That's my impression anyway. Personally I don't comment on the troll threads, but so many do...why is that?
And a question to you long time internet savvy folks, is there anyway to stop trolls? Can they be marked somehow? Or is this just the nature of the internet forum world?
PS The ONLY reason I care is that it def marks the board in a neg light and brings out the worst in people, not the best.
Thanks Fred, I'm very hesitant to call out certain posters as it is not always a clear cut case. If a pattern develops, then that becomes easy. Otherwise, it is hard to say if it is a true case of "troll" or not. Plus in general, I don't complain to the administrator much...I can only recall one complaint made since I've been a member of FM, and that was not about trolling. And lord knows how many complaints have been made about me and the now and then feisty posts I make.
Here are some things that seem to be the same with troll posts, and those of you with far more internet experience, please correct me or add/change:
1. The topic is nothing other than a wild statement backed up with no facts and posted in a forum where it is sure to set off at least some poeple.
2. The poster has very little history with the board, meaning no one really knows the person or has much to go on.
3. They almost never participate in the discussion beyond the original post to stir things up, supporting the first observation, meaning they are doing nothing but stirring things up with no other goal in mind.
4. The thread is almost always results in "normal" members having some kind of battle, either big or little...but they are not pleasant because the statements are not usually fact-based, just super head-strong opinion. (yeah, yeah...'pot calling the kettle black' here).
I'd like add that I've been sucked into them too, although not for a while now.
Finally, I don't have much experience on many boards so this may well be very common, and less here than other places. Based on the Fred's post above, my guess is that it is much less of an issue here than other places. If true, my first post may well be overstated and my apologies if so.
I have been thinking for some time about posting these remarks too.
Few year ago when I joinned FM, I could almost go on any part forum and find something I enjoyed to read or that was usefull to me as a beginer or that would challenge me to get better. These days, I have to work hard to find these threads.
Trolls? I think most are not trolls but rather gearheads that just got their new toy and need to brag about it. Or newbies that should have bought a P&S but instead got a DSLR as the expert vendor convinced them that it was best for them. But because they have a $1500 camera equipment, their pictures must be very good thus worth posting (been on the landscape or people or assigments forums lately?). It use to be "watch and learn" how to take pictures (at least that was my approach), but now it's "am I good or what!!" because the subject is in focus after the first clicks. Instant gratification versus need some work to be good. In short, most are technology users rather than photographers, in part because it is so easy and relatively cheap to get good equipment and push the button.
Just my 2 cents, but I could be wrong.
Fred
Trolling is to deliberately post false or controversial messages to gain attention for the sake of attention, usually from people who genuinely want to help
It is easy initially to assume that messages are genuine and reply - but then some are genuine but are merely controversial (or stupid )
I remember reading something that some of these idiots actually have user groups and meetings to think of ways to annoy... What a great use of one's time...
paulhodson wrote:
but then some are genuine but are merely controversial (or stupid )
! Yes, thinking about this more, it may well the case and which is why I hesitate to use the troll label too quickly. This comment was good for a chuckle tho...thanks.
But the only way perhaps is to look for a pattern over time.
Are trolls repeat offenders? Good grief, what turns some people on...
Lefties are under represented in prison populations; felonious crimes (murders, rape, and assaults).
They are over represented in populations of actors, artists, corporate CEO's, politicians, physicists, astronauts, fighter pilots, heads of state, writers, Nobel Laureates, poets, etc.
Alexander the Great, Chalemagne, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo were lefties.
Pretty good company, I think.
Oh, one (or two) last things; Amphoteric molecules are mostly left-handed, and the roation of celestial bodies also is primarily left-handed.
paccots wrote:
I have been thinking for some time about posting these remarks too.
Few year ago when I joinned FM, I could almost go on any part forum and find something I enjoyed to read or that was usefull to me as a beginer or that would challenge me to get better. These days, I have to work hard to find these threads.
Trolls? I think most are not trolls but rather gearheads that just got their new toy and need to brag about it. Or newbies that should have bought a P&S but instead got a DSLR as the expert vendor convinced them that it was best for them. But because they have a $1500 camera equipment, their pictures must be very good thus worth posting (been on the landscape or people or assigments forums lately?). It use to be "watch and learn" how to take pictures (at least that was my approach), but now it's "am I good or what!!" because the subject is in focus after the first clicks. Instant gratification versus need some work to be good. In short, most are technology users rather than photographers, in part because it is so easy and relatively cheap to get good equipment and push the button.
Just my 2 cents, but I could be wrong.
Fred ...Show more →
Agreed. With the digital revolution, came the gearheads. Being a photographer is no longer restricted to serious hobbyists, amateurs, and professionals. Like I've mentioned before, picture taking has never been easier. You no longer have to go to school or get a degree for it. Even a 5 year old can push a button & take pictures with a digital camera. What annoys me the most recently are the flooding of the same nonsensical posts about some vaporware that won't even be out for a while. It's either that or it's the same repeated posts about the technical blunders or worse, them blaming technical stuff on user error. Don't get me wrong, some of the posts are genuine problems, while others... well... no comment on that.
Take it either way; either they don't commit crimes because they can think their way out of the traps and circumstances that move people into a life of crime, or, they are smart enough to keep from being caught (although if that was the case, the percentage of lefties apprehended should go up, with advances in criminal forensics).
44lefty wrote:
Lefties are under represented in prison populations; felonious crimes (murders, rape, and assaults).
They are over represented in populations of actors, artists, corporate CEO's, politicians, physicists, astronauts, fighter pilots, heads of state, writers, Nobel Laureates, poets, etc.
Larry
Apparently no lefties are CEO's or engineers in camera companies considering all important controls are setup for righties.
! Yes, thinking about this more, it may well the case and which is why I hesitate to use the troll label too quickly. This comment was good for a chuckle tho...thanks. 