Do I understand this correctly that as a new member, I have to wait 10 minutes between posting in existing threads?

The restriction is on starting new topics - not replies in existing threads. It looks like we increased that to 15 minutes at some point - so 15 - not 10 minutes.

Unfortunately, spammers like to sign up in the middle of the night and can make dozens of spam posts in a very short period of time. They like to go down the list of forums and post in each one - and it takes me a lot longer to delete those posts than it takes the spammer to make them.

That is the reason for the restriction.

Wow, so in this market, when we should be doing what we can to help people buy & sell real estate, we have to worry about 30 posts? Well then I am not sure what to do. Go out & create business like I have been for 20 years or sit here & insure that I have 30 posts. Dilemmas………

I just stumbled on this forum and am still not sure what if any benefit there is to me or my brokerage. Is there at least one?

If your primary determination of value is whether or not you can use a signature file in the first 30 posts and need to ask what the benefits are of being here if you can't - then you are here for the wrong reasons.

One isn't tied to the other. Hence separate paragraphs.

It seems strange that someone must jump through certain hoops to obtain certain items. That said.

Now as for the benefits of being a member, regardless of the signature, are? That was my question. If we are spending time here and we are full time brokers or agents, would we not expect some benefit? Such as increased knowledge, advice, something? If this is an opportunity to give something back to an industry that has sustained my family for over 40 years, then so be it! I would enjoy that also.

Or am I just being ignorant?

Great idea to tighten down the hatches on spammers.

I am at 20 posts(21 after this) and the 900 second(15 minutes) rule is still in force. Have you considered a sliding scale rule on this?

The mechanics of this does not easily lend itself to a sliding scale so we decided that 30 posts was a good point . If there was a sliding scale it would not start sliding until after the 30 posts anyway

No problem. I am sure as I continue to utilize this great forum I will appreciate any measures taken to eliminate spammers.