Is this spam? #10

This group seems to have been formed just to push traffic to another website: https://www.librarything.com/groups/bookballoon

>1 lilithcat: Maybe, but I don't think so. Their group description reads to me like they're here to be a legitimate group. And several long-time LT members have joined.

>1 lilithcat: It's been flagged but I don't think it should be. I think it's genuinely about creating a discussion here on LT for individuals who may have 'met' elsewhere, not driving across to their site. Maybe the one thing they could do to remove confusion is to take the BookBalloon URL out of the group header. As >2 amanda4242: says, I see a long standing LTer posting there as well. I can't counter-flag, unfortunately though as it's a group not a post ...

>2 amanda4242:, >3 klarusu:

Thanks. I was concerned because the group description talked about promoting the other site, and seemed to want to drive traffic there. I see the description has been changed to say that they are moving their discussions over here, so that's a different story.

>5 Collectorator: It was certainly not a description. I deleted it.

>5 Collectorator: It's not spam, but it's not a book description either.

https://www.librarything.com/profile/BeegPanda

I'm putting this here because it is a "Do NOT mark as Spam" situation.
This user looks to have had a major upload glitch and reviews are in as books. Tags are in as books. People have been marking these items as Spam, but they are upload issues that need to be corrected (that is, if the person even still comes here.)

Please don't keep marking this person's stuff as Spam.

>8 gilroy:

(that is, if the person even still comes here.)


Data that horrible, and nothing entered since the original bad upload? No chance.

(It's still not spam. But BeegPanda certainly won't care one way or the other.)

Y'know, BeegPanda might have seen that mess and left in despair.

>10 lilithcat:

Yeah. I'm sure that happens a lot, with import problems. It's a real shame, and I hope that now that LT bugs are being looked at again that import issues will be on that list.

It occurs to be that it might be helpful if the import/export page acknowledged that there are potential issues and gave information on the person to contact in case of problems (particularly as the "contact" link is no longer obvious).

Off to RSI!

Yes! I had a real problem locating the contact page recently too!

This post is flagged as spam (and the poster as well):
http://www.librarything.com/topic/242730
but it seems a legitimate request. System glitch?

>14 Luisali: That post was automatically placed in the probable spam file. I'm not sure why. In cases like this you just click on the life saver to move them back into normal talk. I have done this.

BTW This is quite rare. The computer misses quite a bit of obvious spam, but doesn't catch things like this very often. But the chance of it is why each automatically caught spam has to be manually confirmed by spam fighters.

>15 MarthaJeanne: Thanks!

I've been staring at a recent posting for five minutes. It kind of feels like spam, and yet...

http://www.librarything.com/topic/244420#

The poster has no books, and just joined today.

Profile: http://www.librarything.com/profile/Robbin_Miller (Please don't flag.)

I haven't made a comment on the profile; I'm not sure what I'd say in any case.

I just don't know.

>17 Lyndatrue: I had the same reaction. She appears to be soliciting tweets but I don't understand the purpose. Is it a way of advertising her book?

>18 Taphophile13: I think that, indirectly, that's the plan (soliciting tweets). Just looks like she's intending to drive some sort of traffic on Twitter, and not necessarily here. Ah. Here she is, in other guise.

http://www.librarything.com/profile/RWendy

http://www.librarything.com/author/millerrobbinw

I'm still undecided on whether to flag the post, but leaning towards yes. Note the description entered for About my library: "Shrewsbury Public Library is a great place that offers you not only books and materials but also interesting program and quality customer service."

I think she's not really trying to hide that those three accounts are all her, but I'm still trying to think of what to say. You're more diplomatic than I; perhaps you want to take a stab?

Wonder if she forgot the password to the other account (the RWendy one), and that's why she made a new one?

Too bad; the original post's been commented on, so it's not going to quietly delete when flagged. I wish people wouldn't do that.

Checking on new profile pictures, I found this new member whose 3 reviews have been flagged as spam.

https://www.librarything.com/profile/LeonardoAngue

Can someone 'splain why? Did I miss something?

>21 2wonderY: Copied from Amazon - from three different reviewers. Red flags on reviews aren't always spam. It is against the TOS to copy other people's reviews.

>21 2wonderY: Sounds like someone got up from the wrong side of the bed...

I counter flagged all three. Couple more, and that little red thing will be gone entirely.

Those reviews are pretty gushy, but they're still reviews, and I can't see how they're spam, either. Those reviews *are* for the only three books in his catalog, but I see zero comments on his profile from anyone (which might be expected if he'd done any posting). No one else owns those books, and I cannot imagine how his reviews even got notice.

ETA: Oops. Never mind. Just saw >22 MarthaJeanne:. I'll go reflag them.

Ah! Thank you both.

>25 MarthaJeanne: I'd say yes. Just in case, here's the profile (please don't flag).

https://www.librarything.com/profile/Nascargrl24

I wouldn't flag the profile. She's been around a while, has a couple of books registered.

But I would definitely flag the group (and have).

>27 lilithcat: Yeah, flagging the profile is not really fair, although...

I want to point out, after reading all those public messages, where she (apparently) won ER books, and then didn't seem to review them...

It seems kind of odd. The group appears (or appeared) to be a pyramid scheme of sorts, although she may not have really thought it through. I think it's more a lack of thinking things through than any deliberate actions. I'll edit my post above to remove the suggestion of flagging.

