Nobody wants them here, except for the other trolls. How much should we, as the posters, take? I know this goes against Saeed's doctrine as keeping this forum as open and inviting to anyone, but is it time for something to be done? To bring back the intregity and the knowledge of what this site was all about from the beginning?
Posts: 1005 | Location: Alaska | Registered: 23 August 2002
If you think about it, banning somebody just prevents them from logging back in with that name. I suppose you could ban an IP address too but there are a few ways around that as you can guess. No, the only thing that works is just not answering them and rising to the bait. These irrelevant posters can be stopped cold if nobody answered their taunts, simple as that. When people realize this is when the site will become troll free, but sadly it seems that even the well meaning contributors here sometimes lack the self discipline to do that. I know 'cause I've gotten sucked in a time or two, but that is my personal fault and not the fault of the troll. Remember, nobody can make you angry without your permission. Just don't give them the permission to do so.
Posts: 7774 | Location: Between 2 rivers, Middle USA | Registered: 19 August 2000
MarkWhite - Well said. Don't reply to their posts and ignore their replies to legitimate posts. That is the only way to make them leave. It is tempting to respond, but that just keeps them around. Much easier to use the "ignore" button and not be tempted.
Just like with gun control and any other volatile issue, Who gets to decide who the trolls are means a lot. Seems there were a bunch of innocent folks burned in New England because of some sort of self appointed witch hunters. I think I can get along with the trolls better than I can get along with some self righteous finger pointer. Oh, by the way, have a good day.
Posts: 2037 | Location: frametown west virginia usa | Registered: 14 October 2001
Ann (Aspen Hill Adventures) posted a very good link on the African Forum concerning how best to handle trolls. Bottom line is not to rise to the bait and ignore them.
I dare say our host has enough going on without policing this site. The membership should stop acting like ninnies and ignore, totally, any suspected troll.
Posts: 733 | Location: N. Illinois | Registered: 21 July 2002
BB I read that post on the African Forum. It requires discipline, but I believe it is probably the only way to handle them. The ignore button will help a lot. I have been using it and the blood pressure is down by 20 points at least.
Posts: 1634 | Location: Washington State | Registered: 29 December 2002
Defining who the troll is depends on which side of the story you are standing on. Being a troll in a debate means you dont agree with the posters opinion. Should you be banned for having a different opinion? Next someone will want a scarlet T stuck on people.
I'll agree a person shouldn't be labeled a "troll" for taking a unpopular postition, but a troll is like pornography, you know it when you see it. In some case's it's cheap entertainment, say blue. Other's I just scroll past.
In many ways this is just to simple. If it offends you, move on to something else, be it thread, general topic, person, etc. If you must set everything right, correct the wrongs, purify the polluted, you have to pick your battles and limit your involvement to what you can win.
This is from the "individual" perspective, as a part of a group, it is a little different, but not much.
As long as it remains a world wide work, and remains open as Saeed says and allows and does, the best it gets is being able to state your opinion, and back it up. If all you are doing is name calling, and posting from intolerance and hatred, perhaps you are the problem, and your position is lessened by your actions.
You do not know that other poster.
The other poster does not know you.
You will not get to know the other from this forum.
For most people, what they know of anyone is based on the other persons conduct while on the forum.
Simple, isn't it?
Define a "troll", then maybe there is something to talk about.
Posts: 1944 | Location: Moses Lake, WA | Registered: 06 November 2001
Well, if you were to ban Trolls then I would say that you would also have to ban Stupid Posters also. Banning will not solve anything, use the ignore button, works very well.
Posts: 1605 | Location: Wa. State | Registered: 19 November 2001
roger
use the latest gizmo gadjets the software has to offer 
In some case's it's cheap entertainment, say blue. Other's I just scroll past.
