Should we ban Link submissions in v/pizzagate? (pizzagatemods)

submitted ago by Vindicator

This is a brainstorming and feedback-gathering thread for the immanent Rules discussion proposed by our board owners. I wanted focus on this single topic before we get into the complexities of the rules.

Currently, our subverse allows users to post either "Link" submissions or "Discuss" submissions. Link submissions are quick and easy, require no thought, and have only a headline that direct-links to the url submitted. They are a quick way of sharing news posted elsewhere. They also look cool, since they grab a thumbnail image of the linked page. They are the easiest way to share something if you are posting from your phone. However...

Six Reasons "Link" submissions suck for v/Pizzagate research

  1. They can't be edited to meet our submission rules, and frequently have to be removed because of this
  2. They can be used by trolls to direct-link to dangerous sites (examples in Removed Submissions)
  3. They make it easy for trolls to spam "PGisStupid" style memes and shitty YouTube videos
  4. They make it impossible for authors to edit posts to incorporate the often stellar crowdsourced research contributed by other users in the Comments.
  5. When shared off-platform such as by retweet, especially by phone where only headlines show depending on screen settings, they inadvertantly bury the crowdsourced analysis and discoveries that shed light on events mentioned in MSM articles, destroying the redpill value. Non-Voat users clicking a Voat submission shared in a tweet, will probably click the headline, taking them directly to the MSM article (for example) and never see the crowdsourced analysis in the Comments.
  6. It seems unfair and inconsistent to require Discuss posts to provide short descriptions of all linked content and their relevance under Rule 3, but allow Link posts that only have a headline from which such matters must often be inferred.

So what can we do instead?

As far as I know, we cannot actually disable this function so it is impossible to share a link, as that is a sitewide feature. But we can

  • edit the CSS so that the button doesn't show unless users have custom CSS disabled
  • edit the rules to disallow Link posts
  • put a warning that Link posts will be removed, along with an invitation to only use Discuss submissions, in the message that pops up on the submit dialogue window.

So, who wants to try this? Who hates the idea? Chime in below and let your thoughts and votes be heard yea or nay.

antiliberalsociety ago

All I see is "I agree with banning". Then you wonder why no one takes this sub seriously.

Vindicator ago

Try not to be so triggered by the "b" word. If you look at our Removal log and user ban log, you'll see that since we instituted this policy and the 24 Hour Edit flair, we've had to remove almost nothing. A few folks didn't get the memo and posted Share A Link threads, but they were happy to repost as Discuss threads. It's been working out really, really well.

antiliberalsociety ago

Good for you, reddifags. Enjoy your censorship whilst projecting trigger accusations.

Altmight ago

This is too confusing. I post under "discuss" and it does not appear in the thread. WHATS THE DEAL?

Vindicator ago

Not sure what you're referring to, Altmight. Are you saying when you make a submission using the "Discuss" button it doesn't show up in v/pizzagate/new?

hafen ago

I actually think this is a very good idea. It's in fitting with the type of subverse this is.

Honeybee_ ago

UPVOAT

It makes little sense to offer a link option, the rules are way too lenient for "share a link" posts, they get away with not having to describe link content, which is actually a mandatory posting rule for the "discuss" posting option. A "discuss" post gets deleted if they don't add a description, makes no sense to provide an option that breaks the posting rules of another posting option.

sunajAeon ago

Ok thanks

lopus ago

yes, why not put a link in a normal and "editable" post? with a short description or quotes of important stuff from the linkes website?

I also do not like "link"-submissions, because you don't know what you are clicking - and I do not like watching videos without reading what's it about! Sometimes even my old computer freezes (esp. at certain video pages or pages with much scripting).

Or sometimes I know the linked website already! - but because of lacking description I click it again (annoying at pages which need some time to load...)

Usually I try try avoid clicking them...

millennial_vulcan ago

Yes.

Vindicator ago

Lol.

millennial_vulcan ago

LMAO!

