Trolls and such... couple incidents recently

[Ladylethal 12]

I joined VJ before applying and I read lots before joining and decided to joing when I had a doubt about my application prior to filing it.

[Welshcookie 17]

How about compulsory timelines for newbies?

anybody can make up a timeline....I am considering myself... :unsure.....: oh joke btw

Edited July 3, 2006 by welshcookie

[Marilyn. 340]

Trolls are necessarily always newbies either

One-shot trolls

One-shot troll messages are intended to be disruptive, and tend to be very obvious to ensure that they will receive annoyed replies.

Disruptive trolls

* Off topic messages: Those that are irrelevant to the focus of the forum. This can also be done in the middle of an existing thread to attempt to hijack the thread, or otherwise change the topic at hand. Off topic messages usually occur when a member has been completely disproved in a serious debate thus, causing that member to use his or her other multiple pseudonyms for the purposes of changing the subject matter. These disruptions may result in the degeneration of a well informed thread into a heated juvenile exchange consisting of insults and childish accusations between multiple parties. Such an incident may have been the case in Flyordie.com [4] when it decided to censor all freedoms of speech relating to 9/11 evidence disclosure topics [5]

* Page breaking: Filling up fields with large pictures or characters to make previous posts unreadable. A skilled troll will use an extremely wide and narrow picture that blends into the forum background to make it harder to catch.

* Offensive media: Annoying sound files or disturbing pictures in a message, or linking to shock sites that contain such media. Often these links are disguised as legitimate links.

* Inflammatory messages, including racist, sexist, classist or otherwise needlessly hateful comments.

* Opinionated statements: Posting messages expressing their own opinions as generally accepted facts without offering any proof or analysis.

* Spoiling: Deliberately revealing the ending or an important part of movie, book, game etc.

* Bumping an old discussion, or rehashing a highly controversial past topic, particularly in smaller online communities.

* Deliberate and repeated misspelling of other people's nicks in order to disturb or irritate them in a conversation.

* Promising nonexistent pornography to people who post in the forum, producing an interminable flood of "please send" messages (especially common in the alt.sex Usenet hierarchy in the mid-1990s) [6] [7]

* Defensive trolls:

Attention-seeking trolls

This class of trolls seeks to incite as many responses as possible and to absorb a disproportionate share of the collective attention span.

* Advertising another forum, especially a rival or a hated forum.

* Claiming to be someone they cannot possibly be: "As an actual, real-life samurai, I have some problems with (the film) The Seven Samurai."

* No longer having affiliation to or current knowledge of the subject at hand, yet continually posting opinions and commentary as "experts".

* Messages containing a deliberate flaw or error: "I think 2001: A Space Odyssey is Roman Polanski's best film."

* Asking for help with an implausible task or problem: "How do I season my Crock Pot? I don't want everything I cook in it to taste the same."

* Intentionally naive questions: "Can I cook pasta in Evian instead of water?"

* Intentional typos: "Does anyone have a copy of Super Maria Bras. for the Nintendo?"

* Messages containing a self-referential appeal to status. "Pepsi is for white trash. I prefer a real soft drink like Coke."

* Intentionally posting an outrageous argument, deliberately constructed around a fundamental but obfuscated flaw or error. Often the poster will become defensive when the argument is refuted, and may continue the thread through the use of further flawed arguments; this is referred to as "feeding" the troll.

* A subclass of the above is the flawed proof of an important unsolved mathematical problem or

impossibility (e.g. 1 = 2); however, these may not always be troll-posts, and are sometimes at least mathematically interesting.

* Politically contentious messages: "Everyone knows that all Republicans/Democrats are evil."

* Posting politically sensitive images in inappropriate places.

* Feigning innocence, after a flamewar ensues.

* Off-topic complaints about personal life, even threats of suicide: sometimes, this is the "cry for help" troll. In other instances, this type of trolling may be for amusement. If the motive is amusement, the troll may post ridiculous comments seemingly out of the blue. "I want to marry a hyena."

* Plural or paranoid answers to personal opinions expressed by individuals: "I don't think that all of you really believe that -— you're just ganging up on me!"

* Paramour trolls get a thrill from establishing serial online affairs with females of a group. This incites public rivalry among the women who once thought the nicknames, poetry, and declarations of affection were exclusive to them. Since the online love affair is developed separately in chat programs, it takes a long time for the online cat-fight to be detected.

* Combinations of the above. For example, a troll combines inflammatory statements with poor grammar and Internet slang (aka 'netspeak' or 'chatspeak'): "lmfao! d00d, ur so week minded an predictable i thought i wan iggied i play ya like a card... pwned j00 n00b f00! l4m3r! w00t!""

