Trolls on Uutah

[hank moon]

I'm sure we all have our ideas on the subject - here's mine.

Y'know how some folks seem to be onboard for the sole purpose of "stirring the pot"? Sometimes they use the phrase "I'm calling BS" That's trollsign. Not to say stirring is always trollish, but if the majority of one's posts are pot stirrers, the poster is a troll. At the very least, your troll antennae should elevate (a la My Favorite Martian) when outrageous statements become commonplace in a member's posts.

Within specialty and/or "technical" subforums, trollism becomes harder to detect. In otherwords, the BS can only be detected by a knowledgeable person. Caveat Emptor.

The troll often places self above and/or outside the community - sets self up as a "guru" or the like and poses as a leader to the unwary. The Poser becomes the Troll.

Because the troll is outside the community, he does not engage with it. Rather, he attempts to manipulate the community through self-aggrandizement and the like. He wants to be important. He wants to have influence, impact, etc. Nothing swells the troll-belly like a massive influx of replies, regardless of substance. The troll has little regard for substance, which he eschews in favor of impact/influence/controversy/whathaveyou.

Caveat Emptor.

Personally, I detest trollish behaviour. It is fundamentally dishonest and disrespectful to the targets of the would-be manipulator (i.e. that subset of the community green enough to respond to the troll's manipulations - or "feed the troll"). The best way to deal with trolls is to ignore. For this reason, I have solicited various people of power (POPs) on this site to implement an ignore button. It is the first line of defense against the troll. Please read this for a discussion of how this feature was implemented on another BBS:

http://tinyurl.com/36puuc

Note to all trolls on this site: ASCII bits from a BBS will never satisfy your shriveled egos - they need exercise!

P.S. This post is not a troll. It was written in complete sincerity and is partly a reaction to recent trollish behavior on a subforum. Despicable.

[jumar]

Y'know how some folks seem to be onboard for the sole purpose of "stirring the pot"? Sometimes they use the phrase "I'm calling BS" That's trollsign. Not to say stirring is always trollish, but if the majority of one's posts are pot stirrers, the poster is a troll. At the very least, your troll antennae should elevate (a la My Favorite Martian) when outrageous statements become commonplace in a member's posts.

[Sombeech]

I've had the chance to use the Ignore feature on other forums as well, I agree, it is a nice feature. I've posted some of my videos on other bike forums, and there can be some jerks out there.

I also like the "Report this post to moderator" button. There are a lot of nice options out there that work very well, and we hope to add in time.

Unfortunately some of us are already staying up late at night working on current projects/problems. I haven't even been able to update the Home Page slide show for a few months now. Summer is a busy time.

I think we'll get there. Please have patience.

[RugerShooter]

P.S. This post is not a troll. It was written in complete sincerity and is partly a reaction to recent trollish behavior on a subforum. Despicable.

I call B/S this is nothing but a troll post.


J/K you do make some good points I hate to see some of the stuff that goes on here and yes, I know I have been involved in some of it, but have tried lately to stay out of it, and if I have offended anybody I am sorry about it.

[hank moon]

I think we'll get there. Please have patience.

Thanks, Sombeech - good to know it's in the hopper.

[Sombeech]

One more thing.... I've tried it on moderators, and it didn't work.

[hank moon]

One more thing.... I've tried it on moderators, and it didn't work.

Hmmm. might be time to re-examinebwhat the word "moderator" means.

Might need a new class of uutah "official" : The Animator.

or... The Traffic Control Specialist (TCS)?

[hank moon]

I call B/S this is nothing but a troll post.

har! you sure got the lingo down, matey.

if I have offended anybody I am sorry about it.

Ditto...and, thanks for the thoughts.

[derstuka]

I'm sure we all have our ideas on the subject - here's mine.

Y'know how some folks seem to be onboard for the sole purpose of "stirring the pot"? Sometimes they use the phrase "I'm calling BS" That's trollsign. Not to say stirring is always trollish, but if the majority of one's posts are pot stirrers, the poster is a troll. At the very least, your troll antennae should elevate (a la My Favorite Martian) when outrageous statements become commonplace in a member's posts.

Within specialty and/or "technical" subforums, trollism becomes harder to detect. In otherwords, the BS can only be detected by a knowledgeable person. Caveat Emptor.

The troll often places self above and/or outside the community - sets self up as a "guru" or the like and poses as a leader to the unwary. The Poser becomes the Troll.

Because the troll is outside the community, he does not engage with it. Rather, he attempts to manipulate the community through self-aggrandizement and the like. He wants to be important. He wants to have influence, impact, etc. Nothing swells the troll-belly like a massive influx of replies, regardless of substance. The troll has little regard for substance, which he eschews in favor of impact/influence/controversy/whathaveyou.

Caveat Emptor.

Personally, I detest trollish behaviour. It is fundamentally dishonest and disrespectful to the targets of the would-be manipulator (i.e. that subset of the community green enough to respond to the troll's manipulations - or "feed the troll"). The best way to deal with trolls is to ignore. For this reason, I have solicited various people of power (POPs) on this site to implement an ignore button. It is the first line of defense against the troll. Please read this for a discussion of how this feature was implemented on another BBS:

http://tinyurl.com/36puuc

Note to all trolls on this site: ASCII bits from a BBS will never satisfy your shriveled egos - they need exercise!

