Too tired of sh*tposters - How about a user blacklist thread to save our time? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: DavidAlfa
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2023, 09:09:58 am
content: User 1 asks question, gets lots of answers, never comes back, doesn't answer anything, he just wasted our time analyzing and answering his dumb questions. He does it again, and again...User 2 asks to get helped out with some tedious work like programming, reverse engineering. We get the job done for free, then he also disappears or moves to something else without giving a f.(...)User 100 keeps spamming the forum with silly questions. "The board is is square, should I use a square base to mount it?" - No, use a hexagon. We all know this user starting with F and ending in arington.Sincerely, we could make a community blacklist. Not to be abused because he likes pinneapple pizza and I don't, only for legit causes and must be a repeating behavior.So we simply add those time wasters to our ignore list and filter the junk.

author: hans
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2023, 09:30:32 am
content: I keep a personal ignore list for mental notes, but typically still read what people have to say, however it sets a bar for whether I want to respond or not. After all.. putting time & energy into something is a choice.I don't feel inclined to answer every single question to upmost details unless the question or discussion itself is interesting. What I sometimes also see on forums in regular discussions, is that some people throw in a fallacy or hot take just so they can run hard and observe the misery caused.Its not anything limited to newbies ordering a take-away or deliverymealanswer. Being ready to serve everyone unconditionally is usually at the cost of the person helping out.[/my 2 cents]

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 07, 2023, 09:31:03 am
content: So your point is? I am afraid that do a degree this is what a forum is.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2023, 09:52:50 am
content: Quote from: Simon on October 07, 2023, 09:31:03 amAgreed. You don't have to answer a question or engage in a topic. It is a free choice.

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2023, 10:27:17 am
content: The forum has this feature, each user can keep a list of ignored users:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/profile/?area=lists;sa=ignoreThere is also a list of ignored topics and/or ignored subforums.

author: fourtytwo42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2023, 12:06:40 pm
content: I think David has a point, some of the sh*t posters are so prolific they obscure sensible and useful posts.Unfortunately if you just block a user the threads they create remain.So for example particularly the power etc folder is infested with junk posts so it has to all intents become useless.Perhaps someone could create a sub-folder within there for that particular person along the lines of the EV folder so the rest of us don't have to suffer all the rubbish!

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2023, 12:51:58 pm
content: I wonder if it is ending up, damaging the quality, reputation, usefulness and way potential advertisers, perceive this forum.If there is blatant trolling, messing around and stuff. It gives it the reputation of a noisy, rowdy, semi-out-of-control pub(lic) meeting place. Rather than a proper place for serious electronics discussions to take place.I feel so sorry for some of the users, who have been SHOUTING about such issues, until they have gone blue in the face. Such as (bold added by me):Quote from: jonpaul on October 07, 2023, 11:07:46 amAlthough I don't want to needlessly criticise the moderation team, who in many ways seem to be doing a really great job.On the other hand, sometimes (hopefully useful) criticism, is perhaps in order.

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2023, 01:02:20 pm
content: On the one hand, I'm trying to take the official moderator advice, of using the 'ignore' feature.E.g. This is what I see, without intervention (clicking on it):QuoteBut it is a bit like having a noisy person, running round creating big distractions, while we are suppose to be concentrating on the real forum topics.Then, when we all complain to our elders about the problem person, they just keep on saying "Please Ignore it!".But human nature (psychology), doesn't really work like that, unfortunately.

author: wilfred
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2023, 02:03:19 pm
content: I used to make use of the ignore feature quite a few years ago after Dave installed them. I soon stopped bothering to update them and then I just learned to concentrate on what I was interested in. I think my ignore lists are empty now for years.I spend a lot less time on the forum now but I still feel it is better than it has been in the past.

author: BrokenYugo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2023, 02:14:49 pm
content: User 1 and 2 are just facts of life.User 100 is not a behavior I remember being tolerated in spaces like this back when there were a lot more of them.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2023, 02:15:01 pm
content: Quote from: DavidAlfa on October 07, 2023, 09:09:58 amI sympathise, but then I look at it objectively...For the posters that answer the specific question it can be a bit of a bummer to get no feedback, thanks or sense of a job well done. For all the other posts in the thread, many of them aren't answering the question (at least, practically) but go off on some kind of tangent and typically end with a pedant proclaiming from an ivory tower. A normal thread, in other words.In the end it doesn't really matter what the root post is or who posted it. If people are commenting in the thread then surely that's what a forum is about, isn't it? Communications. Suppose the shitposters weren't there - would we all sit around waiting for someone to start a thread so we can talk to each other?If a post is egregiously dumb or otherwise not worth commenting on, surely no-one will comment on it and you'll see it once. OTOH, if someone else posts a decent solution or other comment, are you saying that you find that terrible and wish you could unsee it just because the root post is poor? I think the answer to that is quite often 'yes' because, emotion. Perhaps we just need to learn some meditation skillz or something.

