Something Interesting Alexa Showed Me Regarding Recent Trolling Activity

[I Am Not A Mod]

Hi everyone.

One of the things I have noticed lately is that, at least from where I sit, trolling activity has increased greatly recently. Many relatively new accounts, or older accounts with previously little or no activity, suddenly coming on and posting negative comments about President Reagan, saying they are lifelong Republicans but no more, and a bunch of other things that could be legitimately held beliefs on their part but when taken in aggregate make it clear that there is quite a bit of trolling action going on.

I found the following to be quite illuminating. Alexa.com is a website which tracks web usage for those who voluntarily use their software (a browser toolbar extension). They accumulate the data and compile it into useful reports, such as traffic reports. They also report on related topics-- "People who visit this page also visit".

So, what sites do "People who visit" Free Republic also visit?

• The Hollow Planet:

  "Progressive-left activist news and essays with an extensive link page to all things counter cultural and activist."

• Co-op America:

  "Contains information on boycott campaigns, sweatshop activism, public service, barter and LETSystems to regenerate local economies in the service of local needs."

• CIVICUS - Worldwide Alliance for Citizen Participation:

  ""Promoting a worldwide community of informed, inspired, committed citizens who are actively engaged in confronting the challenges facing humanity." In English, Español, Français."

• Emc:

  " People who visit this page also visit:

  • Clarity Web-Portal for Issue Resolution and Social Action. clarity.aurdev.com - Site info 
    
    
  • A SEED Europe www.aseed.net - Site info 
    
    
  • Mobilization for Global Justice www.a16.org - Site info 
    
    
  • Resist Corporate Rule tao.ca/~resist - Site info 
    
    
  • Co-op America www.coopamerica.org - Site info 
    
    
  • International Action Center www.iacenter.org - Site info 
    
    
  • Free Republic www.freerepublic.com - Site info 
    
    
  • Do Something www.dosomething.org - Site info 
    
    
  • CIVICUS - Worldwide Alliance for Citizen Participation www.civicus.org - Site info 
    
    
  • Essential.Org www.essential.org - Site info 
    
    

  "

• OpenWords.Com:

  " People who visit this page also visit:

  • Celebrate Capitalism www.celebratecapitalism.org - Site info 
    
    
  • Latino Education Network Service palante.org - Site info 
    
    
  • Industrial Workers of the World www.iww.org - Site info 
    
    
  • Save The Good Friday Agreement Coal members.tripod.com/SavetheGFA - Site info 
    
    
  • A Call To Charms calltocharms.faithweb.com - Site info 
    
    
  • Photo of Fritz Weidner www.pivot.net/~weidner/fcw150x150-1.jpg - Site info 
    
    
  • [maine Greens Update] Fritz Weidner lists.psouth.net/pipermail/mainegreens/2002-June/000008... - Site info 
    
    
  • Woodstock Electronic Press ewoodstock.com - Site info 
    
    
  • Portalscripts.com www.portalscripts.com - Site info 
    
    
  • OurVoices www.ourvoices.org - Site info 
    
    

  "

• League of the NewJust:

  "Concerned about growing environmental harm, the increasing power of transnational corporations and other matters which affect the quality of life on Earth. "The chains of capitalism and the quest for profit obscures the path leading to true happiness and self-actualisation. In ignorant denial, capitalists fail to acknowledge the inherent unsustainability of their system as well as its intrinsic wrongdoing, crime against, not only humanity, but against a larger purpose, against mother Gaia and the great interrelated systems of the Universe."

• Government Is Not God Political Action Committee:

  "GING-PAC raises support for socially conservative legislation and candidates" [Hey! A conservative one! Who would have thought?]

• Focus on the Family:

  "Offers practical help for your marriage and child-rearing. Recent magazine articles, letters from Dr. James Dobson, news, and RealAudio broadcasts." [Score another for the good guys]

• Do Something:

  "Encourages young people to create their own vision for making a difference in their community and provides them with the resources and support needed."

• Billboard Liberation Front:

  ""Improving" outdoor advertising since 1977."

• Facing the Future presents Creative Action:

  "We are often overwhelmed by global problems - hungry childgren, rainforest destruction, over population and global warming. Creative Action helps you get involved in solving critical global issues."

• A SEED Europe:

  "Action for Solidarity, Equality, Environment and Development, a global organization linking youth groups and individuals. Information on campaigns, action reports, news, agenda and publications for ordering or download."

