How do you / should we have to call out Trolls?

Forums › Geekzone › How do you / should we have to call out Trolls?

1eStar

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#171061 4-Apr-2015 00:16

There is one particular prolific commentator who is getting on my wick. If you can't -1 his posts or ::plonk::, then how do I actively avoid confrontation? I've posted two unhelpful posts of late, which on refection were purely reactionary to inflammatory statements, and counter to my personal mantra of always being helpful and constructive.
Is the only way forward to report the troll? I'd rather have some mechanism to ignore them so I can get on with life in peace. Ie just plonk me if you think my comments are too pc.

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Webhead
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#1276968 4-Apr-2015 00:43

That would be a good subscriber feature: Being able to mute anyone in the forums so you don't see their posts.

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freitasm

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#1276994 4-Apr-2015 08:36

Many moons ago I suggested "plonk". Some came out enraged with the idea, clearly showing they thought users would be able to silence posters for everyone - not seeing it was a personal thing.

I will implement a MUTE feature soon now that our servers are migrated.

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1eStar

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#1277024 4-Apr-2015 09:58

Yes, I followed that thread with interest. The 'mute' button will sound more friendly. I look forward to the mute button!

gbwelly

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#1281915 13-Apr-2015 10:51

freitasm: Many moons ago I suggested "plonk". Some came out enraged with the idea, clearly showing they thought users would be able to silence posters for everyone - not seeing it was a personal thing.

I will implement a MUTE feature soon now that our servers are migrated.

How are we going with that MUTE button?

freitasm

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#1281921 13-Apr-2015 10:57

Had a thought about its implementation. Instead of NOT LISTING the reply at all I am thinking of listing inside a box with something like "CONTENT FILTERED - Click to see"... I need to test t he script/CSS to make this work and if this works ok it should be easy to implement. Probably will test this during upcoming weekend...

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sidefx

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#1281934 13-Apr-2015 11:05

I'm not sure any version of this will work better than people just learning to ignore these posts themselves. Believe me I know how hard this is, but:

If you hide posts completel it would seem you run the risk of ending up with nonsensical\disjointed threads as you can see replies to "troll" posts but not the original - assuming the person replying hasn't quoted the supposed troll.

Which brings up another interesting question - should you hide replies that quote the "troll" (i.e muted person) - If so you run the risk of even more disjointed threads, if not - well quoting happens so frequently you're going to see all the troll posts anyway.

I think the idea of a "placeholder" is probably best... but I still suspect it's human nature to look at it once you know it's there and it's easy to do so :P

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macuser

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#1281941 13-Apr-2015 11:15

Users with poor opinions bring down the reputation of the website, which is a community hub and a really useful resource.

Ideally I would have it that users trolling or posting in poor taste would be hidden to all.

If Geekzone continues to be a harbour of poor taste it will stop different demographics from joining (aka women and minorities) because they will feel alienated.

The forum ticker is awesome on the homepage, but can be bogged down by crap when all the off topic threads blow up, the forum ticker is the entry door to the forums for most, so if the first thing they see is users posting in poor taste they'll be put off in a big way.

Maybe just off topic shouldn't be put in the forum ticker, that would kill it immediately, that said it might kill off some good off topic threads...

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freitasm

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#1281963 13-Apr-2015 11:37

Trolls are banned. Opinions aren't censored though. You might disagree with someone but we can't do anything about it. But if the person is actually trolling then you can report the post.

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sidefx

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#1281984 13-Apr-2015 12:03

freitasm: Trolls are banned. Opinions aren't censored though. You might disagree with someone but we can't do anything about it. But if the person is actually trolling then you can report the post.

If only it were so easy though. I'm sure obvious trolls are banned, but good trolls will always do so in such a way that it seems they're just expressing their opinions, and trolls will always claim that's all they're doing.

I'm not saying you or any of the moderators are doing anything other than a sterling job, just that trolling can be very hard\impossible to detect if done well, and I'm always reluctant to report any post as such as I prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt.

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macuser

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#1281985 13-Apr-2015 12:05

freitasm: Trolls are banned. Opinions aren't censored though. You might disagree with someone but we can't do anything about it. But if the person is actually trolling then you can report the post.

What's the difference between trolling and having poor taste opinions? Intent? So it's fine if you truly believe that beneficiaries should be prevented from having children but if you're just saying it for fun it's a ban?

surfisup1000

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#1282006 13-Apr-2015 12:16

One thing that bugs me is when someone asks a genuine question and you get people being unwanted policeman or imposing their unwanted moral/personal opinion.

Wade

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#1282016 13-Apr-2015 12:23

Can we have a -1 button alongside the +1?

Maybe it would act as a visual reminder when one's total count is in the negatives that something is wrong with their posting style? :P

Satch

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#1282017 13-Apr-2015 12:24

surfisup1000: One thing that bugs me is when someone asks a genuine question and you get people being unwanted policeman or imposing their unwanted moral/personal opinion.

This.

macuser

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#1282029 13-Apr-2015 12:37

Wade: Can we have a -1 button alongside the +1?

Maybe it would act as a visual reminder when one's total count is in the negatives that something is wrong with their posting style? :P

Good idea but it would likely result in bullying

sidefx

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#1282035 13-Apr-2015 12:42

surfisup1000: One thing that bugs me is when someone asks a genuine question and you get people being unwanted policeman or imposing their unwanted moral/personal opinion.

The dictionary:

fo·rum

ˈfôrəm/

noun

1.

a place, meeting, or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged.

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