author: bingo600
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2023, 02:17:34 pm
content: Quote from: PapierzToaletowy on October 07, 2023, 01:19:23 pmYess it works ... Posts started by "him" .... are not shown

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 07, 2023, 03:58:59 pm
content: If a thread gets replies I am reluctant to delete it as now the forum users have put more effort in than the person starting the thread and it often becomes a discussion anyway with the OP left behind. So if you really think it is not worth while, then don't respond to it. threads with no response drop off the list.

author: DavidAlfa
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2023, 07:35:22 pm
content: Well, just was an idea, maybe blocking is a bit extreme, the intention was at least to serve as a mere indicator for active users to not waste their time with certain people.You'll be taking to a wall, no answers, no details, nothing, you'll never know if it worked or whatever.I don't like Schrodinger threads, it's not for the likes, but for knowing that your effort meant something!I've spend hours helping people out to later find out they were made of smoke. So it's tiresome and demotivating.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2023, 07:49:06 pm
content: QuoteIf it's any consolation, other users as well as the OP often benefit from answers, so it's not all wasted

author: hans
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2023, 09:02:21 pm
content: StackExchange is probably a better fit for a question-answer system which is rewarded for good behaviours and as little offtopic matter. This forum software is more tailored towards discussions. And I think thats working quite well, because quite often topics can go onto tangents which are educational in its own right. Or they get (derailed) to the point it stalls, and even that doesn't have to be bad, thats just how IRL also goes sometimes.Feeling burnt out from internet forums has happened to me and as I said before.. it has learnt me to recalibrate where and how much energy I want to put into some discussion. Not everything I post has to be thanked a million times or praised by everyone to make it worthwhile for me. If that was the case then posting on forums would be as toxic as posting on social media and getting a dopamine rush from upvotes/likes.But yeah.. I can understand that knowing if someone benefitted from some large effort would be nice. But hey.. ghosting via internet is a huge problem everywhere. So I guess forums aren't excluded from that? I don't know if there really "exists" a solution to 'shitposters' or people that just run with an answer. IMO encouraging any system which would reward "the established" (or punish otherwise, like ignore lists) can diverge into an echo chamber, elitism or an onetasteworld.

author: John B
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2023, 09:23:05 pm
content: The title of the thread should have been:Too tired of sh*tposters - How about a user blacklist thread to save our time? Do you agree? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°,)

author: py-bb
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2023, 09:33:40 pm
content: Quote from: DavidAlfa on October 07, 2023, 09:09:58 amI strongly disagree. In fact I think block-lists are over-used.I have asked a few questions and revisted much later, I'm also embarrassed about a brain fart or two

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2023, 09:34:54 pm
content: Quote from: PlainName on October 07, 2023, 07:49:06 pmYes, that's the whole point of forums. When you ask questions or answer them, it can benefit a lot of other people. A forum is not made for a private discussion or one-on-one consultation.Anyone expecting that (and yes, there are people who expect just a free consultation) should consider actually paying for consultancy in a formal setting. Just saying.

author: DimitriP
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2023, 09:36:14 pm
content: QuoteYou know the names, avoid reading their posts, especially when they are the original poster. and never ever ever ever reply to such a thread.Never; ever.No matter how enticing the question and or easy, straighforward the answer is to you because you happen to be an expert in the subject matter.I also skip the "review my board", why dosn't this circuti work on the breadboard, it runs great in *spice, or anything about "which oscilloscope... buy, r which multimeter to buy, no matter how the question is actually worded.and of course always skip the threads with "How to safely measure.....<whatever> (usually mains)Oh yea and before I forget. Don't post on such threads!I'll stop now before I tell you how I really feel!!!

author: DavidAlfa
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2023, 09:38:15 pm
content: Quote from: hans on October 07, 2023, 09:02:21 pmI closed all the social media crap years ago, because fuck off likes! I repeat rewarding/likes/thanks are not the objetive.The least anyone should say is "Hey it worked!".So you think, "Nice I worked my ass for something!", we're not Amazon support chat.For example,this one. It's a simple matter of education!

author: nigelwright7557
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2023, 09:44:05 pm
content: I get fed up with whiners too.What upsets one person might not upset another.People arent born equal.

author: DavidAlfa
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2023, 09:48:29 pm
content: Quote from: nigelwright7557 on October 07, 2023, 09:44:05 pmMe too! I must say I very rarely open ranting threads. I remember one for the EIA-96 resistor coding, the Nazi Enigma encryption was almost readable text compared to it!

