Guidelines to avoid trolling ?

[GadgetMaster]

Firtsly I would like to point out that I do not wish to comment at all about recent events in this small community of ours.

The politics of both sides fail to interest me so please try to keep this thread free from rivalry.

I was just wondering in general how we can make this a nicer place to be on the web.

As well as the posting guidelines already published I suggest that a few neutral examples be given as to what type of comments could be cosiderd trolling or FUD and what would be an alternative less imlammatory way of expressing that same opinion.

This might make it easier for people to avoid starting flame wars.

Some people keep repeating things in nearly every thread they post in. Annoying yes but is it trolling?

Some people mention something off topic is THAT trolling ?

Can presenting unconfirmed rumours in a way  that looks like genuine news be considered trolling ?

Does the innocent and genuine praise of a chosen solution constitute trolling?

Is an unconstructive comment trolling?

Am I being naive to think that flame wars can be reduced simply by setting rules or am I trolling  :-?  :-D

Seriously can anyone please clarify what is and is not "trolling" so that those who want to can avoid it.


BTW I am not asking for a dictionary definition just for some examples preferably neutral ones not related to anything Amiga.

[Matt_H]

I think many answers can be found in the Posting Guidelines.

Regardless, of all the Amiga sites I visit, Amiga.org seems best at keeping the peace. Rarely have I even seen a discussion get to a point that required intervention from the moderators.

[Wolfe]

I'm not even sure what trolling is - but i've heard its going on all the time.  I take it with a grain of salt.  You can't take to much of what you read here to personally.

It has bumps, but all in all A.org is a fun place.  :-D

[XIII]

troll 1. v.,n. [From the Usenet group alt.folklore.urban] To utter a
   posting on Usenet designed to attract predictable responses or
   flames; or, the post itself. Derives from the phrase "trolling for
   newbies" which in turn comes from mainstream "trolling", a style of
   fishing in which one trails bait through a likely spot hoping for a
   bite. The well-constructed troll is a post that induces lots of newbies
   and flamers to make themselves look even more clueless than they already
   do, while subtly conveying to the more savvy and experienced that it is
   in fact a deliberate troll.

Got that from here.

[Merko]

I'll try to give some examples of what I think.

In response to
"McEwen now says problems are over!"

Wrong:
"His mum promised to help him with the t-shirts?"

Right:
"Based on previous statements I have no confidence in McEwen anymore."


In response to:
"BBRV says they are not interested in the Amiga trademarks."

Wrong:
"And yesterday they wanted a license? ******* liars."

Right:
"I find this inconsistent with their previous statements, could anyone
explain?"


In response to:
"Alan says the A1 has sold more than the Pegasos."

Wrong:
"Yeah, like he said there were no bugs in Articia.."

Right:
"Does he tell what number of Pegasos sales he's comparing to?"



In response to:
"BBRV says they don't consider Amiga to be a competitor."

Wrong:
"Uh-huh? Why then do they spend all their time spreading FUD against
Amiga?"

Right:
"From what they do, it seems to me like they are competing with
Amiga."


Avoid sarcasm if you know it's going to be controversial.
Don't respond to one question by bringing up another, old question.
If you can't defend a particular action/statement from "your side",
don't try to switch subject. Concede the point and remark that in
total, this does not change your position.
Don't treat your opinions and theories as facts, insert "in my
opinion", "it seems to me", etc, when you expect others to have
different impressions of reality.

[alx]

@ Merko

ie try to sound like Data from ST?  I'm sure a lot of Amigans wouldn't find that too hard :-P

[iamaboringperson]

Guidelines to avoid trolling ?

Do we need them?

[Merko]

Yes seriously, I'm sure we can joke about OTHER things, but if we're
going to get rid of the flamewars, I think we'll have to resort to
rather boring, matter-of-fact communication. I think it's obvious that
we don't have the same frames of reference regarding this subject, it
would be like a Klingon and a Romulan trying to joke about the
Khitomer massacre, if you get my point. :-)

[DaveP]

Simple guideline to avoid trolling,

If you fall into one of the categories:

- Start to grin evilly as you type
- Mutter "Ill show him/her"
- Use silly little aliases for products ( e.g. DEad ) in your post
- Start to bring off topic stuff into a topic just to score points

You are in all probability about to troll.

[mikeymike]

Hmm, guidelines to avoid trolling, let's see...

The people you talk to on forums are people you don't know.  You also don't know their age.

How would you talk face to face with people you don't know?  

Do you swear in front of kids?

It's that simple.

(not directed at anyone in particular)

[GadgetMaster]

@Merko

[Edited to rephrase]

Because the politics do not interest me anymore I would have preferred non-specific examples but I get your drift.

It is about how you initially respond to news and such. The more you think and pause before posting the more sensible your post will be. Albeit, if everyone was too sensible it would get a bit surreal around here  ;-)

@DaveP

You are probably right. :-D

[meerschaum]

@gadget

I think your trolling, thinking you can shut everyone up by posting off-topic on the front page like this

[GadgetMaster]

@BoringPerson

We shouldn't really.

[GadgetMaster]

meerschaum wrote:
@gadget

I think your trolling, thinking you can shut everyone up by posting off-topic on the front page like this

Interesting.  So according to you, posting on the front page is trolling. Hmm I must make a mental note never to do that again ;-)

[redrumloa]

@GadgetMaster

Just end every comment with "Amiga.org rulez!!" and you will be just fine :roflmao: