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What do I consider trolling?While this is a new forum, I am not new to forums.
I have been a member of online forums since 1997.
I have been moderating forums since 2003.
I built my first forum in 2005 and by 2007 was the administrator and global moderator of 12 different forums.
I write codes and scripts in both html and java and I know how to hack a system and can therefor un-hack a hacked system as well.
Why am I telling you this? Because if you are a troll, I WILL catch you. I WILL stop you. AND I can fix it with the FBI so that you not only can't access this forum again, but you will lose access to being able to use internet connection at all. People request me to mod their forums for a reason - that reason is I am well known in the world of forum mods as "A Troll Killer".
What do I consider trolling? And how are they dwelt with here at The Laughing Gnome Hollow?
In my own forums we have what we call "good trolls" and "bad trolls".
Good trolls are people who like to jump around on game threads posting "BUMP", or multi-posting a lot and sort of running all over the place posting on old threads and such. They are not doing it to be mean or to spam links and they don't really mean to be causing trouble, but rather they are usually new members who are just a little over bolstrous in their excitement over joining a new forum. Generally after a couple of weeks they settle down and become regular standard members. We call them "good trolls" because on first appearance they may look like they are trolls, but when you get to know them you find out they just are new to using forums and were not clear on the rules.
Bad trolls on the other hand really are trolls. They come with the intention of causing chaos, disorder, and disruption. They get a kick out of hurting others. They enjoy being negative. They like to make people cry. They go out of their way to use "F" word dozens of times in a single post only because they know such words are not allowed. They make trouble every where and offer nothing to the conversation. If they are on-topic at all, it's only to complain, put down, and antagonize the other posters and say things they know will act as "triggers" to try to get a fight going.
In addition to trolls there are troll sub species: Flamers and Spammers.
Flamers are mean, bigoted, grouchy, angry, hate filled, bitter trolls who are hell-bent on hurting other members. They deleberatly say mean things and "call out" members, pointing fingers, spreading rumors, telling nasty lies, putting down people based of race/religion/gender/beliefs/whatever. While "Bad Trolls" just get a kick out of being mean for the fun of being mean, Flamers, are on a mission; they have a bone to pick and they have chosen this forum because many of the members are party to the "other side" of their agenda. They are often self proclaimed "Fundamentalist Christians" and back up their attacks with Bible quotes and by saying things like: "It's okay for me to treat you like this because God loves me, not you." They are often also called "Nazis" if they are especially hurtful. They are Really Bad Trolls (and they are giving other Christians a bad name!).
Stalkers are Flamers taken to a dangerous level. They follow a single member, hounding them, bullying them, and making threats such as "You better watch your back, because I know where you live." They often follow the member on other sites as well, such as FaceBook, and may even follow the member off line around town in real life, or at least they are making threats which indicate they do. They are Evil Trolls.
Spammers are usually not registered members, or are registered under user names such as "asdf" and are usually (though not always) not even real people, but are usually bots that start posting hundreds of replies - usually one on EVERY SINGLE thread. Each reply being exactly the same and each reply containing 10, 20, over even 100 links all pointing back to the same web site, usually selling something, often porn related, and nearly always with a China isp. They are Robot Trolls.
Link Hounds are similar to spammers, but often have good intentions and do not realize they are doing anything wrong. They are active members who do on occasion post relevant replies, but usually only do so if the reply provides them with some way to link back to their own web site. Usually they are "Good Trolls" with a web site.
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"Good Trolls" and "Link Hounds" are gently reminded of the rules and usually stop misbehaving with out farther warning.
"Bad Trolls" are warned, given a second and third chance to reform, and than banned if a fourth warning is required, as my forums use a "three strikes you're out policy": you are allowed 3 warnings in your lifetime as a member, there is no fourth warning.
Flamers and Spammers get automatic life time bans on username, email, and isp.
Stalkers get automatic life time bans on username, email, and isp AND copies of their posts and profile info are forwarded to the FBI.
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Religion topics are common on my forums, so my boards get hit by Flamers hard. I try to keep it "open to all religions" but some people join with the intent of promoting their religion and actively condemning every one else's as "belonging to Satan". The fact that both Pagans and Christian lurk on my forums, has made them open to attack by a few outspoken extremists. Not fun. Less fun, was when a Stalker showed up, and went beyond just threatening online - she actually did know where I lived and cut my car in half May 2010.
Not fun. Since than I've become especially non-tolerant of any one that even hints of being a Flamer.
Not fun. Since than I've become especially non-tolerant of any one that even hints of being a Flamer.