Trolling

[Petit Papillon]

I would like today to talk about internet trolling.I know that most of You think that they know what it is,but don't exactly realize ,what a real Troll look like.
No, it's not him


nor them


At least not that kind of troll I would like to talk about

Ok ,let's get some theory
'Trolling - antisocial behaviour , characteristic to discussion forums and other places in internet, where are discussions.
Trollin rely on intended influence on other members to insult or ridicule them(which follows to an argue),through sending attacking,controversial and very often fake messages or also through using different types of eristic treatments(type of an argument where participants have no reasonable goal).The principle of this action is to publish this kind of messages as bait, which could lead to open a discussion.
Typical places of trolls actions are :groups and discussion lists,internet forums,chat rooms etc.Trolling breaks one of the basic rules ofNetiquette.The effect of this is desorganisation or that particular place in internet,in which discussions and attention are focused on troll.'

Ok , wiser a bit? So let's find out about the etymology of the word 'trolling'

'Phrase 'trolling' comes from english 'Trolling for fish' - it's a method of catching fish on a hook,spinnerbait,because the troll 'cast a hook',starting a controversial subject,very often unnecessarily, just to provoke a fight.
Because of a backward etymology, trolling people started to be called 'trolls' (like legendary monsters from Norse mythology).'

Ahhha , so this is why they are called Trolls ;-) So now ,let's go to the Genesis of the phenomenon!

'If now trolling is called pathological and rowdy behaviour, it comes from actions taken in usenet towards new members, that goal was to discredit in eyes of members of a particular discussions group.That kind of trolling
was apreciated by groups,and to the victims, towards which the trolling was used, were sent acronym YHBT (You have been trolled).
After some time ,this kind of behaviour stopped to be accepted,and people using it too often were stigmatized,both:calling them trolls disturbing the substantive discussion process and warning other members,especially new,by
advising them no discussions with trolls.'

Still , this is not enough informations, right ? We still don't know who exactly is a Troll... This is where I'm about to go :o) Characteristic behaviour of an internet Troll:

'A trolling person usually reacts with violence both:for trying to calm down the discussion and agressive reactions towards its provocations, and the substantive content of the discussion has a meaning just if it inflames negative emotions in participants and leads to continuation of the argue.Usually it gives an impression, as if the Troll was 'satitating' himself with it.Mostly, the more people take the bait and replies to his post,the more he seems be satisfied.Discussants fatigue manifested with the end of discussion or also putting him in a 'killfile' (or simple ban ;-) ),is interpreted by troll as a victory.
Sometimes, troll is also giving links to websites with disturbing contents,mostly masked ,so the unaware person sees suddenly pictures of dead people,defecating people etc.Another method of trolling is giving the links to so called 'screamers' without warning.

Some of the trolls are changing ,less or more frequently, their informations(for example e-mail address), to be out of some members ignore lists.

Trolling is sometimes done by lamers- a person,who ephasize their experience and knowledge in a particular subject(which in practics is not that big), is trying to talk about someone/something , is trying to 'force' help to
other person etc. If start polemics with a person more experienced in this subject,lamer can react with silly and senseless arguments.Many times it ends with intervention of administrator or moderators of the page.Sometimes
trolling is used towards lamers,to discourage them from the rest of the discussion.'

Ouuf ,that was long So, slowly we come to culmination of that whole trolling subject. Now , attention, because the next part will be about symptoms of internet trolling after You read that, You'll be able to take a look around and see who might be troll and who not . So : 3,2,1 GO

