AIBU to think that MN need to come up with a way to stop fake posters?

[bbcessex]

It really is getting boring. Dull, dull, dull.

I'm not clever enough to work out a formula myself, but would removing the name-change function stop trolls being able to hide so much ? I appreciate this may have a negative effective on those who wish to remain anonymous, but maybe the upside would be worth it?

Another option - would having a flag that said "first time poster" help on an OP? or the number of posts an OP has made?

Too many times recently I read an OP and watch many posters fall into the abyss of answering honestly to a thread that has all the marks of a hairy keyboard sad twat.

I can never tell. Sometimes things sound a bit far fetched but doesn't mean they're not true.

How do others tell?

I'm with you.
I understand completely why some posters want to name change but the extent to which it is abused is incredibly tiresome.

I thought my radar was excellent but I think I fell for the same one as you today op. Not sure if anything can be done though.

I'm not an IT expert but I dont think there is a perfect system. This is a problem faced by every forum.
It also makes the trolls who get through the system feel even more clever.

This is an open forum and I think thats the best way to deal with it. Anyone can post here. Threads that go bad are removed.
Dont let them annoy you, its what they get off on. Its meh, not annoying.

They hate that attitude.

*same one as you saw today

I can't tell either but I don't think there is a way of really stopping them.

Even stopping the name changing won't stop some people.

They will post 5-10 times sensibly and then rip

Yes - probably the same post. I can only 'tell' if I spot a weird piece of syntax, or an inconsistency in a timeline.

I do think having a 'Number of Threads-Started' counter next to your name would help, plus removing the ability to NC.

NeedACleverNN... blimey, that actually sounds scary, that some saddos will plan their idiocy

I think namechanging should be allowed but very much restricted. But I think it's too late now to go back.

Gransnet does not allow namechanging.

I name change quite a lot.

I tend to reference my own personal experiences quite a lot and they are very identifying.
If anyone reported me as a troll then MN would only take minutes to work out that I have a consistent IP address and all details I post are consistent.

If there was no name change facility then I wouldn't use MN, I imagine there are quite a few like me tbh.

If you are suspicious of someone's intentions then report, trolls are just irritating words on a screen.

People would miss the trolls - for some there is a definite pleasure in feeling outraged I think.

we need a goady fucker topic

Even without name changing it won't stop trolls. If you have two email addresses you can have two MN accounts.

I can usually tell when someone is a troll but I think I'm overly cynical too.

Nope, forums without the odd troll are boring, trust me. I like the occasional ridiculous thread.

I agree in some cases acasualobserver (some are so bad they're funny) but some of the very recent troll threads have involved subjects such as child abuse-I honestly don't think anyone would miss those trolls. Which thread went today?

I namechange aaalllll the time. Don't let the idjits spoil it for the rest of us. You won't stop them. And plenty of trolls have vast posting histories.

I think the fight back consists of just buggering on.

I name change now and then, especially when it's something that is very personal and known amongst friends of mine, some of which are MNers. When you say Hairy OP, you mean male right?

Hairy usually means hairy of hand-ie a troll. Not male.

YABU.

It is not possible to stop trolls.

The absolute best thing to do is not to feed them, don't engage at all and just report to MNHQ.

I name change all the time , so no , some posters shouldn't be able to spoil it for the rest of us

I got took of mums net and then was allowed back on i gave them my real name and told them to goggle it . some people do really have a lot of messed up stuff happen to them ,i should know and i guess some of you kinda make friends on here . and you wouldn't want them to know it's happen to you as you wouldn't get a biase oppion . and some off them just get bored .

I don't nc but don't think it should be banned altogether. I recently wanted to post about a topic that would be identifying if anyone who knew me read it. I wouldn't like to think that they could then read everything I've ever posted. Although it would be a very dull read!
Also, there have many trolls who have built up a posting history and you can't combat that.

*been