Misleading error message on insert URL for new users

[ComputerVersteher]

Hi,

as new user with less than 10 messages I can't post URLs (as theDBGuy told me). but the error message is

Your content can not be submitted.
This is likely because your content is spam-like or contains inappropriate elements.
Please change your content or try again later.
If you still have problems, please contact an administrator.

It took a while I noticed the URLs where inappropriate for me

There should be a clear error message like: You aren't allowed to use URLs on first 10 messages" or similar.

Also there should be a FAQ section on top of "Access World News".

 

[Jon]

That would alert spammers to the criteria.

 

[ComputerVersteher]

Then use a captcha on first ten post, if links are included. Or allow plain text URLs. I even can#t write 3 consecutive 'w' in a post

 

[ComputerVersteher]

Or a picture as error message

 

[sonic8]

That would alert spammers to the criteria.

I think this is a non-issue. Spammers must be familiar with this very common limitation on many forum sites.

 

[Jon]

I think this is a non-issue. Spammers must be familiar with this very common limitation on many forum sites.

The rules vary on all sites. Some spam is by bots, others manual. If manual, they can read a FAQ on what is required before they spam. If they don't know the link dropping rules, it is harder to game the system. It is the same principle behind Google not revealing their algo on how they rank sites.

Besides, most regular users don't read forum FAQs.

 

[Jon]

Then use a captcha on first ten post, if links are included. Or allow plain text URLs. I even can#t write 3 consecutive 'w' in a post

Bots and humans can get around captchas. But I'm not sure what the reason is for the captcha. We don't want new users dropping links. It encourages spammers.

 

[Jon]

Or a picture as error message

Picture of what? There is no customisation of error messages in this software that would say the reason for a declined message. You can only give one reply to everything. And if I include in the reply. "Get to 10 messages before you can drop a link", the spammers will feast on that information.

 

[GPGeorge]

Picture of what? There is no customisation of error messages in this software that would say the reason for a declined message. You can only give one reply to everything. And if I include in the reply. "Get to 10 messages before you can drop a link", the spammers will feast on that information.

Dealing with spammers is a huge headache. Good old-fashioned HI is the final safeguard, but we don't have to make it easier than it needs to be.

I would also amend this statement: "Besides, most regular users don't read forum FAQs."

to read "Besides, most regular users don't read forum FAQs and wanna be spammers ignore them."

 

[Jon]

I think most spam is probably bots anyway. But there are always a few manual spammers.

I'm not sure what the OP link was for in any case?

 

[ComputerVersteher]

Picture of what?

Picture of the error message, to prevent bots reading it.

 

[ComputerVersteher]

Bots and humans can get around captchas. But I'm not sure what the reason is for the captcha. We don't want new users dropping links. It encourages spammers.

Bots should fail on captchas, as they are designed for that (Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart).

There are options in xenforo https://xenforo.com/features/spam/

 

[ComputerVersteher]

Now my message count is 10, but it was very annoying, not to know why post where rejected!

New users may not be as patient as me

 

[Jon]

All the xenforo options are already enabled, and further 3rd-party plugins also added. Captchas keep evolving as the bots learn to get around them. Bots can read pictures: OCR. In any case, like I said previously, you cannot customise the replies, whether image or not.

 

[Thomas Möller]

Hi,

as new user with less than 10 messages I can't post URLs (as theDBGuy told me). but the error message is

Your content can not be submitted.
This is likely because your content is spam-like or contains inappropriate elements.
Please change your content or try again later.
If you still have problems, please contact an administrator.

It took a while I noticed the URLs where inappropriate for me

There should be a clear error message like: You aren't allowed to use URLs on first 10 messages" or similar.

Also there should be a FAQ section on top of "Access World News".

I can second this. It was by incident, that I found out the real reason was the link in my post.
Regards
Thomas (who is working on his tenth post.)

 

[Thomas Möller]

Now my message count is 10, but it was very annoying, not to know why post where rejected!

New users may not be as patient as me

I can only congratulate. I am still working on my first 10 posts. This should be #7.

 

[Gasman]

I can only congratulate. I am still working on my first 10 posts. This should be #7.

Well there is a clue in the panel on the left with your username on it?

 

[Thomas Möller]

Well there is a clue in the panel on the left with your username on it?

Hi @Gasman !
Thank you for your hint. I saw the counter.
I'm only writing to get to 10. So, thank you for your answer. This is post #8

 

[Gasman]

Why so keen on posting a link?

 

[Thomas Möller]

Why so keen on posting a link?

Often a solution has already been published on the web. It should be easy to guide someone to this solution.