I often get frustrated when I see users posting 10 posts, contributing nothing to the threads, and then applying for a GFT invite. Technically they’re not breaking any rules, but it still breaks my heart when I see the response “Okay, PM me your email address.”
All of us would like to protect our accounts (I hope), and invite only people who are deserving, particularly with our more “exclusive” invites. This is a guide to ensuring that your invitee is as deserving as possible.
Screens/Proofs
Few people seem to realise how easy these are to fake. I’ve posted an example below (I couldn’t be bothered taking the time to work out the actual ratio, GB/day, post/day etc, but you get the idea). Now, obviously that one is completely unbelievable – but what if I made one saying, say 200GB uploaded and 100GB downloaded?
So what should you ask for? The only way I’ve found is to ask for direct profile links and PM the user on the tracker, asking if he is who he says he is. Obviously, you need to be on the same trackers though.
Check their current trackers – do they need this invite?
I always check which trackers the users’ posting history as well as their screenshots, to see what trackers they are currently using. I can then judge whether this person actually wants this tracker for a good reason, or just to add to a collection.
For example, if I’m giving away a TL invite, I’ll have a look – if they’re already a member of SCC, IPT, RevTT, IPT and Pretome, then I’m not going to invite them to TL. You can usually find this information in Tracker Discussion threads as well as the Giveaway forum.
Check their recent posts
Have a look – if someone has received 2-3 invites in the last week, they’re not going to be active at any tracker which you invite them to.
Look at their overall history
Don’t just assume because they have 200 posts that they’re a good member – often half of those posts are complete spam!
Don’t be afraid to wait
Just because you’ve advertised an invite, don’t feel it has to be given away quickly. If you don’t feel any of the people applying for it, keep the invite until someone deserving comes along.
Google screenshots
This is one I always do. When someone posts a screenshot, I copy the filename, and paste it into google. Forums such as T-I and FST are open to guests, and therefore Google Spiders, so you may find the screenshot has been posted somewhere else. Check the user’s posts at the other forum, and you may find something interesting.
On more than one occasion, I’ve found cheats through this method; either they’ve stolen someone else’s proofs, or they’re lying about something.
Don’t be afraid to ask other members
If you’re new, or unsure about the member, feel free to ask senior members in the IRC or Chatbox, how they feel about that member. In particular, look for any other threads in which they’ve received invites, and ask their inviter whether they’re a good member.
Make them jump through hoops
In my opinion, it’s far too easy for users to paste a couple of screenshots and a speedtest which they’ve used previously, and write ‘Can I have a XXX invite please?’.
Although forcing them to enter your name in the URL bar does force them to put some effort in, I personally ask them to post a joke, a funny pic, or something similar.
Now, this basically puts off collectors. Often they will not put the effort in, and will look elsewhere for an invite.
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