"Hit and run" posters / trolls

[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 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.

[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.

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.

[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

[Zen]

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

[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?

[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/war...tm/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

[ttaylor508]

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

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