Trolls & Membership

oh ,you are good

Spot on usualsuspect. So surprised you fell for that one! Or were the little grey cells on bank holiday today?

Why should it be deleted? It's very entertaining.

Yes, we can learn a lot from people who are so stupid they troll a forum

Some very good points here. I've named changed so as to be a troll or sockpuppet, whatever is more pleasing to the thought police.

1. We all know that trolls and sock puppets are BAD
2. They're bad because they don't think or act as we do. And we know they're bad because we have a bad name for them.
3. We only want people who think and act as we do because that's why we come to MN
4. We definitely do NOT want to try anything new nor do we want to even contemplate there could be people out there who might have something we could learn from, despite choosing to do different things and live different lives from us.
5. Let's do lots and lots of things which we think will drive these trolls and sockpuppets away because we all know they aren't as clever, good-looking, well-heeled, and all the good things we know we are and have, and of course we're never wrong so they'll be properly sorted by our poxy ever so clever little thread.

I could continue, but this is getting incredibly tedious even for a troll and sock puppet. Now then, who's smart enough to think of a reason for deleting this post?

I would not pay either but maybe being allowed only 1 namechange for "emergencies" would simplifie things?

I must say I have not yet come across one of those thread with same poster using two different names. How can you be sure it is the same person? style?

I would not pay. I joined because I asked questions and got really god advice and a sense of relief which was almost instantaneous. Trolls wont be deterred by payment I think.

Exactly LeBof

Some posters love a good drama

Boffy.

Quicker response is key, I reckon. And I don't think sockpuppeting is all that harmful actually: it's usually quite obvious, and getting rid of the namechange facility to tackle them is throwing the baby out with the bathwater, I think.

The worst trolls are the emotrolls, but if there's one thing I've learned about them, it's that you will never stop people falling for their guff, and if you say anything at all, you'll get yourself a ticket to the far side of fuck from some very angry soap opera fans.

If a site doesn't allow namechanging, all trolls do is sign up multiple times so it wouldn't stop it, just make it slightly more difficult.

Good post, RHP. I agree.

The highlighting of OP's posts on one thread is a good idea.

What about having to "earn" the right to namechange, by being a member for XY weeks/months?

Or limiting the number of different names that posters can change to?

Just read RedHotPokers post and she makes alot of sense. It did feel when I first posted here (then took fright at the responses I received) that unless you were an established member, you weren't welcome, or at the very least you were being regarded suspiciously.

Namechanging isn't the problem, otherwise so is newbies.

Just because a regular has namechanged doesn't mean their thread is fake. Just because you might not believe it doesn't mean it's fake.

If you have any doubts report.

I believe a regular that has namechanged is less likely to be trolling as they are risking their established ac. Any troll with half a brain would start a new ac.

Great post, RedHotPokers - exactly what I tried (and failed) to say upthread.

I agree with SybilBeddows and I like Maryz's idea -- being able to highlight names that come from the same isp would help somewhat. I have never figured out how to namechange, but some namechanges are genuinely funny (Wolef threads and Nobdies, and Christmas names stand out for me) and I think it would be a net loss to the site to prohibit the practice.

I love MN but really couldn't see my way to paying for it. I think it would leave MN open to accusations of yumminess even moreso than it is right now (without justification imo). Plus I am very tight with money.

I have to say too, that I have been burned by trolls once or twice, and maybe I have extra thick skin but I have somehow managed to bravely get over it and soldier on.

I agree with Tee, we had this same thread last summer holidays after a silly season of trollery. I think it will probably die down again. Its just that mumsnet is a victim of its own success so it will always be a target.

I wouldn't pay. At the moment MN is my main hobby, its almost all I do when I'm not doing housework or child related stuff but even so I wouldn't pay. I'd defect to Netmums and mutter under my breath about that bloody mumsnet charging for membership!

I think it would be the death of mumsnet.

Your namechange isn't highlighted to the rest of us, Chipping.

sorry-I have it set as green!

It doesn't show green, no.