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Interesting article on what works and what doesn't.

"Ask him what he means....

"Agree with him (but use a softer language)....

"And eventually negotiate a common ground."

ORIGINAL: herwin

Interesting article on what works and what doesn't ...

I edit two controversial websites on Topix and IMO, I don't think any of these suggestions will work with "career" trolls.

I have tried all three of those techniques on this forum. How do you think I got this Sigbanner nickname and banner (Thanks to USS America and Dixie)? I've also received many warnings , hate mail and threats. Those 3 suggestions might work for some people , but when I used them they simply enraged the trolls. And the one thing nastier than a troll is an enraged troll! [:D]

ORIGINAL: Joe D.

ORIGINAL: herwin

Interesting article on what works and what doesn't ...

I edit two controversial websites on Topix and IMO, I don't think any of these suggestions will work with "career" trolls.

nope. only sure fire way (besides banning) is to not feed the troll. Unfortunately in the case of this board's career troll....at least one person always ends up taking the bait....usually out of ignorance. As Mynok has said repeatedly.....green button is your friend.

I agree the green button is your friend.  Some of the trolls I've seen don't care anything about common ground.  Even if you adapt there position they will change it to something else  just because they will never allow common ground.  I've met a few folks who really do enjoy hostility and no matter how you attempt to find common ground they will have no part of it.  Not to mention the I'm right and your wrong and I will not allow discussion types.

When I was at TRW, we had a guy in Accounting who enjoyed negotiating. He'd always try to get away with something outrageous on his federal tax return--not because he expected to win the argument outright, but because he figured he'd come out ahead in the negotiations. I guess he was the troll in accounting. So some people enjoy it. I don't.

ORIGINAL: AW1Steve

I have tried all three of those techniques on this forum. How do you think I got this Sigbanner nickname and banner (Thanks to USS America and Dixie)? I've also received many warnings , hate mail and threats. Those 3 suggestions might work for some people , but when I used them they simply enraged the trolls. And the one thing nastier than a troll is an enraged troll! [:D]

Steve,
Your efforts may not work, but we appreciate them anyway.

ORIGINAL: ChickenOfTheSea

ORIGINAL: AW1Steve

I have tried all three of those techniques on this forum. How do you think I got this Sigbanner nickname and banner (Thanks to USS America and Dixie)? I've also received many warnings , hate mail and threats. Those 3 suggestions might work for some people , but when I used them they simply enraged the trolls. And the one thing nastier than a troll is an enraged troll! [:D]

Steve,
Your efforts may not work, but we appreciate them anyway.

+1

Just remember that it is estimated that one in every ten human beings is "disturbed" or has some sort of pychological issues. It is inevitiable then that some of them are going to post on forums.

I spent ten year in the Seafarers Union and there are crazy guys out there in spades.

There is only one rule to remember when dealing with crazy, and that is "that you don't f**K with crazy." [:-]

I whipped this up a few months back but never had a good chance to use it.

Feel free to reuse as you see fit... [:D]

Thats why political chat of an inflammatory nature has no business on this forum they have forums specifically for political debate and they have forums for alternate history debates but trolls will try to ruin any forum just to get a rise out of people for their own satisfaction!!! I troll but I troll the appropriate forums not forums for people just enjoying the greatest computer game ever designed!!

Some people need to knock other people off balance to feel balanced themselves.  There are many ways of doing it and different people do different things.  For some of those who need it, if they can brew up a lot of trouble and get other people riled up, they will then feel better about themselves.  The internet has enabled these people to take out their destabilizing needs among people they have never met.

I've administered a mailing list for more than 12 years and the list has been around since 1993.  At one time it seemed like there were trolls showing up every month or so.  Some were coming over from another mailing list with the intent to cause trouble and go back to their mailing list and brag about their exploits.

The old timers learned the signs of a troll and circled the wagons whenever one showed up.  The list got a reputation of being a dull place for trolling and the trolls gave up.  Being reasonable with them is the first line of defense.  If they are determined to cause trouble, rather than just be heard or just upset, they will continue.  At that point, someone needs to name the game and then everyone else shuns them.  It usually works fairly well.  Trolling is very dull when nobody is willing to play along.

Bill

plus simply ignoring them seems the fastest way to get rid of them banning doesnt work they just get a different username. everynow and then especially after about 4 beers I get the urge to feed the trolls and the political forums are the best bet they are not hard to spot they bite the first bait you throw as long as you keep responding they will troll.

ORIGINAL: ChickenOfTheSea

ORIGINAL: AW1Steve

I have tried all three of those techniques on this forum. How do you think I got this Sigbanner nickname and banner (Thanks to USS America and Dixie)? I've also received many warnings , hate mail and threats. Those 3 suggestions might work for some people , but when I used them they simply enraged the trolls. And the one thing nastier than a troll is an enraged troll! [:D]

Steve,
Your efforts may not work, but we appreciate them anyway.

Many thanks![&o]

ORIGINAL: herwin

ORIGINAL: ChickenOfTheSea

ORIGINAL: AW1Steve

I have tried all three of those techniques on this forum. How do you think I got this Sigbanner nickname and banner (Thanks to USS America and Dixie)? I've also received many warnings , hate mail and threats. Those 3 suggestions might work for some people , but when I used them they simply enraged the trolls. And the one thing nastier than a troll is an enraged troll! [:D]

Steve,
Your efforts may not work, but we appreciate them anyway.

+1

And thank you too! [&o]

I've never really minded the trolls, they can add some amusement to the forums. The damage, imho, is done by the people who respond to the trolls anyways.

A useful and interesting thread can remain useful and interesting even vs the worst troll. What wrecks the thread is the people who feed them. Thread + 1 troll and everythings fine. Thread +1 troll and 2 excitable noobs responding to the troll and the thread is off base, ruined, and up to 20 pages of garbage in a matter of moments.

The trolls would have no impact if nobody paid them attention. So really I retain my disdain for the people who should know better and yet inevitably feed the trolls and ruin forums.

So, if I understand. What trolls do is troll for trouble and the best way to deal with a trolling troll is ignoring.

Yeah.  You can't nuke 'em.  Too bad.

I like to take them out with my Rapier +3, The Weeping Blade...  oops! Sorry, wrong game... [8|]

ORIGINAL: bjmorgan

Yeah.  You can't nuke 'em.  Too bad.

Check this out.