'The following ways of behaviour in discussions might be the symptoms of trolling:
*The infinite obey to a particular idea (for example : 'This OS is the best!') and defending it till the end (sometimes despite the reality) - this is a controversial criterion, because simple fanatical attachment to a particular idea itself ,doesn't mean trolling.
*Inability to admit a mistake - troll won't tell, that he wasn't right,and sometimes will even remain silent;mostly whether will start to prove ,that from the beginning was having a different opinion,than he was writing and just was misinterpreted or will start to trifle the meaning of his mistake; in case if those ways won't work ,troll might be agressive towards people,who pointed out his mistake.
*Eagerly using arguments ad personam - attacking people or their characteristics like age/interrests/etc., without any connection to the current subject,sometimes troll blackmailing or calling names
*Extreme attitude to the Netiquette (random rules) or spelling - or attacking others for the smallest 'typos' or demonstratively breaking the rules
*Extreme megalomania and disdainful attitude towards others - this is very characteristic troll's feature ,which leads sooner or later to their isolation, because even people ,who at the beginning sympatized with the troll or treating him neutral, are discouraged by such a behaviour towards them.
*Frequently calling other people trolls
*Making confusions around himself, calling himself a victim (for example of moderators,other members etc.)
*Frequently asking the same questions, that've already been answered - Troll's point is to loop the discussion and create extra confusion
*Confabulation for example about his education,work,social status or life experiences - Troll's point is to make his messages more meaningfull,as coming from an expert,a person who knows it from autopsy etc.
*Efforts to obstruct others in express their opinions through technical tolls avaiable on the forum - however such actions are rare , because they mostly break the forum rules and lead to administrator's reactions,so troll is avoiding it to not lose access to the forum
*Everytime starting the post with the same phrase - greeting,mostly insulting,provocative
*'Ceremonial' use of filters (for example killfile,ignore) - troll ceremonially proclaim, that his opponent is going to an ignore list,but mostly it never happens and keep on reading the opponent's posts
*Lack of coherence while having discussions and denial own theses and opinions
*Regular proclaiming of definitive departure from the forum or discussion group and each time,after some period,coming back - troll excuses himself with anykind of 'duty','getting few hundreds of mails asking to come back' etc.
*Changing own datas,which can be just a small changes (for example: 'Troll' can change nickname to 'Troool' or 'Trrrola'etc.) or some big changes (for example 'Troll' changes to 'Johnny2' etc.) - Troll's point is to make other forum members not be able to filtrate troll's posts or ignore them without reading
*Creating 'clons' (for example 'Troll' can log in at the same time as 'Member1' and 'Member2' ), whose posts include just words of support for the Troll writing under his orignial nickname and attacks of the Troll's opponents - Troll
wants to show this way, that he's not isolated and he's supported by other members of the forum.'

Wow.THAT was a lot hehe. So, guys ? Is it a bit clearer in Your minds? Do You already have some suspects? If You do , I have the last part for You 'Defence against Trolls'

'The best defence against trolling is to completely ignore any provocations,in a moment when we realize we have todo with a Troll.If it's possible, administrators and moderators should block possibility to post messages,that might be trolling and to answer to them.Deleting already posted messages usually inflame even a bigger fight,because it gives Troll the 'Censorship argument'.

Mostly ,consistently ignored troll will get discouraged and leave to another place or totally stop trolling.Practically it never happens,because there will always be some member on the forum that will continue to discuss with
Troll and will encourage him to continue.Furthermore some Trolls are able to create a circle of people supporting them,defend from the opponents,stir the discussion where troll participates etc - luckily this phenomenon is temporary,
because trolls with their contemptuous and superior behaviour towards them ,are quickly discouraging them.

Just do not feed the troll'

So here we are , wiser a bit. Now we are able to make judgments. Hope You enjoyed this post. Be aware LA,Mods and LF Members! And...



Source : [url]http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trollowanie[/url]
Translation : Me - but don't kill me if I did some mistakes :-)

[Lovable]

Have had to deal with trolls on a couple internet forums I take care of. I so enjoyed being able to ban their asses.

I'm actually surprised that I haven't seen their names here as they usually troll love forums. Maybe I haven't read the older threads enough...LOL!

[doppelgaenger]

Shrek is an ogre, pappy!

It's plain and simple, don't reply to the redneck posts that include subjects such as incest, shit eating, etc.

[starbuck]

I think there are some people here who are trolls and don't realize it.

[Petit Papillon]

Shrek is an ogre, pappy!

Oh what a detaill....

