Referral Policy for New TT Users

[Bud]

I notice that previously banned users now make up the vast majority of new members on the TT forum. The fresh green trolls, as they are affectionately called, immediately re-join after a recent ban and then seamlessly start where they left off with the incessant trolling and bad behavior. It seems to be getting way out of hand, lately.

IMO, any new member should be required to obtain a referral code from an existing long-term member to weed out these troublemakers. If that person who received a referral is later determined to be a previously banned member then both members should then be banned.

Another method (which could be used in concert with the above suggestion) would be giving referral codes to Tennis Warehouse customers as an invitation to join the forum. That way, at least it requires the banned member to purchase something (which will delay their return and help defray some of the TT administrative overhead costs of dealing with them).

Quality over quantity should be considered first and foremost prior to allowing new TT users.

 

[philosoraptor]

I notice that previously banned users now make up the vast majority of new members on the TT forum. The fresh green trolls, as they are affectionately called, immediately re-join after a recent ban and then seamlessly start where they left off with the incessant trolling and bad behavior. It seems to be getting way out of hand, lately.

IMO, any new member should be required to obtain a referral code from an existing long-term member to weed out these troublemakers. If that person who received a referral is later determined to be a previously banned member then both members should then be banned.

Another method (which could be used in concert with the above suggestion) would be giving referral codes to Tennis Warehouse customers as an invitation to join the forum. That way, at least it requires the banned member to purchase something (which will delay their return and help defray some of the TT administrative overhead costs of dealing with them).

Quality over quantity should be considered first and foremost prior to allowing new TT users.

your idea is a great one but it has one major flaw what if you are a person that doesn't buy a lot online but wants to participate on the forums? What if they can't get a referral code because they don't know any posters on the board, what do they do?

 

[Bud]

your idea is a great one but it has one major flaw what if you are a person that doesn't buy a lot online but wants to participate on the forums? What if they can't get a referral code because they don't know any posters on the board, what do they do?

I think that would be a very low percentage of people who are over 18 years old. IMO, most of the problems are with users who are less than 18. They'd still be able to read the forums, just not actively participate until they obtained a referral code. Personally, I was reading these forums for at least a year before I joined and started participating.

There is also some bleed over between this forum and other tennis forums. A long-term member of this forum may be a member of another forum and willing to risk giving out a referral code to a reputable member there, in essence sponsoring the new member.

Just throwing out ideas.

 

[El Diablo]

This reminds me of people who complain there is too much garbage on TV and someone needs to do something about. I've done something about it. I change the channel if I don't want to see something. Poor behavior on the board used to trouble me but I've come to see it as more a sign of my own periodic intolerance than any real problem.

 

[BreakPoint]

IMO, most of the problems are with users who are less than 18.

Then maybe try doing what some of the adult sites do (so I've heard), like asking for a valid credit card number in your name before you can sign up as a member? Just an idea.

 

[Bud]

This reminds me of people who complain there is too much garbage on TV and someone needs to do something about. I've done something about it. I change the channel if I don't want to see something. Poor behavior on the board used to trouble me but I've come to see it as more a sign of my own periodic intolerance than any real problem.

I'm hoping my ignore list doesn't run out of space :wink:

Intolerance is irrelevant. Certain members are banned (and multiple times) for a reason but they use an anonymous proxy server and are back on TT within a few minutes. We all know who they are by their posting style.

Then maybe try doing what some of the adult sites do (so I've heard), like asking for a valid credit card number in your name before you can sign up as a member? Just an idea.

Another excellent suggestion which parallels my suggestion about an invitation code after purchasing goods or demoing racquets from TW. Interacting on this forum is a privilege, not a right.

 

[Fearsome Forehand]

I think the only way you could get to the place you want to go is by implementing some sort of formal registration process. I don't think a referral program will get you there. Sort of like what flea bay does. To get a user name, one would have to give up their mailing address, email address, real name, valid cc number that jives with the mailing address and name, phone, etc. TW could use this same user name system to facilitate purchases. You sign in once, you can post, you can purchase, etc.

