# Returning Trolls? (Hypothetical)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/returning-trolls-hypothetical/181594>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [June 13, 2003, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/returning-trolls-hypothetical/181594 "2003-06-13T15:28:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Mr\_Sherbet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ad7895/32.png) [@Mr\_Sherbet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Sherbet)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/returning-trolls-hypothetical/181594/1 "2003-06-13T15:28:06Z")

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Hypothetically… if one of my friends used to be RAWisSYDNEY and returned here under another name… what would happen?  
Hypothetically of course… 🆒

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**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/returning-trolls-hypothetical/181594/2 "2003-06-13T15:34:08Z")

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Hypothetically, the mods keep an eye out for people posting from the same IP address as banned posters. They have other tricks up their sleeves to identify returning bannees.

In practice, such people get banned.

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**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/returning-trolls-hypothetical/181594/3 "2003-06-13T16:21:33Z")

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Brilliant. You should post this is GQ as well. Oh, wait, you did.

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**Author:** ![John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ccd318/32.png) [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/returning-trolls-hypothetical/181594/4 "2003-06-13T16:31:25Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by \*\*\*Arnold Winkelried \*\* _in [FAQ Guidelines for posting at the SDMB](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=106617)_
> 
> 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.

Please e-mail an administrator with your information.

Also, you posted this in General Questions. Do not cross post.

**DrMatrix** - GQ Moderator