Told him Id share it with the Moderators for discussion. (Hes still too busy to rejoin us, but knows the door is open, to return, anytime)...

When starting a thread, how about being able to include a request giving notice or warning that any troll posts (offensive/disruptive) to that thread will not be tolerated, they will be deleted automatically and without further warning. In order for this to work, I think that the request must be optional, come from the poster starting the thread, and be included up front in the threads title (perhaps something like Troll-free thread). By doing this, the poster would be *electing* to give the sysops (or whoever) permission ahead of time to delete these responses, in their entirety only, and at their discretion.

A few simple common-sense guidelines for use may need to be added. For example, what happens if a troll makes the troll-free request, or just about everyone makes these requests? The very definition of a trollish post would need to be clarified, if it is not already defined somewhere on the forum (which I dont know if it is or not).

Naturally, this is just a thought, and I have no idea if it is a good one or not, nor do I know if it could realistically be enforced. I also am behind the times when it comes to knowing the nature of their activity on the forum. ANyway, If you feel its worth consideration, then maybe it would be a good idea for it to be brought up to the forum where folks could discuss it. That way everyone interested could give an opinion. After this, if it looks like a workable idea, perhaps we could trial it for a limited time to see what happens. Let me know what you think. Rob

So... comments?

Diane

-- Anonymous, July 15, 1999

Answers

IMO the Sysop's call has to be a seat-of-the-pants thing. Case by case.

-- Anonymous, July 15, 1999

Agree - best is case-by-case, always listening to the wishes of the person who started the thread, but not only listening to the originator. So let us assume that Jimmy D. started a thread - then he or somebody else begins abusing it. If we (collectively) had no option but to "obey" the owner, obsenitites (or whatever) couldn't be removed.

The idea is in the right direction, but allowing an originator to declare specifically and openly "advertise" to trolls in a particular thread that they are not invited to join in seems to be an attractant - rather than a repellent.

For example, the best way to get rid of mosquitos in your backyard is to give two bug zappers to your two neigbors - the mosquitos actually caught are still killed - with twice the rate. And those that aren't killed are no longer in your yard - they are flying around in your neighbor's yards.

-- Anonymous, July 16, 1999

Hey Robert -- good thinking!

Truly Byzantine-- as is this--

"If thine enemy offend thee, give his child a drum." (Anonymous)

-- Anonymous, July 16, 1999