Trolls and Newbies

[Deleted member 478]

How difficult is it to discern between the two? I have a faint memory of my first post; terrified that my question would get shot down in flames by those that knew it all, with responses like "troll, w*anker, stupid tw*t....". It probably took 100 posts before I felt "accepted". The stability of Stingo being so harshly contested didn't help and in hindsight, it was a stupid question because Stingo is a great boat.

A week or so ago, I received an email from someone that asked for my recommendations on doing a Pacific crossing. Since I know nothing about the Pacific I suggested they register on here and ask the same question. I am confident they did just that - albeit three times and are now being accused of being trolls.

I would like to appeal to all the old farts on here to give these guys some slack. We were all Newbies at some stage and trying to become accepted "into the Club" may have clouded their need to post the question once too often.

I'd like to think of it this way, once they've learnt a few tricks from the likes of MichaelE, Talbot, KellysEye, AndrewB, snowleopard, boatmike,..... to mention a few, these guys will do the Pacific and then be in a position to teach us old farts a trick or two.

So newbies, welcome to the forum and please ignore anyone that gives you flack.

 

[graham]

I find it frustrating when a new name appears with a question that may or may not be a wind up /troll ,then gets torn up for toilet paper by every tom dick and hariette.Usually thats the last we see of them.

Come on guys if you see a new user posting cut them some slack,if their genuine then they will soon find their feet and learn to ride the punches if trolls then they will soon be outed and strung out to dry. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Sans Bateau]

What do ya mean a 100 posts or so, I've done nearly 3000 and still get the piss taken out of me!

 

[graham]

True.but we know you can take it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Chrissie]

Sorry to ask, but as a newbie, I need to ask, whats a troll? (I dont need to hear that its a small bearded creature that likes making mischief)

 

[Deleted member 478]

A troll is a wind-up i.e. someone will ask a contentious question in a manner than expects a serious answer.

eg, I'd like to cross the Atlantic in hurricane season on a 24ft barge with a rotting mast. How much fresh water will I need?

 

[graham]

Anyone with a Contessa 26 cant be one so Ill stick my neck out....A troll is someone who posts something stupid or controversial hoping to get all kinds of advice from us know it alls who cant help but leap[ in and offer the benefit of our vast experience /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[l'escargot]

[ QUOTE ]
....a new name appears with a question that may or may not be a wind up /troll ,then gets torn up for toilet paper by every tom dick and hariette. Usually thats the last we see of them....

[/ QUOTE ]
That usually means they are one of the regulars trying to troll and they deserve all they get. If they stop trolling, it will be a safer place for newbies.

 

[BrendanS]

in the early days, there was an unofficial rule that all newbies were treated with kid gloves for their first 10 posts, and it was enforced by forumites. Problem is these days if you try to have members enforce such good sense rules, the 'old hands' trying to enforce them will get flamed and attacked as forum police, so no one bothers anymore.

 

[graham]

Erm.... how do you know this ?Is it worth discouraging a new user in the hope of scoring some imaginary points over a seasoned troller ?Or Are you just Trolling?

Personally I find pair trawling more effective /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[graham]

brendan you may be an expert in many fields BUT not on the early days of this forum.

 

[Sans Bateau]

Two kinds, image graham above re-registered as say Bavaria__Owner and started a good old ding dong going about Bavs, just for the hell of it, then that would be classed as a troll. Second type of troll is a bit more open, I might start a thread using a very provocative opening post about mobo wash, say, again just for the hell of it.

Either way a troll is designed to make or cause trouble, only in a mischievous way of course.

Welcome to the forum, we're all OK its the others you need to be cautious of! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Sixpence]

Stingo , this has a distinct hint of troll in this post , is this a troll or are you a newbie"?

 

[l'escargot]

[ QUOTE ]
Erm.... how do you know this ?...

[/ QUOTE ]
Regulars never used to troll with dual identities, now it is a regular occurrence. Newbies have just become collateral damage.

Anyway, if a new user can be so easily discouraged, perhaps they shouldn't be playing on the internet without a responsible adult.

 

[graham]

[ QUOTE ]
image graham above re-registered as say Bavaria__Owner

[/ QUOTE ] If only. i wish,Maybe one day....

 

[BrendanS]

Who said I was an expert?, I'm commenting on what it used to be like.

 

[Sans Bateau]

[ QUOTE ]
If only. i wish,Maybe one day....

[/ QUOTE ]


See See, Mr newbie thats what I mean, he's Trolling, bloody B******t, he wouldnt want a crappy old Bav /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[graham]

Obviously this thread has degenerated into a bit of tongue in cheek humour BUT putting my serious head on for a moment I have to take the other [point of view that newbies should not be shot down in flames until all other avenues have been explored.

UN Sanctions etc etc

 

[Sans Bateau]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm commenting on what it used to be like

[/ QUOTE ]

God, suppose you'll be going on about the 'good old days' in a minute.

 

[graham]

When I started we used to meet in the pub first to discuss what we would put on the forum later /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Need to be a large pub now /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif