Suggestion

[wilko26]

Hello in the last month I (Oliver too ) noticed soo many good review from people with less than 10 posts. I participate to another board (not related to this hobby) and there`s a rule that a user cannot start a new thread without having 20 posts.

I think a rule like this here would help agains shill post... I think also a minimum period should be helpfull, like 1 month...

What all of you think about it?

I started this thread after this post:

https://merb.cc/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=11962

Also post like: (from new user in the probation period)

`Yeah I agree with you`

Should be deleted...

Wilko

 

[EagerBeaver]

Wilko,

I like the idea. It would cut down on shill reviews and force the would be shill to contribute something for 20 posts, something most shills don't have the time or patience to do. Could help save the Mods a lot of time and effort pursuing the multi-handle shills.

 

[Techman]

I also agree completely that it's a very good idea. Many shills post once or twice then start a thread. Requiring them to make 20 posts would be more than most of them could handle.

 

[eastender]

Shill related posts

Twenty post minimum is an interesting requirement for STARTING a thread
but this may prohibit valuable information from surfacing.Perhaps refine the idea to a twenty post minimum before a REVIEW thread may be STARTED.

 

[Canadian Joe 652]

Allow me to be the pain in the but!

Guys,

I have been posting to this board since I belive May of this year so I'm a new kid in town arguing againt the establishement yet allow me:

I knew of the board and read it regularly but did not actually manage to get into it until recently. I understand that in the case of MTL shilling is a particular problem you want to deal with and can relate to the reasons behind Wilko"s proposal but look at it from the QC side and from the new guys perspective.

QC: There are, as it is, about 17 semi regular contributors to the QC section, what we need down here is more people comming out of the closet: Stop readng and start writting reviews.

Because I'm sure there are more than 17 of us walking around QC in the hobby! if it gets to complicated to particpate the ones (like me) that may at some point consider it may go away, it will be a shame.

Newbie: On the other hand, I been posting to this for 3 months, so I'm no authority, yet I have been in the hobby for more than the last 3 months and do have something to contribute (and have) to this board, yet it is already difficult for some to make the plunge, more restrictions my discourage us.

Time for you to blast away........

 

[Lawless]

Fully agree with a new rule....Mods have been so busy recently....and even so....

 

[Kasp_ar]

Separating out the shills

I do agree having a minimum "20 posts", will defineately slow down the progress of those who register with the sole intention of shilling. It will also allow members to guage the character of this new member, as well as give us many clues as to his/her intentions.

I will bring up this topic for discussion with other Mods.

M5

Mod 5,

When you bring this suggestion up with the other Mods, please add my name to those voting in favour of this excellent and overdue idea. If I now look back on my previous posts, I see how much time was wasted flushing out shills.

Thanks, wilko, for this initiative.

Kasp_ar

 

[EagerBeaver]

You want to prevent shills from polluting your Board with new threads. Well, they will pollute ongoing threads if disallowed to start a new one. What do you gain?

Pearl Man,

Most of the shilling occurs with SPs nobody has ever heard of, or on whom there are no posts, threads, or reviews of any kind. Therefore, there are no existing threads to pollute. The shill has to create one. The "Wilko Initiative", as I will call it, thwarts those shills.

 

[Lawless]

...and in the last six months or so, the board has been taken advantage of more and more. Reliable posters will be easily indentified and jokers/jurkers/shillers discarded.
Everyone is encouraged to participate, but at the same time, a certain category of posters should be encouraged to go somewhere else!.....they should start a site of their own!

 

[Best Lover]

I like the suggestion of minimizing shills but I do have one caveat: we need to find a way to encourage more "guests" to become members and post their thoughts. Membership is free after all.

Today when I signed in, the home page stated: "Currently Active Users: 289 (67 members and 222 guests)." I think this ratio of non-members is not good and wish more guests would give the board their comments.

It is my one-year anniversary of becoming a member and I remember reading for a few months before posting. I have seen dozens and dozens of SPs but usually don't give reviews since I see too many reviewers getting flamed if someone gives an "average or below" on someone's favorite SP. And if I give an excellent review I have been accused of being a shill (not on this board but another board). The experience certainly has not persuaded me to write reviews.

However, I do feel guilty for not contributing reviews since I greatly appreciate members who do write reviews. I promised myself I would submit reviews after my next trip to Montreal.

Anyway, does anyone have any suggestions how to encourage more guests to participate?

I would especially like to hear guests give their comments why they don't post. Merci.

 

[Techman]

After considering other posts I wonder if the ability to create new threads could remain open in the lounge and 411 sections. Those who are just looking for some info or may have something important to share could still do so.

Also, this may not be the thread to bring it up but... along with the escort411 section I was wondering if a SC411 section would be possible. Many posts in the SC section are from people looking for a particular dancer or info on what club to go to for certain things. These posts also creep into the escort 411 section. A separate 411 section would make it easier to seek such info.

 

[Lawless]

How many agencies do we have in Montreal?
How many new SPs?...Not counting those simply changing names....and agencies...
It's a small world...it's easy to loose interest over a period of time!
What we need...more SP to be reviewed!!!...and this will bring new members!!!
New members with current SPs being reviewed .....a repeat....
New members starting threads already existing on the board.....annoying!!
New members are certainly welcome...but they cannot reinvent the reviews!!!

 

[wilko26]

After considering other posts I wonder if the ability to create new threads could remain open in the lounge and 411 sections. Those who are just looking for some info or may have something important to share could still do so.

I agree with this lounge, 411 and buy&sell zone its not a problem... I think this major problem (shill) started to be big since this board had some advertising in journal de montreal...

And I see you all trying to protect your turf, concentrating on the Great Menace of the Shills. Aren't you on the Internet, boys, where the modus vivendi is to share, not to restrict access.

With this suggestion I dont want that board come to a private club. But there's soo many BS from new member recently and I think it wont stop... Has a business man and if I would start that kind of business (escorts, massage etc...) I would consider to shill cause its proven that merb can bring lot of business. And I think merb gonna get more and more exposure in the future...

What you also need to consider is that this board have a BIG review database I would say probably 90% of the agency-massage etc... are listed here... So a NEW user who post about a NEW agency its a bit..... I guess you all understand my point! I have no problem about a new member starting a thread like: Does anyone tried abc agency or this girl? But I always have a problem with a new agency from a new members... New member should use a little bit more the SEARCH option.

Anyway, does anyone have any suggestions how to encourage more guests to participate?

It took me 1 year to register to this board... I guess its like calling on open line at radio some people will never call but listen at them and some listen and call to give their opinion. I think as long the membership stay free its not a problem.

Wilko

 

[Canadian Joe 652]

Now guys

Let me understand this, if I'm new and want to contribute my choices are limited to seeing the grils you (I mean we as I have already threads on the board, unless the new policy is retroactive ) have seen so I can add the 257th review of Marie Claude of Asservisante, Jessy of Celine or Samantha the INDY (please do not be insluted if your favorite one is not on the list).

I have nothing against those girls, but if I'm new and see a gem or have a really bad expirience, I have to wait until the old guard sees her (again I'm including myself on the old guard remark) and posts on herbefore I can contribute. In the meantime my posts will look like this (includinn the 411 and lounge exceptions):


Case 1:

Hi, new to the board I saw........... (fill the blancs with your favorite SP) and can only confirm, infirm, deny etc, what ...................... (fill in your prefered established Merbite) said about her.

New out


Case 2:

I'm new and looking for a transexual door handle lover with flappy hears and a mustache to do a duo with me and my body..........


Case 3:


How about those Mackain Pizza Pockets..........



For 20 postings!

Is this just making no sense only to me? Could be, I just had Mexican food for lunch today, maybe bad guacamole!

