Something thes been bugging me for awhile....

[Musashi]

In the rules(recently revised and old) it states that a post that consists of LESS than four words is considered spam. Yet four worded posts are still marked. I know it states that its not set in stone, but you should at least change the rules to "four or less words" instead of just "less than four", so new members aren't confused.

Not a big thing, I know, but it just bugs me..

[Pitch]

Dude.. I've purposely made four word posts before, and I don't think any of them were noted. I think if someone's noting four-worders now, it's for other reasons.

[Musashi]

Really? All of the four-worded posts I've seen have been noted..

[Dashe]

W-wait a minute! We've never allowed four word posts, except in forum games that require four words or less...must've been a typo on my part. Ugh, I feel so embarrassed. I definitely intended for four-word posts to be illegal, considering they always were.

[Pitch]

I swear the rules said that posts of less than four words counted as spam. The ones before the change must've at least.

I looked through my last hundred fifty posts or so and found about seven four-word'ers, none of which has been noted. o.õ (to be fair, some may've been technicalities: contractions, four words and a quote, and whathaveyou)

[Dashe]

Those crazy "please try to" stipulations, you mean? Those actually didn't really mention anything about word count. I know the staff's been busting four-word posts since before the rule change of '06 without much complaint. The reasoning behind the rule was so that people would elaborate when they posted things instead of just posting as little text as they could possibly form into a coherent sentences. If you take into consideration that you're posting on a message board and not in a chat room or with an instant messenger, it really shouldn't be much of an issue.

[Pitch]

No, it was one of the actual rules I believe. If you have a copy I'd suggest looking over it again. I know it was in there.

[Dashe]

I couldn't find any documents, but there's evidence on the staff board that four-word posts were considered SPAM and getting reported by staff members. I took the liberty of taking the relevant part of a screenshot of someone's track record. The offender's username has been censored out, as well as all IP numbers that appear in the post. Note that the four-word infraction in question occurred on June 14, 2006, well before my latest rule change.

[Pitch]

I can remember checking the rules several times before I made posts before, to check what the bare minimum was for posting; I'm certain it was there, so if you were busting people for that.. well.. EDIT:

I found it. I freaking love Google Cache:

DO NOT...
Post by fab on Nov 6, 2004, 2:50pm

01. Do Not Post "Mature" Stuff
Mega Man Legends is a fun filled, lighthearted world

, and is therefore popular with younger people. We do not want any sexually explicit posts or images here. Remember, even when only used jokingly, you can still offend others who may have a different level of tolerance toward such things.

02. Do Not Hassle/Annoy/Flame Others
This includes harrassing or bothering members, bashing them or their fan works (constructive criticism is fine, being unnecessary brutal isn't), etc. This goes for posts, as well as unmonitored communication such as forum related e-mails and PMs (private messages). Also, do not send PMs that urge others to visit or post in your threads, or other web sites. Most people find it quite annoying.

03. Do Not SPAM (Stupid Pointless Annoying Message)
Idiotic members who SPAM can and do ruin online hangouts. The sort of posts listed below make forums messy, and can chase away good members who don't want to engage in a forum filled with idiocy.
>> Posts of less than 4 words are considered SPAM (unless with very good reason, such as forum games that require 1 or 2 word answers). For example, if a thread is asking you who your favorite character is, don't just say "Teisel Bonne". Give some insight into why you like the character. A post of just smileys also qualifies, no exceptions.
>> Posts that appear to be total nonsense or have no relation to the topic are considered SPAM, as well as posts which add nothing to the topic by either simply agreeing with someone and not explaining why, or by stating the very obvious.
>> Posts that do nothing but point out SPAM are considered SPAM. It's the staff's duty to deal with it, not yours. If you wish to help, do so by PMing a staff member, and providing them a link to the thread where the problem is.


Consequences: Depending on the severity and/or frequency, breaking these rules will likely earn you a warning, or in extreme cases, get you banned from the forums temporarily or permanently.

As you can see, that's under the “Do Not” section, not the “Please Try To”(*shudders*). If you google "site:mmls.proboards7.com Rules" it should be the third link up from the bottom. (forsomereasoncopy/pastingitisn'tworking)

[Dashe]

I don't remember the "Please Try To..." section existing until later. Maybe I had one too many Cherry Cokes or something. I actually PMed fab on it, and he dug up the same thing. I decided the entire staff started suffering from a massive bout of dyslexia immediately after those rules were posted, mistaking "less than four words" for "four words or less," simply out of boredom at not having anyone to ban. In any case, the rules now say "four words or less," but maybe I should reword that so nobody mistakes it again.

Anyone have a less ambiguous way to word "four words or less?"

[Blues]

Hey, cool! We got a look at that secret board that Dashe and the others mentioned a few months ago!

..It's not very interesting, though...

[Nuro]

Reword it to state simply "Posts must be 5 words or longer." Simple and, rather than saying what is not allowed, states what is allowed so there is no room for error. Even if one were to make an error in reading it, they would mistaken it for "Posts must be longer than 5 words" and still be within the rules.

[Pitch]

I was going to suggest damn-near the exact same thing Nuro said, but my only problem with that would be that the staff might confuse it to say “more than five words,” which would be the same problem all over again. I think it requires incredibly detailed clarification:

First shalt thou clickest thy Reply button, then shalt thou type at least five words, no more less, no.. less. Five shall be the minimum number of words you will type, and the minimum number of the words typing shall be threefive. Three shalt thou not type, neither type though four, excepting that thou then proceed on to or beyond five. Two is right out! Once five being the fifth number of words typed be reached can thou clickest thy submit button, and thy text which, being lengthy enough in my sight((mind you, not my sight personally)), shall be posted.