Hello, I’d like to propose an enhancement to the anti-spam system that works for bots and real users: a reputation and positive activity based system.
How would it work?

1/Contribution points:
Users would earn “contribution points” by performing positive actions, such as posting constructive comments validated by the community (for example, if others mark the comment as “helpful” {by adding a voting system}).

 //asking for a vote in exchange of a follow could be prohibited

2/Comment tiers:
Based on their contribution points, users would fall into one of the following tiers (just ideas):
New users: Strict limits on consecutive messages/comments (for example, 5 comments per hour).
Active users: Relaxed limits, as they’ve shown consistent engagement.
Experienced users: No restrictions, as they’ve built a solid reputation.

3/Gradual warnings:
If a user spams, he’ll receive warnings like:
- “Your activity seems unusual. Please review your comments before posting.”
After multiple warnings, they could temporarily lose commenting rights. As it’s already the case

These points and the reputation status would be hidden from everyone

some of your questions may be already answered, you can check here:
https://scratch-mit-edu.ezproxyberklee.flo.org/discuss/post/8328247/
https://scratch-mit-edu.ezproxyberklee.flo.org/discuss/post/8305482/
https://scratch-mit-edu.ezproxyberklee.flo.org/discuss/post/8314686/


as far I know, this has never been proposed or rejected
comments = information added

No, I cant even count the flaws. People could be like “vote this comment helpful for a follow!” Or something. And 5 comments an hour (no matter what type of user is WAYYYYY too strict.) this would also overcomplicate things.

No support 5 comments in an hour THAT'S WAY TOO STRICT!!!
besides someone could spam create bots to mark one comment as helpful

I also agree with what @nikky10000000 said, this would ovecompliate things and various “vote this comment helpful for a follow!” would be on every single profile and they'd get scammed by not getting their follow (sometimes, not always)

nikky10000000 wrote:

No, I cant even count the flaws. People could be like “vote this comment helpful for a follow!” Or something. And 5 comments an hour (no matter what type of user is WAYYYYY too strict.) this would also overcomplicate things.

As requesting loves or favorites in exchange for a reward, asking a “vote for a follow” could be prohibited. Additionally, the limit of 5 comments per hour is just an example. The number 5 was chosen arbitrarily and could be adjusted, but it’s merely intended to illustrate the concept.

everwinner64 wrote:

Hello, I’d like to propose an enhancement to the anti-spam system that works for bots and real users: a reputation and positive activity based system.
How would it work?

1/Contribution points:
Users would earn “contribution points” by performing positive actions, such as posting constructive comments validated by the community (for example, if others mark the comment as “helpful” {by adding a voting system}).

2/Comment tiers:
Based on their contribution points, users would fall into one of the following tiers (just ideas):
New users: Strict limits on consecutive messages/comments (for example, 5 comments per hour).
Active users: Relaxed limits, as they’ve shown consistent engagement.
Experienced users: No restrictions, as they’ve built a solid reputation.

3/Gradual warnings:
If a user spams, he’ll receive warnings like:
- “Your activity seems unusual. Please review your comments before posting.”
After multiple warnings, they could temporarily lose commenting rights. As it’s already the case

These points and the reputation status would be hidden from everyone

as far I know, this has never been proposed or rejected

I know EXACTLY how the spam works and how to spam its not the problem with the comment post waiting its something else but I don't want to leak how

everwinner64 wrote:

1/Contribution points:
Users would earn “contribution points” by performing positive actions, such as posting constructive comments validated by the community (for example, if others mark the comment as “helpful” {by adding a voting system}).

A couple problems here: first, others could easily falsely mark comments and also, users rating comments is very similar to this suggestion

everwinner64 wrote:

2/Comment tiers:
Based on their contribution points, users would fall into one of the following tiers (just ideas):
New users: Strict limits on consecutive messages/comments (for example, 5 comments per hour).
Active users: Relaxed limits, as they’ve shown consistent engagement.
Experienced users: No restrictions, as they’ve built a solid reputation.

Solely basing people's status Scratch by how they are rated by other users is very problematic. The Scratch Team themselves can ban people, and have automatic mutes in place for people who spam. Also, limiting new users to 5 comments per hour is very strict, especially considering the fact your system relies on user ratings. What about unpopular scratchers whose comments don't get rated, does that make them spammers?

To avoid that, people could change their « rank » by being active, and no, that doesn’t make them spammers
———————

Whiteout_2012 wrote:

I know EXACTLY how the spam works and how to spam its not the problem with the comment post waiting its something else but I don't want to leak how

It’s like for cheats, if someone wants to spam, he’ll be able to, but if you slow them, I think that many bad intentioned persons would give up

everwinner64 wrote:

To avoid that, people could change their « rank » by being active, and no, that doesn’t make them spammers
———————

I don't see what you mean by being active, if you mean by making those comments then it is still a flawed system as it is still based on how others rate people's comments. Moderation shouldn't be stricter based on user ratings but rather be based on the Scratch Team's decision on how they deal with the spammer individually.

