I think that new members should be prevented from posting on the forums for 7 days

[wannaBeWhateverIWannaBe]

IMO it would prevent a lot of the nastyness that exists, and a lot of trolling.

I personally think that someone who signs up purely to cause trouble, is generally just borde. If they weren?t allowed to post straight away they would forget about posting here and would go somewhere else. As for people who need urgent advice, if they?re genuine, signing up here would give them a chance to look through posts and probably find the answer to their question without having to post it for the hundredth time. And if the advice they need is that urgent,then it?s probably professional help they need anyway and not mn help iyswim.

Oh no I like the mad new people

yes noddy its nice to see them, mad or not.

Maybe Mumsnet HQ should think about some sort of 'virtual ASBO' warnings or even bans for posters who repeatedly incite, insult, bait etc to the real detriment of the forum.

I agree that we shouldn't stifle debate, and that in real life vitriol exists (almost wrote 'bitchriol' ), but there should be standards of what is unacceptable - especially if it threatens to discourage valued well intentioned members from reading/posting/participating/supporting.

Should there be some sort of '3 strikes and you're out' warning system from Mumsnet HQ so that the basic integrity of the forum is maintained? Why should the majority have things spoilt because we're so determined to be 'fair' to a few unreasonable posters?

Earlybird - do you mean that for swearing then? I swear sometimes.. like shite, feck etc. I Hope it isnt as it would be a bit restricting. Obv understand if you get little trolls on here inciting racial hatred etc but the thought of not being able to swear doesnt seem reasonable.

Is there somewhere that new people can read about these things? People keep saying things like hijacking someone's thread, or trolling etc and I don't know what these all mean. I would hate to think that I might have said or done something (unwittingly) that may have been one of these things. That said I have avoided reading and/or joining in with things that I think aren't strictly necessary or may be a bit 'off' which goes to show that even someone as slow as me can make decisions as to whether I join in being nasty or not. In the end just as in life we all have to make the decision as to what we read and how we reply to each other.

awen - swearing open for discussion. IMO, people swear in their everyday conversation, so shouldn't be censored unless they swear at someone else as a way of insulting them.

I wouldn't censor swearing unless it was a personal insult. But, that's just me...others (and HQ) might think differently.

swearing on its own I do, and often

but never at people

so I might say I hate fuckwits who, or ive ahd a crap day

its just the short blunt attacks I don't like, whether they contain swearing or not

Son if someone types fyoure a fuckwit because you think that (for example) breast is the only option- that can be challenged

its just the (open post) you're a fuckwit (end of post) type things I dislike

Doesn't MN have a guideline against personal attacks anyway? Surely thats what these things are?

I must admit I have been on a swear thread when its dark outside! Its just for going on and swearing, sometimes you need to let it all out.
I do it when most folk are asleep and little eyes can't see my monitor by accident!

Nooo nonono

better a thousand trolls than one mother despairing because she is lonely.

The BBC archers foruem (yes i know) won't post messages from new members straight away until they have been vetted, once you have posted a few times then your message automatically gets put up, however this leads to very disjointed threads. I lurked for a while befoe posting

seamonster, really don't worry about it. The regulars here commit far more crimes than anyone who gives the slightest though to what they are saying - certainly I have never seen you being at all 'rude'!

We could always ask the trolls to play in Troll land

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MellowMa see my profile now if you like...

Colditz would agree the oldies are the biggest offenders

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