But he is only the most recent.
I think that EVIL_MONKEY was banned because he was a previously banned person returning with a different name, not because he was a troll.
Yes, but he was trolling, and people were feeding him.
Oh.
Scotti**!
That’s not what you said when you met me!
I’m crushed…
So Lynn, what do you think of these ideas?
What is a troll if you don’t mind me asking? I am fairly new to messageboards I know that I may be a lurker because I don’t post much, but what is a troll exactly?
A troll is a poster that comes in and tries to get a rise out of people for no more reason then being an ass. Something usually to the effect of …
**I LIKE TO KILL NIGGERS THEN EAT THEM!!@!!@!!! **
Psst, Killuminati: click here.
I think the excerpts from the FAQ in Arnold’s first post to this thread say it all.
There are people whose honest opinions will differ from the Doper consensus, for a variety of reasons. They may be right or wrong. There is nothing lost in treating them like any other human being – disagreeing, even vehemently, when you think they’re out to lunch, but with the perspective that what we’re doing is fighting ignorance, not condemning the ignorant.
A person who is honestly interested n discussion or debate will respond in kind. A troll will make himnself obvious by his later posts.
If something is clear trollery – don’t reply; report the post. But most of the time “probable trolls” are in fact people with goofball opinions – and changeable.
In making such responses, wit is often a useful technique. But be aware that almost nobody else is interested in your cat’s breath.
Those are my criteria for handling “probable trolls.” I’ve seen no reason to change them.