spammer suggestion.

[woofgang]

Would it be useful to be able to report a user and not just a post? then all the spams could be zapped at once by zapping the user?

[naomi24]

I think once a spammer is recognised to be making what are obviously multiple posts, he is zapped, taking all his posts with him. That would be the sensible thing to do.

[emmie]

how do you always recognise them though.. if it's a post on some gear for sale, then generally that's advertising, but others who set up accounts and ask for some relationship advice could also be, or not..

[naomi24]

It's a bit more difficult with people asking for advice - but generally the clues surface. They usually trip themselves up somehow.

(Em, see my post re: Care Paths in News. Apologies Woofgang - off topic - but important).

[factor-fiction]

If a post is reported for spamming I think the Ed probably reads the report and decides whether to ban.
The Ed/moderators seem pretty keen too on banning the multiple spammers who tend to post in the early hours.
I suppose when reporting a post it's worth saying if you think the poster is a multiple spammer.

[AB Editor]

"I suppose when reporting a post it's worth saying if you think the poster is a multiple spammer."

Yes, if you want to be really sure.

If there is a spammer on the site we tend to get an equal number of reports - so we can see at a glance that someone is spamming.

Early in the morning it's usually our long suffering mods who "take them out" - so they won't see reports. They work on wit and cunning alone, and tend to zap the baddies with great proficiency.

[albaqwerty]

'They work on wit and cunning alone,'
That might be worrying :-D

[lady-janine]

how long does it take for reported spammers to be removed?