Weekly Help Desk Updates - March 15th, 2008

Introduction

Welcome to the weekly Help Desk Updates. In these weekly updates we will attempt to bring you the most up to date news concerning the Help Desk & FAQ, as well as provide some helpful hints for super duper deviantART fun.

Hexe's Corner

This week we're happy to report the backlog mentioned last week is all cleared up and we apologize for any inconvenience the backlog caused users.

Now that the backlog is cleared we can begin focusing on the new series of guides, mentioned in last weeks article that are aimed at getting the most out of your help desk experience.

Ewm's Corner

Recently we have received numerous inquiries concerning deviants receiving a message informing them that they were spamming. Please note that this is not a bug or error, this is actually caused by a feature to help prevent spamming that commonly occurs in comments.

This spam blocking system looks for several types of behaviors or situations which are common to spam bots and other scripts that are used for spamming. These behaviors trigger the spam block and deny you from commenting. For nonbot deviants the most common behavior causing the spam block to be triggered is repeating the same type of comment over and over at a fast pace, which the spam block system views as spamming. A good example of this is thanking all of the deviants who faved a particular deviation.

If you should happen to be blocked from commenting it is only temporary and as long as you aren't spamming no action against you will occur. The best thing to do is take a break from commenting and try again at a later time.

y2jenn's Corner

If you haven't noticed already a "report as spam" link is now attached to comments. When clicked it makes a note of the spam report in the logs associated with the reported deviant's account. But what happens when this link is accidentally clicked? Never fear, deviant! No action will be taken against the deviant unless they were actually spamming. The system is set up to function based on volume, so a single report made by mistake will not result in any administrative action. Please know that if you do accidentally click this link it's not necessary for you to contact us at the Help Desk and let us know that it was a mistake. We'll simply point you in the direction of "FAQ #24: I just tagged someones comment as spam by mistake, will anything happen to the user?", as a gentle reminder to be a little more careful in the future, as there currently is not a way to undo it.

Weekly Tip

Did you ever wonder if there is a minimum size requirement for deviations being submitted to the Photography galleries? Well there is! For more information, please click here.

Top 10 Of The Week

FAQ #568: I tried to create an account, but it says i am banned. Why?
FAQ #81: How can I make links to other deviants, deviations, or websites?
FAQ #113: How can I close my deviantART account?
FAQ #831: Why can't just anyone submit film?
FAQ #716: I was told to make sure I have Javascript enabled. How do I do this?
FAQ #88: How do I add images to my Journal?
FAQ #104: What HTML formatting can we use on deviantART? And what is the format for these codes?
FAQ #168: How do I add a deviantID to my devious information? What is the recommended size of a deviantID?
FAQ #634: Why was my deviation relocated or moved?
FAQ #106: What are the symbols in front of each deviants nickname?

Recently Revised Or New Entries

New -

FAQ #31: I am unable to post comments because the site informed me I was spamming. What is going on?

Revised -

FAQ #1: How do I locate new deviation submissions on deviantART?
FAQ #300: What does Critique Preference mean, and how can I change it?
FAQ #756: I was told to update my browser. How do I do this?

Important News Articles this Week

I Want YOU! Yes, YOU!
deviantART's Flash Preloader

Help Desk Guides

How To Guides:

How to: Submit a Help Desk inquiry
How to: Submit a Bug Report
How to: Submit a Chat Inquiry
How to: Submit a General Help Inquiry
How to: Submit a Subscription Inquiry
How to: Submit a Ban Inquiry
How to: Submit a Policy Inquiry
How to: Submit a Harassment Report


Hey Hexe:

Hey Hexe! Installment #1
Hey Hexe! Installment #2
Hey Hexe! Installment #3
Hey Hexe! Installment #4
Hey Hexe! Installment #5
Hey Hexe! Installment #6
Hey Hexe! Installment #7







( If you have concerns over a bug you are experiencing, please direct your attention to the Status Forum, if you do not see your bug listed there, please direct questions to the Help Desk and do not post them in response to this article as they may not be seen right away. Thank you!)