Sincere plea to DT members:) - Page 5

Thank you for this post. I agree with you completely on the issue of spam, and actually what constitutes as spam.

I agree if 'update soon' was the sole thing written on 5 pages by the same person, yes that is going overboard. However if a reader writes 'update soon', it may just be their simple way of commenting.

Some readers are hesitant to comment on threads, because they feel they cannot confidently express themselves in words. By putting restrictions on what should be allowed to be written as a comment, we are limiting them from saying anything at all. It is not just about a simple 'congrats' or ' update soon'; it is about our choice of voice, which we should be allowed to use as we want as long as we aren't being obscene or hurting someone in the process of it.

I do hope that the DT's discuss this matter and come up with a viable solution in the near future.

Firstly I would like to thank you for making this post. This issue of spamming is quite debatable for all IF members.
I agree with all your points. An author can't be held responsible for what his/her reader wants to post in their comment. And "update soon" can't be considered spam until and unless a member is continuously posting the same comment (which btw IF itself stops the members from doing).
"Update soon" is never ever meant to spam but to tell readers that we are very interested in their work, sometimes to express that we are waiting if the author is taking longer than usual. So I really don't see any point that why it can't be debated and altered.
The process of bringing in a change in rules may be long but we shall start on it at least.

Thanks Faffy for taking out the time.

I think the DT members need to understand the meaning of SPAM before going about coming up with their own theories.

Originally posted by: aquagal

Firstly I would like to thank you for making this post. This issue of spamming is quite debatable for all IF members.
I agree with all your points. An author can't be held responsible for what his/her reader wants to post in their comment. And "update soon" can't be considered spam until and unless a member is continuously posting the same comment (which btw IF itself stops the members from doing).
"Update soon" is never ever meant to spam but to tell readers that we are very interested in their work, sometimes to express that we are waiting if the author is taking longer than usual. So I really don't see any point that why it can't be debated and altered.
The process of bringing in a change in rules may be long but we shall start on it at least.

Thanks Faffy for taking out the time.

I was deeply distressed reading the notes put up by so many writers (under duress) discouraging their readers from posting messages which could be considered as spam and in turn invite penalty. It would have been extremely insensitive on my part if I hadn't at least voiced my concern - being a mere member I don't know what else to do...but thank you so much for acknowledging!

completely agree with you. thanks for voicing about this issue.

Very well put Faffy! I second your thoughts as well.

I found out yesterday that congratulating an author on a new thread is spamming. Whereas just saying ' bookmarking' on a new thread is not. As a reader I feel that when an author has to create a new thread for an ongoing story it just goes to show how good the story and the writing is. So a reader may want to congratulate the author on it. If you think about it,It's still a comment that the readr is indirectly making about the story. So I don't understand how that is spamming and a dispassionate 'bookmarking' isn't.