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What is a Forum Troll?

Definition:
An obnoxious user or member on a forum that goes out of their way to make pointless, offensive, or annoying posts and messages. Often these users are labeled as spammers and will post random off-topic junk in many sections of a forum.

Examples
1.
User: I think his policies are corrupt and the only reason he remains in office is because of his financial bribes and support requests to other branches of the government. What about you guys?

Forum Troll: I think if you actually had a life, you would turn off your monintor, walk away, and never return to this website again. Of course, it doesn't seem like either will ever happen.

2.
User: I'm going to add a new section to the forum today, so everyone please be patient as I finish this up, and please don't go to the new forum until it's done.

Troll: *goes to new forum* *posts forty new identical topics about his dog*

3.
User: i feel so down today!!!! nothing is workin right for me. my boyfriend dumped me, it's pouring down rain outside, i feel depressed, i have four tests tomorow, i'm a wreck!!!!!! sombody give me sympathy...

Troll: Hey, I've got an idea! Why don't you kill yourself? Then you dont have to be sad, and I dont have to listen to your useless crap! Everybody wins.

[multipage=How to spot a ForumTroll]


communities online can provide a place to make friends from all over the world. People can connect who would otherwise never meet. Online troublemakers, known as Internet trolls, create discord within a group. They pride themselves on stirring up trouble, often taking great pains to place blame on other members. The ability to spot a forum troll helps group managers remove the real problem within their group membership before it is too late.

How to spot a Forum Troll

Step 1
Look for anything suggestive of a troll. "TroubleM8kr" and "AzZkiCKr" are examples of screen names that raise concern. When in doubt, of a trolls presence reply to thier posts in a sensible mature way. Their reply can offer you better insight into their personality.

Step 2
Eliminate the drama queens. Any member who continually posts dramatic, emotionally charged comments must go. They are either a forum troll or someone with emotional issues. Either way, the trouble they cause disturbs the group.

Step 3
Beware of suck-ups. Look for a member who tends to side with leadership on all issues. They email or IM moderators with "I just thought you should know about this" information about other members. This person can often present an "us-against-them" attitude when referring to other members.

Step 4
Be aware of veiled comments. Part of the thrill for online troublemakers is hiding in plain sight. Look for comments that can have double meanings, with an author who acts perpetually innocent.

Step 5
Remember who is in charge. Online troublemakers often present themselves with an air of authority, as though they are a moderator. Remind such members that they are not in charge. If they balk at management's authority, immediately report their posts don't get drawn into a full blown argument.


[multipage=How to Deal with a Forum Troll]

How to deal with a forum Troll

1.IGNORE THE TROLL. Don't speak to him. Put him on your ignore list. Do not engage him in any conversation. Pretend he doesn't exist.

Trolls want only to be noticed, and to stir the pot. If he is ignored, he will lose interest and go away. Of course, EVERY MEMBER of a forum needs to cooperate, and this is a difficult thing to get them to do. So, if users continue to engage him in conversation, the mods will probably eventually have to warn him, and possibly ban him.

2.If the troll is causing too much of a nuisance use the report button at the bottom of his/her post, this will call in a mod to sort the little fellow out.

3. The only other thing you can do is use your -rep power on him. This especially on this forum is kind of useless however it may make you feel better especially if you wield a bigger hit of - rep than he can conjure back.

Nice definition of a forum troll

I exterminate trolls.
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Trolling isn't a bad thing unless done right.


Delete this post, I dare you.