Spam Update

The QuestionPoint development team has developed some techniques to reduce the amount of form-based Spam sent through your email reference form.

SPAM and email reference forms

Please note that these techniques are designed to limit Spam on email reference forms that you host on your library’s web site.

We have two options available for blocking Spam. You may use both methods at the same time.

The first technique uses a QuestionPoint-hosted Spam blocker. To use this technique please do the following:

1. Click on the Support form link when you are logged into QuestionPoint.
2. Fill out the form - In the Question box including the following:
   • Your institution ID
   • The URL for EVERY instance of your email reference web form.

You will receive an email within 1-2 business days confirming that your library has been added to the tool.

If you have email reference forms submitting from  a variety of locations into a single QuestionPoint account, the tool will need to know every possible location where form submission may occur.

Once you receive this email, please contact OCLC Customer Support via email at [email protected] if your volume of Spam does not decrease or you receive complaints from your patrons related to form submission.  When possible, be sure to note the specific problem URLs.

The second technique involves making changes on your self-hosted form. Please have your webmaster contact OCLC Customer Support at [email protected] with your library name and Institution ID to receive the directions.

SPAM and chat forms

For chat forms, if you currently host your own chat intake form and would like to limit any potential spam, we strongly recommend that you convert to our OCLC hosted chat form model.  This is only available for libraries that have fully transitioned to the librarian “Flash Chat” interface.  Please contact Carol Bonnefil of the QuestionPoint team ([email protected]) to discuss options.

If your chat form is hosted by QuestionPoint, we will be implementing these modifications for you automatically.

Comments

[caleb]

If chat spam is not coming on OCLC-hosted forms, how much do you think that has to do with anti-spam measures, and how much do you think it has to do with the fact that the chat form is in a separate frame?

Just curious!

[QP Team]

Caleb,
Although the frame may be a layer of protection, the key advantage of the hosted forms is the ability for the QuestionPoint team to add and or modifying the anti-spam measures as needed.