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Site FAQ spam section needs clarification

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  • 11-07-2014 10:52am
    #1
    PrzemoF
    Registered Users Posts: 1,931 ✭✭✭


    I just got banned from Cycling forum for posting a survey about cycling computer options. I discussed in details with mod what he didn't like about my post and I think site rules needs clarification - I wouldn't consider my post as spam, but it was treated like that and rewarded ;-) with permanent ban without warning.
    Please consider adding "Surveys are not allowed except dedicated forum" to the spam section.
    Post edited by Shield on


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    #2
    El Weirdo
    Registered Users Posts: 11,646 ✭✭✭✭El Weirdo


    PrzemoF wrote: »
    ...I wouldn't consider my post as spam...
    Spammers generally don't.


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    #3
    MugMugs
    Registered Users Posts: 17,875 ✭✭✭✭MugMugs


    PrzemoF wrote: »
    Please consider adding "Surveys are not allowed except dedicated forum" to the spam section.

    It's a site wide rule and in the terms of use.

    There's a survey forum dedicated to surveys.


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    #4
    PrzemoF
    Registered Users Posts: 1,931 ✭✭✭PrzemoF


    Do you mind pointing me to the right section in the terms of use? I don't see it.

    There is only:

    "4.4 Who cannot join boards.ie
    You must not use boards.ie if:
    [..]
    You are joining solely to seek to engage in market research. "

    which odoesn't apply to my situation.

    I found out that there is a dedicated forum for surveys after I got banned.


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    #5
    Beasty
    Administrators, Social & Fun Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 75,559 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Beasty


    Just to clarify, your pemanent forum ban was for not asking first, then posting what in effect amounted to market reseach in connection with some software you were looking to develop

    Once I had an assurance that you would not post anything like that again in the forum your ban was lifted


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    #6
    Overheal
    Registered Users Posts: 81,857 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    PrzemoF wrote: »
    Do you mind pointing me to the right section in the terms of use? I don't see it.

    There is only:

    "4.4 Who cannot join boards.ie
    You must not use boards.ie if:
    [..]
    You are joining solely to seek to engage in market research. "

    which odoesn't apply to my situation.
    How doesn't it apply?


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    #7
    PrzemoF
    Registered Users Posts: 1,931 ✭✭✭PrzemoF


    OK, you got me. I joined boards solely to do market research. My well over 1000 posts are just part of a cover up operation. The sneaky question that I asked was "What do you watch on your bicycle computer for most of the time during a ride? I use speed (obvious), heart rate and cadence. Rarely distance and gradient of the road." and then 2 days later I revealed my evil plan by posting this: "Thanks for all the answers! Please keep them coming - I'll be desiging an open software/hardware cycling computer and I want to get an idea what it should display by default."

    This is well beyond ridiculous now. boards is a private web page, so you have right to give permanent bans for unwritten rules without warning, but please spare pointing me to non-existing points in FAQ or Terms of Use.

    Anyway, thanks for lifting the ban.


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    #8
    kneemos
    Registered Users Posts: 20,411 ✭✭✭✭kneemos


    Overheal wrote: »
    How doesn't it apply?

    The word ,"solely"presumably.


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    #9
    Dades
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 25,558 Mod ✭✭✭✭Dades


    I think PrzemoF has a point.

    It was only right that the ban was lifted and the T&Cs should probably elaborate on Boards' policy on surveys (or individual forum charters updated).

    In the interim where a poster is a contributor but makes the mistake of posting a survey, mods should really use their discretion to lock/delete surveys and inform the poster without banhammers. Mods in forums even have leeway to allow them where the survey might be of interest and the poster is a good contributor.

    Users who do fall under the "solely" description are ripe for nukin', however. :)


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    #10
    Overheal
    Registered Users Posts: 81,857 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    Well in this case, too, the OP asked questions for his survey without revealing his intention until a couple days later. Dick move, imo.


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    #11
    PrzemoF
    Registered Users Posts: 1,931 ✭✭✭PrzemoF


    Yea, the word "survey" says it all - I wanted to hide it in plain sight :)

    I'll keep repeating: I had no clue that surveys are not allowed except dediacted forum and there is no word about it in the terms of use.

    I need clarification: is it OK to post a thread in "Media and Research" and post a link in Cycling forum or I should just forget about getting any answers from cyclists about what might be useful for them in open softtware/hardware cycling computer?


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    #12
    Boards.ie: Niamh
    Boards.ie Employee Posts: 12,597 ✭✭✭✭✭Boards.ie: Niamh
    Boards.ie Community Manager


    A survey with the intention of gathering information for a business is, in fact, market research. You can post a survey without asking first in the Surveys and non-media research forum. For any other forum, you should ask permission of the Mods first and the Mods' decision is final in that case - this includes posting a link in the Cycling forum - ask first. You can also post a link in your sig to the thread in Surveys & Media Research.

    How can I? User's guide to some features on the new site



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    #13
    PrzemoF
    Registered Users Posts: 1,931 ✭✭✭PrzemoF


    Thanks for the clarification!
    It's not related to any business in any way - it's an open software / open hardware hobby project.


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