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With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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We know there's a lot of spam on the Gallery this morning - it's been reported to Dawn, but as everyone probably knows, moderators on the Forum can't shift this stuff, unfortunately.

Alan Bickley

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First one came in on the gallery around 2am this morning, and looks like continuing. We’re stuck with it until Monday morning unfortunately… nothing us moderators can do, believe me I’ve tried to get it resolved…but to no avail… I’ve been able to shift a steady flow of rubbish from the forum, at least we can keep that free from these pests!

Collette Hughes

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Posted
It's heartbreaking seeing the gallery contaminated like this again. The powers that be need to change their minds about having some moderation in there. What if a truly horrific image is posted? I've an awful feeling it's just a matter of time. So sad. 

Alan Bickley

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Collette, I’ve put that exact scenario to Dawn last Tuesday…it certainly could happen! she was due to have a meeting with her bosses on the Wednesday, and would mention that possibility to them. I haven’t been given any feedback from the meeting as yet, but they have been made aware! I get the impression that we’re all far more concerned than the senior management at Warners - I don’t mean Dawn obviously, she understands the gravity of the situation perfectly well.

Edited
by Alan Bickley

P1080764

Carol .

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I do believe that Writer's online, have already closed down their talkback forum, parts were for private chat, still had to sign in if you wanted to comment on any thread. I learnt a lot and enjoyed reading other's work that also like to write. This was done just incase private details could not be protected. Let's hope it doesn't come to that, here.

Edited
by Carol Jones

Jenny Harris

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I remember Dawn saying that when there was a major upgrade on the site a few years back management had talked about closing the forum, but she managed to persuade them to keep it going. Without it, the site would lose a lot of its appeal for so many of us.  She did also later mention that she was pleased the Artistic Inspirations thread has been so successful as it helps to provide justification for keeping the forum going.

Edited
by Jenny Harris

With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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It isn't the forum that's the problem really - we can weed it.  The problem is the gallery - as can be seen.  However - the company's predecessor existed before the internet was a thing; I don't know what I'd do in their place, or what we'll all do if it's taken away; there are possible options, none looking very satisfactory... 

Alan Bickley

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Perhaps a good enough reason for us not to complain about the advertising boxes that appear - maybe they’re helping to keep the online site lucrative enough to keep it going… Just a thought!
our Lady2

Jim Morris

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Posted
I know the site managers work very hard on behalf of us all and do a great job on our behalf. The biggest problem with the gallery spam is that its pushing work off the pages so fast.  I stick to one submission per day, but even then it soon disappears. 
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Sarah Crouch

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Posted
It's quite upsetting to see the gallery abused in the way it has been - I always think these people must be clever to be able to do something like that (I wouldn't have a clue) so why on earth don't they use their brains as a force for good? The world would be so much better for it. An unanswerable question i know. I would like to add my thanks to the moderators who battle the spam on the forum. Referring to the comment made by Jenny earlier, it would be awful to see the forum go. I don't contribute much, due to lack of time and natural shyness (yes even online, I know it's ridiculous!) But I look at it a lot, and if we all need to contribute more to keep it going I'm up for it!!
P1080764

Carol .

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The gallery spammers are doing the same as us, surely - login post a picture ( for us a painting) they have taken and add a blurb, simple. 

Edited
by Carol Jones

With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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Yup - that's right.  And unless there's a more stringent sign-up process, that's what they'll do.  Question is, is it worth the company reconfiguring the site so they can't?  The spammers aren't geniuses - the insecurities of the site let them in.
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