FAQ

FINALLY REVEALED!! LITTLE-KNOWN TROLLISH SECRETS

by Joe Parsons

Many newsgroups like alt.support.attn-deficit become infested with a particularly bothersome human-like creature that has come to be called the "Troll."

While there are numerous sub-species of Troll, they all share the same root characteristics and behavior traits. The nearly-canonical New Hacker's Dictionary defines a Troll as follows:

Troll - /v.,n./

       To utter a posting on Usenet designed to attract
       predictable responses or flames. 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 Troll FAQ (yes, there is such a document!) expands upon this
definition:

       In Usenet usage, a "troll" is not a grumpy monster that
       lives beneath a bridge accosting passers-by, but rather a
       provocative posting to a newsgroup intended to produce a
       large volume of frivolous responses.

       The content of a "troll" posting generally falls into
       several areas. It may consist of an apparently foolish
       contradiction of common knowledge, a deliberately offensive
       insult to the readers of a newsgroup, or a broad request
       for trivial follow-up postings.

"Trolling" is a recreational activity, done primarily for the amusement of the Troll. He (or she) receives the payoff for the posting when a thread of (hopefully) outraged responses arises from the initial post.

The most effective response to an annoying troll is no response at all; with no one striking the "bait," the Troll is apt to leave in search of a more productive "pond."

Unfortunately, Trolls occasionally post articles that *demand* a response. Statements that malign another user or impugn his character, for example, should not be allowed to stand unchallenged. Statements that are overtly untrue or that convey patently false information should also be answered.

Many proficient Trolls use DejaNews to scan for certain character strings. When they find one or more of these attractive words, they may lurk in the newsgroup for a time, often waiting for a posting from a particularly vulnerable member. Finding their prey, they attack, frequently relying on a cowardly blind-side approach.

Once the Troll has made his attack, he may never post again to that thread; his "reward" comes from watching the continuation of the thread that he started.

There are some simple solutions to dealing with the more persistent Trolls.

First, wherever possible, avoid responding to the Troll's "bait." He is not looking for conversation, nor does he have a point to make. He is looking to amuse himself at someone else's expense.

If a Troll's post absolutely *demands* a response, avoid mentioning the Troll by name; many Trolls will scan DejaNews for occurrences of their name. It is quite permissible to refer to the Troll by other than his (or her) posted name or address.

Many Trolls use an identifiable style of writing; some may insert an unusual character into the Subject: header (the double slash "//" has appeared frequently). This identifies a thread as "his" to the Troll, no matter how long it continues.

The obvious (and simplest) solution to this last Trollish technique is simply to edit the Subject: header to remove the TrollMark. Most news readers in use today allow this to be done quite simply.

Usenet has always been a place to exchange ideas freely; the infamous Buxom Vixen Vamp of the Internet has referred to it as "the world's longest ongoing block party." That freedom of expression, however, brings with it all sorts of pests and vermin like the Trolls. Handling them effectively should be as much a part of every user's toolbox as his news reader.

Joe Parsons

(c)1997, Joe Parsons. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this article by
any mechanical or electronic means, provided that it is reproduced in its
entirety, and with no additions or alterations whatsoever.