Official ASF Policy on Ramping

[acouch]

thanks prof frink
glad i am not alone..
will post the chart after 6..if it is working
but i have posted the nos.
have a great day
ac

 

[Timmy]

acouch .... uploading files should be fine now

 

[prawn_86]

Hi All,

Just thought i would bump this thread again for all to read, especially the new members.

Its quite funny, for a mods perspective, when things are going well the ramps start. When the market is poor, all the low content posters go back into their caves.

But anyway, a lot of low content posts have been coming up lately, especially with the recent CSG stocks boom/bubble. And from my perspective, it seems to be members with less than 50 posts (ie new members)


IF YOUR POSTS DO NOT ADD VALUE TO THE THREAD THEY WILL BE REMOVED


Please understand that these rules are in place to make sure ASF is an intellectual and educated community, rather than just meaningless one line posts.

Plus sticking to these rules makes it easier for all us mods who volunteer our time.

Any questions on the policy can be directed here provided they are of a general nature. User specific details can be answered via PM.

Regards

Prawn

I'll say it again:

IF YOUR POSTS DO NOT ADD VALUE TO THE THREAD THEY WILL BE REMOVED

 

[shaunQ]

I'll say it again:

IF YOUR POSTS DO NOT ADD VALUE TO THE THREAD THEY WILL BE REMOVED

A couple of days a go I posted a comment on MQG, something like, Looks like its constantly up today............ You removed my post. Interestingly, no one had posted on that thread that day. After my post, someone replied, then a flutter of posts afterwards.

So you either removed my post because of the dots and my outrageous attempt to circumvent the length limitation, or because of it not "adding value". Which was clearly not the case due to it re-igniting a thread.

If you had a problem with it, why not PM me and explain what the problem was?

 

[drsmith]

So you either removed my post because of the dots and my outrageous attempt to circumvent the length limitation.....

I've once had a post removed an received a warning message for doing the above.

As a suggestion a lower number of characters (perhaps 50?) may be better for the length limitation. 100 characters are not always required to make a valid point.

 

[bigdog]

A couple of days a go I posted a comment on MQG, something like, Looks like its constantly up today............ You removed my post. Interestingly, no one had posted on that thread that day. After my post, someone replied, then a flutter of posts afterwards.

So you either removed my post because of the dots and my outrageous attempt to circumvent the length limitation, or because of it not "adding value". Which was clearly not the case due to it re-igniting a thread.

If you had a problem with it, why not PM me and explain what the problem was?

I agree fully with your statement that you made today as the best way to handle potential issues!!!

"If you had a problem with it, why not PM me and explain what the problem was?"

The level of postings is dropping off at ASF by the day with little to read at times; I am getting concerned!!

I have seen postings of less than 100; I've pasted into MS word to count the characters; hey whats going on here!!! Rules for most!!

 

[shaunQ]

I've once had a post removed an received a warning message for doing the above.

As a suggestion a lower number of characters (perhaps 50?) may be better for the length limitation. 100 characters are not always required to make a valid point.

yeah I thought It was probably that, so I guess that means I need to come up with some corny signature to post each time.

Whats the limit.... 4 there........ 8 there. I might be pushing the boundaries.

 

[shaunQ]

The level of postings is dropping off at ASF by the day with little to read at times; I am getting concerned!!

I had sort of noticed it has seemed a bit quiet, but I've been a bit busy so haven't been on much myself. Perhaps everyone has finally run out of money.

I have seen postings of less than 100; I've pasted into MS word to count the characters; hey whats going on here!!! Rules for most!!

It does seem like its only on sometimes, or for some people. Its not like they need to actually encourage people to write their long-winded opinions, myself included.

 

[spooly74]

100 characters is only required for stock threads. It's not a lot.

 

[shaunQ]

100 characters is only required for stock threads. It's not a lot.

Ah - ok. Didn't know that. That would explain it. No its not a lot, but sometimes you might want to say something like you just said which is 60 odd characters.

Well thats fine if thats the rules but IMO deleting posts is aggressive when people are genuinely unaware of the rules and otherwise trying to contribute and unproductive if they are never informed of what they did wrong.

 

[prawn_86]

Ah - ok. Didn't know that. That would explain it. No its not a lot, but sometimes you might want to say something like you just said which is 60 odd characters.

