Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Well it's official now. I'm hanging up my long black troll boots and re entering the general population as an average person posting here and elsewhere. I've been a trolle for so long now it's really hard for to remember when it all began. Having been a troll I thought I would share some insight into the mind of a troll and lay down some groundwork how to effectively deal with trolls.

There are basically two types.. The first type is an unintentional troll and does not have a solid grasp on the culture behind the forums where they post. It can be hard to figure out culture and can require a lengthy amount of time learnt the hard way. Some forums are very strict and if you step out of line for whatever reason you will be quickly notified of your error. Other forums that are less strict are harder to figure out and it can take an effort to find out how to fit in. These trolls you can try dealing with by explaining to them how they could be better served in how they choose to communicate. If you talk down to them they will probably bristle in response and it will just be harder to get through.

The second type is the intentional troll. They are not going to listen to reason. They like to stir the pot and be the center of attention. They seem to like to post a lot and it can be hard to ignore them. Still the best course is to ignore them and if you must reply then be polite and don't shove back as that is exactly what they want. Ignoring them whenever possible and replying politely with no subtle hostility will defuse their intent.

Intentional trolls can be blunt or complex. The blunt ones just throw caution to the wind and blurt out some flamebait. They are easy to recognize. A complex troll often will try to disguise their intent and use misdirection whenever possible. In time though it will become obvious as to what is their intent. You can spend a lot of time trying to sink them and they love it, it presents a challenge for them. As soon as you discover a complex troll then again you should just ignore them and be polite if you must reply.

We have the IGNORE button here. It's a good tool but often verbose trolls end up often being quoted so it can be hard to ignore them. A troll simply wants to push your buttons and exact a negative reaction from you. If you must respond then being polite and not rising to take the flame bait will eventually dampen their spirit. Not everyone will figure this out and the troll lives in a target rich environment. They will tend to spend most of their time in particular forums and these forums can be a proverbial honeypot for them to lay their snares. You might want to try avoiding these forums if you find that you have a hard time keeping your temper in check. In time you will figure out the friendlier forums to frequent.

When I say forums I mean the individual forums within one particular site, not necessarily does the term forums mean an individual site. I hope this helps.

G

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_(Internet)

Here is the info... go absolutely nuts...

I would like to know why the only mythology commonly associated with the webz is trolls... it makes no sense to me.

Trolls are actually cool creatures in my book, but each to their own context. It would be cool if there was some kind of ladder eh?

Like Dragons down to trolls or something. Just a thought.

I would also like to say that Trolls are most definitely few and far between when you consider what most posts are comprised of. My favorite Troll is the one with more than one account (as in possibly 5 accounts) to get one Trolling point across... Funny stuff . Gaming chat rooms are prime territory for such strange acts.

Then... there is this part...

Wiki wrote:Application of the term troll is highly subjective. Some readers may characterize a post as trolling, while others may regard the same post as a legitimate contribution to the discussion, even if controversial. The term is often used as an ad hominem strategy to discredit an opposing position by attacking its proponent.

I would enjoy this discussion if a perspective could be kept rational about this. Trolls are clearly Trolls when they are Trolling... not much more than that.

What brought this on?

Guilt?

Not really but you are entitled to your opinions.

: )

G

Somehow I am not seein it, wrex

I know what you mean... hmmm.

Quite a mystery I would say, and one that seems to be unsolved.

I googled parts of the text. None of it is sourced from other websites. If these are not his words then he mixed them pretty thoroughly. Mayhap the apex trolls + and 1 keys fell out?

You seemed to be gone for a while GBF. Did you get banned? If so I know the feeling! If you are coming back to enter the community then welcome back.

Perhaps I'll take you off of my ignore list.

: )

thanks Shurma for the kind words. I've been around but I don't spend as much time in the OT forum as I used to do.

G

That is because GBF has been spending all his time in the DCM mosh pit where the tomfoolery is rampant...

Wrexasaur wrote:
I would like to know why the only mythology commonly associated with the webz is trolls... it makes no sense to me.

It's not. There are daemons here too.

Redbeard wrote:

Wrexasaur wrote:
I would like to know why the only mythology commonly associated with the webz is trolls... it makes no sense to me.

It's not. There are daemons here too.

And girls...

And dont forget the boys.

G