Forcing uploading of pictures to sales threads

[finlay666]

Can we not have some way to force at least one photo to be uploaded for new threads in the FS section. It's getting to be a joke when people are posting threads, not reading the rules, then getting away for a number of days without abiding by them.

Seems pretty unfair on the people that actually follow the rules to see this sort of thing happen. Making the thread unable be posted without an image (either an upload to hexus or a link elsewhere) then when the mod checks it if it doesnt follow the rules it's locked

[matty-hodgson]

Or the thread should just be instantly deleted with a rather serious PM sent saying "thread deleted, read the rules, jackass!"

[TAKTAK]

Or have a popup when a new thread is made stating that pictures are required, it would soon sink in that way.

Especially if the threads without pictures were instantly deleted with a PM like Matty says ...

[jim]

Don't know, closing seems okay to me, although obviously you can still make sales with a closed thread.

Technical blocks would be tough - if you force people to have [IMG] tags, then that prevents hyperlinked images. And if you want to encompass both, you'd have to force them to have a .jpg or a .jpeg or a .png somewhere in the post... and then doubtlessly someone would want a different extension, or use an image service that doesn't use extensions (I'm sure there are a few).

I still don't know why that rule was instated tbh, I don't think anyone ever explained it.

[finlay666]

Technical blocks would be tough - if you force people to have [IMG] tags, then that prevents hyperlinked images. And if you want to encompass both, you'd have to force them to have a .jpg or a .jpeg or a .png somewhere in the post... and then doubtlessly someone would want a different extension, or use an image service that doesn't use extensions (I'm sure there are a few).

Not really, the forum framework allows an uploading. XDA-developers use the same framework and you can upload an image that way, have a group shot hosted by Hexus and any other images they host themselves

I still don't know why that rule was instated tbh, I don't think anyone ever explained it.

Helps stop one item being sold multiple times. I know I was caught out a while ago, and it's not much, is good to show the condition of the item and that it is in your possession.

It takes the piss when someone who blatantly hasn't read the rules OR used the sales board before (can partially understand it if they had used it a lot before) lists 3 threads, with no pictures and no Hexus Trust or any other feedback, no location etc.

[jim]

Yeah I did think about the image attachment feature, just thought it would probably be unpopular with people who have their own preferred hosts and so on. I personally use image uploading software because anything browser-based tends to fail as a result of my rubbish upstream connection.

I don't see how it prevents scams though to be honest... if I wanted to scam somebody, it would be perfectly easy to take a photograph of my 4870-X2, with a label and all the rest of it, get a bank transfer and then keep both the card and the cash.

You've got to just rely on trust for all of it... don't buy things from people you aren't confident about.

I agree about your last point though, I've never been able to understand how people can sign up somewhere and start doing all sorts of things without reading any of the guidelines or rules. Mind you, the rules for the classifieds desperately need a revamp... although I remember reading that they already have been rewritten, just need a few edits before it can actually go out.

Perhaps a confirmation window that appears after you try to create a new thread, with a brief rundown of the rules/consequences would be useful, with a tickbox to confirm.

[DR]

How does it stop someone uploading a bogus picture...? or a picture of something different?

[PeterStoba]

How does it stop someone uploading a bogus picture...? or a picture of something different?

That's what I thought when I seen the title. Finlay said a mod would still check it complied, but thats what happens anyway so im not sure one compulsary picture would help at all.

snootyjim has a point, you can quite easily just not send the item, picture or no picture.

Im not sure if this is needed...

[shakerist]

i cant access that part of the forum yet but maybe you can have so sort of writing in the photo saying hexus or something

[abaxas]

Make it simple. Seven day ban for posting without a picture.

It'll force everyone to the rules, and stop peolple from being able to 'trade' without the pictures.

[Saracen]

i cant access that part of the forum yet but maybe you can have so sort of writing in the photo saying hexus or something

It sort-of does - the rule is a that the photo must include a label with the HEXUS username in clear view.

[Saracen]

Make it simple. Seven day ban for posting without a picture.

It'll force everyone to the rules, and stop peolple from being able to 'trade' without the pictures.

It's a case of how you want to do things.

We could take that attitude, and we could ban people for swearing, and we ban people for every minor infraction of the rules .... and we'd risk ending up with a forum nobody would want to visit .... including the mods.

My attitude is that we have rules and most people more or less obey them most of the time. That way, we end up with a place that, by and large, self-moderates. And yeah, sometimes people forget, or make a mistake, or simply get carried away after might on the booze or in anger in a debate. When that happens, generally all it takes is to have it pointed out. That pointing out might be in the thread, or in a PM, depending on what the issue was. For instance, where debate gets a bit heated and personal, usually all it takes is a public "knock it off" from one of the mod team and it gets knocked off. Sometimes, people are a bit obstinate and and miss the point that mods are here to moderate, and it ends up going further.

But for the most part, we prefer to not restrict access, at least not in the first instance, because word (either polite or, erm .... a bit more blunt) usually has the desired effect. There is always the knuckleduster inside the velvet glove if the glove doesn't work, but we'd rather not use it. In fact. nothing would please us more than never needing to use it.

So ..... how do you want forums run? Softly softly, or iron fist?


Most people put photos in without needing to be prompted. And yes, some don't, and when they don't, they'll get reminded and perhaps the thread closed.

And in extreme and/or persistent cases, we simply remove access to the Sales section from that member, either temporarily as a wake-up call, or if needed, permanently.

Yes, we can enforce rules by banning people, for whatever period, if they break them, but 99.9% of the time, it's neither necessary nor conducive to a friendly atmosphere. It's not what we're about.