“I think if forum members were to hang around a little bit longer than the normal 10 quick posts and drop a link brigade then overtime the forum becomes better. Maybe it should be if after the initial 10 posts if a member hasn't posted or participated in over say 6 months - year they should be deleted... ”
Good feedback as always Barney.
The old forum used to be 10 posts and then you automatically got a link, which we scrapped when it moved here. This got rid of 90% of the quick post counting crowd who were passing through.
We've also dumped about 5000 old users, so any old accounts are cleaned out from time to time. Links wise, if a member takes out a free listing then they can show their free business listing in their signature.
If they upgrade, then they can show a web link. Or we will reward regular posters by letting them have a web link, but agree completely, if they then stop posting, then they lose that functionality.
But its always a fine line/juggling act between spam, being too draconian, and being easy going and encouraging engagement.
4 years.. blimey.. Clive, need a bigger statue!