Just replied to @think- upthread: "I thought I'd better not say too much more about it, knowing I've made my feelings well known already" sheepish look

Mad_As_Hell ago

Personally speaking, banning link posts would deter me from posting relevant info. I usually post from my phone and drafting a discussion post is awkward and time consuming. I understand why mods might want to though

Vindicator ago

Yes, this is the downside. :-( You can always submit them as comments in relevant Discuss threads, like we've been doing in this thread. That is actually easier than doing a separate submission, and it helps consolidate research and galvanize teamwork. You also don't have to worry about satisfying all the submission rules. If it's SCP you desire, you can first post the news link in v/whatever, v/news, or v/politics where all of Voat can see it and upvote it, and then post the permalink to that submission as a comment in a hot v/pizzagate submission.

GreenDell144 ago

At the very least, link posts should include an explanation or opionion/report from the poster. Maybe have a 2 link minimum coupled with a supporting idea. That would force us to develpoe a little more.

Vindicator ago

A Link post has no room for that. It would have to go in Comments, potentially to be buried or completely invisible to those clicking through on the title via a share. All that is easy to do in Discuss submission.

WeirdlyEerie ago

I agree with banning link only posts. Thank you for asking.

srayzie ago

I don’t like the link posts. You can’t go back and search for old posts like you normally can and you can’t edit. Too many times, the title used doesn’t describe enough. I would get rid of link posts.

Blacksmith21 ago

Ban them!

millennial_vulcan ago

Hallelujah!

Vindicator ago

I know, I know. We've got to leave the sticky up at least a week first to make sure everyone has a chance to let their choices be known.

WikiLeaksDumpster2 ago

Why would Voat ban my other account WikileaksDumpster. Unless they are in on it. I can't login for shit.

Vindicator ago

Need some screencaps to show you've been banned. Everyone who has been banned can be seen here. Voat rarely bans anyone...only three users in the last five months. Individual subverses can ban users who repeatedly violate their submission rules.

More likely, you forgot your password, and then this happened: https://voat.co/v/announcements/2154006.

WikiLeaksDumpster2 ago

I can't access my old account man. What does that mean man? Why?

Vindicator ago

I don't know how long it's been since you logged into Voat, but we recently had major software overhaul that booted everyone out and forced them to sign back in. You can read about it in v/announcements. Your old password should work, though.

WikiLeaksDumpster2 ago

Does not work in any way. It's cool man. I'm cool off Voat. Thanx bro.

WikileaksDumpster ago

Since posting on this forum my interent no longer works. Every webpage loads halfway then just keep loading and loading and loading. I think the mods or the people at Voat just give law enforcement everything. I have to get a completely new internet connection now using a fake id. Wow. This is fucked up man. I got molested hardcore as a child by my school yard duty and the cops are still trying to bring me down for it. I fucing hate our GOV so fucking much man.

Vindicator ago

I actually fried two browsers somehow over the past year. Never happened before. Had to wipe my laptop and start over fresh (good to do anyway, from time to time). I can assure you, mods have no access to your ID. Voat doesn't require anything but a captcha to create an account, either. There is only one admin, PuttItOut. He lives in Switzerland. If you look into his account history, you will see he does not have a habit of handing things over to law enforcement.

WikileaksDumpster ago

I'm still not allowed to submit links. Just created an account.

Here is the post I wanted to post.

I've been surfing imgsrc.ru a lot looking for anything that can tie pics to Podesta or Podesta like groups.

Found something disturbing. A wealthy rich man in an expensive penthouse watching a 9 year old girl dancing with a glass of wine in his hand.

The art on the wall behind him is exactly the same type of art seen in Podesta's collections.

Whoever this guy is he has a lot of money.

Not really sure what to do though. If I tell the Feds then they will just arrest me.

millennial_vulcan ago

Why can't you submit this as a post?

adaya ago

I like - agree with. Did experience problem with a deleted link submission. Hesitate b/c a visual person. Ultimately want a way to add thumbnail with headline. ❤ the essays of evidence w/ links in body of discussion. Not horrible forcing us to up our articulation game.