The profile got flagged into oblivion anyway...

>29 gilroy: That's a lot due to the incredible slowness for LT, which has gone from vaguely annoying to making me want to find something else to do today. It took about five minutes to get the edit to respond on my previous post (so that I could remove the flagging suggestion). I've noticed lately (while I'm thinking about it) that sometimes it only takes one or two flags to knock out a profile (or at least it seems like it to me).

I'd been planning on a comment on the profile for her (in reply to her public comment to herself), suggesting that her group and the comment could be problematic, and that the group was going to be flagged away.

:-{

another set of Chinese spam messages in the 75 Books Read group-sigh
http://www.librarything.com/profile/setfgdsg
and an example
http://www.librarything.com/topic/245527#

>31 torontoc:

Oh, no question that that is spam!

I'd put your links in the Spam reporting thread, but he's gone already.

Oh, good!

I'm seeing this new, bare account
https://www.librarything.com/profile/Betoruzi

recommending a particular, unpopular book
https://www.librarything.com/work/18940903

all over the historical fiction topics:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/167052 (post 35)
https://www.librarything.com/topic/233211 (post 18)
https://www.librarything.com/topic/244667 (post 30)
https://www.librarything.com/topic/124372 (post 35)

Which makes me suspect it's a puppet of the author's account, also created today and with only that work in it
https://www.librarything.com/profile/AdelsonCCosta

>34 Cecrow:

You can give a direct link to the posts, by clicking on "more" under the post, then "link", and copying the URL.

https://www.librarything.com/topic/167052#5884768
https://www.librarything.com/topic/233211#5884506
https://www.librarything.com/topic/244667#5884503
https://www.librarything.com/topic/124372#5884500

I think you are likely correct, but staff should probably verify.

I think the author account should get a warning comment about advertising and such.

I've actually put it on both profiles now. The user has expanded to the African American forum now.

>36 gilroy:

Betoruzi is the author: https://www.librarything.com/topic/245082#5884968

Also https://www.librarything.com/topic/1790#5884957
https://www.librarything.com/topic/19914#5884948

>36 gilroy: But apparently your messages worked. The message on Betoruzi is clocked at 1:27, and the last spam I see is 1:25.

*smirk* Wow. That's a first for a response to that note.

"You should also forbid comments that ask for book reading tips."

https://www.librarything.com/topic/247047#

Is this just a testing post that's primed for spam or is it just someone who doesn't understand the system?

>40 gilroy:, spam? Oh, I thought he was trying to engage me in thought-provoking conversation.

>40 gilroy: Considering the title chosen for the topic, I'd be concerned in any case. I recommend that you google it, if it's not a word you're familiar with. I'm not sure what's going on here (and I only skimmed Cecrow's response, since it's my first cup of coffee, and very few brain cells are engaged).

>42 Lyndatrue: Yeah, skimmed the response too, but didn't read deep.
As for the word in the title... It's an alteration of an offensive slang word to keep from offending people...

>43 gilroy:, I'm inclined to agree that's what he was after, unfortunately. Or by a less likely interpretation it's something related to Christianity or Buddhism.

My stupendous over-analysis was tongue-in-cheek troll IDing. It's spam for sure.

Member and his topic now both removed from the site.

>45 Cecrow: Yeah, I saw that it was gone. It's sad that I recognized it instantly, and it's a relief that it's gone (and thank you very much to staff for removing it).

>47 Collectorator: I thought about posting the rest of the details (including your link) over in the Spam thread, but here is just as good.

Profile: http://www.librarything.com/profile/pirsos (I'm still on the fence about whether to flag the profile. I'm about to leave the obligatory message for the enthusiastic author/publisher).

Topic in group mentioned (I've already flagged the group, and the topic):

http://www.librarything.com/topic/247339#5902836

The "book" started life as a paperback. It's 20+ pages long. There's one review, mentioning that it's more like an article in a magazine than a book. It's now free, for the Kindle. It appears not to be worth that. I'm not flagging the book, though. It *is* a legitimate book. Anyone who buys it without reading that single review deserves what they get. Just saying.

ETA: Please remember to also flag the group.

http://www.librarything.com/groups/cycling

>48 Lyndatrue: also http://www.librarything.com/topic/247338

Do not flag.

http://www.librarything.com/profile/ampproject

This is perhaps an account just to increase the web presence of their organization, but it's not clear.
Opinions?

>50 2wonderY: Suspicious. Something to watch.

https://www.librarything.com/profile/Michael777l

It's a personal account for a web designer who says that his latest job was designing an online casino. He has set his home page to the URL for the casino.

No, I don't think that's spam. He appears to have legitimate books catalogued, and it's not uncommon for people to describe their profession on their profile page.

Just keeping an eye on two accounts from Mesa, AZ. They've added a few books and registered as Organizations.

https://www.librarything.com/profile/BlindsChalet
About me: America's Foremost Window Covering Experts! Lover of interior design and architecture books.

https://www.librarything.com/profile/ProDBX
About me: DBX Software makers of ProDBX and lovers of modern construction and architecture

Probably this is author spam. I'll leave a note.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/250650#

http://www.librarything.com/profile/Terri1221

>56 MarthaJeanne: I don't think it's spam, myself. He may not have phrased it well, but it's a lending library, not anything he's making money from. I'm not sure that he grasps the international nature of LT, either. He's not offering anything for sale.

The lending library is at his spice store.

