) asking what spam is. So I've decided to write a dissertation on the topic to help everyone out. The wonderful topic of.. SPAM! 
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Here's the answer to our first question:
WHAT is spam?
There are two definitions of the word 'spam.' The first definition of the word- the true definition- is a nutrition-less, fattening, canned meat product that induces vomit. Here are some examples of this type of spam:
^^An example of spam OUTSIDE the can and uncut.
^^A picture of spam INSIDE the can, away from human eyes
.Mmmmm...! Don't you just wanna eat it? *cough*
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The second definition, and the most commonly used definition on this board, is worthless, idle, needless posts full of nonsense. They might be one word in length, one single smiley, a whole group of random smileys, or some combinations of the previously stated spam
. Spam is also posting tons of different posts on tons of different threads in a very short amount of time; when this happens the posts tend to have a lack of substance, and thus fall under the category of 'spam'. Spam can even be a one-way conversation between two people. Here are some examples of spam on The ToO:One-Way Conversation Spam Example
^^There is an example of a one-way conversation. It is considered spam. All one-way conversations (even if they could technically fit the rules and guide-lines of certain threads) should be done by Private Messaging. We have been having a lot of problems with one-way spamming as of late.
^^Here is an example of a one smiley spam post:crying:
.^^There is an example of a spam post simply saying "Spam" in multiple different colorsSPAM
SPAM
SPAM
^^Here is an example of a one word spam post.hah
^^And finally, here is an example of a spam post with multiple different smileys and the word 'spam' written over and over again.SPAM, SPAM, SPAM, SPAM, SPAM, SPAM, SPAM, SPAM, SPAM, SPAM, SPAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And now I will post funny, random smilies no one ever uses.
As you can see, there are many ways to spam.
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Now that we've established what exactly spam is, I will answer the next question:
WHY is spam so bad?
Spam is bad for multiple reasons. The first reason is that it clogs message boards with meaningless chat- multiple posts that mean nothing.
Another reason is that it ups people's post counts when they really haven't posted anything worthwhile, and that's not fair to the rest of the members who DON'T spam.
Spamming makes more work for the moderators and administrators- it takes a lot of time and effort to go through entire threads to delete spam.
I've witnessed first hand what spam does to a board- it RUINS it. You go into threads and find a bunch of nonsense instead of meaningful discussion. A board full of spam turns off decent would-be-members and attracts spammers in their place. Eventually, a board full of spam deteriorates so much that is either ceases to exist, or becomes so horrible that all the good members leave.
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WHY do people spam?
Some people spam just to run their post counts up, but a high post count full of spam isn't worth anything at all
. Also, when the admins and mods delete your spam, it disappears from your post count, and nothing is accomplished.Lots of people spam to make more money, but what they don't understand is that spam doesn't make them money. When people only post one or two words, all that happens is their POST count goes up, but they don't gain any more jack. You get paid for posts according to how many characters you use. Therefore, when you do a post with only one word, you make next to NO money. Basically, the bigger you make your posts, the more money you get. When you spam, you make next to nothing, if you make anything at all
.Sometimes people spam to be funny
. Most of the time, people who spam for laughs leave a little note at the bottom of their spam post like this person did:________________________________________JesusIsAlive wrote:
I can haz kool spamming skillz...
Help us STOP spam!
If you see spam, report it to a moderator or an admin. If you feel you simply HAVE to spam, make sure you ONLY do it in Hillingdale Haven, and PLEASE, do it in moderation, however I suggest that you refrain from spamming whenever possible.
Thank you!
~Iron and Light
Disclaimer: All examples used in this spam sticky were found in Hillingdale Haven and the crazy Padded Room
. I am not pointing fingers at anyone, just using their examples as illustrations .
. I'm not blaming anyone- just wanted to let everyone know what spam is. Some of you have been doing it unknowingly.
" - American Eagle
Very nice I&L!! The wonders of spam...
Rapid posting of posts with substance,... well, that would be a sight to see 
In a certain erra there lived a trio of swine who sought to construct protective domiciles from the eminant attak of the malevilant canus lupas~~ Eugene Meltzner - I want my BTV