author: DimitriP
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2023, 09:48:35 pm
content: QuoteOk, lets split this into its parts:1QuoteBzzzzt!!!fo·rum/ˈfôrəm/nounnoun: forum; plural noun: forums; plural noun: fora1.a place, meeting, or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can beexchanged.Do my work for me , cause I don't know what the f**&& I just did, is hardly an exchange!!!2QuoteAbsolutely! However, most of the time imply some understanding of what you are asking rather than "I did this, but I'm a noob so can someone tell me if it's gonna blow up?"3Quotesomeone should tell the usual suspects that keep replying with a dissertation draft to questionsand also back to 1 above !/end

author: DavidAlfa
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2023, 09:55:56 pm
content: Quote from: DimitriP on October 07, 2023, 09:48:35 pmLOL. 100.00% of threads "Why/What/How whatever in C" end like this! Few minutes later the forum gets slow or crashesBut t's actually impressive to see the apparent bottomless knowledge of some people here, except when it turns into a silly nerd fight.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 08, 2023, 03:04:47 am
content: I do agree that we have posters who challenge one's patience (and sanity, at times) but nothing I have seen mentioned here is anything we might not encounter out in the "real world".* Some are true trolls and would be rubbing their hands in glee having annoyed someone to the point of a response (such as the OP has stated in this thread).* Some are prime candidates for the Dunning-Kruger alumni.* Some are just struggling to get their head around a subject where they don't have the necessary understanding of the fundamentals.* Some are just lazy and/or not really serious and will throw out a question on a whim and may not come back to it..... and other reasons, no doubt.The other problem is - What is the criteria for members on the blacklist? Who decides?Now ... DON'T try answering here.Nomatterhowyou set this up, there will be people who will not agree.My opinion is for each member to make their own assessment and:Quote from: DavidAlfa on October 07, 2023, 09:09:58 amThat way, EVERYBODY can customise to their own preference. This way, there is no public "shame" list - whichcanevoke some intense reaction - which will be a headache for admin/mods.FYI, I don't have anyone on my profile's ignore list - but I do make a conscious decision to not read some threads ... and if, I do, to refrain from replying. It can be done.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 08, 2023, 04:11:40 am
content: Quote from: Brumby on October 08, 2023, 03:04:47 am

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2023, 08:34:00 am
content: Quote from: RoGeorge on October 07, 2023, 10:27:17 amUnfortunately you still see the responses, of course.QuoteI haven't used that - yet. But the forum content is becoming sufficiently degraded that I'm reaching the point where, very reluctantly, I will.Wouldn't it be nice if there was a setting "ignore any topic where the original poster is X". I don't see that happening.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2023, 08:40:13 am
content: Quote from: py-bb on October 07, 2023, 09:33:40 pmWe all make mistakes, and go "Doh!", but that's not the point in question.The subject is about serial offenders that refuse to change their ways despite repeated requests and ridicule.I haven't used blocklists, but the forum's content is being sufficiently degraded that I'm very tempted to start blocking threads originated by a small number of OPs. Small => fingers on one hand.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2023, 08:48:06 am
content: Quote from: Brumby on October 08, 2023, 03:04:47 amYup, that's the only sensible option - particularly since it keeps the mods out of the loop.

author: fourtytwo42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2023, 09:32:37 am
content: Quote from: Simon on October 07, 2023, 03:58:59 pmI know this is an old point but it is something that interests me too, why do people apparently encourage the posting of rubbish by responding to it ?I have noticed it is often the same kindhearted souls trying to educate the OP again and again, perhaps it's some fascination with playing with fire or baiting the bear to see if they get a more considered reaction but time always shows there efforts are wasted.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 08, 2023, 10:18:09 am
content: Quote from: hans on October 07, 2023, 09:02:21 pmMy standard approach is where possible to step the question back a bit from the specific and be a little more general, then sit back and let the discussion ensue, people will propose solutions and others will disagree, I get the best of both worlds, I find out all the possible ways this could go and the pros and cons of each. Because I generalize the question it brings out lots of lateral discussion about related things I had not thought of that are even more important and that I had not even thought of.The best way to solve a problem is with the John Cleese method:

author: magic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2023, 10:39:08 am
content: Quote from: fourtytwo42 on October 08, 2023, 09:32:37 amNot responding to rubbish doesn't stop rubbish from being posted.The Internet has an infinite supply of rubbish.Respond to whatever you want and stop worrying.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 08, 2023, 12:14:07 pm
content: Quote from: magic on October 08, 2023, 10:39:08 amYes but not responding to it means it drops off the list or gets deleted. once it becomes a replied to topic it's more likely to be left and as the discussion ensues it never goes away.

