Posting Links to Websites.

[Big Daddy's House]

To All Members;

When posting links in threads to websites in, that you want others to visit, could you please make sure that the website is legit and trustworthy? I just had to delete a thread because a member had unknowingly posted a link there to a website that is bogus & untrustworthy.

If the website sounds or looks suspicious in any way, then please don't post the link. Any website that McAfee or WOT has deemed unsafe, then there is a high-risk chance that the site is untrustworthy.

Do not trust a website that you feel is unsafe. It could send viruses or blaster worms to yours and others' pc's.

You might think that you're helping other members, and it's a good thing that you are, but you could also be paving the way for possible viruses to get into and corrupt your pc as well as others'. Thank you.

[Kimchee]

Have to admit, I am VERY SUSPICIOUS of any links posted by members who have less than 10-15 posts. And if it is their only post... forget it. No way am I clicking THAT link!

[Big Daddy's House]

Have to admit, I am VERY SUSPICIOUS of any links posted by members who have less than 10-15 posts. And if it is their only post... forget it. No way am I clicking THAT link!



Sign up and download for a WOT (Web of Trust) account. It's totally free. No strings attached.

It is http://www.mywot.com .

What it does is it helps you avoid entering websites that are bogus, not secure, has virues, or has security breaches and alson, it warns you against websites where you might purchase merchandise there, but once you do, your credit card or debit card info might be compromised or stolen by hackers & thieves.

It also warns you of websites that might have adult material, such as porn, profanity and graphic content so that you can help keep your child from going there.

Once you've signed up and dounloaded the software, you will see a small green circle appearing in either the upper left or upper right-hand corner of your screen. This means that the website you are visiting is ok.

If the small circle is red, then stay away from that site, and don't try to enter it! A large warning against it appears. A gray circle means it does not know yet and a little ? appears there.

You can also rate websites through your WOT account so that you know not to try to go in there. The screen would then be blocked and a large warning will appear. Click on the small green circle to rate a site either good or bad in four categories.

I bought a silicone bundt cake pan from EasyBakeware.com and the next thing I know is that they sent me a letter saying that some hacker(s) got into their cumputer system and stole customers' personal info! My bank had canceled my debit card and I had to wait for a new one to be sent out to me! So don't trust that one either!!

Went to a McDonald's one day after doctor appointment to buy a burger, fries and a soda and friggen couldn't use the card!! I was pissed! How goddamn embarrassing THAT was?!!

[Dough Boy]

On many forums you cannot post a link until you have 10-20 posts on the site.I like that rule!

[Chowhound]

If I had a site, that would be my rule. No burying it in your sig either.
ETA, I wasn't referring to you, Joe. I just noticed yours. lol
Anyone new should have to become established, like you said.

[Dough Boy]

I believe that site I got banned from had a 10 post minimum before you could add a link. It's a feature in the forum software that each owner has the option of utilizing.

I got a verbal spanking for trying to post a link by using spacing between segments of the addy: www. cookingforums. net so that it wasn't really link. I should have walked away from that site when I got a spanking at less than 10 posts, but I stuck it out for over 5,000 post before they banned me for claiming I was a proponent of cruelty to animals. You remember the way they were/are. I wonder how much they pay for those drugs that make them think that way? Hmmmmm...

[Big Daddy's House]

Sounds like the Happy Valley.

Through my WOT account, I rated their blog and their forum as being bogus and very poor!

Since they dug into my past, like Gary Coleman once said, they can all go to hell, the rest of them can all go to the same place, walk off a plank or get run over by a bus, and their lives don't matter to me!!

They can all go jump into a snake pit as far as I'm concerned!

[Big Daddy's House]

And BTW, on some forums, you can't post sigs until you've reached at least 50 posts.

Kinchee, you're right!

New members should NOT be allowed to post or furnish any links to websites at all, until they reach 50 posts.

We've had many new members here who were chronic spammers right off the bat - posting links to websites as soon as they sign up just for the sake that they wanted to do it and for the sole purpose of soliciting merchandise through the board. Those individuals have and WILL continue to be banned.

Then there are others who might start one nonsense or non-contributive thread, never reply ro it and just move on to start another similar thread, and so on. They get banned as well.

[natt12321]

I can see where you are all coming from, but there are definite pros and cons to it. You've all listed pros but as a newbie on a site if you have a legit link and hence input but can't post it cos of post count rules you feel a little out cast from the start (or at least I do) same with sig rules, it's like why can't I put anything in my sig until I reach X number of posts. It leaves you with a feeling that your input isn't wanted. (example, not about me cos obviously I don't have a sig)

Also post count rules can lead to spammers spamming MORE because they have to reach a certain number of posts. It is counter productive in this case because you get a tonne of useless posts just so the spammer can post their links.

Like I said I can see the good in it too, but it does have downsides.

[Big Daddy's House]

Tyler set the rules on posting sigs. It was getting way out of hand where newbies were posting a number of sigs in their posts before they reached 50 posts.

The problem got worst, and so, the ruling was changed to 100 posts. Also, I believe that that is one of the stipulations of registering here to became a member. Still, newbies were posting false sigs, and we began disiplining them.

As for the links, there is nothing wrong with posting them as long as they are legit, working, and not dangerous ones that would cause someone's computer to get a dangerous virus or crash. Or a spamming one. Many new members here have posted spamming links to spamming newspaper threads. The instant that I find that, they have to be banned.

We really don't know what a new member's true intentions are until they begin posting threads and posts - whether they will obey the rules or start spamming right off the bat.

[Tyler]

I'm not sure I understand what you mean. Members need to have had 100 posts and been registered for at least 30 days before they can add links to their signatures...

[natt12321]

@tyler I don't think it's about links in signatures, I believe it is about linking to websites in general, so including posts.

[Big Daddy's House]

I'm not sure I understand what you mean. Members need to have had 100 posts and been registered for at least 30 days before they can add links to their signatures...




Sorry, Tyler. Wasn't sure about the links.

[Big Daddy's House]

I think that he was talking to me.

[Big Daddy's House]

I was commenting in more of a global sense. This issue of 'why does this rule apply' comes up a lot in forums.

On the face of it, this seems counter-productive. A forums 'wants' new info and spirited debate, but then puts members through hoops to contribute. In fact, I've personally found some of these hoops to be downright bizarre.

Some forum members look upon themselves as a cyber clubhouse. They have a tight little group of members and newbies get toasted just to make them go away.

My view is that if you are a member of a forum (and you observe the rules) you have the same rights as anyone else. This post count threshold is jive, but it is an effective way to blunt spammers. More to the point, a server is private property.

And lots of folks think that a big post count gives them gravitas when I've found abject stupidity in folks with thousands of entries.




There is a unknown spamming link out there (Google has one), that ultimately forces it's way onto your pc!

First, there's a blank white screen, then there's a bogus pop-up warning from a bogus website, claiming that your pc is infected with a virus. Then it automatically starts supposedly scanning your pc, claiming that you need the software in order to supposedly free your pc from potentially harmful viruses!

Then, to find out the supposed results, you must pay with your credit or debit card first. What a ripoff!! Don't trust this crap!! It's a sure-fire way for your pc to be wrecked with viruses and corrupted files!