First Ever Ban!

[JohnWilkens]

Astrogeek just became the first person ever to be banned from IIS for fighting for the right of all random, funny and useless posts in the general section. You will be sorely missed

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

I use time out with my kids as well when they push me too far.

[RAJAH235]

Is that 'IMPO'?

[JohnWilkens]

It's the truth!

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

I must come out of silence to convey my thoughts here.

I am probably one of the guiltiest people in this site for Spamming, but I kept it mainly to General Chat. And if I did spam another section it was in good humour and I knew when to stop. Yes, I did it in several sections, but always with respect to the original Thread starter.

I also tried to contribute to sections with help when I could and I would ask Astronomy questions when I needed help.

It was a balance. Good humour and a heart for astronomy. Davo was correct in another thread when he said that Rumples, Davo, Asi and Myself are the worst Spammers but about 90% of what we posted was about astronomy. Well maybe 80%

But what I am seeing now as I visit this site is a couple of new members who choose to ONLY spam without any contribution to the site in any Astronomical way. Why?

If they use the excuse that the rules say they can 'Talk about Anything and Everything in here' in the General Chat section, then go join a general Forum and chat about anything to your hearts content.

If you choose to stay and Spam in General Chat, then remember that this IS an Astronomy site and if you have nothing about astronomy to ask or say then why are you here? Just to annoy everyone?

Yes, spam can be fun and can give a site a relaxed feeling but not when you choose to post only spam.

As I have read through recent threads and posts even I, a spammer, am fed up reading the constant non-stop dribble being thrown in practically every section. No contribution, just 100% spam. There must be a limit to the nonsense.

If you can't join in on the Astronomical theme and insist on only dribble, go dribble on someone else.

Take it from the Spammers in here who know when enough is enough: Grow up! You are boring.

[acropolite (Phil)]

Well said, Ken.

[beren]

Well said Ken..... its unfortunate and a shame the person had to focus on creating mischief instead of contributing in a way that matchs the same affection displayed in his pic in the self-image thread

[Dennis]

I do not pay for IIS, nor do I have any insight into the set-up, implementation, management, financial and maintenance overheads; but I do thoroughly enjoy and benefit from these facilities (provided free), and therefore I am happy to moderate my behaviour to what is deemed acceptable by the owner as enforced by the moderators. I will also tolerate their mistakes as I hope others will tolerate mine.

I do not have the desire (or skills) to set up an on-line community, nor have the urge to be a moderator. Therefore, if someone is investing their time and energy to provide me with these free services, I am uncomfortable in allowing myself the luxury of dictating to them, how the site should operate. Suggestions – yes.

If the site owner has banned spam, whatever that definition is, then I will live with that or go elsewhere, as I have the freedom to participate in this community or depart if it no longer meets my needs; unless of course I was a paying customer with a contract that entitled me to spam.

I guess anyone who wants to spam could purchase their own web server, software, comms gear, etc, Then invest the time and energy to design, implement and maintain a website and spam it to their hearts content. I wonder what kind of community would grow from such an endeavour?

Cheers

Dennis

[davidpretorius]

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

..about 90% of what we posted was about astronomy. Well maybe 80%....

hi ken,

dammit, i thought I had successfull lied about the % level!!!

good to hear from you. Even if you have stepped back a bit, please post the odd pic from the toucam / eq. I am dying to see the 50 odd stars you can get out of the trap!!!

[ThunderChild (Chris)]

While I'm very new here, and am still learning all the wierd and wonderful characters that make up this community - I have found people to be very helpful and understanding on the whole. Astrogeek was one of these who did respond to my astronomical questions, so I personally will miss him. I have heard it said that he was mainly a spammer, but I have seen him respond helpfully to "on-topic" discussion too.

While I'm not aware of the exact straw which broke the camel's back, I do hope that he at least received some kind of warning.
Clear skies Astrogeek.

[TidaLpHasE]

I think that if all the childish spammers don't like being told to give it a rest, they should all go and talk their useless dribble on msn or yahoo.

This is an astronomy site, people will join for that and that only, if you think there will be no members left if you leave, get over yourselves, your stupid posts are the last i read, i come here for the joy of learning and the atmosphere.

Someone was banned? that's a good thing, maybe he shold stay in the braindead chat rooms and talk leet speak.

IIS has an image, and if it was my site, i would encourage, and enforce the rules and guidelines, to maintain a standard of it's intention, Astronomy.

Sure have some fun, and make the odd humor post, but to whinge and cry over posts and threads that get deleted that had no input or usefullness to the site makes me laugh.

Get a life.

[RB (Andrew)]

I agree with you Trevor 100%.
I have posted my thoughts to on thread....
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...35&postcount=4

Absolutely spot on.
Don't kid youselves that there won't be anyone left or that this site will go stale.

[Jonathan]

Well said Trevor and Rocket Boy.

It's a shame only one person has been banned, there's a few more that should be shown the door. Some people here need to grow up and act their age, or maybe they can volunteer to leave on their own accord so the rest of us can use this site for its intended purpose. I for one, didn't donate money for this site to put up with the garbage that's polluting the General Chat forum at present.

[JohnWilkens]

May I just point out that 90% of astrogeeks posts were on-topic and of some use (I looked at all the threads he posted in). It seems that only last night did he get fed up with the over the top "clamp down" and so decieded to take a stand. But it seems he paid the ultimate price for that defiance.

[RB (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by JohnWilkens

It seems that only last night did he get fed up with the over the top "clamp down" and so decieded to take a stand. But it seems he paid the ultimate price for that defiance.

It's the rest of us that pay the ultimate price Leon, it's like light pollution.
If he, you or whoever it is would just leave out the 10% rubbish posts then fine.
But to sabotage the site like that is like shining a white spotlight at a star party.
Doesn't go down well, nor should it be acceptable.

You are most welcome to join in if you have the courtesy to take your grievances to the mods in private.
I enjoyed reading your posts if/when they were sensible.

[space lover]

Did he first get a warning? If he didn't then I think its unfair too have banned him like that. On all of the forums that I have been on the moderators always give 3 warnings and then your out.

[Stu]

space lover you are on the money. But I don't know whether he got warnings or not. According to that thing at the bottom of the screen he is back anyway. Maybe just not allowed to post?

[mickoking]

There is a difference between humour and general chat and poinless and un-funny spam. Lets face it astrogeek was going pretty balistic with the drivel in the last few days. It is a shame, he could have contributed a lot to the community.


Welcome back Ken

[Dobman (Simon)]

i dont know what astrogeek said or did but i do agrree with what dennis said,This is an astronomy site, lets keep it that way. IIS has revolutionised my astronomy & viewing. Keep up the good work