Moderation of "Off-Topic" Posts
- Thread starter Matthew Schenker
- Start date
fidelfs
Member
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2007
- Messages
- 523
from Wikipedia
"An Internet troll, or simply troll in Internet slang, is someone who posts controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum or chat room, with the intention of provoking other users into an emotional response[1] or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion."
"An Internet troll, or simply troll in Internet slang, is someone who posts controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum or chat room, with the intention of provoking other users into an emotional response[1] or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion."
BC6738F5BCE98B4
Member
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2007
- Messages
- 61
"pot stirrer" is another, but "troller" has more negative connotations.
A suggestion to Matthew from someone in much the same position.
I run a neighborhood news service which, in practical terms, is much like this website. Since I started and maintain it I get to make the rules.
When people join/subscribe I make it clear that I will only forward (or in this context post) things which I deem to be acceptable and in appropriate tasteful language about a permitted subject. On the few occasions when I have had to invoke that authority I sent a quick note to the person saying that I didn't intend to post it as written and they were free to rewrite it. I don't think that would be practical in this context, but I would encourage you to think about the "probation" idea suggested above. I would take the position that in the heat of the moment most of us may say/write something inappropriate on occasion, but rarely twice (in the same group) within a couple of months. I firmly believe in the efficacy of "three strikes and your out" in a variety of contexts and would suggest that a similar rule could be crafted here. My guess would be that the people most likely to offend the rules are the same people who will violate them repeatedly. Getting rid of the repeat offenders will eliminate most of the problems (except for the periodic trollers). It works with criminals and I suspect it will work here.
A suggestion to Matthew from someone in much the same position.
I run a neighborhood news service which, in practical terms, is much like this website. Since I started and maintain it I get to make the rules.
When people join/subscribe I make it clear that I will only forward (or in this context post) things which I deem to be acceptable and in appropriate tasteful language about a permitted subject. On the few occasions when I have had to invoke that authority I sent a quick note to the person saying that I didn't intend to post it as written and they were free to rewrite it. I don't think that would be practical in this context, but I would encourage you to think about the "probation" idea suggested above. I would take the position that in the heat of the moment most of us may say/write something inappropriate on occasion, but rarely twice (in the same group) within a couple of months. I firmly believe in the efficacy of "three strikes and your out" in a variety of contexts and would suggest that a similar rule could be crafted here. My guess would be that the people most likely to offend the rules are the same people who will violate them repeatedly. Getting rid of the repeat offenders will eliminate most of the problems (except for the periodic trollers). It works with criminals and I suspect it will work here.
