# FAQ - guidelines for posting at the SDMB

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faq-guidelines-for-posting-at-the-sdmb/100849>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [March 30, 2002, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faq-guidelines-for-posting-at-the-sdmb/100849 "2002-03-30T01:20:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 13

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**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2002, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faq-guidelines-for-posting-at-the-sdmb/100849/13 "2002-12-04T21:47:22Z")

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Q: What does DNFTT mean?  
A: **D** o **n** ot **f** eed **t** he **t** roll.

Q: What is a troll?  
A: “Troll,” in the context of message boards and the like, describes somebody who is posting just to be confrontational or to raise hackles.  
See Staff Report: [What is a troll? (14-Apr-2000)](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mtroll.html)

Q: What should I do when I see a user “trolling” at the SDMB?  
A: Do **not** publicly accuse someone of trolling at the SDMB. Use the “Report this post to a moderator” facility below the “trolling” post. Do **not** reply to the troll in any way in the thread, that will only encourage the troublemaker.

Q: What if I’m not sure if the person is a troll?  
A: Treat the person as a user in good standing. Respond to the post if you have something useful to add, otherwise say nothing.

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