It could be done, but I haven't seen any interest on the part of TW to implement this sort of program. Perhaps the next time they re-do the board (like in 2004) they can require everyone to re-register. It would get rid of the 12 years olds and it would make it much more difficult to have more than one user name, return after being banned, etc. (I concluded long ago that some of the people who post here frequently must have serious mental health issues.)

Eventually something is going to happen here that will force the issue and TW will then force all users to formally register and go to adults only format. Or, TW will just decide to close the board down completely.

 

[fed_the_savior]

Just make an invite-only section of the forum for non-trolls only.

 

[JoelDali]

TW has the power to ban IP addresses but chooses not to.

This board has very nice anti spam and anti troll tools but TW chooses to not use them. They work great, banning IPs from known trolls that get banned is so easy to do.

Probably because they realize that playing tennis is more important than friggin' talking about it and complaining about pathetic measures to control a friggin' Internet message board.

My God what have we become.

 

[fed_the_savior]

My God what have we become.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMz_RQuTBlI

 

[JoelDali]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMz_RQuTBlI

 

[Fedace]

I notice that previously banned users now make up the vast majority of new members on the TT forum. The fresh green trolls, as they are affectionately called, immediately re-join after a recent ban and then seamlessly start where they left off with the incessant trolling and bad behavior. It seems to be getting way out of hand, lately.

IMO, any new member should be required to obtain a referral code from an existing long-term member to weed out these troublemakers. If that person who received a referral is later determined to be a previously banned member then both members should then be banned.

Another method (which could be used in concert with the above suggestion) would be giving referral codes to Tennis Warehouse customers as an invitation to join the forum. That way, at least it requires the banned member to purchase something (which will delay their return and help defray some of the TT administrative overhead costs of dealing with them).

Quality over quantity should be considered first and foremost prior to allowing new TT users.

Truely a legendary Gurru. Spoken like a true sandiegoan.

 

[Bartelby]

... Peter Finch ... a great Australian actor!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMz_RQuTBlI

 

[JoelDali]

I was at the US Open today and I asked over a 100 people what their Talk Tennis name was.

Not a single one I asked knew what I was talking about.

 

[Larrysümmers]

This reminds me of people who complain there is too much garbage on TV and someone needs to do something about. I've done something about it. I change the channel if I don't want to see something. Poor behavior on the board used to trouble me but I've come to see it as more a sign of my own periodic intolerance than any real problem.

exactly. It is the Internet! If a troll is bugging go to a different thread!
I guess some people have too much Internet-ego to do so.

 

[SFrazeur]

People do not seem not to fully appreciate that the forum is a marketing tool. Requiring silly referrals and checks for perceived maturity, turning the forum into private club, does not help with marketing.

TW wants as many as possible joining and following the forum.

It's funny though, for a time some of the most long time active members of the forum were the most immature set. Spouting off how in good old days, pre-2004, they walked two miles up hill in the snow to login to TT and only had mature discussions about racquets, gear and pro players. They then trolled how everyone that was post 2004 was immature, etc.

This is the Internet people. Get a helmet.

-SF

 

[Larrysümmers]

People do not seem not to fully appreciate that the forum is a marketing tool. Requiring silly referrals and checks for perceived maturity, turning the forum into private club, does not help with marketing.

TW wants as many as possible joining and following the forum.

It's funny though, for a time some of the most long time active members of the forum were the most immature set. Spouting off how in good old days, pre-2004, they walked two miles up hill in the
snow to login to TT and only had mature discussions about racquets, gear and pro players. They then trolled how everyone that was post 2004 was immature, etc.

This is the Internet people. Get a helmet.

-SF

ha. that is pretty funny!!

 

[diredesire]

TW has the power to ban IP addresses but chooses not to.

