How to deal with trolls
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I agree with John Simmons. Some days, I can just let the trolls go by, and I don't bother. Other days, when I'm feeling all middle-aged and cranky, I feel the need to rip them a new one. If you're visualizing a big, scarred-up old shark floating through the water with the guppies, you've got the right idea.
Software Zen:
delete this;
Fold With Us![^]Then keep in mind, when you do feel the need to "rip them a new one", you are choosing selfishness over the good of this community and the image of this site in the eyes of the world.
"It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don't say it." -Sam Levenson
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John C wrote:
Trolls have been dealt with effectively in message boards for decades
They have? Where are these nirvana-esque message boards?
--Mike-- Visual C++ MVP :cool: LINKS~! CP SearchBar v3.0 | C++ Forum FAQ "That's what's great about doing user interface work. No matter what you do, people will say that what you did was idiotic." -- Raymond Chen
If you think you've never been on a board where trolls have dried up and gone away due to sensible behaviour of the other members then you haven't been on many boards or weren't paying attention. This site is without question the trolliest, flamiest message board of the dozen or so I visit regularly.
"It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don't say it." -Sam Levenson
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Trolls have been dealt with effectively in message boards for decades but it appears that many of you are unaware of how to deal with them and the psychology behind what they do. This article sums up how to deal with trolls very nicely, if, after reading this, you disagree in any way with the concept of ignorning a trollish post or indeed any post you don't want to see more of, please respond here in this thread and explain why so we can publicly humilate you and slap you in the virtual face: http://web.archive.org/web/20060428091222/http://members.aol.com/intwg/trolls.htm[^] Anyone in future responding in any way at all to a known troll who has posted a trollish message or talking about trollish behaviour by a known troll by name in other messages should be considered the source of the problem and (I hope) publicly shamed by anyone who cares even slightly about this community of users.
"It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don't say it." -Sam Levenson
The irony...
-- Kein Mitleid Für Die Mehrheit
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Perhaps "Master Bater of Trolls" would be better?
Bar fomos edo pariyart gedeem, agreo eo dranem abal edyero eyrem kalm kareore
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The irony...
-- Kein Mitleid Für Die Mehrheit
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Trolls have been dealt with effectively in message boards for decades but it appears that many of you are unaware of how to deal with them and the psychology behind what they do. This article sums up how to deal with trolls very nicely, if, after reading this, you disagree in any way with the concept of ignorning a trollish post or indeed any post you don't want to see more of, please respond here in this thread and explain why so we can publicly humilate you and slap you in the virtual face: http://web.archive.org/web/20060428091222/http://members.aol.com/intwg/trolls.htm[^] Anyone in future responding in any way at all to a known troll who has posted a trollish message or talking about trollish behaviour by a known troll by name in other messages should be considered the source of the problem and (I hope) publicly shamed by anyone who cares even slightly about this community of users.
"It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don't say it." -Sam Levenson
My methods might be outdated, but I always thought that holy water and a thorough burning of the remains SHOULD work every time... :wtf:
"For the belief in a single truth is the root cause for all evil in the world." - Max Born
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Pete O'Hanlon wrote:
it seems that you have a problem with the view of what constitutes a troll.
Really? Hmm..maybe in your parallel universe, not in this one. I suggest if you have the stomach for being utterly wrong you go back and read a few of my recent posts, in particular the one where I said it's getting like "Lord of the flies" around here with people ganging up and attacking other people for a mere hint of trolldom which I said is unwarranted and ugly. Perhaps you are confusing me with someone else who is quick to attack for the slightest transgression. Frankly you're the one being "pompous and arsey" here, I'm suggesting that rather than engaging in a huge flame war against people who are perceived to be trolling we simply ignore them. How you came to the conclusion you did is utterly mystifying.
"It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don't say it." -Sam Levenson
No - you told people to ignore "trolls" and that's the problem. The definition of what a troll actually is. Just because you think somebody's a troll or I think somebody is, doesn't make it so - it just makes us arrogant prigs. When the web developer refers to Peter in his posts, he's talking about me - as I'm the only one who's giving him a chance - and interestingly enough, the only one he engages with in any meaningful way. If you attack him, he attacks back. By being nice to him, you get decent back - so start forgiving a little, it goes a long, long way.
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before.
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John - it seems that you have a problem with the view of what constitutes a troll. Remember, one persons troll is another persons misunderstood poster. Rather than us being pompous and arsey, perhaps it would be better to be positive with "trolls". The problem is that by treating a person as a troll, you encourage them to become a troll when perhaps they are struggling to get to grips with online etiquette, or language difficulties are part of the problem or they are young and immature and could, with a bit of help and patience, stop their trollish behaviour. Everybody deserves a chance in life, and I'd love to see how many people could honestly say they didn't cross the line into stupid behaviour when they were younger, or who haven't occasionally crossed the line into trollish behaviour themselves. Bottom line - it's easy for us to be pompous and arrogant, but perhaps we should get off our high-horse a little bit and stop pretending that we are some form of guardian of a mystic portal. It's an online forum, so let's stop pretending that our proclamations have any more substance than a fart in a bath.
