle would have just pared it down until it was accepted; end result, shitnozzlry still gets through. So, no, it wouldn't be trivial.
posted by Rhomboid at 7:29 PM on July 10, 2009
If the posting form had rejected the post on length, said shitnozzle would have just pared it down until it was accepted; end result, shitnozzlry still gets through. So, no, it wouldn't be trivial.
posted by Rhomboid at 7:29 PM on July 10, 2009
People it's CASH, cash GIFTING - how can this possibly be a scam. it's GIFTING. I signed up and I'll keep you posted - sitting in my benz convertible parked in my luxury condo- surrounded by gifts of cash.
posted by mattoxic at 7:32 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by mattoxic at 7:32 PM on July 10, 2009
Holden Karnofsky's baby, I presume?
Wait...is he out of prison already??
posted by heyho at 7:46 PM on July 10, 2009 [1 favorite]
Wait...is he out of prison already??
posted by heyho at 7:46 PM on July 10, 2009 [1 favorite]
I think I currently hold the record for longest ill-conceived post that I though was going to be automatically behind [more inside] but wasn't, and so I feel comfortable saying: fuck 'em. Let idiots like me hoist ourselves on our own petards. Everyone needs a good humiliation now and again.
posted by davejay at 7:58 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by davejay at 7:58 PM on July 10, 2009
and yeah, I looked at how long that example one was, and really, mine was so much longer I cringe even now thinking of it, and it was years ago.
posted by davejay at 7:59 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by davejay at 7:59 PM on July 10, 2009
Cortex, can you link to the askMefis? This is so obviously ridiculous, I want to read them.
There's not much to see, because we ended up nuking all the bullshit comments, but this is the thread that I was talking about. Note that Merlin's referenced post down at the bottom may have whipped the shills into a googly frenzy as a result. Heh.
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:00 PM on July 10, 2009
There's not much to see, because we ended up nuking all the bullshit comments, but this is the thread that I was talking about. Note that Merlin's referenced post down at the bottom may have whipped the shills into a googly frenzy as a result. Heh.
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:00 PM on July 10, 2009
Where in this thread do I put my credit card number?
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 8:04 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 8:04 PM on July 10, 2009
I could say, Blazecock, but then this thread would be NSFW.
posted by davejay at 8:14 PM on July 10, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by davejay at 8:14 PM on July 10, 2009 [1 favorite]
wow - that may really be the worst post in the history of metafilter
posted by pyramid termite at 8:15 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by pyramid termite at 8:15 PM on July 10, 2009
Print this page, fill in the form and mail to: Free Cash, PO Box 5521, NY NY 10055
----✁--------✁--------✁--------✁--------✁--------✁--------✁--------✁----
Name as it appears on card: ____________________________
Check one:
☐ VISA
☐ MasterCard
☐ American Express
☐ Discover
Card number: ☐☐☐☐-☐☐☐☐-☐☐☐☐-☐☐☐☐ Exp: ☐☐-☐☐
posted by Rhomboid at 8:17 PM on July 10, 2009 [6 favorites]
----✁--------✁--------✁--------✁--------✁--------✁--------✁--------✁----
Name as it appears on card: ____________________________
Check one:
☐ VISA
☐ MasterCard
☐ American Express
☐ Discover
Card number: ☐☐☐☐-☐☐☐☐-☐☐☐☐-☐☐☐☐ Exp: ☐☐-☐☐
posted by Rhomboid at 8:17 PM on July 10, 2009 [6 favorites]
There's that damn font again.
posted by cjorgensen at 8:20 PM on July 10, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by cjorgensen at 8:20 PM on July 10, 2009 [3 favorites]
That's some nice work there, Rhombold.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 9:12 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 9:12 PM on July 10, 2009
I like that they made exactly three comments, and that they were shit.
posted by Artw at 10:38 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by Artw at 10:38 PM on July 10, 2009
(it would have been cooler if they had waited EXACTLY a week though)
posted by Artw at 10:40 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by Artw at 10:40 PM on July 10, 2009
Holden Karnofsky's baby, I presume?