This board has very nice anti spam and anti troll tools but TW chooses to not use them. They work great, banning IPs from known trolls that get banned is so easy to do.

Probably because they realize that playing tennis is more important than friggin' talking about it and complaining about pathetic measures to control a friggin' Internet message board.

My God what have we become.

Uh... we ban IPs all the time. There is such thing as dynamic IP addresses and proxy services... not to give anyone any ideas, or anything...

 

[Bud]

Uh... we ban IPs all the time. There is such thing as dynamic IP addresses and proxy services... not to give anyone any ideas, or anything...

Exactly, so banning certain members under the current system is basically useless. They come back (usually the same day) and are twice as obnoxious

People do not seem not to fully appreciate that the forum is a marketing tool. Requiring silly referrals and checks for perceived maturity, turning the forum into private club, does not help with marketing.

TW wants as many as possible joining and following the forum.

It's funny though, for a time some of the most long time active members of the forum were the most immature set. Spouting off how in good old days, pre-2004, they walked two miles up hill in the snow to login to TT and only had mature discussions about racquets, gear and pro players. They then trolled how everyone that was post 2004 was immature, etc.

This is the Internet people. Get a helmet.

-SF

IMO, TW is probably not too concerned with the (mostly) obnoxious 12-15 year old demographic. I doubt the people who are repeatedly slapped down with the banhammer spend much money at TW.

exactly. It is the Internet! If a troll is bugging go to a different thread!
I guess some people have too much Internet-ego to do so.

Then, why bother banning at all? Why don't we just let all advertisers and spambots flood the forums as well? Would that work for you too?

 

[000KFACTOR90000]

I've come to accept being slammed by a troll every once in a while on forums is just a fact of life.

Not responding seems to be the best bet (I've written responses and feel pressing 'submit reply' just pays off the little guys )

 

[Winky]

The most ironic thing about this thread is that I have the OP on my ignore list

 

[JoelDali]

Uh... we ban IPs all the time. There is such thing as dynamic IP addresses and proxy services... not to give anyone any ideas, or anything...

True, but I doubt Tina would know how to do this. Also, the average fortune 1000 company has a static IP on their edge routers which could be easily banned. Our external IP at my slavery center hasn't changed in over 10 years. I guess even if you banned my home and work IPs I could still troll Bud with a handheld which does have an oft changed dynamic IP.

Why don't we get the FBI involved. This internet stuff is serious business.

I think Bud over estimates the popularity of this msg board.

Out of 6 billion people on the planet there's like 50 lonely guys whose life revolves and is fueled by this silly board.

Invite only?

Biggest lol ever.

 

[ollinger]

As Frazeur touched on, this board is like the parking lot at a mall -- it is a way to make customers feel welcome. And while they're here, all the better if they hit that orange "shop Tennis Warehouse" sign at the top of the screen. The idea is to be MORE inclusive, not less. The OP's notion of being more restrictive seems to miss the whole point of the thing.

 

[Bud]

As Frazeur touched on, this board is like the parking lot at a mall -- it is a way to make customers feel welcome. And while they're here, all the better if they hit that orange "shop Tennis Warehouse" sign at the top of the screen. The idea is to be MORE inclusive, not less. The OP's notion of being more restrictive seems to miss the whole point of the thing.

You and some others miss the point. The purpose is to rid the forum of those who are being repeatedly banned... not to exclude those who wish to participate in the forum while following the rules. TW already has this policy in place but it's being circumvented by technology that changes one's IP address.

As I stated above, the demographic who do not follow the rules, are banned and repeatedly come back to troll are most likely not purchasing anything from TW. So, enough with inclusion, TW marketing etc. It costs money to maintain these forums and it's a waste of time and money for their IS/IT admin to repeatedly ban certain people.

