"Hit and run" posters / trolls

[alpinerabbit]

I've noticed we had a lot of new people here lately, posting very basic questions, usually "help me buy a bike" or "help me lose weight by cycling" type things.

There's no way of telling if they were genuine and satisfied by the responses, but generally if someone does not come back after a post or two, "hit and run" can be suspected.

Too bad for any genuines, I don't think I'll freely give out advice to a first time poster anymore. Potential waste of time and pixels.

[tulip]

I've noticed that, too. I think the best thing to do is to respond with questions (what kind of riding do you do, etc.) and a nice prod to do an introduction before jumping right into responses. If they bite, then I'll take some time chat. If not, no loss.

[beccaB]

Maybe some people aren't savvy about forum ettiquette? That might be me, because I don't know what "hit and run" means, other than it happened to me once while I was running.

[beccaB]

Also, maybe if they hadn't had a chance to test out the advice they've been given? I've been advised on a solution for the hotfoot and numbness, but haven't had the money to make a change in shoes yet, thereby not getting back to the people that gave me the advice.

[Kimmyt]

Or maybe they're not the type of people to join an online community, but just want an answer to a question?

Why do they have to be a frequent poster to rate a response to a question you have?

I mean, trolls are one thing, but a simple question... I dunno, what's it gonna hurt to respond to someone's question, if they respond back or not?

[alpinerabbit]

A thanks would suffice. It's not about the courtesy, just to show you're real.

[jobob]

I agree with AR. Just a simple thank you would suffice.

If the OP went through all the effort to post the question in the first place, then surely she can take a moment to acknowledge others' efforts at replying.

Reminds me of the time a couple of years ago when a mother frantically posted to the board begging for advice about what to do for her young daughter who just started her period the night before a cycling race. She received many helpful, supportive, well-thought out replies, and she never acknowledged a one. :p

[bluebug32]

I've learned that I should be more careful in the buy and sell forum and only sell to established TE'ers. Had a recent negative experience:(

[BlueVet11]

Well, I'm new and I promise I'm for real :) I just havent done my introduce yourself thing yet... maybe I should. But I haven't had any questions yet, I've pretty much been reading other peoples question threads because I pretty much have the same questions that have already been answered :)

[Iris616]

Hmm. I am new also. I did a brief intro in my first post, but is that considerred proper etiquette? Should every new member do a new thread to introduce herself? Also, what are trolls?

[Blueberry]

Bluevet and Iris-

I'd venture a guess that you two are not what this thread is about:)

Folks show up and post one question on which an encyclopedia could be written and then never come back. We'll spend lots of time answering the question - only to now know if it was even read.

Trolls (as I understand it) show up and post a provocative question that they know will generate many, strongly opinionated replies. They are also, sometimes, guys posing as women (note - we have a few male members who are welcomed and who act entirely appropriately - these are not the same guys). For example, someone posted about her BF wearing her biking shorts. WFT?

And NO - you don't need to do a new thread to introduce yourself. Best etiquette (as I understand it) is to post over on the "getting to know you" thread. Not required, though. Just tell us something about yourself when you post. ETA - Bluevet - I just saw your post:) Pleased to meet you:)

Here's hoping you two (and all other legit newbies) hang around. We rarely bite:D:D And there are LOTS of cool folks here:)

CA

[Paradox]

I'm new too... and genuine.

Sometimes in reading other discussion boards I am intimidated to respond or add anything because everyone seems like they know each other and that it is a closed off community (yet public on the internet). Some other blogs/boards (not this one) have a very rude attitude towards "trolls" (those that read or post w/o being a daily contributor) and constantly tell others not to "feed the trolls". Personally I find that offputting. At least you all seem to be welcoming for the most part. :)

Everyone was new at some point, right?

[Blueberry]

Yes, we were all new once:) IMO Usually you only get labeled a troll 'round here if you post something really controversial. And this board has wrongly labeled folks before. If you ask a question and respond to further queries/suggestions, you're not likely to be labeled as such.

As with any board, we disagree. Sometimes strongly. Sometimes we get off on topics that we shouldn't and have to be prodded by the moderators back to where we belong. But, overall, we're a good group. I've met folks here that I count as friends (we've gone on to meet in real life). The more open the communication lines, the better IMO:)

[mimitabby]

Paradox, no, no, a Troll is not the typical new poster; it's someone who says something like "I really get turned on while riding my bike, are you gals like that too?"

Trolls are lewd , obnoxious, or ridiculous. Or all of the above. What usually happens when a troll posts is someone reports them, and the administrator usually deletes the post or thread. So that's how you know we don't think YOU are a troll.

[alpinerabbit]

Well you can first lurk & search for the info you need. If you can't find what you're looking for, you might ask your question. Can't be that hard - if you can't write it on the internet, how do you interact with real people?

It's not like you would be tarred and feathered - helps if you phrase it well instEd ov acting like a 16 yr old & showeing u're ignoranse.

There's a difference between a stupid question that has been answered a 100 times and would have been found using the search function (annoying to longtimers), simple ignorance because you are new (excusable), and trolling or flamebaiting. And then there's this new phenomenon that I am concerned about.

