# The spam-slayers of planet Dope **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [January 27, 2012, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spam-slayers-of-planet-dope/610896 "2012-01-27T19:52:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spam-slayers-of-planet-dope/610896/1 "2012-01-27T19:52:50Z")
In today’s behind-the-scenes peek at Modville, let me introduce you to a super-secret thread that only the Straight Dope staff can see. It’s called “Spam-a-lot.” In it, we document each spammer that we ban. On a good day, we kill the spammer and the spam posts before people even notice. That thread has just hit a major milestone: its TEN THOUSANDth post! Yes, boys and girls, that’s 10,000 spammers swatted since the thread began in 2005. And some of those posts record multiple kills, so the actual number of spammers is considerably higher than that. What do we do in our spare time? This! A few fun facts about Spam-a-lot: [ul] [li]The thread began on 04-20-2005, when **SamClem** banned **AnTiDruG** (you can’t make this stuff up).[/li][li]By far the most prolific canned-meat hunter is **Marley23** , with 6,025 confirmed kills.[/li][li]Only **Marley** and **Sam** have personally banned over 1,000 spammers.[/li][li]Ten different staff members have banned over 100 spammers each. Two others are very close to that number. The rest of us are obviously slackers.[/li][li]This is one of the longest threads in the history of the Straight Dope, and only 29 people have ever posted to it.[/li][li]The mod/admin with the fewest posts to Spam-a-lot is **TVeblen** , who posted to it only once.[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spam-slayers-of-planet-dope/610896/2 "2012-01-27T20:02:59Z")
“Over 100”? I have 672 posts, and am in laggardly third place on the all-time list. Just sayin’. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spam-slayers-of-planet-dope/610896/3 "2012-01-27T20:07:04Z")
[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:1, topic:610896”] [li]The mod/admin with the fewest posts to Spam-a-lot is **TVeblen** , who posted to it only once.[/li][/LIST] [/QUOTE] Slacker. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spam-slayers-of-planet-dope/610896/4 "2012-01-27T20:18:12Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > “Over 100”? I have 672 posts, and am in laggardly third place on the all-time list. > > Just sayin’. Let me rephrase that: [ul] [li]Only three mods, one of which is **twickster** , have made over 670 posts to the Spam-a-lot thread[/li][/ul] > [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > Slacker. 😛 To be fair, he resigned as a moderator shortly after that thread started. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spam-slayers-of-planet-dope/610896/5 "2012-01-27T20:20:54Z")
[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:4, topic:610896”] Let me rephrase that: [ul] [li]Only three mods, one of which is **twickster** , have made over 670 posts to the Spam-a-lot thread[/li][/ul] [/QUOTE] One of whom. 😛 Thank you. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spam-slayers-of-planet-dope/610896/6 "2012-01-27T20:26:28Z")
BUY NOW VIAGRA CIALIS !!! USPS - Fast Delivery Shipping 1-4 day USA Best quality drugs Worldwide shipping Professional packaging 100% guarantee on delivery Best prices in the market Discounts for returning customers FDA approved productas 350000+ satisfied customers Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spam-slayers-of-planet-dope/610896/7 "2012-01-27T20:28:47Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > BUY NOW VIAGRA CIALIS !!! > > USPS - Fast Delivery Shipping 1-4 day USA > Best quality drugs > Worldwide shipping > Professional packaging > 100% guarantee on delivery > Best prices in the market > Discounts for returning customers > FDA approved productas > 350000+ satisfied customers > > Regards, > Shodan Don’t tempt me. I’d love to get to 673. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spam-slayers-of-planet-dope/610896/8 "2012-01-27T20:43:13Z")
Do **Marley** ’s numbers include the time he banned all of us? Because I can see how that would inflate his stats. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spam-slayers-of-planet-dope/610896/9 "2012-01-27T20:48:16Z")
Do you have any automated stuff plugged in/turned on? > **[Anti-Spam Options - \[GlowHost\] Spam-O-Matic - Spam Firewall stops forum spam...](https://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=248042)** > > Anti-Spam Options - \[GlowHost\] Spam-O-Matic - Spam Firewall stops forum spam vBulletin 4.x Add-ons [https://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php/377906-How-to-prevent-spammers-from-registering-on-your-forum](https://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php/377906-How-to-prevent-spammers-from-registering-on-your-forum) [https://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php/359107-How-to-Reduce-Spam-and-Registration-Bots](https://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php/359107-How-to-Reduce-Spam-and-Registration-Bots) Apparently vB 4.0 has built in spam detectors. ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spam-slayers-of-planet-dope/610896/10 "2012-01-27T20:48:26Z")