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2023, 12:15:27 pm
content: I'm getting fed up with all this nonsense. Such as this very recent post:Quote from: Gyro on October 08, 2023, 12:04:15 pmI can't really understand how someone who has created so many different accounts, against the forum rules. Has NOT been (currently) banned for it.I think enough is enough.Some places on the internet, become so infested with SPAM, Trolling and stuff. That they become unusable.I feel sorry for all those people, who have to keep on posting messages, like the one quoted above.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 08, 2023, 12:19:27 pm
content: but they can ignore him and he may go away or learn. People reply, why? does no one have any self control at all?

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2023, 12:23:52 pm
content: Quote from: Simon on October 08, 2023, 12:19:27 pmBecause there are so many hundreds or thousands of different posters on here. Some may know who that person is, and recognise it as trolling, or whatever it should be called. But some of the many others, see, what superficially seems like a genuine question, so respond to it.I.e. A bit like the reasons why unlabelled/commented ChatGPT submission are NOT allowed here.Many posters on here, are partially or fully not aware of the poster in question's (Treez and their various account name guises), past history.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 08, 2023, 12:30:43 pm
content: Yes and lots of those that know who he is will start replying.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2023, 12:32:18 pm
content: Quote from: Simon on October 08, 2023, 12:19:27 pmThat is an interesting question. Some people do allow themselves to get baited into endless circular discussions by people who like to bait others into such discussions. It takes two to tango.

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2023, 12:45:39 pm
content: Quote from: Simon on October 08, 2023, 12:30:43 pmThat is a good point. I think part of the reason, is that if a thread, starts off with a technical comment, with major flaws in it. Some other posters, will feel compelled to correct and comment on that fact.Which may be a technique that Treez is using. Because they know that if they make certain claims, it will "push the buttons", of some people and compel them to reply to it.

author: magic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2023, 12:59:37 pm
content: I'm not sure if User 100 is actually competent enough to maliciously produce some of the nonsense that he is posting.I think at least part of it may be genuine organic nonsense

author: hans
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2023, 01:52:02 pm
content: Quote from: Simon on October 08, 2023, 12:19:27 pmYeah well.. some people are perhaps a tunnel of problem-solving and don't always think about it. They may post a complete quantitative analysis pointing out all the flaws, to show that some idea is ridicilious.Is that a lack of self control? IDK. If you read about neurodivergence (such as ADHD) then some may praise it as "a gift" to be good at math, science and engineering.. (hence an EE career), but abilities to read between the lines or other executive functioning can take a hit.We can't hear or see who is on the other side of these text boxes. We don't know each other personally. Impossible to say for real.What I find more remarkable though, is that such topics attract heads-on problem solving (literally): "dropping bombs" just to derail the thread into a flame zone, e.g. openly gossiping, making abusive remarks, etcetera. I still don't have any clue why that is allowed. I don't mean to say that we should "punish" people doing stuff like that. We all have bad days or moments where "our buttons" are pressed. But on the grand scheme of things, I don't give (that much of) a **** about people shitposting. But treating your others fairly should be one the basics IMO.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2023, 02:01:42 pm
content: One halfway house would be, on noticing a repeat offender starting one of their typical threads, to put a single sentence reply directing people to this thread.The perps will still sucker unwitting newbies into replying, but at least they will be sensitised the perp's typical behaviour.

author: AndyBeez
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2023, 02:42:43 pm
content: Quote from: Simon on October 08, 2023, 12:19:27 pmBe glad, this EEVBlog Forum is one of the most sensible and self controlled forum spaces online. Maybe that's because Dave built it like an opamp with a negative feedback pin, discuss?There are plenty of other tech forums with varying degrees of self control. Or non at all. And then there is Reddit. So I think we should be a little forgiving of one or two contributors whose enthusiasm exceeds their basic technical appreciation.Yes there are some crap posts, but there are also those that challenge ones point of view. There are also posts that just leave one thinking this person should not be allowed within 500 yards of an AA battery, let alone three phase mains.Anyway... I was going to post this image on stock image fails, but I think the imagery suggests where some of the posters are sat when uploading posts. [ And why you should never share ipads. ] Have a nice day guys.

author: DavidAlfa
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2023, 02:47:30 pm
content: It actually feels more like thishttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005214102303.html

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2023, 02:56:20 pm
content: Quote from: AndyBeez on October 08, 2023, 02:42:43 pmIn a similar way, some people are not bothered by adverts, at all. E.g. in YouTube videos. Some are bothered, but not that much, and some absolutely hate them, with extreme prejudice and find them very distracting and they think or want, that it should be stopped or prevented.So it makes sense, that the amount of annoyance, bad/poor posting behaviour, can cause (such as trolling), varies from person to person.So, just because someone is completely fine with the current situation, doesn't mean that others are not affected by it.E.g. Marmite.