And he even recognized that the post was Questionable.

"I'm new here so I hope this post doesn't break any rules."

Might not be spam, at least not yet, but it might bear watching.

https://www.librarything.com/work/book/139933741
https://www.librarything.com/work/19304318
https://www.librarything.com/profile/4shbllc

Those reviews mark this clearly as spam. I'm flagging everything, myself.

Is this spam? I flagged this post and won't go to any of the websites listed.
https://www.librarything.com/topic/253175

>61 torontoc:

It most certainly is!

Yeah, I'm heartless. I've flagged the topic, but not the profile... Yet

http://www.librarything.com/topic/255245#

http://www.librarything.com/profile/suren_sd

>63 Lyndatrue: Looks more like someone looking for help to me, although they may not understand what LT is actually for.

>64 amanda4242: It's why I posted here, rather than on the spam fighters thread. I'm just so deeply cynical, especially considering the country of origin in this case. I took the flag back off; I'm sure you're right on the request being legitimate (but misplaced).

>63 Lyndatrue:, >64 amanda4242: I don't see this as spam. Poor English, misunderstanding what LT is about, but probably not spam. For one thing, what do you think is being advertised here?

no kill animal shelter joined in 2012 but hasn't listed any books
https://www.librarything.com/profile/camelia86

I am in favor of such organizations but do they belong here? I haven't flagged them; I just am unsure if they actually fall within the definition of spam.

Kotton Grammer is back.

https://www.librarything.com/profile/kottongrammerreviews

Not spammy yet, in my opinion. He mentions his library. Keeping an eye on it.

Is a book release a venue event? At Amazon?

https://www.librarything.com/venue/107683/Amazon-com

I've already flagged her cover images as Spam.

>68 2wonderY: The website he links to is a "testimonial" for one of his clients. It's the same profile name as before. Same guy as before. How does he keep coming back?

https://www.librarything.com/topic/250732#6001970

>69 2wonderY: Not sure if anyone else had, but I left a note on the author's profile regarding promotion.

>70 gilroy: He's a paid member. For that reason, I think we need to look most carefully at whether his profile content actually crosses the line. Commercial links themselves don't rise to spam status, right? If the member uses the site correctly...

>71 gilroy: The author got notices of my flagging her covers. What I'd like is for the event to be removed; but I don't know how that's done.

>72 2wonderY: First comment on his profile is advertising.
Okay, so I'm going to TRY to give him the benefit of the doubt here, but he is threading the edge of that line very very closely for my taste...

ETA: Well, I figured just noting the spam covers may not get through, so added the usual template regarding author promotion, to be safe...

I know, but he's only talking to himself. He's not pointing to his business in any other way on the site. I'd rather have staff make a decision on this one.

>69 2wonderY:

Not in my book! (Pun intended.)

It might be an event if it were held at an actual bookstore, or if the author were interviewed in conjunction with the release.

But this sort of thing is no more an event than when Simon & Schuster releases a book. I've deleted it for that reason.

Hi. I just joined Library thing and from all I could understand, I was trying to set up an author page. I thought author pages were where we'd be posting a picture of our books. I had the idea what I was doing was very similar to setting up my Amazon or Goodreads author page. I was also trying to post an event.... book release and kept getting a VENUE error. There is no particular VENUE other than Amazon or bookstores, so I kept getting an error. I apologize if whatever ended up posted ended up in the wrong place. I clearly have no idea how Library Thing works or where these posts go. I've definitely had a lot of negative feedback, though. It looks like I'll be staying away from this site. I clearly don't get it and if you make a mistake, you'll hear about it five times, like a character from Office Space. Sorry for having rocked the boat as I tried to board. :(

>76 AmyQP: Sorry we came off as curt. This site is important to the members and a good number of us keep an eye out for junk. For each of the covers posted inappropriately, I needed to make a comment which shows up on your profile page.

We don't want you to give up, but we do want you to be appropriate. We are glad to answer any questions and help you get set up.

Thanks to 2wonderY for messaging me about our old friend Kotton Grammer. Kristi and I had a series of back-and-forth emails with him in which he seemed recalcitrant, and swore up and down to abide by the Terms of Use. I told him he could start a new account for his personal library, but he wanted the same username.

So, I wiped out everything that was previously on his profile (his "also on" links excepted) and reactivated, warning him that a) while he can catalog his personal library, his business has no place on LT, and b) if he violated the Terms of Use again, he'd be out for good. That was yesterday. We had it on our to-do list to monitor his account for the next few weeks.

He re-added the link to that promotional video, and that promotional profile comment to himself at some point after I clocked out last night, and, thanks to Spam Fighters!'s help, is now permanently suspended.

I'm sorry for the grief/confusion this one caused. If he comes back in another account, know that it is not with staff's okay.

>78 lorannen: We cheerfully keep an eye out. We like this site just the way it is.

>78 lorannen: Is he likely to go over your head and plead to Tim for reinstatement?

>80 gilroy: It seems unlikely, but if he does, Tim backs my play in these situations. He may ask me about the situation before replying, or he may just forward it back to me. :)

this author reviewed her own book- is it spam? it has already been flagged
http://www.librarything.com/work/19400876/reviews/140493337

>82 torontoc:

No, it is not. Authors are explicitly allowed by the TOS to review their own works. "While you can review your own book, be aware that the review will be marked as the author's." (Of course, that last part isn't true.) See https://www.librarything.com/about/authors

That review should get counter-flagged.

