An effective way to filter SMS-speak?

This was the first post by a member! This is just an extreme example of the irritating SMS-speak-laced posts that periodically invite gentle chidings from other members. Those protestations possibly do work, but only for those particular offenders. Unfortunately the same story repeats itself over and over and over again, with other new members (hopefully this is a problem with new members only, until they know better).

So is it possible to have a more effective solution to this problem (and some others too)? I propose that new members be shown something like this warning page before they can finally submit their posts:

... followed by a checkbox indicating agreement, and a "Submit" button. This warning will be shown for the first few posts only (say 10, the same number that qualifies one for PMs).

This is an idea that just may work. If required, SMS-speak specific warnings may also be shown.

What do you all think? Could this be easily implemented (after appropriate refinements)?
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One warning (or two) and after that closed account.
IndiaMike is a joke and travel agency for some people.

Suricate, when was the last time you read, for instance, an End-User Licensing Agreement before clicking on the I-Agree-to-this button and using the software?

The rule about SMS and plain English is there for those who read those rules. The rule about travel agents not allowed is is in big red letters during the registration process and impossible not to see. Like all rules, it still gets ignored by some.

I think that the current mechanism of peer pressure and moderation does work and is the best way to go.

I did think about signing EULA. Yes, many don't read those. But I do think most are at least aware of the gist (I'd be surprised if one has never ever read an EULA, -- they are usually pretty similar with respect to the broad framework). If it doesn't serve any purpose at all, why does every single software insist on showing it during installation?

There is one important distinction though. For softwares the violations may not be easy to track and punish. But that is not the case at IM. Yes, any warning might be ignored by some, but certainly not by all. We stand to gain to that extent. And we shall have a good way of introducing the Forum Rules to new members. As it is, I suspect many are not even aware of these, if only because they are not coerced to read these!

The case of travel agents ignoring the rules is different. They will do it no matter what. It's their business. They are kicked out soon enough, but they choose to take that chance. I don't believe many of the regular members will choose to intentionally ignore multiple warnings. If they still do, they will have deserved strong warnings, and more.


Do you seriously believe that it really works?! How could it? It may work on an individual basis, on the particular person it is addressed to (and possibly also on the few reading the objections). How can it possibly deter future members? So we keep on having this perpetual problem. If we could improve things even to a moderate extent at little cost, why not do it? Why not be proactive rather than reactive? What do we stand to lose?
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Are you suggesting new members be should be shown this message before each posting on the forum? The rule against SMS speak is already in the forum regulations but, as previously suggested, very few people actually read them.

Please explain further.

I agree, although I understand the OP's point that this doesn't deter some new members who start posting without getting to know the community better and reading the rules first. I'm afraid there is no perfect way to educate all new members appropriately before they post.

Yes, -- for the first few posts only. If a larger fraction (than it is now) of new posters actually read the rules when thus coerced, it will only be for the better, -- not just with respect to SMS, but to all forum rules.

Yes! I do seriously believe that it works. Whilst it would be nice if it was unnecessary, most people respond positively to a gentle dig, even those who reply something like, "Look, I'm a teenager, this is what comes naturally, but I'll try".

Other forums seem much the same, although they may be more or less strictly moderated.

I hate to say it, but, ultimately, I fear that it is a loosing battle. Anyway, let's keep it up as long as we can!

All these new members who are asking simply questions cause they are too
lazy to find the answers by the themselves-thats a travel agency service and you never
hear them again (they dont give anything back to forum)

Last trip i met people who are thinking that IndiaMike is a joke and every
rational person dont need it for anything.
They said it to me and they were laughing.