What is Troll and Killfile?

A need to know basis. What is Troll and Killfile?????

Thank you for asking, darkcat. You have done other newbies a great service by asking this question :) Trolls are people who, for some reason enjoy pissing off the people at a newsgroup by making negative posts about the newsgroup subject (example: "Southpark sucks). They give no reason as to why they don't like the subject, movie, actor, TV show, music group, or whatever it is. Trolls do this because they know that people will respond to their idiotic posts in one way or the other, and they thrive on that attention. Therefore, any response-insult, "witty" comeback, or even trying to reason with the troll will NOT WORK. I repeat, it WILL NOT WORK.

The easiest solution is to simply ignore the trolls. Just don't respond to their posts. But there's another way-get a killfile. A killfile makes it so that if you put a troll in it you won't have to see their future posts. However, you would still see the posts of anyone who happens to respond to the troll post, and if they have the original troll post in their response you would then see it. Now, my good friend Covenant has created this wonderful Pledge, and we urge all of you - newbies and other regulars who haven't pledged yet- to please sign the Pledge to never respond to trolls. This includes responding to someone who responded to a troll post, because any sort of response just adds to the thread. Thank you.

<steps down from her ever popular soapbox>

[email] wrote:

I think you're confusing trolls with flamers. Flamers are into angering and shocking people. Trolls are into getting responses.

Two examples from a star.trek ng.

Flame: Captain Pickard is the biggest asshole in outer space and you're all idiots for watching him!!

Troll: Since faster-than-light speed is physically impossible, the whole premise behind Star Trek is bullshit.

See the difference?  Nearly everyone but the newbies will ignore
flames.
But a well crafted troll will suck in people who would not ordinarily
respond to flames.
The troll mentioned above garnered dozens of responses from people who
would not have responded to a flame.
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Dave wrote:

Yes I agree with you in the sense that there are basically 2 types of assholes in the newsgroup with 2 styles of posts; but they are similar in the sense that both say negative things about the newsgroup with no support for their opinion, and both look for attention. The longer troll/flame threads are, the more smug they get and the happier the little bastards get.

-Toni

Actually, way more than two. See below.

Not true. Again. See below.

Here's some information about the various types of trolls. It may be considered on-topic because it will help you recognize trolls who come calling in this very ng. Pay particular attention to #3 and tell me if you find it sounds familiar. (Both the troll, and the expected responses)

Ahem. The following is a list of common troll styles. This list should not be considered exhaustive, as there is not way to predict what those pesky little trolls will come up with next. However, here are some typical and widely used forms:

1.) The STRAIGHT UP ASSHOLE FLAME TROLL- Easy. The troll will post a message with a very inflammatory header that will guarantee furious replies. An example would be a post in ALT.SKINHEADS with the header, "YOU BUNCHA RACIST ASSWIPERS EAT DOG CRAP BISCUITS!" The body might be a single sentence like "There's a revolution coming and we're gonna gang-rape all your zit-covered skinhead women, you cowardly redneck assholes!" Bubba and all his friends down at the gun shop will be more than happy to attempt to out-vulgarize the troll, and the troll will gleefully reply until the thread takes on a life of it's own.

2.) The CLUELESS NEWBIE JOKE TROLL- The troll will either post a new message or follow up on a previous thread with a funny, usually blatantly incorrect or ironic header, and a witty or outrageously stupid body. An example would be a post in ALT.SATAN with the header "CAN ANYONE PLEASE TELL ME HOW MANY OUNCES ARE IN A PENTAGRAM?" This may not get any replies, but the joke has been made. The troll can chuckle to him/herself for hours.