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll

Edited July 4, 2006 by MarilynP

[Jaylen Brit 0]

I read this site as well before I joined..in the end I really needed a question ansswered as despite the fact I'd spent hours trawling thru many message boards, official sites, and Q&A places I was still worried about something, and needed 'personal experience' replies.

Althought it was 'urgent' to *me*, it would have been acceptable to wait 24 hours for that particular query to be posted as it wasn't time dependent (ie I didn't have an interview the next day or something).

I do agree with Yodrak's point about 'reading' - some people don't seem to read up on anything to do with their application - its different if you've read thru stuff and you're confused, been there myself, (SS stuff just does my head in at the moment) but I like the idea of a redirect to the guides etc 'to read while your application is being processed'

[Movin on New Life 3]

I think you are right above, 30 minutes seems good. Many people might need a fast answer to an immigration question. I liked the idea of having a 30 minute delay with an faq link included for basic questions. In my case, I actually did quite a bit of reading before I actually joined the site but I can imagine many people joining now, especially with this confusion about IMBRA going on.

This troll thing is all new to me, I used a message board once in college. It seems they will always come, no matter what you do so the members themselves have to also know how to handle it effectively. At this point, in my rookie status, I'm vowing not to even respond to them anymore, that last one did it for me.

I read this site as well before I joined..in the end I really needed a question ansswered as despite the fact I'd spent hours trawling thru many message boards, official sites, and Q&A places I was still worried about something, and needed 'personal experience' replies.

Althought it was 'urgent' to *me*, it would have been acceptable to wait 24 hours for that particular query to be posted as it wasn't time dependent (ie I didn't have an interview the next day or something).

I do agree with Yodrak's point about 'reading' - some people don't seem to read up on anything to do with their application - its different if you've read thru stuff and you're confused, been there myself, (SS stuff just does my head in at the moment) but I like the idea of a redirect to the guides etc 'to read while your application is being processed'

I don't know....seems like a lot of hoops to jump when many newbies (such as I in the beginning) are overwhelmed with forms, confusion, and/or fustration and desperate for some kind of answers... seems like they would be more adapt to just skip VJ and go on to another site.. That would be horrible..as VJ has been overwhelming the top site for help and encouragement in my opinion. Also.. can it be guaranteed that someone new will not be omitted or denied from logging in by error..

My feelings are, as most things shouldn't be rushed into until all the KINKS are out. Yes we will have someone always trying to get one up on the system ( just block them when discovered) because afterall... doesn't "Customer Service" come first? Being a business owner I would much rather loose out not being able to get rid of one "Bad Apple" than rish loosing new clients..

Just food for thought.

[samir_shannon 0]

lol ty ewok hahahhah

[Jaylen Brit 0]

I think you are right above, 30 minutes seems good. Many people might need a fast answer to an immigration question. I liked the idea of having a 30 minute delay with an faq link included for basic questions. In my case, I actually did quite a bit of reading before I actually joined the site but I can imagine many people joining now, especially with this confusion about IMBRA going on.

This troll thing is all new to me, I used a message board once in college. It seems they will always come, no matter what you do so the members themselves have to also know how to handle it effectively. At this point, in my rookie status, I'm vowing not to even respond to them anymore, that last one did it for me.

I read this site as well before I joined..in the end I really needed a question ansswered as despite the fact I'd spent hours trawling thru many message boards, official sites, and Q&A places I was still worried about something, and needed 'personal experience' replies.

Althought it was 'urgent' to *me*, it would have been acceptable to wait 24 hours for that particular query to be posted as it wasn't time dependent (ie I didn't have an interview the next day or something).

I do agree with Yodrak's point about 'reading' - some people don't seem to read up on anything to do with their application - its different if you've read thru stuff and you're confused, been there myself, (SS stuff just does my head in at the moment) but I like the idea of a redirect to the guides etc 'to read while your application is being processed'

I don't know....seems like a lot of hoops to jump when many newbies (such as I in the beginning) are overwhelmed with forms, confusion, and/or fustration and desperate for some kind of answers... seems like they would be more adapt to just skip VJ and go on to another site.. That would be horrible..as VJ has been overwhelming the top site for help and encouragement in my opinion. Also.. can it be guaranteed that someone new will not be omitted or denied from logging in by error..

My feelings are, as most things shouldn't be rushed into until all the KINKS are out. Yes we will have someone always trying to get one up on the system ( just block them when discovered) because afterall... doesn't "Customer Service" come first? Being a business owner I would much rather loose out not being able to get rid of one "Bad Apple" than rish loosing new clients..

