Guide: Preventing Accidental Double-Posting

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Larkarl
Former WQ Moderator
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Guide: Preventing Accidental Double-Posting

Post by Larkarl » Mon Mar 28, 2011 5:43 pm

The WolfQuest community has their own definitions regarding SPAM, and staff members and moderators have a low tolerance for any posts containing it. Here's a quick excerpt from the forum guidelines:
WQ Coordinator wrote:Definition of SPAM
SPAM= Stupid, Pointless, Annoying Messages. Listed below are our definitions of "SPAM":
•Off-topic posts- any post that is either irrelevant to the forum or topic
•Intentional post-count-raising- replying to questions that have already been answered and repeating the answer, or just posting nonsense that has nothing to do with that forum or discussion.
•One-word replies- actually, this includes any posts with three words or less. If you can reply with three words or less, it's probably not worth saying.
•Personal topics- anything not directed to all forum members (unless it’s in a pack topic) should be sent using private messages or e-mails.
•Offers for solicitations/services
•Double-posting- please edit previous posts instead of posting more than once.
•Non-normal writing- Text speak (ex- btw I g2g), SHOUTING, or using excessive numbers of: smileys, font colors, or punctuation (ex- !!??!??!?!) may all be considered SPAM
Source: http://www.wolfquest.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=20100

Double-posting, or posting on a certain topic twice or more times in a row, falls into the category of SPAM. Most members are aware of this and use the edit feature to edit their previous post with any additional information. However, sometimes double-posting is completely accidental and oftentimes the person is unaware of it. Nobody gets in trouble for an unintentional double-post, but it creates more work for the moderators who take time to tidy up the forums and it can be prevented.

How can a double-post be accidental?
Sometimes the post form is submitted several times instead of once, so instead of one post showing up, two or more will appear on a topic with the exact same message and (in most cases) timestamp. The forums may also just glitch, override the flood control, and cause the posts to appear. This may also occur when someone is trying to post a new topic causing duplicate topics to appear.

Why should I be concerned if I don't get in trouble for it?
Everybody likes a neat and organized forum or board. Duplicate topics or posts take up space and look silly. Moderators have a tough job to do and they're generally the ones cleaning up posts so everything looks good- save them a bit of work! Accidental double-posting happens almost every single day on the WolfQuest forums.

What can I do to prevent this from happening in the first place?
- Click the submit button only once. The forums often take time to load and don't confirm that you've actually posted something for several minutes with heavy forum lag. As long as your browser shows that the next page is loading, you've clicked the submit button and the post form is being submitted. Clicking on the button several times increases the chance for the forum to glitch and receive two or more duplicate posts. And it doesn't help the page load any faster, either. ;)

- Pay attention to the post review. If someone posts before you while you've been typing a response, you will be returned to the posting box and then notified of the other person's post. Notice the author and message: if it's the post you just typed out, there is no need to hit the submit button again. Post review does not always catch accidental-posts, so as an added measure, you may want to...

- Review the post or topic you just created after it has been submitted. If it's a post, either wait for the page to automatically load to the topic you posted on or click the link that appears. Check posts right above or below the post your screen centers on. If it's a newly created topic, click "Return to the forum last visited" and scan the most recent topics to see if yours was duplicated.

I've accidentally double-posted. What should I do about it?
If nobody has posted after you, delete the duplicate posts and you'll be fine! If someone has posted afterward, then you can report one of your own posts so that a moderator can take care of it. In the latter case, a moderator will still have to do some work- but the posts will be easier to find if one of them has been properly reported.


This is just a small thing that WolfQuest community members can do to help keep WolfQuest SPAM-free and looking nice. Have fun posting!
~The Specialist
I support the Alliance.

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