3.) The HIT, RUN AND WATCH TROLL- The troll will drop a single post with a disagreeable header and creative content, then sit back and watch the thread run it's course. An example would be a message in REC.PETS.CATS with the header, "CATS SUCK DOGS BUTTS AND SO DO THEIR OWNERS", filled in with a few lines about why dogs are better than cats. The thread will erupt with indignant cries of "bigot" and "not my kitty!" followed by follow-ups of the wiser groupers telling everyone not to respond to trolls, then disagreements between the members...etc. A variation is to add a little creativity to the same idea, such as the header, "HOW DO I KEEP MY DOG FROM CHASING CATS?" Then fill in the body with a few lines graphically describing how your dog often comes home with lifeless kitties in his mouth. Or better yet, post a "RECIPE FOR CHINESE FELINE FOO YUNG." This can die immediately or go on forever.

4.) The CONFIDENCE or TACTICAL TROLL- The troll will begin by posting a few messages in a given NG that are on-topic, if not slightly over-the-top. Methodically, the troll will begin writing the messages to be a little more sarcastic, silly, or even more over-the-top than the last one, until the group finally catches on that the poster is a troll. By that time the troll has had plenty of fun, and can go on his/her way to the next group. An example would be a message in the alt.alien.visitors NG with an initial post, "HOW DO I KNOW IF I'VE BEEN ABDUCTED?" The troll would ask believable questions and seem legit at first. As groupers began to reply, the troll would add to the story line and let it develop into a full scale story of an abduction, sexual probing, missing time, mutilated farm animals, aluminum foil hats, and ongoing communications where the aliens have announced that they are coming to land the mother ship in Las Vegas and turn it into a casino/theme park. Here is where the frustrated writer/troll does his work, and is often the most entertaining thread to follow if you are a troll fan.

5.) The CREATIVE CROSS POST TROLL- The troll will select two or more NG's where the groupers are already against each other, and start a fight between them. An actual example was the message cross-posted in alt.fan.howard-stern and alt.fan.rush-limbaugh, "HOWARD STERN KICKS RUSH LIMBAUGHS ASS!" The body explained in some detail why Howard is better than Rush. This is not a troll to the Howard groupers, but definitely is to the Ditto Heads. The Rush groupers took offense, blasted out several replies, the Howard fans replied, and a war broke out between the two groups that continues to the day of this writing. Of course, a few trolls jumped in and fanned the flames occasionally. The two groups didn't realize (or didn't care) that every message was cross-posted to both groups, so in effect they were tolling themselves. Brilliant.

6.) The GANG TROLL- A single troll will invite others to join a successful thread, or a group of trolls will agree to launch a simultaneous attack on a pre-determined target NG. Coordination is done by e-mail, on the home newsgroup (alt.troll), ICQ, or some other method of communication. The trolls may choose to argue opposite sides of the issue, half pretending to be groupers who are over-the-top and fight back against the evil trolls, or all just blast away at the regulars. An individual may also be the target, in which case the trolling may cross NG borders. The gang troll can be performed in tandem with any of the other trolling types to completely befuddle the NG. This can be done for a few days, stopping as suddenly as it started, or go on until the group (or individual) self-destructs.

In article , [email] wrote:

ALL RIGHT! Time to start practicing the pseudo-latin again! Hey, I'm once more feeling silly, what can I say?

As previously mentioned: _Trolleum flameaeus_ var. rectum (?)

Hmmmm, perhaps: _Trolleum punnicus_ var. newbitia

A tough one. How about: _Trolleum singularium_ var. posteus

_Trolleum duplictius_ var. personae

_Trolleum combateaea_ var. crosseum groupus

A dangerous breed, to be sure. _Trolleum flockeum_ var. en masse

And I hope this is humorous.

it is a pleasant troll, lol

Damn dude, you sure know your trolls.....I wonder if this should go in the FAQ.......Joe what do you think? I know it's not really SP related, but it does have to do with the NG.

-Toni

I can't take credit for writing it, only for sharing it.  Covenant, if
you decide any or all of it may be worth inclusion, please contact
[email].  It's straight from his alt.troll FAQ.
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Toni,

Nah... I've seen a few different 'Troll description' posts, but the FAQ is only for specific SP stuff....