AS SOON as the post count goes beyond 1,2, or 3, you're much more welcome ;)

[Iris616]

Ahh--This now makes sense. Thanks:D

[Zen]

Trolls...like the guy who was into shaving. Really, really into shaving.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Paradox, no, no, a Troll is not the typical new poster; it's someone who says something like "I really get turned on while riding my bike, are you gals like that too?"

I really get turned on when I ride my bike. But not so much in the biblical sense. :D

Seriously though....I get weary of trying to answer the same general questions over and over- questions that require big answers, like "Please tell me what saddle is comfortable!" or "What's the best bike to buy?". I say if you have no clue about such things then just start READING this forum and you will find a thousand answers to your thousand questions. That's what I did when I found this forum as a newbie rider. I learned so much that way, and still do. On the other hand, specific questions that you can't figure out on your own by reading are always satisfying to answer if one has a possible solution.

[IFjane]

instEd ov acting like a 16 yr old & showeing u're ignoranse.



It would have taken me 15 minutes to write that! How do they do it? :rolleyes:

[Irulan]

I'm new too... and genuine.

Sometimes in reading other discussion boards I am intimidated to respond or add anything because everyone seems like they know each other and that it is a closed off community (yet public on the internet). Some other blogs/boards (not this one) have a very rude attitude towards "trolls" (those that read or post w/o being a daily contributor) and constantly tell others not to "feed the trolls". Personally I find that offputting. At least you all seem to be welcoming for the most part. :)

Everyone was new at some point, right?

Hopefully you've figured out that newbies or minimal posters (lurkers) is not the same thing as a troll. A troll is specifically trying to rile up the regulars. It comes from fishing as in casting bait...trolling.

http://redwing.hutman.net/~mreed/warriorshtm/troller.htm

me? I just ignore the stuff I don't feel like answering. Chances are someone else will, and does, answer.

[Zen]

Hopefully you've figured out that newbies or minimal posters (lurkers) is not the same thing as a troll. A troll is specifically trying to rile up the regulars. It comes from fishing as in casting bait...trolling.


Yes but I also think of a troll as in the character under the bridge in 3 Billy Goats Gruff :p

[ttaylor508]

Yes but I also think of a troll as in the character under the bridge in 3 Billy Goats Gruff :p

Here in Seattle we have a real troll that lives under a bridge....check him out
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2236


....sorry, just had to add that picture for fun

[BlueVet11]

Nah, I didn't think I was a troll. Just wanted to make sure you guys knew I was a legit newbie. I found this board from another board I read regularly, and there are definitely trolls there!

[Natural Beauty]

well thank goodness I'm just new and not a troll! LOL. I think about posting a question, but find that it was already asked and answered last year. So, I'm doing more absorbing than anything....still not a troll but maybe a monkey? monkey see monkey go out and buy. :p

[Blueberry]

...still not a troll but maybe a monkey? monkey see monkey go out and buy. :p

LOL!! This forum is *really* bad for staying on a budget:eek::D:D

[GLC1968]

still not a troll but maybe a monkey? monkey see monkey go out and buy. :p

Ah yes...you'll fit in fine. I think we all have been monkys at one point or another! :D :cool:

[snapdragen]

There have been times when a new person has been chased off, for lack of a better word. I'd say 99.9% of the spam/trolls don't get through the filters anymore; so I always find it best to give new/low post count folks the benefit of the doubt.

[TxDoc]

Hopefully you've figured out that newbies or minimal posters (lurkers) is not the same thing as a troll. A troll is specifically trying to rile up the regulars. It comes from fishing as in casting bait...trolling.
http://redwing.hutman.net/~mreed/warriorshtm/troller.htm


Thank you for the link - I was very confused about what a troll was, to the point that I googled it on another window before reading the rest of the posts... :confused:
But do trolls keep coming back, or they just give up and move on to create chaos in other online communities???

[TxDoc]

A thanks would suffice. It's not about the courtesy, just to show you're real.
I agree that it would be nice - but I guess we are all guilty of laziness sometimes. ;)
Too lazy to search the forums maybe, and thinking that it's just quicker to ask a question even if it could be a duplicate. And likewise, maybe once we get the answer we were looking for, then we assume we are done - and forget to throw in a 'thank you' to whoever spent some time trying to help. It would be nice to do that, but I'm sure I forget many times so I cannot complain about others...

[chakra]

I did a whole lot of reading and research on this forum before posting :)
It was fun, you get a feel for the culture of the board and for the folk who post frequently (you know who you are!).

I have been a member for over a year, and I read the forums often, I just don't contribute a whole lot.

Another way to see if someone is a troll is to notice their join date.

Anyway, this is a lovely, welcoming place to be regardless of skill level!

The only downside is that one bike will never be enough again:D and people are all too happy to support your decision to by a whole fleet!

Chakra

[chakra]

Just noticed Zen joined the same time as me, and she has over 4,000 posts :eek:

Congrats Zen!

Any really prolific poster wanna help me write my thesis??:D

Chakra,

woman of too few words!

[mimitabby]

Just noticed Zen joined the same time as me, and she has over 4,000 posts :eek:

Congrats Zen!

Any really prolific poster wanna help me write my thesis??:D

Chakra,

woman of too few words!

if it's not too boring i can help you by proof reading it.