And to remind people, we were told back in 2010 that they were "working on an icon" to indicate author self-reviews. (My golden pony would be for users to be able to choose not to see said self-reviews, but I know that will never happen, so I'd settle for just an indicator I could use to mean "This is an ad, not a review.")

I find this review disturbing in its accusation. I tried personally messaging her and she deleted my message without reply. Maybe it isn't Holocaust denial and just unsupported slander against the author in particular ... I don't know ... I guess it has to stand, terrible as it is.

https://www.librarything.com/work/2619901/reviews/140870576

>85 Cecrow:

I don't see anything "terrible" about that review. There has been discussion about whether Wiesel may have exaggerated in his memoir, and even more discussion about his political views (particular his support for East Jerusalem settlement construction), which many view as hypocrisy. See, for instance: http://www.nybooks.com/articles/2010/05/27/open-letter-elie-wiesel/

>85 Cecrow: The user has positive reviews of other books about the Holocaust so looks like it is specific to that author. Strange, but not Holocaust denial.

>85 Cecrow: It reads like a review to me.

http://www.librarything.com/groups/dentalbooks
and topic. I find this very weird.

>89 MarthaJeanne: All my alarm bells are ringing there...

>90 lesmel: Maybe someone should leave a message on the profile? Hopefully no one will comment on the thread, so that it can be flagged and deleted (if necessary).

I'll go leave a question on the profile (guess I qualify as someone).

Profile, for the sake of completion:

http://www.librarything.com/profile/omega88

I've already flagged the message, and am about to flag the group too.

>89 MarthaJeanne:

I thought that looked odd, though he certainly has legit books catalogued.

>89 MarthaJeanne: et al: I'm not sure what to say. The group is gone, and of course, the topic with it. All those books were added just today. My comment's still there on the profile, but that doesn't mean much. I dunno.

I don't speak Spanish (or languages similar), but this still looks off to me:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/256715#

(Yes, I know I could use Google translate, but knowing how many people here have multiple languages, and how lazy I'm feeling, I'll wait a bit)

ETA: Apparently other people have read it. It'll be gone in a moment:

Translation:

Do not you live your dreams yet?
This Funny Story will keep you from Ignorance.
For all those who like eBooks, here I bring you the offer by launching my book ➡ Mom, I'll get to Mars !: 7 Learning to Live Your Dreams, just $ 0.99 dlls. Offer of limited duration.
Acquire your copy by clicking here (removed)

Profile:

http://www.librarything.com/profile/ManuelGarfio

>94 Lyndatrue: Looked like an author offering his book. Gone now.

https://www.librarything.com/topic/92339#6041417

suspicious looking.

>96 2wonderY:

Other than the poster having something against capitalization and punctuation, what's suspicious about it?

>97 lilithcat:, the part where he ends with "the story is called forgotten conquerer on royalroadL.com" which sounds like a promo, and that this poster has no library, no anything on his profile, and that is a verrrrry detailed story description.

Okay, I wanna say this is an enthusiastic author, but I suspect I'll be overruled. (Cecrow has already commented on the thread, so even if we flag it, it won't go away.)

http://www.librarything.com/topic/257216

I've not commented on the profile either.

>99 gilroy:

I agree with you. I think many authors, particularly self-published ones, are encouraged to go to every book-related site and talk about their books. I don't think there is any evil intent.

The topic should be flagged, though, but not the author.

Spam or TOS abuse?

https://www.librarything.com/work/5540974

>101 Taphophile13: a misunderstanding of the site, I'd say.
Neither spam or TOS

Member just joined to let LT know what they are doing on their site. Is it only an attempt to get traffic or should they be guided to the audiobooks group (https://www.librarything.com/groups/audiobooks)?

https://www.librarything.com/topic/258551#

Sure looks like advertising to me.

Although the account in >103 Taphophile13: is now gone, I'm still posting the profile for future reference.

https://www.librarything.com/profile/whatexists

I should have added that it was book advertising and therefore the profile should not be flagged.

>106 MarthaJeanne: It may have been flagged by folks who saw the posting. It was already suspended when I copied the profile to here, out of just a feeling of tidiness.

Okay, this one is odd? amusing? Apparently someone wants to be LT's agony aunt or advice columnist. (Or is bored.) There's no linking to another site or anything, so maybe just keep an eye on it?

http://www.librarything.com/topic/258934#
http://www.librarything.com/groups/adviceforurproblems
http://www.librarything.com/profile/Triniah21

>108 Taphophile13: I'm starring that thread. It could become entertaining.

>108 Taphophile13: Reads like a late teen/twenty something, with the grammar challenged text code. Otherwise, I'd just watch and see what happens...

>109 2wonderY: Someone could pose a hypothetical problem just to see what she comes up with.

>110 gilroy: I was thinking lonely teenager on a cell phone.

>111 Taphophile13: Yes, I am just that heartless.

>112 Lyndatrue: Problems in Ur. Love it.

(And yes, it's painful to read "text" or whatever passes for writing these days.)

Again, probably not spam but weird. Posting in Frequently Asked Questions, someone who just joined needs a ride. Doesn't say to where or when. Maybe she thinks we're associated with Uber.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/258973

>114 Taphophile13:

That's a strange one, indeed. But not spam, at least not yet.