P.S. This post is not a troll. It was written in complete sincerity and is partly a reaction to recent trollish behavior on a subforum. Despicable.

Ahhhhh....half of the people on here could be considered trolls at one time or another. Some of your past posts could be consider "trollish" as you say. Very subjective it can be. The ASCII BBS thingy lost me. BBS= british broadcasting station to me, or BBS=big boobies and skin!

Why do you need an ignore button, and what good would it do? If you think someone is a troll, then just ignore their post, and read elsewhere. Simple as that. When nobody pays mind to then, they tend to go away, or lessen their posts. You are never going to agree with everybody's post, and you might label someone a troll just because they fail to agree with you, or bring up a different subject, which many here are guilty of.

Many people on here get in heated arguments (even me, though not much anymore), and if someone doesn't want part of it (like me usually) we just click on the next post. Maybe we should ban them? Then they can just create 10 other user sign-ons, and continue on.

My point, just ignore them.

[tanya]

Funny thing is that what is a troll to one is not to another.

If you are talking about Shane ... I have to totally disagree!

He (and many of the others at Uutah.com) is one of the few people that I find to be fun and enjoyable in the groups I am in --- in fact, when he leaves a group there is little interest in that group for those who enjoy the light, fun atmosphere of a forum that I do.

Dry, boring, boorish, argumentative posts and groups --- bore me to tears and I often think of these people that make those posts as trolls --- Although I do realize that those making the posts do not think they are bad (trolls) at all and don't think they are being argumentative, but rather are being informative and professional.

Point is.. yes, we all may have VERY different thoughts on this subject!

[tanya]

Ahhhhh....half of the people on here could be considered trolls at one time or another. Some of your past posts could be consider "trollish" as you say. Very subjective it can be. The ASCII BBS thingy lost me. BBS= british broadcasting station to me, or BBS=big boobies and skin!

Why do you need an ignore button, and what good would it do? If you think someone is a troll, then just ignore their post, and read elsewhere. Simple as that. When nobody pays mind to then, they tend to go away, or lessen their posts. You are never going to agree with everybody's post, and you might label someone a troll just because they fail to agree with you, or bring up a different subject, which many here are guilty of.

Many people on here get in heated arguments (even me, though not much anymore), and if someone doesn't want part of it (like me usually) we just click on the next post. Maybe we should ban them? Then they can just create 10 other user sign-ons, and continue on.

My point, just ignore them.

That too!

[hank moon]

Ahhhhh....half of the people on here could be considered trolls at one time or another.

No. Troll-ISH, yes...but not Trolls. It's natural that folks will get angry, post stuff they regret, etc. I do it. You do it. We all do it...sometimes. A troll does it as a matter of course.

The ASCII BBS thingy lost me. BBS= british broadcasting station to me, or BBS=big boobies and skin!

BBS = Bulletin Board System. Guess I'm showing my internet age. Hey, maybe I invented it!

[derstuka]

Funny thing is that what is a troll to one is not to another.

If you are talking about Shane ... I have to totally disagree!

He (and many of the others at Uutah.com) is one of the few people that I find to be fun and enjoyable in the groups I am in --- in fact, when he leaves a group there is little interest in that group for those who enjoy the light, fun atmosphere of a forum that I do.

Dry, boring, boorish, argumentative posts and groups --- bore me to tears and I often think of these people that make those posts as trolls --- Although I do realize that those making the posts do not think they are bad (trolls) at all and don't think they are being argumentative, but rather are being informative and professional.

Point is.. yes, we all may have VERY different thoughts on this subject!

Tanya said it better than I did!

[tanya]

Funny thing is that what is a troll to one is not to another.

If you are talking about Shane ... I have to totally disagree!

He (and many of the others at Uutah.com) is one of the few people that I find to be fun and enjoyable in the groups I am in --- in fact, when he leaves a group there is little interest in that group for those who enjoy the light, fun atmosphere of a forum that I do.

Dry, boring, boorish, argumentative posts and groups --- bore me to tears and I often think of these people that make those posts as trolls --- Although I do realize that those making the posts do not think they are bad (trolls) at all and don't think they are being argumentative, but rather are being informative and professional.

Point is.. yes, we all may have VERY different thoughts on this subject!

Tanya said it better than I did!

[hank moon]

Funny thing is that what is a troll to one is not to another.

If you are talking about Shane ... I have to totally disagree!

He (and many of the others at Uutah.com) is one of the few people that I find to be fun and enjoyable in the groups I am in --- in fact, when he leaves a group there is little interest in that group for those who enjoy the light, fun atmosphere of a forum that I do.

Dry, boring, boorish, argumentative posts and groups --- bore me to tears and I often think of these people that make those posts as trolls --- Although I do realize that those making the posts do not think they are bad (trolls) at all and don't think they are being argumentative, but rather are being informative and professional.