Vindicator ago

I hear you about the eye candy, adaya. I like it, too. Including links to jpg's uploaded to catbox.moe or kek.gg is a good way to spice up your post. They only take a second to load.

13Buddha ago

I am in agreement with eliminating link-only submissions. Our subject matter is complex and our rules are stringent. We are researchers, and providing more than 1 sourced link is commonplace. Discussion enables the submitter to report on his/her links and expand on them. It sets the stage for interesting reading.

sunajAeon ago

One of the things that surprises me is how we allow some to post a Gif, and that is supposed to represent a post? Seems much more appropriate for some to post a gif as a comment, rather than substituting a picture for a story (like, "where's the beef?")

ESOTERICshade ago

You guys are doing a great job. This forum runs smooth.

sunajAeon ago

I would like to see direct links with captions beneath it to provide a short description, any red flags or items of note by the poster that may explain why the post is relevant

Fancpanz ago

I agree. Forgive my inexperience but how else would we see source or reference??????

karenrussell63 ago

I think link posts should be disabled, for the reasons you mentioned and also just that a text post offers more details.

cutelobster ago

I agree with this.

carmencita ago

I am in favor of doing away with the link posting but only after we fix the problem with the vote count not showing up if we edit after posting. I do think that the voat count situation is more important, but do want to say I am in favor of doing away with the link posting. AND while I hopefully have everyone's attention, please note that the amount of viewers here at any given moment has been stuck at 113 for at least two days. Another item that should be fixed before the link posting. If we have a low number posted regarding visitors then it will not bode very well for New Visitors.

Vindicator ago

Thanks for letting us know that about the visitors.

Removing the Link button has nothing at all to do with the caching issues Voat-at-large is experiencing, though. It's just a visual change that we can make ourselves.

carmencita ago

Do you mean that nothing can be done about the comment voats not appearing after editing? If that is the case we cannot edit.

Vindicator ago

Where'd you come up with that? I didn't say "nothing can be done" about anything. I said mods have control over making the Link button go away, and editing the rules, with user approval. We can make that happen any time, regardless of how long it takes Putt to finish the new codebase and work out the bugs.

carmencita ago

OK.

AngryMimi ago

IMHO banning mere links is great! There are times when I might be interested to see where the link goes but because there is no addtional information I avoid it. Could be avoiding something really helpful in the fight but will never know because I don't click on what I see as arbitrary links. Thank you for asking!

ben_matlock ago

it would be nice if the mysterious users who downvoated would be so kind as to leave a reason why they disagree with us even raising the question.

MolochHunter ago

I think the pros outweigh the cons by a good margin

Vindicator ago

The pros of keeping the Link feature, or the pros of disallowing it?

MolochHunter ago

heh my bad get rid of the link-only post, its benefits are dwarfed by its detriments

Vindicator ago

I wonder who downvoted you, MH. Weird.

ben_matlock ago

tough crowd.

MolochHunter ago

the politics of envy, eh ;)

think- ago

Yes, we should ban mere link posts! I used to like link posts as a submitter - it was a quick way to post, and I added comments with more info later.

But now, as a mod, how many inconveniences are connected to link posts.

It would be much better to only allow discuss posts - you can put the video or article link in the body of the post, and add some sentences to explain the content.

Many users here hate it when they don't know what a video is about, they would like to read some intro before clicking.

antiliberalsociety ago

Fuck this reddit tier shit.

millennial_vulcan ago

HATE it...

;-)

think- ago

Ok, that's a clear statement! LOL.

millennial_vulcan ago

LMAO!

I thought I'd better not say too much more about it, knowing I've made my feelings well known already sheepish look

think- ago

LOL - well @millennial_vulcan, you were quite clear when expressing your feelings recently... ;-)

millennial_vulcan ago

LOL! I also just responded to other comment from earlier week...

think- ago

Saw it! ;-)

RagingShieldMaiden ago

I like the idea.