>114 Taphophile13: She has also started a group http://www.librarything.com/groups/helpme

And posted in the KentuckyThing group, same query.

Stating that she would be very grateful (114) and is cute (117) is beginning to sound off. Why would anyone think to come here to request a ride?

>117 2wonderY: https://www.librarything.com/topic/176290#6072378

And why ask for a ride in South Carolina in the Kentucky group? Not that we really know where she wants to go.

I'm getting the impression she is in SC and wants to go to Ky, and maybe hopes that being young and cute will help pay her way?

Update: that "I need a ride" group garnered at least five flags (last I looked) and has now disappeared along with the profile.

She's still at it. http://www.librarything.com/topic/259077#

https://www.librarything.com/topic/256907#6073359

And, of course, here now.

You do realize that this is a book cataloguing site, don't you?

There's a theme to the user names too.
Somehow, suspect either bored teen or possibly something more nefarious.

This one looks like it might be Spam, but not sure. It's worth watching.

https://www.librarything.com/profile/sbbpsbhopal

>126 2wonderY: I admit it. I don't see how it *isn't* spam. I flagged it as such. Maybe it changed from when you first looked at it?

>126 2wonderY: Annnnd it's gone.

Dang, this one is weird.

Just joined today. Created the following group (I flagged it, because I'm heartless).

http://www.librarything.com/groups/informationretrieval

Profile:

http://www.librarything.com/profile/IrfanUllah (I haven't yet flagged the profile, although I did flag the topic/post in his "group").

http://www.librarything.com/topic/259708

I was going to post this directly in Spam Fighters, but I am not sure about it. Yes, I was sure enough to flag it, but that doesn't mean I won't remove the flags later on. I would not have noticed this (or his question) had he not filled the "About" section with other works, still visible if you click on About, even though they're deleted.

It's really odd, since this user demonstrates a fairly sophisticated knowledge of the workings of LT (except for asking his question in a place that he probably won't be visible in). He just joined today. Actually, I just removed both flags. I'm flat confused. I'm still leaving this post here. I'd love to hear someone else figure this out.

Why make a new group, instead of looking for an appropriate place to see if there were already kindred spirits here?

>129 Lyndatrue: Definitely a group to watch, but I don't think there's harm at the moment...

>129 Lyndatrue: I saw that one too. It looks as if he is looking for recommendations for further reading but going about it in such a way that he is unlikely to get answers. The book doesn't seem to have any suggestions so it may not be a subject that many members are interested in. I don't think it's flaggable as is, just not going to generate the desired response.

>129 Lyndatrue: I also thought 'weird' when I saw it, but probably not spam.

https://www.librarything.com/profile/HYSYNCLED

When I google the profile name, I get several identical postings at other sites

https://stocktwits.com/HYSYNCLED
https://hysyncled.wordpress.com/

and then multiple domain name registrations this spring.

>133 2wonderY: Odd to say the least. Bears watching but not spam—at least not yet.

It sure smells like a spam profile

http://www.librarything.com/profile/mestardigital

>136 2wonderY:

Faint aroma, but those are legit books catalogued.

>136 2wonderY: No. Not spam. Legit business cataloging their library.

Gosh this profile photo looks familiar -

https://www.librarything.com/profile/DennisHCoral

Does anyone else recall it from last week or so?

>139 2wonderY:

Nope! Must have missed it.

(Actually, looking at the "removed" page, I see a photo with a similar-looking individual, but it's not the same guy. Of course, that would be an author image, not a profile image.)

You decide - author seems to be asking a valid, interesting question about the idea of book trailers. But then posts the link to her own book trailer:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/260724#

http://www.librarything.com/profile/ValerioKRiley

>141 2wonderY: I think the author is walking the razor's edge. Though apparently enough people think otherwise that they've flagged the post.

That or they thought this was the spam reporting thread not the questioning thread.

Without the link, it would be fine. With the link it is at the very least advertising for the advertising.

>143 MarthaJeanne:

To me, the link is what makes it spam, at least in that forum. This would, in fact, be an appropriate query in Hobnob or Writer-Readers, but not in Book Talk.

>144 lilithcat:, same impression. It felt to me like the book trailer question was just a red herring to disguise the ad.

https://www.librarything.com/work/19783363

Given Tim's rule that anything that isn't a commercial solicitation can be cataloged here at LT, I don't see why the above was tagged as spam. The review gives details of the item's physical description, but nothing about it says commercial advertising to me.

Any guesses?

I think that someone has cataloged his camera, the same way people have cataloged dolls, toys, paintings, etc. I think I even once saw a sheet of that old dot-matrix printer paper in someone's library. I don't see anything spamy about this one, just a bit odd, but odd happens here.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/264819
http://www.librarything.com/groups/shuraih99
http://www.librarything.com/profile/Shuraih

Might be Hausa, but I was not able to get a clear translation.

Might be author spam. The only book entered was combined into http://www.librarything.com/work/16175226/editions, but I separated the two editions.

I'm leaning toward author spam

>150 Collectorator: All gone. Works, profile suspended, and group/topic removed. Actually, I have no idea whether the "works" are still there (although I voted yes on your spam suggestion for both, so there's that).

https://www.librarything.com/topic/13512

Not really sure what relationship this person has to the book, but ad-like text, new member, posting in a topic from 2007 to 2012.

>152 MarthaJeanne: Pushing their personal Facebook group about it too?