Well thats fine if thats the rules but IMO deleting posts is aggressive when people are genuinely unaware of the rules and otherwise trying to contribute and unproductive if they are never informed of what they did wrong.

Hi Shaun,

When posts are removed a PM is usually sent explaining why, however in your case it may have been overlooked.

As Spooly said, the 100 char rule applies only to stock threads, and although it may be annoying it saves a lot of time from the mods perspective, especially in a bull market when people would post one liners etc. Essentially it just cuts back the ramping and low content posts.

100 char is not much, if you notice a stock moving and want to say it, then just jot down a couple of reasons as to why you think it moved etc.

Hope that helps, and apologies if you did not receive a PM for a deleted post.

Prawn

 

[sails]

...
As Spooly said, the 100 char rule applies only to stock threads, and although it may be annoying it saves a lot of time from the mods perspective, especially in a bull market when people would post one liners etc. Essentially it just cuts back the ramping and low content posts.

100 char is not much, if you notice a stock moving and want to say it, then just jot down a couple of reasons as to why you think it moved etc....Prawn

I can understand the rule if one is suggesting a stock is going to move somewhere. But it is frustrating when someone asks a question that only requires a short answer. Eg. a few weeks ago someone asked when a stock report was due and I noticed it had just shown up on Iress. I answered in a few words that it was out, got frustrated as I couldn't submit it, so did a row of full stops which I thought was acceptable since I wasn't ramping or posting a view on the stock.

Could there be any leniency when the post requires no more than a simple reply to a question?

 

[shaunQ]

Hi Shaun,

When posts are removed a PM is usually sent explaining why, however in your case it may have been overlooked.

As Spooly said, the 100 char rule applies only to stock threads, and although it may be annoying it saves a lot of time from the mods perspective, especially in a bull market when people would post one liners etc. Essentially it just cuts back the ramping and low content posts.

100 char is not much, if you notice a stock moving and want to say it, then just jot down a couple of reasons as to why you think it moved etc.

Hope that helps, and apologies if you did not receive a PM for a deleted post.

Prawn

Thanks for the explanation Prawn, no problem.

 

[Sean K]

Could there be any leniency when the post requires no more than a simple reply to a question?

Hi Sails, There normally is from my perspective. Sometimes however, Mods might not even look at the content because we're in a rush, or drunk (in my case), or whatever, and just delete them, which isn't good darts. I've sometimes even edited a post to add some extra characters so it meets the rule.

 

[Joe Blow]

I can understand the rule if one is suggesting a stock is going to move somewhere. But it is frustrating when someone asks a question that only requires a short answer. Eg. a few weeks ago someone asked when a stock report was due and I noticed it had just shown up on Iress. I answered in a few words that it was out, got frustrated as I couldn't submit it, so did a row of full stops which I thought was acceptable since I wasn't ramping or posting a view on the stock.

Could there be any leniency when the post requires no more than a simple reply to a question?

Hi Margaret,

The 100 characer minimum post length in stock threads was introduced as a response to short, low content, ramping (or downramping) posts. It was introduced after a lot of discussion about ways to combat this, given that we only had so many moderators and could only review so many posts. It became obvious that an automated process would probably be the most effective and 100 characters (approximately one line of text) was judged to be an appropriate minimum.

I understand that sometimes you only have one question to ask and that may not take up 100 characters. What I would ask people to do is just elaborate a little further to take it past 100 characters. Why is the question important? Why are you asking it? Is there another related question you can ask? How about a brief comment about the trading in the company that day? One line of text isn't much and it gets filled up pretty quickly. I think it is much more valuable to fill it with some more content rather than a series of full stops.

I hope everyone understands why this rule is in place and that it's not an attempt to punish anyone or to make life difficult. We're just trying to maintain a minimum level of content in stock threads and have found this method to be remarkably successful. We would really appreciate the support of ASF's members by doing everything they can to contribute at least 100 characters in stock threads and help maintain this minimum level of content. I think we can all agree that the more content in these threads the better... however, having said that, if you've made it to 97 characters feel free to add a few full stops.