Phil Cubeta (aka AssHat, AssKisser, AssMan, etc.) will likely know the answer to your query.
posted by ericb at 11:26 PM on July 10, 2009
Phil Cubeta (aka AssHat, AssKisser, AssMan, etc.) will likely know the answer to your query.
posted by ericb at 11:26 PM on July 10, 2009
What ever happened to the word "giving" ? Is there any context in which "giving" has not been replaced by "gifting" ?
posted by 0xFCAF at 11:43 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by 0xFCAF at 11:43 PM on July 10, 2009
OxFCAF: Actually, there is a difference between "gifting" and "giving". At least in Russian.
They use two different verbs, one to denote giving as a gift (i.e. "It's yours! Keep it!") and one to denote giving as a temporary measure (i.e. "It's still mine. Don't get any ideas.").
The best analogy in English, is to use "gifting" as the former, and "giving" as the latter. We just don't do it often.
posted by vernondalhart at 2:09 AM on July 11, 2009
They use two different verbs, one to denote giving as a gift (i.e. "It's yours! Keep it!") and one to denote giving as a temporary measure (i.e. "It's still mine. Don't get any ideas.").
The best analogy in English, is to use "gifting" as the former, and "giving" as the latter. We just don't do it often.
posted by vernondalhart at 2:09 AM on July 11, 2009
Aha, I remember the russian verbs now.
Дарить: To gift
Давать: To give
posted by vernondalhart at 3:54 AM on July 11, 2009
Дарить: To gift
Давать: To give
posted by vernondalhart at 3:54 AM on July 11, 2009
Couldn't that be covered by "to give" vs "to lend"?
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:37 AM on July 11, 2009
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:37 AM on July 11, 2009
"Gifting" makes me want to gift somebody a knuckle sandwich.
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:38 AM on July 11, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:38 AM on July 11, 2009 [2 favorites]
Couldn't that be covered by "to give" vs "to lend"?
Well, sort of... but we do definitely use the verb "to give" to mean both. The use of this does not preclude that the object in question is expected to be returned.
So really, we should just stop using "to give" and replace it with "to gift" and "to lend". There! Ambiguity solved.
posted by vernondalhart at 6:52 AM on July 11, 2009
Well, sort of... but we do definitely use the verb "to give" to mean both. The use of this does not preclude that the object in question is expected to be returned.
So really, we should just stop using "to give" and replace it with "to gift" and "to lend". There! Ambiguity solved.
posted by vernondalhart at 6:52 AM on July 11, 2009
Nah, instead, we should just stop using "to gift" and "to lend", and replace them with "to give". There! Ambiguity victorious.
posted by Flunkie at 7:05 AM on July 11, 2009
posted by Flunkie at 7:05 AM on July 11, 2009
it was a post by some shitnozzle shill.
I think I've got a new favorite definition of "spammer".
Thank you, cortex!
posted by DreamerFi at 9:49 AM on July 11, 2009
I think I've got a new favorite definition of "spammer".
Thank you, cortex!
posted by DreamerFi at 9:49 AM on July 11, 2009
I think someshitnozzleshill or shitnozzleshill would make a great sockpuppet. Or maybe it should be SEOshitnozzleshill.
Anyone got $15 I can borrow?
posted by cjorgensen at 11:44 AM on July 11, 2009
Anyone got $15 I can borrow?
posted by cjorgensen at 11:44 AM on July 11, 2009
They use two different verbs, one to denote giving as a gift (i.e. "It's yours! Keep it!") and one to denote giving as a temporary measure (i.e. "It's still mine. Don't get any ideas.").
The best analogy in English, is to use "gifting" as the former, and "giving" as the latter. We just don't do it often.
...
Aha, I remember the russian verbs now.
Дарить: To gift
Давать: To give
Not true. Дарить is 'to give as a present'; давать/дать is the basic verb 'to give,' with many derived senses, much like the English verb (one of the more common being 'to put out (sexually),' I'm afraid). Neither verb implies "It's still mine. Don't get any ideas." If you go to Russia with that idea, you will wind up confused and/or beaten up in an alley.
posted by languagehat at 2:19 PM on July 11, 2009
The best analogy in English, is to use "gifting" as the former, and "giving" as the latter. We just don't do it often.
...
Aha, I remember the russian verbs now.