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before.
LOLing at the 'fart in a bath' line :laugh: Back on topic... I reckon that well-executed trolls have their part to play in any online forum. Sometimes it's good to see the kicks against the pricks.
It's turtles all the way down.
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I fail to see anything wrong with caring about this community after being a contributing member of it for over 8 years now. My only aim in this is to cut down on the needless and pointless ganging up and attacking of perceived trolls, it reflects poorly on this site and brings it down to the level I can get on any crappy message board on the internet. If you think trolls need to be "scared off" and anything remotely positive or useful to this community can come of it, even after reading that post and digesting it and thinking about it then well..there's really nothing useful I can say at this point.
"It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don't say it." -Sam Levenson
John C wrote:
My only aim in this is to cut down on the needless and pointless ganging up and attacking of perceived trolls
There you and I agree - hence my comments that we should engage constructively with them. If I've misread your earlier comments, I apologise, but I stand by what I said. Being nice doesn't really cost anything and could end up with another valuable contributor to the community - or not, but at least you tried.
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before.
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Trolls have been dealt with effectively in message boards for decades but it appears that many of you are unaware of how to deal with them and the psychology behind what they do. This article sums up how to deal with trolls very nicely, if, after reading this, you disagree in any way with the concept of ignorning a trollish post or indeed any post you don't want to see more of, please respond here in this thread and explain why so we can publicly humilate you and slap you in the virtual face: http://web.archive.org/web/20060428091222/http://members.aol.com/intwg/trolls.htm[^] Anyone in future responding in any way at all to a known troll who has posted a trollish message or talking about trollish behaviour by a known troll by name in other messages should be considered the source of the problem and (I hope) publicly shamed by anyone who cares even slightly about this community of users.
"It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don't say it." -Sam Levenson
We hear this suggestion again and again, but as much as ONE TROLL can interrupt a board of hundreds, ONE FEEDER can keep the troll busy. So the suggested solution of ignoring is impractical - if fails as soon as one participant fails.
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Trolls have been dealt with effectively in message boards for decades but it appears that many of you are unaware of how to deal with them and the psychology behind what they do. This article sums up how to deal with trolls very nicely, if, after reading this, you disagree in any way with the concept of ignorning a trollish post or indeed any post you don't want to see more of, please respond here in this thread and explain why so we can publicly humilate you and slap you in the virtual face: http://web.archive.org/web/20060428091222/http://members.aol.com/intwg/trolls.htm[^] Anyone in future responding in any way at all to a known troll who has posted a trollish message or talking about trollish behaviour by a known troll by name in other messages should be considered the source of the problem and (I hope) publicly shamed by anyone who cares even slightly about this community of users.
"It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don't say it." -Sam Levenson
For those who value the First Amendment (Freedom of Speech) and feel guilty banning a troll, this post is for you. The core issue to ban Trolls is the respect of private property. If I own a website, I have the right to choose what content to appear on my website. Nobody has the right to force me to host articles (or posts) I dislike. Banning a troll is not a violation of his right of free speech; the troll still has the freedom to create his own website and post whatever he wishes. If CodeProject dislikes my postings, they have the right to ban me permanently from their website at their sole discretion. Of course, banning people for no apparent reasons is not the best business model to retain members. Likewise, screaming out "Fire!" in a crowded theater is a violation of property – the property of the theater owner. The same would be if I would cause disturbance in any other place, such as a recording studio, a shopping mall or a restaurant. The only person who may scream out “Fire” is the owner of the theater, however if there are customers watching a movie, then he violated his implicit contract of respecting silence while the movie is playing. At best, he could refund the movie ticket to its customers. For details see http://mises.org/rothbard/ethics/fifteen.asp[^] about the “Fire” in a theater. The article uses “Greater Good” theory for supporting free speech, however it is a dangerous slippery slope. The "Greater Good" theory is the basis behind Communism. Cheers, -- Daniel.
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I fail to see anything wrong with caring about this community after being a contributing member of it for over 8 years now. My only aim in this is to cut down on the needless and pointless ganging up and attacking of perceived trolls, it reflects poorly on this site and brings it down to the level I can get on any crappy message board on the internet. If you think trolls need to be "scared off" and anything remotely positive or useful to this community can come of it, even after reading that post and digesting it and thinking about it then well..there's really nothing useful I can say at this point.
"It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don't say it." -Sam Levenson
John C wrote:
I fail to see anything wrong with caring about this community
Me, too. However I can see a lot wrong with presuming to speak for the community without any charge to do so. Even more wrong with telling someone like John that he is against the community because he doesn't meet your standards.
John C wrote:
there's really nothing useful I can say at this point
We are in perfect agreement, at last. :-D
Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface
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"Bate" is the wrong spelling, by the way. Unless you actually meant he lessens the effects of trolling, which is certainly a valid position given the topic.