Point is.. yes, we all may have VERY different thoughts on this subject!

Sure, and it's right and natural that we all have different thoughts - thanks for sharing yours. My Q/D def of a Troll: person who posts primarily to get a reaction from others (positive or negative). Addicted to reaction, one might say.

Shane often plays the troll. However, he *is also* as you say "fun and enjoyable" - that is part of Shane's personal charm. He's funny. Always right there with a good joke or sexual innuendo. If you're especially partial to that kind of stuff (and we all are at some time or another), then Shane is a delight. The dark side is the troll stuff, which I detest. I believe it is possible to be fun, charming, etc. without being a troll. How 'bout you?

[derstuka]

Ahhhhh....half of the people on here could be considered trolls at one time or another.

No. Troll-ISH, yes...but not Trolls. It's natural that folks will get angry, post stuff they regret, etc. I do it. You do it. We all do it...sometimes. A troll does it as a matter of course.

The ASCII BBS thingy lost me. BBS= british broadcasting station to me, or BBS=big boobies and skin!

BBS = Bulletin Board System. Guess I'm showing my internet age. Hey, maybe I invented it!

Al Gore would kick your ass if he heard that comment! Thanks for the explanation.

Do you notice a big problem with trolls on Uutah? I am curious...I might notice some here and there, but for the most part, like tanya says, some people like to say things to be funny and mix things up, and this could be interpreted as being a troll to some maybe. I am just more for self-regulation, and less moderation. Uutah seems to have been ticking along for 2.5 years now pretty good....besides the 2000 + spammers on the user name list!

Mr acca and sombeech is always worried about scaring off people for some reason, (hence making you log in for the politics and enviromental columns) and if someone gets ignored when they are just trying to crack some humor into some stuff, they could be scared off. Uh oh!

[derstuka]

I guess I myself (probably more sombeech) could be considered a troll, because sometimes I just drop in and make a comment or remark.

I understand what you are saying, however, I am not really seeing a big problem with that here on Uutah. The bigger problem is, how do you really define when someone is a troll? Just ignore the comment, and help keep this place free is what I think. Unless we get hit by like 100 trolling fools f-ing everything up, then I say all is well.

[tanya]

Funny thing is that what is a troll to one is not to another.

If you are talking about Shane ... I have to totally disagree!

He (and many of the others at Uutah.com) is one of the few people that I find to be fun and enjoyable in the groups I am in --- in fact, when he leaves a group there is little interest in that group for those who enjoy the light, fun atmosphere of a forum that I do.

Dry, boring, boorish, argumentative posts and groups --- bore me to tears and I often think of these people that make those posts as trolls --- Although I do realize that those making the posts do not think they are bad (trolls) at all and don't think they are being argumentative, but rather are being informative and professional.

Point is.. yes, we all may have VERY different thoughts on this subject!

Sure, and it's right and natural that we all have different thoughts - thanks for sharing yours. My Q/D def of a Troll: person who posts primarily to get a reaction from others (positive or negative). Addicted to reaction, one might say.

Shane often plays the troll. However, he *is also* as you say "fun and enjoyable" - that is part of Shane's personal charm. He's funny. Always right there with a good joke or sexual innuendo. If you're especially partial to that kind of stuff (and we all are at some time or another), then Shane is a delight. The dark side is the troll stuff, which I detest. I believe it is possible to be fun, charming, etc. without being a troll. How 'bout you?

Again.... what is a troll. Someone fun is in no way a troll in my opinion. They are what makes the group AWESOME!!! I post on Uutah.com just for that reason. I am far too old to go to school, to be lectured or to want anything but to post and share with others with the same interests and to just simply enjoy.

Lighten up... mellow.... laugh.... enjoy!

Have fun with the groups!

Again to me.... a troll is the person that brings the party (group) down and makes it ugly and the one that has to find fault in others in a group.

We we are all different here.... and that is what is so wonderful about the internet! We can talk and laugh and have fun with people we don't hang out with off-line. It's a place to just be free and have fun.

[tanya]

I guess I myself (probably more sombeech) could be considered a troll, because sometimes I just drop in and make a comment or remark.

I understand what you are saying, however, I am not really seeing a big problem with that here on Uutah. The bigger problem is, how do you really define when someone is a troll? Just ignore the comment, and help keep this place free is what I think. Unless we get hit by like 100 trolling fools f-ing everything up, then I say all is well.

You calling this a troll!!!!!!

[hank moon]

I guess I myself (probably more sombeech) could be considered a troll, because sometimes I just drop in and make a comment or remark.

Sure, but the key word is "sometimes" :-)

I understand what you are saying, however, I am not really seeing a big problem with that here on Uutah. The bigger problem is, how do you really define when someone is a troll? Just ignore the comment, and help keep this place free is what I think. Unless we get hit by like 100 trolling fools f-ing everything up, then I say all is well.

We both want the same thing - to ignore the comment. However, I would like the ability to automatically ignore the comment - kind of a laborsaving device. I don't see how this detracts from the freedom of Uutah (which I agree should be aggressively defended - it's a big part of the charm).