Дарить: To gift
Давать: To give
Not true. Дарить is 'to give as a present'; давать/дать is the basic verb 'to give,' with many derived senses, much like the English verb (one of the more common being 'to put out (sexually),' I'm afraid). Neither verb implies "It's still mine. Don't get any ideas." If you go to Russia with that idea, you will wind up confused and/or beaten up in an alley.
posted by languagehat at 2:19 PM on July 11, 2009
Wow, googling askdeszign is... what the fuck? Life coach? Heh.
posted by loquacious at 2:23 PM on July 11, 2009
posted by loquacious at 2:23 PM on July 11, 2009
Further, if you look at her twitter profile pic, it lists her name as "Deszign McDaniels" Google that and all you get are gifting spam/scams. She belongs in jail.
posted by cjorgensen at 2:55 PM on July 11, 2009
posted by cjorgensen at 2:55 PM on July 11, 2009
I just got done sending this to every site she's on:
"This is nothing more than a cash giving pyramid scam and should be removed immediately."
And I looked up registrar info for the sites that seem to be "hers" (these often aren't real people). They are all done through layers.
I have been thinking for a while about doing a project like the one the guy on the blue did, but rather than writing about chiropractors, contact the AGs in each state these people operate out of. I have a folder full of scam sites. I sort of have an addiction for them.
Few things piss me off more. (self link).
posted by cjorgensen at 3:14 PM on July 11, 2009
"This is nothing more than a cash giving pyramid scam and should be removed immediately."
And I looked up registrar info for the sites that seem to be "hers" (these often aren't real people). They are all done through layers.
I have been thinking for a while about doing a project like the one the guy on the blue did, but rather than writing about chiropractors, contact the AGs in each state these people operate out of. I have a folder full of scam sites. I sort of have an addiction for them.
Few things piss me off more. (self link).
posted by cjorgensen at 3:14 PM on July 11, 2009
Cj,
Dude, that was great (and stupifyingly horrifying at the same time). Thanks for the link.
posted by Librarygeek at 11:47 PM on July 11, 2009
Dude, that was great (and stupifyingly horrifying at the same time). Thanks for the link.
posted by Librarygeek at 11:47 PM on July 11, 2009
I totally didn't understand the cash gifting thing. I think that calling it a scam might offend proper scams. You know, the ones that seem tempting at first, and then you think "oh, this is probably a scam", as opposed to cash-gifting-person, where it seems timecube at first, and then you think, "oh, this person is trying to run a scam, but can't quite manage it due to their terrible brain injury".
posted by pompomtom at 6:39 AM on July 12, 2009
posted by pompomtom at 6:39 AM on July 12, 2009
On a side note, you might want to take a preemptive measure and diable Peztopiary's account as well.
posted by jabberjaw at 1:30 PM on July 12, 2009
posted by jabberjaw at 1:30 PM on July 12, 2009
Man, I'm not sure what the deal is with Peztopiary (joining up to jump right into a Metatalk argument?), but I don't think that account has anything to do with Dezigny McCashgifter. I'd put my money on Pez discovering the joy of random crappo comments from doomed spammers for the first time, if anything.
posted by cortex (staff) at 1:37 PM on July 12, 2009
posted by cortex (staff) at 1:37 PM on July 12, 2009
I know it's bad form to post contents of email without permission, so I won't say who I got this from, but after contacting every site I could find for Dezigny McCashgifter I got back, "Hello sir, This press release has been removed as you requested, please check it." One down, so many more to go. I still haven't managed to get the twitter account killed, but I am trying.
I also got this in email: "ok, that's just creepy. but thanks." But that has nothing to do with anything. I just thought I'd share.
And Librarygeek, glad you liked the post. I need to update it. Took me three weeks but I finally got that account killed. If there was a way to make money off going after spammers (legally) I would have my calling in life.
posted by cjorgensen at 7:06 AM on July 13, 2009
I also got this in email: "ok, that's just creepy. but thanks." But that has nothing to do with anything. I just thought I'd share.
And Librarygeek, glad you liked the post. I need to update it. Took me three weeks but I finally got that account killed. If there was a way to make money off going after spammers (legally) I would have my calling in life.
posted by cjorgensen at 7:06 AM on July 13, 2009
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posted by Inspector.Gadget at 6:52 PM on July 10, 2009