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John - it seems that you have a problem with the view of what constitutes a troll. Remember, one persons troll is another persons misunderstood poster. Rather than us being pompous and arsey, perhaps it would be better to be positive with "trolls". The problem is that by treating a person as a troll, you encourage them to become a troll when perhaps they are struggling to get to grips with online etiquette, or language difficulties are part of the problem or they are young and immature and could, with a bit of help and patience, stop their trollish behaviour. Everybody deserves a chance in life, and I'd love to see how many people could honestly say they didn't cross the line into stupid behaviour when they were younger, or who haven't occasionally crossed the line into trollish behaviour themselves. Bottom line - it's easy for us to be pompous and arrogant, but perhaps we should get off our high-horse a little bit and stop pretending that we are some form of guardian of a mystic portal. It's an online forum, so let's stop pretending that our proclamations have any more substance than a fart in a bath.
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before.
Pete O'Hanlon wrote:
stop pretending that we are some form of guardian of a mystic portal
Who's Pretending?
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
"How do you find out if you're unwanted if everyone you try to ask tells you to go away?" - Balboos HaGadol -
No - you told people to ignore "trolls" and that's the problem. The definition of what a troll actually is. Just because you think somebody's a troll or I think somebody is, doesn't make it so - it just makes us arrogant prigs. When the web developer refers to Peter in his posts, he's talking about me - as I'm the only one who's giving him a chance - and interestingly enough, the only one he engages with in any meaningful way. If you attack him, he attacks back. By being nice to him, you get decent back - so start forgiving a little, it goes a long, long way.
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before.
Pete O'Hanlon wrote:
If you attack him, he attacks back. By being nice to him, you get decent back
Perhaps I've missed something, but the initial premise was to IGNORE the (perceived) troll. Thus, you can go about your business if you don't perceive a troll and others can go about theirs if they do. An apparently equitable solution whereby all involved will be happy. Looking at the initial text from this post, I apparently didn't miss anything:
Pete O'Hanlon wrote:
No - you told people to ignore "trolls" and that's the problem.
There's no problem - I ignore countless posts - as do we all. In summation: "?"
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
"How do you find out if you're unwanted if everyone you try to ask tells you to go away?" - Balboos HaGadol -
No - you told people to ignore "trolls" and that's the problem. The definition of what a troll actually is. Just because you think somebody's a troll or I think somebody is, doesn't make it so - it just makes us arrogant prigs. When the web developer refers to Peter in his posts, he's talking about me - as I'm the only one who's giving him a chance - and interestingly enough, the only one he engages with in any meaningful way. If you attack him, he attacks back. By being nice to him, you get decent back - so start forgiving a little, it goes a long, long way.
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before.
I think you're right, and Developer is a perfect example, though he in particular has gone way beyond a second chance. But there are exceptions, there are some who have prooven time and again to be utterly hopeless... Ilion. Need I say more?
Visit BoneSoft.com for code generation tools (XML & XSD -> C#, VB, etc...) and some free developer tools as well.
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Pete O'Hanlon wrote:
If you attack him, he attacks back. By being nice to him, you get decent back
Perhaps I've missed something, but the initial premise was to IGNORE the (perceived) troll. Thus, you can go about your business if you don't perceive a troll and others can go about theirs if they do. An apparently equitable solution whereby all involved will be happy. Looking at the initial text from this post, I apparently didn't miss anything:
Pete O'Hanlon wrote:
No - you told people to ignore "trolls" and that's the problem.
There's no problem - I ignore countless posts - as do we all. In summation: "?"
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
"How do you find out if you're unwanted if everyone you try to ask tells you to go away?" - Balboos HaGadolBalboos wrote:
Looking at the initial text from this post, I apparently didn't miss anything
John C wrote:
Anyone in future responding in any way at all to a known troll who has posted a trollish message or talking about trollish behaviour by a known troll by name in other messages should be considered the source of the problem and (I hope) publicly shamed by anyone who cares even slightly about this community of users.
I think you missed a whole paragragh.
Visit BoneSoft.com for code generation tools (XML & XSD -> C#, VB, etc...) and some free developer tools as well.
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"Bate" is the wrong spelling, by the way. Unless you actually meant he lessens the effects of trolling, which is certainly a valid position given the topic.
Although true, it would undermine the comic content, just a tad.
Bar fomos edo pariyart gedeem, agreo eo dranem abal edyero eyrem kalm kareore
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John - it seems that you have a problem with the view of what constitutes a troll. Remember, one persons troll is another persons misunderstood poster. Rather than us being pompous and arsey, perhaps it would be better to be positive with "trolls". The problem is that by treating a person as a troll, you encourage them to become a troll when perhaps they are struggling to get to grips with online etiquette, or language difficulties are part of the problem or they are young and immature and could, with a bit of help and patience, stop their trollish behaviour. Everybody deserves a chance in life, and I'd love to see how many people could honestly say they didn't cross the line into stupid behaviour when they were younger, or who haven't occasionally crossed the line into trollish behaviour themselves. Bottom line - it's easy for us to be pompous and arrogant, but perhaps we should get off our high-horse a little bit and stop pretending that we are some form of guardian of a mystic portal. It's an online forum, so let's stop pretending that our proclamations have any more substance than a fart in a bath.
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before.
Just remember Trolls have shorter attention span then kids with ADD. And the rest should be common sense.