That is very likely the case, but I read each and everyone of the posts and have to make a decision if I think it’s a spammer and block them forever, feel it could be a real person asking a bad, off topic question, or give them the benefit of the doubt that they are real, asking a legit question just in the wrong place and allow it and explain why it’s the wrong place.
The first two options give them no feedback, so I have to be pretty sure its a spammer before I block them. I don’t like deleting posts, but I cant really communicate with them until I approve that first post, so I’m in someways trapped with questionable posts. I could email them directly, but I don’t really want to let them have my work email if I can avoid it.
So I can be a jerk, or be a nice guy and give them a chance. I just blocked a guy who had posted 3 or so non-helpful, but non-spam like posts, then in the 4th one he linked to a site selling something.
If I make a mistake and let someone in who takes advantage of my kindness, they will be gone as soon as I find them or get a report on them. Overall our forums are pretty spam free and I want to keep it that way, but there are times I’m going to give someone the benefit of the doubt.
I’ve started google searching some first time posters if I think the question has been asked before, but I also can’t spend my whole day researching every new person who shows up.
Rob