How long does it take a new member to prove they're not a spammer or a bot?

I've made 21 posts over most of a week, yet still, anything with a link in it (even if I just quote someone who posted a link) gets held for moderator review.

And I still can't have a signature.

And I'm not allowed to post on my profile page.

(which by the way has a limit of three sentences, and that may be dissuading members from filling out their "About Me' section at all (Oh it'll certainly stop me anyway).
I cant see why a paragraph or two on a profile would be a bad thing.

I ask because being a forum animal for years, I well understand the need to screen for spammers, as new members make accounts,
but spammers generally reveal themselves in their very first post, so I'm beginning to wonder if this lengthy probation is happening because no one is watching and so it will never will be over for me if I don't ask. (

The system just doesn't like you. .


Seriously though, our spam filter is constantly changing its algorithms based on what we delete as spam, etc. We don't have any control over that and also when it will decide that your are not an evil spammer. We can override it and tell the system that you are ok, which I just did, but once in a while, things still get caught up. If it does, give a yell. Just Pm one of the Mods. .

Have no fear, we are watching. .

Hello! Welcome to TCS!

I'm sorry that spammers are making things harder for contributing members like you. As you understand, there are a lot of them, and there just aren't enough hammers around to pound them into the cat litter every time we see them. The system is in place to discourage them -- you'd be surprised at how long some of them stick around just to spam!

It shouldn't be long though before the system learns that you are on Cat Santa's good list. Sometimes Cat Santa sleeps a little more than he should and doesn't do a very good job in the automated process, so posts mistakenly gets held for review. Our elf moderators are pretty good at approving posts though, but I understand it can be frustrating to have the posts held in the meantime. Cat Santa requests that you be patient, and in the meantime I have sent a priority message to the elves to make sure that your posts gets on Cat Santa's good list soon!

As for signatures, TCS has a tiered unlock system, whereby as you are more active on the forums, Cat Santa secretly provides you with the key to do more fun stuffs around the site. Cat Santa doesn't always make it clear who gets the key, but here is a cheat sheet:

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/242191/promotions-and-benefits

For signatures, that means 20 posts and 5 days of membership, which you have just passed. Once again, I apologize as Cat Santa seems to be asleep again (if you know anyone who would do a good job as an automated Cat Santa, send them here to apply!) so it may take some time before the ability to edit signature is unlocked.

Let us know if you run into any more issues (hope not!)

On your Admin page, it does have you listed as a Young Cat now, although your badge hasn't caught up. I'd try adding in a signature to see if it works now.

Oh thank you so much.
I hope I didn't come across as grumbling about it.
Thank you!