>152 MarthaJeanne: But there does not seem to be a new edition, just horribly overpriced old copies from decades ago.

new self-published author started a group for discussions of his book

https://www.librarything.com/groups/alanparrysmysteries

>156 2wonderY: Yes, it's spam to set up a group to discuss your novel.

>156 2wonderY: That member has been removed. Guess he wasn't interested in a site that doesn't want him spamming.

Some spam indicators. Will check back on these.

https://www.librarything.com/profile/PhysicalTherapySJC

https://www.librarything.com/profile/dangerber
because of the homepage: http://onlinecasinomitstartguthaben.org

https://www.librarything.com/topic/265033#

Okay, so this one feels like it should be spam, but I'm not 100% sure. The links at the end of the post are both external links, not to anything internal.

>160 gilroy: Subtle, but definitely Spam.

Keeping an eye on this new member

http://www.librarything.com/profile/Meikarta_City

https://www.librarything.com/topic/265478

Um, not real sure, but it doesn't feel like they are talking about Author or Venue pictures with this post.

Hmm, "interested in web development"

One to watch
http://www.librarything.com/profile/cerrajzgz2589

http://www.librarything.com/profile/John26Jones
just joined and flogged his new book on the Club Read site

>165 torontoc: So you're asking us if him flogging his book on the Club Read site is spam?

The posts, yes, the user, no.

If you're reporting spam, this isn't the right thread.

An incoherent post by a new member

http://www.librarything.com/topic/265746#

Keeping an eye on it.

>162 2wonderY:

That is certainly odd.

>167 2wonderY: I don't find that incoherent - it's just life ;-)

Also s/he gets points for posting in 'Name that book'.

>167 2wonderY:

Incoherent posts are specifically not flaggable.

>170 lorax:

Yes, I know that. Spammers have been known to post nonsense or near nonsense and then come back and edit, placing spam material in the post that has had a look-see and passed the first spam review. As I said, it's listed here to check back on it later.

>171 2wonderY:

Spammers have been known to post nonsense or near nonsense and then come back and edit, placing spam material in the post that has had a look-see and passed the first spam review.

Yeah, I know that too. This one doesn't feel like a spam probe to me, but who knows.

https://www.librarything.com/profile/hairstyles
see https://www.librarything.com/pic/5911851

Can't tell if this is commercial or just ego.

https://www.librarything.com/profile/Donald_Trump

Is this a legacy library, a troll, or a satire account? Anyone know?

>173 2wonderY: Apparently, everyone thought it spam.

>174 gilroy: I noticed that the only "friend" of that account is the guy who just used a politicized slur in a response to you on the Dewey thread, so I think it's likely a troll and should be watched for abuse/harassment

>174 gilroy: Some right wing nutcase, but not the Donald. This guy has read 34 books!

Oops, that was flaggable, maybe.

>177 2wonderY: But many of them are about himself!

I'd been looking up an author that sounded interesting, and the search tool's *second* suggestion for the author was a published review. "What the heck?" (I said) what's going on here? Well, it turns out that *this* is going on:

http://www.librarything.com/author/reviewsexpertbook

http://www.librarything.com/profile/ExpertBookReviews

Personally, my first (second, and third) response is to just flag the crap out of both of them. However, I'm just now finishing my first cup of coffee (yeah, it's late, don't ask), and I recognize that I lack civilization without that second cup.

I'm interested in opinions here. It's a free account (no surprise), and looks like it's just traveled under the radar.

>179 Lyndatrue: All the reviews are Amazon links which don't work.

http://www.librarything.com/profile_reviews.php?view=ExpertBookReviews

Someone has already red flagged them. The profile page looks as if they are trying to drum up business for themselves—okay for publishers/authors—but this looks different to me. Maybe TPTB should take a look?

Guess we can add these "authors" into the mix.

http://www.librarything.com/author/bookbuddy

http://www.librarything.com/author/summariessavetime

This is an ugly mess. I've just made a note on lorannen's profile about it.

>181 Lyndatrue:

Well, as to Save Time Summaries, those are actual things. Kind of like Cliffs Notes.

https://www.librarything.com/groups/joklkl
https://www.librarything.com/profile/rajiya

At the moment it's just a jumble of letters.

new member inviting us to follow him on twitter and read his blog

https://www.librarything.com/topic/266615#

>184 Taphophile13: Topic is gone (I was the fourth flag), and I also flagged the profile (because I'm heartless and cruel).

http://www.librarything.com/profile/mrangelalago

https://www.librarything.com/profile/peter36

The above user sent out a mass notice to everyone who'd reviewed a certain book, claiming to be doing research for an essay. Personally, I erased the message (wish I saved it to give to staff) but it feels iffy to me. Especially since they are new and have no books cataloged.

>186 gilroy: I've already flagged one today. If I'd received the message myself, I'd probably flag this one too. I dunno. I think that these borderline cases are getting pretty iffy. You can still point it out to staff, since it's clear that the notice sent was received by plenty of others.

Not Spam, but worth watching

http://www.librarything.com/profile/sunnydhiman42

I think someone clicked the wrong link here, as this seems a legit book:
https://www.librarything.com/work/4649397

I own that book!

I understand how someone could hit a wrong button. But why did someone vote yes?

Il Paradiso seems a legit book? How could there be any question about that?

>191 lilithcat: You came after the spam vote had already completed and cleared.

