Unwelcome visitors - and recent "unpopular" threads

[HelenMumsnet]

Hello

We thought you should know that we've had a few "visitors" lately who have, collectively, been hellbent on stirring up bunfights on the boards.

They're not your average hairy trucker/bored schoolboy/silly perve but a group from another (now defunct, it seems) forum.

They were behind the Unpopular Opinions thread - and a fair few other threads that have kicked off recently.

We're on the case.

But we would appreciate your help with "Hoovering" up any visitors our Ban button may have missed.

So do report any suspicions using the Report link, and we promise to check 'em out - though it make take us a while

Many thanks, MNHQ

i have a membership of an irish political forum, but i can't remember my password, so i'm not sure it counts. otherwise, i only really waste my time on mumsnet

From what I have seen in the short time I have been here is that, there are regular MNetters who post, occasionally argue and take the mickey out of other posters they have known for a while, all in jest and these other posters know this and it's lighthearted and fun. They give back what they get.

On the other hand, I have also seen that there are definitely some suspect posters who jump on the banter and start to accuse posters of being bullies etc. This just isn't true. There are a couple of threads going where posters just won't stop goading other posters (usually regulars), constantly accusing them of bullying, being stuck up, not allowing anyone else an opinion blah blah blah. It's these people that I would label as "troublemakers".

Sometimes, we post things in a jokey way and it is taken in the very spirit that it is given. It's wrong when some of these nasties start to pick at the words, repost them as examples and just don't stop until eventually there is a ruck/bunfight. They are just here to cause trouble and that is wrong.

These are the people I think MNHQ are trying to "hoover up".

I could be wrong but that is how it presents to me.

[very sleepy yawn emoticon]

Thank you for the tea, do you have any chocolate?

I had trouble with the tone of the post and the fact that the poster just attacked me and someone else out of the blue, asking if one of us had 'mental difficulties' or some such.

Its quite unusual for a new poster I think to start off like that. I remember lurking for ages then posting on unscary factual advice threads for ages before wading in with an actual opinion.

When I took issue with the poster they really got nasty, accusing me of trying to control what they said etc and then it all got sock puppety.

I go out of my way to not argue on here {wimp emoticon] and so was a bit nonplussed to find someone was haing a proper go with very little provocation.

Maybe I need to man up though - brandy in my tea?

Hmm.

Well thanks all for trying to help an old lady work it all out . Haven't been around much lately and once again all the namechanges are flummoxing me.

Hopefully you will not mind when I say I disagree with a lot of your post Libra. Hope you enjoy your nap .

Mary, yes, I have occasionally seen posters behaving in the way you describe. But, usually, eventually everyone realises they are a twat and either ignores them or calls them on it - so hopefully no need for people to be hurt by randoms who just set out to post spitefully.

It's true LeQ, they really are targeting 'certain' posters and accuse them of being bullies and what not, when what they are actually doing is the being the bully!!

Then when another poster(s) comes in and defends the poster who is being 'set up' shall we say, that's when the accusation of having a 'following' comes in.

Then, no matter how hard we've tried to just ignore it/finish it/politely answer any questions, they just don't give up and push and push and push until they achieve their real purpose which is, to cause trouble.

They do seem to be singling people out and we had it happen this very morning.

But we can't dismiss everyone as trolls can we? Plenty of people on here namechange, all for valid reasons. Just because someone arrives late on a thread and posts doesn't make them a troll surely?

I'm either as confused as Bibbity or in total agreement with her post. Sad because it does bring the generally fun vibe on MN down and now feel like we're in a situation where if you disagree with someone you are immediately denounced as a troll.

I think you do agree with me Sarah petal.

I don't think its blindingly obvious at all when someone new arrives on mn. How do we know people are new? Most of these new names are just that - new names aren't they?

I think it's all a load of old wank.

So does Ted.

Well that's what I don't get Bibbity - does no one name change apart from trolls? I've name changed in the past because sometimes you give too much information out if you're giving advice (hard not to if you're responding because you really feel as if someone is in a similar situation to you) and then thought damn and had to name change.

I suppose it's getting the hang of a pre-emptive name change so you have your 'permanent' name and then you quickly name change if you think you will be giving TMI on a post - which so far eludes me. Is that what people do?

'Snot me.

i totally agree with ted heath.

If you ever namechanged we'd be able to spot you a mile off Hully, trailing glitter from the holes in the pockets of your enormous cardigan.

Yes - lots of us namechange - this is my 4th or 5th name that I have had for a while. But most people dont act like complete twats or if they do act like twats then they are consistent in it not having a go one minute then simpering the next iyswim.

And they dont have people that you've never heard of popping up to agree with them all the time.

I dont namechange within a thread unless its a comedy namechange iyswim.

RIZZO - did you notice the ripples after the boat were going far and wide?

I've always been Mouseface or seasonal versions of it.

I don't want to change name. I want people to recognise me and think 'Hey, there's that bloody lovely Mouse again'

Well, I'm baffled as to how you all work out who is who and who are sock puppets and so on. And I thought I spent long enough on here.

Right, I'm logging off to go for my morning shower .

with you on that bibbity - i can barely remember the names of people i actually know, never mind umpteen internet personae...

Ok mary, if you could pm me when you have spotted the next one of these I'd be ever so grateful.

Agreed FMoL - (sigh) wish MNHQ would introduce some form of accreditation scheme where you can actually prove you are NOT a troll - am getting tired of being dismissed as a troll.

Wonder what accreditation could involve? Maybe a short diploma listing every previous known name of Cod/penguins/le pouffe du merde etc. Hopefully Ted will come up with something (very impressed by his abilities from beyond the grave - Houdini will be absolutely gutted.)

I recently namechanged but didn't want to, as I felt I'd built up a lot of posts on here in my time, but the one I had wasn't very subtle as it was a RL nickname, and was similar to an email address I have.

Also I came on here for very different reasons than why I remain here, and those days are behind me thankfully.

Should have thought about that ages ago really.

Oh crap, school run!