Covenant. A Man With Far Too Much Time On His Hands

Alt.Tv.Southpark FAQ: http://www.angelfire.com/oh/joesfaqforsp/index.html

Toni wrote in message ...

does have

So I wonder if the Trolls and Flamers are reading all of this and basking in the sunlight????? Hmmm more like having a little snigger in the dark!! Ha Ha!! What ever pleases their little minds.

In article ,

that

opinion,

In article , [email] wrote:

Actually, you could consider them two diverging branches on the troll evolutionary line. You have the more simplistic, basic troll (_Trolleum flameaeus_), and the more clever, yet still overly-annoying troll (_Trolleum complexeus_ var. inferiorum). Damn, I knew I should have taken latin <g>.

I just soiled myself!

Soiledholio!

HA HA Very Funny Dain.... I like that a lot..... God knows what it would have turned out like if you had learnt Latin????? All I can say is Phew!!!!!

In article ,

Title 47, Sec.227(a)(2)(B); Sec.227(b)(1)(C). And I can pursue action under: Sec.227(b)(3)(C) - look 'em up.

In article , [email] wrote:

Hey, I knew my Biology degree would come in handy for something <g>. Glad you liked it. Perhaps it's better that I studied german instead of latin ...

In article , Toni wrote:

<snipped Toni's response to the post I just responded to before I saw this response ... D'oh!>

Damn, I thought I beat you to the draw Toni. Oh well, I'll have to work on my posting speed <g>.

Thanks Trustno12, Sigh of relief!!! They "The Trolls" obviously have small minds and nothing better to do with it, if that all they can do....annoy people!!! Those Bastards (Trolls) should be killed instead of kenny.

Thanks again.

In article ,

The name's Toni, and pleased to meet you! :) Welcome aboard!

-Toni

[email] wrote:

Whoops... my apologies Toni, I did realise I got it wrong after I sent it(always the way!) -darkcat :)

In article ,

it,

In article , [email] wrote:

Definitions:

TROLL: Someone who comes to a newsgroup with the sole intent of posting offensive (usually rascist, recently it's been a freak by the handle of Kara1talis), insulting or just plain annoying (and off topic, there's one people here refer to as the "boinger", but he/she keeps changing handles, you'll know when you see one of their posts). The term comes from the fishing term "trolling" (if I'm not mistaken) PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS (they grow up to be big trolls <g>). Please refer to the thread labeled "Pledge". FEEDING TROLLS: responding to them (ignore them and they will shrivel up and die, all they are looking for is responses). THREAD: a seris of posts which are in response to the original post (i.e.- this response continues the thread "What is a troll and killfile"). KILLFILE: a filter which can be used to keep posts from certain posters from showing up on your screen. Not all newsreading software comes with these (mine for example ... ARGH!).

Hope this helps, and welcome to the group.

does AOL offer this killfile? I've looked for it but maybe I'm not looking in the right place?

in

Free Agent does not have killfiles or killfilters. You would need Agent (costs about $25 and you can download from www.forteinc.com)

Or you could use Microsoft Outlook Express which has killfilters for an email address.

BitchMom WebMistress of Billzhouse.com Founder of #alt.tv.southpark ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ For all your SouthPark needs visit http://www.billzhouse.com or mirror site http://yoda.rh.rit.edu/billzhouse/ ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Visit #alt.tv.southpark on Dalnet Point your java enabled browser to: http://www.members.tripod.com/TheSilverRaven/sp_chat.htm Or connect with mIRC or pIRCh, choose IRC Network Dalnet When you get connected, type in /join #alt.tv.southpark *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* remove MY to email me

However, because of AOL's proprietary news & mail protocols, you can't use a 3rd-party client, and AOL doesn't offer killfiles (even though they were supposed to about 3 years ago). AOLers are out of luck in this department.

Matthew Coyle

Just get rid of this suxk ass arbitrary ISP.