Posted on 11/22/2004 8:39:43 AM PST by MWS
Alright, fellow VKers, I have a small bone to pick with some of you. Not necessarily you, the one reading this post (I mean, I'd never criticize you personally... you know that...), but rather some of the other Kitties reading this post.
I think that a few of us are getting a little overzealous in the pursuit of trolls. It's good to be a little zealous, of course. After all, it strikes fear in the hearts of those who would infiltrate us and wreak havoc on all the other poor, unsuspecting FReepers we have vowed to defend. Unfortunately, some among us (again, not you personally... you'd never be overzealous...you and I both know this!) have had the tendency to lob the label of "troll" at anyone who posts an article or comment that seems a bit outlandish. I especially have a problem with this when it is done to established FReepers who have been around for a while.
My concern isn't for the person getting targetted, of course. This forum is made up of big boys and girls who can tolerate a little name calling. My concern, rather, is for the reputation of the forum itself, not to mention for the reputations of those who are making the charges. After all, it doesn't reflect well on someone who is calling for the zotting of a member who has been with FR since 1998!
The power of the Zot is a mighty weapon. It strikes sheer horror into the hearts of trolls everywhere (well... it gives us a few laughs at the expense of some hapless sap...but still). It should be used with fear and trepidation. With that in mind, we ought to keep several guidelines in mind as we go out to hunt those who wish to besmirch our glorious forum:
1.Check the dates at which people joined. People who signed up in '98 or '99 most likely aren't trolls. You might want to hesitate on attempting to zot someone who signed up in 2000 as well. Trolls are not patient beings. They don't tend to lurk for that long. I suppose it is possible they could be a troll, but not it's not very likely.
2.Check posting histories, please. Trolls don't tend to post passionate defenses of conservativism. In fact, this is actually a way of catching trolls as well. Trolls are over the top in their conservatism - because they do not understand conservatism itself, only a caricature. Read what the person has said in the past before lobbing out charges of trollery.
3.Not every newbie posting an article is a troll. Granted, it's quite possible that they are, but it's also possible that they are simply clueless as to the mistake they're making. (As a sidenote, I really do wish that there were a disclaimer warning newbies not to post articles... it really would save a lot of effort...)
4.Don't forget to sacrifice the troll heads to the Mods. I can't emphasize this enough. They get angry when they don't get their sacrifices.
I'm sure others can think of some other guidelines.
Happy Zotting!
Report suspected trolls to the Admin Moderator (via FReepmail or Abuse button).
Moderators can verify the ISP that the poster is using. Repeated activity can easily be spotted.
I am happy to add mini-meeps to the list. Thanks.
On another subject, this eBay auction was posted a week ago or so here on FR.
What a hoot!
Virgin Mary In Grilled Cheese NOT A HOAX ! LOOK & SEE !
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5535890757&ssPageName=ADME:B:WN:US:1
Current bid: US $15,200.00
Time left: 4 hours 9 mins
Both still there.
*sigh*
Here's three trolls to check out:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/user-posts?name=allnude
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/user-posts?name=ex-democrat+dean
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/user-posts?name=Stuffed+Tiger
Sigh. On the other hand, I haven't seen them around much since then...
We probably scared them off. Kids that age don't belong here anyway... (with apologies to 4mycountry... there are exceptions to any rule!)
And welcome to FreeRepublic.com, mini-meeps. :^D
They didn't sound liek kids to me, GoBush123 and fat_kid sounded more like adults playing at sounding like kids.
*sigh*
There are rather advanced and thoughtful youths out there that are capable of being here, but they seem to be rarer and rarer these days.
liberaltarians
Well, it always comes down to rule #4 that I named in my post.
Rule #4 is the most important part of being VK. I wish more would realize that.
I remember pinging the mod to the one at the date that happened, but it seems the mod was busy then.
Been keeping an eye on them since.
BTW - thanks for pinging your list! (I'll have to go to you and Zavien for my VK pings from now on)
She looks more like Mae West to me.
That's one of my favorite quotes. I wish I knew who originated it.
You bet. Anytime. :^)
hahahaaaa!
hahahaaa!When I first saw the auction, I sent the guy a note saying
she looked more like Bette Midler than the Virgin Mary!:^D
:^D
Dumb Crooks article.
Enjoy!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1286179/posts?page=1
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