By active I mean: regularly connected, time since the account has been created, helping in forums, making constructive projects…

everwinner64 wrote:

By active I mean: regularly connected, time since the account has been created, helping in forums, making constructive projects…

There is spam happing rn

everwinner64 wrote:

Based on their contribution points, users would fall into one of the following tiers (just ideas):
New users: Strict limits on consecutive messages/comments (for example, 5 comments per hour).

No. Never. That's wayyyy too few comments.

everwinner64 wrote:

Active users: Relaxed limits, as they’ve shown consistent engagement.

We already have a tier like this: Scratcher status.

everwinner64 wrote:

Experienced users: No restrictions, as they’ve built a solid reputation.

Accounts get hacked. Imagine spammers hacking an “experienced” account and spamming comments as fast as they can- 1/10th of a second (due to API rate limits).

no support

cake__5 wrote:

no support

Please say why you don't support - asserting your support, or lack-thereof, for a suggestion doesn't contribute to the discussion.

everwinner64 wrote:

nikky10000000 wrote:

No, I cant even count the flaws. People could be like “vote this comment helpful for a follow!” Or something. And 5 comments an hour (no matter what type of user is WAYYYYY too strict.) this would also overcomplicate things.

As requesting loves or favorites in exchange for a reward, asking a “vote for a follow” could be prohibited. Additionally, the limit of 5 comments per hour is just an example. The number 5 was chosen arbitrarily and could be adjusted, but it’s merely intended to illustrate the concept.

Id say a good number is 15 which is 1 comment every 4 min which seems fine. (But only for people who just joined)

1/Contribution points:
Users would earn “contribution points” by performing positive actions, such as posting constructive comments validated by the community (for example, if others mark the comment as “helpful” {by adding a voting system}).

This idea has a good movie, but as said by nikky10000000:

// People could be like “vote this comment helpful for a follow!” 

2/Comment tiers:
Based on their contribution points, users would fall into one of the following tiers (just ideas):
New users: Strict limits on consecutive messages/comments (for example, 5 comments per hour).
Active users: Relaxed limits, as they’ve shown consistent engagement.
Experienced users: No restrictions, as they’ve built a solid reputation.

This is a good system, I feel like this could be combined with the rank stystem we already have (new scratcher, scratcher, scratch team), and I'd tweak the restrictions slightly:
New Scratchers: I'd say relax the system here, and do something more like 2 comments per 10 seconds, and if they tried posting a third within 10 seconds they'd get a 30 second cooldown but if said comments are the same every time, or they are flagged for spamming maybe 5 times within a day, they'd get their permission to comment revoked for 2 days.
Scratchers: A good system here would be to keep the 2 comments per 10 seconds, a 10 second cooldown if they're flagged, and if they're flagged for spamming 8 times they get muted for only an hour.

I'd definitely support a revamp of the system. Good suggestion.

everwinner64 wrote:

1/Contribution points:
Users would earn “contribution points” by performing positive actions, such as posting constructive comments validated by the community (for example, if others mark the comment as “helpful” {by adding a voting system}).

I strongly disagree with that system. “Contribution points” could be spammed, just like everything else. It would likely end up getting treated like a liking/upvoting system and not its intended purpose.

2/Comment tiers:
Based on their contribution points, users would fall into one of the following tiers (just ideas):
New users: Strict limits on consecutive messages/comments (for example, 5 comments per hour).
Active users: Relaxed limits, as they’ve shown consistent engagement.
Experienced users: No restrictions, as they’ve built a solid reputation.

In my opinion, the current restrictions on new Scratchers are fine. I think one comment every twelve minutes is extremely harsh.
But on the other side, removing restrictions entirely is plain ridiculous. The Scratch Team isn't going to let someone get away with whatever they want because their comment got a few likes.

3/Gradual warnings:
If a user spams, he’ll receive warnings like:
- “Your activity seems unusual. Please review your comments before posting.”
After multiple warnings, they could temporarily lose commenting rights. As it’s already the case

Like you said, this is already implemented.

Although I don't agree with your proposed solutions, I think it is a good idea to look for improvements on the spam system, which in my opinion, badly need them.

BigNate469 wrote:

Accounts get hacked. Imagine spammers hacking an “experienced” account and spamming comments as fast as they can- 1/10th of a second (due to API rate limits).

Imagine spammers hacking a ST account… As I said, the goal of my idea isn’t to eradicate spammers, it’s impossible, if someone wants to spam, he’ll be able to. The goal of my idea is to slow them a maximum, to discourage them and that they give up.

BigNate469 wrote:

No. Never. That's wayyyy too few comments.

As I already said, 5 is just a number arbitrarily chosen. As proposed by nikky10000000, 15 could be the right number

nikky10000000 wrote:

But only for people who just joined

Yeah, I think it’s here that it would be the most powerful

-Kyronis- wrote:

This idea has a good movie, but as said by nikky10000000:

// People could be like “vote this comment helpful for a follow!” 

As I said, it could be prohibited, as asking for a love and fave in exchange for a reward (I updated the first post)

-Kyronis- wrote:

I'd definitely support a revamp of the system. Good suggestion.

Thanks!

what about RNTAS

jmdzti_0-0 wrote:

what about RNTAS

Sorry, but wdym?

everwinner64 wrote:

jmdzti_0-0 wrote:

what about RNTAS

Sorry, but wdym?

random number to avoid spam