 

[Beenjammin]

How about a thread specifically for ramping, so we can keep all the BS tucked away - does anyone seriously follow these anymore? I thought everyone realised by now hot stock tips on bulletin boards fall into the same category as those Nigerian Bank spam mails - "Help me sir my dead husband has $30M US in a bank account in Abuja I cannot get to and will give you half if you help me...."

If anyone throws their hard earned at a "hot tip" they don't deserve to hold onto it in the first place. Ive heard that many anecdotes in support of the idea that the best thing you can do with a hot tip if you really can't control your gambling demon is take a small position in the opposite direction to which it is being pumped. (Thats my hot tip for ya, DYOR).

 

[nomore4s]

How about a thread specifically for ramping, so we can keep all the BS tucked away

Why would ASF do that?

What would the purpose of that thread be and what value would it add to this site? None whatsoever. If you want ramping go to another forum.

Why keep the BS tucked away? Easier to ban it and/or delete it imo.

 

[sails]

Hi Margaret,

The 100 characer minimum post length in stock threads was introduced as a response to short, low content, ramping (or downramping) posts. It was introduced after a lot of discussion about ways to combat this, given that we only had so many moderators and could only review so many posts. It became obvious that an automated process would probably be the most effective and 100 characters (approximately one line of text) was judged to be an appropriate minimum.

I understand that sometimes you only have one question to ask and that may not take up 100 characters. What I would ask people to do is just elaborate a little further to take it past 100 characters. Why is the question important? Why are you asking it? Is there another related question you can ask? How about a brief comment about the trading in the company that day? One line of text isn't much and it gets filled up pretty quickly. I think it is much more valuable to fill it with some more content rather than a series of full stops.

I hope everyone understands why this rule is in place and that it's not an attempt to punish anyone or to make life difficult. We're just trying to maintain a minimum level of content in stock threads and have found this method to be remarkably successful. We would really appreciate the support of ASF's members by doing everything they can to contribute at least 100 characters in stock threads and help maintain this minimum level of content. I think we can all agree that the more content in these threads the better... however, having said that, if you've made it to 97 characters feel free to add a few full stops.

Thanks for the reply, Joe. I really do understand why the rule is there and that it would require extra work load for the mods to vet every short post in the stock threads. I don't like ramping either and appreciate the efforts to control it at ASF.

I rarely post in the stock threads so I am a bit prone to being caught out on the spur of the moment. As I felt I had nothing else meaningful to say about the stock at short notice, I decided to be honest about it and tried to fill up the space in other ways.

Anyway, thought it was worth asking the question as I'm sure there could be many others who might feel the same way, especially when one is simply replying to someone else's question and not just posting a previously thought out entry. However, accept that the policy stands and will be more careful in future.

Hi Sails, There normally is from my perspective. Sometimes however, Mods might not even look at the content because we're in a rush, or drunk (in my case), or whatever, and just delete them, which isn't good darts. I've sometimes even edited a post to add some extra characters so it meets the rule.

Yes, I did appreciate your leniency when I got into strife the first time on the BHP thread.

I thought it was OK the way I did it the next time, but Wayne kindly fixed up my post and sent me a PM to let me know it was at risk of being deleted with the way I had handled the 100 character rule.

 

[Beenjammin]

Why would ASF do that?

What would the purpose of that thread be and what value would it add to this site? None whatsoever. If you want ramping go to another forum.

Why keep the BS tucked away? Easier to ban it and/or delete it imo.

Erm.....sorry for any confusion, it was tounge-in-cheek, if you read my post in full youll see Im no fan of the practice either.

 

[Shrewd Crude]

tough rules don't always come across as a friendly, community based forums...
when I first came here I thought ise being picked on...
quietly being told to move along...
It got quite silly in the end I felt that I didnt want to post here...
An oil company had a well coming up called 'catapult'...
I mentioned the word catapult, and got taken to the cleaners...
its not good, and not welcoming...

I mean...
Im only interested in stocks that are going up...
stocks either go up or down... they never stay the same...
so you have to be bullish or bearish on a stock...
are we being told to be fence sitters?

It not so bad online here in New Zealand....
dont really get the ramping and all that,
but surely there must be another solution...

I agree with one of the other posters...
I made a post on an old thread which got the thread going again with some interest...
maybe im being told not to bother...

Mods here seem very firm, but fair under the guidelines...
this is the most strictest on line share forum...

.^sc