[starbuck]

That troll picture is really damn cute. Leave it to PP to find the cutest troll pictures out there (and Ogre).

[Petit Papillon]

I think there are some people here who are trolls and don't realize it.

I think they do But who would call themselves 'a troll'? I just want that members here will be aware of what kind of behaviour is simply trolling . I think I could find some pretty good examples in here

[ecojeanne]

seriously, did anyone actually read all that? booooorin'

[starbuck]

It's a damn good public service announcement.

[Petit Papillon]

Eco You're getting boring with Your 'pseudo-trolling' I know You cry for drama but could You finally stfu?

[ecojeanne]

lol PP aren't you enjoying the trip? now that's boring.

[Coco]

Hahahahaha Funny! Well since we are schooling people. I will post this by HarisHankar of AdminZone.

---------------------------------

I actually find that there are two classes of people who cause maximum trouble on forums. One is of course, the traditional "troll" who wreaks havoc by anti-social behaviour and by deliberately riling up forum members to get kicks out of it, causing havoc and bad blood in the process.

I think as admins, we need to realize that there is another group which I would term as "online bullies" or "internet bullies" who can become equally destructive in undermining communities.

These gentlemen/ladies differ from trolls in the sense that they are not anti-social, but they are an accepted and sometimes well-respected members who assume a sort of informal and unofficial leadership role. They use this position to intimidate and assert their views on newer and less established members and often push their weight around to mark territorial rights. They will generally try and behave properly, but subtly try and behave like moderators and preach about forum behaviour. They will also turn and insult people as they wish and surprisingly other forum members will turn a blind eye to them. They will usually "adopt" ownership of a single forum or a subforum of a board and hang out there frequently with their clan. (this feature is usually more common in larger forums)

These people are often the starting point of cliques because they can gather a group of yes-people around them in no time.

Beware of these people and watch out for them because they can be a lot more trouble in the long run than isolated trolls running loose.

Sometimes you just need an excellent troll to combat an established forum bully

Similarities between trolls and bullies:

1. Both trolls and bullies can cause enormous damage to a forum by their behaviour.
   
2. Both trolls and bullies usually have excellent communication skills using which they attack their opponents unmercifully.
   
   
3. Both trolls and bullies can be intimidating to any normal forum user.
   
   
4. Both trolls and bullies have the effect of creating bad blood.
   
   
5. Both trolls and bullies are hard to control without intervention right from the top - the forum administrator(s) or owner(s) because even moderators might find it hard to control them without support from others.

Differences

1. Trolls are usually isolated. They are generally short-lived in a forum. A person who signs up on a forum specifically to troll doesn't hang around in other parts of the forum and leaves as soon as the damage is done.
   Bullies are more or less regular forum members who might have a huge post count and a following.
   
   
2. Trolls usually hit and run. A successful troll needs only a couple of posts in a single thread to turn it into a raging tornado.
   Bullies stay on and intimidate other members by throwing their weight around and using their group of yes-people to lend force to their powerful attacks.
   
   
3. Trolls are usually identified for what they are.
   Bullies rarely get identified for what they are, because they are regular members and nobody can suggest that they are ordinary trolls because they have a huge post count.
   
   
4. Trolls hardly respond to challenges. Instead they enjoy watching others fight.
   Bullies enjoy fighting and run around bashing everybody who dares oppose them.
   
   
5. The potential damage done by trolls is limited to a particular topic of discussion or at most a forum.
   The potential damage done by bullies is forum-wide and not related to topics, but to the personality of the bully and the kind of respect and influence he wields.

[AdminOnline]

[QUOTE=Pettit-Papillon;545438]I would like today to talk about internet trolling.I know that most of You think that they know what it is,but don't exactly realize ,what a real Troll look like.
No, it's not him


nor them




/QUOTE]

LOL!!!

[Illusional]

hahahaha... i was going to ask how long it took you to type all of that out.. then i realized that there was a link on the bottom from wiki.. you thief you.

raverboy

[tooxshort]

Who cares?

Can I get the Cliffs Notes version? Haha ...