>192 gilroy:

So what was it before?

https://www.librarything.com/profile/gracelewiss

Okay, looking at the "library" of this person, I want to say spam, but need someone else to talk me down and say I'm wrong.

>194 gilroy: Looks spammy to me. Hawking a bunch of apps all by her.

Take a look at her author page:
https://www.librarything.com/author/gracelewis&all=1

flaging all of them as spam works as well, including "UBER FOR MASSAGES DELIVERING THE BENEFITS OF DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE" (Uber drivers who give massages?)

ETA: All "books" are manual entry, not found on Amazon or OCLC. Grace Lewis is also unknown on OCLC.

ETA2: just found this title: BRING SPICE AND FUN INTO YOUR CHRISTMAS PARTY WITH ON DEMAND APP CLONE FOR ESCORTS

>194 gilroy:

Oh, yes. That is definitely spam.

I would argue that book publishers who establish a profile solely for the purpose of directing people to their website is no different than any other seller.

https://www.librarything.com/profile/ProdigyGold

>197 2wonderY: Not really spam, but they should get the standard author message switched to publisher (including publisher page instead of author page.)

>197 2wonderY: I cannot take seriously someone who willingly posts the following:

"It’s mission is to showcase..."

Dammit, there is NO apostrophe in the possessive. None. Zero. Zilch.

I just posted the message suggested by >198 MarthaJeanne:, not that it'll make much difference. I will happily flag the profile if there's even ONE instance of spam, though.

ETA: Well, every now and then, you end up with a pleasant surprise. I got a nearly immediate response to my canned message, asking whether it was a generic warning, or if there was a rule that had been broken. I am always so happy when someone actually appears to be paying attention.

(I also pointed out the typo, because I can't help it.)

>199 Lyndatrue: They obviously read your answer, too. Typo is fixed.

https://www.librarything.com/profile/chandigarhivf

About me: Dr. Umesh N Jindal is a pioneer; a dynamic and progressive leader with over 30 years of experience in the field of infertility.She was the first to start specialized infertility services in Chandigarh including assisted reproduction techniques such as IUI, IVF and ICSI. Thousands of babies have been born with these techniques. Her centre Jindal IVF and Sant Memorial Nursing Home in Sector 20 is well equipped with a state of art and ICMR and ISAR accredited IVF laboratory and equipment. Comprehensive infertility services including endoscopy, IVF-ET, ICSI, sperm bank, embryo cryofreezing, ICSI with testicular sperm and assisted hatching are provided at this centre with excellent results.

>201 2wonderY: Yeah, I just flagged it as such, as well. Ugh. I don't know why people show up to flog their business on our little book cataloging site. Does she honestly think that a site which caters to people that are mostly in the US and Europe will make appointments to see her in India?

Take a look at this new profile

https://www.librarything.com/profile/Daisy221

I think it's just there to give the dissertation site web presence. Take a look at the About me:

"Hello, I am Daisy Simpson, a university professor,and I like to believe that I'm a very good professional freelance writer. Passionate about to writing and charity. Now I work as editor at dissertation help ."

I certainly wouldn't trust paying a writer to do my homework if they can't manage a few sentences without at least 4 glaring mistakes.

And then she mis-spells library.

And that looks like a stock photo.

Web search finds the same boilerplate in about five different places, including LinkedIn.
And I agree. Stock photo.

I left a message. Let's see if anyone responds to it.

https://www.librarything.com/topic/268790
https://www.librarything.com/topic/268789
https://www.librarything.com/profile/Catherine.Newsome

Just joined, advertising a play adaption of a mystery. (At least in the right groups) but no books catalogued...

>207 gilroy:

It's a commercial advertisement. So, yes, it's spam.

New member, evergreen88 sent me a profile post:

"Hi-- I see that you are an active user/sharer on LibraryThing. I'm an entrepreneur developing a social business network that focuses on sharing of activities (including books read), interests, and favorites (all time favorites books) to connect with others. As you are someone that seems to enjoy sharing online, I was hoping that I could ask you a few questions regarding LibraryThing and my app.

Thanks,
Chris"

Smells Spammy. What think y'all?

I'd point him/her to the Terms of Use.

>209 2wonderY: I'd point lorannen at them

I got that, too. Smells like spam to me.

I got it as well. Seems very spammy to me.

If you all got it, it is by definition spam.

>214 anglemark:

By most definitions, yes, but LT's are stricter than most, which is why I'm calling it "very spammy". I've blocked the offender, but given how very dire the warning about "misusing" spam flags are, I haven't flagged them.

Thanks for the heads-up, folks! I don't think >209 2wonderY: is a suspend-able offense on its own, but they definitely need a warning (especially considering they sent the same message to MANY LT members). I'll drop them a note momentarily, and will monitor the account to see if they continue. If they do, I'll suspend them at that point.

I'm also talking with Tim about whether we want to add any specific language to our Terms about such solicitations. I've seen a small handful of them recently, and it would be easier to have it laid out clearly.

https://www.librarything.com/groups/mossclancedarclanhea
https://www.librarything.com/topic/269450
https://www.librarything.com/profile/Poppyflame

Saw this appear yesterday and I just... I don't know. I'm lost completely what this person is trying to do. They have no books catalogued. (Is this supposed to be a list/catalog and they just don't know the features? A let's pretend group?)

Any thoughts?

>217 gilroy: It's Warrior Cats. There are five other (at least) existing groups for this.