 

[hotdog]

I too,think we need more rules on this board before people can start giving reviews.At least 20 substantial posts decided on by the mods,or 5 members with at least 75 posts or reviews to their credit.There are more and more useless comments, shills and insults on the massage part of Merb.than there are of reviews and good substantial comments.My opinion.Thanks.

 

[eastender]

Moving along........

Some interesting ideas.

Perhaps we can borrow or build from established procedures.

Define a probationary period for a new member with an accompanying probationary status or designation.

Combine the above with a certification approach similar to photos
used by agencies on their sites.Applied before the post appears,such an approach would serve two purposes - guiding the new member while limiting
shills.

 

[CantSeeMrHappy]

Point of view from a new guy

a user cannot start a new thread without having 20 posts.

I find 20 too restrictive. I signed up and created a new thread on Centre Tibet, as one of my first actions. This was a positive experience. If it was 5 I would not have been discouraged - but at 20 - definately.

Won't a shiller simply post bogus replies elsewhere, just to bring his posts up, then shill anyways? Thus pollute more?

A little history: I found out about this board a few years back searching Google & Montreal, etc. Then read a great deal of posts. I find that all of you are a great bunch with valid advice. The Mod(s) do a terrific job.

Now, what I find lacking, is the girls actually posting (or even the owners). I encourage communication. I would find absolutely erotic publicly discussing with a girl on this board, then posting back on the experience.
The few posts like these I've read here of other people where mind-blowing, pun(s) intended.

So, won't shilling go down, if the girls & owners can post - but are validated - like over the telephone by a Mod?

 

[EagerBeaver]

CSMH,

Problem is most SPs have no interest in participating on the Boards. There are a few notable exceptions like Ronnie a/k/a Naughty Lady. The Boards are sort of a men's locker room to them and I think many of them who might consider posting are intimidated from doing so. Others simply have no interest in having the kinds of discussions you have alluded to on a public Board. The few SPs who have discussed experiences with clients on the Boards have suffered professionally as a result of having done so. Because of these factors, the Boards (at least the Montreal Boards) are not perceived as a legitimate 2 way forum, but rather as something of a men's club. Regrettably, there are several notable hobbyists who have gone out of their way to ridicule well spoken or controversial female posters, and to act in a generally disrespectful manner (using derogatory slang words to refer to SPs), and the result has been to chill SP participation. That will not change unless you eliminate the posters who are responsible, and I know at least one Board owner unwilling to do so.

Bottom line, you cannot legislate class to those who lack it.

 

[HonestAbe]

How about...

Your first post must be a review and you must post at least one review of a known SP per year, minimum. No review, no posts. It is after all an Escort review board and one review isn't asking much for the privelege of participating in the many different areas of this board. If a valid review is posted in a way which is well thought out and informative to the rest of us then I have no problem accepting that person as a full member.

Just one other thought. We need to be a little bit more forgiving to newbies for posting a review without doing a search to see if a review of the Sp has already been done. Some reviews are quite old and others garner no attention for whatever reason. I made that mistake with my review on Jessie of Celines which generated quite a few responses and thank yous for the info. It was followed by dozens of more reviews on her due to the interest it helped generate in her.

Recently the Mods corrected my action by merging my thread with one that was started a month earlier which had gotten only a few responses and fell off the front page of the board. I didn't do it intentionally too irritate anyone and have no problem with the MOD's action. Some members who have a seemingly endless litany of complaints about newer members should lighten up a bit and seek to encourage those who share with us rather than complain about someones valid, helpful contribution. Simply inform the MOD and allow them to merge the threads and inform the new member of their error without making them feel awkward or embarassed. Some people have no bedside manner and it probably scares would be reviewers away.

 

[joeblow]

I have occasionnally hobbied in Toronto and Vancouver and, in those instances, have posted reviews on Terb and Perb. I some cases, I started threads on those boards, with only a small or even non-existent posting history. I am sure my example is far from unique: many out-of-town hobbyists are infrequent visitors to Montreal, may contribute one or two reviews, but have no interest in posting on Merb extensively. We should not forsake their contributions through a rule such as the one originally suggested in this thread.