Lessons learned the hard way...

[River Jordan]

On another Website, I was a Newbie. Longer term Posters asked me for proof of what I was saying about something. I linked to another Website, showing the proof. The Posters who asked me for the proof didn't thank me for linking to the proof. I thought that was odd. A little while later, the Admin said something like, "River, linking to outside Websites is strictly prohibited. I have received multiple complaints about you already and questions asking me if you are a Troll and even I question your motives. The "Show proof of what you are saying," was a setup by the other Posters to get you into trouble. You have received a Strike for linking to an outside Website. Usually, I wouldn't give a strike to a Newbie who was tricked into breaking a Forum Rule, and would just give a warning about Forum Rules and warned Posters who tricked Newbies into breaking a Forum Rule that that is unacceptable and could lead to distrust, but because I also question your motives, I must give you the Strike. 3 strikes is a permanent banning. I will be removing the link and closing this thread."

On another Website, one that I fit in really well, Posters started saying stuff like,"Your threads are weird." Even a Website I actually got in at very well was telling me my threads were weird. On another Website, I lamented about this without saying the Website, and my enemy on that board who's very signature is cussing me out said something like,"River, tell us the name of that Website and I'll go kick their asses for you." I immediately saw red flags. WHY would my Enemy who cusses me out in his signature be trying to help me? I refused to give out the name. He soon admitted he was trying to set me up and wanted me to look even more bad at that Website by telling the name and wasn't trying to help me out at all. I told him I figured out immediately that he was trying to set me up and wasn't trying to help me out, pointing out he was my enemy and cussed me out in his signature. He said something like,"I'm surprised you immediately figured out I was attempting to set you up, not help you. Your smarter than you let on."

After falling for the "Show us proof," on that other Website, I learned my lesson when requests are actually set ups...

[Caroline13]

Forums are all different, some have strange weird regulations, I've been on one for a while now and I'm trying to post a topic and I've gotten infractioned 2 times and I read the rules and it's not worth me trying anymore.

Then there are the moderators, some so strict and some nice and accepting of members postings as long as they are not attacking a member. Disagree and debating is another thing, but to attack not acceptable.

River post more here and see how things go for you. I like to post topics that hope others will chime in on and often members don't.....it's OK.. I have other forums that comment on all issues..

[GentlemanJim]

RJ....

It's probably worth noting that some forums are for the enjoyment of the members, while others are mostly so the moderators can amuse themselves. Sounds like you found the latter.

Additionally, some people just get their kicks baiting others into conflicts, just so that once they get the response they deserve, the baitor can report them and get them banned. Usually such people see themselves as an "alpha" of some sort, and choose their targets based upon a perception that they have somehow failed to yield to their "magnificence".

[GentlemanJim]

It's noteworthy that there are "in-house" trolls as well as "threat at the door" trolls.
Just because a member might have been a valued part of a particular online community for a number of years, is no guarantee that they are not the biggest troll under the bridge. Some even manage to convince themselves that as "peacekeepers", their sins are justified.

[Caroline13]

GJ: I can't understand the roll of the troll and what is it that the alleged troll is doing to be considered a troll. I post info and next thing I know I'm infractioned for being a troll and that is being on a forum for years....grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[GentlemanJim]

Troll
The way I envision it classically just as in fishing, the "troll" crafts a tantalizing topic that theyexpect will provoke heated debate, and "trolls" it through an online community, like a fisherman might troll a baited hook..... expecting all heII to break lose.

Usually the act is portrayed as some external aggitator who seeks to disrupt an otherwise peaceful community So the locals assume the role of victim, and cast the troll as their tormentor.

As most things go, the concept has been twisted to suit various agendas. Often the term is misused as a pejorative to brand any outsider who the local clique does not approve of

Truth is, sometimes the biggest trolls are community regulars, but they are not regarded as such due to their popularity among other locals. I call them "in house trolls"...they serve the very same purpose as the "wolf at the door" external threat type troll.

The in house troll also better suits another iconic interpretation....Such a "troll" is someone who hides out, (under a bridge in theory) laying in wait to ambush supposed innocents who come to cross the bridge. But the troll ambushes them with a controversial topic....they take the bait, and become imbroiled in a conflict they neither wanted nor anticipated.

LOL, know the best way to deal with this type troll? You BURN them out with flames..

Hope this helps

[River Jordan]

Originally Posted by GentlemanJim

Troll
The way I envision it classically just as in fishing, the "troll" crafts a tantalizing topic that theyexpect will provoke heated debate, and "trolls" it through an online community, like a fisherman might troll a baited hook..... expecting all heII to break lose.

Usually the act is portrayed as some external aggitator who seeks to disrupt an otherwise peaceful community So the locals assume the role of victim, and cast the troll as their tormentor.

As most things go, the concept has been twisted to suit various agendas. Often the term is misused as a pejorative to brand any outsider who the local clique does not approve of

Truth is, sometimes the biggest trolls are community regulars, but they are not regarded as such due to their popularity among other locals. I call them "in house trolls"...they serve the very same purpose as the "wolf at the door" external threat type troll.

The in house troll also better suits another iconic interpretation....Such a "troll" is someone who hides out, (under a bridge in theory) laying in wait to ambush supposed innocents who come to cross the bridge. But the troll ambushes them with a controversial topic....they take the bait, and become imbroiled in a conflict they neither wanted nor anticipated.

LOL, know the best way to deal with this type troll? You BURN them out with flames..

Hope this helps

I remember a guy saying a Troll tried to rile him up and he said,"I enjoy your Trolling and actually find you funny." The Troll backed up, saying something like,"Whoa. You weren't supposed to enjoy my taunting of you and find me funny. You were supposed to go off on me. This is no fun," and stopped trying to Troll him." The guy responded something like,"Trolls are simple people. Show them their Trolling isn't riling you up and they run for the hills."

[GentlemanJim]

Originally Posted by River Jordan

Stay safe!"Trolls are simple people. Show them their Trolling isn't riling you up and they run for the hills."

Glad you were not harmed in your confrontation.

Stay safe!

[GentlemanJim]

Sometimes I think all it takes to be branded a "troll" is to post polarizing content that threatens the status quo or otherwise unsettles a local good 'ol boy network.

I suspect the thinking goes that they (hope to) impeach the validity of the content by branding the source as a troll.