>218 lesmel: So you're saying just new user who's still learning to look around. Got it.

>219 gilroy: The fans of Erin Hunter's Warriors books (mostly tweens and early teens) love to roleplay characters and stories from the series--they have an unfortunate tendency to do it in reviews of completely unrelated books on Barnes and Noble. It looks like an effort to get another RP group going.

It seems it's a moot point, as someone deleted the group.

New profile doesn't cross the line quite.

Very self-promoting though.

https://www.librarything.com/profile/tsnandakumar

https://www.librarything.com/profile/Gerry3233

Someone help me with the translation of the books, please? It's failing my valid book test, but I don't want to mark spam when they are legit...

Never mind. Confirmed spam.

I ran it through Google Translate. Gregarious spam. Flag on!

Not sure what to make of this:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/271055
http://www.librarything.com/profile/DanaFoxx

An empty profile, just the one post that doesn't seem terribly related to books.

>225 Helenliz: Both gone now, which is probably as it should be.

https://www.librarything.com/profile/balvinderss

Anyone had a profile post from this person? I have had a message thanking me for the 'information I provide' and including a link to "Lucky Patcher APK Download" - not followed, needless to say.

ETA balvinderss has been removed for unusual activity.

I retrieved this topic from the possible Spam folder:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/272790

and looked at the profile to see why it might have landed there in the first place, and was startled to see the profile picture:
https://www.librarything.com/profile/benammar

So I checked out his groups. One appears to be a book discussion group, but I can't figure this one:
https://www.librarything.com/groups/bounhasgroupe

Posts are very cryptic.
All of the members have created groups that seem to duplicate; some are private.

Are these members scholars?

Or is it a group of Tunisian terrorists?

edit: Okay, I'm satisfied these are scholars. Master GIDN appears to be a school program. What's with the uzi?

>228 2wonderY: They now have created at least 17 non-private groups, as well as the post in Book Talk.

I think it fair to say that they don't understand how the site works.

Apparently they are trying to work out the site objectives:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/272658

>228 2wonderY:, >229 MarthaJeanne:, >230 Taphophile13: I just rescued another post from the folder of doom. Someone (and by that, I mean not me) needs to send them a message or two, or comment on their thread(s), or in their group(s), and give them some hints as to where to get a feel for what the site's about, and how to go about things.

Can anyone who speaks French point them to some of the existing French-language groups on LT?

https://www.librarything.com/profile/agaricpro53

This is an Indonesian library, from what Google Translate pulls up. It looks like they are tracking medical information. I can't find advertisements, unless it's part of the google reviews.

To me, the reviews might be bad, but nothing breaches the terms of service that I can find. But I've been known to be wrong, so came here to ask.

ETA: And now the book that made me look has been voted as spam:
https://www.librarything.com/work/20578754&spam=1

>234 gilroy:
The reviews seem to go to various websites such as
AgaricPro My Herbal. Google translation gives: "AgaricPro fermented herbal products are multicomplex usefulness, a million benefits for health, Whatever the disease, The Only Solution With Herbal Medicine AgaricPro." Looks like spam to me.

>235 Taphophile13: My aversion to clicking links in reviews got me in trouble here. Got it. Spam it is.

>236 gilroy:

I'm not averse to clicking links per se, but I'm not going to click blindly on link-shortener links.

https://www.librarything.com/topic/273266

https://www.librarything.com/profile/TEAFLOOR

https://www.librarything.com/work/20582747/reviews/147726470

Review is a spam I see..

>238 Yamanekotei:

If you are sure something is spam, you can use the Spam reporting threads: http://www.librarything.com/topic/269681

Profile and post to watch:
https://www.librarything.com/profile/mikebrassil
https://www.librarything.com/topic/253358#6233260

Okay, didn't get a chance to go back and check, did this become spam after I posted this?

Author/publisher https://www.librarything.com/profile/Wagner1
is sending out lots of friend requests.

Not flaggable at this time, but I wanted to have a record here.

>241 MarthaJeanne: Been here since 2007. Should know better, unless his account got hacked.

>241 MarthaJeanne: Man, when I actually *looked* at his "works" it made me want to flag them all. Most of them are NOT works, not even sort of. What kind of person makes word lists, and then puts them as a work? The "reviews" are even worse. If I had the time, I'd run through that cheesy catalog, and flag 90% of them. Maybe more.

ETA: Please note that every review he's made (all on his own books, of course) is red-flagged, and with reason.

>243 Lyndatrue: Years ago I was asked to translate operating manuals for welding equipment. I was very hesitant until I read the previous translations. Whether or not they were technically correct, they weren't English. In order to do the job, I used two books. The first was a welding textbook in English. The second was a multilingual welding dictionary from East Germany. I believe there were six columns, and several of the languages were Slavic. Anyway, this sort of thing is very useful if you need technical vocabulary for a special field. Even if the terms are in a regular dictionary at all, the specific meaning may not be included.

But I agree about the reviews.

>244 MarthaJeanne: a propos of nothing. When I was doing my PhD, a colleague needed a scientific paper in Japanese translating. The embassy offer a translation service, only it was clearly not a technical translation, because in her field of magnetic fields, the paper came back describing magnetic meadows.

>245 Helenliz: lol! Bad joke of a day.

Re 241 He had sent out massive friend requests multiple times already in the past. And he has been around long enough. Does it make this account a bit closer to be flagged?