Troll?

[Slithytoves 0]

This might sound really naive of me, but what is the exact definition of a "troll"?

I just got all pissed off at the author of a post I saw in another forum here, then saw where several people called the person by that name. I assume it means he/she is someone who posts just to stir up trouble, but I want to make sure I'm right.

Sorry for the dumb question, but I'm not really up to speed on internet lingo!

Also, doesn't it make y'all mad when people come here and bash the USA, at a website for people bringing their foreign spouses here to live?!?!?!? I have never commented on this before, but lately it's been bothering me. Am I out of line here?

Alice

[Jenn! 918]

Trolls usually just like to stir up trouble on the boards and have no reason to be here other than to do so, i.e. they're not on any visa journey of their own. They just post inflammatory comments and revel in the outraged responses. There are also several "trolly" members who actually are on a visa journey.

[Marilyn. 340]

a troll is anybody who tries to stir up trouble... this can be new people to the group or veteran members

[mybackpages 0]

There are also several "trolly" members who actually are on a visa journey.

really???

[Slithytoves 0]

Trolls usually just like to stir up trouble on the boards and have no reason to be here other than to do so, i.e. they're not on any visa journey of their own. They just post inflammatory comments and revel in the outraged responses. There are also several "trolly" members who actually are on a visa journey.

Thanks, Jenn. Well, then I guess I should just step away from the keyboard when I see an incendiary post. I didn't think about the fact that the "troll" might be getting off on the angry responses, though DUH, why else would they do it? I find that I post here less and less as time goes on. Some of it is probably just a matter of becoming more confident in what I'm doing, but some of it is that like almost any other place you hang out at for a while, you start to notice the less desirable parts of it more and more. But on the whole VJ has been a huge help to me, and I'm sure it will continue to be until my own journey is complete.

Alice

[mybackpages 0]

Also, doesn't it make y'all mad when people come here and bash the USA, at a website for people bringing their foreign spouses here to live?!?!?!? I have never commented on this before, but lately it's been bothering me. Am I out of line here?

Alice

Alice I do not think you are out of line to express your view on this, but I would ask how you define "bashing" ?

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

This might sound really naive of me, but what is the exact definition of a "troll"?

I just got all pissed off at the author of a post I saw in another forum here, then saw where several people called the person by that name. I assume it means he/she is someone who posts just to stir up trouble, but I want to make sure I'm right.

Sorry for the dumb question, but I'm not really up to speed on internet lingo!

Also, doesn't it make y'all mad when people come here and bash the USA, at a website for people bringing their foreign spouses here to live?!?!?!? I have never commented on this before, but lately it's been bothering me. Am I out of line here?

Alice

Often people will create new accounts for the sole purpose of stirring ###### up. They are also trolls. I also suspect there are professional trolls that travel from internet forum to internet foum causing problems.

P.S. Don't get your panties in a bunch over comments made in off-topic. It's 'off-topic' after all. If you don't like the subject you are better off not reading a thread.

[YuAndDan 153]

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_trolls

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

a troll is anybody who tries to stir up trouble... this can be new people to the group or veteran members

A veteran member is only a troll if they create a new account to comment. I have no problem with 'honest' comments in off-topic but some people call it (wrongly) trollish behavior.

[Cristy 4]

[matako 0]

A troll is used on this site to mean someone you dont agree with. So for example if I hate your guts, I just call you a troll and start a hate campiagn for people to hate you. Hate mongers.

So, the word troll has different meanings to different people.

To me, a troll is an entertainer who uses their brain and keyboard to communicate their views, without stepping on anyone's toes.

[Jenn! 918]

a troll is anybody who tries to stir up trouble... this can be new people to the group or veteran members

A veteran member is only a troll if they create a new account to comment. I have no problem with 'honest' comments in off-topic but some people call it (wrongly) trollish behavior.

It's all subjective, so I don't see how you can say that anonymity or identity deception is a necessary component of trolling.

[Slithytoves 0]

There are also several "trolly" members who actually are on a visa journey.

really???

Well if everybody knows who they are then why don't people just "out" them? I find it unsettling feeling like people just come here to play head games. Look at your own post, mybackpages. No offense, but it's like people are all so cynical here, except for the quickie "congrats" posts and the occasional "hang in there". Maybe that's why I don't think very highly of web forums. All that anonymity isn't healthy, I don't think.

I don't know why I'm going on and on about this. Depressed, I suppose. I think all this waiting is making me mental!

Thanks for reading, anyway.

Alice.

Alice I do not think you are out of line to express your view on this, but I would ask how you define "bashing" ?

I would define "bashing" as comments that are strictly bitter and negative, with no factual basis, no room for healthy discussion, and no purpose except to say ugly things about the US.

There are a lot of things about the USA that I don't particularly like, but I've been a USC since I was a kid (actually born in England) and some of the things I read here creep me out sometimes, like we are letting people into this country who really hate it, or USC's who hate this country are bringing others here who may likely share their views.

Alice

[mybackpages 0]

There are also several "trolly" members who actually are on a visa journey.

really???

Well if everybody knows who they are then why don't people just "out" them? I find it unsettling feeling like people just come here to play head games. Look at your own post, mybackpages. No offense, but it's like people are all so cynical here, except for the quickie "congrats" posts and the occasional "hang in there". Maybe that's why I don't think very highly of web forums. All that anonymity isn't healthy, I don't think.

I don't know why I'm going on and on about this. Depressed, I suppose. I think all this waiting is making me mental!

Thanks for reading, anyway.

Alice.

Thanks Alice for you comment. My reply was meant as an attempt at humor. Jenn knows me well here. I'm sure she will understand it...and some people not knowing the background will misunderstand it. Sorry about that.

The waiting is difficult for everyone, so you are not alone there. We all have good days and bad days. I'm sorry you have having a less than good day. Good luck on your journey.

[Slithytoves 0]

P.S. Don't get your panties in a bunch over comments made in off-topic. It's 'off-topic' after all. If you don't like the subject you are better off not reading a thread.

I agree with you on that. This wasn't the forum where I saw the thread that pissed me off.

I have actually stayed clear of the "Off Topic" forum because it does get a little wild at times, but this was the best place to ask about the troll issue and maybe vent a little bit, too.

Alice