 

[Bud]

True, but I doubt Tina would know how to do this. Also, the average fortune 1000 company has a static IP on their edge routers which could be easily banned. Our external IP at my slavery center hasn't changed in over 10 years. I guess even if you banned my home and work IPs I could still troll Bud with a handheld which does have an oft changed dynamic IP.

Why don't we get the FBI involved. This internet stuff is serious business.

I think Bud over estimates the popularity of this msg board.

Out of 6 billion people on the planet there's like 50 lonely guys whose life revolves and is fueled by this silly board.

Invite only?

Biggest lol ever.

Somehow, she figured it out. It's not difficult with the Internet and a search engine at your fingertips ;-)

To your second point, my ignore list has gone from 2 users in 2008 (after a year on the boards) to at least a hundred now. I'm sure many are the same few people continuing to come back after a ban.

 

[SFrazeur]

You and some others miss the point. The purpose is to rid the forum of those who are being repeatedly banned... not to exclude those who wish to participate in the forum while following the rules. TW already has this policy in place but it's being circumvented by technology that changes one's IP address.

As I stated above, the demographic who do not follow the rules, are banned and repeatedly come back to troll are most likely not purchasing anything from TW. So, enough with inclusion, TW marketing etc. It costs money to maintain these forums and it's a waste of time and money for their IS/IT admin to repeatedly ban certain people.

Dealing with the trolls in the pro player section is not that big of a deal. The rants section took a ton of time and was the major pain. It's not hard to put the ban hammer down on someone.

My suggestion would be to take matters less seriously. Also, put less importance on TT discussions and interactions. I would also suggest giving up the "ignore list." Can't let them get to you.

-SF

 

[woodrow1029]

I've never liked the idea of the ignore list or bannings (except for Deuce.)

Part of the fun of these forums is watching the arguments, as long as they are not personal attacks or racist insults.

 

[SFrazeur]

I've never liked the idea of the ignore list or bannings (except for Deuce.)

Part of the fun of these forums is watching the arguments, as long as they are not personal attacks or racist insults.

He he. I'd have to agree with you there.

Never was a fan of the ignore list myself. That little " X User is on Your Ignore list" It just always came off as "Hey looky here! That jerk who got your goat is posting again. and you probably think it's about you!" If someone is being bothersome then people should just ignore them plain and simple.

-SF

 

[fed_the_savior]

If someone is being bothersome then people should just ignore them plain and simple.

But that would require some actual maturity.

 

[diredesire]

True, but I doubt Tina would know how to do this. Also, the average fortune 1000 company has a static IP on their edge routers which could be easily banned. Our external IP at my slavery center hasn't changed in over 10 years. I guess even if you banned my home and work IPs I could still troll Bud with a handheld which does have an oft changed dynamic IP.

Why don't we get the FBI involved. This internet stuff is serious business.

I think Bud over estimates the popularity of this msg board.

Out of 6 billion people on the planet there's like 50 lonely guys whose life revolves and is fueled by this silly board.

Invite only?

Biggest lol ever.

Snarkiness aside, less than 2 minutes on google with the few "keywords" i mentioned above would find you several, several services that would allow you to get back on, which is the major problem. The key isn't "ignore trolls," or "grow up," or "blah blah." It's the community acceptance of this sort of behavior, IMHO. Back in "the old days," if someone were to act very out of line, they'd get "reminded" very quickly, and fiercely, and people would learn the "feel" of a message board very quickly. TT is simply too big for this sort of thing.

TT is a very popular forum, and we shouldn't underestimate the size and popularity, BUT the troll population is on the whole pretty small. it's sort of like the comparison of wealth in the US. The vast majority of the "wealth" (trolling) is done by a staggeringly small portion of the population.

Besides the small population of hardcore trolls, there are people who are just rude/don't think before they "submit reply." That sort of problematic behavior isn't the greatest, but I'd be happy to "live with it" if we could wrangle up the hardcore trolls. I, for one, welcome personalities on the message boards, but if you're here strictly for the reason to **** people off, well, that's just bad form, my friend.