• Mobilization for Global Justice:

  " People who visit this page also visit:

  • The Hollow Planet members.primary.net/~gmarshal - Site info 
    
    
  • Resist Corporate Rule tao.ca/~resist - Site info 
    
    
  • Direct Action Youth www.geocities.com/djh_uk/day.html - Site info 
    
    
  • Facing the Future presents Creative Action www.creativeaction.org - Site info 
    
    
  • Co-op America www.coopamerica.org - Site info 
    
    
  • CIVICUS - Worldwide Alliance for Citizen Participation www.civicus.org - Site info 
    
    
  • A SEED Europe www.aseed.net - Site info 
    
    
  • Clarity Web-Portal for Issue Resolution and Social Action. clarity.aurdev.com - Site info 
    
    
  • 50 Years Is Enough www.50years.org - Site info 
    
    
  • Indymedia.org www.indymedia.org - Site info 
    
    

  See more Related Links...

  ---

  People who are interested in this site also bought:

  "

• Clarity Web-Portal for Issue Resolution and Social Action.:

  "Details solutions and everyday actions we can take to confront the many issues we face: environmental, social, governmental, and economic. Provides links, essays, articles, and other resources to that end. Takes on a systemic/holistic view of the world and the issues we are facing."

• Drudgereport.com: Hi Matt. Keep up the good work.

• Win Without War:

  "Coalition of national organizations offering a mainstream voice advocating alternatives to preemptive war against Iraq. Current actions, member organizations, alternatives to war, press room, and resources."

• Pax Christi USA:

  "Christian non-violence organization. Includes press releases and information on memberships."

• Newsmax.com Keep up the good work, Carl.

• International ANSWER:

  "Activist group against war and racism, formed in response to the rush to war following the September 11 attacks. Background reading, fact sheets, campaigns, petitions, action alerts, and resources for activism."

• Worldnetdaily.com

  Somehow, I doubt all those people from the left-leaning sites on this list are just lurking and browsing here.

  Just some food for thought.

[Devil_Anse]

Will do! Thanks.

In fact, there's a new one (probably that same disruptor) on this thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1028540/posts

It goes by the name of "btown80". BTW, that's another frequently-seen characteristic of this particular troll: it will combine a word with numbers. (I know there are many legitimate posters who have done this also; just happens that the troll does it frequently.)

[Fierce Allegiance]

Troll activity info ping

NOT FOR ZOT!

[GOPJ]

Trolls will work to take this place down. The closer to an election, the worse it will get.

These are not all common citizen trolls. Many of them are professionals, paid to destroy our right to freely assemble.

Strikes me as a crime.

[Cultural Jihad]

"Well, I am a lifelong Republican ever since the Jurasic era, but unless President Bush campaigns for __( enter your favorite fringed johnny-one-note issue here )__ then this Republican will not be voting for him again!"

[William Terrell]

I'm at a loss to see how this indicates anything concrete.

[MEG33]

My grandson did some nifty work to disable RealPlayer's take over and left me the capacity to use when necessary(reluctantly!)

[Flyer]

I installed it to watch the Texas Senate during redistricting. My Zone Alarm doesn't let it access the Internet on it's own, though.

[kayak]

ping

[MEG33]

I was to say the least limited until I asked him about it and he fixed RP and allowed access to other players he HATES Realplayer!

[MEG33]

Gag..such a dummy,too!

[squidly]

My liberal/Green brother was here to visit for a week or two, and is leaving today. He was posting from my 'puter as "Brubricker" and got himself banned. Sorry 'bout that.

[Bernard Marx]

I've noticed the same thing, with some accounts going back as far as 1999 suddenly coming to life with anti-conservative comments. Lots of weird games being played. Thanks for your research.

[txhurl]

You get paged instead of pinged? That would drive me nuts.

[freekitty]

Yeah; but I have never heard of most of those sites.

[Devil_Anse]

Many of them are professionals

Your point here is backed up by the fact that there is at least one of these creatures which seems able to re-register under NUMEROUS names, and to re-register at the drop of a hat.

to destroy our right to freely assemble

Puts it in a light that I never saw before. Very insightful.

[Admin Moderator]

Just bookmark this, and it will notify you of new posts, mail, and state board messages (if you are signed up for a board)

Pager

[Devil_Anse]

Also see Post 72 by Bernard Marx.

I, too, have noticed older accounts that seem to suddenly come to life. But in this case, they seem to come on (believe it or not) the threads about the Laci Peterson murder. One older account will make some sort of whiny, complaining remark, then a day or so later, a different older account will take up the very same argument made by the previous one. It's quite strange.

So they are definitely not confining the disruption to the overtly political threads.

[Devil_Anse]

Check out this thread. Some strange phenomena happening. The part I personally observed, I described in Post 38.

Freepmail to follow.

[Lead Moderator]

It doesn't. It is just interesting.

[jmc813]

enter your favorite fringed johnny-one-note issue here

Do you consider the Assault Weapons ban to be a "fringed johnny-one note issue"?