Just food for thought.

Not disagreeing totally but 'customer service' would imply a business, which this site is not. It's a private board, open to the public (if you see what I'm getting at there) And having to wait 30 mins before you can post isn't that much of a big deal IMO - I help admin a couple of boards and one is set up so that you have to wait for approval before you can post - to verify the email address in the case of the one I'm thinking of and that can take time if none of the admins are around - its fairly standard to do that.

[Movin on New Life 3]

I think you are right above, 30 minutes seems good. Many people might need a fast answer to an immigration question. I liked the idea of having a 30 minute delay with an faq link included for basic questions. In my case, I actually did quite a bit of reading before I actually joined the site but I can imagine many people joining now, especially with this confusion about IMBRA going on.

This troll thing is all new to me, I used a message board once in college. It seems they will always come, no matter what you do so the members themselves have to also know how to handle it effectively. At this point, in my rookie status, I'm vowing not to even respond to them anymore, that last one did it for me.

I read this site as well before I joined..in the end I really needed a question ansswered as despite the fact I'd spent hours trawling thru many message boards, official sites, and Q&A places I was still worried about something, and needed 'personal experience' replies.

Althought it was 'urgent' to *me*, it would have been acceptable to wait 24 hours for that particular query to be posted as it wasn't time dependent (ie I didn't have an interview the next day or something).

I do agree with Yodrak's point about 'reading' - some people don't seem to read up on anything to do with their application - its different if you've read thru stuff and you're confused, been there myself, (SS stuff just does my head in at the moment) but I like the idea of a redirect to the guides etc 'to read while your application is being processed'

I don't know....seems like a lot of hoops to jump when many newbies (such as I in the beginning) are overwhelmed with forms, confusion, and/or fustration and desperate for some kind of answers... seems like they would be more adapt to just skip VJ and go on to another site.. That would be horrible..as VJ has been overwhelming the top site for help and encouragement in my opinion. Also.. can it be guaranteed that someone new will not be omitted or denied from logging in by error..

My feelings are, as most things shouldn't be rushed into until all the KINKS are out. Yes we will have someone always trying to get one up on the system ( just block them when discovered) because afterall... doesn't "Customer Service" come first? Being a business owner I would much rather loose out not being able to get rid of one "Bad Apple" than rish loosing new clients..

Just food for thought.

Not disagreeing totally but 'customer service' would imply a business, which this site is not. It's a private board, open to the public (if you see what I'm getting at there) And having to wait 30 mins before you can post isn't that much of a big deal IMO - I help admin a couple of boards and one is set up so that you have to wait for approval before you can post - to verify the email address in the case of the one I'm thinking of and that can take time if none of the admins are around - its fairly standard to do that.

Ohhhhh Noooo Nooo... I was not refering to this as a business and thank you for making note of that.. Just meant the idea of being helpful. bad choice of words on my part guess.

Just didnt want to see anyone miss out on the benefits of this site by having to jump through hoops.. Guess I will leave it up to the computer professionals (

[Anyta Holland 1]

I agree that there should be a window for newbies to post, but think that 30min is not enough...

[meauxna 15]

I think the 24 hour hold sounds like a good idea, or even john's modified post limiting for the first 24 hours.

Not just for trolls, either. I think, lik Y, that new members could do much better for themselves by reading more and posting less.

[Michele&Omer 0]

I think the 24 hour hold sounds like a good idea, or even john's modified post limiting for the first 24 hours.

Not just for trolls, either. I think, lik Y, that new members could do much better for themselves by reading more and posting less.

I was reading here for over a month before i posted a comment or question,

I did not join until that point I think the waiting period is unnecessary and trolls

will do what ever if they really want to make there point or flame something

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I am a troll.

[Ban Hammer 13,469]

I am a troll.

i concur

[Elizabethnhenry 0]

I am a troll.

of the highest order!

[babybunny 2]

I think the 24 hour hold sounds like a good idea, or even john's modified post limiting for the first 24 hours.

Not just for trolls, either. I think, lik Y, that new members could do much better for themselves by reading more and posting less.

I think that newbies should be able to post without restricted to when they join. VJ has to rember its not the ONLY site there are bunch of others. just because you place a dayum 24 hour hold on account dont mean your actully forcing anyone to read anything. I dont know why I post more on VJ. it was not the only site I had belonged to. I guess it dont matter the same MODs here are the same ones on the other 1001 boards.

the bottonline is its the PEOPLE that make VJ.

Edited July 10, 2006 by shonjaved