Happenings on Adelaide Cyclists
Hello,
We now have nearly 90 members all contributing to the site but the downside is we've had our first spammer. Bummer really after someone only a few days ago asked me if we had any spam attacks. I can delete them and all their content but if they post comments to peoples profiles it will email you and that is the most annoying thing. I really don't want to set the membership to 'by application' but will if I have to.
I created a basic FAQ. I will add to it over time. The aim is to reduce the barrier to entry for people who are interested in joining but are hesitant.
Another thing is the Feedback tab on the right of the screen. It is an app powered by a web app called 'Get Satisfaction'. Again it is about reducing the barrier to entry and acting as a conduit for comments, ideas and criticisms.
Don't forget to follow us on Twitter if you are using it. Retweeting and commenting on our tweets (which are usually a feed of forum and blog postings) will help spread the word.
Finally I've had some good conversations recently about some potential joint projects with some associations and UniSA. Hopefully when spring comes we can put some ideas, like a meet up or swap meet, into action.
Cheers
Angus
We now have nearly 90 members all contributing to the site but the downside is we've had our first spammer. Bummer really after someone only a few days ago asked me if we had any spam attacks. I can delete them and all their content but if they post comments to peoples profiles it will email you and that is the most annoying thing. I really don't want to set the membership to 'by application' but will if I have to.
I created a basic FAQ. I will add to it over time. The aim is to reduce the barrier to entry for people who are interested in joining but are hesitant.
Another thing is the Feedback tab on the right of the screen. It is an app powered by a web app called 'Get Satisfaction'. Again it is about reducing the barrier to entry and acting as a conduit for comments, ideas and criticisms.
Don't forget to follow us on Twitter if you are using it. Retweeting and commenting on our tweets (which are usually a feed of forum and blog postings) will help spread the word.
Finally I've had some good conversations recently about some potential joint projects with some associations and UniSA. Hopefully when spring comes we can put some ideas, like a meet up or swap meet, into action.
Cheers
Angus
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Gus K on -
Hi,
An update to this spam story from Ning.
[The Ning Team - 08/10/2009 09:28 PM]
Hi Angus,
First, we're sorry to hear that this member posted this content to your social network, as we take spam very seriously.
It sounds like you took the right steps by banning this member. The best way to prevent people like this from joining your social network is to turn on member moderation. To do so, go to the Manage tab, select "Network Privacy" and be sure that "Approve new members before they can join" is checked. You'll be notified when new members try to join your social network and you'll be able to approve or decline their membership before they're able to post content.
I don't really want to do this. Anyone have an opinion? I want to keep the barrier to joining the site low.
You can also let your members know they can turn on comment wall moderation. To do so, click the "Settings" link on the right-hand side, select "Privacy" and under "Do you want to approve comments before they appear on your comment wall?" check "Yes - Let me approve comments first."
Currently comment wall messages are only viewable on on the comment wall page and aren't available in the email notifications your members receive.
We hope this helps. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Cheers,
The Ning Team
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Permalink Reply by Patrick Sunter on -
Hi Angus - one idea would be to try and make the approval of comments on people's pages a default thing?
Also, I'm not sure requiring the site admins to approve new members would be such a big disincentive to stop people from joining ... as long as you'd be pretty confident of approving people within a day or so. It is an admin hassle though.
Have you heard of this new cross-website OpenID thing that seems to be getting more popular, wonder if Ning supports it? (http://openid.net/). It's kind of cool as once you have one OpenID (eg from Google) it's portable.
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Permalink Reply by Gus K on
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Hi,
I approval of comments (and the emails you choose to receive) are set as a default to on. On every members page is a setting for Privacy and Email, the settings to turn on and off email notifications and approve comments to pages and blog posts can be made in there.
We did have another potential spammer earlier this week but I caught them out after discovering spam posted on Veloist in the US. Basically, if people don't post they live in Adelaide (or SA) I am cautious. There is now a question/ statement that says 'if you do not live in Adelaide there is every chance membership will be withdrawn. <'/i> I am thinking of having a manditory question like "Name a cycling hill climb in Adelaide" or similar. We'll see how we go.
As for OpenID. I was asked this question and put it to Ning. Their answer was not yes or no, it was a bit confused really. I agree it would be the best option.
So for the moment I'll see if adding extra signup questions are enough to weed out the bad apples. I should clarify we've only had one spammer here and of the 5 Nings I am a member of I have only seen one other - it's a low risk thing.
Cheers
AK
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Permalink Reply by Dan on -
I'd be a bit worried about a hill climb question, unless you have a suite of questions that can be chosen from so that non sports riders aren't excluded. Perhaps a pictorial captcha-like thing to name an obscurish Adelaide landmark?
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Permalink Reply by Gus K on
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Actually I agree. The bike nuts who join AC are usually not seen climbing Mt Lofty. I did have the question - being a statement really - saying "if you are not from Adelaide, or SA, you might be banned."
Maybe It should be " Crows or Port?" or Coopers Pale Ale or West End Draught? (actually I think that's it!)
Thanks!
AK
© 2013 Created by Gus K.
