My what a friendly crowd we have here!

[Patrick]

It fills my heart with joy to see how you all welcome newbies with open arms and words of encouragement and advice.  Must be the Christmas spirit filling you all with such joy and goodwill.

Merry Christmas newbies.  Welcome to message board hell.

[HappyIdiot]

... in response to My what a friendly crowd we have here!, posted by Patrick on Dec 14, 2001

Maybe if you could take steps to reduce the churning of "new" users, it would reduce the frustration that people feel from seeing the same pattern of disruption a few thousand times.  Have you been considering any methods to do that?

[Dan]

... in response to and the third Christmas Spirit was sarca..., posted by HappyIdiot on Dec 15, 2001

HI,

If you have some brilliant suggestion to help alleviate the situation, I suspect Patrick would appreciate seeing it. How about it??

- Dan

[Richard]

... in response to Methods . . ., posted by Dan on Dec 15, 2001

I like Happy's idea of a follow up check on email addresses. Perhaps it could be done for everyone to catch out of date accounts.

However, I don't like BubbaGump's idea of banning posts from libraries.  Libraries (especially public libraries) area a wonder place to access information - electronic and print.  (That's the former librarian in me speaking.)  On a more practical note, I've used the internet access at my local library when I've had problems with my internet service at home is down for some reason.   Would you have me banned from posting because of technical difficulties (computer down, phone line down or isp down) at home? Yes, all three have happened to me and the library was my alternate access.

As I've said before, the best way to immunize this place against trolls is to ignore them.  I believe that trolls troll for the attention that they get.  If they don't get their fix of attention here, the will go elsewhere for their attention fix.  At least that's my humble opinion.

[HappyIdiot]

... in response to Methods . . ., posted by Dan on Dec 15, 2001

1. New Accounts cannot post for 1 week.
2. Existing Accounts are deactived after 1 or 2 months without posting and have to be reactivated with the 1 week wait.
3. Accounts which may be created using the first month "free", like Compuserve or AOL get a form letter after the first month, and if the letter bounces back, the account is deactivated until the person sends in a current email address.

Hopefully, this would reduce the volume of trolling, and also make it more work when they meltdown under one ID.  Also, I think for a legit user, these would not be such a barrier to participation.

I'm sure other people would have some ideas that people could reach a consensus on.  The other side of it is whether it is possible with the software.

[BubbaGump]

... in response to Not Brilliant, but some suggestions, posted by HappyIdiot on Dec 15, 2001

[BubbaGump]

... in response to and the third Christmas Spirit was sarca..., posted by HappyIdiot on Dec 15, 2001

JJ disappears and new trolls surface.  It looks like several are visiting for Christmas and they didn't bring a side dish.  They jump in there and agree with the other trolls as if that gives somebody credibility.  

Every time you see a post from a public library, it relates some BS sounding storyline like that guy from Oregon last year.  He said he broke his computer and was forced to post from the library.  

Phillip b, Coaster, the new John and a few others are very suspect.

[Cold Warrior]

... in response to I think you're exactly right, posted by BubbaGump on Dec 15, 2001

jj is now posting as juio99.

[Rags]

... in response to My what a friendly crowd we have here!, posted by Patrick on Dec 14, 2001

I was away for a couple of days and Dermo... Whassup with the Board? Just another one of the cycles I guess.

Newbies don't be alarmed. We just attract some real weirdos once in a while. Stick around and eventually the sickos will get boared (or BANNED) and you can pick up some good info.

Thanks Patrick, we do appreciated you hanging in there and "hanging then high" when neseccary. Happy Holidays!

[Cold Warrior]

... in response to My what a friendly crowd we have here!, posted by Patrick on Dec 14, 2001

Anyone tough enough to be on this board will be able to succeed in their quest.This is no place for losers and the faint-hearted.Thank you for this board and for bearing with us during this past year.Merry Christmas.

[Patrick]

... in response to Thanks for the compliment ......, posted by Cold Warrior on Dec 14, 2001

I'm not bearing with everybody.

[DR]

... in response to Look below, posted by Patrick on Dec 14, 2001

n/t

[BarryM]

... in response to Look below, posted by Patrick on Dec 14, 2001

nt