**Marley** , my man, you are _ **NEVER** _ going to live that one down. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spam-slayers-of-planet-dope/610896/11 "2012-01-27T21:00:46Z")
Apparently I only merit a Certificate of Participation. But watch out! \*Any of you fucking pricks move, and I’ll ban every motherfucking last one of ya! \* Oh wait. **Marley** already did that 😃 ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spam-slayers-of-planet-dope/610896/12 "2012-01-27T21:43:48Z")
[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:1, topic:610896”] In today’s behind-the-scenes peek at Modville, let me introduce you to a super-secret thread that only the Straight Dope staff can see. It’s called “Spam-a-lot.” In it, we document each spammer that we ban. On a good day, we kill the spammer and the spam posts before people even notice. [/QUOTE] This thread is no good without a link! [Don’t worry folks, unlike some other people here that won’t become my catchphrase] ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spam-slayers-of-planet-dope/610896/13 "2012-01-27T21:52:08Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > One of whom. 😛 That’s it, woman. In the next game of Words with Friends (unlike three of the last four), you are going **down**! > [@Shodan](#): > > BUY NOW VIAGRA CIALIS !!! I will not take the cheese. I will not take the cheese. I will not take the cheese. 😃 > [@silenus](#): > > Do **Marley** ’s numbers include the time he banned all of us? Because I can see how that would inflate his stats. Amazingly enough, no. > [@CarnalK](#): > > Do you have any automated stuff plugged in/turned on? Yes, although I’d rather not discuss details. The spammers are watching. Shhhhh. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spam-slayers-of-planet-dope/610896/14 "2012-01-27T22:09:44Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > BUY NOW VIAGRA CIALIS !!! > > USPS - Fast Delivery Shipping 1-4 day USA > Best quality drugs > Worldwide shipping > Professional packaging > 100% guarantee on delivery > Best prices in the market > Discounts for returning customers > FDA approved productas > 350000+ satisfied customers > > Regards, > Shodan > [@twickster](#): > > Don’t tempt me. I’d love to get to 673. Careful, Shodan. She’s trying to stiff you! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spam-slayers-of-planet-dope/610896/15 "2012-01-27T22:26:33Z")
> [@Ellen\_Cherry](#): > > Apparently I only merit a Certificate of Participation. But watch out! > > \*Any of you fucking pricks move, and I’ll ban every motherfucking last one of ya! \* > > Oh wait. **Marley** already did that 😃 Tell that moderator to be cool! Say moderator, be cool! ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spam-slayers-of-planet-dope/610896/16 "2012-01-27T22:45:19Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Do **Marley** ’s numbers include the time he banned all of us? Because I can see how that would inflate his stats. He’s always been a post fluffer. ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spam-slayers-of-planet-dope/610896/17 "2012-01-27T22:46:11Z")
I do believe I own the patent on that thread since I created it after hunting down and then pulling in multiple spam threads and one-off spam posts into one giant spammy explosion. (The thread was created/merged in March of '07, but the first post goes back to April of '05, with **samclem** holding the honors.) I fully expect royalties any day now… Also, the number doesn’t include all the ban-hammered spammers not listed due to sheer documentation laziness. (Some days it was easier to ban and disappear 'em than to also collect all of the identifying info.) ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spam-slayers-of-planet-dope/610896/18 "2012-01-27T22:47:26Z")
If we’re to make our own categories, how about a “Most Spammers Killed In the Shortest Amount of Time Being a Mod”? No, wait, **Marley** may hold that one, too. Seriously, though, it’s been fun. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spam-slayers-of-planet-dope/610896/19 "2012-01-27T23:07:43Z")
So I’m not the only one who screams “die, pig, die” before hitting “delete post as spam”? ---
**Author:** ![Wilson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spam-slayers-of-planet-dope/610896/20 "2012-01-28T00:06:35Z")
[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:4, topic:610896”] To be fair, he resigned as a moderator shortly after that thread started. [/QUOTE] Was that before or after her sex-change operation? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spam-slayers-of-planet-dope/610896.md?page=2)